India is a world within itself. With one corner snowing while the other scorching in the desert heat, it also has the gorgeous beach on one side and hill stations on the other. While everyone knows about the usual Delhi, Hydrebad and Bombay, this article covers dazzling places that are unheard of. By Syeda Samira Sadeque

India. One of today's fastest growing economies; one of today's most mentioned names while deciding where to go shopping for your cousin's wedding; one of today's attractive centers of education. It's big - but not only for shopping, education and the strongly challenging market that it's growing, but also because of what it is. If you start from Kashmeer and move down south, you will get an insight into many beauties lurking within the corners of India.

SERENE SRINAGAR: Settled away from the pandemonium of the usual city life is the place that everyone dreams of. And that's Kashmeer. It is the fairy tale land situated in the land far, far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the crowd. You might have heard that Kashmeer is the paradise on Earth and this claim is avowed once you enter the capital of Kashmeer, Srinagar. With ice-capped mountains and flushing greenery, the capital will hold you in awe. One of the must-sees is Dal Lake; it's a city within the city. But what's different about it? It's situated on the lake! Boats or Shikharas will take you for a tour around this incredible city set on the ripples and waves of the freezing water. There are houses, hotels, food markets, clothes markets all set on boats where you can stop by to shop! However, be careful of the water. It's beautiful, but it's scarily deep. One can very clearly see the moss-green plants tangled with each other below the surface of the water.

Your next stop could be at Sonamarg. The beauty of Sonamarg lies in the contrasting view of ice-capped mountains on one side and an area shrouded with greenery on the other. One can drive up till a point after which he has to take a walk or horse ride uphill. Even more exciting than this fabulous view are the tree trunks lying there, from which visitors can peel off slices of the bark and use them as parchments. Any writing on the biscuit colored skin of the tree seems truly romantic!

If you are a plant lover, the Mughal Gardens are made for you. Plugged with trees and plants of various shapes and sizes, Nishat and Shalimar are two botanical gardens that are simply soothing. The awe-inspiring view of sunset from the garden compliments with the view of Dal Lake from this point.

The typical Kashmiri food is Yakhni mutton cooked in yoghurt. The people usually eat rice but are not highly fond of fish. The understanding relationship between the people has led to the tradition in which Hindus avoid eating pork while Muslims avoid beef. The people are not only thoughtful, they are tremendously hospitable and extremely keen on keeping their environment clean. It is only after one goes there that he realizes that what makes Kashmeer so beautiful is not only the place but also its people.

With a tremendously active night life in some parts and a slow-n-steady lifestyle somewhere else where time seems to have stopped years back, India is truly incredible. So, in case you are bored with your usual visits to NYC or with the constant shopping in Thailand, go spend a summer in the neighborhood. It has way too much to offer!