Top 5 Cheapest Places Travel in India

1. GOA

Ideal duration: 2 Nights/3 Days
What it will cost you:
Train travel Mumbai to Margao and back: INR 450.
Stay: Decent accommodation and beach huts start at INR 500/night.
Food: Shacks on the beach are the best, a good seafood meal for as low as INR 150.
Bike rentals: Start at INR 250/day and go up to INR 500.

You can have a chill-out and have fun with your besties in some of the best beaches. Goa has no lack of exciting and lively places where you can have fun at cheap prices. It is definitely the tourist destination where King’s beer comes at just 30 bucks.

a. If you are in north Goa, rent out a scooter (Rs 250 per day) and explore
 the capital, Panaji, and its neighboring Donna Paula.

b. Ride down to Old Goa and visit the Basilica de Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and
St Francis of Assisi Church.

c. Give the commercialized beaches of Baga and Calangute a pass and
instead, bask in the Candolim sun or check out the lighthouse at Fort Aguada.

d. If you just want to laze around on the beaches, consider heading to
South Goa. Spend a couple of nights at Palolem or Patnem and you are gold.

2. JAIPUR

The ideal duration of stay: 2 Night/3 Days.
What it will cost you: 
Stay: INR 500– INR 1500 per night
Food: INR 150 per meal.

The Pink City provides a lot of cheap and easy accommodation options. You can have a lot to see and do here and you can head to some of the splendid forts here and explore the brilliant architecture.

3.Pondicherry 

Ideal duration: 2 Nights/3 Days
What it will cost you:
Bus travel from Chennai to Pondicherry and back: INR 500, if you prefer traveling unreserved in a train, the fare is as low as INR 45 one way.
Stay: Comfortable cottage stay at INR 300 or budget hotels at INR 500

Food: Try out some Indianized French cuisine starting at INR 200-300 for two

If your budget is extremely tight, consider staying at Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry and enjoy the free quality vegetarian dishes and yoga classes and lessons of Mother Mirra Alfisa.

4. RISHIKESH

Ideal duration: 1 Night/2 Days
What it will cost you: 
Travel to and from Delhi: INR 300
Stay: INR 150 per night
Food: INR 200/meal
River rafting: INR 400 to INR 1300 per person

Beach camping: INR 1600 per person (includes 1 Night stay, 3 meals, and river rafting)

Apart from rafting, there are many adventure activities that will appeal to the adventure seekers. Some activities tourists can try at Rishikesh are bungee jumping, kayaking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, and zip lining.

5.DHARAMSHALA & MCLEODGANJ

Ideal duration: 2 Nights/3 Days
What it will cost you: 
Delhi to McLeodganj and back: INR 1000
Stay INR 130/night – INR 500/night
Food: Tibetan and Chinese cuisine at little cafes @INR 100 – 200 for two

A colorful hill station, Dharamsala is a mini-Tibet. The dual cities of Dharamsala and McLeodganj are lined with numerous monasteries and temples to visit and the views of the hills and valleys are nothing short of magical. For those who love treks, be sure to try Triund trek and camp. So, if you are looking for some adventurous cheap trips in India, you sure can count on Dharamsala and McLeodganj.

"The Ancient Seat of Knowledge"- Nalanda

The most popular Mahavihara of the ancient times, a significant Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim centre, all wrapped in a wisp of spirituality, Nalanda continues to be an equally enriching location in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism.


History of Nalanda

Nalanda was originally just a village that ran past the route of Rajgriha (modern-day Rajbir) which was then the capital of Magadha (modern-day Bihar). It is believed that the 24th Jain tirthankar- Mahavir Jain spent 14 rainy seasons in Nalanda. Also, Gautam Buddha delivered his lectures in the area. Not much is known about the territory in the centuries to follow. However, it is believed that in the 17th century King Ashoka- the great Mauryan and Buddhist emperor, built a temple at Nalanda in reverence for Buddha and his belief in the religion. He placed famous philosophers and intellectuals like Nagarjuna and Aryadeva as the head of the institution to impart education. But the notable history of Nalanda begun supposedly during the Gupta era, according to the seal found in the name of King Kumargupta. His successors expanded the empire by building many more monasteries and temples. Post Gupta period, Nalanda flourished under the reign of emperor Harsha. But the place suffered a big blow under the rule of Pala dynasty when it was plundered and destroyed by the Muslim Mamluk Turkish kings. Later in 1915, the Archaeological Survey of India studied the site and excavated 6 temples and 11 monasteries. The site is still a popular tourist destination in India.

Restaurants and Local Food in Nalanda

Nalanda has got pretty plain food habits, mostly due to the Buddhist influence. The cuisine is pretty much vegetarian and healthy comprising of dal roti and seasonal vegetables. Litti Chokha is the most favourite snack of the people. Some other popular snacks are Samosa, Kachori, Aalu Kachaalu, Bhooja, Ghughni Choora, Dahi Choora, Jhaal Moodhi etc.

How To Reach Nalanda

Nearest Airport: Patna Airport (PAT) - 64 km from Nalanda

How to Reach Nalanda by Road

Nalanda is well connected to nearby cities like Patna, Bodhgaya, and Rajgir by a good network of roads. Regular state-run and private buses move to and from Nalanda to these towns.

How to Reach Nalanda by Train

The Nalanda Railway station controlled by the East Central Railway is well connected to major cities of India via the Delhi-Kolkata Line and Patna-Mughalsarai Line. Regular superfast and express trains are available on this route.

Commuting Within Nalanda

Buses and jeeps are used to get around in Nalanda, but the local way of travel is Tonga, i.e the horse-drawn cart.