OFF THE BEATEN PATH

From magical gardens to mythical ruins and majestic tombs, here are some of the things you see in India when you go beyond the star attractions

- 

CACTUS GARDEN, RATLAM, MADHYA PRADESH

The cactus garden on the Ratlam-Banswara highway is among the largest in Asia, with over 1,200 species of cactus. In winter, the succulents bloom with bright colours, turning the garden into an unlikely panoply of hues.

Getting there: 165km from Indore

MASRUR TEMPLE, KANGRA, HIMACHAL PRADESH

The temples at Masrur are believed to have been carved out of a monolithic rock in the 8th century. Many believe that the Pandavas spent some part of their exile here, and even tried to build a stairway to heaven from this site. An incomplete stairway remains at the temple today.

Getting there: 45km from Dharamshala

PHUGTAL MONASTERY, ZANSKAR, LADAKH