World's Widest Banyan Tree - Botanical Garden, Howrah

Near Kolkata, at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Botanical Garden, Howrah, lies another living proof nature's powerful glory. The 1250 year old Great Banyan Tree, with a canopy covering an area of 4 acres, is considered the widest tree in the world. After being struck by lightning, the tree was diseased. The trunk had to be removed in 1925. It continues to live without its main trunk, and has 3300 aerial roots reaching down to the ground. What appears to be a forest is actually one single tree. In his mind's eye, I'm sure this what Frost saw when he said, 'Lovely, dark and deep...'

Living Roots Bridge - Cherrapunji, Meghalaya

In Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, man has befriended nature and cajoled it into bending to his ways. People build bridges, but the Khasis of Meghalaya, they grow bridges. Ficus Elastica or the Rubber Tree produces strong secondary roots from their trunks. These have been trained to grow in a particular direction using betel-nut trunks, forming sturdy, living bridges over decades. Some of these bridges are more than a hundred feet long. The Umshiang Double Decker Bridge is truly one of a kind in the entire world. Some ancient root bridges are over 500 years old.

Half-Sized Taj Replica - Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad

They say imitation is best form of flattery. The 'Mini Taj' proves the point. Built in the late 17th CE, within less than 30 years of its original inspiration, this modest monument has often been called 'Poor Man's Taj.' It was commissioned by Aurangzeb and built by one of his sons, Prince Azam Shah, in memory of his mother, the Emperor's first wife. Though it fades in comparison to its majestic inspiration, the Bibi Ka Maqbara emanates a certain charming humility.

World's Largest Monolithic Statue - Gomateshwara Statue, Shravanabelagola

The monolithic statue of Gomateshwara, also known as Bahubali, at Shravanabelagola, towers above all else at 60 feet. Carved out of a single block of granite, it is so large, it can be seen even from 30 kms away. Gomateshwara was a Jain saint, who according to legend, was the first human in his half time cycle to attain liberation. The monolith was built by Chamundaraya, a minister of the Ganga Dynasty between 978 and 993 CE and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Jains across the world. Standing at the feet of this massive monolith, looking up, you'll understand how big the world really is, and how small we are in comparison.

The Motorcycle God - Bullet Baba Shrine, Bandai, Rajasthan

If there is any place in the world where you'll come across a shrine where flowers and liquor bottles are offered to a motorcycle, it has to be in India! At Bandai, Jodhpur, Om Singh Rathore died when he crashed his Bullet into a tree while riding drunk. The police claimed the bike and took it to the station. The next day, the bike was found at the spot of the accident. They brought it back to the station, emptied the fuel tank and chained it. Yet the bike miraculously found its way back to accident spot the next day. The motorcycle was moved permanently to the location and the Om Baba (or Bullet Baba as it is popularly called) Shrine was erected. Every day many passers-by come to offer their prayers. The spirit of Om Banna is believed to protect travellers.

World's Highest Tea Estate - Kolukkumalai, Tamil Nadu

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is an hour and half long drive from Munnar. Towering at a height of 8000 feet above sea level, this tea estate rises above the plains of Tamil Nadu, heralded by beautiful rugged mountains on all sides. It's hard to decide which is more breath-taking: the scenic landscape or the flavourful teas produced here.

Natural Mummy of Sangha Tenzing - Gue Village, Spiti

If you thought mummies were to be found only in Egypt, you are mistaken. In a little village called Gue, in Himachal's Spiti district, lays the remarkably well-preserved 500 year-old mummy of Sangha Tenzing, a Buddhist monk from Tibet. It was found in a sitting position, with skin and hair intact. This is probably because, the monk started mummifying himself while he was still alive. Natural mummification, as compared to chemical enbalming, is a complex procedure and is extremely rare. The mummy was discovered after an earthquake in 1975. It is now on display at a temple in Gue.