India has many reasons to attract travelers. From breathtaking natural views to ancient structures. The country is indeed full of surprises and divine heaven itself. However, you would be more than surprised to know that it also glows in the dark.
Yes, you read that right. There are places in India that glow in the dark and you should definitely add them to your bucket list when you plan to travel to India.
1) Purushwadi Forest, Maharashtra
Purushwadi, a tribal village of Maharashtra doesn’t only attract thousands of visitors during summers, but also attracts millions of fireflies. To attract mates, these fireflies produce bioluminescence at twilight, during their breeding season. The best time to visit is during May and June, you will witness trees dotted with these fireflies, dazzling with blinking patterns as they try to seduce their mates. Also, a firefly festival is celebrated in this region, that’s when many trekkers visit this place to watch the fireflies in all their glory.
2) Juhu Beach, Maharashtra
Juhu Beach in the Indian state of Maharashtra is one of the places that surely deserves a visit. Whenever you plan to visit, try visiting at night to witness the shimmering shade of electric blue due to a microorganism, which emits light when disturbed called Noctiluca scintillans. The best time to visit the beach is after 8 PM to witness the sparkling blue waves.
3) Betalbatim Beach, Goa
Goa, India needs no introduction also has a beach that glows in the dark. The Betalbatim Beach, in South Goa, is known for its pristine white sand and is ideal for spotting dolphins spotting and watching breathtaking sunsets. This beach also glows in the dark due to bioluminescence in the waters. So, whenever you’re in Goa, don’t miss visiting this spot.
4) West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
After hearing about ‘electric mushrooms’, when Indian and Chinese researchers went to West Jaintia Hills District in the Indian state of Meghalaya, they were not expecting what they found. After getting there, they were asked to switch off their torches by the local guide, and that is when the magic happened. They couldn’t believe their eyes as they saw tiny mushrooms emitting light on their own. Here, the locals use these mushrooms to navigate in the forests. Tests revealed that these electric mushrooms are a new species from the genus Roridomyces.
5) Mattu Beach, Karnataka
Mattu beach in the South Indian state Karnataka attracts visitors looking to relax, take walks, and witness the sunset. Interestingly, the beach waters here glow at night due to a microorganism called Noctiluca scintillans. Commonly, it’s known as the sea sparkle, which is a free-living and marine-dwelling species that emit light.