Bought a fancy camera, clicked everything from the neighbourhood strays to water droplets on your windscreen for a week, and now you can’t remember which pile of dust your camera’s under? There’s no better time than now to get it out there and capture these incredible places. This is the year of photography, we say!

Presenting a list of top 10 places for photography in India:

1. LADAKH

It touches the cloud, it has a sensational landscape, the air has a nip to it, the windows are misty all the time, the birds sing across the Pangong Lake and the silence of the monks at Buddhist monasteries inspires.

Best time to photograph: July- September

2. RAJASTHAN

From the palaces of Udaipur to the forts of Jaipur, from the markets at Jodhpur to the dunes at Jaisalmer, Rajasthan is replete with click-worthy places.

Most photogenic attractions: Amer Fort (Jaipur), Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur), Thar Desert

3. TAJ MAHAL, AGRA

For using that wide angle, Taj Mahal is your perfect model. Most India holiday packages include Agra in their itineraries. This 17^th century monument, built by Shah Jahan for Mumtaz, is one of the most photographed monuments in the world.

Some vantage points for capturing the Taj: The Taj Mahal complex, Mehtab Bagh (situated nearby), from a boat or ferry on the River Yamuna

4. VARANASI

Varanasi (or Benares) with its spiritual and vintage charm gives you some unique photographs. Uttar Pradesh’s biggest draw gets our votes for its deluge of 80 river Ghats along the River Ganga.

Best spot to take pictures: Manikarnika Ghat

5. MADURAI

Tamil Nadu’s small town Madurai is a must-visit for a photo spam of temples. Meenakshi Temple, counted amongst the best temples in India, is situated here.

Best time to visit: In April during the 12-day Chithirai Festival

6. GOLDEN TEMPLE, AMRITSAR

Situated in Amritsar in the middle of a water tank, it offers a sight that deserves to be captured. The gold surface of the temple reflects in the waters of the sarovar and the whole place is bathed in resplendent golden light.

Trivia: Golden Temple is also known as Har Mandir Sahib

7. CAVES OF MAHARASHTRA

Maharashtra houses some historic caves whose artistic and archaic beauty cannot be expressed through words. You will tire of clicking but the sculptures wont tire of posing.

Most photogenic caves: Ajanta, Ellora, Elephanta (in Mumbai)

8. HAMPI

For photographers who revel in ruins, South India’s Hampi should be an idyllic destination. With rocks, boulders and bits of old monuments strewn about everywhere, Hampi is a charmer.

What you should know: This Karnataka town can look spooky and you will find it hard to get fast food here. The ruins and the Hampi Bazaar should whet your camera’s appetite, though.

9. KERALA

With backwaters, forts, beaches, palm trees, fishermen, hamlets and churches, Kerala is one of the most photogenic things God ever made (they call it God’s Own Country). You should be there with your camera dangling across your neck and vouchers of India tour packages clutched firmly in your hands.

Best in Kerala in terms of photography: Cochin (especially Fort Kochi), Munnar and Alleppey

10. KOLKATA

Also known as Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal is your best getaway for capturing hand-drawn rickshaw pullers, old buildings from the Raj era and the snail-paced trams. Plus, there are beggars (always a favorite with the photographers).

Must-visit places for photography: Esplanade, Park Street, Kalighat Temple, Howrah Bridge