Do you spend hours gazing at the night sky? Do you get a kick out of identifying the stars, planets and constellations in the sky? If yes, then this listicle is for you! 

• Birla Planetarium, Kolkata 

This famous planetarium is the largest in Asia and second largest in the world! The circular-shaped building is designed like a Buddhist Stupa. It houses an astronomy gallery and a laboratory. There are three Birla Planetariums in India, the other two are in Chennai and Hyderabad. This place also screens interesting shows on space.  

•  Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai 

Another popular planetarium in India is the Nehru Planetarium. This huge dome-shaped theatre is a popular tourist attraction in Worli, Mumbai. The planetarium is a hub for astronomical education and entertainment. 3-D shows about the solar system are screened here. Visitors also get to use their telescope. The place also hosts cultural programs and concerts. 

• Nubra Valley, Leh, Ladakh 

If you are fascinated by the mysterious outer space and what lies beyond, Nubra Valley is definitely the place to go. With absolutely no air pollution, the beautiful valley offers brilliant opportunities to stargaze. Some of the constellations visible on a regular night in Ladakh are the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. The Pole Star is another attraction. Sometimes the moons of Jupiter and Saturn are visible. Visitors here get the opportunity to zoom into the craters of Earth’s moon and identify numerous other stars and constellations.  The best time to visit is during the summer. 

• Coorg, Karnataka  

You can spend several nights in Coorg just stargazing. You can see Scorpio, Sagittarius, and the Southern Cross. Make sure you carry a tent with an open roof when you go camping in the woods in Coorg!  The best time to visit Coorg for stargazing is during the winter months when the skies are at their clearest. You can also join a guided night walk or a star gazing workshop to learn more about the stars and constellations.  

• Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

It is the place for you to be if stargazing while lying on the beach is your idea of an ideal vacation. You can enjoy the spectacular view of the Milky Way from here. Since the island has a flat terrain, people get to see the galaxy and the moonrise on either side of the sky for a brief period. The best time to visit Neil Island is between January and April when the weather is pleasant, and the sky is clear.  

• Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 

You can’t help but be drawn by Jaisalmer and its sand dunes. The Thar Desert near Jaisalmer is a sight to behold when the moon and millions of stars fill the night sky. You can see constellations like Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades. Other activities to indulge in include camping, desert safaris, heritage tours, and cultural events.  

• Space Theatre, Kolkata Science City, Kolkata

The space odyssey section here houses various exhibits and activity areas related to astronomy and space science. There are two rocket models in the theatre. There is also a giant screen providing information on various planets. The theatre also has time machines and a space theatre.  

• Jantar Mantar

Commisioned by Maharaja Jai Singh II, there are five of these observatories located in New Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Ujjain and Varanasi; built between 1724 and 1730. The observatories have a collection of sundials and various other instruments, designed for measuring celestial movements. A visit to the Jaipur Jantar Mantar, the largest of them all, will yield much fascination as it houses the world’s largest sundial-known as the Vrihat Samrat Yantra.