Tourism in India by state
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Tourism in India Tourism in India is important for the country's economy and is growing rapidly. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated or 5.8% of India's GDP and supported 32.1 million jobs in 2021. Even though, thes ...
is economically important and ever growing. The
World Travel & Tourism Council The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is a forum for the travel and tourism industry. It is made up of members from the global business community and works with governments to raise awareness about the travel and tourism industry. It is know ...
calculated that tourism generated or 9.6% of the nation's GDP in 2016 and supported 40.343 million jobs, 9.3% of its total employment. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.8% to by 2027 (10% of GDP). Various
states and union territories of India India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, with a total of 36 entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts and smaller administrative divisions. History Pre-indepen ...
attract tourists from all over the world, mainly due to the cultural diversity.


Andaman and Nicobar Island

Tourism is the major revenue generating industry in
Andaman and Nicobar Islands The Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India consisting of 572 islands, of which 37 are inhabited, at the junction of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The territory is about north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated f ...
. According to official estimates, the flow of tourists in the Andamans more than tripled in 2016–17 to 430,000 from 130,000 in 2008–09. * Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an
archipelago An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands. Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Archi ...
of over 570 tropical islands, of which only 36 are inhabited. * Radhanagar beach at Havelock Island was bestowed with the title of ‘Asia’s Best Beach’ in 2004 by ''TIME'' magazine. It is also listed as world's 7th most spectacular beach in the world on ''
Time Time is the continued sequence of existence and events that occurs in an apparently irreversible succession from the past, through the present, into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequence events, to ...
''s list. * Barren Island which is about 135 km (84 mi) north-east of the territory's capital,
Port Blair Port Blair () is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India in the Bay of Bengal. It is also the local administrative sub-division (''tehsil'') of the islands, the headquarters for the district of South An ...
, is the only confirmed
active volcano An active volcano is a volcano which is either erupting or is likely to erupt in the future. An active volcano which is not currently erupting is known as a dormant volcano. Overview Tlocene Epoch. Most volcanoes are situated on the Pacific Ri ...
in
South Asia South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The region consists of the countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.;;;;;;;; ...
. * Historic
Cellular Jail The Cellular Jail, also known as Kālā Pānī (), was a British colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The prison was used by the British Raj, colonial government of India for the purpose of Penal transportation, exiling crimina ...
in
Port Blair Port Blair () is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India in the Bay of Bengal. It is also the local administrative sub-division (''tehsil'') of the islands, the headquarters for the district of South An ...
was used by the
British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...
to
exile Exile is primarily penal expulsion from one's native country, and secondarily expatriation or prolonged absence from one's homeland under either the compulsion of circumstance or the rigors of some high purpose. Usually persons and peoples suf ...
political prisoners A political prisoner is someone imprisoned for their political activity. The political offense is not always the official reason for the prisoner's detention. There is no internationally recognized legal definition of the concept, although nu ...
during the struggle for India's independence to the remote
archipelago An archipelago ( ), sometimes called an island group or island chain, is a chain, cluster, or collection of islands, or sometimes a sea containing a small number of scattered islands. Examples of archipelagos include: the Indonesian Archi ...
. Presently, the jail complex serves as a national memorial monument.History of Andaman Cellular Jail: Recapture of Andaman Islands to keep Political Prisoners
AndamanCellularJail.org. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
File:Havelock Island by Vikramjit Kakati.jpg, Havelock Island File:Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar.JPG, Historic
Cellular Jail The Cellular Jail, also known as Kālā Pānī (), was a British colonial prison in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The prison was used by the British Raj, colonial government of India for the purpose of Penal transportation, exiling crimina ...
in
Port Blair Port Blair () is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India in the Bay of Bengal. It is also the local administrative sub-division (''tehsil'') of the islands, the headquarters for the district of South An ...
File:Andaman ross is.jpg, One view of
Ross Island (Andaman) Ross Island, officially known as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is situated east from central Port Blair. ...
File:Narcondam island.jpg,
Narcondam Island Narcondam, India's easternmost island, is a small volcanic island located in the northern Andaman Sea. The island's peak rises to 710 m above mean sea level, and it is formed of andesite. It is part of the Andaman Islands, the main body of whic ...
, a
volcanic island Geologically, a high island or volcanic island is an island of volcanic origin. The term can be used to distinguish such islands from low islands, which are formed from sedimentation or the uplifting of coral reefs (which have often formed ...


Andhra Pradesh

A study in 2014 published by ''
The Economic Times ''The Economic Times'' is an Indian English-language business-focused daily newspaper. It is owned by The Times Group. ''The Economic Times'' began publication in 1961. As of 2012, it is the world's second-most widely read English-language bus ...
'' said that undivided
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
had emerged as the "most-preferred" tourist destination for domestic travellers with about 20 per cent share in the total domestic tourist visits across India in 2012. Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres: *
Tirumala Tirumala is a spiritual town in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the suburbs of the Tirupati, Tirupati urban agglomeration. The town is a part of Tirupati Urban Development Authority and located in Tirupa ...
Tirupati Tirupati () is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tirupati district. The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple and other historic temples and is refe ...
, the abode of Lord
Venkateswara Venkateswara, also known by various other names, is a form of the Hinduism, Hindu god Vishnu. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, located in Tirupati, Sri Balaji District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Etymology ...
, is the second richest and most visited religious centre (of any faith) in the world. This temple is also one among the 108divyadesam dedicated to Lord
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
. Brahmotsavam (Brahma's Utsavam) is a nine day long festival held every year in the month of October and as many as 5,00,000 devotees will throng to the hill for seeking blessings of the lord. *''
Kanaka Durga Temple Kanaka Durga Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Kanaka Durga. The deity in this temple is also popularly referred as ''Kanaka Durga''. The temple is located in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India on the Indrakeeladri Hills on the bank ...
'' of goddess
Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around co ...
is situated on the Indrakeeladri hill in the city of
Vijayawada Vijayawada, formerly known as Bezawada, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and is a part of the state's Capital Region. It is the administrative headquarters of the NTR district. Its metropolitan region comprises NT ...
on the banks of Krishna River. A large number of pilgrims attend the colourful celebrations of Tepotsavam and for holy dip in the Krishna river during the festival of
Dusshera Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu ...
. *''
Mallikarjuna Temple, Srisailam Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple or Srisailam Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deities Shiva and Parvati, located at Srisailam in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is significant to the Hindu sects of both Shaivism and Shakt ...
'' temple situated at
Srisailam Srisailam is a census town in Nandyal district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the mandal headquarters of Srisailam mandal in Atmakur revenue division. It is located about from the district headquarters Nandyal, from Kurnool, an ...
in the Nallamala Hills of
Kurnool district Kurnool district is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in the North western part of the state and is bounded by Jogulamba Gadwal district of Telangana in the north, Raich ...
, is the abode of lord
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
and is one of the twelve
Jyotirlinga A Jyotirlinga () or Jyotirlingam, is a devotional representation of the Hindu god Shiva. The word is a Sanskrit compound of ('radiance') and ('sign'). The Śiva Mahāpurāṇam (also ''Shiva Purana'') mentions 64 original ''jyotirlinga'' s ...
shrines in India.
Lord Rama Rama (; ), Ram, Raman or Ramar, also known as Ramachandra (; , ), is a major deity in Hinduism. He is the seventh and one of the most popular ''avatars'' of Vishnu. In Rama-centric traditions of Hinduism, he is considered the Supreme Being ...
himself installed the
Sahasralinga Sahasralinga is a pilgrimage place, located around 14 km from the Sirsi Taluk in the district of Uttara Kannada of Karnataka state in India. It is in the river ''Shalmala'' and is famous for being the location where around a thousand lin ...
, while the
Pandavas The Pandavas (Sanskrit: पाण्डव, IAST: Pāṇḍava) refers to the five legendary brothers— Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva—who are the central characters of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. They are acknowledg ...
lodged the ''Panchapandava'' lingas in the temple courtyard. *The Kodandarama temple,
Vontimitta Vontimitta (Telugu: ఒంటిమిట్ట) or Ekasilanagaram, is a village in Kadapa district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in the Vontimitta Mandal of the Kadapa revenue division. The village is well-known for the ...
, Kadapa district is a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Sri Rama is of great significance in the history of Andhra Pradesh. *The five ancient
Hindu temples A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hind ...
of
Lord Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
, known as
Pancharama Kshetras The Pancharama Kshetras (or the Pancharamas) are five ancient Hindu temples of Shiva in Andhra Pradesh. The Sivalingas at these temples are made from a single Sivalinga. Legend As per the legend, a Shiva Lingam was owned by the Rakshasa king ...
, are located at Amararama (
Amaravathi Amaravati () is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river Krishna in Guntur district. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone at a ceremonial event in Uddandar ...
),
Draksharama Draksharama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Siva. The temple is located in Draksharamam town of Konaseema district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Bhimeswara Swamy refers to Lord Siva in this te ...
,
Somarama Somarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Bhimavaram of West Godavari district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the centrally protected monuments of nat ...
(
Bhimavaram Bhimavaram is a city and headquarters of West Godavari district of the Andhra Pradesh state of India. It is the administrative headquarters of Bhimavaram mandal in Bhimavaram revenue division. It is a part of Bhimavaram Urban Development Aut ...
),
Ksheerarama Ksheerarama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Palakollu of West Godavari in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Shiva is known locally as Ksheera Ramalingeswara Swamy. The S ...
(
Palakollu Palakollu is a city and the administrative headquarters of Palakollu Mandal in Narasapuram revenue division in West Godavari district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Palakollu is situated in Coastal Andhra region of the state. It occup ...
) and
Kumararama Kumararama or ''Bhimarama'' (Chalukya Kumararama Bhimeswara Temple) is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple is located in Samalkota of Kakinada district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Th ...
(
Samalkota Samarlakota (Telugu language, Telugu:సామర్లకోట) is a town in Kakinada district of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town forms a part of Godavari Urban Development Authority. It was ...
). * Srikalahasteeswara temple located on the banks of the river
Swarnamukhi Swarnamukhi is a river in southern India. This is an independent river which rises at an elevation of 300 m in the Eastern Ghats ranges near Pakala in Tirupati district and flows through 130 kms towards Bay of Bengal .The holy Hindu temples of ...
,
Srikalahasti Srikalahasti is a holy town in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the revenue division of Srikalahasti mandal & Srikalahasti revenue division. It is a part of Tirupati Urban Development Authority, wh ...
, Chittoor district is one among the panchabhoota lingas which represents
Vaayu Vayu (, sa, वायु, ), also known as Vata and Pavana, is the Hindu god of the winds as well as the divine massenger of the gods. In the ''Vedic scriptures'', Vayu is an important deity and is closely associated with Indra, the king of g ...
, henceforth the Linga is also called Vaayu linga. The rest four lingas are present in Tamil Nadu. * There are nine temples dedicated to Lord
Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end rel ...
. Eight temples are located in
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
, they are
Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple, Simhachalam, also known as Sinhachala or Simanchala is a Hindu temple situated on the Simhachalam Hill Range,which is 300 metres above the sea level in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is dedicated to Vish ...
,
Antarvedi Godawari river has two arms at the end where it meets Bay of Bengal at Yenar and Antarvedi, or Antarvedipalem, and yenar is a village in the Sakhinetipalle mandal, or tehsil, located in the Konaseema district of the Andhra Pradesh state in ...
,
Vedadri Vedadri is a village in NTR district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Jaggayyapeta mandal of Vijayawada revenue division. It is one of the villages in the mandal to be a part of Andhra Pradesh Capital Region. The village i ...
,
Mangalagiri Mangalagiri is a South Suburb of Vijayawada in Guntur district of States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is a part of Mangalagiri Tadepalle Municipal Corporation and part of Tenali revenue division. It i ...
,
Penchalakona Penchalakona is a village located in the Rapur Mandal of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, India, 70km west of Nellore. History & Legend of the Temple The Penusila Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple is situated at the foot of a hill in the Penc ...
, Ahobilam, Yaganti and
Kadiri Kadiri is a major city in Sri Sathya Sai District the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a ''Special Grade'' Municipal City Council and headquarters of Kadiri Mandal and Kadiri Revenue Division. Kadiri Taluka ('Tehsil') was the largest taluk ...
.
Ahobilam Ahobilam is a town and holy site in the Allagadda mandal of Nandyal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is surrounded by picturesque hills of the Eastern Ghats with several mountain hills and gorges. It is the centre of worship o ...
is one among the 108divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu and
Mangalagiri Mangalagiri is a South Suburb of Vijayawada in Guntur district of States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is a part of Mangalagiri Tadepalle Municipal Corporation and part of Tenali revenue division. It i ...
is one of the eight
swayambhu Swayambhu ( sa, स्वयंभू) is a Sanskrit word that means "self-manifested", "self-existing", or "that is created by its own accord". Often, the word swayambhu is used to describe a self-manifested image of a deity, which was not made ...
kshetras of lord Vishnu. The other one is
Yadagirigutta Yadagirigutta is a census town in Alair Assembly constituency of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is a temple town as the famous Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is situated here. It is located at a distance of 16 Kms ...
, also known as Yadadri of
Telangana Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
state. *As per the astadasha shakti peetha sloka, three shakti peethas are situated in Andhra Pradesh state. They are
Draksharama Draksharama is one of the five Pancharama Kshetras that are sacred to the Hindu god Siva. The temple is located in Draksharamam town of Konaseema district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Bhimeswara Swamy refers to Lord Siva in this te ...
m (originally known as Daksharamam),
Pithapuram Pithapuram, historically known as Pittapore, is a town and a municipality in the Kakinada district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town also forms a part of Godavari Urban Development Authority. The town is home to one of the eighteen ...
and
Srisailam Srisailam is a census town in Nandyal district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the mandal headquarters of Srisailam mandal in Atmakur revenue division. It is located about from the district headquarters Nandyal, from Kurnool, an ...
. *The lord
Veerabhadra Virabhadra (), also rendered Veerabhadra, Veerabathira, and Veerabathiran, is a fierce form of the Hindu god Shiva. He is created by the wrath of Shiva, when the deity hurls a lock of his matted hair upon the ground, upon hearing of the self- ...
swamy temple, right in the middle of
Godavari The Godavari ( IAST: ''Godāvarī'' od̪aːʋəɾiː is India's second longest river after the Ganga river and drains into the third largest basin in India, covering about 10% of India's total geographical area. Its source is in Trimbakesh ...
river near to
Pattiseema Pattiseema is a village in Polavaram mandal of East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located on the bank of the River Godavari. It is a site of historical importance for Hindus. Famous temple named Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple i ...
village is a famous temple referred in puranas. Legend says that, Lord Veerabhadra washed his blooded sword after destructing NiShiva yaga held at Draksharamam by king Daksha, father of Uma Devi. *Lord
Hanuman Hanuman (; sa, हनुमान, ), also called Anjaneya (), is a Hindu god and a divine '' vanara'' companion of the god Rama. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is an ardent devotee of Rama and on ...
temple at
Ponnur Ponnur is a town in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. There was a festival on full moon day in May. A road to Chandole goes south-east and comes to Nidubrolu, where there is a temple with a stone bearing inscription recor ...
,
Guntur Guntur () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Guntur is spread across 168.49 km square and is the third-largest city in the state. It is situated to the west of the Ba ...
district is a famous temple. The height of Hanuman statue is more than 23 metres and also there is a temple for
Garuda Garuda (Sanskrit: ; Pāli: ; Vedic Sanskrit: गरुळ Garuḷa) is a Hindu demigod and divine creature mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. He is primarily depicted as the mount (''vahana'') of the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda is a ...
right opposite to Hanuman's temple in the same premises. *
Ainavilli Ainavilli is a village in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, se ...
, located at a distance of 12 km from
Amalapuram Amalapuram is a town in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the district headquarters and the largest town of Konaseema district. It is the mandal and divisional headquarters of Amalapuram mandal and Amalapuram revenue division respectivel ...
and
Kanipakam Kanipakam is a small mini town in Irala mandal, located in Chittoor district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Kanipakam is situated at a distance of 11 km from Chittoor city on chittoor-Irala road. Temple Kanipakam is home to a p ...
, Chittoor district are known for lord Vighneshwara temples. *Trikutaparvatam, well known as
Kotappakonda Kotappakonda is a holy hill, situated in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located 20 kilometers from Narasaraopet city and 62 kilometers south west of Guntur City. History Celebrated with great devotion and fervor every year wi ...
, is a sacred pilgrim place near
Narasaraopet Narasaraopet is a city and district headquarters of Palnadu District of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The town is a municipality and mandal headquarters of Narasaraopet mandal and Headquarters of Narasaraopet revenue division. The town also ...
of
Guntur Guntur () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Guntur is spread across 168.49 km square and is the third-largest city in the state. It is situated to the west of the Ba ...
district.
Maha Shivaratri Maha Shivaratri (IAST: Mahāśivarātri) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance called Tandava. In every month of the luni-solar Hindu ca ...
is a festival done here. Approximately 7 - 8 lakhs of devotees throng to the temple for Lord almighty's blessings. *Other religious places include,
Raghavendra Swami Raghavendra Tirtha () (1595 – 1671) was a Hindu scholar, theologian and saint. He was also known as Sudha Parimalacharya (). His diverse oeuvre include commentaries on the works of Madhva, Jayatirtha and Vyasatirtha, interpretation of the ...
Mutt in
Mantralayam Mantralayam is a pilgrim village in Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River on the border with neighbouring Karnataka state. It is known for the brundavana of Raghavendra Swami, a saint who lived in 1 ...
of Kurnool district, Lord
Venkateswara Venkateswara, also known by various other names, is a form of the Hinduism, Hindu god Vishnu. Venkateswara is the presiding deity of the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, located in Tirupati, Sri Balaji District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Etymology ...
temple in
Dwaraka Tirumala Dwaraka Tirumala is a census town in Eluru district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Dwaraka Tirumala mandal of Jangareddygudem revenue division. The Venkateswara Temple is a pilgrimage center for hindus, which is the abod ...
of West Godavari District,
Annavaram Annavaram is a temple town on the banks of the Pampa River. It is located in Kakinada district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The village has the temple of Veera Venkata Satyanarayana, a form of Vishnu on the Ratnagiri Hill. Etymolog ...
temple in
East Godavari East Godavari is a district in the Coastal Andhra region of Andhra Pradesh, India. Its district headquarters is at Rajahmundry. As of 2011 Census of India, census 2011, it became the most populous district of the state with a population of 5,151,54 ...
and
Arasavalli Arasavalli is an outgrowth of Srikakulam municipality in Srikakulam district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Srikakulam mandal of Srikakulam revenue division. It is situated at a distance of about 1.6 km. from ...
Surya temple, srikurmam and
Srimukhalingam Mukhalingam, also known as Srimukhalingam or Mukhalinga is a village panchayat in Jalumuru mandal of Srikakulam district in indian state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Mukhalingam is derived from an Odia word ''Muhalinga'' which is the corrupt form ...
temples of
Srikakulam District Srikakulam district is one of the twenty-six districts of the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located in the Uttarandhra region of the state, with its headquarters located at Srikakulam. It is one of the si ...
etc., are also religious places for divine worships in the state. ''For other important temples see
List of Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh This is a list of major Hindu temples in India, by States and territories of India, state. Andhra Pradesh There are around 4,000 large temples in Andhra Pradesh state * Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala * Padmavathi Temple * Mallikarjuna Jyotir ...
.'' Buddhist centres: *
Amaravathi Amaravati () is the capital of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located on the banks of the river Krishna in Guntur district. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone at a ceremonial event in Uddandar ...
Guntur Guntur () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Guntur district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Guntur is spread across 168.49 km square and is the third-largest city in the state. It is situated to the west of the Ba ...
District * Nagarjuna KondaGuntur District *
Bhattiprolu Bhattiprolu is a village in Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the headquarters of Bhattiprolu mandal in Tenali revenue division. The ''Buddhist stupa'' in the village is one of the centrally protected monuments of na ...
Guntur District * Ghantasala
Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
District * Sankaram
Visakhapatnam , image_alt = , image_caption = From top, left to right: Visakhapatnam aerial view, Vizag seaport, Simhachalam Temple, Aerial view of Rushikonda Beach, Beach road, Novotel, Novotel Visakhapatnam, INS Kursura (S20), INS ...
District *
Bavikonda Bavikonda Buddhist Complex lies about 16 km from Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, on a hill about 130 metres above mean sea level. The term Bavikonda in Telugu means a hill of wells. As per its name, Bavikonda is a hill ...
Visakhapatnam District *
Thotlakonda Thotlakonda Buddhist Complex is situated on a hill near Bheemunipatnam about from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India. The hill is about above sea level and overlooks the sea. The Telugu name ''Toṭlakoṇḍa'' derived from the presence ...
Visakhapatnam District * RamatheerthamVizianagaram District *
Salihundam Salihundam, is a village and panchayat in Gara Mandal of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. It is a historically important Buddhist monument of ancient Kalinga and a major tourist attraction It is a village lying on top of the hill on the s ...
Srikakulam Srikakulam is a city and the headquarters of Srikakulam district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. census,. it has a population of 165,735. There are many other places of Buddhist Tourism such as Salihundam, Kalinga Patnam, Dabbaka Vaa ...
District * Lingapalem West Godavari District Others are
Pavurallakonda Pavurallakonda or Pavurallabodu is the local name of a hill, popularly known as Narasimhaswamy Konda, near Bheemunipatnam about 25 km towards north of Visakhapatnam, in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located at a height of ab ...
, Chandavaram, Guntupalli,
Adurru Adurru is a village and a 2nd-century CE Buddhism, Buddhist archaeological siteGarima Kaushik (2016), Women and Monastic Buddhism in Early South Asia, Taylor & Francis, , Appendix Table 4: Buddhist stupa sites in India, with Ayala projections in ...
, Kummarilova, Kotturu Dhanadibbalu, Karukonda, kapavaram, Nandalu Attractions: *
Araku Valley Araku Valley is a hill station in Alluri Sitharama Raju district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, lying 111 km west of Visakhapatnam city. This place is often referred to as ''Ooty of Andhra''. It is a valley in the Eastern Ghats inha ...
Known as Andhra's Ooty near to Vizag City known for its coffee planation. * Undavalli Caves - A four-storied monolithic cave those were carved out from a hill during 4th century A.D. *
Gandikota Gandikota is a village and historical fort on the right bank of the Penna river, 15 km from Jammalamadugu in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh, India. The fort was the centre of power for various dynasties, such as the Kalyani Chalukyas, Pem ...
Fort - Built on the banks of river Penna comprises Madhavaraya and Ranganatha temples. This area resembles the grand canyon of Arizona state, so also called as grand canyon of India. * The
Hanuman Hanuman (; sa, हनुमान, ), also called Anjaneya (), is a Hindu god and a divine '' vanara'' companion of the god Rama. Hanuman is one of the central characters of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. He is an ardent devotee of Rama and on ...
temple at
Kanchikacherla Kanchikacherla is a village in NTR district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Kanchikacherla mandal of Nandigama revenue division. Government and politics Kanchikacherla under Kanchikacherla mandal is represented by Na ...
village of
Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
district is a tourist destination. The height of the statue is 135 metres. This is located on the Vijayawada - Hyderabad highway. *
Thimmamma Marrimanu Thimmamma Marrimanu (Telugu: తిమ్మమ్మ మర్రిమాను, lit. "Thimmamma's Banyan Tree") is a banyan tree in Anantapur, located about 25 kilometers from Kadiri, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is probably a specimen of ...
The world's largest banyan tree and "Marrimanu" was recorded as the biggest tree in the ''Guinness Book of World Records'' in 1989. Its branches spread over nearly 5 acres (2.1 ha). Located about 35 km from Kadiri, and a 100 km from Anantapur. *
Lepakshi Lepakshi is a village in the Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located east of Hindupur and approximately west of Kadiri and north of Bangalore Bangalore (), officially Bengaluru (), is the capital and largest ...
It is the largest monolithic
Nandi Nandi may refer to: People * Nandy (surname), Indian surname * Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe * Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi * Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afri ...
(a bull, the mount of Shiva) in the world, (length 27 feet, height 15 feet), It is 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Hindupur, and 105 km from Anantapur, and about 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore. The temple has a hanging pillar which shows the greatest piece of work by
Vijayanagara Vijayanagara () was the capital city of the historic Vijayanagara Empire. Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, it spread over a large area and included the modern era Group of Monuments at Hampi site in Vijayanagara district, Bellary ...
empire. *
Prakasam Barrage The Prakasam Barrage stretches 1223.5 m across the Krishna River connecting Vijayawada, NTR and Mangalagiri Tadepalle Municipal Corporation, Guntur districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The barrage serves also as a road bridge and spans over a l ...
A bridge which was constructed by the British Government in the remembrance of Tanguturi Prakasam, is the best tourist spot to visit in Vijayawada *
Kolleru Lake Kolleru Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in India located in state of Andhra Pradesh and forms the largest shallow freshwater lake in Asia (with 245 km2 of lake area and 302 km2 of total Ramsar designated wetland), 15 kilometers aw ...
A lake situated between Krishna and West Godavari District. * ''
Pulicat Lake Pulicat Lagoon is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, (after Chilika Lake), measuring . Major part of the lagoon comes under Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. The lagoon is one of the three important wetlands to attract northea ...
'' is located at the border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Pulicat Lake covers an area of 500 km2. It is a brackish water lagoon, the second-largest in India, and is situated along the coast of Bay of Bengal. The lake encompasses the
Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary is a sanctuary for birds, 759 km2 in area, located in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh and a protected area of the Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu, India. Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish-w ...
which attracts many migratory birds, it also is a feeding & nesting ground for aquatic and terrestrial birds such as flamingos and pelicans. *
Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary The Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary is located in Uppalapadu, near Guntur City, India. Painted storks, spot-billed pelican The spot-billed pelican (''Pelecanus philippensis'') or gray pelican is a member of the pelican family. It breeds in southern ...
is a reserved Bird sanctuary at
Uppalapadu Uppalapadu is a village in the Guntur district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in Pedakakani mandal of Guntur revenue division. Geography Uppalapadu is located at . it is located 2km from Pedakakani. Bird sanctuary ...
,
Guntur district Guntur district is one of the twenty six districts in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The administrative seat of the district is located at Guntur, the largest city of the district in terms of area and with a po ...
,
Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh (, abbr. AP) is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh-largest state by area covering an area of and tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants. It is bordered by Telangana to the ...
. It witnesses approximately 8,000 types of birds from the around the world. The birds from different countries migrate to this place mainly during the months of October to January. *
Ethipothala Falls Ethipothala Falls is a high river cascade, situated in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Located on the Chandravanka river, which is a tributary of River Krishna joining on its right bank. The waterfall is a combination of three stream ...
is located in
Macherla mandal Macherla mandal is one of the 28 mandals in the Palnadu district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is under the administration of Gurazala revenue division and the headquarters are located at Macherla. The mandal is bounded by Rentachi ...
,
Guntur district Guntur district is one of the twenty six districts in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The administrative seat of the district is located at Guntur, the largest city of the district in terms of area and with a po ...
on the river Chandravanka, also known as Ethipothala river, one of the tributaries of river
Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...
. The waterfall is situated at a distance of 11 km from
Nagarjuna Sagar Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a masonry dam across the Krishna River at Nagarjuna Sagar which straddles the border between Nalgonda district in Telangana and Palnadu district in Andhra Pradesh. The dam provides irrigation water to the Nalgonda, Surya ...
. * The ''
Borra Caves The Borra Caves (also called ''Borra Guhalu'') are located on the East Coast of India, in the Ananthagiri hills of the Araku Valley (with hill ranges' elevation varying from ) of the Alluri Sitharama Raju district in Andhra Pradesh. The caves ...
'' in the Anatagiri Hills of the
Eastern Ghats The Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains along India's eastern coast. The Eastern Ghats pass through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka as well as Telangana. They are eroded and cut ...
, near
Visakhapatnam , image_alt = , image_caption = From top, left to right: Visakhapatnam aerial view, Vizag seaport, Simhachalam Temple, Aerial view of Rushikonda Beach, Beach road, Novotel, Novotel Visakhapatnam, INS Kursura (S20), INS ...
at an altitude of about 800 to 1300 metres are known for million-year-old stalactite and stalagmite formations. They were discovered by British geologist William King George in 1807. The caves got the name from a formation inside the caves that looks like the human brain, which in
Telugu language Telugu (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken by Telugu people predominantly living in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where it is also the official language. It is the most widely spoken member of the Dravidian language fami ...
is known as ''burra''. * The ''
Belum Caves The Belum Caves, located in Nandyala district of Andhra Pradesh's Rayalaseema region, is the second largest cave system on the Indian subcontinent, known for its speleothems, such as stalactite and stalagmite formations. The Belum Caves h ...
'' in Kurnool District have a length of 3,229 metres (10,594 ft), making them the second largest natural caves on the Indian subcontinent. The Belum Caves derive their name from ''Bilum'', the
Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
word for caves. The caves have long passages, spacious chambers, freshwater galleries, and siphons. The caves deepest point is 120 feet (37 m) from the entrance and is known as ''Patalganaga''. * The
Indira Gandhi Zoological Park Indira Gandhi Zoological Park is located amidst Kambalakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the third largest zoo in the country. The zoological park is named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira ...
is a zoo situated in the reserved forests of
Visakhapatnam , image_alt = , image_caption = From top, left to right: Visakhapatnam aerial view, Vizag seaport, Simhachalam Temple, Aerial view of Rushikonda Beach, Beach road, Novotel, Novotel Visakhapatnam, INS Kursura (S20), INS ...
. * Sri Venkateswara National Park situated at the reserved forests of Tirumala hills,
Chittoor district Chittoor district () is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The district headquarters is located at Chittoor. It has a population of 4,170,468 according to 2011 census of India. It lies in ...
. This area comprises many waterfalls such as
Talakona Talakona is situated in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is a resort with waterfalls, dense forests and wildlife. Talakona waterfall is in Sri Venkateswara National Park, Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. With a -fall, Talakona i ...
, Gundalakona and Gunjana. * Horsely hills is a group of mountains of ecological importance situated in
Madanapalle Madanapalle is a town in Annamayya Rajampeta district and Rajampet Lok Sabha constituency of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one if the largest city in the District. It is a Selection Grade Municipal City Council and located in Madan ...
of
Chittoor district Chittoor district () is one of the eight districts in the Rayalaseema region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The district headquarters is located at Chittoor. It has a population of 4,170,468 according to 2011 census of India. It lies in ...
. *
Suryalanka beach Suryalanka Beach or Bapatla Beach is a beach in Bapatla district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located approximately 9 kilometers from Bapatla Bhavanarayana Swamy Temple and 50 miles south of Guntur City. It is located in the Bay ...
is a resort developed by
APTDC The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is a state government agency which promotes tourism in Andhra Pradesh, India. The department offers tour packages of Heritage, Nature, Adventure, Health and Rural tourism representing r ...
situated at a distance of 8 km from
Bapatla Bapatla is a city and District headquarters of Bapatla district in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a municipality and the mandal headquarters of Bapatla mandal of Bapatla revenue division. The ne ...
,
Guntur district Guntur district is one of the twenty six districts in the Coastal Andhra region of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The administrative seat of the district is located at Guntur, the largest city of the district in terms of area and with a po ...
. *
Rajahmundry Rajahmundry, officially known as Rajamahendravaram, is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh and District headquarters of East Godavari district. It is the sixth most populated city in the state. During British rule, the District of Rajah ...
often referred to as cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh, is the hub for Engineering and Architectural monuments such as Godavari Bridge (World's second-largest Road cum Railway Bridge), Iskon Temple, Tantikonda, Sir Arthur Cotton Museum, Pushkar Ghat, Gowthami Ghat. A festival called Pushkaram is celebrated along the Godavari river for every 12 years and Rajahmundry attracts 4–5 crore people during the tenure of the festival. * The golden beaches at
Visakhapatnam , image_alt = , image_caption = From top, left to right: Visakhapatnam aerial view, Vizag seaport, Simhachalam Temple, Aerial view of Rushikonda Beach, Beach road, Novotel, Novotel Visakhapatnam, INS Kursura (S20), INS ...
and the city is home to many tourist attractions such as the INS Karasura Submarine museum, Yarada Beach, VUDA Park. The weather in Andhra Pradesh is mostly tropical and the best time to visit is in November through to January. The monsoon season commences in June and ends in September, so travel would not be advisable during this period.


Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is supposed to be the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas. It was here that sage Parashuram washed away his sin, sage Vyasa meditated, King Bhishmaka founded his kingdom and Lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini. The widely scattered archaeological remains at different places in Arunachal bears testimony to its rich cultural heritage. There are places of worship and pilgrimage such as the Parasuramkund and the 400‑year‑old
Tawang Monastery Tawang Monastery, located in Tawang city of Tawang district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, is the largest monastery in India. It is situated in the valley of the Tawang Chu, near the small town of the same name in the northwestern p ...
, or the sites of archaeological excavations like Malinithan and
Itanagar Itanagar () is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The seat of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the seat of government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the seat of Gauhati High Court permanent bench at Naharlag ...
, the natural environment of lakes such as Ganga lake or Sela lake or the numerous variations of the snow-clad silver mountain peaks and green meadows where thousands of species of flora and fauna prosper. In addition, the state provides abundant scope for angling, boating, rafting, trekking and hiking. Besides, there are a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks with rare animals, birds and plants. The climate varies from hot and humid to heavy rainfall in the Shivalik range. It becomes progressively cold as one moves northwards to higher altitudes. Trees of great size, plentiful climbers and abundance of cane and bamboo make Arunachal evergreen. Arunachal Pradesh is home to more than six hundred species of
orchids Orchids are plants that belong to the family Orchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Along with the Asteraceae, they are one of the two largest families of flowering ...
, occurring in varying elevations and climatic conditions throughout the state.


Assam

Assam Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...
is the central state in the North-East Region of India and serves as the gateway to the rest of the
Seven Sister States , native_name_lang = mni , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = , motto = , image_map = Northeast india.png , ...
. Assam has a number of wildlife preserves – the
Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam, India. The park, which hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses, is a World Heritage Site. According to the census held i ...
, which is home to the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the
Manas National Park Manas may refer to: Philosophy and mythology *Manas, the Pali and Sanskrit term for "mind"; see **Manas (early Buddhism) **Manas-vijnana, one of the eight consciousnesses taught in Yogacara Buddhism *''Ramcharitmanas'', a retelling of the Ramayan ...
,
Dibru-Saikhowa National Park Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is a national park located in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam, India. It was designated a Biosphere Reserve in July 1997 with an area of , including a core area of and a buffer zone of . It is located at a ...
,
Nameri National Park Nameri National Park is a national park in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas in the Sonitpur District of Assam, India, about 35 km from Tezpur. Nameri is about 9 km from Chariduar, the nearest village. Nameri shares its northern boundary ...
and
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary () is a wildlife sanctuary on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra in Morigaon district in Assam, India. It was declared in 1987 and covers , providing grassland and wetland habitat for the Indian rhinoceros. Pobitora ...
(These first two parks are
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
); the largest river island
Majuli Mājuli or Majuli () is a river island in the Brahmaputra River, Assam and in 2016 it became the first island to be made a district in India. It had an area of at the beginning of the 20th century, but having lost significantly to erosion it c ...
, known for its Vaishnavite
Sattra Satras are institutional centers associated with the Ekasarana tradition of Vaishnavism, largely found in the Indian state of Assam and neighboring regions. Numbering in the hundreds, these centers are generally independent of each other and ...
s; historic
Sivasagar Sivasagar (Pron: or ) ("the sea of Shiva"), is a city in and headquarters of the Sivasagar district, Assam. Sivasagar is situated about 360 kilometers (224 mi) northeast of Guwahati. It is well known for its Ahom palaces and monuments. Si ...
, known for the ancient monuments of Ahom Kingdom; the city of eternal romance,
Tezpur Tezpur () is a city and urban agglomeration in Sonitpur district, Assam state, India. Tezpur is located on the banks of the river Brahmaputra, northeast of Guwahati, and is the largest of the north bank cities with a population exceeding 100, ...
and the scenic tea-estates dating back to time of
British Raj The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent; * * it is also called Crown rule in India, * * * * or Direct rule in India, * Quote: "Mill, who was himsel ...
. The weather is mostly sub-tropical. Assam experiences the Indian
monsoon A monsoon () is traditionally a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with annual latitudinal oscil ...
and has one of the highest forest densities in India. The winter months (Mid October to first half of April) are the best time to visit. The heritage of
Madan Kamdev Madan Kamdev (Pron: ˈmʌdən/məˈdɑ:n kæmˈdeɪv/ˈkʌmˌdeɪv) is an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam. The place dates back to the 9th and 10th century A.D. The excavation and ruins is dated back to the Pala dynasty of ...
is same as
Khajuraho Khajuraho () is a city, near Chhatarpur in Chhatarpur district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous f ...
which is located just 30 km away from Guwahati. Along with the
Madan Kamdev Madan Kamdev (Pron: ˈmʌdən/məˈdɑ:n kæmˈdeɪv/ˈkʌmˌdeɪv) is an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup, Assam. The place dates back to the 9th and 10th century A.D. The excavation and ruins is dated back to the Pala dynasty of ...
tourist can visit a very ancient temple Gopeswar Mandir situated in a village
Deuduar Deuduar is a mid-sized village located in the district of Kamrup in the state of Assam in India. It has a population of about 3500 persons living in around 300 households. It is situated almost 30 km away Guwahati. The 31 natioanal highway ...
near to Guwahati. Basudev Than is a more than 300-year-old Satra in Assam. Assam has a rich cultural heritage going back to the Ahom Kingdom, which governed the region for many centuries before the British occupation. Other notable features include the
Brahmaputra River The Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river which flows through Tibet, northeast India, and Bangladesh. It is also known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan, the Siang/Dihang River in Arunachali, Luit in Assamese, and Jamuna River in Bangla. It ...
, the mystery of the bird suicides in
Jatinga Jatinga (Pron: ʤʌˈtɪŋgə or ʤæˈtɪŋgə ), a village on a ridge, is located in Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. It is south of Guwahati The village is inhabited by about 2,500 Khasi-Pnar people and a few Assamese. Jatinga, Assam ha ...
, numerous temples including
Kamakhya Temple The Kamakhya Temple at Nilachal hills in Guwahati, Assam is one of the oldest and most revered centres of Tantra, Tantric practices. The temple is the center of the ''Kulachara Tantra Marga'' and the site of the Ambubachi Mela, an annual fes ...
of Tantric sect. 'Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur also known as Damdama Sahib at Dhubri'This Gurudwara is situated in the heart of the Dhubri Town on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra river in far north-east India. Guru Teg Bahadur the holy Sikh Guru visited this place in 1505 and met
Srimanta Sankardeva Srimanta Sankardev( শ্ৰীমন্ত শংকৰদেৱ )(; ; 1449–1568) was a 15th–16th century Assamese polymath; a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, dancer, actor, musician, artist social-religious reformer and a figure of im ...
(the founder of the Mahapuruxiya Dharma) as the Guru travelled from Dhaka to Assam, ruins of palaces, etc.
Guwahati Guwahati (, ; formerly rendered Gauhati, ) is the biggest city of the Indian state of Assam and also the largest metropolis in northeastern India. Dispur, the capital of Assam, is in the circuit city region located within Guwahati and is the ...
, the capital city of Assam, boasts many bazaars, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The government is taking many initiatives to promote tourism in Assam.


Bihar

Bihar Bihar (; ) is a state in eastern India. It is the 2nd largest state by population in 2019, 12th largest by area of , and 14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West Be ...
is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world with history of 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable
ancient Ancient history is a time period from the History of writing, beginning of writing and recorded human history to as far as late antiquity. The span of recorded history is roughly 5,000 years, beginning with the Sumerian language, Sumerian c ...
monument A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person or event, or which has become relevant to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, due to its artistic, his ...
s that are dotted all over this state in
eastern India East India is a region of India consisting of the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal and also the union territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The region roughly corresponds to the historical region of Magadha fr ...
. This is the place of
Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...
, the 24th and last
Tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passag ...
,
Aryabhata Aryabhata (ISO: ) or Aryabhata I (476–550 CE) was an Indian mathematician and astronomer of the classical age of Indian mathematics and Indian astronomy. He flourished in the Gupta Era and produced works such as the ''Aryabhatiya'' (which ...
, Great Ashoka,
Chanakya Chanakya (Sanskrit: चाणक्य; IAST: ', ; 375–283 BCE) was an ancient Indian polymath who was active as a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. He is traditionally identified as Kauṭilya o ...
,
Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in Lu ...
,
Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...
,
Guru Gobind Singh Guru Gobind Singh (; 22 December 1666 – 7 October 1708), born Gobind Das or Gobind Rai the tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, warrior, poet and philosopher. When his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was executed by Aurangzeb, Guru Gobind Sing ...
,
Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya (350-295 BCE) was a ruler in Ancient India who expanded a geographically-extensive kingdom based in Magadha and founded the Maurya dynasty. He reigned from 320 BCE to 298 BCE. The Maurya kingdom expanded to become an empi ...
,
Vātsyāyana Vātsyāyana was an ancient Indian philosopher, known for authoring the ''Kama Sutra''. He was a brahmin, and lived in India during the second or third century CE, probably in Pataliputra (modern day Patna in Bihar). He is not to be confused w ...
,
Sher Shah Suri Sher Shah Suri ( ps, شیرشاه سوری) (1472, or 1486 – 22 May 1545), born Farīd Khān ( ps, فرید خان) , was the founder of the Sur Empire in India, with its capital in Sasaram in modern-day Bihar. He standardized the silver coin ...
,
Maa Tara Chandi Temple Maa Tara Chandi Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Maa Shakti or Maa Durga, located in Sasaram, Bihar, India. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peetha. History Maa Tarachandi Shakti Peetha, also called Maa Tarachandi, is the oldest and one of the ...
, and many other great historical figures. On an average, 20 million domestic tourists and 1 million foreign tourists visit Bihar annually. Attractions: *
Patna Patna ( ), historically known as Pataliputra, is the capital and largest city of the state of Bihar in India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Patna had a population of 2.35 million, making it the 19th largest city in India. ...
The capital of Bihar, known for its rich history and royal architecture * GayaKnown for
Bodh Gaya Bodh Gaya is a religious site and place of pilgrimage associated with the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous as it is the place where Gautama Buddha is said to have attained Enlightenment ( pi, ...
the place at which
Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in Lu ...
attained enlightenment *
Muzaffarpur Muzaffarpur () is a city located in Muzaffarpur district in the Tirhut region of the Indian state of Bihar. It serves as the headquarters of the Tirhut division, the Muzaffarpur district and the Muzaffarpur Railway District. It is the fourth m ...
Known for its education Garibnath Mandir, Sikandarpur mann, Devi Mandir, Banglamukhi Mandir, Jai Mata Di Mandir, Jubba Sahani park *
Darbhanga Darbhanga is the fifth-largest city and municipal corporation in the Indian state of Bihar situated centrally in Mithila region. Darbhanga is the headquarters of the Darbhanga district and the Darbhanga division. It was the seat of the erstw ...
It is among the oldest cities of Bihar. Famous for the Maharaja forts and Kali Mandir. *
Nalanda Nalanda (, ) was a renowned ''mahavihara'' (Buddhist monastic university) in ancient Magadha (modern-day Bihar), India.Kesariya Kesariya or Kesaria is a town in the district of East Champaran, in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the site of a stupa built by the Mauryan king Ashoka. Geography It is near Rampur Khajuria. The nearest villages are Noori Mohalla Trilok ...
Location of the world's largest Buddhist Stupa *
Sasaram Sasaram ()sometimes also spelled as Sahasram, is an ancient historical city and a municipal corporation region in the Rohtas district of the Bihar state in eastern India, with a history that goes to thousands of years. During the prehistoric ag ...
Tomb of
Sher Shah Suri Sher Shah Suri ( ps, شیرشاه سوری) (1472, or 1486 – 22 May 1545), born Farīd Khān ( ps, فرید خان) , was the founder of the Sur Empire in India, with its capital in Sasaram in modern-day Bihar. He standardized the silver coin ...
, the great emperor of
medieval India Medieval India refers to a long period of Post-classical history of the Indian subcontinent between the "ancient period" and "modern period". It is usually regarded as running approximately from the breakup of the Gupta Empire in the 6th cent ...
*
Sonepur Cattle Fair Sonepur Cattle Fair ( hi, सोनपुर पशु मेला) is held on Kartik Poornima (the full moon day) over the months of November and December in Sonepur, Bihar, on the confluence of river Ganges(Gandak). It is also known as Harih ...
The Sonepur cattle fair or Sonepur Mela, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month *
Takht Sri Patna Sahib Takhat Sri Patna Sahib also known as Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji, Patna Sahib, is a one of the five Takhats of the Sikhs, located in Patna, Bihar, India. The construction of the Takhat was commissioned by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 18th ce ...
A Sikh pilgrimage known as the birthplace of Sikh's Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib *
Munger Munger, formerly spelt as Monghyr, is a twin city and a Municipal Corporation situated in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the administrative headquarters of Munger district and Munger Division. Munger was one of the major cities in Eastern In ...
Home to the only Yoga University in the world,
Bihar School of Yoga The Bihar School of Yoga is a modern school of yoga founded by Satyananda Saraswati in Munger, Bihar, India, in 1963. An Institute of Yogic Studies was created in 1994. History The Bihar School of Yoga was established in 1963 at Munger, in the ...
. Religious places such as
Shakti Peethas The Shakti Pitha or the Shakti Peethas ( sa, शक्ति पीठ, , ''seat of Shakti'') are significant shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, the goddess-centric denomination in Hinduism. The shrines are dedicated to various fo ...
. *
Deoghar Deoghar (pronounced ''Devaghar'') is a major city in Jharkhand, India. It is a holy sacred place of Hinduism. It is one of the 12 ''Jyotirlinga''s sites of Hinduism (Baidyanath Temple). The sacred temples of the city make this a place for pil ...
A Hindu pilgrimage known for the Satsang Ashram of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra situated at Satsang Nagar * VaishaliLord
Mahavir Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...
was born on the outskirts of this ancient city, and lived in Vaishali until he was 22 *
Champapuri Champapuri is a village in Bhagalpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the site of the ancient city of Champa, the capital of the Anga mahajanapada. Champapuri is claimed to be the only place where all the five kalyanas- garbha, j ...
- It is one of the most sacred places of
Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
. Lord
Vasupujya Vasupujya was the twelfth tirthankara in Jainism of the '' avasarpini'' (present age). According to Jain beliefs, he became a siddha, a liberated soul which has destroyed all of its karma. Vasupujya was born to King Vasupujya and Queen Jaya De ...
, the 12th Jain
Tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passag ...
was born in
Champapuri Champapuri is a village in Bhagalpur district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the site of the ancient city of Champa, the capital of the Anga mahajanapada. Champapuri is claimed to be the only place where all the five kalyanas- garbha, j ...
and it is the place where all the five of Lord Vasupujya took place. Location of 31 feet monolithic statue, the tallest statue of Lord Vasupujya. Sitamarhi: It is a native place of Devi Sita Mata. *
Rajgir Rajgir, meaning "The City of Kings," is a historic town in the district of Nalanda in Bihar, India. As the ancient seat and capital of the Haryanka dynasty, the Pradyota dynasty, the Brihadratha dynasty and the Mauryan Empire, as well as the d ...
- It is sacred to
Buddhism Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
and
Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
. The place has temples belonging to Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The ancient site also has
Son Bhandar Caves The Son Bhandar Caves (also known as the Swarn Bhandar Caves) are two man-made caves carved into the base of the Vaibhar Hills in Rajgir in the state of Bihar in India. Based on the dedicatory inscription found in the largest cave — which uses ...
. *
Pawapuri Pawapuri or Pavapuri (also called Apapapuri, meaning "the sinless town") is a holy site for Jains located in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in Eastern India. It is located about 19 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna, th ...
-
Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6t ...
, the last of the twenty-four
Tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passag ...
attained Nirvana or moksha (liberation). He was cremated at Pawapuri. There was a great rush to collect his ashes, with the result that so much soil was removed from the place of his cremation that a pond was created.


Chandigarh

Chandigarh Chandigarh () is a planned city in India. Chandigarh is bordered by the state of Punjab to the west and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. It constitutes the bulk of the Chandigarh Capital Region or Greater Chandigarh, which al ...
is a city located on the foothills of Himalayas and is the capital of two states
Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...
and
Haryana Haryana (; ) is an Indian state located in the northern part of the country. It was carved out of the former state of East Punjab on 1 Nov 1966 on a linguistic basis. It is ranked 21st in terms of area, with less than 1.4% () of India's land ar ...
.
Chandigarh Chandigarh () is a planned city in India. Chandigarh is bordered by the state of Punjab to the west and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. It constitutes the bulk of the Chandigarh Capital Region or Greater Chandigarh, which al ...
is also called "City Beautiful" with various tourist attractions such as Nek Chand Rock Garden,
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, is a botanical garden in Chandigarh, India and spread over of land, with 50,000 rose-bushes of 1600 different species. Named after India's former president, Zakir Hussain and created in 1967 under the guidance of ...
, Sukhna lake, and
Open Hand Monument The ''Open Hand Monument'' is a symbolic structure designed by the architect Le Corbusier and located in the Capitol Complex of the Indian city and union territory of Chandigarh. It is the emblem and symbol of the Government of Chandigarh and sy ...
. This place was recorded as the Cleanest city of India by
Ministry of Urban Development The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) is a ministry of the Government of India with executive authority over the formulation and administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to the housing and urban development in Ind ...
,
Government of India The Government of India (ISO: ; often abbreviated as GoI), known as the Union Government or Central Government but often simply as the Centre, is the national government of the Republic of India, a federal democracy located in South Asia, c ...
. A majestic view of the
Shivalik Hills The Sivalik Hills, also known as the Shivalik Hills and Churia Hills, are a mountain range of the outer Himalayas that stretches over about from the Indus River eastwards close to the Brahmaputra River, spanning the northern parts of the Indi ...
including
Kasauli Kasauli is a town and cantonment, located in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The cantonment was established by the British Raj in 1842 as a Colonial hill station,Sharma, Ambika"Architecture of Kasauli churches" ''The Trib ...
is visible from here. Chandigarh is a well planned city and is also one of the earliest planned cities.


Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh (, ) is a landlocked state in Central India. It is the ninth largest state by area, and with a population of roughly 30 million, the seventeenth most populous. It borders seven states – Uttar Pradesh to the north, Madhya Prade ...
is a new state but with an ancient civilisation, which can be felt by visiting the historical remains in the state. The state is blessed by nature with magnificent water falls, mountains, forests and wildlife. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 41.33% of its area under forests and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country. There are many tourist attractions worth seeing. It is India's tenth-largest state and situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. The state has many ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus. Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience to tourists, compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded. Main attractions of Chhattisgarh are Chitrakot Waterfalls, Kutumsar Caves, Ramgarh and Sita Bengra, Bhoramdeo temple, Arang temples, Sirpur,
Rajim Rajim is a town which is proposed to be in Raipur district but officially in Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh, India. Rajim is named after Rajiv Lochan Mandir which is the Main Hindu Pilgrimage Temple of Rajim dedicated to Vishnu. There is also ...
,
Ratanpur Ratanpur was historical capital of Chhattisgarh until British takeover of Central Province from Maratha. Ratanpur is a town and a nagar palika in Bilaspur district in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. It is located about from Bilaspur on Nat ...
and
Malhar "Malhar" is a Hindustani classical raga. Malhar is associated with torrential rains. Besides the basic Shuddha Malhar, which was the original Malhar, several Malhar-related ragas use the Malhar signature phrase m (m)R (m)R P, including "Miyan ...
. Kakotal is also famous for its waterfall.


Delhi

Delhi is the capital union territory of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern, the new gen Delhi is almost very popular among the other states. It is a metropolitan city comprising more than 10% of India's population. There are many sources available in Delhi which made kings in ancient times to capitalise this state, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions.
Old Delhi Old Delhi or Purani Dilli is an area in the Central Delhi district of Delhi, India. It was founded as a walled city named Shahjahanabad in 1648, when Shah Jahan (the Mughal emperor at the time) decided to shift the Mughal capital from Agra. Th ...
has been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, making it rich in history.
New Delhi New Delhi (, , ''Naī Dillī'') is the capital of India and a part of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT). New Delhi is the seat of all three branches of the government of India, hosting the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House ...
, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by
Edwin Lutyens Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens ( ; 29 March 1869 – 1 January 1944) was an English architect known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era. He designed many English country houses, war memori ...
and
Herbert Baker Sir Herbert Baker (9 June 1862 – 4 February 1946) was an English architect remembered as the dominant force in South African architecture for two decades, and a major designer of some of New Delhi's most notable government structures. He wa ...
. The various rulers left behind their trademark architectural styles. Delhi currently has many renowned historic monuments and landmarks such as the
Tughlaqabad fort Tughluqabad Fort is a ruined fort in Delhi, built by Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, of the Delhi Sultanate of India in 1321, as he established the third historic city of Delhi, which was later abandoned in 1327. It l ...
,
Qutub Minar The Qutb Minar, also spelled Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, is a minaret and "victory tower" that forms part of the Qutb complex, which lies at the site of Delhi’s oldest fortified city, Lal Kot, founded by the Tomar Rajputs. It is a UNESCO Worl ...
,
Purana Quila Purana Qila () is one of the oldest forts in Delhi, India. Built by the second Mughal Emperor Humayun and Surid Sultan Sher Shah Suri, it is thought by many to be located on the site of the ancient city of Indraprastha. The fort formed the inn ...
,
Lodhi Gardens Lodi Gardens is a city park situated in New Delhi, India. Spread over , it contains Mohammed Shah's Tomb, the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, the Shisha Gumbad and the Bara Gumbad, architectural works of the 15th century by Lodis - who ruled parts o ...
,
Jama Masjid A congregational mosque or Friday mosque (, ''masjid jāmi‘'', or simply: , ''jāmi‘''; ), or sometimes great mosque or grand mosque (, ''jāmi‘ kabir''; ), is a mosque for hosting the Friday noon prayers known as ''jumu'ah''.* * * * * * * ...
,
Humayun's tomb Humayun's tomb (Persian language, Persian: ''Maqbara-i Humayun'') is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun's first wife and chief consort, Empress Bega Begum under her patronage in 1558, an ...
,
Red Fort The Red Fort or Lal Qila () is a historic fort in Old Delhi, Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift hi ...
, and
Safdarjung's Tomb Safdarjung's tomb is a sandstone and marble mausoleum in Delhi, India. It was built in 1754 in the late Mughal Empire style for Nawab Safdarjung. The monument has an ambience of spaciousness and an imposing presence with its domed and arched r ...
. Modern monuments include
Jantar Mantar A Jantar Mantar ( Hindustani pronunciation: ͡ʒən̪t̪ər mən̪t̪ər is an assembly of stone-built astronomical instruments, designed to be used with the naked eye. There were five Jantar Mantars in India, all of them built at the com ...
,
India Gate The India Gate (formerly known as the All India War Memorial) is a war memorial located near the Rajpath on the eastern edge of the "ceremonial axis" of New Delhi, formerly called duty path. It stands as a memorial to 84,000 soldiers of the Br ...
,
Rashtrapati Bhavan The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, rāsh-truh-puh-ti bha-vun; ; originally Viceroy's House and later Government House) is the official residence of the President of India at the western end of Rajpath, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Rashtrapati Bh ...
,
Laxminarayan Temple The Laxminarayan Mandir, also known as the ''Birla Mandir'', is a Hindu temple up to large extent dedicated to Laxminarayan in Delhi, India. Laxminarayan usually refers to Vishnu, Preserver in the Trimurti, also known as Narayan, when he is w ...
,
Lotus Temple The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all other Bahá’í Houses of Worship, t ...
,
Lal Mandir Shri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir () is the oldest and best-known Jain temple in Delhi, India. It is directly across from the Red Fort in the historical Chandni Chowk area. The temple is known for an avian veterinary hospital, called the Jain Bird ...
and Akshardham Temple. New Delhi is famous for its British colonial architecture, wide roads, and tree-lined boulevards. Delhi is home to numerous political landmarks, national museums, Islamic shrines, Hindu temples, green parks, and trendy malls. File:Red Fort in Delhi 03-2016 img1.jpg,
Red Fort The Red Fort or Lal Qila () is a historic fort in Old Delhi, Delhi in India that served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1638, when he decided to shift hi ...
File:India Gate in New Delhi 03-2016.jpg,
India Gate The India Gate (formerly known as the All India War Memorial) is a war memorial located near the Rajpath on the eastern edge of the "ceremonial axis" of New Delhi, formerly called duty path. It stands as a memorial to 84,000 soldiers of the Br ...
File:Akshardham Delhi.jpg, Akshardham Temple File:Rashtrapati Bhavan (Dehli).jpg,
Rashtrapati Bhavan The Rashtrapati Bhavan (, rāsh-truh-puh-ti bha-vun; ; originally Viceroy's House and later Government House) is the official residence of the President of India at the western end of Rajpath, Raisina Hill, New Delhi, India. Rashtrapati Bh ...
File:Lotus Temple in New Delhi 03-2016.jpg,
Lotus Temple The Lotus Temple, located in Delhi, India, is a Baháʼí House of Worship that was dedicated in December 1986. Notable for its flowerlike shape, it has become a prominent attraction in the city. Like all other Bahá’í Houses of Worship, t ...


Goa

Goa Goa () is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the Konkan region, geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is located between the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the ...
is one of the most famous
tourist destination A tourist attraction is a place of interest that Tourism, tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. Types Places of ...
s in India. A former colony of Portugal, Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, amazing nightlife, Yogas, spas and massage,
flea market A flea market (or swap meet) is a type of street market that provides space for vendors to sell previously-owned (second-hand) goods. This type of market is often seasonal. However, in recent years there has been the development of 'formal' ...
s and shopping, water sports activities like cruising, Portuguese churches,
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The
Basilica of Bom Jesus The Basilica of Bom Jesus ( pt, Basílica do Bom Jesus; Konkani: ''Borea Jezuchi Bajilika'') is a Catholic Church, Catholic basilica located in the Goa situated in the Konkan region of India. It is both a pilgrimage centre and also the most ...
, Basilica of Se Cathedral,
Mangueshi Temple Shri Manguesh temple (Devanagari: ) is located at Mangeshi Village in Priol, Ponda taluk, Goa. It is at a distance of 1 km from Mardol close to Nagueshi, 21 km from Panaji the capital of Goa, and 26 km from Margao. Shree Mangueshi ...
,
Dudhsagar Falls Dudhsagar Falls () is a four-tiered waterfall located on the Mandovi River in the Indian state of Goa. It is 60 km from Panaji by road and is located on the Belgavi–Vasco Da Gama rail route about 46 km east of Madgaon and 80  ...
,
Shantadurga Shantadurga (Devanagari:शांतादुर्गा, ) is the most popular form of the Hindu goddess Durga revered in Goa, India, as well some parts of Karnataka. She is a form of the ancient Mother goddess known as Santeri. She is worsh ...
,
Anjuna Beach Anjuna () is a village located on the coast of North Goa, India. It is a Census Town, one of the twelve Brahmin comunidades of Bardez. It is mostly a tourist destination. Its church, St. Michael's Church, Anjuna, founded in 1595, is dedicated t ...
, Aguada Fort, and
Chapora Fort Chapora Fort (, Devanagari: शापोरा), located in Bardez, Goa, rises high above the Chapora River. The site was the location of a fort built by Muslim ruler Adil Shah called Shahpura, whose name the Portuguese altered to Chapora. It is ...
are famous attractions in Goa. Recently a Wax Museum (Wax World) has also opened in Old Goa housing a number of wax personalities of Indian history, culture and heritage. The
Goa Carnival Carnival in Goa, also called "Carnaval", "Intruz", "Entrado", or (colloquially) "''Viva Carnival''" refers to the festival of carnival, or Mardi Gras, in the Indian state of Goa. Though significantly smaller than the well-known Rio Carnival ...
is a world-famous event, with colourful masks and floats, drums and reverberating music, and dance performances.
Best Beaches In Goa


Gujarat

Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
, the seventh largest state in India, located in the western part of India with a coastline of 1600 km (longest in India). It is the tenth most popular state in the country for tourists with annual footfall of 18.9 million tourists. Gujarat's natural environment varies from the
Great Rann of Kutch The Great Rann of Kutch (or Rann of Kutch seasonal salt marsh) is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500 km2 (2900 sq miles) in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt de ...
to the hills of
Saputara Saputara is a hill station located in Sahyadris or Western Ghats. Saputara town is part of Dang district in Gujarat, India. It is a tourist destination. Famous Places There are so many famous place that attract more tourist they are some ...
. Gujarat is the sole home of the pure
Asiatic lion The Asiatic lion is a population of ''Panthera leo leo'' that today survives in the wild only in India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat ...
s and is considered to be one of the most important
protected area Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological or cultural values. There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the ena ...
s in Asia. Ancient
Dholavira Dholavira ( gu, ધોળાવીરા) is an archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District, in the state of Gujarat in western India, which has taken its name from a modern-day village south of it. This village is f ...
,
archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...
in Kutch District and
Lothal Lothal () was one of the southernmost sites of the ancient Indus Valley civilisation, located in the Bhāl region of the modern state of Gujarāt. Construction of the city is believed to have begun around 2200 BCE. Archaeological Survey of ...
,
archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...
in
Ahmedabad district {{Infobox settlement , name = Ahmedabad District , native_name = , native_name_lang = , settlement_type = District of Gujarat , image_skyline = D ...
contains ruins of ancient
Indus Valley civilization The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form 2600 BCE to 1900&n ...
city, ruins of
Dholavira Dholavira ( gu, ધોળાવીરા) is an archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District, in the state of Gujarat in western India, which has taken its name from a modern-day village south of it. This village is f ...
is one of the largest Harappan archaeological sites. During the Sultanate reign, Hindu craftsmanship mix with
Islamic architecture Islamic architecture comprises the architectural styles of buildings associated with Islam. It encompasses both secular and religious styles from the early history of Islam to the present day. The Islamic world encompasses a wide geographic ar ...
, giving rise to the
Indo-Saracenic Indo-Saracenic architecture (also known as Indo-Gothic, Mughal-Gothic, Neo-Mughal, or Hindoo style) was a revivalist architectural style mostly used by British architects in India in the later 19th century, especially in public and government ...
style. Many structures in the state are built in this fashion. It is also the birthplace of
Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...
and
Sardar Vallabhai Patel Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar, was an Indian lawyer, influential political leader, barrister and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of I ...
, the great iconic figures during India's Independence movement. Gujarat offers business tourism, archaeological and heritage tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, wildlife tourism, and medical tourism.
Amitabh Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan (; born as Amitabh Shrivastav; 11 October 1942) is an Indian actor, film producer, television host, occasional playback singer and former politician known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of the most succe ...
is currently the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism.
Ahmedabad Ahmedabad ( ; Gujarati: Amdavad ) is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 (per t ...
is considered an ideal hub to cover all the destinations across Gujarat. In the year 2018 the famous ''
Statue of Unity The ''Statue of Unity'' is the world's tallest statue, with a height of , located near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy pr ...
'' which is 597 ft. tall statue in honour of
Vallabhbhai Patel Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel (; ; 31 October 1875 – 15 December 1950), commonly known as Sardar, was an Indian lawyer, influential political leader, barrister and statesman who served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of I ...
(1875–1950) is also located in Gujarat. File:Rani Ki Vav - Front View.JPG, Rani ki vav, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:Jama masjid in Champaner.JPG, Jama Mosque, part of
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Panchmahal district in Gujarat, India. It is located around the historical city of Champaner, a city which was founded by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king ...
File:Dholavira1.JPG,
Dholavira Dholavira ( gu, ધોળાવીરા) is an archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District, in the state of Gujarat in western India, which has taken its name from a modern-day village south of it. This village is f ...
,
archaeological site An archaeological site is a place (or group of physical sites) in which evidence of past activity is preserved (either prehistoric or historic or contemporary), and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology an ...
contains ruins of an ancient
Indus Valley civilization The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Indus Civilisation was a Bronze Age civilisation in the northwestern regions of South Asia, lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form 2600 BCE to 1900&n ...
city File:Jain temples on Girnar mountain aerial view.jpg, The cluster of Jain temples on Girnar mountain near
Junagadh Junagadh () is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Located at the foot of the Girnar hills, southwest of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar (the state capital), it is the seventh largest city in the state. Literally t ...
File:Dwarkadheesh temple.jpg,
Dwarkadhish Temple The Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna, who is worshiped here by the name ''Dwarkadhish'', or 'King of Dwarka'. The temple is located at Dwarka ci ...
in
Dwarka Dwarka () is a city and a municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat in Western India. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kut ...
File:Somnath-current.jpg, Somnath Temple in
Gujarat Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
File:Baroda Lvp.JPG,
Laxmi Vilas Palace The Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, was constructed by the Gaekwad family, a prominent Maratha family, who ruled the Baroda State. Major Charles Mant was credited to be the main architect of the palace. Lakshmi Vilas Palace ...
in
Vadodara Vadodara (), also known as Baroda, is the second largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district and is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River, from the state capital ...
File:Gir lion male.jpg,
Asiatic lion The Asiatic lion is a population of ''Panthera leo leo'' that today survives in the wild only in India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range has been restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat ...
s are found only in
Gir Forest National Park Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is a forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India. It is located north-east of Somnath, south-east of Junagadh and south-west of Amreli ...


Haryana

The pilgrim places of Haryana are thronged by devotees all over the year, who visit the important religious places to seek divine blessings and eternal happiness. The state of Haryana has a long historical and cultural tradition which is manifested in the numerous religious places which fills the tourist with an intense sense of satisfaction. Some of the notable "Pilgrim Destinations" of Haryana are:
Kurukshetra Kurukshetra (, ) is a city and administrative headquarter of Kurukshetra district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is also known as Dharmakshetra ("Realm of duty ") and as the "Land of the Bhagavad Gita". Legends According to the Pura ...
- The historical place of "Kurukshetra" is the cradle of Hindu civilisation. The fierce battle field of the holy land of "Kurukhshetra" is a witness to the discourse between the mighty and valiant ruler "
Arjuna Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ), also known as Partha and Dhananjaya, is a character in several ancient Hindu texts, and specifically one of the major characters of the Indian epic Mahabharata. In the epic, he is the third among Panda ...
" and his divine charioteer "
Lord Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one of ...
".
Jyotisar Jyotisar, on the bank of Jyotisar Sarovar wetland, is a Hindu pilgrimage site in the city of Kurukshetra in Haryana state of India. In mythology, it is where Krishna delivered the sermon of '' Bhagavad Gita'' - the doctrine of ''Karma'' and ...
- The ancient place of "Jyotisar" is the nurturing ground of the values and principles that guide the oldest religion of the world, the "
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
" religion. The significance of the place lies in the fact that the holy religious text of the "
Hindus Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
", the "
Bhagwad Gita The Bhagavad Gita (; sa, श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता, lit=The Song by God, translit=śrīmadbhagavadgītā;), often referred to as the Gita (), is a 700- verse Hindu scripture that is part of the epic ''Mahabharata'' (c ...
" was compiled in this sacred place
Thanesar Thanesar city or old Kurukshetra city is a historic town and an important Hindu pilgrimage sites, Hindu pilgrimage centre in Kurukshetra district of the States and territories of India, state of Haryana in North India, northern India. It is loca ...
- The sacred place of "Thanesar" has two important religious temples of the " Sthanesvar Mahadev Temple" and the " Ma Bhadra Kali Temple" that draws several devotees throughout the year
Pehowa Pehowa is a town and a municipal committee in Kurukshetra district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is an important sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, related to Krishna and Mahabharata, within the 48 Kos Parikrama of Kurukshetra. The Hindu geneal ...
- The holy land of "Pehowa" is an important religious place among the Hindus, who pray to the deceased member of their family and offer " Pind Daan" to release them from the cycle of birth and rebirth
Khatushyam Barbarika (''Barbarīka)'' or Khatu Shyam, is a Hindu deity, particularly worshipped in western India. According to the ''Skanda Purana'', Barbarika was the son of Ghatotkacha (Son of Bhima) and Princess Maurvi, daughter of Daitya Moora, tho ...
The holy place from the time of Mahabharata.
Panchkula Panchkula (PKL) is a planned city and district headquarter in the Panchkula district, part of the Ambala division in Haryana, India. The origin of the name Panchkula came from the place where five irrigation canals meet. Panchkula established ...
- Panchkula has numerous places of religious and historical importance, including "Morni hills" and "Tikkar Taal".
Dhosi Hill Dhosi Hill is an important Vedic period site, an extinct volcano, standing alone at the north-west end of the Aravalli mountain range. Its height varies from about 345 to 470 meters from the surrounding lands and 740 meters from the sea level. ...
A hill near
Narnaul Narnaul is a city, a Municipal Council, and location of headquarters of the Mahendragarh district in the Indian state of Haryana. It is located in the National Capital Region of India. History Narnaul is built on a prominent tell, but th ...
, having Vedic period Rishi, Chaywan's Ashram. Famous for preparation of
Chyawanprash Chyavanprash (), originally Chayavanaprasham, is a cooked mixture of sugar, honey, ghee, Indian gooseberry ( amla) jam, sesame oil, berries and various herbs and spices. It is prepared as per the instructions suggested in Ayurvedic texts. Chyavanp ...
, and other herbal preparations. Pharal- Phalgu Tirth is an Indian pilgrimage site, where pilgrimages are undertaken by the Hindus during the Shraadhs. It is located in Pharal village in the Pundri sub-tehsil of Kaithal district in Haryana state. Pharal village is located between Pundri and Dhand in Kaithal district 24 kilometres (15 mi) away from district headquarter Kaithal and is 34 kilometres (21 mi) to Kurukshetra city


Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh (; ; "Snow-laden Mountain Province") is a state in the northern part of India. Situated in the Western Himalayas, it is one of the thirteen mountain states and is characterized by an extreme landscape featuring several peaks ...
is famous for its Himalayan landscapes and popular hill-stations. Tourism is the state contributes a major part in its economy and growth. Outdoor activities such as
rock climbing Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, across, or down natural rock formations. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and ...
,
mountain biking Mountain biking is a sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, usually using specially designed mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and pe ...
,
paragliding Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or lies supine in a cocoon-like 'po ...
,
ice-skating Ice skating is the self-propulsion and gliding of a person across an ice surface, using metal-bladed ice skates. People skate for various reasons, including recreation (fun), exercise, competitive sports, and commuting. Ice skating may be perfo ...
, and
heli-skiing Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing or snowboarding where the skier reaches the top of the mountain by helicopter, instead of a ski lift. History In the late 1950s, helicopters were used in Alaska and Europe to access remote terrain. The i ...
are popular tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla Shimla (; ; also known as Simla, List of renamed Indian cities and states#Himachal Pradesh, the official name until 1972) is the capital and the largest city of the States and union territories of India, northern Indian state of Himachal Prade ...
, the state capital, is very popular hill station among tourists. One can reach Shimla by road, train and by air. The Kalka-Shimla Railway is a narrow gage
mountain railway A mountain railway is a railway that operates in a mountainous region. It may operate through the mountains by following mountain valleys and tunneling beneath mountain passes, or it may climb a mountain to provide transport to and from the sum ...
which is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
. Other popular hill stations include Manali, Dalhousie and
Kasauli Kasauli is a town and cantonment, located in Solan district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The cantonment was established by the British Raj in 1842 as a Colonial hill station,Sharma, Ambika"Architecture of Kasauli churches" ''The Trib ...
.
Dharamshala Dharamshala (; also spelled Dharamsala) is the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh, India. It serves as administrative headquarters of the Kangra district after being relocated from Kangra, a city located away from Dharamshala, in 1855. The ...
, home of the
Dalai Lama Dalai Lama (, ; ) is a title given by the Tibetan people to the foremost spiritual leader of the Gelug or "Yellow Hat" school of Tibetan Buddhism, the newest and most dominant of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The 14th and current Dal ...
, is known for its Tibetan monasteries and Buddhist temples. Many trekking expeditions also begin here. It is located in the
Kangra valley Kangra Valley is a river valley situated in the Western Himalayas.Dhauladhar Dhauladhar ( hi, धौलाधार) () is a mountain range which is part of a lesser Himalayan chain of mountains. It rises from the Shivalik hills, to the north of Kangra and Mandi. Dharamsala, the headquarters of Kangra district and th ...
mountains. Manali is famous for
skiing Skiing is the use of skis to glide on snow. Variations of purpose include basic transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive winter sport. Many types of competitive skiing events are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IO ...
,
snowboarding Snowboarding is a recreational and competitive activity that involves descending a snow-covered surface while standing on a snowboard that is almost always attached to a rider's feet. It features in the Winter Olympic Games and Winter Paralympi ...
and other adventure sports such as white water rafting. Bir is known for paragliding. The
Spiti valley Spiti (pronounced as Piti in Bhoti language) is a high-altitude region of the Himalayas, located in the north-eastern part of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The name "Spiti" means "The middle land", i.e. the land between Tibe ...
is well known for its unique landscapes and culture. File:Himalayan Queen.jpg, Kalka–Shimla Railway is a
mountain railway A mountain railway is a railway that operates in a mountainous region. It may operate through the mountains by following mountain valleys and tunneling beneath mountain passes, or it may climb a mountain to provide transport to and from the sum ...
in Himachal Pradesh. File:Ridge, Shimla.JPG,
The Ridge, Shimla The Ridge road is a large open space, located in the center of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, India. The Ridge is the hub of all cultural activities of Shimla. It is situated along the Mall Road, which is the famous shopping cen ...
File:Skiing manali.jpg, Skiing in Manali File:Cloud Volcano.jpg,
Rohtang Pass Rohtang Pass (Rohtang , lit: རོ་ (Ro)- corpse(s), ཐང་། (thang)- plain/field Polgreen, Lydia. ''New York Times''. Accessed 31 July 2010.) is a high mountain pass (elevation ) on the eastern end of the Pir Panjal Range of the Hima ...
in Himachal Pradesh


Jammu and Kashmir

KASHMIR Kashmir () is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term "Kashmir" denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompas ...
is noted for its scenic landscape, ancient temples and mosques, Hindu and Muslim shrines, castles, gardens and forts. The Hindu holy shrines of Amarnath in
Kashmir Valley The Kashmir Valley, also known as the ''Vale of Kashmir'', is an intermontane valley concentrated in the Kashmir Division of the Indian- union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley is bounded on the southwest by the Pir Panjal Range and ...
attracts about .4 million Hindu devotees every year.
Vaishno Devi Vaishno Devi (also known as Mata Rani, Trikuta, Ambe and Vaishnavi) is a manifestation of the Hindu Mother Goddess, Durga or Adi Shakti. The words "''Maa''" and "''Mata''" are commonly used in India for ''mother'', and thus are often heavily ...
also attract millions of Hindu devotees every year. Jammu's historic monuments feature a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture styles. Tourism forms an integral part of the Kashmiri economy. Often dubbed "''Paradise on Earth''", Kashmir's mountainous landscape has attracted tourists for centuries. Notable places are
Dal Lake Dal is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in ...
,
Srinagar Srinagar (English: , ) is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natu ...
Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yeusmarg, Mughal Gardens, etc. Kashmir's
natural landscape A natural landscape is the original landscape that exists before it is acted upon by human culture Culture () is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as the kn ...
has made it one of the popular destinations for adventure tourism in South Asia. File:Cave Temple of Lord Amarnath.jpg, Amarnath Temple near
Pahalgam Pahalgam (), known as Pahalgom (; in Kashmiri) is a town and a notified area committee, near Anantnag city in the Anantnag district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination and hil ...
is open only during summer months File:Gulmarg kashmir winter2004.jpg,
Gulmarg Gondola Gulmarg Gondola in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, an administered union territory of India is the second longest and second highest cable car in the world. Higher lines include the ''Dagu Glacier Gondola''. Background The two-stage gondola ...
- The second highest cable car in the world File:Vaishno Devi Bhavan.jpg,
Vaishno Devi Temple The Vaishno Devi Temple also referred to as Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Vaishno Devi Bhavan is a prominent and widely revered Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Vaishno Devi. It is located in Katra, Reasi on the slopes of Trikuta Hills ...
near
Jammu Jammu is the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (union territory), Jammu and Kashmir. It is the headquarters and the largest city in Jammu district of the union territory. Lying on the banks of the river Tawi Ri ...
, attracts millions of pilgrims annually File:Dal Lake Hazratbal Srinagar.jpg, Beautiful
Dal Lake Dal is a lake in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in ...
in middle of
Srinagar Srinagar (English: , ) is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It lies in the Kashmir Valley on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus, and Dal and Anchar lakes. The city is known for its natu ...


Jharkhand

Jharkhand Jharkhand (; ; ) is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the states of West Bengal to the east, Chhattisgarh to the west, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Bihar to the north and Odisha to the south. It has an area of . It ...
is the eastern state of India formed in 2000. It is known for its forest cover and mine reserves. One of the biggest tourist attraction in Jharkhand is Vaidyanath jyotirlinga situated in Deoghar district.
Shikharji Shri Sammet Shikharji () is a pilgrimage site in Giridih district, Jharkhand, India. It is located on Parasnath hill, the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand. It is the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site) by both Digambara and ...
located on
Parasnath Parasnath is a mountain peak in the Parasnath Range. It is located towards the eastern end of the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Giridih district of the Indian state of Jharkhand, India. The hill is named after Lord Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthank ...
hill, the highest mountain in the state of Jharkhand, is the most important Jain Tirtha (pilgrimage site), believed to be the place where twenty of the twenty-four Jain
tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a 'ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passag ...
s along with many other monks attained
Moksha ''Moksha'' (; sa, मोक्ष, '), also called ''vimoksha'', ''vimukti'' and ''mukti'', is a term in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism for various forms of emancipation, enlightenment, liberation, and release. In its soteriology, ...
.
Baidyanath Temple Vaidyanatha Jyotirlinga temple, also known as ''Baba Baidyanath dham'' and ''Baidyanath dham'' is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva. It is located in Deoghar in the Santhal Parganas division of the state of Jharkha ...
at
Deoghar Deoghar (pronounced ''Devaghar'') is a major city in Jharkhand, India. It is a holy sacred place of Hinduism. It is one of the 12 ''Jyotirlinga''s sites of Hinduism (Baidyanath Temple). The sacred temples of the city make this a place for pil ...
, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
, during month of
Shraavana Śrāvaṇa ( sa, श्रावण) is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. In India's national civil calendar, Śrāvaṇa is the fifth month of the year, beginning on July 23 and ending on August 22. In the Tamil calendar, it is known ...
, Shravani Mela is an important festival here. Densely covered in forest, the state has many wildlife sanctuaries including Topchanchi wildlife sanctuary and Palamu wildlife sanctuary.


Karnataka

Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
has been ranked as fourth most popular destination for tourism among states of India. It has the highest number of national protected monuments in India, at 507.
Kannada Kannada (; ಕನ್ನಡ, ), originally romanised Canarese, is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by the people of Karnataka in southwestern India, with minorities in all neighbouring states. It has around 47 million native s ...
dynasties like Kadambas,
Western Gangas Western Ganga was an important ruling dynasty of ancient Karnataka in India which lasted from about 350 to 1000 CE. They are known as "Western Gangas" to distinguish them from the Eastern Gangas who in later centuries ruled over Kalinga (mo ...
,
Chalukyas The Chalukya dynasty () was a Classical Indian dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynas ...
,
Rashtrakutas Rashtrakuta (IAST: ') (r. 753-982 CE) was a royal Indian dynasty ruling large parts of the Indian subcontinent between the sixth and 10th centuries. The earliest known Rashtrakuta inscription is a 7th-century copper plate grant detailing their ...
,
Hoysalas The Hoysala Empire was a Kannadiga power originating from the Indian subcontinent that ruled most of what is now Karnataka between the 10th and the 14th centuries. The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at Belur, but was later moved ...
, Vijayanagaras and the
Kingdom of Mysore The Kingdom of Mysore was a realm in South India, southern India, traditionally believed to have been founded in 1399 in the vicinity of the modern city of Mysore. From 1799 until 1950, it was a princely state, until 1947 in a subsidiary allia ...
ruled from what is today Karnataka. They built great monuments to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. These monuments are preserved at
Badami Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a town and headquarters of a taluk by the same name, in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka, India. It was the regal capital of the Badami Chalukyas from CE 540 to 757. It is famous for its rock cut monumen ...
,
Aihole Aihole (pronounced "Eye-hoḷé"), also referred to as Aivalli, Ahivolal or Aryapura, is a historic site of ancient and medieval era Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments in Karnataka, India that dates from the sixth century through the twelfth cen ...
,
Pattadakal Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World Heri ...
,
Mahakuta The Mahakuta group of temples is located in Mahakuta, a village in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka state, India. It is an important place of worship for Hindus and the location of a well-known Shaiva monastery. The temples are dated to the 6th ...
,
Hampi Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi (town), Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire i ...
,
Lakshmeshwar Lakshmeshwara is a town, and newly created Taluk place along with Gajendragad in Gadag district, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is about 40 km from Gadag and 55 km from Hubli. It is an agricultural trading town. Lakshmeshwara Te ...
, Sudi,
Hooli Hooli is a town in Belgaum District in Karnataka, India. It is about 9 km from Saundatti. One of the oldest villages in the Belgaum District, Hooli is the site of the Panchaligeswara temple and the Trikuteshwara Temple. The village is his ...
,
Mahadeva Temple (Itagi) The Mahadeva Temple is located in the town of Itagi in Yelburga Taluk, in the Koppal District of Karnataka state, India. It is about from Kuknur and from Lakkundi. Mahadeva Temple The Mahadeva Temple was built based on the general plan of ...
,
Dambal Dambala is a village in the gadag district of the state of Karnataka, India. It was an ancient center of Buddhism and remained so as late as the 12th century. Dambal is at an elevation of . Demographics India census, Dambala had a population ...
,
Lakkundi Lakkundi, also referred to as Lokkugundi, was a major city prior to the 14th-century, and is now a village in Gadag District of Karnataka, India. By 10th-century, it was already a major economic and commerce center with mint operations for South ...
,
Gadag Gadag-Betageri is a city municipal council in Gadag district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Gadag District. The original city of Gadag and its sister city Betageri (or ''Betgeri'') have a combined cit ...
,
Hangal Hangal, is a historic town in Karnataka, It is away from Hubli through NH 766E. Location Hangal lies about south of the city of Hubli-Dharwad, about west of the Tungabhadra river and east of the Arabian sea. It is located on state road o ...
,
Halasi Halasi (Kannada: ಹಲಸಿ, also Halsi or Halshi, in earlier times also called Halasige or Palasige) is a town in Khanapur Taluk, Belgaum District in Karnataka, India. It is 14 km from Khanapur and about 25 km from Kittur. As known ...
,
Galaganatha Galaganath is a small village located near Haveri, in the Haveri District, Karnataka. Located here is the famous Galageshwar Shiva Temple built during the rule of the Western Chalukyas. This large temple faces east and is situated along the Tung ...
,
Chaudayyadanapura Chaudayyadanapur is a small village in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri District in Karnataka state of India. All facets of Indian civilisation (religion, art and poetry) are exemplified in an exquisite Mukteshwara temple, with the highest degree of ...
,
Banavasi Banavasi is an ancient temple town located near Sirsi in Karnataka. Banavasi was the ancient capital of the Kannada empire Kadamba that ruled all of modern-day Karnataka state. They were the first native empire to bring Kannada and Karnataka t ...
,
Belur Belur may refer to: Places * Belur, Karnataka, a town in Karnataka, India ** Belur temple (Chennakeshava temple), Belur * Belur, Tamil Nadu, a town in Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India * Belur, West Bengal, a neighbourhood of Howrah, India ** Be ...
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Halebidu Halebidu (IAST: Haḷēbīḍ, literally "old capital, city, encampment" or "ruined city") is a town located in Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Historically known as Dorasamudra (also Dwarasamudra), Halebidu became the regal capital of the ...
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Sringeri Sringeri (IAST: Śṛngēri) also called Shringeri is a hill town and Taluk headquarters located in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the site of the first maṭha ( Dakshinamnaya Sringeri Sharada Peetham) establi ...
,
Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola () is a town located near Channarayapatna of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is from Bengaluru. The Gommateshwara Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas (pilgrimage des ...
,
Sannati Sannati or Sannathi is a small village, located on the banks of the Bhima River in Chitapur taluk of Kalaburagi district of Northern Karnataka. It is famous for the Chandrala Parameshwari Temple and the excavations by the Archaeological Survey o ...
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Nanjangud Nanjangud, officially known as Nanjanagudu, is a town in the Mysuru district of Indian state of Karnataka. Nanjangud lies on the banks of the river Kapila (also called Kabini), 23 km from the city of Mysore. Nanjangud is famous for the S ...
,
Mysore Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...
, Nandi Hills,
Kolar Kolar or Kolara is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar district. The city is known for its milk production and gold mines. It is also known for Someshwara temple and Kolaramma temple. History The Weste ...
,
Mudabidri Moodabidri ( kn, ಮೂಡುಬಿದಿರೆ ''Mūḍubidire''; also called Mudbidri, Moodbidre and Bedra), is a town and taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. It lies 34 km northeast of the district headquarters, Mangalore, in Karnat ...
,
Gokarna Gokarna may refer to: Places * Gokarna, Karnataka, a town in Karnataka, India * Gokarna, West Bengal, a village in West Bengal, India * Gokarnamatam, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India * Trincomalee, a city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka also known ...
, Bagali, Kuruvatti and many more. Notable
Islamic Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the mai ...
monuments are present at
Bijapur Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural ...
,
Bidar Bidar (/ biːd̪ər/) is a city in the north-eastern part of Karnataka state in India. It is the headquarters of Bidar district, which borders Maharashtra and Telangana. It is a rapidly urbanising city in the wider ''Bidar Metropolitan area ...
,
Gulbarga Kalaburagi, formerly known as Gulbarga, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kalaburagi district and is the largest city in the region of North Karnataka (Kalyana-Karnataka). Kalaburagi is 6 ...
,
Raichur Raichur (formerly Raichore) is a city and municipality in the district of Raichur in the Indian state of Karnataka. Raichur, located between Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers, is the headquarters of Raichur district. It is located 409 km fr ...
and other part of the state.
Gol Gumbaz Gol Gumbaz (), also written Gol Gumbad, is a 17th-century mausoleum located in Bijapur, a city in Karnataka, India. It houses the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah, seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and some of his relatives. Begun in th ...
at
Bijapur Bijapur, officially known as Vijayapura, is the district headquarters of Bijapur district of the Karnataka state of India. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluk. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural ...
, has the second largest pre-modern dome in the world after the Byzantine
Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia ( 'Holy Wisdom'; ; ; ), officially the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque ( tr, Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi), is a mosque and major cultural and historical site in Istanbul, Turkey. The cathedral was originally built as a Greek Ortho ...
.
Karnataka Karnataka (; ISO: , , also known as Karunāḍu) is a state in the southwestern region of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, with the passage of the States Reorganisation Act. Originally known as Mysore State , it was renamed ''Karnat ...
has two
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
s, at
Hampi Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi (town), Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire i ...
and
Pattadakal Pattadakal, also called Paṭṭadakallu or Raktapura, is a complex of 7th and 8th century CE Hindu and Jain temples in northern Karnataka (India). Located on the west bank of the Malaprabha River in Bagalakote district, this UNESCO World Heri ...
.
Bellary Bellary, officially Ballari, in the eponymous Bellary district, is a city in the state of Karnataka, India. History Bellary was a part of Rayalaseema (Ceded Districts) which was part of Madras Presidency till 1 November 1956. The Ball ...
one of the historical place, we can see the forts which were built by
Tipu Sultan Tipu Sultan (born Sultan Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu, 1 December 1751 – 4 May 1799), also known as the Tiger of Mysore, was the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore based in South India. He was a pioneer of rocket artillery.Dalrymple, p. 243 He int ...
for protection. Karnataka state has several palaces such as
Bangalore Palace Bangalore Palace is a royal palace located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, in an area that was owned by Rev. J. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now famous as Central College. The commencement of the const ...
,
Mysore Palace The Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a historical palace and a royal residence (house). It is located in Mysore, Karnataka. It used to be the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. Th ...
(also known as
Ambavilas Palace The Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a historical palace and a royal residence (house). It is located in Mysore, Karnataka. It used to be the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. T ...
),
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, in Bangalore, India, is an example of Indo-Islamic architecture and was the summer residence of the Mysorean ruler Tipu Sultan. Hyder Ali commenced its construction within the walls of the Bangalore Fort, and it was ...
,
Nalknad Palace Nalknad Palace or Nalkunadu ( kn, ನಾಲ್ಕುನಾಡು ಅರಮನೆ, Nalkunadu / Nalnad aramane), called ''Naalnaad Aramane'' in the local Kodava language, is a palace located in the Kodagu district of the Indian state of Karnataka. ...
, Rajendra Vilas, Jaganmohan Palace,
Jayalakshmi Vilas Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is a heritage building in Mysore. Description Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is a building in Mysore city, Karnataka. It is located in the green surroundings of Manasagangothri, the campus of the University of Mysore. It ...
Mansion,
Lalitha Mahal The Lalitha Mahal, now renamed Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel, is a luxury hotel-turned royal resident and the second largest palace in the southern Indian city of Mysore, Karnataka, after the Mysore Palace. It is located near the Chamundi Hills, ea ...
, Rajendra Vilas, Cheluvamba Mansion, Shivappa Nayaka Palace and
Daria Daulat Bagh Daria Daulat Bagh (literally "Garden of the Sea of Wealth') is a palace located in the city of Srirangapatna, near Mysore in southern India. It is mostly made of teakwood. Srirangapatna is an island in the river Kaveri, about 14 km from M ...
. Karnataka is famous for
Jog falls Jog Falls is a waterfall on the Sharavati river located in the Western Ghats running between Uttara Kannada and Shimoga districts of Karnataka, India. It is the third highest plunge waterfall in India. It is a segmented waterfall which depends ...
of
Shimoga Shimoga, officially known as Shivamogga, is a city and the district headquarters of Shimoga district in the central part of the state of Karnataka, India. The city lies on the banks of the Tunga River. Being the gateway for the hilly region of ...
District, the second-highest waterfalls in Asia. Karnataka has many beaches at
Malpe Malpe is a natural port in the Udupi District in Karnataka, India. Located at the mouth of the Malpe River about six kilometers to the west of Udupi, it is an important port and a major fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast. The town of Malpe i ...
, Kaup,
Marvanthe Maravanthe is a village and a beach in Byndoor Taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka, India. It is about 115 km from industrial hub Mangalore, 55 km from Udupi.18 km from Kundapura. and 21 km from Byndoor. NH-66 (erstwhile NH-17) ...
,
Karwar Karwar is a seaside city, ''taluka'', and administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district lying at the mouth of the Kali river on the Kanara coast of Karnataka state, India. Karwar is a popular tourist destination and with a city urba ...
,
Gokarna Gokarna may refer to: Places * Gokarna, Karnataka, a town in Karnataka, India * Gokarna, West Bengal, a village in West Bengal, India * Gokarnamatam, a village in Andhra Pradesh, India * Trincomalee, a city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka also known ...
,
Murdeshwara Murdeshwar is a town in Uttara Kannada district in the state of Karnataka, India, It is famous for the world's second tallest Shiva statue, the town lies on the coast of the Arabian Sea and is also famous for the Murudeshwara Temple. The town h ...
, Surathkal. Karnataka is a rock climbers paradise. Yana, India, Yana in Uttara Kannada, Fort in Chitradurga, Ramnagara near Bengaluru district, Shivagange in Tumkur district and tekal in
Kolar Kolar or Kolara is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar district. The city is known for its milk production and gold mines. It is also known for Someshwara temple and Kolaramma temple. History The Weste ...
district are a rock climbers heaven. Utsav Rock Garden in Shiggaon, Uttar Kannada. Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Major hill stations in the state are Agumbe and Kodachadri in Shimoga District; Baba Budangiri, Kemmangundi, Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru District; Biligiriranga Hills in Chamarajanagar District and Kodagu district (also known as Coorg). Other hilly town and regions are Mullayanagiri, Pushpagiri, Karnataka, Pushpagiri (or Kumara Parvatha), Nandi Hills, India, Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur district, Kundadri, Tadiandamol, Talakaveri, Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, Ambaragudda, Antara Gange, Savandurga, Kurinja, Yedakumeri, Siddara Betta, Bananthimari Betta, Skandagiri, Devarayanadurga and Madhugiri. Wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves: Karnataka is the state which has the highest population of tigers and elephants in India. It is also the state which has the third highest leopard population in India therefore Karnataka's wildlife makes it the premier wildlife state of India. Karnataka has several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve, BRT Tiger Reserve Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli; Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary; Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary; Peacock sanctuary in Bankapura; Ranebennur blackbuck sanctuary, Haveri district; Deva Raya Wildlife Sanctuary, near
Hampi Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi (town), Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire i ...
; Attiveri Bird Sanctuary, near Hubli-Dharwad, Uttara Kannada; Anshi National Park, Uttara Kannada; Magadi Bird Sanctuary, Shirahatti; Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary; Adichunchanagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary ; Biligiriranga Hills, Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary; Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary; Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary; Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary, Melukote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary ; in Mandya district; Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary; Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary; Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Sharavathi#Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary; Shimoga district#Flora and fauna, Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary; Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary; Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary; Gudavi Bird Sanctuary; Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary; Kaggaladu Heronry; Kokkare Bellur; Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary and Bonal Bird Sanctuary File:View of the Virupaksha temple complex from Hemakuta hill.JPG, Vijayanagara, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:Jain Narayana temple at Pattadakal.JPG, Jain Narayana temple inside Pattadakal, Pattadakal complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site File:Hampi virupaksha temple.jpg,
Hampi Hampi or Hampe, also referred to as the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Hampi (town), Hampi town, Vijayanagara district, east-central Karnataka, India. Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire i ...
, a UNESCO World Heritage Site File:Bahubali Shravana Belagola.jpg, Gommateshwara statue,
Shravanabelagola Shravanabelagola () is a town located near Channarayapatna of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka and is from Bengaluru. The Gommateshwara Bahubali statue at Shravanabelagola is one of the most important tirthas (pilgrimage des ...
File:GolGumbaz2.jpg,
Gol Gumbaz Gol Gumbaz (), also written Gol Gumbad, is a 17th-century mausoleum located in Bijapur, a city in Karnataka, India. It houses the remains of Mohammad Adil Shah, seventh sultan of the Adil Shahi dynasty, and some of his relatives. Begun in th ...
in Bijapur File:Jain temple at Lakkundi.jpg, Jain Temple, Lakkundi, Brahma Jinalaya,
Lakkundi Lakkundi, also referred to as Lokkugundi, was a major city prior to the 14th-century, and is now a village in Gadag District of Karnataka, India. By 10th-century, it was already a major economic and commerce center with mint operations for South ...
File:Mysore palace illuminated.jpg,
Mysore Palace The Mysore Palace, also known as Amba Vilas Palace, is a historical palace and a royal residence (house). It is located in Mysore, Karnataka. It used to be the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore. Th ...
File:Bangalore palace.jpg,
Bangalore Palace Bangalore Palace is a royal palace located in Bangalore, Karnataka, India, in an area that was owned by Rev. J. Garrett, the first principal of the Central High School in Bangalore, now famous as Central College. The commencement of the const ...


Kerala

Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of south-western India. Nicknamed as one of the "''10 paradises of the world''" by National Geographic Society, National Geographic, Kerala is famous especially for its Eco-tourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism industry significantly contributes to the state's economy. Kerala is known for its tropical backwaters and pristine beaches in Trivandrum such as Kovalam and Varkala. However, the western part of Idukki district, including Thodupuzha do not receive many visitors from other states. From the green scapes of Idukki to the buzzing cities like Trivandrum and Kochi, Kerala has its vivid collection of tourist spots. Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Kappad, Muzhappilangad Beach, Muzhappilangad, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Thekkady, Ramakkalmedu Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; forts like the ''Bekal Fort'' in Kanhangad and ''St. Angelo's Fort'' in Kannur and the National Parks/ Wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar National Park, Periyar and Eravikulam National Park, Eravikulam. The "backwaters" region—an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as East Fort, Kuthira Malika, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also famous. Cities such as Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, Kochi, Cochin, Thrissur, Trichur, Kozhikode, Calicut and Kollam, Quilon are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performance. The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) claimed to be Asia's largest shopping festival and began in 2007. Since then it has been conducted in December and January. During this period stores and shops registered under the GKSF offer a wide range of discounts, vat refunds etc. Along with the guaranteed shopping experience, shoppers are provided with gift coupons for a fixed value of purchase entering them into weekly and mega lucky draws. As compared to shopping festivals being held in other countries, this Festival converts the entire state of Kerala into a giant shopping mall, and includes both large and small businesses. The state's tourism agenda promotes ecologically sustained tourism, which focuses on the local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering and personal growth of the local population. Efforts are taken to minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.


Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is called the "Heart of India" because of its location in the centre of the country. It has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Islam,
Buddhism Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
, Sikhism and
Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the state. The temples of
Khajuraho Khajuraho () is a city, near Chhatarpur in Chhatarpur district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous f ...
are world-famous for their aphrodisiac sculptures, and are a
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
. Gwalior is famous for its fort, Jai Vilas Palace, the Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, Md. Ghaus and Tansen. Famous national parks like Kanha National Park, Bandhavgadh, Madhav National Park, Shivpuri, Pench are located in Madhya Pradesh. Kuno Palpur national park is getting African cheetahs and is expected to become only reserve having four species of big cats (lion, tiger, leopard and cheetah). Spectacular mountain ranges, meandering rivers and miles and miles of dense forests offering a unique and exciting panorama of wildlife in wiktionary:sylvan, sylvan surroundings. Madhya pradesh is very much known for Narmada river, is the oldest known holiest and worshiped as a river goddess in Hindu religion. Narmada originates from Amarkantak, a wild reserve and pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Another great tourist destination is Bhedaghat Falls in Jabalpur. The river Narmada takes the form of massive falls here. The place is surrounded by marble of various colours. The sight is a visual treat in itself. The prime attraction includes boating in the river with amusing commentary by the rower. Attractions include ♦WildlifeKanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park
(website)
Pench Tiger Reserve ♦Heritage
Khajuraho Khajuraho () is a city, near Chhatarpur in Chhatarpur district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous f ...
Temple Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Group, Orchha, Bhimbetka rock shelters, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Caves ♦WorshipUjjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Maihar, Sanchi ♦Water Bodies / Lakes/ Dams Bhojtal, Bhojtal "Upper Lake- Bhopal", Gandhi Sagar Dam, Indirasagar Dam, Pipliyapala, Tawa Reservoir, Bhedaghat

File:Sanchi Stupa from Eastern gate, Madhya Pradesh.jpg, Sanchi, Sanchi Stupa File:OrchhaPalace.jpg, Orchha Palace File:Gwalior Fort Morning View.jpg, Gwalior Fort in Gwalior city File:Kandariya mahadev.jpg, Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:Bhimbetka rock paintng1.jpg, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site File:Amarkantak4.jpg, Ancient temples of Amarkantak File:White Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat.jpg, Marble Rocks, Marble Cliffs near the city of Jabalpur File:Tigress in Bandhavgarh NP.jpg, Bandhavgarh National Park have highest known density of the tiger population


Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of the most visited states in India by foreign tourists, with over 4.3 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2014. Maharashtra boasts of a large number of popular and revered religious venues that are heavily frequented by locals as well as out-of-state visitors. Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Aurangabad is the tourism capital of Tourism in Maharashtra, Maharashtra. Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus are the four
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra and are credited for the development of Tourism in Maharashtra, Tourism in the state. Mumbai, its capital, is the most popular cosmopolitan city in India, and a great place to experience modern India. Mumbai is famous for Bollywood, the world's largest film industry. In addition, Mumbai is famous for its clubs, shopping, and upscale gastronomy. The city is known for its architecture, from the ancient Elephanta Caves, to the Islamic Haji Ali Mosque, to the colonial architecture of Bombay High Court and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Maharashtra also has numerous adventure tourism destinations, including
paragliding Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or lies supine in a cocoon-like 'po ...
,
rock climbing Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, across, or down natural rock formations. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and ...
, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving. Maharashtra also has several national parks and reserves, including Tadoba with accommodation and safari experiences besides little known by wildlife destinations like Koyna, Nagzira, Melghat (disturbed with massive mining truck movement), Dajipur, Radhanagari and of course the only national park within metropolis city limits in the world – Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The Bibi Ka Maqbara at Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Aurangabad, the Mahalakshmi Temple (Kolhapur), Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur, the cities of Nashik, Trimbak famous for religious importance, the city of Pune the seat of the Maratha Empire and the fantastic Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations together contribute for the Tourism sector of Maharashtra. Mangi Tungi in Nashik is a very important pilgrimage of the Jain community. The 108 ft tall Statue of Ahimsa at Mangi Tungi, the tallest Jain Statue in the world is attracting Jain devotees from around the world. This statue holds the Guinness world record for the tallest Jain idol. Famous temples of Ganesha, Lord Ganesha, Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai and Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Pune are located in Maharashtra. File:Ellora cave16 001.jpg, Kailasa Temple, Ellora, Kailasha temple(r. 756-773 CE), sculpted in a whole basalt rock cliff from the top down. File:Mumbai India.jpg, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus File:Shree Siddhivinayak Temple Mumbai.jpg, Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai File:Elephanta Caves Trimurti.jpg, Trimurti statue in Elephanta Caves, a
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:SHANIWAR WADA.jpg, Shaniwar Wada in Pune was capital seat of Maratha Empire File:Sahyadri Parvatmala.jpg, Sahyadri:One of the most Biodiverse regions in the world. File:Tiger chasing a wild Pig.jpg, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Tadoba File:Khandoba temple Pune.jpg, jejuri, Khandoba Jejuri temple File:Kalavantinicha Durga.jpg, Kalavantin Durg, one of many 'hill forts' used by the Maratha Empire, maratha empire. File:Female Great Hornbill by Shantanu Kuveskar.jpg, A great hornbill in Raigad district, Raigad
Mahabaleshwar is a hill station in India's forested Western Ghats range, south of Mumbai. It features several elevated viewing points, such as Arthur's Seat. West of here is centuries-old Pratapgad Fort, perched atop a mountain spur. East, Lingmala Waterfall tumbles off a sheer cliff. Colorful boats


Manipur

Manipur as the name suggest is a land of jewels. Its rich culture excels in every aspects as in martial arts, dance, theatre and sculpture. The charm of the place is the greenery with the moderate climate making it a tourists' heaven. The seasonal Shirui lily at Ukhrul district, sangai (brow antlered deer) and the floating islands at Loktak Lake are few of the rare things found in Manipur. Polo, which can be called a royal game, also originated from Manipur. Some of the main tourist attractions are: * Imphal (capital) * Churachandpur * Keibul Lamjao National Park * War cemeteries * Loktak Lake * Moreh, India, Moreh


Meghalaya

Meghalaya, translates to the 'home of clouds', where 'megh' means 'clouds' and 'alaya' means 'home'. Meghalaya has some of the thickest surviving forests in the country. Therefore, constitutes one of the most important ecotourism circuits in the country today. The Meghalayan subtropical forests support a vast variety of flora and fauna. Meghalaya has two national parks and three wildlife sanctuaries. Meghalaya, also offers many adventure tourism opportunities in the form of mountaineering, rock climbing, trekking and hiking, water sports etc. The state offers several trekking routes some of which also afford an opportunity to encounter some rare animals such as the slow loris, assorted deer and bear. The Umiam Lake has a water sports complex with facilities such as rowboats, paddleboats, sailing boats, cruise-boats, water-scooters and speedboats. Cherrapunjee is one of the most popular tourist spots in North East of India. It lies to the south of the capital Shillong. The town is very well known and needs little publicity. A rather scenic, 50 kilometre long road, connects Cherrapunjee with Shillong. The popular waterfalls in the state are the Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Langshiang Falls and Sweet Falls. The hot springs at Jakrem near Mawsynram are believed to have curative and medicinal properties. It is a very good place to visit. Balphakram National Park, Balpakram National Park also known as 'Land of Spirits' by the Garos is located in South Garo Hills district, Baghmara, India, Baghmara. It has an amazing landscape and it is often compared to Grand Canyon of USA. Siju Cave is also famous destination in south Garo Hills region. It is 25 km long surveyed by P. Chopra et al. way back in 20th century. Nokrek National Park is one of the famous places in Garo Hills region. It is home to mother citrus fruit known locally as 'Me•mang Narang' scientifically named Citrus indica.


Mizoram

Mizoram has a dramatic landscape and pleasant climate. The state is rich in bird diversity, which has the potential to make it a major birdwatching destination. Mizoram is a stronghold for Mrs. Hume's pheasant (''Syrmaticus humiae''). There is also a rare record of the wild water buffalo from the state. There have been several records of sightings of the Sumatran rhinoceros from Mizoram, and Lushai hills. A small population of wild elephants can be seen in Ngengpui and Dampa Tiger Reserve, Dampa Sanctuaries. Other interesting sites are Mizo Poets' Square also known as Mizo Hlakungpui Mual in Mizo and the Great Megaliths locally known as 'Kawtchhuah Ropui'.


Odisha

Odisha has been a preferred destination from ancient days for people who have an interest in spirituality, religion, culture, art and the natural environment. Ancient and medieval architecture, pristine sea beaches, the classical dance Odissi and ethnic dance forms like Chhau dance, Chhau, Ghumura Dance, Ghumura and Sambalpuri dance, Sambalpuri and a variety of festivals. Odisha also has a very rich variety of food. Odisha has kept the religion of
Buddhism Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
alive. Research suggests about evidences of
Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in Lu ...
's birth in Odisha. Rock-edicts that have challenged time stand huge and over-powering by the banks of the Daya River. The torch of Buddhism is still ablaze in the sublime triangle at Udayagiri, Odisha, Udayagiri, Lalitgiri as well as Ratnagiri, Odisha, Ratnagiri, on the banks of river Birupa. Precious fragments of a glorious past come alive in the shape of stupas, rock-cut caves, rock-edicts, excavated monasteries, viharas, chaityas and sacred relics in caskets and the Rock-edicts of Ashoka. Odisha is famous for the world-famous Jagannath Temple (Puri),
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
Konark Sun Temple and The Leaning Temple of Huma. Out of total 4 Chausathi Yogini temples all over India, 2 are in Odisha, in Chausathi Jogini Temple, Hirapur and Ranipur Jharial. Famous Oriya Sanskrit Poet Jayadeva, who wrote famous Gita Govinda, a poem of divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha with other Gopis, dedicated to Jagannath, Lord Jagannatha, was born here in Kenduli Sasan village near Khurda. Rajarani Temple (name derived from the sandstone in which it is made), is an architectural marvel like Khajuraho located in Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar (The Temple City of India), containing more than 500 ancient temples. Lingaraja Temple, Lord Lingaraja Temple (a 12th-century AD temple), Kedaragauri Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Brahmeswara Temple are some of the many magnificent Temples in the capital. Bhubaneswar has Odisha State Museum, State Museum, Regional Museum of Natural History (having one of the two eggs of an extinct species in the world), Botanical Garden, Jain centres like Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Dhauli White Pagoda where Chandashoka became Dharmashoka. Odisha is the home for various tribal communities who have contributed uniquely to the multicultural and multilingual character of the state. Their handicrafts, different dance forms, jungle products and their unique life style blended with their healing practices have got worldwide attention. The well-known Ratha-Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri and Sitalsasthi Carnival of Lord Shiva in Sambalpur are among the leading sights. The Indian Revolutionary saying "Give me Blood, I will give you Freedom", Subhas Chandra Bose, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, whose House (Janakinath Bhavan) is now a museum, well equipped to provide details of his life-history. The medieval capital, Cuttack has a treasure to share with you, the Barabati fort (witnessing Gangas, Marathas and British), the silver filigree works, Katak Chandi Temple, Barabati Stadium, Qadam-I-Rasul and Dhabaleswar temple (having longest rope-bridge in India succeeded by Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh). Eastern Ghats' highest peak, Mahendragiri, Orissa, Mahendragiri, where Lord Parshuram is still in meditation, according to Ramayana and Mahabharata is in Gajapati district. Sites/cities/places of interest: 1. BhubaneswarLingaraj Temple, Rajarani Temple, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri, Khandagiri and Udaygiri, Nandankanan Zoological Park. 2. CuttackBarabati Fort, Katak Chandi Temple, Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri, Odisha, Ratnagiri-Udayagiri, Odisha, Udaygiri, Dhabaleswar, Dhabaleswar Temple. 3. PuriJagannath Temple, Chilika Lake, Konark Sun Temple, Konark Temple and beach. 4. SambalpurSamaleswari Temple, Hirakud Dam. 5. BerhampurGopalpur-on-Sea, Taptapani, Taratarini Temple, Taratarini. 6. Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Bhitarkanika Sanctuary 7. Mayurbhanj- Shimlipa

Biosphere Reserve 8. Dhenkanal, India, DhenkanalKapilash Temple, Kapilas, Saptasajya 9. BalasoreChandipur, Orissa, Chandipur-on-sea, Chandabali, Chandaneswar, Panchalingeshwar, Akhandalamani Temple, Aradi (Lord Akhandalamani). 10.Balangir-Harishankar temple, 64 yogini temple 10.Kalahandi- Maa Manikeswari Temple, Bhawanipatna, Phurlijharan Waterfall


Puducherry

The Union Territory of Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry comprises four coastal regions viz. Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Puducherry is the capital of this Union Territory and one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. Puducherry has been described by National Geographic Society, National Geographic as "a glowing highlight of subcontinental sojourn". The city has many colonial buildings, churches, temples, and statues, which, combined with the systematic town planning and the well-planned French-style avenues, still preserve much of the colonial ambiance.


Punjab

The state of Punjab is renowned for its cuisine, culture and history. Punjab has a vast public transportation and communication network. Some of the main cities in Punjab are Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Pathankot and Ludhiana. Nabha is famous as a manufacturing hub of combine harvesters and other manufacturing units, while Patiala is known for the historical forts.
Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...
also has a rich Sikh religious history. Tourism in Punjab is principally suited for the tourists interested in culture, ancient civilisation, spirituality and epic history. Some of the villages in Punjab have traditional Indian homes, farms and temples. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Harmandir Sahib as one of the world's best spiritual sites with over 100,000 pilgrims and tourists visiting on a daily basis. Another main tourist destination is religious and historic city of Sri Anandpur Sahib where many tourists come to see the Virasat-e-Khalsa (Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex) and also take part in Hola Mohalla festival. Kila Raipur Sports Festival is also popular tourist attraction in Kila Raipur near Ludhiana. Shahpur kandi fort, Ranjit sagar lake and Muktsar Temple also popular attractions in Pathankot.


Rajasthan

Rajasthan, literally meaning "''Land of the Kings''", is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Western India. The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year. Attractions: * JaipurThe capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich history and royal architecture
Pink City
*Chittorgarh – Chittorgarh Fort, Vijay Stambh, Kalika Mata Mandir, Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha's Palace, Rani Padmini's Palace and temple of renowned devotee of Lord Krishna, Meera (Meera Temple). * JodhpurFortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert, famous for its blue homes and architecture an
Blue City
* UdaipurKnown as the "Venice" of India
Lake City
* JaisalmerFamous for its golden fortress (one of the largest living fort), its magnificent palaces (Havelis), lake, fossil park, desert sand dune safaris-camps, desert national parks, Jaisalmer Fort Jain temples, Jain temples. The city is known a
Golden City
* AjmerHoly city, popular for shrine of Sufi Saikhllnt Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti * Barmer, Rajasthan, Barmer – Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages * BikanerFamous for world-famous KARNI Mata Temple (The Rat temple) and medieval history as a trade route outpost * Mount AbuIs
popular hill station
the highest peak in the Aravalli Range of Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar is located here. Mount Abu is famous for Dilwara Temples. * RanakpurLarge Jain Temple complex, with around 1444 pillars and exquisite marble carvings * PushkarIt has the first and one of the very Brahma temples in the world * Keoladeo National ParkA
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
* NathdwaraThis town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of Shrinathji * Sawai MadhopurFamous for Ranthambore National Park and historic Ranthambore Fort * ShekhawatiFor traditional Havelis *
Dhosi Hill Dhosi Hill is an important Vedic period site, an extinct volcano, standing alone at the north-west end of the Aravalli mountain range. Its height varies from about 345 to 470 meters from the surrounding lands and 740 meters from the sea level. ...
Vedic period Hill, Chyvan Rishi Ashram * Chittorgarh File:Hawa Mahal 2011.jpg, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur File:Mehrangarh Fort.jp
Mehrangarh Fort
in Jodhpur File:JagMandir.jpg, Jag Mandir, Jag Mandir Palace in Udaipur File:Jaisalmer Fort.jpg, Jaisalmer Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jaisalmer File:Ranthambhore Fort.jpg, Ranthambore Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ranthambore National Park famous for tigers File:Walls of Kumbhalgarh.jpg, Kumbhalgarh a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Rajsamand District File:Laxmi niwas palace.JPG, Laxmi Niwas Palace in Bikaner File:Thar Khuri.jpg, Thar Desert near Jaisalmer


Sikkim

Originally known as Suk-Heem, which in the local language means "peaceful home". Sikkim was an independent kingdom until the year 1974, when it became a part of the Republic of India. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, located approximately 105 kilometres from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station to Sikkim. Although, Pakyong Airport is under construction in East Sikkim, the nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport. Sightseeing places include Baba Mandir, Nathu La, Nathula Pass, Rumtek Monastery, Handicraft Shops, Lake Tsomgo, Tsangpo Lake, Chardham, Buddha Park, Ridgepark, Flowershows (International Flowershows) Samduptse, Tashi View point Tashiding, Pelling, Yuksom, Rabdentse, Tibrtology, Ropeway and Mt. Kangchenjunga. Sikkim is considered as the land of orchids, mystic cultures and colourful traditions. Sikkim is well known among trekkers and adventure lovers. The treks to Dzongri, Goechala are very popular. To get more details regarding the treks one need to contact a local tour operator registered and recognised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim. Tsozum Tours, Treks and Expeditions is a local tour operator and handles such treks in Sikkim.


Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu was the most visited tourist destination by both Indian and International tourists in 2014 with over 320 million domestic visits and 4.6 million foreign visits. It has places of historical, cultural and architectural significance. Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation by the state government with a logo ''enchanting Tamil Nadu''. TTDC promotes tourism in the state by arranging various functions and events. The capital city of Tamil Nadu -Chennai- is the only place in India to be listed in "52 places to go around the world" by ''The New York Times''. Marina beach in Chennai is the second longest beach in the world and Chennai is home to numerous historic temples and parks. Chennai is also nicknamed as the ''Gateway of South India''. ;Temples: The state has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites which include the Great Living Chola Temples and Mahabalipuram. Archaeological sites with civilisation dating back to 3800 years have been discovered in Tamil Nadu. UNESCO World Heritage Sites Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram sea shore temples were built by rulers of Pallava dynasty and depicts remarkable art and architecture. The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur was built in 1010 A.D. Other major temples include Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Ramanathaswamy Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam), Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Arunachaleswara Temple. All these temples showcase Dravidian architecture which prevailed during the ancient period. The six abodes of Lord Murugan are situated in Tamil Nadu. ;Sanctuaries and national parks: The Western Ghats is one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Mangrove, mangrove forests of Pichavaram are the second largest in the world and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 10,500 km2 of ocean, islands and the adjoining coastline including coral reefs, salt marshes, mangroves and is home to endangered aquatic species including dolphins, dugongs, whales and Holothuroidea, sea cucumbers. The wetlands attract numerous migratory birds from Europe and America. The state government has established 13 bird sanctuaries to protect the birds from poaching and hunting. The state also has various bird sanctuaries including 13 established bird sanctuaries The state is home to one of the largest populations of endangered Indian elephant and Bengal tiger. The region is home to one-third of the tiger population and more than half of the elephant population of India. There are four Project Tiger Tiger reserves of India, reserves and four Project Elephant reserves in the state which include Anamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamalai, Mudumalai National Park, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Sathyamangalam and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Kalakkad-Mundanthurai. Other threatened and endangered species found in the region include grizzled giant squirrel, grey slender loris, sloth bear, Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, lion-tailed macaque, and Indian leopard. Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of mainland India provides scenic view of sunset and sunshine over the Indian Ocean. Tourism in Tamil Nadu#Water falls, Water falls like Hogenakkal Falls and Tourism in Tamil Nadu#Wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu, wildlife sanctuaries are located across the state. ;Hill stations: Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud are well-known hill stations. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a mountain railway built in 1908, and operated by a fleet of steam locomotives. In July 2005,
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
''Mountain Railways of India''. ;Medical tourism: The state is a popular destination for medical tourism and the cities of Chennai and Coimbatore house some of Asia's premier hospitals. File:Airavatesvara Temple Chariot.jpg, Stone chariot ''mandapam'' at Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram File:India - Madurai temple - 0781.jpg, Meenakshi Amman Temple File:Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Vishnu, in Srirangam, near Tiruchirappali (24) (37254366620).jpg, Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, largest Hindu temple in India File:Kailasanathar temple Kanchipuram (16).jpg, Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram File:Kazhugumalai Jain beds (10).jpg, Kalugumalai Jain Beds File:NMR train at Ketti 05-02-26 75.jpeg, Nilgiri Mountain Railway,
UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:Fort Dansborg.JPG, Fort Dansborg at Tharangambadi built by the Danes, Danish File:Tea Monarch Aramby Ooty Nilgiris Mar21 A7C 00293.jpg, Tea plantation in the heights of Ooty. File:Terraced farming- Kodaikanal.jpg, Terraced farming in Kodaikanal File:Thirumalai nayak mahal.jpg, Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace File:Vellore Fort Tamil Nadu-3.jpg, Vellore Fort File:Thiruvalluvar Statue At Kanyakumari (197523127).jpeg, Thiruvalluvar Statue at Kanyakumari


Telangana

Telangana Telangana (; , ) is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated on the south-central stretch of the Indian subcontinent, Indian peninsula on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India b ...
, a state with rich historic and cultural heritage is one of the most frequented tourist places in South India. Also known as ''The City of Pearls'', Hyderabad is today one of the most developed cities in the country and a modern hub of information technology, ITES, and biotechnology. Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, and also its multilingual culture. Hyderabad ranked second best place in the world that one should see in 2015 which is published in the annual guide of 'Traveler' magazine of National Geographic (magazine), National Geographic. * Birla Mandir, Hyderabad is a white marble Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara on the Naubath Pahad in Hyderabad. * The Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal are famous for their temple carvings of the Kakatiya dynasty. * Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is held every second year in Medaram. * Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar (Nirmal district) is a Saraswati temple. * Sri Rajarajeshwara TempleOne of the famous and most visited Lord Shiva temple located in Vemulwada, Karimnagar District, Vemulawada (Rajanna Sircilla district) * Vemulwada, Karimnagar District, Vemulavada temple is built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975. *
Yadagirigutta Yadagirigutta is a census town in Alair Assembly constituency of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is a temple town as the famous Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is situated here. It is located at a distance of 16 Kms ...
, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha. Famous Buddhist centres: * NelakondapalliKhammam District * DhulikattaKarimnagar District * PhanigiriSuryapet District Pilgrim centres and temples: * Bhadrachalam TempleIn Bhadradri Kothagudem district * Ramappa TempleNear to Warangal City *
Yadagirigutta Yadagirigutta is a census town in Alair Assembly constituency of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana. It is a temple town as the famous Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is situated here. It is located at a distance of 16 Kms ...
Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district * Thousand Pillar TempleHanamakonda city in Warangal District * Kuchadri sri venkateshwara swamy temple in Kuchanpally, Medak District Attractions: * CharminarCentre of the Hyderabad Old City * Golkonda FortLargest and 400 years oldest fort * Chowmahalla PalaceIt was the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. * Ramoji Film CityLargest Film City in the world situated in Hyderabad City * Warangal FortOldest fort built by Kakatiya before 13th century reflects the culture of Telugu people * Thousand Pillar Temple - Built by King Rudra Deva in 1163 AD. The Thousand Pillar Temple is a specimen of the Kakatiyan style of architecture of the 12th century. * Surendrapuri – A unique Mythological Awareness Centre near Yadagirigutta, 60 km from Hyderabad * Salar Jung MuseumIt is one of the three National Museums of India, situated in Hyderabad City. Golkonda (Telugu: గోల్కొండ, Urdu: گولکوندا), a ruined city of south-central India and capital of the medieval kingdom of Golkonda (c. 1364 – 1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad. File:Warangal1000pillarTemple.jpg, Thousand Pillar Temple, Hanamakonda city in Warangal District, India File:Ramappa temple main.JPG, Ramappa Temple, Warangal, India is a World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Heritage Site File:Warangal fort.jpg, Kakatiya Kala Thoranam at Warangal Fort in Warangal File:Chowmahalla Palace 01.jpg, Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad


Tripura

* Ujjayanta PalaceThe gleaming white Ujjayanta Palace located in the capital city of Agartala evokes the age of Tripura Maharajas. It is a unique experience to witness living history and royal splendour within the boundaries of the Palace. Constructed by the king of Tripura Maharja Radha Kishor Manikya during the late 19th century and finished off in 1901. The Indo-Saracenic building is set up in large Mughal-style garden with two man-made lakes on its both sides. The palace is of two-storied mansion and has three domes, each 86 feet high, stunning tile floor, curved wooden ceiling and wonderful crafted door. Floodlights and light and sound fountain has been set up in the palace. * Unakotimeans one less than a crore. Located about 186 km from Agartala, Unokoti is an important site of archaeological wonder. It is a Shaiva pilgrimage attraction and dates back to the 7th to 9th centuries AD. The site consists of several huge vertical rock-cut carvings on a hillside. The site shows strong evidence of Buddhist occupation but also has a central
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
head and imposing Ganesha figures having a height of 30 feet. The rocky walls also have a carved images of Hindu pantheon like
Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around co ...
and
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
. The unakoti rock-cut carving have the distinction of being the largest bas-relief sculpture in India. * Bhubaneshwari TempleAnother temple of eminence of Tripura is this temple. located 55 km from Agartala on the eastern fringe of Udaipur, Tripura, Udaipur town by the bank of bank of river Gomti River, Gomati. The temple is now under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. It was built by Govinda Manikya, Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660–1676). The temple is immortalised in Rabindranath Tagore's famous play known as Bisarjan and Rajarshi. Maharaja Govinda also features an important character in Tagore's play. While approaching Bhubaneshwari Temple one can find the ruins of the palace of the Maharaja. Down below the temple the river Gomati flows. * Gunabati Group of TemplesFrom its name it reveals that it was built in the name of Maharani Gunabati (wife of Maharaja Govinda Manikya), in 1668 AD. The two other tempel also bears contemporary look but there actual history is still unveiled. Architecture of these temples resembles other contemporary temples of Tripura except the top most parts are without Stupa. Core-Chambers are marked by a presence of pitcher circular core chamber and its vestibule which was large with Stupa like crown is crafted like a lotus * ChabimuraA famous panel of rock carving on the steep mountain walls on the banks of Gomti River, Gomati. There are huge images carved of
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
,
Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...
, Kartikeya, Kartika, Mahisasurmardini Durga and other Gods and goddesses. These images date back to the 15th or 16th century. Chabimura is 30 km away from Udaipur, Tripura, Udaipur. It is situated in Amarpur subdivision. Devatamura means God's peak and it a full range between Udaipur and Amarpur Subdivision. It is famous for its many idols of gods and goddess. These images are carved on the rocky faces of Devtamura which is steep at 90 degrees. The hill ranges are covered with thick jungles and one cab reach this adobe of gods only after trekking through these jungles. * BoxanagarRecently after denudation of a nature forest area, ruins of a brick built building emerged in the northwestern part of Sonamura Sub-Division on the edge of the border with Bangalasesh. The local people initially attribute the remains to the ancient temple of Manasa- the goddess of snake. Attention was drawn to the Archaeological Survey of India and they took over the site. There an idol of Lord Buddha was discovered and it was confirmed that once upon a time it was a Buddhist Temple i.e. a Monastery. More than excavation of the site will unearth the hidden story. * Pilak, Tripura a famous place of attraction for its archaeological remains from the 8th and 9th centuries. Pilak is situated at a distance of 144 km from ''Agartala''. The place is a treasure house of Buddhist and Sculpture in the Indian subcontinent, Hindu Sculptures. There runs a hilly rivulet near the place which is known as Pilak stream. Few temples with plaques of terracotta and stone images can be found here. Huge sculptures made of stones of Avalokiteśvara in the 9th century and
Narasimha Narasimha ( sa, नरसिंह, lit=man-lion, ), sometimes rendered Narasingha, is the fourth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is regarded to have incarnated in the form of a part-lion, part-man being to slay Hiranyakashipu, to end rel ...
image of the 12th century were found here. Both of there are now preserved in the Ujjayanta Palace, Museum of Agartala. Even now one can find many sculptures of Goddess in Pilak as Lord
Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around co ...
, Lord Ganesha, Lord Suriya, etc. There is image of a God holding a lotus which is of ten feet high. There are terracotta images of Kinnars. Two bronze statue of Buddhas were discovered in Rishyamukh near ''Pilak''. All these lead to establish that the place was once under the rule of Buddhist kings followed by Hindu rulein subsequent years. Pilak, the treasure-trove of archaeological riches has close association with Mynamoti and Somapura Mahavihara, Paharpur in Bangladesh. It is believed that the area has more hidden treasures and as such recently further excavation drive has been taken up by Archaeological Survey of India. Tourist may find it delighted to explore the history of this lovely destination.


Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand, the 27th state of the Republic of India, is called "the abode of the Gods" or referred as the "Heaven on Earth". It contains glaciers, snow-clad mountains, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, and many shrines and places of pilgrimage. ''Chota Char Dham''s, the minor pilgrimage of the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the Himalayas, of which Badrinath is part of Char Dham, major pilgrimage of four highly sacred Hindu temples. Haridwar which means ''Gateway to God'' is the only place on the plains. It holds the watershed for Gangetic river system spanning 300 km from Satluj in the west to Kali river in the east. Nanda Devi (25,640 ft) is the second highest peak in India after Kanchenjunga (28,160 ft). Dunagiri (mountain), Dunagiri, Nilkantha (mountain), Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks above 23,000 ft. It is considered the abode of ''Devtas, Yakashyas'', ''Kinners'', Fairies and Sages. It has some old hill-stations developed during British era like Mussoorie, Almora, Dwarahat, Ranikhet and Nainital. File:Badrinath Temple - OCT 2014.jpg, The most sacred Hindu temple, Badrinath Temple. File:Kedarnath Temple.jpg, Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath town. File:Gangotri.JPG, Gangotri File:Yamuna at Yamunotri.JPG, Yamunotri. File:Har Ki Pauri, Haridwar.jpg, Ganges, Ganga river at Haridwar. File:Nainital.jpg, Nainital is a popular Hill station in India. File:Nanda devi.jpg, Nanda Devi, Nanda Devi peak in Nanda Devi National Park a World Heritage Site, UNESCO World Heritage Site File:Bengal-Tiger Corbett Uttarakhand Dec-2013.jpg, Jim Corbett National Park the oldest national park in India, famous for Bengal tiger, tigers


Uttar Pradesh

Situated in the northern part of India, border with the capital of India New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destination in India. Uttar Pradesh is important with its wealth of historical monuments and religious fervour. It is the home of Taj Mahal, and Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi. The most populous state of the Indian Union also has a rich cultural heritage. Kathak one of the eight forms of Indian classical dance, originated from Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is known as ''The Heartland of India''. Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh like Awadhi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, Kumauni cuisine are very famous in entire India and abroad. ;Places of interest in include: * Varanasi-The origin of Hinduism and world's one of the oldest cities. Also known as City of temples it is Most popular holy place of lord
Shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...
devotees. Some of the finest Textiles are produced here. * Agra – Home to three
World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
s i.e. Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri. Agra boast of several others historical monuments and gardens. Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, Tomb of Akbar the Great to name a few. * Prayagraj or Allahabad, Prayag -Kumbh Mela-The place where Indian national river Ganges and Yamuna and Saraswati rivers meet. A mass Hindu pilgrimage in which
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
s gather at the Ganges river. Akbar forts. One of the most popular religious centres of ancient and modern India for Hinduism. Uttar Pradesh's administrative and education capital. * Bithoor-This is the historical capital of Uttar Pradesh from where the Hindu god Brahma created the universe. It is situated about 10 km from Kanpur. * Kanpur – Uttar Pradesh's important Industrial town and largest city of the state. It is the most cosmopolitan city of the state. Has several historical places like-Bithoor and Allen Forest Zoo. It is the second largest metropolitan city of North India with various Historical and British Architectural buildings. The Kanpur Memoria Church or All Souls Memorial Church of Gothic architecture was built by Walter Granville on memory of those who died in Siege of Cawnpore. * Lucknow-The capital of Uttar Pradesh. Most planned city of Uttar Pradesh. It has Several historical places Mughal Empire, Mughal, British and modern architecture. The cuisine and chikan dresses of Lucknow is famous worldwide. * Mathura-The birthplace of Lord Krishna of Hinduism and Neminath of
Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
and Holy City * Ayodhya-The birthplace of Lord Rama of Hinduism * Jhansi-Historical place. City was centre of Rani Lakshmibai's battlefield against British * Sarnath-Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, the Buddha as one of the four places of pilgrimage which his devout followers should visit. The birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Jain Tirthankar of the
Jainism Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religions, Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current ...
. * Kushinagar- It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where
Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in Lu ...
is believed to have attained Parinirvana after his death * Chunar-It's the centre of clay art. Chunar has a 6th-century fort constructed by Chandragupta Vikramaditya. The fort itself had through rulers like Humayun,
Sher Shah Suri Sher Shah Suri ( ps, شیرشاه سوری) (1472, or 1486 – 22 May 1545), born Farīd Khān ( ps, فرید خان) , was the founder of the Sur Empire in India, with its capital in Sasaram in modern-day Bihar. He standardized the silver coin ...
and was gateway of Mauryan empire. It has waterfalls and natural spots. * Fatehpur Sikri-Historical place for Mughal Empire's palaces and forts * Meerut-The historical place of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 or the First War of Indian Independence. Indian Historical place from Mahabharata period of ancient India to Modern India's one of the fastest growing city of Uttar Pradesh. *Hastinapur : This is a popular religious site since it is believed to be capital of the Kauravas and birthplace of 3 tirthankar Shantinatha, Kunthunath and Aranatha. *Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, Deogarh : This places is famous for Deogarh fort and it's Gupta era Hindu and Jain temples dating back to 8th-9th century. like Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Dashavatara Temple and Jain temples at Deogarh, Shantinath temple. * Mirzapur Division-The hub of world's finest carpet Industries, and very popular tourist destination for its natural beauties and one of the fastest growing region of Uttar Pradesh. It consists of vindhyachal shaktipeeth. * Ghaziabad, India, Ghaziabad: Historical places from ancient India to modern India and India's fastest growing Industrial city. See Buddh International Circuit * Noida and Greater Noida: IT, electronics and education hub of Northern India. India's biggest city with a planned and high-tech residential area. * Gorakhpur: The city was home to Buddhist,
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
, Muslim, Jain and Sikh saints. The birthplace of Paramhansa Yogananda, great Hindu emperor
Chandragupta Maurya Chandragupta Maurya (350-295 BCE) was a ruler in Ancient India who expanded a geographically-extensive kingdom based in Magadha and founded the Maurya dynasty. He reigned from 320 BCE to 298 BCE. The Maurya kingdom expanded to become an empi ...
. * Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Jaunpur:Historical city was founded by the Sultan of Delhi Feroz Shah Tughlaq and named in memory of his father, Muhammad bin Tughluq as Jaunpur Sultanate. Mughal Empire, Mughals, Lodi dynasty, Lodis and Islamic ruler's Forts and ancient history of India. * Dudhwa National Park – Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Birds Sanctuary, Frog Temple at Oyal, Surat Bhawan Palace, elephant rides * Rehar:Several major tourist attractions can be mentioned in the town's surroundings, like Jim Corbett National Park about 24 km, Nainital about 69 km. * Vrindavan:A Town in Mathura district About 10 km from Mathura Famous for Prem Mandir Vrindavan, Banke Bihari Temple And world tallest temple going to be constructed Vrindavan Chandrodaya Mandir Uttar pradesh is a biggest political state in India. India is also known as the name of a gold bird. * Ahichchhatra: is place where Parshvanatha attained Kevala Jnana. A number of Ahichchhatra Jain temples, Jain temples are built in area to commemorate Parshvanatha attaining Panch Kalyanaka, Kēvalajñāna kalyāṇaka.


West Bengal

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), is the capital of West Bengal has been nicknamed the ''City of Palaces'', ''City of Joy'', etc. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the, architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British as it was the capital of British India from 1772 to 1911 and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French. The buildings were designed and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally, a ''nouveau riche'' Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom, as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British). Today, many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures. Long known as the "Cultural Capital of India" for its vibrant culture which has led India from the forefront from the 18th century onwards in all fronts ranging from culture to arts, literature to sciences, sports to politics, theatre to films. Home to the famous Bengal Renaissance which boasts of a host of luminaries like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ramakrishna, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Jagadish Chandra Bose, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Khudiram Bose, Khudiram, Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bagha Jatin, Bidhan Chandra Roy, and countless others. West Bengal is also known for the famous The Sunderbans. From historical point of view, the story of West Bengal begins from Gour and Pandua, Malda, Pandua situated close to the present district town of English Bazar, Malda. The twin medieval cities had been sacked at least once by changing powers in the 15th century. However, ruins from the period still remain, and several architectural specimens still retain the glory and shin of those times. The
Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...
architecture of Bishnupur, Bankura, Bishnupurin terracotta and laterite sandstone are renowned world over. Towards the British Raj, British colonial period came the architecture of Murshidabad and Coochbehar. Darjeeling is a famous Himalayan city in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling tea is world-famous because of its attractive smell. Other than Darjeeling there are notable hill stations like Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon, Rishyap, etc. There are some wonderful trek routes also, like Sandakfu, Falut, etc. Beside hill stations West Bengal has some beaches like Digha, Digha#Shankarpur, Shankarpur, Digha#Mandarmani, Mandarmoni, Bakkhali etc. West Bengal is home to six national parks — Sundarbans National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Jaldapara National Park, and Singalila National Park. Extant wildlife include Indian rhinoceroses, Indian elephants, deer, bison, leopards, gaur, and crocodiles, as well as many bird species. Migratory birds come to the state during the winter. The high-altitude forests of Singalila National Park shelter barking deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and kalij pheasants. Additionally, the Sundarbans are noted for a reserve project conserving the endangered royal Bengal tiger, although the forest hosts many other endangered species, such as the Gangetic dolphin, river terrapin and estuarine crocodile. File:Victoria Memorial situated in Kolkata.jpg, Victoria Memorial (India), Victoria Memorial in Kolkata File:Durga Puja DS.jpg, The famous Durga idol from the Durga Puja File:Panthera tigris tigris.jpg, The royal Bengal tiger at Sunderbans National Park, a
UNESCO World Heritage Site A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
File:Dakshineshwar.jpg, Dakshineswar Kali Temple located in Kolkata File:Howrah bridge at night.jpg, Howrah Bridge has been icon of Kolkata since its construction in 1942


References


External links

*
Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India

Official India Tourism website
{{Tourism in Asia Tourism in India by state or union territory