Tourism in India by state

Tourism in India is economically significant and projected to continue a growth pattern. In 2016, the World Travel & Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated ₹14.02 lakh crore (US$160 billion) or 9.6% of the nation's GDP 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 ₹28.49 lakh crore (US$330 billion) by 2027 (10% of GDP).
States and Union territories of India with their capital cities.
Tourism is a major revenue-generating industry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to official estimates, the flow of tourists to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands tripled between 2016–17, rising from 130,000 to 430,000.
A 2014 study published by The Economic Times stated that Andhra Pradesh had emerged as the "most-preferred" tourist destination for domestic travelers with about a 20% share of the total domestic tourist visits across India in 2012. It hosts a number of religious sites which people make pilgrimage to.
For other important temples see List of Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh.
Buddhist centres:
Others are Pavurallakonda, Chandavaram, Guntupalli, Adurru, Kummarilova, Kotturu Dhanadibbalu, Karukonda, kapavaram and Nandalu
Attractions:
Arunachal Pradesh is mentioned 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.
There are places of worship and pilgrimage such as the Parasuramkund and the 400‑year‑old Tawang Monastery, or the sites of archaeological excavations like Malinithan and Itanagar, 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 wildlife 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 colder further northward to higher altitudes. Trees of great size, plentiful climbers, and an abundance of cane and bamboo make Arunachal evergreen. Arunachal Pradesh is home to more than six hundred species of orchids, occurring in varying elevations and climatic conditions throughout the state.
Assam is the central state in the North-East Region of India and serves as the gateway to the rest of the Seven Sister States. Assam has a number of wildlife reserves – the Kaziranga National Park, which is home to the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the Manas National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (These first two parks are UNESCO World Heritage Site); the largest river island Majuli, known for its Vaishnavite Sattras; historic Sivasagar, known for the ancient monuments of Ahom Kingdom; the city of Tezpur and the scenic tea-estates dating back to time of British Raj. The weather is mostly sub-tropical. Assam experiences the Indian monsoon and has one of the highest forest densities in India. The winter months (Mid-October to the first half of April) are the best time to visit. The heritage of Madan Kamdev is the same as Khajuraho which is located just 30 km away from Guwahati. Along with the Madan Kamdev tourists can visit the Gopeswar Mandir temple situated in a village Deuduar near 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 mystery of the bird suicides in Jatinga, and numerous temples including Kamakhya Temple of Tantric sect. Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, also known as Damdama Sahib at Dhubri, is situated in the heart of the Dhubri Town on the bank of the Brahmaputra river in far north-east India. Guru Teg Bahadur, the Sikh Guru, visited this place in 1505 and met Srimanta Sankardeva (the founder of the Mahapuruxiya Dharma) as the Guru traveled from Dhaka to Assam, ruins of palaces, etc. Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, boasts many bazaars, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The government is taking many initiatives to promote tourism in Assam.
Bihar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world with a history of more than 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar are evident from the innumerable ancient monuments that are dotted all over this state in Eastern India. This is the place of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, Aryabhata, Great Ashoka, Chanakya, Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Gobind Singh, Chandragupta Maurya, Vātsyāyana, Sher Shah Suri, Maa Tara Chandi Temple, and many other great historical figures.
On an average, 20 million domestic tourists and 1 million foreign tourists visit Bihar annually.
Attractions:
Chandigarh is a city located on the foothills of the Himalayas and is the capital of two states – Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is also called "City Beautiful" with various tourist attractions such as Nek Chand Rock Garden, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Sukhna lake, and Open Hand Monument. This place was recorded as the Cleanest city of India by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. A majestic view of the Shivalik Hills including Kasauli is visible from here. Chandigarh is a well-planned city and is also one of the earliest planned cities.
Chhattisgarh is a new state but with an ancient civilisation, with a number of historical remains. 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. It is India's tenth-largest state and situated in the heart of India. The state has many ancient monuments, rare wildlife, temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, waterfalls, caves, rock paintings, and hill plateaus. Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored.
Main attractions of Chhattisgarh are Chitrakot Waterfalls, Kutumsar Caves, Ramgarh and Sita Bengra, Bhoramdeo temple, Arang temples, Sirpur, Rajim, Ratanpur and Malhar. Kakotal is also famous for its waterfall.
Delhi is the capital union territory of India. A blend of ancient and modern, Delhi is a very popular tourist site. It is a metropolitan city comprising more than 10% of India's population. Old Delhi has been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, which makes it rich in history. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The various rulers left behind their trademark architectural styles. Delhi currently has many renowned historic monuments and landmarks such as the Tughlaqabad fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, Lodhi Gardens, Jama Masjid, Humayun's tomb, Red Fort, and Safdarjung's Tomb. Modern monuments include Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Laxminarayan Temple, Lotus Temple, Lal Mandir 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.
Goa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. A former colony of Portugal, Goa is famous for its beaches, nightlife, Yogas, spas and massage, casinos, flea markets and shopping, water sports activities like cruising, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Mangueshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, Shantadurga, Anjuna Beach, Aguada Fort, and Chapora Fort 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 is a world-famous event, with colorful masks and floats, drums and reverberating music, and dance performances.
Gujarat, the seventh largest state in India, is located in the western part of India with a coastline of 1600km, the longest in India. It is the tenth most popular state in the country for tourists with an annual footfall of 18.9 million tourists. Gujarat's natural environment varies from the Great Rann of Kutch to the hills of Saputara. Gujarat is the sole home of the pure Asiatic lions and is considered to be one of the most important protected areas in Asia. Ancient Dholavira, archaeological site in Kutch District and Lothal, archaeological site in Ahmedabad district contains ruins of ancient Indus Valley civilization city, arguably Lothal had the world's earliest known Dock. The ruins of Dholavira are one of the largest Harappan archaeological sites.
During the Sultanate's reign, Hindu craftsmanship mixed with Islamic architecture, giving rise to the Indo-Saracenic style. Many structures in the state are built in this fashion. It is also the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, important figures of India's Independence movement. Gujarat offers business tourism, archaeological and heritage tourism, cultural tourism, religious tourism, wildlife tourism, and medical tourism. Amitabh Bachchan is currently the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism. Ahmedabad is considered an ideal hub to cover all the destinations across Gujarat. In the year 2018, the famous Statue of Unity which is 597ft. tall statue in honour of Vallabhbhai Patel (1875–1950) was unveiled in Gujarat. Gujrat is also known for its business culture, and many big businessmen and industrialists such as Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani are from Gujrat. Its also known for the largest office building in the world, Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), which is a diamond trade centre located in DREAM City, Surat, Gujarat, India. It is also known for its food, Jalebi-Fafda, and their own dance, Garba.
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 that fill the tourist with an intense sense of satisfaction. Some of the notable "Pilgrim Destinations" of Haryana are:
Kurukshetra- The historical place of "Kurukshetra" is the cradle of Hindu civilisation. The battlefield of the holy land of "Kurukhshetra" is a witness to the discourse between the mighty and valiant ruler "Arjuna" and his divine charioteer "Lord Krishna".
Jyotisar- The ancient place of "Jyotisar" is the nurturing ground of the values and principles that guide the oldest religion of the world, the "Hindu" religion. The significance of the place lies in the fact that the holy religious text of the "Hindus", the "Bhagwad Gita" was compiled in this sacred place
Thanesar- The sacred place of "Thanesar" has two important religious temples of the "Sthanesvar Mahadev Temple" and the "Ma Bhadra Kali Temple" that draw several devotees throughout the year.
Pehowa- 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 The holy place from the time of Mahabharata.
Panchkula- Panchkula has numerous places of religious and historical importance, including "Morni hills" and "Tikkar Taal".
Dhosi Hill – A hill near Narnaul, having Vedic period Rishi, Chaywan's Ashram. Famous for preparation of Chyawanprash, 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 (15mi) away from district headquarters in Kaithal and 34 kilometres (21 mi) to Kurukshetra city.
Himachal Pradesh 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, mountain biking, paragliding, ice-skating, and heli-skiing are popular tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla, the state capital, is a 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 which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other popular hill stations include Manali, Dalhousie and Kasauli.
Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, is known for its Tibetan monasteries and Buddhist temples. Many trekking expeditions also begin here. It is located in the Kangra valley at the foot of the Dhauladhar mountains. Manali is famous for skiing, snowboarding and other adventure sports such as white water rafting. Bir is known for paragliding and cultural events like Bir Music Festival. The Spiti Valley is well known for its unique landscapes and culture.
Kashmir is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, ancient temples and mosques, Hindu and Muslim shrines, castles, gardens, and forts. The Hindu holy shrines of Amarnath in Kashmir Valley attract about 4 million Hindu devotees every year. Vaishno Devi also attracts millions of Hindu devotees every year. The region's historic monuments feature a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu architectural 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, Srinagar Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yeusmarg, Mughal Gardens, etc. Kashmir's natural landscape has made it one of the popular destinations for adventure tourism in South Asia.
Jharkhand is the eastern state of India formed in 2000. It is known for its forest cover and mine reserves. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Jharkhand is Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga situated in the Deoghar district.
Shikharji located on Parasnath 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 tirthankaras along with many other monks attained Moksha.
Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand is famous for its multiple waterfalls in the outskirts of the city.
Baidyanath Temple at Deoghar, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most sacred abodes of Shiva, during the month of Shraavana, 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 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 dynasties like Kadambas, Western Gangas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagaras and the Kingdom of Mysore ruled from what is today Karnataka. They built great monuments to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism. These monuments are preserved at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Mahakuta, Hampi, Lakshmeshwar, Sudi, Hooli, Mahadeva Temple (Itagi), Dambal, Lakkundi, Gadag, Hangal, Halasi, Galaganatha, Chaudayyadanapura, Banavasi, Belur, Halebidu, Sringeri, Shravanabelagola, Sannati, Nanjangud, Mysore, Nandi Hills, Kolar, Mudabidri, Gokarna, Bagali, Kuruvatti and many more. Notable Islamic monuments are present at Bijapur, Bidar, Gulbarga, Raichur and other part of the state. Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, has the second largest pre-modern dome in the world after the Byzantine Hagia Sophia. Karnataka has two World Heritage Sites, at Hampi and Pattadakal. Bellary one of the historical places, we can see the forts which were built by Tipu Sultan for protection.
Karnataka state has several palaces such as Bangalore Palace, Mysore Palace (also known as Ambavilas Palace), Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Nalknad Palace, Rajendra Vilas, Jaganmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Lalitha Mahal, Rajendra Vilas, Cheluvamba Mansion, Shivappa Nayaka Palace and Daria Daulat Bagh. Karnataka is famous for Jog falls of Shimoga District, the second-highest waterfalls in Asia. Karnataka has many beaches at Malpe, Kaup, Marvanthe, Karwar, Gokarna, Murdeshwara, Surathkal. Karnataka is a rock climbers paradise. Yana in Uttara Kannada, Fort in Chitradurga, Ramnagara near Bengaluru district, Shivagange in Tumkur district and tekal in Kolar 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 Chikkamangaluru District; Biligiriranga Hills in Chamarajanagar District and Kodagu district (also known as Coorg). Other hilly town and regions are Mullayanagiri, Pushpagiri (or Kumara Parvatha), 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; 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 Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary; Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary; Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary; Melukote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary ; in Mandya district; Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary; Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary; Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary; 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.
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, 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. Backwaters in Alappuzha, Kochi and Kuttanadu are the most visited backwaters. The pristine beaches in Trivandrum such as Kovalam and Varkala were most popular. In recent years, many other beaches in Kerala such as Fort Kochi, Cherai attract local and foreign tourists. Munnar is the most visited hill station in Kerala.
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, Varkala, Cherai,Kappad and Muzhappilangad. The Fort Kochi Beach is one of the most visited beach by foreigners even though it is not much used for swimming. The hill stations of Munnar, Thekkady, Ramakkalmedu Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad are very popular. The forts like the Bekal Fort in Kanhangad and St. Angelo's Fort in Kannur and the National Parks/ Wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam are alco attract a lot of local and foreign Tourists. . 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, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kollam are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performance.
Kerala has a very rich history. The oldest Synagogue outside the middle east is in Kerala. The oldest christian churches in Indian subcontinent is in Kerala. The oldest mosque in Indian subcontinent is in Kerala.
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 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, Sikhism and Jainism. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the state.
The temples of Khajuraho are world-famous for their aphrodisiac sculptures, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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 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
♦Wildlife – Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park(website), Pench Tiger Reserve
♦Heritage – Khajuraho Temple Group, Orchha, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Caves
♦Worship – Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Maihar, Sanchi
♦Water Bodies / Lakes/ Dams – Bhojtal "Upper Lake- Bhopal", Gandhi Sagar Dam, Indirasagar Dam, Pipliyapala, Tawa Reservoir, Bhedaghat[2]
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. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is the tourism capital of Maharashtra.
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are the four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra and are credited for the development of 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, rock climbing, 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, the Mahalakshmi temple at Kolhapur, the cities of Nashik, Trimbak famous for religious importance, the city of Pune which was the seat of the Prime Minister of the Maratha Empire and the joyous Hindu 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 Lord Ganesha, Shri Siddhivinayak Mandir, Mumbai and Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Pune are located in Maharashtra.
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 the centuries-old Pratapgad Fort, perched atop a mountain spur. East, Lingmala Waterfall tumbles off a sheer cliff. Colorful boats
Manipur as the name suggests, is a land of jewels. Its rich culture excels in every aspect as in martial arts, dance, theatre, and sculpture. The charm of the place is the greenery with the moderate climate making it a tourists' haven. 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:
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.
Balpakram National Park also known as 'Land of Spirits' by the Garos is located in South Garo Hills district, Baghmara. It has an amazing landscape and it is often compared to Grand Canyon of the USA.
Siju Cave is also a famous destination in the South Garo Hills region. It is 25 km long surveyed by P. Chopra et al. way back in the 20th century.
Nokrek National Park is one of the famous places in the Garo Hills region. It is home to the mother citrus fruit known locally as 'Me•mang Narang' scientifically named Citrus indica.
Mizoram has a dramatic landscape and moderate 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 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 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, Ghumura and Sambalpuri and a variety of festivals. Odisha also has a very rich variety of food. 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, Lalitgiri as well as 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 Jagannath Temple (Puri), UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark Sun Temple and The Leaning Temple of Huma. Out of total 4 Chausathi Yogini temples all over India, 2 are in Odisha, in 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 Lord Jagannatha, was born here in Kenduli Sasan village near Khurda.
Rajarani Temple is an architectural marvel like Khajuraho located in Bhubaneswar (The Temple City of India), containing more than 500 ancient temples. 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 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 lifestyle 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", 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, where Lord Parshuram is still in meditation, according to Ramayana and Mahabharata is in Gajapati district.
Sites/cities/places of interest:
1. Bhubaneswar – Lingaraj Temple, Rajarani Temple, Dhauligiri, Khandagiri and Udaygiri, Nandankanan Zoological Park.
2. Cuttack – Barabati Fort, Katak Chandi Temple, Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udaygiri, Dhabaleswar Temple.
3. Puri – Jagannath Temple, Chilika Lake, Konark Temple and beach.
4. Sambalpur – Samaleswari Temple, Hirakud Dam.
5. Berhampur – Gopalpur-on-Sea, Taptapani, Taratarini, Sonpur
6. Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
7. Mayurbhanj- Shimlipal [3] Biosphere Reserve
8. Dhenkanal – Kapilas, Saptasajya
9. Balasore – Chandipur-on-sea, Chandabali, Chandaneswar, Panchalingeshwar, Aradi (Lord Akhandalamani).
10.Balangir-Harishankar temple, 64 yogini temple
10.Kalahandi- Maa Manikeswari Temple, Bhawanipatna, Phurlijharan Waterfall
The Union Territory of 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 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.
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 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, 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:
Originally known as "Su-Kheem" (from the Limbu language) which means "peaceful home". Sikkim was an independent kingdom until the year 1975 when it came under the Indian republic.
The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, located approximately 105 kilometres from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station to Sikkim. Although, Pakyong Airport is a domestic airport in East Sikkim, it is largely inoperative due to the sub-standard runway length and other logistic issues, the other nearest airport to Sikkim is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal. Sightseeing places include Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass, Rumtek Monastery, Handicraft Shops, Tsangpo Lake, Chardham, Buddha Park, Ridgepark, Flower Shows (International Flowers Shows) Samduptse, Tashi View point Tashiding, Pelling, Yuksom, Rabdentse, Tibetology, 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, Dzongku, Goechala and Gurudongmar Lake towards the northern part of the state are very popular and attracts tourists not only from India but also abroad. Numerous local tour operators registered and recognised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Sikkim run various trekking programs in the state providing fooding, lodging, travel and a surreal trip experience.
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.
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 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 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.
The Western Ghats is one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mangrove forests of Pichavaram are the second largest in the world and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 10,500km 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 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 reserves and four Project Elephant reserves in the state which include Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and 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. Waterfalls like Hogenakkal Falls and wildlife sanctuaries are located across the state.
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 added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India.
The state is a popular destination for medical tourism and the cities of Chennai and Coimbatore house some of Asia's premier hospitals.
Telangana, 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.
Famous Buddhist centres:
Pilgrim centres and temples:
Attractions:
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.
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 Dhams, 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 300km 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 (28,160ft). Dunagiri, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks above 23,000ft. 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.
Situated in the northern part of India and bordering New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular tourist destinations 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.
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, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Prafulla Chandra Ray, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, 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 situated close to the present district town of 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 of those times. The Hindu architecture of Bishnupur terracotta and laterite sandstone are renowned world over. Towards the 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, Shankarpur, 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.