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Tourism in India

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The Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is one of India's most popular tourist destination

India is one of the popular tourist destinations in Asia. Bounded by the Himalayan ranges in the north, and surrounded on three sides by water (the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean), with a long history and diverse culture, India offers a wide array of places to see and things to do. In 2004, foreign tourists visiting India spent US$ 15.4 billion - the ninth highest in the world.[citation needed] India is also ranked among the top 3 adventure tourism destinations[citation needed].

Tourism by state

  • The states of India are sorted in alphabetical order.

Andhra Pradesh

Main article: Tourism in Andhra Pradesh
Gangavaram Beach, Visakhapatnam

Andhra Pradesh is very good place for tourism. The weather is mostly tropical. June to September are the monsoon months and travel is not advised during this time. November to January are the best time to visit. Andhra Pradesh has a rich cultural heritage. Andhra Pradesh has a variety of attractions including beaches, hills, wildlife, forests and temples.

Assam

Main article: Tourism in Assam
A Rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park

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 boasts of famous wildlife preserves - the Kaziranga National Park (pictured) and the Manas National Park, largest river island Majuli and 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 are the best time to visit.

It has a rich cultural heritage going back to the Ahom Dynasty 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, numerous temples including Kamakhya of Tantric sect, ruins of palaces, etc.

  • Location of Assam.
    Location of Assam.
  • World Heritage Site notification in Kaziranga
    World Heritage Site notification in Kaziranga
  • A typical temple in eastern Assam
    A typical temple in eastern Assam

Delhi

India Gate at night.
Main article: Tourism in Delhi

Delhi is the capital of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern in every stream of life is the soul of Delhi. A melting pot of cultures, religions and castes makes Delhi a diverse place. Delhi has been the capital of India from the mythological days. The rulers left behind their trade marks in the architecture. Tughlaqabad fort and the Qutub Minar, the Jama Masjid and the Lotus bah'ai temple, The Humayun's tomb and the Red Fort, and India Gate and the Magnificent President's house (Rashtrapati Bhavan). Delhi is famous for its wide roads and crisp winters.

One of the few places in India where colours of nature changes with the seasons. From Kerala to Kashmir and from Gujarat to Assam all the mouth watering delicacies and shopping goods are found in Delhi. The cosmopolitan nature of the city has only added to the beauty and glory of it. Big gardens, wide roads, ancient structures, and power of politics is what Delhi is all about. Delhi is popularly known for its monuments. Most of them which are built by the Mughal Emperors

Goa

Goa coastline.
Main article: Tourism in Goa

Goa is another popular destination. This tiny state is situated on the west coast of India, between the borders of Maharashtra and Karnataka and is better known to the world as the former Portuguese enclave on Indian soil. With the rule of the Portuguese for over 450 years and the consequential influence of the Latin culture, Goa presents a somewhat different picture to the foreign visitor than any other part of the country. The state of Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and Hindu temples. The Bom Jesus cathedral ,Mangueshi Temple and Shantadurga are famous attractions in Goa.

Himachal Pradesh

Home to the some of the most popular Hill Stations, and home also to some exquisite alpine & Trans-Himalayan destinations, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is a major product in the Indian tourism market. Himachal is famous for its sweet apples.

Among the major crowd pullers in Himachal Pradesh are:

Shimla, the states capital, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie and Kasauli

Jammu and Kashmir

Some of the main tourist destination of this state are, Srinagar, Kashmir valley, Jammu, Leh, Ladakh, Amarnath and Vaishno Devi.

Karnataka

Main article: Tourism in Karnataka
Jog Falls

Karnataka, the eighth largest state in India, is a veritable treasure trove of tourist delights. By virtue of its varied geography and long and rich history, Karnataka boasts of numerous spots of interest for tourists. Karnataka has been ranked as fourth most popular destination for tourism among states of India. With its 507 out of the 3600 centrally protected monuments, Karnataka has the second highest number of protected monuments in India, next only to Uttar Pradesh. Karnataka is famous for its waterfalls. Jog falls of Shimoga District is one of the highest waterfalls in Asia. This state has 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 National parks and is home to more than 500 species of birds.

Karnataka is a rock climbers paradise. Yana in Uttara Kannada, Ramnagara near Bangalore district, Shivagange in Tumkur district and tekal in Kolar district are a rock climbers heaven.

Kerala

Kerala, nicknamed as "God's own country".
Main article: Tourism in Kerala

Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of southwestern India. Nicknamed as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by the National Geographic traveller, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has 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. The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, the government agency that oversees the tourism prospects of the state, has adopted the brand God's Own Country for its campaigns. The slogan holds global Superbrand status.

Madhya Pradesh

Main article: Tourism in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is called the "Heart of India" only because of its location in the centre of the country. It has been home to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Buddhism,sikhism, Jainism and Islam. Innumerable monuments, exquisitely carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State.

Maharashtra

The Chittorgarh Fort
Main article: Tourism in Maharashtra

Unlike most other states in India, 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.It also boasts of the City of Mumbai with its Bollywood fame, ancient cave temples at Ajanta and Ellora,, Tuljabhavani temple at Tuljapur, Mahalakshmi temple in Kolhapur, The city of Pune the seat of the Maratha empire,the fantastic Ganesh chaturthi celebrations and much more.


Orissa

Orissa has been a preferred destination from ancient days for people that have an interest in spirituality, religion, culture, art and natural beauty. Ancient and medieval architecture, pristine sea beaches, the classical and ethnic dance forms and a variety of festivals. Orissa has kept the religion of Buddhism alive. Rock-edicts that have challenged time stand huge and over-powering by the banks of the river Daya. The torch of Buddhism is still ablaze in the sublime triangle at Udayagiri, Lalitgiri & Ratanagiri, 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. Orissa 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 world wide attention.

Punjab

Bathinda Fort.
Main article: Tourism in Punjab (India)

Punjab is one of India's most beautiful states. 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, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. Punjab also has a rich religious history incorporating Sikhism and Hinduism. Tourism in Punjab is principally suited for the tourist interested in culture, ancient civilization, spirituality and epic history. Some of the villages in Punjab are also a must see for the person who wants to see the true Punjab, with their beauitful traditional Indian homes, farms and temples, this is a must see for any visitor that goes to Punjab.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan, literally meaning "the land of the kings", is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Northern India. The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year.

  • Attractions of Rajasthan
  • Jaipur - The capital of Rajasthan, famous for its rich history and royal architecture
  • Jodhpur - fortress-city at the edge of the Thar Desert, famous for its blue homes and architecture
  • Udaipur - Known as the "Venice" of India
  • Jaisalmer - famous for its golden fortress
  • Barmer - Barmer and surrounding areas offer perfect picture of typical Rajasthani villages.
  • Bikaner - famous for its medieval history as a trade route outpost
  • Mount Abu
  • Pushkar-It has the only Brahma temple in the world

Sikkim

The Himalayan mountains in Sikkim.

Originally know as Suk-Hem, which in the local language means "peaceful home", Sikkim was an independent kingdom till the year 1974, when it became a part of the Republic Of India. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, located approximately 185 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station to Sikkim. Although an airport is under construction at Dekiling in East Sikkim, the nearest airport to Sikkim would be Bagdogra. Sikkim is the land of Orchids and mystic culture and colorful tradition. Sikkim is well know among trekkers and adventure lovers, as West Sikkim has a lot to give them. Places near Sikkim include Darjeeling also know as the Queen of hills and Kalimpong. Darjeeling, other than its world famous "Darjeeling tea" is also famous for its refined "Prep schools" founded during the British Raj. Kalimpong is also famous for its Flora cultivation and is home to many internationally known Nurseries.

Tamil Nadu

Shore Temple.

Tamil Nadu or "the land of Tamil" is a beautiful state nestled in the southern Indian peninsula, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and the deep blue Indian Ocean. Many great rulers including the Cholas, Pallavas, Pandyas and the Vijayanagara Empire ruled over parts of Tamil Nadu. The state is known for its cultural heritage and temple architecture .

Tamil literature is amongst the oldest in India. Much of the ancient culture of Tamil Nadu is still alive. We have Carnatic music, an Indian classical tradition. Bharatha Natyam is its twin dance form, always accompanied by this music and the rich tradition of folk music continues to inspire people.

Attractions:

  • Chennai - Capital of Tamilnadu and also India's fourth largest metropolitian
  • Mahabalipuram - World famous for its shore temples
  • Chidambaram - Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dance.
  • Kanchipuram - The Golden City of a thousand temples, Handloom Silk
  • Kanyakumari - Southernmost tip of India, where the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal meet
  • Ootacamund - Queen of southern hill resorts of India
  • Madurai - Oldest cities of southern India
  • Rameswaram - Well-known pilgrimage in India
  • Thanjavur - The rice bowl of Tamil Nadu
  • Tiruchirapalli - City on the banks of river Cauvery
  • Auroville - International Utopian city being built, Aurobindo Ashram Associations.
  • Coimbatore - Industrial centre, temple
  • Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary - Wildlife sanctuary
  • Kodaikanal- King of southern hill resorts of India

Uttarakhand

Hari-ki-pairi

Uttarakhand is the 26th state of the Republic of India. Blessed with magnificent glaciers, majestic snow-clad mountains, gigantic and ecstatic peaks, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, this Abode of Gods includes many shrines and places of pilgrimage. Char-dhams, the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the Mighty Mountains.

A picturesque state, with a breathtaking panoramic view of Himalayas, Uttarakhand promises its tourists a visit full of fun and unforgettable moments. It contains the most fascinating and beautiful part of the Himalayas and provide watershed for Gangetic River System spanning 300Km from Satluj in the west to Kali river in the east. Nanda Devi (25640 Ft) is the second highest peak in India after Kanchenjunga (28160 Ft). Dunagiri, Neelkanth, Chukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks above 23000 Ft. It is considered abode of Devtas, Yakashyas, Kinners, Fairies and Sages. They all are present here on glittering peaks, roaring rivers, beautiful hills slopes and valleys in one or another form.

Places of interest include sacred religious places, scenic hillstations as well as places for adventure activities:

Uttar Pradesh

Situated in the northern part of India, Uttar Pradesh is important with its wealth of monuments and religious fervour. Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foothills in the extreme north, the Gangetic Plain in the centre, and the Vindhya Mountain Range towards the South. It is also home of India's most visited site, the Taj Mahal, and Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi. The most populous state of the Indian Union also has a rich cultural heritage, and at the heart of North India, Uttar Pradesh has much to offer.

Places of interest include:

West Bengal

Kolkata, one of the many cities in the state of West Bengal has been nicknamed the City of Palaces. 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 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.

Important tourist places in West Bengal includes:

  • Places of worship

Dakshineswar Kali Temple · Kalighat · Birla temple · Belur Math · Bhoothnath · Tipu Sultan Mosque · Nakhoda Mosque · St. Paul’s Cathedral · St. John's Church · Greek Orthodox Church · Armenian Church · Synagogues · Armenian Church  · Parsi Fire Temples · Japanese Buddhist Temple  · Pareshnath Jain Temple ·

Historic monuments

The Taj Mahal is one of India's best-known sites and one of the best architectural achievements in India. Located in Agra, it was built between 1631 and 1653 by Emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his wife, Arjumand Banu, more popularly known as Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal serves as her tomb.

The Golden Temple is one of the most respected temples in India and the most sacred place for Sikhs. The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India. Not only is this a sacred place for Sikhs, it is also a sacred temple for Hindus as well.

The Bahá'í temple in Delhi, was completed in 1986 and serves as the Mother Temple of the Indian Subcontinent. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. (It is also known as the Lotus Temple).

Nature Tourism

India has geographical diversity, which resulted in varieties of nature tourism.

Wildlife in India

A Bengal tiger

India is home to several well known large mammals including the Asian Elephant, Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard and Indian Rhinoceros, often engrained culturally and religiously often being associated with deities. Other well known large Indian mammals include ungulates such as the Water Buffalo, Nilgai, Gaur and several species of deer and antelope. Some members of the dog family such as the Indian Wolf, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal and the Dhole or Wild Dogs are also widely distributed. It is also home to the Striped Hyaena, Macaques, Langurs and Mongoose species.

Gee's Golden Langur.

India also has a large variety of protected wildlife. The country's protected wilderness consists of 75 National parks of India and 421 Sanctuaries, of which 19 fall under the purview of Project Tiger. Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammals and 1200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent.

Some well known national wildlife sanctuaries include Bharatpur, Corbett, Kanha, Kaziranga, Periyar, Ranthambore and Sariska. The world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans is located in southern West Bengal

Hill stations

Main article: List of Indian hill stations

Several hill stations served as summer capitals of Indian provinces, princely states, or, in the case of Simla, of British India itself. Since Indian Independence, the role of these hill stations as summer capitals has largely ended, but many hill stations remain popular summer resorts. Most famous hill stations are:

Beaches

Tourist beaches are:

Adventure Tourism

References

  1. ^ http://www.treknraft.com/rafting3.htm
  2. ^ http://adventure-tours.indianholiday.com/adventure-tourism-in-india.html

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