Tourism in India

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 15.4 billion USD - the ninth highest in the world. India is also ranked among the top 3 adventure tourism destinations^{[citation needed]}.

Contents 1 Taj Mahal 2 The Golden Triangle 3 Wildlife in India 4 Andhra Pradesh 5 Delhi 6 Goa 7 Himachal Pradesh 8 Jammu and Kashmir 9 Karnataka 10 Kerala 11 Orissa 12 Tamil Nadu 13 Rajasthan 14 Sikkim 15 Maharashtra 16 External links

[edit] Taj Mahal

Perhaps India's best-known site is the Taj Mahal, one of the world's greatest architectural achievements. 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.

[edit] The Golden Triangle

One of the popular tourist circuits is called the Golden Triangle: the cities Delhi; Agra (site of the Taj Mahal); and Jaipur. Delhi is approximately 200 kilometers away from Agra, and 250 kilometers from Jaipur.

[edit] Wildlife in India

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 Corbett, Kanha, Sariska, Periyar, Ranthambore, and Bharatpur.

[edit] Andhra Pradesh

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.

People coming to Andhra Pradesh visit:

• Hyderabad
• Tirupati
• Vizag
• Nagarjuna sagar
• Vijaywada
• Warangal

[edit] Delhi

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. Tughlakabad fort and the Qutab Minar, the Jama Masjid and the Lotus temple, The Humayun's tomb and the Red Fort, and India Gate and the Magnificent President's house. Delhi is famous for its wide roads and crisp winters. One of the few places in India where colors 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.

[edit] Goa

Goa is another popular destination, famous for its excellent beaches, churches, and temples.

Goa is a tiny state on the west coast of India. Situated between the borders of Maharastra 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 Bom Jesus cathedral is another famous attraction in Goa.

[edit] 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.

Among the major crowd pullers in Himachal Pradesh are:

• Shimla The State's capital city
• Manali
• Dharamshala
• Dalhousie
• Kasauli

[edit] Jammu and Kashmir

Tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir include:

• Srinagar
• Jammu
• Leh
• Amarnath
• Vaishno Devi

Other cities of interest in Northern India include Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Mathura, and Haridwar.

Moving south, many places are a mix of ancient historic sites as well as industrial/technological hubs. Some of these are listed below.

[edit] Karnataka

Main article: Karnataka tourism

The southern state of Karnataka offers:

• Bangalore, the IT capital of India, is also significant for its history
• Mysore, about 140 km from Bangalore, has palaces, KRS Dam, several temples, a Hindu temple atop Chamundi Hills, Chamundeswari Temple.
• Srirangapatna, where nearby fortresses can be found (Tipu's)
• Hampi the city of ruins (1500s when the Muslim kings destroyed the prosperous Vijayanagar empire)
• The Belur and Halebidu temples are famed for their sculptural beauty.
• Sravanabelagola has a Jain temple dedicated to king Bahubali. The statue is massive and a MahaMasthakaAbhishekham performed one every year, attracts a huge number of pilgrims
• Sringeri, located in the western ghats, has a wonderful temple dedicated to Sarada devi.
• The Western Ghats offer many other places of exceptional beauty like Agumbe, Horanadu etc.
• Madikeri, Kodagu, Talakaveri, Kemmanagundi all places of immense natural beauty.

[edit] Kerala

Main article: Tourism in Kerala

Kerala is an evergreen lush state, tucked away in the southern corner of India. It is one of the most visited state in India. The state has its own tourism brand name - "God's Own Country", which has super-brand status. The state was named as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by the National Geographic traveler, the only other Indian place listed being the Taj Mahal.

Kerala is famous for its backwaters and lagoons. There are also several beautiful beaches along the coastline of Kerala. There are also hill stations and tropical rainforests with exquisite flora and fauna including endangered animals like elephant, tiger, nilgiri thar and lion-tailed macaque. Recently, a new brand of tourism was introduced called Monsoon Tourism, aimed at beckoning tourists to enjoy the beauty of the state's hauntigly beautiful rainy season extending from June to September.

Kerala is also known for its Ayurveda, the ancient medicinal system of India. The government of Kerala offers tourism packages related to Ayurvedaand promotes health tourism since treatment charges are low in Kerala.

On the cultural front, the several unique and colorful festivals of Kerala like Onam, Thrissur Pooram, the snake boat races etc. provide great attraction to tourists. The classical artforms Kathakali, Mohiniyattam etc. are also a delight. The martial art form Kalaripayattu is the parent form of all famous martial arts like karate and kungfu. The Kerala Cuisine is also world famous. Also Kerala's rich history of maritime trade from ancient times has left a number of interesting historical monuments.

The major attractions in Kerala include:

• Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Kumbalanghi and other backwater locations.
• Vembanad Lake and the housboats of Alappuzha
• Beaches like Kovalam,Marari etc.
• Hill stations at Thekkady and Munnar
• The city of Kochi with its Chinese fishing nets, Bolgatty Palace, Mattanchery Jewish Synagogue, Jew Street, Fort Kochi etc.
• Enchanting waterfalls at Athirappilly and Vazhachal
• Periyar Tiger Reserve, Iravikulam National Park, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary and other forests
• Its historical monuments like Bakel Fort, Edakal cave of Wayanad
• Kerala Kalamandalam, deemed university teaching classical artforms
• Kalady, birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya, Sabarimala Temple, Guruvayur Temple, Malayatoor Church and other pilgirimage centres

For details of Kovalam Tourism, visit >>>Kovalam

[edit] Orissa

Orissa has been a preferred destination from ancient days for people having interest in spirituality, religion, culture, art and natural beauty. Ancient and medieval architecture, pristine sea beaches, nature at her beautiful best, the classical and ethnic dance forms and a variety of festivals, all in combine attract tourists from far off places to explore this state to a have a divine exposure of love and hospitality. Orissa has kept alive Buddhism and the Buddha in its ancient womb. The spirit of Buddhism still haunts the very air of Orissa. Rock-edicts that have challenged time stand huge and over-powering by the banks of the river Daya. The silent stones sing out songs of peace and non-violence. The torch of Buddhism is still ablaze in the sublime triangle at Udayagiri, Lalitgiri & Ratanagiri, on the banks of river Birupa. The surrounding hills of Langudi and Kayama stand as mute witness to the quirks and twists of history. 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. Rock-edicts of Ashoka are a bonus for your eyes. 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.

[edit] Tamil Nadu

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.

Places of Interest in Tamilnadu

• 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 Dancer
• 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

[edit] 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. Major visitor attractions in Rajathan include:

• 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
• 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

[edit] 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. Some must-visit places within Sikkim include:

• NIT (National Institute Of Tibetology)
• Hanuman and Ganesh Tok
• Nathula pass
• Baba Harbajan Mandir
• Seven View Points
• Rumtek Monastery
• Lachen and Lachung
• Pelling
• Pemayantzy
• Uttaray
• Dzongri
• Chewa-bhanjang
• Barsay
• Legship - Hot water spring
• Khorong Hotwater spring
• Samdrupsey at Namchi

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. A few of the top Schools in the District are: 1.St. Paul's School - Known as Eton of the East. It is 190 years old, thus one of the oldest schools in India. 2.Mt. Hermon School. 3.St. Joseph's School - where the H.M of Bhutan and the Late H.M of Nepal did their schooling. 4.Loreto Convent - where Late Mother Teresa served for many years. 5.Dr. Graham's Homes. 6.St. Joseph's Convent. 7.St. Augustine's School.

Kalimpong is famous for its Flora cultivation and is home to many internationally known Nurseries.

[edit] Maharashtra

Maharashtra is one of the most industrialized states of India. Besides Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay), Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Nagpur complete the urban sprawl of the state. Marathi is the mother tongue of the people of the state known as Marathis or Maharashtrians. English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. International tourists with even a smattering of English would not have a problem in communicating with the locals.

Mumbai, the eastern equivalent of New York City and the financial capital of the country, is constantly abuzz with activities. It has a very active nightlife for those inclined towards urban modes of entertainment. Some places of interest to include on the must-watch list are: The Gateway of India, The Prince of Wales Museum, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus - previously known as Victoria Terminus, a humongous architectural stone structure built by the British more than 200 years ago, Girgaon chowpati (beach), Downtown Mumbai - reminiscent of the 19th century British architecture. Some pristine beaches can be found towards the south of Mumbai, for eg. Madh island beach. Elephanta caves, carved out of a giant stone on an island are a short ferry away into the Arabian sea. Ferries can be rented from The Gateway of India. There is no dearth of luxury hotels that dot the city near all important tourist places. The city has one of the most active public transport system rivaling the best in the world in terms of density and reach.

Pune, undoubtedly the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra, is said to be the educational center of India. Forts from the 17th century, built by the revered (King) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj can still be toured from the inside giving tourists a look and feel of life at that time. Shaniwarwada, a weekend residence of the Peshwas, Lal Mahal (the red palace) - residence of Chhatrapati Shivaji, Fergussion College - a 200-year old college built by the British - a spread out structure of stone, Camp - city downtown, Lakshmi Road - the avenue for buying all things Maharashtrian, are some of the places that would register high on the tourist's agenda.

Aurangabad lies in the central parts of Maharashtra and is one of the most popular cities that figure on the international tourist map. On the outskirts lie the caves of Ajanta and Ellora. Both are internationally renowned for their intricate carvings of Lord Buddha in stone. Buddhist life of the xxx century has been depicted in delicate stonework. Guided tours are readily available. Summers are not advisable for touring as temperatures can reach up to and above 40 degrees C during the day.

Nagpur, the winter capital of the state senate is a wonderful city. With a tradition of producing the best Oranges, this city would be a great place to visit during the winters. Summers, as with Aurangabad, would not be a good time to tour with temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 40s.

Nashik lies about 180 Kms. North-west of Mumbai and is a city that has to be visited for great temples and a dip in the river Godavari. Kalaram Mandir is the most popular temple in the city.

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. Shirdi, near Nashik is the location of the temple of Sai Baba - a hugely revered God-like priest, Tuljabhavani temple at Tuljapur - myth has it that the Goddess offered a sword to Shivaji Maharaj for his battles, Siddhivinayak temple - a Ganesha temple right in south-central Mumbai, Mahalakshmi temple - in south Mumbai, Hajiali - a hugely popular mosque in the seas near the Mahalakshmi temple, Mount Mary church in the suburb of Bandra, Sarasbaugh Ganpati Mandir - a temple in a pond - near Parvati in Pune, Dagdusheth Ganpati - also in Pune are some of the most visited in the state.

The countryside is equally engrossing. With a large variety of crops being grown, there is a lot to see and explore in the countryside. The famed Konkan region that lies between the west coast and along the foot of the Western ghats stretches from Maharastra down to Kerala. This part of the state is lush with greenery and tropical geography. It is probably the greenest part of the state. Dilapidated forts sitting atop the hills in the Western Ghats along the state coastline offer great climbs for the trek-oriented traveler along with a sense of history. Konkan Railways offer extensive train transport through this hilly terrain up to Goa and beyond.

[edit] External links

• Ministry of Tourism, India's branded promotion
• Official site of Kerala Tourism Department
• Official site for online hotel bookings for Himachal Pradesh
• Desert India Tour, India Tourism and India Tour
• Links to Official websites of tourism in India and states of India
• India travel guide from Wikitravel
• Incredible India Photos
• User reviews of Hotels and Resorts in India by real travellers
• An India-focused community resource
• India travel information guide

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