Tourism in India

1
Tourism in India
Every year, more than 3 million tourists visit the Taj Mahal in Agra,
Uttar Pradesh.
Tso Moriri Lake, Ladakh
Tourism in India is a large industry. The World Travel
and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated
$121 billion or 6.4% of the nation's GDP in 2011. It
was responsible for 39,3 million jobs, 7.9% of its total
employment. The GDP of the tourism sector has
expanded 229% between 1990 and 2011. The sector is
predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 7,7% in
the next decade.
[]
In a 2011 forecast the World Travel
and Tourism Council predicted the annual growth to be
8,8% between 2011 and 2021. This gave India the fifth
rank among countries with the fastest growing tourism
industry.
[]
India has a large medical tourism sector
which is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 30%
annually to reach about 9,500 crore by 2015.
[]
In the year 2011, there were nearly 6.29 million foreign
tourist arrivals in India, up by over 8% from the year
2010 when 5.78 million foreign tourists arrived in
India. Domestic tourist visits to all states and Union
Territories numbered 747.70 million. The majority of
foreign tourists come from the United States (16%) and
the United Kingdom (12,6%). In 2011 Maharashtra,
Tamil Nadu and Delhi were the most popular states for
foreign tourists. Domestic tourists visited the states
Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu most
frequently.
[]
Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Agra have been the four most visited cities of India by foreign tourists
during the year 2011. Worldwide, Chennai is ranked 41 by the number of foreign tourists, while Delhi is ranked at
50, Mumbai at 57 and Agra at 65.
[]
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2011 ranked the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 28th
out of 139 countries. It mentions that India has quite good air transport (ranked 39th), particularly given the countrys
stage of development, and reasonable ground transport infrastructure (ranked 43rd). Some other aspects of its
tourism infrastructure remain somewhat underdeveloped however. The nation has very few hotel rooms per capita by
international comparison and low ATM penetration. The Indian government has identified a shortage of 150,000
hotel rooms, with most of the undersupply in the budget sector.
[]
The Ministry of Tourism designs national policies for the development and promotion of tourism. In the process, the
Ministry consults and collaborates with other stakeholders in the sector including various Central
Ministries/agencies, state governments, Union Territories and the representatives of the private sector. Concerted
efforts are being made to promote new forms of tourism such as rural, cruise, medical and eco-tourism.
[]
The
Ministry also maintains the Incredible India campaign.
India's rich history and its cultural and geographical diversity make its international tourism appeal large and diverse.
It presents heritage and cultural tourism along with medical, business and sports tourism.
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Tourism by state
Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh comprises like scenic hills, forests, beaches and temples. Also known as The City of
Nizams and 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,
Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres:
Tirupati, the abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the second richest and most visited religious center (of any faith) in
the world. Srisailam, the abode of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of twelve Jyothirlingalu in India. Amaravathi's Siva
temple is one of the Pancharamams, Vemulavada temple, one of the old abodes of Lord Shiva, reputed as
Dakshina Kashi Benaras of South India. Vemulavada temple is built by Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and
975. Yadagirigutta, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha.
Birla Mandir, on the Naubath Pahad is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built entirely of white marble
located in Hyderabad,
The Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal are famous tourist spots and depict the finest
taste of Kakatiya dynasty for arts & culture and temple carvings. Warangal is also home to Medaram the Asia's
largest tribal fair/festival called "Sammakka Saralamma Jatara".
Gunadala Matha Shrine - One of the second largest Christian pilgrim Destination in India located in Vijayawada
City. Thousands of people visit Gunadala Matha throughout the year as they firmly believe in the merciful heart
of the Blessed Mother Lady of Lourdes and are convinced of her Motherly blessings. Devotees, not only from all
corners of Andhra Pradesh, but from the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka visit the shrine
during the festival in February, every year.
Gnana Saraswati Temple, Basar is one of the famous Saraswati Temples in India.
Famous Buddhist centres:
Amaravathi Guntur District.
Nagarjuna Konda Bhattiprolu.
Mangalagiri Near to Vijaywada City.
Ghantasala Krishna District.
Nelakondapalli Krishna District.
Dhulikatta Karim Nagar District.
Lingapalem West Godavari District.
Others are Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Shalihundam, Pavuralakonda, Sankaram, Phanigiri and Kolanpaka.
Pilgrim centres and temples:
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple The abode of Lord Venkateswara, is the richest and most visited religious
center (of any faith) in the world situated in Tirupathi City.
Kanaka Durga Temple One of the Shakti Peetam's situated in Vijayawada City.
Sri Rajarajeshwara Temple - One of the famous and most visited Lord Shiva temple located in Vemulawada.
Sri Mallikaruna Temple One of the Jyothirlingam's situated in Srisilam Town.
Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narashima Temple Situated at Simhachalam near to Vizag City.
Sri Kalashastiswara Temple Situated at Srikalahasti Town.
Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple known as china Tirupathi located at Dwaraka Tirumala Town.
Sri Amaralingeswara Swami Temple One of the Pancharama's located at Amaravathi Town.
Sri Someswara Swami Temple One of the Pancharama's located at Bhimavaram Town.
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Sri Kshira Rama Lingeswara Swami Temple One of the Pancharama's located at Palakol town.
Bhadrakali Temple - In the city of Warangal.
Sri Bhimeswara Swami Temple One of the Pancharama's located at Rama Chandra Puram Town.
Sri Satyanarayana Swami Temple Located at Annavaram near Rajahmundry city.
Ramappa Temple Near to Warangal City.
Arasavali Temple - Sun God's temple (2nd best SUN god's temple in India located 3km away from Srikakulam
almost on the shore of Bay Of Bengal.
Srikurmam - Temple Of Lord Vishnu in Kurma Avataram also near Srikakulam on the Shore Of Bay Of Bengal.
Rama Lingeswara Swamy Temple- One of the Lord Shiva's temple suituated in Yanamalakuduru village near
Vijayawada,Shiva Rathri is well celebrated in this Temple.
Thousand's of oldest temples are situated in Andhra pradesh.
Attractions:
Charminar Center of the Hyderabad Old City.
Golkonda Fort Largest and 400 years oldest fort.
Makka Masjid Masjid in Hyderabad City.
Ramoji Film City Largest Film City in the world situated in Hyderabad City.
Kilash giri Mountain View along with beach side situated in Vizag City.
Warangal Fort - Oldest 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.
Bhimili Beach Beautiful Beach near to Vizag City.
Araku Valley known as Andhra Ooty near to Vizag City.
Borra Caves caves formed 1 million years ago situated near to Vizag City,belongs to Odisha.
Surendrapuri A Unique Mythological Awareness Centre near Yadagirigutta, 60km from Hyderabad.
Bhavani Islands - A Unique tourism spot to stay and visit near Vijayawada.
THIMMAMMA MARRIMANU - The Worlds Largest Banyan Tree, And "Marrimanu" was recorded as the
biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989, It's branches spreads over nearly 5 acres. (2.1 ha.).
Located about 35 kms from Kadiri, and 100 kms from Anantapur.
Lepakshi - this is the largest monolithic Nandi(Bull) in the world, (length 27 feet, height 15 feet), It is 15 km (9.3
mi) east of Hindupur, and 105 kms from Anantapur, and about 120 km (75 mi) north of Bangalore
Prakasam Barrage - A famous bridge which was constricted by Britsh Government in the remembrance of
Tanguturi Prakasam, is best tourist spot to visit in Vijayawada.
The golden beaches at Visakhapatnam, the one-million-year-old limestone caves at Borra, picturesque Araku Valley,
hill resorts of Horsley Hills, river Godavari racing through a narrow gorge at Papi Kondalu, waterfalls at Ettipotala,
Kuntala and rich bio-diversity at Talakona, are some of the natural attractions of the state. Visakhapatnam is home to
many tourist attractions such as the INS Karasura Submarine museum, Yarada Beach, Araku Valley, VUDA Park,
Indira Gandhi Zoological Gardens. 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. Rajahmundry is the hub for great Engineering and Architectural monuments such as
Godavari Bridge (Asia's second largest Road cum Railway Bridge), Papi Hills, Iskon Temple, Tantikonda, Sir Arthur
Cotton Museum, Pushkar Ghat, Gowthami Ghat. A unique festival called Pushkaram will be celebrated along the
Godavari river for every 12 years and Rajahmundry attracts 4-5 crore people during the tenure of the festival.
Golkonda (Telugu: , Urdu: ), a ruined city of south-central India and capital of the medival
kingdom of Golkonda (c. 13641512), is situated 11km west of Hyderabad.
The most important builder of Golkonda was a Kakatiya King. Ibrahim was following in the spirit of his ancestors,
the Qutub Shahi kings, a great family of builders who had ruled the kingdom of Golkonda from 1512. Their first
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capital, the fortress citadel of Golkonda, was rebuilt for defense from invading Mughals from the north. They laid
out Golkonda's splendid monuments, now in ruins, and designed a perfect acoustical system by which a hand clap
sounded at the fort's main gates, the grand portico, was heard at the top of the citadel, situated on a 300-foot (91
m)-high granite hill. This is one of the fascinating features of the fort.
Arunachal Pradesh
Snowfall in Tawang
Arunachal 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
archeological remains at different places in Arunachal bears testimony
to its rich cultural heritage. Arunachal Pradesh, a serene land tucked
into the North Eastern tip of India, invites you to relax in its
picturesque hills and valleys, enjoy its salubrious climate and meet its
simple and hospitable people, with their glorious heritage of arts and crafts and colorful festivals that reflect their
ancient faith in the inexorable power of nature.
The visitor has a wide variety of options to pick from. There are places of worship and piligrimage such as
Parasuramkund and 400 years old Tawang Monastery, or the sites of archeological excavations like Malinithan and
Itanagar, the serene beauty of lakes such as Ganga lake or Sela lake or the numerous variations of scenic beauty of
the snowclad silver mountain peaks and lush 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 where rare animals, birds and plants will fascinate the visitor.
Nature has provided the people with a deep sense of beauty which finds delightful expression in their songs, dances
and crafts. 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 considered to be the "nature's treasure trove"and home to
orchids, known for their exquisitely beautiful blooms, from one of the dominant taxa with more than six hundred
species, occurring in varying elevations and climatic conditions throughout the state.
Assam
An Indian Rhinoceros grazing at the 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, 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, famous for the ancient
monuments of Ahom Kingdom; the city of eternal romance, 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 (October end half to first half of April) are the
best time to visit.The heritage of Madan Kamdev is same as Khajuraho which is located just 30km away from
Guwahati . Along with the Madan Kamdev tourist can visit very ancient temple Gopeswar Mandir situated in a
village Deuduar near to Guwahati.
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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, numerous temples including Kamakhya Temple of Tantric sect. 'Gurdwara Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur also
known as Damdama Sahib at Dhubri '- This famous 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 (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.
Bihar
Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Bihar 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 monuments that are dotted all
over this state in eastern India. This is the place of Aryabhata, Great
Ashoka, Chanakya and many other great historical figures.
Attractions:
Patna The capital of Bihar, famous for its rich history and royal
architecture.
Gaya Known for Bodh Gaya the place at which Gautama Buddha
attained enlightenment.
Muzaffarpur Famous for its education.
Kesariya Location of the world's largest Buddhist Stupa.
Nalanda Location of one of the world's oldest university.
Sasaram Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the great Emperor of medieval
India.
Sonepur Cattle Fair 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 One of the famous Sikh pilgrimage known for the birthplace of Sikh's Tenth Guru Sri
Guru Gobind Singh Sahib.
Darbhanga It is among the oldest cities of Bihar. Famous for the Maharaja forts and Kali Mandir.
Munger Home to the only Yoga University in the world, Bihar School of Yoga. Religious places such as Shakti
Peethas.
Deoghar- One of the famous Hindu pilgrimage known for the Satsang Ashram of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra
situated at Satsang Nagar.
Vaishali- Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of this ancient city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22.
Bihar is one of the most sacred places of various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism & Islam.
Famous Attraction includes Mahabodhi Temple, a Buddhist shrine and UNESCO World Heritage Site is also
situated in Bihar, Barabar Caves the oldest rockcut caves in India, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library the oldest library
of India.
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Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh is a new state but with an ancient civilization, 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.
Main attractions of Chhattisgarh are Chitrakot Waterfalls, Kutumsar Caves, Ramgarh and Sita Bengra, Bhoramdeo
temple, Sirpur, Rajim, Ratanpur and Malhar.
Kakotal is also famous for its beautiful waterfall.
Delhi
Lotus Temple
Delhi is the capital city of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient
and modern, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Delhi has
been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, making it rich in
history. The 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 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
Goa is noted for its resorts and beaches.
Goa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. A former
colony of Portugal, Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, Portuguese
churches, Hindu temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Basilica of
Bom Jesus, Mangueshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, and Shantadurga 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.
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Gujarat
The Palitana temple complex consists of more
than 863 temples located on the Shatrunjaya hills,
exquisitely carved in marble.
Gujarat, the seventh largest state in India, located in the western part of
India with a coastline of 1600km (longest in India). It is the tenth most
popular state in the country for tourists with annual footfall of 18.9
million tourists.
[1]
Gujarat offers scenic beauty from 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. During the Sultanate reign, Hindu
craftsmanship mix 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 & Sardar
Vallabhai Patel, the great iconic figures during India's Independence
movement. Gujarat offers many types of tourism like Business
Tourism, Archeological & Heritage Tourism, Cultural Tourism,
Religious Tourism, Wildlife Tourism, Medical Tourism and much
more. Amitabh Bachchan is currently the brand ambassador of Gujarat
Tourism. Ahmedabad is considered an ideal hub to cover all the
destinations across Gujarat.
Haryana
Haryana Pilgrim Destinations offers the devotes with a wide range of sacred places which are of considerable
religious and historical significance. The pilgrim places of Haryana are thronged by devotees all over the year, who
visit the important religious places in order 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:
Lord Krishna and Arjuna
Kurukshetra- The historical place of "Kurukshetra" is the cradle of
Hindu civilization. The fierce battle field 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 complied
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 draws 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
Panchkula- The beautiful place of Panchkula offers the tourist with 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.
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Himachal Pradesh
The Himalayan landscape of Himachal Pradesh is
ideal for outdoor activities such as skiing.
Himachal Pradesh is famous for its Himalayan landscapes and popular
hill-stations. Many outdoor activities such as rock climbing, mountain
biking, paragliding, ice-skating, and heli-skiing are popular tourist
attractions in Himachal Pradesh.
[2]
Shimla, the state capital, is very popular among tourists. The
Kalka-Shimla Railway is a Mountain railway which is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Shimla is also a famous skiing attraction in India.
Other popular hill stations include Manali and Kasauli.
Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, is known for its Tibetan
monasteries and Buddhist temples. Many trekking expeditions also
begin here.
Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu & Kashmir is known for its scenic landscape.
Jammu and Kashmir is the northernmost state of India.
Jammu 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 attracts about .4 million
Hindu devotees every year. Vaishno Devi also attract
thousands 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, Srinagar Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yeusmarg and Mughal Gardens etc. Kashmir's natural
landscape has made it one of the popular destinations for adventure tourism in South Asia.
In recent years, Ladakh has emerged as a major hub for adventure tourism. This part of Greater Himalaya called
"moon on earth" consists of naked peaks and deep gorges. Leh, the capital, is also a growing tourist spot.
Karnataka
Mysore Palace, illuminated for the Dasara
festival. With 2.7 million visits in 2009 it is the
second most popular tourist attraction in India.
[3]
Karnataka has been ranked as fifth 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.
[4][5]
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
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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 place to see and charist, we can see the forts which were built by the
great Tippu Sulthan for protection.
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 five National parks and is home to more than 500 species of birds. Karnataka
has many beaches at 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.
[6]
Utsav Rock Garden in Shiggaon, Uttar Kannada.
Kerala
Kerala, nicknamed as "God's own country," is
famous for its houseboats.
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,
[7]
Kerala is famous especially for its Eco-tourism
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. Kerala is known for its
tropical backwaters and pristine beaches such as Kovalam.
Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam,
Kappad, Muzhuppilangad, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of
Munnar, Thekkady, 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 and 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 the Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also
famous. Cities such as Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Trivandrum are popular centres for shopping and
traditional theatrical performance.
The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) claimed to be Asia's largest shopping festival was started in the year
2007.
[]
Since then it has become an annual shopping event being conducted in the DecemberJanuary period. During
this period stores and shops registered under the GKSF offer wide range of discounts, vat refunds etc. Along with the
guaranteed shopping experience, shoppers are provided with gift coupons for a fixed worth 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, incorporating not just the big players, but also
the small and medium scale industries.
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 minimize the adverse
effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.
ATTRACTIONS
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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, 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 erotic sculptures, and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gwalior is famous for its fort, Jai Vilas Palace, the Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, Md. Ghaus & Tansen.
Madhya Pradesh is also known as Tiger State because of the tiger population. 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 cheetas and is expected to become only reserve having four species of big cats (lion,
tiger, leopord 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 olodst known holiest and worshiped as a river goddess in Hindu religion. Narmada
originates from Amarkantak, a wild reserve is known for it's natural beauty, and it is a pilgrimage center 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 colors. The sight is a visual treat in itself. The prime attraction
includes boating in the river with amusing commentary by the rower.
The massive Bhedaghat Falls
Tourism in India
11
Maharashtra
Mumbai is the most popular cosmopolitan city in India, famous for its architecture, shopping, gastronomy, and Bollywood. Maharashtra accounts for
largest foreign tourists arrivals in India.
[]
Maharashtra is the most visited state in India by foreign tourists,
[]
with more than 5.1 million foreign tourists arrivals
annually. 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.
The sixth-century paintings at the Ajanta Caves
in Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus are the
three UNESCO World Heritage sites in Maharashtra and are highly
responsible for the development of Tourism in the state.
Mumbai 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, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Maharashtra also
has several pristine national parks and reserves, some of the best ones
are Tadoba with excellent accommodation and safari experiences
besides little known by amazing wildlife destinations like Koyna, Nagzira (very small with incredible sightings),
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 and the city of
Pune the seat of the Maratha Empire and the fantastic Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations together contribute for the
Tourism sector of Maharashtra.
Tourism in India
12
Manipur
Loktak lake
Manipur as the name suggest is a land of jewels. Its rich culture excels
in every aspects as in martial arts, dance, theater and sculpture. The
charm of the place is the greenery with the moderate climate making it
a tourists' heaven. The beautiful and 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
Meghalaya
Nohkalikai Falls
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 2 national parks and 3
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 kilometer 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 one of a good place to visit
Mizoram
Tourism in India
13
A panorama of Aizawl taken from Zemabawk.
Mizoram is considered by many as a beautiful place due to its dramatic landscape and pleasant climate. The state is
rich in bird diversity, which has the potential to make it a major Birdwatching destination.,
[8]
Mizoram is a
stronghold for Mrs. Hume's Pheasant Syrmaticus humiae.
[9]
There is also a rare record of the Wild water buffalo
from the state.
[10]
There have been several past records of sightings of the Sumatran rhinoceros from Mizoram, and
Lushai hills.
[11]
A small population of wild elephants can be seen in Ngengpui and Dampa Sanctuaries.
[12]
Other
interesting sites are Mizo Poets' Square also known as Mizo Hlakungpui Mual in Mizo and the Great Megaliths
locally known as 'Kawtchhuah Ropui'. Pu Ziona, who lives in Baktawng near Aizawl, also has lot of visitors due to
his fame as having the largest Family in the World.
[]
Odisha
Konark Sun Temple built by the Eastern Ganga
dynasty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chilka Lake
Odisha has been a preferred destination from ancient days for people
who have an interest in spirituality, religion, culture, art and natural
beauty. 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 has kept the religion
of Buddhism alive. Research suggests about evidences of Gautama
Buddha'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, 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 world famous 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 Odia
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(name derived from the sandstone in which it is made),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 extict 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 world wide attention . The well-known Ratha-Yatra of Lord
Jagannath in Puri and Sitalsasthi Carnival of Lord Shiva in Sambalpur are must see for anyone who want to see a
glimpse of the art and culture of Odisha at one place .
Tourism in India
14
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.
Cuttack Barabati Fort Majestic Entrance
Rajarani Temple at Bhubaneswar
Shrikhetra Puri Jagannath Temple, abode of Lord
of Universe
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.
6. Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
7. Similipal Biosphere Reserve
8. Dhenkanal - Kapilas, Saptasajya .
9. Balasore - Chandipur-on-sea, Chandbali, Chandaneswar,
Panchlingeswar, Aradi (Lord Akhandalamani).
Tourism in India
15
Puducherry
The Matrimandir, a golden metallic sphere in
Auroville, Pondicherry
The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises four coastal regions viz.
Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Pondicherry is the Capital of
this Union Territory and one of the most popular tourist destinations in
South India. Pondicherry has been described by National Geographic
as "a glowing highlight of subcontinental sojourn". The city has many
beautiful 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 Harmandir Sahib (also known as the Golden Temple) is the gurdwara of worship of Sikhs.
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, Patiala and Ludhiana. Punjab
also has a rich Sikh religious history. Tourism in Punjab is principally suited for the tourists 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 beautiful traditional Indian homes, farms and temples, this is a must see
for any visitor that goes to India. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Harmandir Sahib as one of the worlds
best spiritual sites with over 100,000 pilgrims and tourists visiting on a daily basis. Since Amritsar is a big tourist
spot, a lot of five star hotels are getting attracted to open up properties here. Hotel Ista has become very popular with
nonresident Indian (NRI) community. New properties by Radisson and Taj are coming up in this city.
Rajasthan
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Rajasthan
Rajasthan, literally meaning "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:
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.
Tourism in India
16
Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan,
built by Kachwaha Rajputs.
Mount Abu Is a popular hill station, the highest peak in the
Aravalli Range of Rajasthan, Guru Shikhar is located here.
Pushkar It has the first and one of the very Brahma temples in the
world.
Keoladeo National Park A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Nathdwara This town near Udaipur hosts the famous temple of
Shrinathji.
Ranthambore Has one of the largest national parks in India.
Shekhawati - For traditional Havelis
Dhosi Hill - Vedic period Hill, Chyvan Rishi Ashram
Sikkim
Kangchenjunga is the third highest mountain in
the world.
Originally known as Suk-Heem, 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 105 kilometers 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 . The popular sightseeing places include
Baba Mandir, Nathula Pass, Rumtek Monastery, Handicraft Shops and
Tsangpo Lake. Sikkim is considered as the land of orchids, mystic
cultures and colorful traditions. Sikkim is well known among trekkers
and adventure lovers.
Tamil Nadu
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site provides a scenic view of
hills throughout its 41 km journey between
Mettupalayam and Ooty (7500 FT above ground
level).
Archaeological sites with civilization dating back to 3800 years
[13]
are
found in Tamil Nadu. The state also holds the credit of having
maximum number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites (5) in India
which includes Great Living Chola Temples and Mahabalipuram.
With more than 34000 temples,
[]
Tamil Nadu has some great temples
like Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Sri
Ranganathaswamy Temple.
[14]
This state is also known for Medical tourism and houses some of Asia's
largest hospitals.
[15][16]
Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of India provides scenic view of
sunset and sunshine over the Indian ocean. Mathur Totti Palam one of
the biggest aqueducts, both in height and length, in Asia. Thiruvalluvar
statue of the St Tamil poet, highest statue of Asia
[citation needed]
and
ancient wooden palace of Marthandavarma (known as Padmanabapuram palace), Hill stations like Yercaud,
Kodaikanal, Ooty, Valparai, Yelagiri are widely visited. Water Falls like Hogenakkal Falls and Wildlife sanctuaries
are located across the state. Pichavaram the world's second largest mangrove forest is located in the state.
[17]
Tourism in India
17
Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National
Parks are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Uttarakhand, the 27th state of the Republic of India, is called "the
abode of the Gods". It contains glaciers, snow-clad mountains, valley
of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, and 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 Himalayas. 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 (25640 Ft)
is the second highest peak in India after Kanchenjunga (28160 Ft).
Dunagiri, Neelkanth, Chaukhamba, Panchachuli, Trisul are other peaks
above 23000 Ft. It is considered the abode of Devtas, Yakashyas, Kinners, Fairies and Sages.
[18]
It boasts of some
old hill-stations developed during British era like Mussoorie, Almora and Nainital.
Glaciers
Pindari Glacier, Milam Glacier, Gangotri
Glacier, Bunder Punch Glacier, Khatling
Glacier, Doonagiri Glacier, Dokrani
Glacier, Kaphini Glacier, Ralam Glacier
Wildlife Reserves
Corbett National Park, Rajaji National Park, Asan
Conservation Reserve, Nanda Devi National Park,
Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, Askot Musk Deer
Sanctuary (Askot), Valley of Flowers
Adventure Sports
Skiing at Mundali, Auli, Dayara Bagyal and
Munsiyari. Paragliding at Yelagiri. Trekking at
Mussoorie, Uttarkashi, Joshimath, Munsiyari,
Chaukori, Pauri, Almora, Nainital
Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Sikri
Situated in the northern part of India, border with the capital of India New Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is the most popular
tourist destination in India. Uttar Pradesh is important with its wealth of historical monuments and religious fervour.
Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foothills in the extreme north and the Gangetic Plain
in the centre. 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. Kathak one of the eight forms of Indian
classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is at the heart of India, so popular with another name
The Heartland of India. Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh like Awadhi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, Kumauni cuisine are very
famous in entire India and abroad.
Uttar Pradesh has much to offer. 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 devotees. Some of the finest Textiles are produced here.
Tourism in India
18
A view of the Ghat of Varanasi from the River Ganges.
Agra Taj Mahal and several others historical monuments and gardens.
Allahabad or Prayag -Kumbh Mela-The place where Indian national river Ganges and Yamuna and Saraswati
rivers meet. A mass Hindu pilgrimage in which Hindus gather at the Ganges river. Akbar forts. One of the most
popular religious center of ancient and modern India for Hinduism. Uttar Pradesh's administrative and education
capital.
Kumbh Mela at Allahabad
Bithoor-This is the historical capital of Uttar Pradesh from where
the Hindu god Brahma created the universe. It is situated about
10km from Kanpur.
Main Ghat of Bithoor
Kanpur Uttar Pradesh's important Industrial town. Has several
historical places.
Lucknow-The capital of Uttar Pradesh. The beautiful and largest
city of Uttar Pradesh. Most planned city of Uttar Pradesh. It has
Several historical places Mughal, British and modern
architecture.Second largest city in north and central India after
Delhi.The cuisine and chikan dresses of Lucknow is famous
worldwide.
Mathura-The birthplace of Lord Krishna of Hinduism and Neminath
of Jainism.
Ayodhya-The birthplace of Lord Rama of Hinduism.
Jhansi-Historical place. City was centr 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.
Kushinagar- It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha is believed to have attained
Parinirvana after his death.
Chunar-It's the center of clay art. Chunar has a 6th-century fort constructed by Chandragupta Vikramaditya.The
fort itself had through rulers like Humayun, Sher Shah Suri and was gateway of Mauryan empire. It has beautiful
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.
Tourism in India
19
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: 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, Muslim, Jain and Sikh saints. The birthplace of Paramhansa
Yogananda, great Hindu emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
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.Mughals, 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 towns surroundings, like Jim Corbett National
Park about 24km, Nainital about 69km
Uttar Pradesh is the historical heart land of India. Where each part of the state is attached with ancient history,
civilization, religions and culture.
Must Sees of Kanpur
Central Museum Jajmau Moti Jheel IIT Kanpur Phool Bagh Bithoor Kanpur Memorial Church Green Park Stadium Allen Forest Zoo
Nanarao Park ISKON Temple Gora Cemetery Kanpur University Kanpur Zoo Christ Church J K Temple Glass Temple Z Square
Mall Bhitargaon Temple Gandhi Hall Civil Lines Central Church Kanpur Central Ganga Barrage Massacre Ghat.
West Bengal
Victoria Memorial in Kolkata
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), is the capital of West Bengal has been
nicknamed the "City of Palaces" and the "City of Joy". 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|right| 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
Tourism in India
20
Shyam Ray Temple, built in 1643 AD
Jor-Bangla Temple, also known as Keshta Roy
Temple, built in 1655 AD
Chattopadhyay, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath
Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Sarat
Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bagha Jatin, Bidhan Chandra Roy, and
countless others. The city has lost much of its glory now but has never
lost its effervescence. 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 and
shin of those times. The Hindu architecture of Bishnupurin 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, Rishop, 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 The Royal Bengal Tiger, although the
forest hosts many other endangered species, such as the Gangetic
dolphin, river terrapin and estuarine crocodile.
A Royal Bengal Tiger in the
Sunderbans, the world's largest
mangrove forest as well as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Facade of the Cooch Behar
Palace
Rashchakra at
Cooch Behar
Rashmela
A view of the Teesta River
valley near Kalimpong
Tourism in India
21
The privately owned Marble
Palace in Kolkata.
Salt Lake Stadium, second
largest stadium in the world
The Dakshineswar Kali Temple The Howrah Bridge
Notable sites of West Bengal
Cooch Behar Darjeeling Kalimpong Kurseong
Dooars Digha Bishnupur Malda Mayapur
Mukutmanipur Ajodhya Hills Murshidabad Kolkata.
Places of Worship
Dakshineswar Kali Temple Kalighat Temple Birla Mandir Belur Math Tipu Sultan
Mosque Nakhoda Masjid St. Paul's Cathedral St. John's Church Parsi Fire
Temples Japanese Buddhist Temple Calcutta Jain Temple Tarakeswar Tarapith
Furfura Sharif
Must Sees of Kolkata
Victoria Memorial Howrah Bridge Kumartuli Indian Botanical Garden B.B.D.Bagh Dakshineswar Kali Temple Belur Math Eden
Gardens St. Paul's Cathedral Maidan College Street Jorasanko Thakur Bari Netaji Bhawan Marble Palace Missionaries of Charity
National Library of India Kalighat Temple Park Street South Park Street Cemetery Birla Planetarium Science City Shobhabazar Rajbari
Alipore Zoo Vidyasagar Setu.
Statistics of tourism by state
Share of top 10 states/UT's of India in number of foreign tourist visits in 2011 (provisional)
[]
Rank State/Union Territory Number Share in %
1 Maharashtra 4,815,421 24.7
2 Tamil Nadu 3,373,870 17.3
3 Delhi 2,159,925 11.1
4 Uttar Pradesh 1,887,095 9.7
5 Rajasthan 1,351,974 6.9
6 West Bengal 1,213,270 6.2
7 Bihar 972,487 5.0
8 Kerala 732,985 3.8
9 Karnataka 574,005 2.9
10 Himachal Pradesh 484,518 2.5
Total of top 10 states 17,565,550 90.1
Others 1,929,329 9.9
Total 19,494,879 100
Tourism in India
22
Share of top 10 states/UT's of India in number of domestic tourist visits in 2011
(provisional)
[]
Rank State/Union Territory Number Share in %
1 Uttar Pradesh 155,430,364 18.3
2 Andhra Pradesh 153,119,816 18.0
3 Tamil Nadu 137,512,991 16.2
4 Karnataka 84,107,390 9.9
5 Maharashtra 55,333,467 6.5
6 Madhya Pradesh 44,119,820 5.2
7 Rajasthan 27,137,323 3.2
8 Uttarakhand 25,946,254 3.0
9 West Bengal 22,256,968 2.6
10 Gujarat 21,017,478 2.5
Total of top 10 states 725,981,871 85,3
Others 124,874,769 14.7
Total 850,856,640 100
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, Uttar Pradesh. 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.
Fatehpur Sikri It was the first planned city of the Mughals and also the first one designed in Mughal
architecture, an amalgamation of Indian architecture, Persian and Islamic architecture and was declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.
Varanasi The ghats of one of the oldest city of the world.
The Mahabodhi Temple is a 2000-year-old temple dedicated to Gautam Buddha in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. It is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Nalanda is located in the Indian State of Bihar, was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 C.E to 1197 C.E
partly under the Pala Empire.
[19][20]
It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history."
[20]
According to historical studies the University of Nalanda was established 450 C.E under the patronage of the Gupta
emperors, notably Kumaragupta.
[19]
The Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu built by the Cholas. The temple is one of India's most
prized architectural sites.
The Airavateswara temple is located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu.
The Shore Temple, along with the collection of other monuments in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu have been
declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Harmandir Sahib is one of the most respected gurudwara in India and the most sacred place for Sikhs. The
gurudwara is located in Amritsar, Punjab, India.
The Bah' 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.)
The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur also known as Palace of Winds.
Tourism in India
23
The Taj Mahal Palace is an icon of Mumbai.
The Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, built during the British Raj.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai, built for Queen Victoria
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) in Mumbai is a train station built in Gothic architecture in honor of Golden Jubilee
of Queen Victoria.
Nature tourism
India has geographical diversity, which resulted in varieties of nature tourism.
The Sundarbans is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world and has also been
enlisted among the top 14 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature
Water falls in Western Ghats & Himalayas including Jog falls (highest in India).
Western Ghats
Hill Stations
Lakes
Wildlife reserves
Deserts
India has the largest wild population of tigers in
the world.
Tourism in India
24
Wildlife in India
The wild population of the endangered Asiatic
lions is restricted to the Gir Forest National Park
in western India.
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. Some other well-known large Indian mammals
are ungulates such as the domestic Asian Water buffalo, wild Asian
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.
India also has a large variety of protected wildlife. The country's
protected forest 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, Raiganj, Corbett, Kanha, Kaziranga, Periyar,
Ranthambore, Manas and Sariska.
The world's largest mangrove forest Sundarbans is located in southern West Bengal. The Kaziranga National Park,
Manas National Park, Sundarbans and Keoladeo National Park are UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hill stations
A summer view of Khajjiar, a hill station in
Himachal Pradesh.
A panaromic view of Ooty, one of the finest
hill-stations in India.
Several hill stations served as summer capitals of Indian provinces,
princely states, or, in the case of Shimla, 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:
Mount Abu, Rajasthan
Pachmarhi, Madhya Pradesh
Gulmarg, Srinagar and Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir
Shillong in Meghalaya
Darjeeling in West Bengal
Shimla, Kullu in Himachal Pradesh
Nainital in Uttarakhand
Gangtok in Sikkim
Mussoorie in Uttarakhand
Manali in Himachal Pradesh
Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh
Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra
Haflong in Assam
Araku, Andhra Pradesh
Munnar in Kerala
Ooty, Yercaud and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu
Khajiyar in Himachal Pradesh
Tourism in India
25
In addition to the bustling hill stations and summer capitals of yore, there are several serene and peaceful nature
retreats and places of interest to visit for a nature lover. These range from the stunning moonscapes of Leh and
Ladhak, to small, exclusive nature retreats such as Dunagiri, Binsar, Mukteshwar in the Himalayas, to rolling vistas
of Western Ghats to numerous private retreats in the rolling hills of Kerala.
Lakes
View of Lake Tsongmo, Sikkim
Avalanche Lake
Dal Lake
Emerald Lake
Chandra Taal
Nainital Lake
Sheshnag Lake
Suraj Tal
Tso Moriri
Tsongmo Lake
Beaches
Elephants and camel rides are common on Indian
beaches. Shown here is Havelock Island, part of
the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
India offers a wide range of tropical beaches with silver/golden sand to
coral beaches of Lakshadweep. States like Kerala and Goa have
exploited the potential of beaches to the fullest. However, there are a
lot many unexploited beaches in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,
Maharastra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. These states have very high
potential to develop them as future destinations for prospective
tourists. Some of the famous tourist beaches are:
Beaches of Vizag, Andhra Pradesh
Beaches of Puri, Odisha
Beaches of Digha, West Bengal
Beaches of Goa
Kovalam Beach, Kerala
Marina Beach, Chennai
City Beach, Pondicherry
Beaches of Mahabalipuram
Beaches in Mumbai
Beaches of Diu
Beaches of Midnapore, West Bengal
Beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Beaches of Lakshadweep Islands
Tourism in India
26
Adventure tourism
Skiing in Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Due to its diverse geography and a myriad of cultures, coupled with the
popularity of adventure sports adventure tourism in India has become
quite popular. Backpacking, or light travel, is a popular way to explore
India. Many of those who have previously visit will describe the visit
as not having been a holiday but an adventure.
[21]
River rafting and kayaking in Himalayas
Mountain climbing in Himalayas
Rock climbing in Madhya Pradesh
Skiing in Auli and Gulmarg
Boat racing in Bhopal
Paragliding in Maharashtra
World Heritage Sites
Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Agra Fort
Kaziranga National Park
Tourism in India
27
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Sanchi Stupa
Bhimbetka Rockshelters
Khajuraho
Bodh Gaya
Humayun's Tomb
Qutub
Red Fort
Champaner-Pavagadh
Churches and Convents of Goa
Keoladeo
Ajanta
Ellora
Elephanta Caves
Victoria Terminus
Chola Temples
Mahabalipuram
Hampi
Mountain Railways-Nilgiri
Tourism in India
28
Mountain Railways-Darjeeling
Mountain Railways-Kalka-Shimla
Pattadakal
Sun Temple, Konrak
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers N.P.
Sundarbans N.P.
Western Ghats (Kerala)
Western Ghats (Sahyadri)
Western Ghats (Karnataka)
Location of World Heritage Sites within India (
)
References
[1] India's top 10 tourist destinations Rediff.com Business (http:/ / www. rediff. com/ business/ slide-show/
slide-show-1-indias-top-10-tourist-destinations/ 20110719. htm). Rediff.com (2011-07-19). Retrieved on 2011-11-19.
[8] Choudhury, A.U. (2008) A pocket guide to the birds of Mizoram. Gibbon Books & The Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India,
Guwahati, India. 122pp. [Supported by Oriental Bird Club, UK]
[9] Choudhury, A.U. (2002). Survey of Mrs Hume's pheasant in North East India. Technical Report No. 5. The Rhino Foundation for Nature in
NE India, Guwahati, India. 30pp. [Final report to the Oriental Bird Club, UK]
[10] Choudhury, A.U. (2010). The vanishing herds: wild water buffalo. Gibbon Books & The Rhino Foundation for Nature in NE India,
Guwahati, India. 184pp. [Supported by CEPF & Taiwan Forestry Bureau]
[11] Choudhury, A.U. (1997) The status of the Sumatran rhinoceros in north-eastern India. Oryx 31(2):151152
[12] Choudhury, A.U. (2001) The wild elephant Elephas maximus in Mizoram. J. Bombay nat. Hist. Soc. 98(3): 439441
[19] Altekar, Anant Sadashiv (1965). Education in Ancient India, Sixth, Varanasi: Nand Kishore & Bros.
[20] [20] "Really Old School," Garten, Jeffrey E. New York Times, December 9, 2006.
Tourism in India
29
Further reading
Bradnock, Roma (2004). Footprint India (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=nWKaR6LbEGcC) Footprint
Travel Guides, Bath, UK. ISBN 1-904777-00-7.
DeBruyn, Pippa; Bain, Keith; Venkatraman, Niloufer (2010). Frommer's India (http:/ / books. google. com/
books?id=qG-9cwHOcCIC).
"India in One, Two or Three Weeks" (http:/ / travel. nytimes. com/ 2012/ 03/ 25/ travel/
through-indias-desert-cities-three-itineraries. html?smid=FB-nytimes& WT.
mc_id=TR-E-FB-SM-LIN-II1-032812-NYT-NA& WT. mc_ev=click). New York Times. March 23, 2012.
External links
India travel and tourism (http:/ / www. dmoz. org/ Regional/ Asia/ India/ Travel_and_Tourism/ ) at the Open
Directory Project
Incredible India- Official Information website of Ministry of Tourism, India (http:/ / www. incredibleindia. org)
Ministry of Tourism, India (http:/ / www. tourism. gov. in)
Article Sources and Contributors
30
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AbigailAbernathy, Absconded Northerner, Abshreeji, Adam.J.W.C., Aff123a, Aitias, Ajayvasus, Akhileshsharma, Akkida, Akshatme, AlexanderVanLoon, Alexius08, Alokprasad, Amartyabag,
Anchitk, Angela, Ankurj, Ankururdu, Anshuman.jrt, Anurag 17, Apparition11, Apstate, Arch dude, AreJay, Arjayay, Arjunkanagal, Arpit88dawda, Arthena, Artsandopinion, Ashoklouie,
Avoided blue, BD2412, Babanwalia, Backtotheback, Balaji j, Ben Ben, Bengaliarit, Berkunt, Bhadra105, Bikuda, Bitthalns, Bjorkrob, Bktiwari, Blehfu, Bmanisk, Bobblehead, Bobo192,
Bongomatic, Boonashley, Bryan Derksen, Cailil, CalJW, Callidior, Calliopejen1, CanisRufus, Capertravel, Capricorn42, Chaitanya.lala, Chakrapaaniu, Chaudhary Manjula, Cheeni, Childzy,
Chirag, Chittichanu, Chris j wood, Chris the speller, ChrisCork, ChrisGualtieri, Ciiindia, Clayoquot, Comatmebro, Cometstyles, CommonsDelinker, Concord2008, Conscious, Coolcolney, Corpx,
Corvus cornix, Cybermount, DaGizza, Danugore, Darwinek, Dav subrajathan.357, DavidWBrooks, Deepak, Deepraj, Deeptrivia, Dekisugi, Denisarona, DerechoReguerraz, Devesh.bhatta,
Dewan357, Dhruv hiremath, Disallowedfromseeing, Discospinster, Don.paul.jacob, Dont correct me i am right, Dr Saurav Deka, Drat, Dysprosia, ESkog, EagerToddler39, Ebinv2, EdJohnston,
Edward, Ekabhishek, El C, Elockid, Enthusiast10, Ericoides, Fawad india, Firsfron, Fraggle81, Fratrep, Friedfish, F, GDibyendu, Gadfium, Gaius Cornelius, Ganeshk, Generalboss3,
Giraffedata, Gnanapiti, Gogo Dodo, Gowtham vmj, Grafen, Graham87, HIDECCHI001, Hack, Harren.lee, Hashway, Hekerui, Himanshugupta18, Hottentot, Hps eagles, Hrisforu, Hu12, Idleguy,
Imc, Imjustmatthew, Imperialindiatravel, Incidious, India753, Indiaforyou, Indiarail, Inwind, Iohannes Animosus, Iridescent, J04n, JaGa, Jagged, Jagteraho, Jai Kumara Yesappa, Jakes18,
JamesA, JamesBWatson, January, Jasdeep 496, Jayadevp13, Jbarta, Jeff3000, Jevansen, Jharitesh, Jim1138, John of Reading, Joysarwar, Joyson Prabhu, Kamaljitsingh25, Karthikndr, Kauffner,
Kiore, Kkkishore, KnowledgeHegemony, KrishnaR7, Kumargaurav.in, Kumarpiyush, KuwarOnline, Kwamikagami, L33th4x0rguy, LAX, LRBurdak, Lalalazi, Lalit Jagannath, Lara bran,
Lectonar, Leebo, Lentejas553, Leotolstoy, LilHelpa, LukeSurl, MBisanz, MER-C, MKar, MZMcBride, Mandarax, Manika, ManishMakur, Manjunath Doddamani Gajendragad, Marshall1984,
Martin-vogel, Materialscientist, Mattisse, Maxim, Mboverload, Mcorazao, Mediran, Meet2kunal, Michellecrisp, Mild Bill Hiccup, Miljoshi, Mohitkr05, Monstermarch, MrArt, MrKIA11,
Muhammad Mahdi Karim, NGC 2736, Nav765, Ncamp, Neutrality, Nichalp, Nick Number, Nikkul, Nishkid64, Nobunaga24, Nubiatech, Oasisworld, Ohnoitsjamie, Ohthelameness, Oldtraveller,
Olivier, Onef9day, Oscarthecat, Otolemur crassicaudatus, Pahari Sahib, Parkavithai, Paul Gard, Paxse, Philip Trueman, PhnomPencil, Piano no who, Polyamorph, Poza, Praefectorian,
Pramodc84, Prasanna D' Vincent, Praveen yadlapalli, Princeboy, Princessoftides, Productsmarine, PureRED, Qlatif, Qst, Quadell, Qwerty510, Qwyrxian, R'n'B, Raj141195, RajatKansal,
Rajnarang, Rajshree.jk, Ramkumarvijayan, Rangoon11, Raudys, Ravikant11, Ravikant1117, Redvers, RenamedUser01302013, RexNL, Ridernyc, Rijuroy, Rjwilmsi, Rodoacer, RomaC, Ronz,
Rosiestep, Rstafursky, SFK2, Saish khanna, Saket2010, Salt Yeung, Sam Hocevar, Sandip90, Sankar, Sarwartch, Saurabh.vinian, Sazz125, SchuminWeb, Seaphoto, Sebb vett fan, Secretlondon,
Semposition2, Ser01008, Sfan00 IMG, Sg10mar, Shalinparikh003, Shalom Yechiel, Shashank13, Shivareddy, Shreeharisp, Shreevatsa, Shriram, ShwetaW, Shyamsunder, Siddharth4,
SiobhanHansa, Skier Dude, Skinsmoke, Sluzzelin, Smitanarang, Smundra, Soleswaran, Soumyadityac, Souvikp, Sowmyadeepatinkle, Spartian, Squids and Chips, Ssmagic, Sspcazpiens,
Sudhirkbhargava, Sudipta.kamila, Sujatha1174, Sun Creator, Sunny Gill265, Sureshanandv, Sureshiras, Sverdrup, Svmandke, SwisterTwister, T-borg, T-rex, Tabletop, Tamravidhir, Tassedethe,
Tbhotch, Tgeairn, Thecheesykid, Thegreyanomaly, Thejasmanoj, Theroadislong, Thetomcruise, Thisthat2011, Thunderboltz, Tiles, Tinucherian, Tmonzenet, To rashmee, Topbanana, Trakesht,
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Vikram0207, Vikramdas, Vinodkumarmcc, Virendra, Walkerma, Wantsallanger, Warofdreams, Wenteng, Wer900, WereSpielChequers, Who, Whpq, Wiki-uk, Wikikannu, Wikindia24x7,
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