Assam Map

Assam is a northeastern state of India. The capital of Assam is Dispur, which is located near Guwahati, the largest city in the state. Guwahati is also refereed as the North-Eastern corridor of India. Assam is situated in the south of the eastern Himalayas. It comprises of the Brahmaputra and Barak river valleys together with the Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills. Assam is bordered by Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura. Assam also has international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Assam is known for its tea, petroleum resources, silk and rich biodiversity. The state has effectively conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, along with the tiger and numerous species of birds. It has one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant.  The state is a popular destination for wildlife tourisms, both the Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park are both World Heritage Sites.

Assam is a land of high rainfall and is gifted with lush forests and the mighty river Brahmaputra which is the life line of Assam. Assam has 27 administrative districts, which are further sub-divided into 49 Sub-divisions. The districts are marked out on the basis of the physical features such as the hills, rivers, forests, etc. The state is frequently prone to natural disasters with yearly floods and recurrent mild earthquakes.

Assam serves as a gateway for the rest of the seven north east States. In the sector of tourism, Assam has wildlife sanctuaries like the Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, etc. There are lots of historical places in Assam like Talatal Ghar of Sivasagar, Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar of Garhgaon, Madan Kamdev archeological site of Kamrup, Agnigarh of Tezpur, etc. There is also a famous ancient Gopeswar temple situated in Village Deuduar near Madam Kamdev. Jokai Botanical Garden in Dibrugarh is the only Natural Botanical Garden in the whole region of North- East India. Cultural and historical places in Assam also are quite popular amongst tourists.

Sikkim Map

Sikkim is a small landlocked state located in the eastern Himalayan Mountains. It is the second smallest state in India and also the least populated state in India. The state has a total area of 7,096 sq km and has a population of 607,688 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. The state is bordered with the Indian state of West Bengal in the south, the countries of Nepal in the west and Bhutan to the east, along with the China’s Tibet Autonomous Region in the north and northeast.

Sikkim is geographically varied owing to its location in the Himalayas. The climate of Sikkim varies from subtropical to high alpine. The world’s third highest peak, Mt. Kangchenjunga, is located near Sikkim’s border with Nepal. Sikkim has an affluent culture, amazing scenery and exotic biodiversity, thus making it a popular tourist destination. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok which is also the largest city.

Sikkim has a majority of ethnic Nepali people. The state has eleven official languages: they are Nepali, Lepcha, Bhutia, Limbu, Rai, Newari, Gurung, Sherpa, Magar, Sunwar and Tamang. English language is taught in schools and is used commonly. The major religions in the state are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. The State’s economy is mainly reliant on agriculture and tourism.

Sikkim is a beautiful state and tourism in Sikkim offers a range of tourist destinations which adds enchantment to the tourists visiting the state. A towns and cities of Sikkim are full of serenity and tranquil nature. Tourist places in Sikkim include, Gangtok – the beautiful capital; Yuksom and the Dzongri Trail are a trekker’s paradise; Teesta River Rafting on the route of Makha-Sirwani-Bardang-Rongpo; monasteries of Rumtek, Pemayangtse, Tashiding, Enchey monastery, Sanga-Choeling monastery, etc; The wildlife sanctuaries like Deorali Orchid Sanctuary and Kyongnosia Alpine Sanctuary; the Nathu La Pass, Tsomgo Lake and the Old Silk Route amongst others.

Uttarakhand Map

Uttarakhand is an Indian state in the northern part of the country. The state is also called as the “land of the Gods” as there are many holy Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres in the state. Uttarakhand is known for the inherent beauty of the Himalayas. Uttarakhand borders the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, along with Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region. The capital city of Uttarakhand is Dehradun which is also the largest city in the state.

Uttarakhand has two divisions. They are the Garhwal region and the Kumaon region. There are a total 13 districts in the state. Uttarakhand is spread out over an area of 51,125 sq km and has a population of 10,116,752 people. The inhabitants of the state are usually called Garhwali or Kumaoni depending on their place of origin. Over 88% of the state population follows the Hindu religion. The other religions are Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. Hindi is the most generally spoken language along with the two main regional languages Garhwali and Kumaoni.

Uttarakhand has a huge variety of flora and fauna. Around 65% of the state is covered with forest area. There are many tourist destinations in Uttarakhand, as the northern part of the state is located in the Himalayas. There are many ancient temples, biospheres, national parks, hill stations and mountain peaks that attract a large number of tourists. The state has some of the holiest Hindu shrines and thousands of pilgrims visit here each year.

Some of the pilgrimage places in the state are Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinat and Kedarnath (these four forms the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit). Haridwar is a major Hindu destination, it means the “gateway to God”. Rishikesh is amongst the finest yoga centres in India. Hemkund is a major pilgrimage center for the Sikhs. Tibetan Buddhism also has its presence in the state, like with the Mindroling Monastery.

The state has many famous hill stations, some of them are Mussoorie, Dhanaulti, Nainital, Lansdowne, Almora, Kausani, Ranikhet, etc. The state has 12 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. The oldest national park of India, Jim Corbett National Park, is a major tourist destination. The Valley of Flowers National Park and the Nanda Devi National Park are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The state is also popular for adventure sports like mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, trekking, kayaking, etc. Rishikesh is famous for whitewater rafting. One can visit this state any time of the year to experience the different seasons.

West Bengal Map

West Bengal is an Indian state located in the eastern part of the country. With a population of 91,347,736 people, it is the fourth most populated state in India. The state is spread out over an area of 88752 sq km and is bordered by the states of Assam, Odisha, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Bihar and the countries of Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The capital city of West Bengal is Kolkata. The state has two extensive natural regions: the Gangetic Plain in south and the Himalayan region in north.

The culture of the state is deep rooted in the literature, music, arts, drama and cinema of Bengal. The people in the state share their cultural heritage with the neighboring country Bangladesh. The capital city, Kolkata, is referred to as the ‘cultural capital of India’. The state of West Bengal has an extensive tradition of popular literature, drama and music which is mainly based on Bengali folklore, Hindu epics and Puranas. West Bengal is also renowned for its political activism and was ruled by a democratically elected communist government for thirty years. Soccer is also appreciated and played a lot with great fervor in west Bengal apart from the national favourite cricket.

Religion wise, Hinduism is the main religion in the state. Around 72.5% of the total state population follows this religion. The Muslim population comprises of 25.2% and others religions comprise of 2.3%. Durga Puja, which is a five-day annual festival, celebrates the victory of Hindu Goddess Durga over Mahishasura – a demon. It is the biggest and the main festival of the state. Apart from this, the Festival of Kali which is the guardian deity of Bengal is also celebrated with great fervor.

With regard to tourism, West Bengal has some beautiful natural features. From the Himalayas in the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south, there are many marvelous tourist destinations in the state. Some of most popular tourist destinations in West Bengal are Darjeeling, Sandakfu, Sundarbans mangrove forests, Kolkata, Digha, Mandarmani, Kurseong, Kalimpong, Buxa Tiger Reserve and  Singalila National Park amongst others. West Bengal is also houses two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Sundarban National Park and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway.

Tamil Nadu Map

Tamil Nadu is an Indian state which is located in the southernmost part of India. It is the eleventh largest state by area in the country. The capital city of the state is Chennai and it is the largest city. Tamil Nadu is bordered by the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and the union territory of Puducherry. On the east, it is bound by the Bay of Bengal. Tamil Nadu is the 7th most populated state in India with a population of 72,138,958 people. 

The state is the home of the Tamil inhabitants since 500 BC and is the official native soil of Tamils in the world. Tamil is their official language. The language has been in use in their inscriptions and literature for over 3800 years. The state has a rich history with many empires ruling over the land. Tamil Nadu has many natural resources, hill stations, beaches, pilgrimage sites, temples and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tamil Nadu is spread out over an area of 130,058 sq km. It has a coastline of around 910 km making it the country’s 3rd longest coastline. The state is generally dependent on monsoon rains. If the monsoons fail the area becomes prone to water scarcity and drought. The climate ranges from dry sub-humid to semi-arid. The state gets its share of rain from the south west monsoon and the north-east monsoon.

Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), Government of Tamil Nadu and is a blooming industry. More than 2 lakh foreign and 100 lakh domestic tourists visit the state each year. The state has some grand Hindu temples which were built in Dravidian architecture, popular hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Valparai, etc.

The Nilgiri hills and other hills in the state are the abode of lush forests and diverse flora and fauna. There are several National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Biospheres in Tamil Nadu. The most well-known among them are Mudumalai National Park, Anaimalai Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. The strip of beaches from Chennai to Mahabalipuram houses many resorts, theme parks and eateries which are quite popular. The state is also known for its prominent waterfalls. The place is also coming up in medical tourism.

Puducherry Map

Puducherry is a Union Territory of India. The territory is created from the four enclaves of the erstwhile French India. The union territory was named after the largest enclave i.e. Pondicherry. Later in 2006, its name was officially changed to Puducherry, which means New Town. The four small unconnected regions of Puducherry are Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe. The first three are located on the eastern coast of India and Mahe is located on the western coast.

The union territory has a total area of 492 sq km. Pondicherry being the largest has 293 sq km, Karaikal comes in second with 160 sq km, Yanam is third with 30 sq km and the smallest is Mahe with 9 sq km. As per the 2011 census, Puducherry has a total population of 1244464 people.

In 1674, the French East India Company had set up a trading outpost at Pondicherry; it ultimately developed into the chief French settlement in India. There is lots of French influence in this union territory. The French and Indian architecture style houses are quite common in these regions. Some descendants of the then ruling French establishment are still present in Puducherry. There are plenty of monuments in Puducherry, dating back to the French period. There is also the French Consulate and several cultural organizations in Puducherry.

The town of Pondicherry is the capital city of Puducherry. The city is located on the Coromandel Coast in India. Pondicherry is rich with cultural and architectural affluence. The city has a pleasant atmosphere combined with the natural beauty of pristine beaches, ancient monuments, churches, museums, scrumptious cuisines and the remains of the French connection. It attracts many travelers to this excellent prime tourist destination.

Lakshadweep Map

Lakshadweep is a group of islands in the Laccadive Sea (Lakshadweep Sea) which are located at a distance of around 200 to 440 km from the South Western coast of India. This archipelago forms the smallest Union Territory of India. Its total surface area is just 32 sq km. The lagoon area is around 4200 sq km, the territorial waters area is about 20,000 sq km and the exclusive economic zone area is about 40,0000 sq km. Lakshadweep has a single district with just ten sub-divisions. The capital of this Union Territory is Kavaratti.
There are different views about the history of habitation on these islands. Archaeological evidence says that human settlement existed in the region from around 1500 BC. Sailors know these islands, as indicated in an anonymous reference from the 1st century AD in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. Muslim missionaries arrived in around the 7th century to spread Islam in the region. In 1498, the Portuguese arrived and by 1799 the British took control. After the British left India, Lakshadweep was made a Union Territory of India in 1956.

Only ten islands of Lakshadweep are inhabited with a population of 64,429 as per the 2011 census. The major population is Muslim and the islands culture is similar to the Malayali people of Kerala. Malayalam with Mahl is the most spoken language in the Minicoy Island. The main occupation in the islands is fishing and coconut cultivation.

Lakshadweep is a popular tourist attraction owing to its segregation and scenic appeal. Tourism brings revenue to the islands. These islands are a major destination for domestic as well as international tourism. The marine fauna in this place is abundant. There are lots of water sports activities to do such as scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, yachting and night-voyages etc.

The airport on the Agatti Island serves the people in the region. The other islands are connected by the Pawan Hans helicopter service or by boats. Around six ships connect the Lakshadweep Island from Kochi, a major port city in Kerala. Tourists flock to Lakshadweep throughout the year, except in the months of the south-west monsoon, as the seas are extremely rough during this season.

Kerala Map

Kerala, “god’s own country”, is blessed with natural beauty. The state is located in the south-west region of India on the coast of Malabar. It is spread over an area of 38,863 sq km and has a population of 33,387,677. The state is bordered by Karnataka in the north and north-east; Tamil Nadu in the east and south; and the Lakshadweep Sea in the west. The capital of the state is Thiruvananthapuram, other major cities are Kochi, Kollam, Kozhikode and Thrissur.

There are many beautiful places in Kerala. Kerala has it all, from shiny backwaters, extensive shoreline, tranquil beaches to beautiful lush hills, gushing waterfalls, exotic wildlife and excellent climate. The age old culture and art forms of Kerala entice everyone who visits this state. The state is also famous for its delicious cuisines, captivating festivals and ancient Ayurveda. All these things make this state among the most sought after destinations in India.

Kerala is reputed for its beautiful tranquil backwaters. Around forty-four rivers crisscross the state and finally drain into the Arabian Sea. They form a network of lakes, estuaries, canals and deltas. Few of the popular backwaters in Kerala are Kollam, Kuttanad, Kozhikode, Kasargod, Kumarakom, Alleppey, etc.

With a 600 km shoreline, Kerala has several sparkling beaches. Most of them have an unspoilt and unexplored charm. Some of the popular Beaches in Kerala are Kovalam, Cherai, Andhakaranazhi, Varkala, Marari, Fort Kochi, etc.

The state also has enchanting hill stations, which lie amongst lush green woods in the Western Ghats. The hill stations provide beautiful panoramic views and immense delight to the travellers. Some of hill stations in Kerala are Munnar, Palakkad, Ponmudi, Wayanad, Vagamon and Idukki. The ancient medical science of Ayurveda is also found and practiced in Kerala. There are many Ayurvedic rejuvenation spas and centres in Kerala.

The state has around fifteen wildlife sanctuaries, six national parks, two biosphere reserves and two tiger reserves. The variety of flora and fauna in the state is quite excellent. A few popular wildlife destinations in Kerala are Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Idduki National Park, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Reserve, etc.

Kerala boasts of some cities with a rich history and culture. These cities attract many tourists throughout the year.  A lot of art and culture can be found in Kerala and is one of the best states to visit in India.

Maharashtra Map

Maharashtra is located in Western India by the Arabian Sea and is the third largest state by area and the wealthiest state in India. Mumbai (earlier known as Bombay) is the capital of Maharashtra and is the financial capital of India.

Maharashtra grew from strength to strength under the rule of the Maratha Warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who fought against the Mughals, who then ruled large parts of India. By the 18th century, Maratha power had reached its peak, but after the third Anglo-Maratha War, the Maratha Empire came to a crumbling end and Maharashtra came under the Bombay state of the British Raj.

Maharashtra experiences a typical monsoon climate and witnesses three seasons in a year: summer, monsoon and a short winter. The best time to visit Maharashtra is from October to February, since the monsoon is over by then and you won’t be bothered by the uncomfortable humidity either.

Maharashtra is a tourist’s delight and there are many places to explore in the state. Some of Maharashtra’s popular cities are: Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur. Maharashtra has many popular hill stations as well, such as: Khandala, Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Matheran among others.

Other popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra are: Alibag, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Shirdi Sai Baba Mandir, Film City, Essel World, Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, Haji Ali Mosque and Hanging Gardens among others.

Visit Maharashtra for a uniquely diverse experience and enjoy the rich culture and history of the state.

Himachal Pradesh Map

Himachal Pradesh is located in northern India and is known for its scenic beauty and popular hill stations. In 1950, Himachal Pradesh was declared a Union Territory, but was later proclaimed a state in 1971, becoming India’s 18th state. The name Himachal literally means, “in the lap of the Himalayas”. Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and is a very popular hill station in the state.

The economy of Himachal Pradesh relies heavily on hydroelectric power, agriculture and tourism. Himachal Pradesh experiences three seasons: summer, winter and monsoon. Summer begins in April and lasts till the end of June, the monsoons last from July till mid-October, the winter season begins in November and lasts till March. The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is from March to June.

Himachal Pradesh is rich in natural beauty and one can find thick deodar forests, snow capped peaks and apple orchards in the state. The state carries strong traces of colonization and you will find colonial-style bungalows in hill stations like Shimla and Dalhousie.

There is a lot to do and explore in Himachal Pradesh and here are a few popular tourist places in the state: Shimla, Manali, Kullu, Dharamshala and Dalhousie among others. There are many places of religious importance in Himachal Pradesh such as Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur, Chamunda Devi Temple in Dharamshala and Ramchandra Temple in Manikaran. Places like Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj have many monasteries given the significant Buddhist population in the area. Another major attraction in Himachal Pradesh is the Kalka-Shimla railway, which is a narrow gauge railway line and is known for the spectacular views it provides from Kalka onwards to Shimla. The Kalka-Shimla railway has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Himachal Pradesh is also a great place for adventure lovers and one can enjoy activities such as para gliding, skiing and water sports such as white water rafting.

Visit Himachal Pradesh for a getaway from the summer heat and enjoy the state’s natural beauty and rich culture and heritage.