tourism in india

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

Tourism by State

[edit] Delhi

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


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


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


[edit] Goa

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


[edit] Punjab
Punjab is one of India's most beautiful states, with a rich history, culture and renowned cuisine. Punjab has good public transportation and communication network. Punjab is also one of India's most colorful states, the cloth, the cities and bhangra. Big cities in Punjab are Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. Punjab also has a rich religious history incorporating Sikhism and Hinduism.

Some great places to visit in Punjab are:

Ludhiana- largest city in Punjab. Great place for shopping, visiting temples, and much more!
Phagwara- a destination for the shopper's dream
Amritsar- a place for the tourist that enjoys religious tours.
Golden Temple- In Amritsar, sacred Sikh location, and also for Hindus.
Anandpur Sahib- Site of birth of Khalsa, and also many temples and a very big museum on Sikh History.
Chandigarh- Capital of Punjab, known for its high standards of living, and modern style.
Villages in Punjab are also a must see for the person who wants to see the true Punjab, with their beauitful traditional Indian homes, but new, and farms, temples, this is a must see for any visitor that goes to Punjab.

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

Places of interest include:

Varanasi
Agra
Mathura
Jhansi
Prayag
Sarnath
Ayodhya
Dudhwa National Park

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

Among the major crowd pullers in Himachal Pradesh are:

Shimla The State's capital city
Manali
Dharamshala
Dalhousie
Kasauli

[edit] Jammu and Kashmir

Lake PangongTourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir include:

Srinagar, Kashmir valley
Jammu
Leh, Ladakh
Amarnath
Vaishno Devi
Other cities of interest in Northern India include Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Mathura, and Haridwar.


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


HITECH City, Hyderabad's IT Corridor
The Cyber Towers IT Park in Hyderabad on a clear evening sky.Andhra Pradesh is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique characteristic of a meeting point for North and South India, and its multi-lingual culture, both geographically and culturally. Hyderabad has been a place where Hindus and Muslims have co-existed peacefully for centuries. Hyderabad is also one of the most developed cities in the country. It is an emerging information technology (or IT) and biotechnology hub of India. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, separated by the Husain Sagar (bound by the 'Tank Bund'), a man made lake made during the time of Ibrahim Qutb Shah in 1562. The Charminar (Urdu: "Four Minars") monument, built in the center of Hyderabad by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591, is a commemoration of the eradication of a plague in the region.

Attractions


Birla Mandir on a cloudy day
NTR GardensCharminar - the major landmark in Hyderabad with four graceful minarets.
Falaknuma Palace - Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra', a beautiful and stunning piece of architecture.
Golconda Fort - located on the outskirts of the city, Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India.
Chowmahalla Palace- It was the seat of Asaf Jahi dynasty, where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors.
Salar Jung Museum - houses the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. Huge collection of artifacts dating back to a few centuries can be found here.
Makkah Masjid - a stone-built mosque, immediately southwest of Charminar. Remarkable for its architecture, size and its royal splendor. This is one of the most beautiful masjid's in Hyderabad.
Birla Mandir (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh) - a Hindu temple made of white marble located on top of a hill overlooking the city.
Birla Planetarium - located in the heart of the city on the panoramic hillock of Nawbat Pahad, the Birla Planetarium is a tribute to the advances made in science and technology.
Chilkur Balaji - Temple of Lord Sri Venkateshwara.
Nehru Zoological Park - among the largest in Asia.
Husain Sagar - A man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Laad Bazaar - also called Chudi Bazaar is on the west of Charminar, and known for its exquisite bangles.
Lotus Pond - A beautiful garden built around a pond situated in Jubilee Hills, said to have been designed by an Italian designer.
Public Gardens of Hyderabad - One of the best laid-out gardens in the country with buildings of the State Legislature, Jubilee Hall, etc.
Purani Haveli - The official residence of the Nizam.
Qutb shahi Tombs - Home for various Tombs dedicated to Rulers of Qutb shahi Dynasty, located at Shaikpet, near Golkonda Fort.
Paigah Tombs
Sanghi Temple - A temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara graces a promontory overlooking Sanghi Nagar.
Snow World - An amusement park which enables citizens of this tropical city to experience very low temperatures and snow.
Wargal Saraswati Devi's Temple - A temple located 50 km from Hyderabad towards medchal highway. It is mounted on a big rock, rtc buses are available on that route.
Madhapur - Home to many IT and ITES offices of Hyderabad.
Ramoji Film City (RFC) is the world’s largest integrated film studio complex, at nearly 2,000 acres. It is also one of Asia’s most popular tourism and recreation centres.
People coming to Andhra Pradesh also visit:

Hyderabad
Tirupati
Sri Kalahasti
Vizag
Nagarjuna sagar
Vijaywada
Warangal
Nellore

[edit] West Bengal

The Victoria Memorial is an example of Indo-British architectureKolkata has been nicknamed the City of Palaces. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city.

Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French.

The buildings were designed and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally, a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom, as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British).

Today, many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures

Places of worship


St. Paul’s CathedralDakshineswar Kali Temple
Kalighat
Birla temple
Belur Math
Bhoothnath
Tipu Sultan Mosque
Nakhoda Mosque
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. John's Church
Greek Orthodox Church
Armenian Church
Synagogues
Armenian Church
Parsi Fire Temples
Japanese Buddhist Temple
Pareshnath Jain Temple
People coming to Bengal also visit:

Heritage of Bengal
Hills of Bengal
Wildlife of Bengal
Beaches of Bengal
Fairs and Festivals of Bengal

[edit] Karnataka
Main article: Karnataka tourism

Infosys HeadquartersBangalore, the IT capital of India, is also significant for its history
Mysore, about 140 km from Bangalore, has palaces, KRS Dam, several temples, a Hindu temple atop Chamundi Hills, Chamundeswari Temple.
Srirangapatna, where nearby fortresses can be found (Tipu's)

Barachukki Falls, ShivanasamudraHampi the city of ruins (1500s when the Muslim kings destroyed the prosperous Vijayanagar empire)
The Belur and Halebidu temples are famed for their sculptural beauty.
Sravanabelagola has a Jain temple dedicated to king Bahubali. The statue is massive and a Maha Masthaka Abhishekham performed one every year, attracts a huge number of pilgrims* Sringeri, located in the western ghats, has a wonderful temple dedicated to Sarada devi.
Jog FallsThe Western Ghats offer many other places of exceptional beauty like Agumbe, Horanadu etc.
Madikeri, Kodagu, Talakaveri, Kemmanagundi all places of immense natural beauty.
The Jog Falls in Shimoga district is another famous tourist attraction.

[edit] Kerala
Main article: Tourism in Kerala
Kerala is an evergreen lush state, tucked away in the southern corner of India. It is one of the most visited state in India. The state has its own tourism brand name - "God's Own Country", which has super-brand status. The state was named as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by the National Geographic traveler, the only other Indian place listed being the Taj Mahal.
Kerala is famous for its backwaters and lagoons. There are also several beautiful beaches along the coastline of Kerala. There are also hill stations and tropical rain forests with exquisite flora and fauna including endangered animals like elephant, tiger, nilgiri thar and lion-tailed macaque. Recently, a new brand of tourism was introduced called Monsoon Tourism, aimed at beckoning tourists to enjoy the beauty of the state's hauntingly beautiful rainy season extending from June to September. Ayurveda

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

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

The major attractions in Kerala include:

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


Kerala, nicknamed as "God's own country", is one of the most beautiful states in Southern India. Shown here is Munnar, in Kerala.




Kerala Backwaters.




thumb|250px|Shirodhara, one of the healing techniques of Ayurveda]]






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

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

Places of Interest in Tamilnadu

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

[edit] Orissa
Orissa has been a preferred destination from ancient days for people having interest in spirituality, religion, culture, art and natural beauty. Ancient and medieval architecture, pristine sea beaches, the classical and ethnic dance forms and a variety of festivals, all in combine attract tourists from far off places to explore this state to a have a divine exposure of love and hospitality. Orissa has kept Buddhism alive and the Buddha in its ancient womb. The spirit of Buddhism still haunts the very air of Orissa. Rock-edicts that have challenged time stand huge and over-powering by the banks of the river Daya. The silent stones sing out songs of peace and non-violence. The torch of Buddhism is still ablaze in the sublime triangle at Udayagiri, Lalitgiri & Ratanagiri, on the banks of river Birupa. The surrounding hills of Langudi and Kayama stand as mute witness to the quirks and twists of history. Precious fragments of a glorious past come alive in the shape of stupas, rock-cut caves, rock-edicts, excavated monasteries, viharas, chaityas and sacred relics in caskets. Rock-edicts of Ashoka are a bonus for your eyes. Orissa is the home for various tribal communities who have contributed uniquely to the multicultural and multilingual character of the state. Their handicrafts, different dance forms, jungle products and their unique life style blended with their healing practices have got world wide attention.


thumb|artwork on Lingaraj temple.




thumb|artwork on Lingaraj temple




Rajasthan's rich history and culture makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Shown here is the Chittorgarh Fort.






[edit] Rajasthan
Rajasthan, literally meaning "the land of the kings", is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Northern India. The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year. Major visitor attractions in Rajathan include:

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

[edit] Sikkim
Originally know as Suk-Hem, which in the local language means "peaceful home", Sikkim was an independent kingdom till the year 1974, when it became a part of the Republic Of India. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok, located approximately 185 kilometers from New Jalpaiguri, the nearest railway station to Sikkim. Although an airport is under construction at Dekiling in East Sikkim, the nearest airport to Sikkim would be Bagdogra. Sikkim is the land of Orchids and mystic culture and colorful tradition. Sikkim is well know among trekkers and adventure lovers, as West Sikkim has a lot to give them. Some must-visit places within Sikkim include:

NIT (National Institute Of Tibetology)
Hanuman and Ganesh Tok
Nathula pass
Baba Harbajan Mandir
Seven View Points
Rumtek Monastery
Lachen and Lachung
Pelling
Pemayantzy
Uttaray
Dzongri
Chewa-bhanjang
Barsay
Legship - Hot water spring
Khorong Hotwater spring
Samdrupsey at Namchi
Places near Sikkim include Darjeeling also know as the Queen of hills and Kalimpong. Darjeeling, other than its world famous "Darjeeling tea" is also famous for its refined "Prep schools" founded during the British Raj. A few of the top Schools in the District are: 1.St. Paul's School - Known as Eton of the East. It is 190 years old, thus one of the oldest schools in India. 2.Mt. Hermon School. 3.St. Joseph's School - where the H.M of Bhutan and the Late H.M of Nepal did their schooling. 4.Loreto Convent - where Late Mother Teresa served for many years. 5.Dr. Graham's Homes. 6.St. Joseph's Convent. 7.St. Augustine's School.

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


The River Teesta said to be the lifeline of Sikkim




The Himalayan mountains in Sikkim.






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

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


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

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

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

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

Unlike most other states in India, Maharashtra boasts of a large number of popular and revered religious venues that are heavily frequented by locals as well as out-of-state visitors. Shirdi, near Nashik is the location of the temple of Sai Baba - a hugely revered God-like priest, Tuljabhavani temple at Tuljapur - myth has it that the Goddess offered a sword to Shivaji Maharaj for his battles, Siddhivinayak temple - a Ganesha temple right in south-central Mumbai, Mahalakshmi temple - in south Mumbai, Hajiali - a hugely popular mosque in the seas near the Mahalakshmi temple, Mount Mary church in the suburb of Bandra, Sarasbaugh Ganpati Mandir - a temple in a pond - near Parvati in Pune, Dagdusheth Ganpati - also in Pune are some of the most visited in the state.

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


[edit] Historic monuments

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


[edit] The Golden Temple
One of the most respected temples in India and one of the most beautiful. It is the most sacred place for Sikhs. The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar, Punjab India. Now only is this a sacred place for Sikhs, it is also a sacred temple for Hindus aswell.


[edit] The Lotus Temple
Main article: Bahá'í House of Worship
The Bahá'í temple in Delhi, India 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. The architect was Fariborz Sahba from Canada. Inspired by the lotus flower, its design is composed of 27 free-standing marble clad "petals" arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Nine doors open onto a central hall, capable of holding up to 2,500 people. Slightly more than 40 meters tall, its surface shining white marble, the temple at times seems to float above its 26 acre (105,000 m²) nine surrounding ponds. The site is in the village of Bahapur, in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This House of Worship is generally referred to as the "Lotus Temple" by Bahá'ís and non-Bahá'ís alike.


Taj Mahal




Known in India as the "Lotus Temple", the Bahá'í House of Worship is one of the most famous landmarks in Delhi.




The Golden Temple also known as Harimandir Sahib.






[edit] Wildlife in 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. Other well known large Indian mammals include ungulates such as the Water Buffalo, Nilgai, Gaur and several species of deer and antelope. Some members of the dog family such as the Indian Wolf, Bengal Fox, Golden Jackal and the Dhole or Wild Dogs are also widely distributed. It is also home to the Striped Hyaena, Macaques, Langurs and Mongoose species. India also has a large variety of protected wildlife. The country's protected wilderness consists of 75 National parks of India and 421 Sanctuaries, of which 19 fall under the purview of Project Tiger. Its climatic and geographic diversity makes it the home of over 350 mammals and 1200 bird species, many of which are unique to the subcontinent.

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


A Bengal tiger




Now the world's rarest monkey, the golden langur typifies the precarious survival of much of India's megafauna.




Coimbatore fauna: A small green bee-eater, Merops orientalis






[edit] Nature Tourism
Water falls in western ghats including Jog falls(Highest in india)
western ghats
Kerala backwaters

[edit] Hill stations
Most famous hill stations are

Ooty and Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu
Darjeeling in West Bengal
Munnar in Kerala

[edit] Beach Tourism
Tourist beaches are:

Beaches of Goa
Kovalam Beach in Kerala
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Beaches in Mumbai

[edit] Health Tourism
Health tourism is new trend in Kerala.


[edit] Pilgrimage
Places include

Ahobilam, Amararama, Amarkantak, Arasavalli,Attukal,Avittathur ,Allahabad,Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh ,Annamalai Hill,Ayodhya,Badrinath ,Baba Dhansar,Basistha Ashram ,Batu Caves,Belur Math,Benares, Bhadrachalam,Bhavani,Bhimashankar Temple,Chitrakuta,Dakor,Draksharama,Dwaraka Pītha,Dwarka,Gangotri,Ghatikachala,Godachi Veerbhadhreshwar Temple,Gor Khuttree,Gosaikunda ,Govardhana matha,Gaya, India ,Govindavadi,Hajo,Haridwar ,Idagunji,Jonnawada,Jyotirlinga ,Jyotirmath,Kalaram Temple ,Kataragama,Kateel,Katra,Kedarnath ,Konark,Ksheerarama,Kukke Subramanya Temple,Kumararama,Kumbakonam,Kumbh Mela,Kurukshetra,Mayapur,Mandher Devi temple in Mandhradevi,Mount Abu,Mount Kailash,Mukhalingam,MuktinathNarasimha Konda,Narayanalayam,Narmada River,Nashik,Omkareshwar,Palani,Pancharama Kshetras ,Panchavati,Pandharpur,Pithapuram ,Pushkar,Ramatheertham,Rameswaram ,Rishikesh,Ryali,Sangam, Srikakulam district,Saptashrangi,Shivkhori ,Sivagiri, Kerala,Somarama,Sri Kurmam ,Sringeri Sharada Peetham,Srisailam ,Thirumanthamkunnu Temple,Thrissur ,Tirtha and Kshetra,Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple,Talapady,Tirupati,Udupi ,Ujjain,Vaishno Devi,Vani (Nashik) ,Varanasi, Vithoba,Vrindavan ,Yamunotri etc.


[edit] Adventure Tourism
River rafting and kayaking in Himalayas.[1]
Mountain climbing in Himalayas
Rock climbing[2]

[edit] Sport Tourism
Skiing in Gulmarg
Boat racing in Kerala

[edit] Gallery

Gateway of India, Mumbai




High Court in Bangalore




Victoria Monument in Kolkata




Lakshadweep Island





Arambol Beach(Goa)




Second Hooghly Bridge, Kolkata




Delhi Metro




Mumbai airport





Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi