Tourism in India

Taj Mahal in Agra is a popular destination
Famous Hall of Thousand Pillars at Meenakshi Amman Temple at Madurai
Rani ki vav in Gujarat a UNESCO World Heritage Site
A Vamana temple at Khajuraho a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its sculptural marvels
Kailasa Temple at Ellora a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Bactrian camel ride at Nubra Valley in Ladakh
Trimurti of Elephanta Caves a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Mumbai
Chaturbhuj Temple and other monuments at Orchha

Tourism in India is economically important and is growing rapidly. The World Travel & Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated ₹6.4 trillion (US$94 billion) or 6.6% of the nation's GDP in 2012.[1] It supported 39.5 million jobs, 7.7% of its total employment.[2] The sector is predicted to grow at an average annual rate of 7.9% till 2023 making India the third fastest growing tourism destination over the next decade.[1] India has a large medical tourism sector which is expected to grow at an estimated rate of 30% annually to reach about ₹95 billion (US$1.4 billion) by 2015.

About 22.57 million tourists arrived in India in 2014, compared to 19.95 million in 2013. This ranks India as the 38th country in the world in terms of foreign tourist arrivals. Domestic tourist visits to all states and Union Territories numbered 1,036.35 million in 2012, an increase of 16.5% from 2011.[3] In 2014, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh were the most popular states for tourists.[4] 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 38 by the number of foreign tourists, while Mumbai is ranked at 50, Delhi at 52 and Agra at 66 and Kolkata at 99.[5]

The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2013 ranks India 65th out of 144 countries overall. The report ranks the price competitiveness of India's tourism sector 20th out of 144 countries. It mentions that India has quite good air transport (ranked 39th), particularly given the country’s stage of development, and reasonable ground transport infrastructure (ranked 42nd). 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.[6] The World Tourism Organization reported that India's receipts from tourism during 2012 ranked 16th in the world, and 7th among Asian and Pacific countries.[7]

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.[8] The Ministry also maintains the Incredible India campaign.

Visa policy of India

Main article: Visa policy of India
Visa policy of India
  India
  Visa not required
  e-Tourist Visa
  Visa required

India requires citizens of most countries to have a valid passport and apply for a visa at their local Indian embassy or consulate, before they travel. They can apply directly by mail or in person, or through their local travel services company. India has recently implemented an online method for citizens of 40 countries to apply and receive an e-Tourist Visa.[9] Nationals of Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal do not require a visa. Citizens of Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, DPR Korea, Jamaica, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, South Africa and Uruguay are not required to pay a fee when obtaining Indian visa.[10]

A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required to enter the states of Nagaland and Sikkim and some parts of the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Special permits are needed to enter Lakshadweep Islands.[11]

e-Tourist Visa

In order to boost tourism numbers,[12] the Indian Government decided to implement a new visa policy, allowing visitors to obtain a visa on arrival at 16 designated international airports by obtaining an Electronic Travel Authorisation online before arrival without the need to visit an Indian consulate or visa centre.[13] As a result of this, 56,477 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa during the month of October, 2015, as compared to 2,705 during the month of October, 2014 marking to a growth of 1987.9%. During January–October, 2015 a total of 2,58,182 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 21,995 during January–October, 2014 registering a growth of 1073.8%.[14]

The facility will be made available to citizens of about 180 countries in several phases.[15] On 27 November 2014, India introduced its visa on arrival enabled by ETA facility for tourists and business visitors, to citizens of following countries – Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, USA, Vanuatu and Vietnam.[9] The facility was extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong on 30 July 2015.[16] The facility was further extended to citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Belgium, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, East Timor, Guatemala, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, Malaysia, Mongolia, Monaco, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Seychelles, Slovenia, Spain, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Surinam, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, Uruguay and Venezuela on 15 August 2015.[17]

The visa on arrival requires a tourist to apply online on a secure Government of India website, at least 4 to 30 days before the date of travel. If approved, the passenger must print and carry the approved visa with the travel documents. The visa allows holders of Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter and stay anywhere in India for 30 days. The ETA can be obtained twice in a single calendar year.[9] The visa on arrival facility is expected to be expanded to about 180 countries over time. In April 2015 the scheme was renamed to e-Tourist Visa in order to avoid confusion.[18]

Statistics

Foreign tourist arrivals by year

Foreign tourist arrivals in India (1997-2014)[19]
Year Number (millions) % change
1997 2.37 3.8
1998 2.36-0.7
1999 2.485.2
2000 2.656.7
2001 2.54-4.2
2002 2.38 -6.0
2003 2.73 14.3
2004 3.46 26.8
2005 3.92 13.3
2006 4.45 13.5
2007 5.08 14.3
2008 5.28 4.0
2009 5.17 -2.2
2010 5.78 11.8
2011 6.31 9.2
2012 6.58 4.3
2013 6.97 5.9
2014 7.68 10.2
Foreign exchange earnings from tourism in India (1997-2014)[19]
Year Amount (US$ million) % change Amount (₹ crores) % change
1997 2,889 2.0 10,511 4.6
1998 2948 2.0 12,150 15.6
1999 3009 2.1 12,951 6.6
2000 3460 15 15,626 20.7
2001 3198 -7.6 15,083 -3.5
2002 3103 -3.0 15,064 -0.1
2003 4463 43.8 20,729 37.6
2004 6,170 38.2 27,944 34.8
2005 7,493 21.4 33,123 18.5
2006 8,634 15.2 39,025 17.8
2007 10,729 24.3 44,360 13.7
2008 11,832 10.3 51,294 15.6
2009 11136 -5.9 53,700 4.7
2010 14,193 27.5 64,889 20.8
2011 16,564 16.7 77,591 19.6
2012 17,737 7.1 94,487 21.8
2013 18,445 4.0 1,07,671 14
2014 20,236 9.7 1,23,320 14.5

Foreign tourist arrivals by source country

Source countries for foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2014[20]
Rank Country Number Share in %
1  United States 1,118,983 14.57
2  Bangladesh 942,562 12.27
3  United Kingdom 838,860 10.92
4  Sri Lanka 301,601 3.93
5  Russia 269,832 3.51
6  Canada 268,485 3.50
7  Malaysia 262,026 3.41
8  France 246,101 3.20
9  Australia 239,762 3.12
10  Germany 239,106 3.11
Total of top 10 4,727,318 61.56
Other countries 2,951,781 38.44
Grand total 7,679,099 100

Foreign and domestic tourist visits by State

Share of top 10 states/UTs of India in number of foreign tourist visits in 2013[20]
Rank State/Union Territory Number Share in %
1 Maharashtra 4,156,343 20.8
2 Tamil Nadu 3,990,490 20.0
3 Delhi 2,301,395 11.5
4 Uttar Pradesh 2,054,420 10.3
5 Rajasthan 1,437,162 7.2
6 West Bengal 1,245,230 6.2
7 Kerala 858,143 4.3
8 Bihar 765,835 3.8
9 Karnataka 636,378 3.2
10 Goa 492,322 2.5
Total of top 10 states 17,937,718 89.9
Others 2,013,308 10.1
Total 19,951,026 100
Share of top 10 states/UTs of India in number of domestic tourist visits in 2011 (provisional)[21]
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

World Heritage Sites

Tourism by state and territory

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Havelock Island.

Tourism is the major revenue generating industry in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. According to official estimates, the flow of tourists in the Andamans was doubled to nearly 300,000 in 2012 from 130,000 in 2008-09. The Andamans is an archipelago of over 570 tropical islands, of which only 36 are inhabited.[22][23] Radhanagar beach at Havelock Island was bestowed with the title of ‘Asia’s Best Beach’ in 2004 by the TIME magazine. It is also listed as world’s 7th most spectacular beach in the world on Time magazine list.[24][25] Barren Island which is about 135 km (84 mi) north-east of the territory's capital, Port Blair, is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia.[26] Historic Cellular Jail in Port Blair was used by the British to exile political prisoners during the struggle for India's independence to the remote archipelago. Presently, the jail complex serves as a national memorial monument.[27]

Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati Stupa, an important Buddhist site in South India, the antiquity of Amaravati dates back to 500 BCE. The stupa was then adorned with limestone reliefs and free standing Buddha figures
A View of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Srikalahasti Temple
Rushikonda beach, Visakhapatnam
Rock-cut Buddha Statue at Bojjanakonda, Visakhapatnam district
Ethipothala Water Falls
Belum Caves, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
Araku Valley, Eastern Ghats, Visakhapatnam

A study in 2014 published by The Economic Times said that undivided Andhra Pradesh had emerged as the "most-preferred" tourist destination for domestic travellers with about 20 per cent share in the total domestic tourist visits across India in 2012. Andhra Pradesh crossed mark of 200 million tourists in 2012 from 110 million tourists in 2006.[28] The state of Andhra Pradesh comprises like scenic hills, forests, beaches and temples.

Andhra Pradesh is the home of many religious pilgrim centres:

Famous Buddhist centres:

Others are Pavurallakonda, Chandavaram, Guntupalli, Adurru, Kummarilova, Kotturu Dhanadibbalu, Karukonda, kapavaram, Nandalur

Pilgrim centres and temples:

Attractions:

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.

Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh
Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh 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 archaeological 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 colourful 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 pilgrimage such as the Parasuramkund and the 400‑year‑old Tawang Monastery, or the sites of archaeological 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 snow clad 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 a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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 30 km away from Guwahati. Along with the Madan Kamdev tourist can visit very ancient temple Gopeswar Mandir situated in a village Deuduar near to Guwahati.

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 travelled from Dhaka to Assam, ruins of palaces, etc. Guwahati, the capital city of Assam, boasts many bazaars, temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The government took many initiatives to promote tourism in Assam

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, Mahavira, Guru Gobind Singh, Chandragupta Maurya, Vātsyāyana, Sher Shah Suri and many other great historical figures.

On an average, 20 million domestic tourists and 1 million foreign tourists visits Bihar annually.[31]

Attractions:

Statue of Lord Vasupujya, Champapur

Chandigarh

Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh

Chandigarh is a city located on the foothills of Himalayas and is the capital of two states – Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh is also called the The City Beautiful with various tourist attractions like Nek Chand Rock Garden, Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Sukhna lake, Open Hand Monument etc. This place was recorded as the Cleanest city of India by Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India. A majestic view of the Shivalik Hills including Kasauli is visible from here.

Chitrakot Waterfalls is the broadest waterfall in India and also referred as 'Niagara Falls of India' are located in Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is a new state but with an ancient civilisation, 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

Qutb Minar in Delhi
Main article: Tourism in Delhi

Delhi is the capital union territory of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions.Old Delhi has been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, making it rich in history. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The different 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

Palolem
Main article: Tourism in Goa

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 colourful masks and floats, drums and reverberating music, and dance performances.

Gujarat

Main article: Tourism in 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 1600 km (longest in India). It is the tenth most popular state in the country for tourists with annual footfall of 18.9 million tourists.[32] 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. Ancient Dholavira, archaeological site in Kutch District and Lothal,[33] archaeological site in Ahmedabad district contains ruins of ancient Indus Valley Civilization city, ruins of Dholavira is one of the largest Harappan archaeological sites.[34]

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

Main article: Tourism in Haryana

The pilgrim places of Haryana are thronged by devotees all over the year, who visit the important religious places 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 civilisation. 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

Khatushyam The holy place from the time of Mahabharata.

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.

Himachal Pradesh

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.[35]

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.

The Ridge in is a large road in Shimla which is centre for most of cultural activities of Shimla.

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 millions 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.

Jharkhand

Main article: Tourism in Jharkhand

Jharkhand is the eastern state of India formed in 2000. It is known for its forest cover and mine reserves. One of the biggest tourist attraction in Jharkhand is Vaidyanath jyotirlinga situated in Deoghar district.

Shikarji temple at pararnath (Giridih) is known for its serene beauty.

Covered hugely in forest, the state has many wildlie sanctuaries including Topchanchi wildlife sanctuary[36] and Palamu wildlife sanctuary.[37]

Karnataka

Main article: Tourism in Karnataka

Karnataka has been ranked as fourth most popular destination for tourism among states of India.[38] 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.[39][40] 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 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, we can see the forts which were built by the great Tipu Sultan for protection.

Karnataka state has several palaces such as Bangalore Palace, Mysore Palace (also known as Ambavilas Palace), Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Nalknad Palace, Rajendra Vilas, Jaganmohan Palace, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Lalitha Mahal, Rajendra Vilas, Cheluvamba Mansion, Shivappa Nayaka Palace and Daria Daulat Bagh. Karnataka is famous for Jog falls of Shimoga District is second highest waterfalls in Asia. Karnataka has many beaches at Malpe, Kaup, Marvanthe, 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.[41] Utsav Rock Garden in Shiggaon, Uttar Kannada.

Shola Grasslands in Kudremukh, Karnataka.

Hill stations in Karnataka are generally unexplored and more pristine than better known ones in South India. Major hill stations in the state are Agumbe and Kodachadri in Shimoga District; Baba Budangiri, Kemmangundi, Kudremukh in Chikkamagaluru District; Biligiriranga Hills in Chamarajanagar District and Kodagu district (also known as Coorg).[42] Other hilly town and regions are Mullayanagiri, Pushpagiri(or Kumara Parvatha), Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur district, Kundadri, Tadiandamol, Talakaveri, Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, Ambaragudda, Antara Gange, Savandurga, Kurinja, Yedakumeri, Siddara Betta, Bananthimari Betta, Skandagiri, Devarayanadurga and Madhugiri.

Wildlife Sanctuaries & National Parks Karnataka has several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks such as, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli; Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary; Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary; Peacock sanctuary in Bankapura; Ranebennur blackbuck sanctuary, Haveri district; Deva Raya Wildlife Sanctuary, near Hampi; Attiveri Bird Sanctuary, near Hubli-Dharwad, Uttara Kannada; Anshi National Park, Uttara Kannada; Magadi Bird Sanctuary, Shirahatti; Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary;[43] Adichunchanagiri Wildlife Sanctuary;[44] Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary ;[45] Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary; Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary; Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary; Melukote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary ;[46] in Mandya district; Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary; Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary; Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary; Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary; Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary; Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary; Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary; Gudavi Bird Sanctuary; Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary; Kaggaladu Heronry; Kokkare Bellur; Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary and Bonal Bird Sanctuary

Kerala

Kerala, nicknamed as "God's own country," is famous for its houseboats.
Main article: Tourism in Kerala

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,[47] 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.

Munnar Hillscape

From the green scapes of Idukki to buzzing city of Kochi Kerala has its vivid collection of tourist spots. Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Kappad, Muzhuppilangad, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Thekkady, Ramakkalmedu 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 Quilon, Cochin, Trichur, Calicut 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.[48] Since then it has become an annual shopping event being conducted in the December–January 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 minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.

Madhya Pradesh

The massive Bhedaghat Falls

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 oldest known holiest and worshiped as a river goddess in Hindu religion. Narmada originates from Amarkantak, a wild reserve is known for its natural beauty, and it is a pilgrimage centre 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 colours. The sight is a visual treat in itself. The prime attraction includes boating in the river with amusing commentary by the rower.

Places of attraction are,

♦Wildlife – Kanha National Park,[49] Bandhavgarh National Park(website), Pench Tiger Reserve

♦Heritage – Khajuraho Temple Group, Orchha, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters Caves[50]

♦Worship – UjjainUjjain,[51][52] Omkareshwar, Maheshwar, Maihar, Sanchi

♦Water Bodies / Lakes/ Dams – Bhojtal "Upper Lake- Bhopal", Gandhi Sagar Dam, Indirasagar Dam, Pipliyapala,[53] Tawa Reservoir, Bhedaghat

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.[38]

Maharashtra is the most visited state in India by foreign tourists,[38] 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. Aurangabad is the tourism capital of Maharashtra.[54][55]

The 6th-century paintings at the Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Elephanta Caves and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus are the four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Maharashtra and are highly responsible for the development of Tourism in the state.[56]

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, snorkelling, 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.

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, theatre 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:

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 kilometre 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 a very good place to visit.

Mizoram

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.[57] Mizoram is a stronghold for Mrs. Hume's pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae).[58] There is also a rare record of the wild water buffalo from the state.[59] There have been several past records of sightings of the Sumatran rhinoceros from Mizoram, and Lushai hills.[60] A small population of wild elephants can be seen in Ngengpui and Dampa Sanctuaries.[61] 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.[62]

A panorama of Aizawl taken from Zemabawk.

Odisha

Konark Sun Temple built by the Eastern Ganga dynasty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chilka Lake
Main article: Tourism in Odisha

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.

Shrikhetra Puri Jagannath Temple, abode of Lord of Universe

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 Oriya 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 at Bhubaneswar

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 worldwide 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.

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

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, Chandabali, Chandaneswar, Panchalingeshwar, Aradi (Lord Akhandalamani).

Pondicherry

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.
Main article: Tourism in Punjab

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, Jalandhar, Patiala, Pathankot and Ludhiana. is known for the combines made here while Patiala is known for the historical forts. Punjab also has a rich Sikh religious history. Tourism in Punjab is principally suited for the tourists interested in culture, ancient civilisation, 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 world’s 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
Chandramahal in City Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan, built by Kachwaha Rajputs.
Main article: Tourism in Rajasthan

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

Attractions:

Sikkim

Kangchenjunga
Gurudongmar Lake, Sikkim
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 kilometres 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, Tsangpo Lake, Chardham, Buddha Park, Ridgepark, Flowershows (International Flowershows) Samduptse, Tashi View point Tashiding, Pelling, Yuksom, Rabdentse, Tibrtology, Ropeway. Mt. Kangchenjunga which is famous for its scenic beauty. Sikkim is considered as the land of orchids, mystic cultures and colourful traditions. Sikkim is well known among trekkers and adventure lovers.

Tamil Nadu

Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur
A chariot carved at Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram
The Nilgiri Mountain Railway provides a scenic view of Nilgiri hills
Main article: Tourism in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is one of the preferred tourist destinations by both Indian and International tourists. It has places of historical, cultural and architectural significance. Tourism in Tamil Nadu is promoted by Ministry of Tourism by the state government with a logo enchanting Tamil Nadu. TTDC promotes tourism in the state by arranging various functions and events. The capital city of Tamil Nadu is Chennai is the only place in India to be listed in "52 places to go around the world" by "The New York Times". Marina beach in Chennai is the second largest beach in the world and Chennai is home to historic temples and parks.

Temples

The state has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites which include the Great Living Chola Temples and Mahabalipuram. Archaeological sites with civilisation dating back to 3800 years[63] have been discovered in Tamil Nadu. UNESCO World Heritage Sites Mahabalipuram sea shore temples were built by rulers of Pallava dynasty and depicts remarkable art and architecture. The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur was built in 1010 A.D.[64] Other major temples include Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple and Arunachaleswara Temple.[65] All these temples showcase Dravidian architecture which prevailed during the ancient period. The six abodes of Lord Murugan are situated in Tamil Nadu.

Sanctuaries and National parks

The Western Ghats is one of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[66][67][68] The mangrove forests of Pichavaram are the second largest in the world[69] and the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve covers an area of 10,500 km² of ocean, islands and the adjoining coastline including coral reefs, salt marshes, mangroves and is home to Endangered aquatic species including dolphins, dugongs, whales and sea cucumbers.[70][71] The wetlands attract numerous migratory birds from Europe and America. The state government has established 13 bird sanctuaries to protect the birds from poaching and hunting. The state also has various bird sanctuaries including 13 established bird sanctuaries[72] The state is home to one of the largest populations of endangered Indian elephant and Bengal Tiger.[73] The region is home to one-third of the tiger population and more than half of the elephant population of India.[74][75] There are 4 Project Tiger reserves and 4 Project Elephant reserves in the state which include Anamalai, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Kalakkad-Mundanthurai.[76][77] Other threatened and endangered species found in the region include Grizzled giant squirrel,[78] Grey slender loris,[79] Sloth bear,[80] Nilgiri tahr,[81] Nilgiri langur,[82] Lion-tailed macaque,[83] and Indian leopard.[84] Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of mainland India provides scenic view of sunset and sunshine over the Indian ocean. Water Falls like Hogenakkal Falls and Wildlife sanctuaries are located across the state.

Hill stations

Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercaud are well-known hill stations. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway is a mountain railway built in 1908,[85] and operated by a fleet of steam locomotives.[86] In July 2005, UNESCO added the Nilgiri Mountain Railway as an extension to the World Heritage Site Mountain Railways of India.[86][87]

Medical Tourism

The state is a popular destination for medical tourism and the cities of Chennai and Coimbatore house some of Asia's premier hospitals.[88][89]

Telangana

Main article: Tourism in Telangana
Charminar, Hyderabad, India
Golkonda, Hyderabad, India
Birla Mandir, Hyderabad, India
Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad, India

Telangana,the state with rich historic and cultural heritage is one of the most frequented tourist places in South India.Also known as 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.

Hyderabad ranked second best place in the world that one should see in 2015 which is published in the annual guide of 'Traveler' magazine of National Geographic.[90]

Famous Buddhist centres:

Pilgrim centres and temples:

Attractions:

Golkonda (Telugu: గోల్కొండ, Urdu: گولکوندا), a ruined city of south-central India and capital of the medieval kingdom of Golkonda (c. 1364 – 1512), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad.

Tripura

Ujjayanta Palace
Unakoti, a rock sculpture in Tripura

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" or referred as the "Heaven on Earth". It contains glaciers, snow-clad mountains, valley of flowers, skiing slopes and dense forests, and many shrines and places of pilgrimage. Chota Char Dhams, the minor pilgrimage of the four most sacred and revered Hindu temples: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are nestled in the Himalayas, of which Badrinath is part of Char Dham, major pilgrimage of four highly sacred Hindu temples.[96][97] Haridwar which means Gateway to God is the only place on the plains.

It holds the watershed for Gangetic River System spanning 300 km 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.[98] It has some old hill-stations developed during British era like Mussoorie, Almora, Dwarahat, Ranikhet 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 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 dance, originated from Uttar Pradesh. Uttar Pradesh is known as The Heartland of India. Cuisine of Uttar Pradesh like Awadhi cuisine, Mughlai cuisine, Kumauni cuisine are very famous in entire India and abroad.

Places of interest in include:

A view of the Ghat of Varanasi from the River Ganges
Kumbh Mela at Allahabad
Main Ghat of Bithoor

West Bengal

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Victoria Memorial in Kolkata
The famous Durga idol from the Durga Puja
The royal Bengal tiger at Sunderbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), is the capital of West Bengal has been nicknamed the Cultural Capital of India, City of Palaces, City of Joy, etc. 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 Chattopadhyay, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Khudiram, 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. There are some wonderful trek routes also, like Sandakfu, Falut etc. Beside hill stations West Bengal has some beautiful sea beaches also, like Digha, Shankarpur, Mandarmoni, Bakkhali etc. West Bengal is home to six national parks[99] — 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 royal Bengal tiger, although the forest hosts many other endangered species, such as the Gangetic dolphin, river terrapin and estuarine crocodile.

Notable sites of West Bengal
Cooch Behar · Darjeeling · Jalpaiguri · Kalimpong · Kurseong · Dooars · Digha · Bishnupur · Malda · Mayapur · Mukutmanipur · Ajodhya Hills · Murshidabad · Siliguri.

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

Outline of Tourism in India

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tourism in India.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Travel & Tourism 2013" (PDF). World Travel and Tourism Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "India: How does Travel & Tourism compare to other sectors?" (PDF). World Travel and Tourism Council. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
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  9. 1 2 3 Tourist Visa on Arrival Government of India (2014)
  10. ↑
  11. ↑ "Visa Information – India". Timatic. IATA. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "India announces new visa rules to boost tourism numbers". Yahoo News. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  13. ↑ "India to extend visa-on-arrival to tourists from 180 countries". Zee News. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
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  15. ↑ "India to Extend Visa-On-Arrival Facility to 180 Countries". Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  16. ↑ Extension of e-Tourist Visa scheme to China, Hong Kong and Macau from tomorrow
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