West India
CHHATTISGARH
The state is covered with nature’s canopy of sal, teak and bamboo trees, and carpeted with lush vegetation. Innumerable monuments, finely carved temples, forts and palaces speak of dynasties and kingdoms of great warriors. It is well known for exotic handicrafts using wood, metal and bamboo, bell metal figurines, jewellery, hand-woven and hand-printed fabrics. The major festivals are Madai, Narayanpur Mela, Bhoramdeo Festival, Goncha festival, Champaran Mela, Bastar Dussera etc.
PLACES TO VISIT – Raipur, Barsur (with several temples), Chirakote (Mendri Ghoomar), Dantewada (Danteshwari Temple), Kanger (Kanger Valley National Park, Kutumsar, Dandak and Kailashgufa caves, Shivani Temple), Kawardha (Palace, Bhoramdeo Jungle Retreat), Malhar (famous for ancient temples), Raigarh (Singhanpur Rock Shelters), Sirpur (Laxman Temple and Gandheswar Temple), Rajim. There are several waterfalls at Tirathgarh, Mandawa and Chitrakote in Jagdalpur.
CAPITAL – Raipur | WEBSITE – http://www.chhattisgarhtourism.net
GOA
Famous for its beaches, churches, lush green fields and a distinct lifestyle, Goa is a paradise for holidaymakers from across the globe. Owing to its location on the Western Ghats range it also has rich flora and fauna. Goa is known for the Carnival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shigmo, Feast of St. Francis Xavier, etc.
PLACES TO VISIT : Beaches: North (Anjuna, Arambol, Baga, Calangute and Candolim) Central (Dona Paula, Miramar and Bambolim) South (Bogmalo, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Cavelossim, Benaulim, Palolem, Agonda and Patnem) Forts: Aguada Fort, Terekol Fort, Cabo-de-Rama Fort, Chapora Fort, Fort of Reis Magos and Corjuem Fort Museums: Goa State Museum, Archaeology Museum and Portrait Gallery and Naval Aviation Museum Churches: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Reis Magos Church, The Holy Spirit Church and Church of Mary Immaculate Conception Wildlife: Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollen National Park, Cortigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Bondla Forest Waterfalls: Doodhsagar & Arvalem Waterfalls Temples: Mahadevi and Mahalaxmi Temples, Chandreshwar Bhutnath Temple and Shantadurga Temple Mosques: Safa Shouri and Jama Masjid
CAPITAL – Panaji | WEBSITE – http://www.goa-tourism.com
GUJARAT
Gujarat is unique in its geological and topographical landscape. It is famous for diamond work, textiles, Jamnagar tie & dye work, Kachchh Embroidery with mirror work, the Tarnetar Festival and its vibrant folk dance Garba Ras. Gujarat is also the state where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was born, and this is where his ashram is located at Sabarmati.
PLACES TO VISIT: Ahmedabad (Gandhi Ashram, Sidi Sayyed Mosque, KankariaLake, Jhulta Minarets, Akshardham Temple, Hutheesingh Jain Temple, Tomb of Ahmad Shah), Bhavnagar, Champaner (Jami Masjid, Tomb of Sikander Shah, Pavagadh Fort and early temples, Stepwell, Dhanpari Eco Campsite, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary), Dwarka, Junagadh, Jamnagar, Kachchh, Porbandar, Palitana, Rajkot, Surat (Dandi, Old Fort), Somnath, Vadodara (Palace, Dabhoi, Sayaji Baug, Museum, Sursagar Talav).
CAPITAL – Gandhinagar | WEBSITE – http://www.gujarattourism.com
MADHYA PRADESH
Madhya Pradesh occupies perhaps the oldest part of the subcontinent – called the Gondwana. Close to Bhopal at Bhimbetka are the prehistoric caves that preserve some fascinating paintings dating back to Neolithic times. Madhya Pradesh offers rich handicrafts made of bamboo and cane, dolls, folk paintings, iron and metal craft, papier mâché, stone carvings etc., and is known for the Bhagoria Haat (Jhabua), Khajuraho Festival of Dances and Tansen Music Festival (Gwalior)
PLACES TO VISIT: Bhopal (Bhojpur, Islam Nagar, Samasgarh, Manua Bhan ki Tekri), Bhimbetka, Gwalior (Fort, Man Mandir Palace, Tansen’s Mausoleum, Jai Vilas Palace, Teli Ka Mandir), Indore (Laal Bagh Palace, Chatteris, Bada Ganapati, Kaanch Mandir), Jabalpur (Marble Rocks), Khajuraho, Mandu (Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Hathi Mahal, Rewa Kund, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb), Orchha, Pachmarhi, Sanchi Stupa, Rewa, Ujjain, Jain Temples at Badoh. There are wildlife sanctuaries at Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna and Shivpuri.
CAPITAL – Bhopal | WEBSITE – http://www.mptourism.com
MAHARASHTRA
The scenic beauty of the sprawling Western Ghats, majestic forts, beautiful temples sculpted out of rocks and endless silver beaches will leave you spellbound. It is famous for Paithani and Narayan Peth Sarees, Kolhapuri footwear, and Warli paintings. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, has been the country’s commercial and film capital and is dotted with heritage architecture and monuments. The state is a major producer of sugar and is known for the famous Alphonso mangoes. Ganesh Chaturthi is a major festival of the state.
PLACES TO VISIT: Mumbai (Crawford Market, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Siddhivinayak Temple, Juhu and Chowpatty Beaches, Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, Marine Drive, Haji Ali & Gateway of India, Sanjay Gandhi National Park), Aurangabad (Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Buddhist Caves, Bibi ka Makbara, Panchakki), Kohlapur (Chhatrapati Sahu Museum, Old Palace, Mahalaxmi Temple), Nanded, Nagpur, Nashik (Trimbakeshwar, Pandaveini Caves, Coin Museum), Pune (Shaniwar Wada, Kelkar Museum, Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar Cave Temple), Shirdi etc. Besides, there are several beaches (Mandwa, Kihim, Manori, Dahanu Bordi, Alibaug, Ganpati Phule, Sindhudurg, etc.), forts (Daulatabad, Sinhagad, Murud Janjira, Raigad, Pratapgad, Jaigarh, Shivneri), hill stations (Lonavala, Mahableshwar, Matheran, Panchgani, Khandala etc.) and wildlife (Pench National Park, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary in Wardha, Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur) to see.
CAPITAL – Mumbai | WEBSITE – http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in
UNION TERRITORIES
DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI is endowed with lush green forests, winding rivers, unimaginable waterfronts and the gentle gurgle of streams. Calm and serene, it offers scenic beauty and monuments.
PLACES TO VISIT : Dadra Vanganga Lake & Garden, Hirwavan Garden, Piparia, Tribal Museum, Silvassa, Vanvihar Tourist Complex, Chauda.
CAPITAL – Silvassa | WEBSITE – http://dnh.nic.in/tourism.html
DAMAN & DIU, famous for historical monuments, museums and beaches. This Union Territory is scenic and extremely inviting.
PLACES TO VISIT: Daman (forts of Moti and Nani Daman, Jampore Beach, Devka Beach, Mirasol Lake Garden, Pargola Garden, Satya Sagar Udhyan, Daman Ganga Water Park, Kadaiya Lake Garden, Jetty garden, Vaibhav Water World), Diu (Nagoa & Ghoghla Beaches, Jallandhar Shrine, Panikotha).
CAPITAL – DAMAN | WEBSITE – HTTP://WWW.DAMANTOURISM.COM
