Travel - Tour India to know it better-III

Arunachal Pradesh

Main article: Tourism in North East India

Arunachal finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. This place is supposed to be the Prabhu Mountains of the Puranas. It was here that sage Parashuram washed away his sin, sage Vyasa meditated, King Bhishmaka founded his kingdom and Lord Krishna married his consort Rukmini. The widely scattered 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 Parasuramkund and 400 years oldTawang Monastery, or the sites of archaeological excavations likeMalinithan and Itanagar, the serene beauty of lakes such as Ganga lake or Sela lake or the numerous variations of scenic beauty of the snowclad silver mountain peaks and lush green meadows where thousands of species of flora and fauna prosper. In addition, the state provides abundant scope for angling, boating, rafting, trekking and hiking. Besides, there are a number of wild life sanctuaries and national parks where rare animals, birds and plants will fascinate the visitor.

Nature has provided the people with a deep sense of beauty which finds delightful expression in their songs, dances and crafts. The climate varies from hot and humid to heavy rainfall in the Shivalik range. It becomes progressively cold as one moves northwards to higher altitudes. Trees of great size, plentiful climbers and abundance of cane and bamboo make Arunachal evergreen. Arunachal Pradesh is considered to be the "nature's treasure trove"and home to orchids, known for their exquisitely beautiful blooms, from one of the dominant taxa with more than six hundred species, occurring in varying elevations and climatic conditions throughout the state.

Assam

Main articles: Tourism in Assamand Tourism in North East India

An Indian rhinoceros grazing at the Kaziranga National Park.

Assam is the central state in the North-East Region of India and serves as the gateway to the rest of the Seven Sister States. Assam boasts of famous wildlife preserves – the Kaziranga National Park, which is home to the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the Manas National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Nameri National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (These first two parks are UNESCO World Heritage Site); the largest river island Majuli, known for its Vaishnavite Sattras; historic Sivasagar, famous for the ancient monuments ofAhom 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 monsoonand 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 ofMadan Kamdev is same as Khajurahowhich 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 theBrahmaputra River, the mystery of the bird suicides in Jatinga, numerous temples including Kamakhya Temple ofTantric 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

Main article: Tourism in 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.

Attractions:

• Patna – The capital of Bihar, famous for its rich history and royal architecture
• Gaya – Known for Bodh Gaya the place at which Gautama Buddhaattained enlightenment
• Muzaffarpur – Famous for its education
• Kesariya – Location of the world's largest Buddhist Stupa
• Nalanda – Location of one of the world's oldest university
• Sasaram – Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the great emperor of medieval India
• Sonepur Cattle Fair – The Sonepur cattle fair or Sonepur Mela, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month
• Takht Sri Patna Sahib – One of the famous Sikh pilgrimage known for the birthplace of Sikh's Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
• Darbhanga – It is among the oldest cities of Bihar. Famous for the Maharaja forts and Kali Mandir.
• Munger – Home to the only Yoga University in the world, Bihar School of Yoga. Religious places such as Shakti Peethas.
• Deoghar – One of the famous Hindu pilgrimage known for the Satsang Ashram of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra situated at Satsang Nagar
• Vaishali – Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of this ancient city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22

Bihar is one of the most sacred places of various religions such as Hinduism,Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism & Islam. Famous Attraction includes Mahabodhi Temple, a Buddhist shrine and UNESCO World Heritage Site is also situated in Bihar, Barabar Caves the oldest rockcut caves in India, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library .

Chandigarh

Sukhna Lake

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.

Chhattisgarh

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

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 areChitrakot Waterfalls, Kutumsar Caves, Ramgarh and Sita Bengra, Bhoramdeo temple, Sirpur, Rajim, Ratanpur andMalhar.

Kakotal is also famous for its beautiful waterfall.

Delhi

Lotus Temple

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.[Main] Sir Derp Derpington declared Delhi as contributing in fields of Architecture, landmarks, wide roads etc.[Main] Delhi has been the capital of numerousempires that ruled India, making it rich in history. The rulers left behind their trademark architectural styles. Delhi currently has many renowned historic monuments and landmarks such as theTughlaqabad fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, Lodhi Gardens, Jama Masjid,Humayun's tomb, Red Fort, andSafdarjung'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 ofPortugal, Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, Portuguese churches, Hindutemples, and wildlife sanctuaries. TheBasilica of Bom Jesus, Mangueshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, andShantadurga 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.