Places to Visit in East India
BIHAR
Ancient India’s centre of power, learning and culture, Bihar is a profusion of historic treasures. It is the birthplace of India’s first great empire, the Mauryan Empire, as well as one of the world’s greatest religions, Buddhism. famous for stone and bead jeweilery, hand-painted wall hangings (Madhubani paintings), applique work and stone pottery. The main festivals and events of Bihar are Chhath. Makar Sankranti, Rajgir Mahotsav, Sonepur Fair, etc.
PLACES TO VISIT – Bodhgaya (Barabar Cave, Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple, Vishnupad Temple), Nalanda (Hien Tsang Memorial Hall. Nalanda University Archaeological Complex), Paina (Golghar:
Gurudwara Harmandir Sahib, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library. Mahatma Gandhi Setu. Patthar Ki Masjid), Pawapuri (Jalmandir and Samosharan), Rajgir (Gridhakuta, Venuvan), Vaishali (Ashokan Pillar, Bawan Pokhar Temple, Buddha Stupa), etc.
CAPITAL – Patna | WEBSITE – http://www.bihartourism.gov.in
JHARKHAND
known for the steel city of Jamshedpur and the coal city of Dhanbad, Jharkhand is a state abundant in forests. hills and wildlife. Paitkar paintings, bamboo handicrafts, tribal jewellery and wood carvings are all reflections of Jharkhand’s cultural and natural vibrancy. The main festivals and events are Chhath, Karma, Sarhul, Sohrai, Tusu, etc. The state is known for its energetic people and their colourful clothes and handicrafts
PLACES TO VISIT – Baidyanath Dham, Betla National Park (Palamu). Dassam Falls, Deoghar, Hazaribagh, Hundru Fall, Jamshedpur (Dalma Wild Life Sanctuary, Dimna Lake & Dam, Mudco Lake Jubilee Park, Tata Steel Zoological Park), Maithan Dam, Netarhat, Panch Ghagh Fall, Parasnath Hills, Ranchi (Nakshatra Van, Rock Garden, Sun Temple near Bundu Tagore Hill), etc.
CAPITAL – Ranchi | WEBSITE – http://www.jharkhandtourism.gov.in
ODISHA
A state well known for its serpentine rivers, virgin beaches, mighty waterfalls and blue hills, basks in the Sun off the eastern coast of India. Sambalpuri silk and handicrafts like Ikkat, Patta Chitra, stone carvings, and silver filigree work are some signature attractions. It is also the birthplace of the classical dance form – Odissi. Major festivals include the Kalinga Mahotsava, Konark Dance Festival, Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath).
PLACES TO VISIT – Atri, Berhampur (Taptapani), Bhubaneswar (Dhaulagiri, Lingaraj Temple, Nandankanan. Rajarani Temple), Chilika Lake, Cuttack, Jeypore, Kendrapara (Bhitar Kanika National Park). Konark (Sun Temple), Phulbani (Daringbadi), Puri (Jagannath Temple), Pipli, Ratnagiri, Sambalpur (Hirakud Reservoir), Simlipal National Park, Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves, and the beaches at Astaranga, Balighai, Chandipur, Chandrabhaga and Ramchandi beaches at Konark.
Gopalpur-on-Sea, Paradeep. Puri, etc.
CAPITAL – Bhubaneswar | WEBSITE – http://www.odishatourism.gov.in
WEST BENGAL
Well known as the state of Rabindranath Tagore, Poet and Noble Laureate, who has written india’s national anthem. The artistic streak of West Bengal does not end at its lyrical music or literature. It finds its undertones extended to everything from the Baluchari or cotton handloom sarees, conch shell products to precious silks. Kolkata, or the City of Joy’, is synonymous with mouth-watering street tood, lave for soccer. “Baul style of folk music, and centuries of Indian heritage blending effortlessly into a cosmopolitan culture.The mangrove forests of Sundarbans are the habitat of the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. The state comes alive with colours and festivities during Durga Pooja.
PLACES TO VISIT – Bakkhali, Bankura (Bishnupur Temple, Mukutmanipur Lake), Darjeeling (Batasia Loop, Buddhist Monasteries, Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Japanese Peace Pagoda, Natural History Museum, Tea Gardens, Tiger Hill, Toy Train), Diamond Harbour. Digha, Docars.
Ganpasagar, Jalapara National Park, Kalimpong. Kolkata (Belur Mat, Birda Planetarium. Bolanical Garden. Dakshines war Temple. Eco Park, Eden Gardens, Flower, Market, For Willam, Howan Bridge, Job Charnock’s Tomb, Kalighat, Marble Palace, Mother’s Wax Museum. Nakhoda Mosque, National Library, Nicco Park, Park Street Cemetery. Town Hall, Shaheed Minar, St. Paul’s Cathedral Victoria Memorial, Writers Building). Kurseong, Malda (Adina, Gour, Pandua.), Mandarmani, Mirik,
Murshidabad
(Kaira Mosque, Knushbagh Cemetery, Moti Jheel, Nawab’s Palace), Shankarpur, Shantiniketan (Vishwa Bhart University), Sunderbans Delta, etc.
CAPITAL – Kolkata | WEBSITE – http://westbengaltourism.gov.in
UNION TERRITORY
THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS is an archipelago of more than 572 islands that offer peace nature and beauty at its very best. The hues spill over into local forms of handicrafts made from corals and seashells
PLACES TO VISIT – In Andaman – Baratang Island, Barren Island (Volcano), Diglipur, Havelock Island (Radhanagar Beach, Vijaynagar Beach), Little Andaman Island, Long Island, Madhuban, Mayabunder, Mount Harriet, Niel Island, Port Blair (Anthropological Museum, Cellular Jail National Memorial, Chatham Saw Mill, Chidiya Tapu, Corbyn’s Cove, Fisheries Museum, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Ross Island, Viper Island, Wandoor Beach), Mount Harriet, etc. In Nicobar – Katchal, Car Nicobar, etc.
CAPITAL – Port Blair | WEBSITE – http://www.andamans.gov.in
BUDDHIST CIRCUIT
Experience the spiritual magnetism exuded by various destinations that were landmarks in Gautama Buddha’s journey to Truth. It starts with Bodhgaya (Bihar), where Prince Siddhartha sat under the ‘Bodhi free, saw the first alimpse of light and achieved enlightenment.
Primary points of homage are the Mahabodhi Temple, Vajrasan Throne donated by King Ashoka, the
‘Bodhi Tree’, Animesha Lochana Chaitya, Ratnagaraha, Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, Muchhalinda Lake and the Rajyatna Tree. Sarnath (near Varanasi, U.P.) witnessed the first ever sermon given by Buddha after achieving enlightenment. The magnificent Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath was originally erected by King Ashoka, as was the famous lion capital pillar, now a state emblem of India. Lord Buddha’s journey ended at Kushinagar (near Gorakhpur, U.P.), where he attained mahaparinirvana.
Kushinagar is home to the famous Mukut Bandhan Chaitya and the reclining State of Lord Buddha that dates back to the Gupta Period. Other places of significance include Vaishali (near Patna, Bihar), Rajgir and Nalanda University (near Bodhgaya, Bihar) and Shravasti (150 km. from Lucknow, U.P.)