DELHI
While it is a modern metropolis, it also showcases the rich and diverse history of the several cities that existed before Delhi acquired its modern day look. It unfurls a picture rich with culture, architecture, human diversity, monuments, museums, galleries and gardens. People from all parts of India and indeed the world live in Delhi, giving it a rainbow hue.
PLACES TO VISIT – Akshardham Temple, Birla Temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Gurudwara Sisganj Sahib, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, Lotus Temple Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Purana Qila, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Raj Ghat, Rajpath, etc. Central Cottage Industries Emporium, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Dilli Haat, Janpath, the State Emporia Complex at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, etc. are places for shopping in Delhi.
CAPITAL – Delhi (a city state) | WEBSITE – http://www.delhitourism.nic.in
HARYANA
Known for its robust people and rural agro-based lifestyles, Haryana is dotted with several places of historical and religious interest. Events and festivals include the Surajkund Crafts Mela, Mango Mela, Lohri, Teej, Baisakhi, Heritage Festival, etc.
PLACES TO VISIT – Ambala, Chandigarh. Gurugram (Gurgaon), Hissar, Kurukshetra, Morni Hills Panchkula, Panipat, Pinjore, Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary, Surajkund, etc.
CAPITAL – Chandigarh | WEBSITE – http://www.haryanatourism.gov.in
HIMACHAL PRADESH
Known for its apples and snow-capped mountains, Himachal Pradesh boasts of some of the busiest hill stations of India. Tibetan Buddhist culture abounds in the ancient monasteries. The state also offers varied opportunities for adventure sports. You can pick up wood and metal handicrafts.
Himachali jackets, caps and plenty of agro-products. Major festivals include Losar, Pori Festival, Minjar, Lavi Fair, Renuka Ji Fair and Kullu Dussehra.
PLACES TO VISIT – Chail, Chamba, Dalhousie, Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj), Kangra, Kasauli, Khaifiar.
Kinnaur, Kufri, Kullu Valley, Lahaul & Spiti, Manali (Great Himalayan National Park, Hadimba Devi Temple, Vashist Bath), Mandi, Manikaran, Naggar, Nahan, Narkanda, Palampur, Paonta Sahib Parwanoo, Rohtang Pass, Shimla, etc.
CAPITAL – Shimla | WEBSITE – http://www.himachaltourism.gov.in
JAMMU & KASHMIR
The valley is distinctively marked by lakes, streams, luscious fruits, magnificent forests, mountains, and lush meadows, which make it a paradise on earth. Jammu is the winter capital. state and the Ladakh region is known for its barren and beautiful mountains and Buddhist lil Look for woollens, papier mâché products, pashmina shawls, embroidered suits, wood hand knotted carpets, dry fruits, saffron, etc. The major festivals of Kashmir are Lot Baisakhi, Shivaratri, Hemis Festival, etc.
PLACES TO VISIT – Amarnath, Gulmarg, Jammu (Vaishno Devi Shrine), Ladakh (Hemis. Klar Lamayuru Monastery, Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Thiksey Monastery, Tso Morifi Valley, etc.) Pahalgam, Patnitop, Sonmarg, Srinagar (Dal Lake, Hazratbal Shrine, Jama Kheer Bhawani Temple, Mughal Gardens, Shankaracharya Temple, Tulip Garden), Wular La id
CAPITAL – Srinagar (summer), Jammu (winter) | WEBSITE – http://www.jktourism.org
PUNJAB
The land of five rivers, Punjab is home to lively and robust people who have an incredible life, good food and celebrations.
PLACES TO VISIT – Amritsar (Akal Takht, Dera Baba Nanak, Gobindgarh Fort, Harike Wet Jallianwala Bagh, Khalsa College, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Sri Harmandir Sahib – Go Temple, Wagah Border, etc.), Anandpur Sahib (Sri Takt Keshgarh Sahib, Virasat-e-Khas Bathinda (Quila Mubarak, Sri Damdama Sahib), Fatehgarh Sahib (Aam Khas Bagh, Tombs of Ust: and Shagird), Ferozepur (Hussainiwala Border, various war memorials), Hoshiarpur, Jalandn (Bhagat Singh Museum at Khatkar Kalan, Sarai Nurmahal, Tombs at Nakodar), Kapurthala (Durbal Hall, Jagatjit Palace, Kanjli Wetland, Moorish Mosque, Royal Cenotaphs in Shalimar Gardens, Sultanpur. Lodhi), Ludhiana, Patiala (Armour & Chandeliers Museum, Art Gallery, Mott Mana, Oila Mubarak, Sheesh Mahal), Rupnagar, Sanghol (Buddhist excavations), etc.
CAPITAL – Chandigarh | WEBSITE – http://www.punjabtourism.gov.in
RAJASTHAN
Ragsthan is the land of fairy tale palaces, heroism, chivalry, colourtul bazaars and vibrant fairs Look for handicrafts. folk art, minlature paintings, hand embroidered labries with mirror work and puppets. The state is known for Desert Festival, Gangaur Festival, Nagaur Fair, Pushkar Fair, Tee)
PLACES TO VISIT – Almer. (Ana Sagar Lake, Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
Taragarh), Bikaner (Junagarh Fort); Chittorgarh (Fort and Palace of Rana Kumbha); Jaipur (Amber Fort. City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar); Jaisalmer (fort, sand dunes); Jodhpur (Jaswant Thada, Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace), Kota, Mount Abu (Dilwara Temples), Pushkar, Shekhawati, Udaipur (City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, Pichola Lake, Saheliyon Ki Bari) and for nature lovers there is the Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Ranthambore National Park, and Sariska Tiger Reserve.
CAPITAL – Jaipur | WEBSITE – http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in
UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand has numerous pilgrimage sites and adventure sports opportunities set in the midst of scenic mountains and natural beauty.
PLACES TO VISIT – Almora, Auli Badrinath, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Dhanaulti, Gangotri, Haridwar (Har Ki Pauri, Mansa Devi Temple, Sapta Rishi Ashram), Hemkund Sahib, Jim Corbett National Park, Joshimath, Kedarnath, Mussoorie (Kempty Falls), Nainital (Naini Lake):
Pauri, Rajaji National Park, Ranikhet, Rishikesh (Lakshman Jhula, Gita Bhavan), Rudraprayag, Tehri (Surkanda Devi Temple, Chamba), Uttarkashi, Valley of Flowers, Yamunotri, etc.
CAPITAL – Dehradun | WEBSITE – http://www.uttarakhandtourism.gov.in
UTTAR PRADESH (U.P.)
Irrigated by the Ganga, Uttar Pradesh has been the melting pot of civilizations for centuries. The state has some of the greatest mythological sites, rich traditions of art, culture, cuisine, architecture, and historical monuments. famous for exquisite Banarsi silk, Lucknowi “Chikan” embroidery, carpets, rugs, wood and leather works, etc. Major events are the annual Taj Mahotsav in Agra, the Lucknow Mahotsav, the annual Magh Mela, and the Kumbh Mela, which is held every 12 years in Allahabad.
PLACES TO VISIT – Agra (Agra Fort, Akbar’s Mausoleum, Taj Mahal) Allahabad (Allahabad Fort, All Sants Cathedral, Anand Bhavan, Sangam), Ayodhya, Chitrakoo: Fatehpur Sikri, Jhansi, Knpur., Kushinagar, Lucknow (Bada & Chota Imambara, Baradari, Bhool Bhulaiya, Kaiserbagh, Residency.
Rum Darwaza). Mathura, Sarnath, Sravasti, Varanasi (Ghats of Varanasi, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ram Nagar Fort); Vrindavan, etc.
CAPITAL – Lucknow | WEBSITE – http://www.uptourism.gov.in
UNION TERRITORY
CHANDIGARH
Delhi was India’s first planned city and is also the capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana.
Places to Visit: Capitol Complex, Government Museum, and Arts Gallery. Leisure Vally. Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake, etc.
WEBSITE – http://www.chandigarhtourism.gov.in