ANDHRA PRADESH
Located in the Indian peninsula, Andhra Pradesh, the ‘Rice Bowl of India’, is also renowned for its long coastline, Kuchipudi Dance, Bidri brass ware, Pembarthi metal crafts, Durgi stone crafts., Dharmavaram & Mangalagiri sarees. The region’s Kalamkari fabrics are famous for their vivid colours printed with vegetable dyes.
PLACES TO VISIT – Ahobilam (one of the 108 holy places of Vaishnavism), Anantapur (Lepakshi, Puttaparthi), Belum Caves, Chittoor, Horsley Hills (Hill Resort), Kadapa, Kurnool, Mantralayam (Sri Raghavendra Swamy Temple), Nellore (Mypad Beach, Pulicat Lake), Srikalahasti (Ancient Shiva Temple), Srikakulum (Barwa Beach), Sri Sailam (Jyotirlinga), Tirupati (Alamelumanga Temple, Chandragiri Fort, Sri Govindarajaswami Temple, Sri Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala) Vijayawada (Amaravati, Kanaka Durga Temple, Kondapalli Fort, Kuchipudi, Undavalli Caves) Visakhapatnam (Araku Valley, Borra Caves, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park, Kailasagiri Hill Park, Rishikonda Beach, Simachalam)
CAPITAL – Hyderabad | WEBSITE – http://www.aptourism.gov.in, http://www.aptdc.gov.in
KARNATAKA
Karnataka has an antiquity that dates back to the Paleolithic era. Renowned for its art, music and literature, Karnataka has contributed significantly to both forms of Indian classical music, the Carnatic and Hindustani, and it has a rich historical heritage. Look for exquisite Mysore silk sarees, Sandalwood handicrafts (in State Emporia) and Rosewood handicrafts. Bengaluru is one of the most tech-savvy cities in the country and is positioned as the software centre of the world. The Dussehra festival at Mysore is a major event.
PLACES TO VISIT: Aihole (Rock Cut Temples), Bandipur National Park, Badami (Cave Temples), and Belur (Hoysala Temples). Bengaluru (Bangalore Palace, Botanical Garden, Bull Temple, Cubbon Park, Government Museum, Lalbagh, Tipu’s Palace, Vidhan Soudha). Chikkamagaluru (Coffee Plantation), Gulbarga (Chor Gumbaz, Dargah of Khwaja Banda Nawaz, Juma Masjid, etc.).
Halebeedu (Hoysala Temples), Hampi (King’s Palace, Lotus Mahal, Queen’s Bath, etc.), Karwar (Devbagh Beach, Gokarna, Om Beach). Madikere (Hill Resort), Mangaluru (Kadri Manjunatha Temple, Mangala Devi Temple. St. Aloysius College Chapel, St. Mary’s Island), Mysore (Brindavan Gardens, Chamundi Hills, Mysuru Palace, Srirangapattanam, St. Philomena’s Church, Ranganatittu Bird Sanctuary, Z00), and Nagarhole National Park. Pattadakal (monuments)
Shravanabelagola (Statue of Lory Comateshwara). So mnalhou: (Hoysala Temples), Sringer, Udupi (Temple of Lord Krishna), Vijapura (Gol Gumbaz, Ibrahim Rauza), etc. There are beautiful waterfalls at Jog, Gokak, Unchalli and Magod
CAPITAL – Bengaluru | WEBSITE – http://www.karnatakatourism.org
KERALA
Known as ‘God’s Own Country, Kerala is situated on the lush and tropical Malabar Coast, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Kerala is especially known for ecotourism initiatives, spices, and native performing arts like Koodiyattam, Kathakali, Kalyattam, Thullal, Theyyam, Chavittunadakam, Mohiniyattam, Padayani, and the famous martial art. The Thrissur Pooram, Snake Boat Races, and Onam are major events and festivals.
PLACES TO VISIT – Alapuzha (Backwater Cruises, Krishnapuram Palace, Kuttanad), Athirappalli waterfalls, Idukki, Kannur (St. Angelo Fort, Thalasseri Fort), Kasaragod (Bekal Fort, Chandragiri), Kochi (Cherai Beach, Chinese Fishing Nets, Dutch Palace, Fort Kochi, St. Francis Church, The Dutch Cemetery, Kaladi, Jew Town and Spice Market at Mattanchery, etc.), Kollam (Ashtamudi Backwater, Thenmala Ecotourism Centre), Kottayam (Kumarakom, Vembanad Lake),
Kozikhode (Beypore, Kappad), Munnar (Hill Station & Tea Plantation), Padmanabhapuram (Palace), Palakkad (Malampuzha Dam), Sabarimala (Shrine of Lord Ayyappa), Thiruvananthapuram (Akkulam & Veli Tourist Villages, East Fort, Kovalam Beach, Koyikkal & Kuthiramalika Palaces, Natural history, Museum, Padmanabha Swamy Temple), Thrissur (Guruvayur), Varkala (Beach), Wayanad (Edakkal Caves), etc. Wildlife sanctuaries include, Eravikulam, Idukki, Neyyar, and Peppara.
Parambikulam. Perivar. Wayanad, etc.
CAPITAL – Thiruvananthapuram | WEBSITE – http://www.keralatourism.org
TAMIL NADU
Enchanting Tamil Nadu – a land of innumerable and incomparable temples of Dravidian architecture, exotic hill stations, serene beaches, multi-religious pilgrimage sites. Look for its renowned arts and crafts such as Tanjore paintings, musical instruments, stone and embellished jewellery, brass and copper metalware, pottery, woodcraft and stone sculpture carvings. Major events and festivals include Pongal (Harvest Festival), Chithirai Festival, Karthigai Deepam, Chennai Music and Dance Festival, etc.
PLACES TO VISIT – Chennai (Elliots Beach, Fort St. George, Guindy National Park, Marina Beach, [St. Thomas Mount, Z00), Chettinad (Devakottai, Karaikudi, Kothamangalam, etc.), Chidambaram (Nataraja Temple), Coimbatore, Darasuram (Chola Temples), Dharmapuri (Hogenakkal Falls), Gangaikonda Cholapuram (Chola Temples), Kanchipuram (Kailasanathar Temple, Ekambareswarar Temple, etc.).
Kanyakumari (Southern-most point of mainland India), Kodaikanal (Lake, Bryant Park, scenic beauty), Kumbakonam (Temple Town), Madurai (Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal), Mamallapuram (Rock Cut Cave Temples), Nagapattinam (Nagore, Velankanni Church, excavations at Poompuhar, etc.), Palani (Lord Kathikeya Temple), Rameswaram (Sri Ramanathan Swami Temple), Salem (Mettur Dam), Tenkasi (Courtallam Waterfalls), Thanjavur (Sri Brahadeeswarar Temple, Palace), Thiruchirapalli (Rock Fort, etc.), Thiruvannamalai (Ramana Ashram, etc.),
Tirunelveli, Udhagamandalam/Ooty (Botanical Garden. Coonoor, Heritage Train, Kothagiri, Ooty Lake), Vellore (Sripuram Golden Mahalaxmi Temple, Fort, Museum, etc.), Yercaud (Hill Station), etc. In addition, Mudumalai, Mundanthurai, Kalakadu are Wildlife Sanctuaries/Tiger Reserves.
CAPITAL – Chennai | WEBSITE – http://www.tamilnadutourism.org
TELANGANA
Telangana, the 29m and youngest state of India, formed on June 2nd, 2014, is a treasure trove of tourist destinations. Telancana is known for its hospitality and multicultural and pluralistic society.
PLACES TO VISIT – Basar (Saraswati Temple), Bhongir Fort, Hyderabad (Birla Mandir, Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace, Golconda Fort, Hussein Sagar Lake, Mecca Masjid, and Outub Shahi Tombs).
Ramoil Film City, Salar Jung Museum), Karimnagar, Khammam, Kawal Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahbubnagar (historical city), Medak (Church, Manjira Wildlife Sanctuary), Hyderabad (Ha Nagarjunasagar.
-Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Nizamabad, Warangal (Pakhal Lake, Ramappa Temple, Thousand Pillars Temple, Warangal Fort), etc.
CAPITAL – Hyderabad | WEBSITE – http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in
UNION TERRITORIES
Lakshadweep is a group of islands located 200 to 300 km off the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. It is known for adventure sports such as scuba diving, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling.
Places to Visit: Islands: Agatti, Amindivi, Andrott, Bangaram, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, and Minicoy
CAPITAL – Kavaratti | WEBSITE – http://lakshadweeptourism.nic.in
PUDUCHERRY
Known as the “French Riviera of the East,” it has some beautiful beaches and a spectacular coastline drive from Chennai.
PLACES TO VISIT – Arikamedu Archaeological excavation, Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, Karaikal, Manakula Vinayagar Temple, Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswara Temple and many others.
WEBSITE – http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in