India Tourism

India, a place of infinite variety, is fascinating with its ancient and complex culture, dazzling contrasts and breathtaking  physical beauty. With the great potential available and the development initiatives taken by the government, Indian inbound Tourism has shown a substantial growth in the last decade, especially 2003-04 has been the best in the history of Indian tourism. In fact, Tourism has become the second largest foreign exchange earner for the country. In terms of visitor numbers, now India is 11th among Asia Pacific countries.

India Pilgrimages:

India is secular nation that bears equal tolerance to all religions. Hence, one can find many a religious places specific to different religious groups. There are Hindu, Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh religious places.

Most of them have a mythological story associated with their evolution and devotees believe in wish fulfillment at some of these. However, faith is the sole basis that keeps these places alive; some of them are more than a century old. The famous pilgrimage centers in India are Tirupati, Shirdi, Somnath temple, Thrissur, Khajuraho, Omkareshwar, Golden temple, Ajanta caves, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gaya, Rishikesh, Varansi, Anandpur Sahib and many more.

India Hillstations:

India is famous for its hill stations, most of them being developed by the Britishers during their rule. These all formed the summer capitals during their rule.

All the hill stations are well linked from the major cities and towns by road, rail and air. Also these have good boarding/lodging facilities with amenities like swimming pools, pool tables, casinos etc.

The picturesque Hill stations are popular as resorts among both Indians and visitors, providing a relaxing and salubrious retreat from the heat and dust of the plains. The snow clad peaks and the cool hill stations on the foothills of these hills provide respite from the hustle and bustle of the city.

India has seven principal mountain ranges and the most important amongst them are the Himalayas followed by the Shivaliks, which have the most popular hill resorts. Shimla, Dalhousie, Nainital, Mussorie, Panchmarhi, Mount Abu, and Kodaikanal are some of the favorite hill resorts of international tourists.

India Beaches:

The Indian peninsula is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the West, the Bay of Bengal on the East and the Indian Ocean from the South. The Sahyadri hills have given rise to the scenic beauty where the sea and hills meet. This has made Konkan on the western coast a very rich and fertile land. While on the eastern side, a wider area stretches between Bay of Bengal and Eastern Ghats, called as the Coromandal Coast.

The Indian peninsula is made up of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep Islands facing the Arabian Sea and West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Andaman Nicobar Islands facing Bay of Bengal.

Of all Gujarat has the longest coastline. India is endowed with several beautiful beaches, dotting its long coastline.

India Adventure:

India has many places of adventure to be explored. These places have their own and unique experience, thrill and excitement.

Over the years places like Mahabaleshwar have developed para-gliding, and parachute rides. It takes your breath away, watching the beauty of the hill station from a height. The valley below and the sky kissing the earth far away has its own beauty. The Buddhist monastery of Bir in Kangra, has been the venue for national and international para-gliders for past sixteen years.

If you are passionate about mountaineering then India is the place to be. It has a wide range of mountains to choose. You have the chilling Himalay, the Aravalli, the Sahyadri, the Vindya and many more exciting mountain ranges. The pulsing climbs are at Bhimashankar, Saputara and others in Maharashtra. Manali in Himachal Pradesh, the Beas Kund region and lower reaches of Hanuman Tibba, Shitidhar peaks around the source of the beas river and the Deo Tibba are quite nursery in nature.

India has a varied and rich wildlife. It has the Stripped Royal Bengal Tiger, one horned Rhinoceros, Wild Buffalo, Swamp Deer and many other exciting animals. The government, a few environmental activists and organisations have taken efforts to maintain the beautiful sanctuaries, a home for many birds and animals on the verge of extinction.

Most of the sancturies have lakes which makes them picturesque and supports rich acquatic life including fresh water crocodiles and a number of species of fishes and snakes. Water birds like corrnorants, darter, ibis, white breasted water hen, moorhen, jacanas, stilt, river tern, ringed plover, sand piper and herons (grey, and purple) are quite common.

The wildlife population in India includes elephants, Indian bisons, swamp deer, sambhars, hog deer, sloth bears, tigers, leopard cats, jungle cats, hog badgers, capped langurs, hoolock gibbons, pigs, jackals, porcupines, pythons, buffaloes and of course the one horned rhinoceros. Pelican, duck, geese, hornbill, ibis, cormorant, egret, heron, black necked stork, lesser adjutants, ring tailed fishing eagles are also in plenty. During winters a large number of migratory birds are regular visitors.

Today India is a home to all kinds of people from different religions. Each having its own unique culture and tradition. Due to its richness India was of strategic and economic importance to many Empires.

The traditional Indian rulers like the Marathas, Marvars, Peshwas, Rajputs, and many others shaped the places like Gwalior, Udaipur, Jaipur, Pune, Mysore and many more. These places have priceless monuments and forts like Shaniwar wada, Raigad fort and world famous palaces like those of the Scindias.

India was invaded first by the Mughals, in the fourteenth and fifteenth century. They ruled for almost four centuries and are a significant part of Indian History. The Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red fort, and many other monuments reflect Mughal architecture. These have influenced Indian culture and is seen even today in modern India.

For Complete Details about India Tourism visit the following links:

www.tourisminindia.com

www.india-tourism.com

www.incredibleindia.org

www.india-tourism.net

www.chooseindia.com/tourism

India Tourism