Geographically north India has great diversity. The towering majesty of the Himalayas, the breathtaking mountainous beauty of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, the agriculturally rich plains of Punjab, Haryana and the Ganga basin of Uttar Pradesh that has nurtured many ancient civilisations form an incredibly rich visual extravaganza.

The history of this land of the Vedas goes back at least 5000 years, the passage of the millennia peppered by the arrival of explorers, issionaries, envoys and traders.
They all contributed to the cultural kaleidoscope that north India is today, a very colourful destination for the modern tourist.

Uttar Pradesh is the confluence of the three mighty religions of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam. Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and to this day one of the holiest of the Hindu pilgrimage centres, followed by Gaya.

Part of this State was called the Middle Land in Buddhist literature, hallowed by the presence of the Buddha and Mahavira 2500 years ago.

Rajasthan is a State with an entirely different visage. Its medieval forts and palaces, the very distinctive nomadic desert lifestyle and stark scenery are unique in India.

The mountainous States of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are dream destinations for tourists since they combine the awesome beauty of the Himalayas with a delightfully distinctive ethnic culture.

This rich cultural tapestry is woven with brilliant strands of many hues-dance, music, food, costumes, languages, customs, festivals -a variety staggering in its appeal.

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South India, surrounded by three oceans, is a region of overwhelming grandeur and pristine beauty. Separated from north India by the Vindhya mountain range, the south Indian peninsula is doubly insulated by the Arabian Sea and Eastern Ghats on the east and the Bay of Bengal and Western Ghats on the west.
As a result, this triangular volcanic land that was once part of the geologically primeval Gondwanaland, remained culturally undisturbed for millennia, evolving an aura of poised tranquillity.

The dominant features of south India are the tropical climate less harsh than the northern States, lush green tropical vegetation in the coastal areas and the architecture, culture, languages and lifestyle which had remained essentially Dravidian at the core in spite of repeated exposures to alien influences.
Since the southern culture evolved millennia before the modern State borders did, there is a racial, cultural and linguistic homogeneity here that makes visitors perceive the four major southern States together simply as 'south India', albeit mistakenly.

In spite of the seeming similarity, each State has different scenery, festivals, architecture and subtle cultural variations to offer, each State in its own right a fascinating tourist destination.

Pondicherry and Lakshadweep are again utterly different from the four traditional States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.

The leitmotif of southern culture is its tapestry of magnificent temple architecture going back to the 6th century, the unaltered traditions of food, religion and lifestyle, handicrafts, heritage of sandalwood, silk, rosewood and brass, and of course the grandeur of classical dance and music.

This is a land of temples, a land of the devout, the profusion of jasmine and 'kanakambaram' flowers and the soft beat of distant drums as yet another festival starts...

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Steeped in thousands of years of history, much of east India still remains untouched by time. It is in the unimaginably fertile Ganga delta that the ancient kingdoms with lilting names like Anga, Banga, Kalinga flourished at least 3000 years ago.

It is in Bihar and neighboring Uttar Pradesh region that the Buddha and Mahavira preached the gentle way of life which changed human history. It is in Orissa that the cataclysmic Kalinga war was fought, an experience that chastened Emperor Ashoka into becoming one of the greatest rulers of ancient times.

It is in Bengal where the British metamorphosed from traders to supreme rulers of India - an historical event that altered India's national psyche for centuries.
As powers and persona rose and fell, history shaped the people of the plains.

It is in the east that early industrialization of India took place, due to the incredibly rich hinterland, access to river and ocean commercial transport and British investment in technology.
Many of India's largest corporate houses are still based in Calcutta. Most of India's steel industry is located in Bihar and West Bengal region due to its proximity to coal/ iron ore belt here.

In strange contrast are the States in the north east, only lightly touched by time and history.
Here the Ahoms came to conquer from across the borders in ancient times, but settled down to integrate peacefully.

It is here in the dense forests the rhinos thunder, orchids beckon and birds and butterflies paint the air in brilliant shades.
The tribal life goes on as always, serenely unconcerned about modern upheavals.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands present yet another vista -emerald dollops in the sapphire ocean still primeval in their pristine beauty.

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The four States of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh in the west are so different in their landscape, culture and milieu that it may be difficult to believe they are adjacent.


Maharashtra is the land of famed warriors. Ridged by the Western ghats and covered by dense forests, it has witnessed a valiant history - rise and fall of Maratha empire.
Shivaji is still an immortal legend here, his memories alive in the innumerable forts scattered across the countryside.
The rock cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora eloquently record the earliest mingling of all faiths - the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu sculptures and frescoes co-exist in complete harmony.

Since ancient times Arab traders touched the Indian ports on the west coast of Gujarat and a multi-product export import trade flourished.

The mythical port city of Dwarka supposed to befounded by Lord Krishna5000 years ago, had been recently excavated from below the sea. The ruins of Harappan civilization discovered in Lothal date back 3500 years. Gujarat is still steeped in history.

The Muslim culture in Ahmedabad founded by Ahmed Shah and the memories of life and work of Mahatma Gandhi who spent a part of his life here, are a living presence still.

Goa conjures another world. Ancient temples and majestic churches, a rich tradition of classical music, truly exuberant folk entertainment, delectable cuisine and a beautiful 100 km coastline with nearly year round sunshine combine in magical alchemy to make it an ideal getaway holiday resort.

Madhya Pradesh, surrounded by seven States, known as the heart of India, geographically shares the mountain ranges and plateaus of the western States.

Its verdant forests are rich in flora and fauna and shelter ancient tribes, in many ways a uniquely harmonious world where life continues to be unhurried and natural.