Indian States PDF

1. Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh is a state in Northeastern India. It was formed from the erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency region and became a state on 20 February 1987. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south. State map of Arunachal Pradesh...

1. Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh is a state in Northeastern India. It was formed from the erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency region and became a state on 20 February 1987. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south. State map of Arunachal Pradesh Capital: Itanagar Area:83,743 km² Language: English Animal: Gayal Cultural festival: Losar festival Art and craft: weaving, carpet making, wood carving, painting, pottery, ornament making, cane and bamboo work Losar festival Dressing style Tourist sites: Buddhist temple, Dalai lama, Ganga lake, tarin fish farm, dering ring wildlife sanctuary Important cities: Kuma Kurg,Upper Subansiri,Papum Pare,East Kameng,Tawang Famous food: Bamboo shoot,pehak,apong,mahura,momos,koat pitha. Dams: Ranganadi Dam,Subansiri Lower HE (Nhpc) Dam  Tawang monastery Rivers: Brahmaputra,Kameng river, Subanshiri river, Dibang river Mountains: Kangto, Nyegyi Kansang Monuments: Tawang Buddhist Monastery, Jaswant Garh War Memorial, Gompa Temple, The Golden Pagoda, Bomdila Monastery The Golden Pagoda More about Arunachal pradesh: Northeastern Indian state Arunachal Pradesh is known for its pristine beauty and the lush green forests. The state is also known as the Land of the Rising Sun.Arunachal has 26 tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes. There are more than 50 dialects but only a few languages that have scriptures. 2. Andhra pradesh Andhra Pradesh is a state in the south-eastern coastal region of India. It is the seventh- largest state by area covering an area of 162,975 km² and the tenth-most populous state with 49,386,799 inhabitants, with the state capital being Amaravati and the largest city being Visakhapatnam Map of Andhra Pradesh Capital: Amravati Area:160,205 km² Language: Telugu Animal: Blackbuck Festival:sri rama navami Art and craft: Pearl jewelry, Banjara Needlecrafts, Budithi Brassware, Dokra Metal Crafts, Bronze castings, Lacquer Ware, Folk Paintings, Kalamkari, and block printed fabrics and wood carvings. Tourist sites: Goddess Alamelumanga Temple, Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Kanipakam, Srikalahasti Temple, Chandragiri Fort, Horsley Hills, Silathoranam. Famous food:Kodi Pulao,Royyala Yeppadu,Pulasa Pulusu,Gutti Vankaya Kura. Dams:Polavaram Project,Somasila Dam,Srisailam Dam Rivers:Godavari river, Krishna river,Penna river, Tungabhadra river Godavari River Krishna River More about Andhra pradesh: Exotic perfumes, Kalamkari works, bidri works, jewels, pearls, diamonds, clothes, Kondapalli wood dolls and so on. 3. Assam Assam is a state in northeastern India known for its wildlife, archeological sites and tea plantations. In the west, Guwahati, Assam’s largest city, features silk bazaars and the hilltop Kamakhya Temple. Umananda Temple sits on Peacock Island in the Brahmaputra river. The state capital, Dispur, is a suburb of Guwahati. Capital:Dispur Language:Assamase Animal:Indian rhinoceros Cultural festival:Bihu festival Art and craft: metal crafts, pottery, jewellery, paintings and woodcrafts Tourist sites:Manas National Park,Kamakhya Temple,Majuli Island,Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary,Kakochang Waterfalls Imp cities: Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur, Tinsukia Famous food:Khaar,Masor Tenga,Duck Meat Curry,Xaak Aru Bhaji,Oou Khatta,Aloo Pitika. Dams:Khandong,Umrong,Subansiri Lower Dam,Karbi Langpi Dam Rivers: Brahmaputra River,Barak River,Dhansiri River,Manas River Mountains:Namcha Barwa ,Gyala Peri, sister peak to Namcha Barwa; Kangto, Nyegyi Kangsang Monuments:Rang Ghar, Hajo Powa Mecca ,Talatal Ghar,Surya Pahar,Khaspur More about Assam: Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk. The state was the first site for oil drilling in Asia. Assam is home to the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, along with the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger and various species of Asiatic birds 4. Bihar Bihar is a state in East India, bordering Nepal. It is divided by the River Ganges, which floods its fertile plains. Important Buddhist pilgrimage sites include the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi Temple, under which the Buddha allegedly meditated. Captial: Patna Area:94,163 km² Language:hindi Animal:Gaur Flower:Marigold Cultural fesitval:Chhath puja Art and craft: Pottery, wooden articles, metal wares, stone wares, jewelry, lacquer works, kashida, sikki and moonj wares Tourist sites: Barabar Caves, Bodhi Tree,Sher shah suri tomb,Silao,Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya,Ashokan pillar Imp cities:Patna,Gaya,Bhagalpur,Purnia,Muzzafarpur Famous food:Bihari kebabs and taash.(dish) Dams: Ajan dam, Amrity dam, Badua dam Rivers: Ganga, Kamla, Bagmati, Kosi, Mahananda Monuments: Tomb of Sham Sher Khan,Vikramshila Monastery,Rock Tomb of Sher Shah Khan Vikramshila monastery More about Bihar: Birthplace of Two Religions! : Bihar is the origin of the two biggest religions in the world, namely Buddhism and Jainism. World's Oldest University! : Nalanda library was set on fire by the army of Bakhtiyar Khilji. The library was believed to hold 9 million manuscripts and took 3 full months to burn down into ashes. 5. Chhattisgarh Chhattisgarh is a heavily forested state in central India known for its temples and waterfalls. Near the capital Raipur, the town of Sirpur on the Mahanadi River is home to the red-brick Lakshmana (Laxman) Temple, decorated with carvings from Indian mythology. In the south, the city of Jagdalpur hosts the Sanjay Market on Sundays, a bartering place for local tribes. The huge Chitrakoot Falls lie to the northwest. Capital:Raipur Area:135,194 km2 Language: Chhattisgarhi Flower: orchid Animal:Wild water buffalo Festival: Bastar Dussehra Art and craft: crafting bell metal handicrafts with bronze and brass, Dhokra Famous food:Kanda bhaji, kheksi, kathal, kochai patta, kohda and bohar bhaji Dams:Hasdeo Bango Dam,Adpather Dam,Agariya Dam River:Mahandi,Shivnath, Peri, Hasdo, indravati Monuments:Kanker Palace,Bhoramdeo Temple,Palace Kawardha,Laxman Temple,Kutumsar Caves and Kailash Gufa. Kanker Palace More about Chattisgarh: It is a leading producer of minerals such as coal, iron ore and dolomite. Moreover, considerable reserves of bauxite, limestone and quartzite are available in the state. The state accounts for 35.4% of tin ore reserves of India. Chhattisgarh is the only state in India that produced tin concentrates. 6. Goa Goa is a state in western India with coastlines stretching along the Arabian Sea. Its long history as a Portuguese colony prior to 1961 is evident in its preserved 17th-century churches and the area’s tropical spice plantations. Goa is also known for its beaches, ranging from popular stretches at Baga and Palolem to those in laid-back fishing villages such as Agonda. Capital: Panaji Area: 3,702km2 Language: Konkani Flower: Red jasmine Animal: gaur Festival: Goa carnival Art and craft: bamboo craft, woodcarving, brass metals, seashell craft, Papier-Mache, and wooden lacquer ware. Famous food:Sarva Pindi,Malidalu,Sakinalu,Garijalu. Dams:Anjunem,Panchwai,Salaulim, Chapoli River:Terekhol, Mandovi, Baga, Zuari, Colval, Saleri, Mandre, Harmal, Sal Monuments:Arch viceroy, basilica bom jesus, mahadev temple, rock cut caves Arch of Viceroy Basilica of Bom Jesus More about Goa: The state of Goa, in India, is famous for its beaches and places of worship. Tourism is its primary industry, and is generally focused on the coastal areas of Goa, with decreased tourist activity inland. 7. Gujarat Gujarat is a state on the western coast of India with a coastline of about 1,600 km – longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula – and a population of 60.4 million. It is the fifth-largest Indian state by area and the ninth-largest state by population  Gujarat Map Capital: Gandhinagar Area: 196,024 km2 Language:Gujrati Flower:Marigold Animal:Asiatic lion Festival: kite festival, rann utsav Art and craft: embroidery, bead work, wood crafts, printed and woven clothes, pottery and tribal art Food:Gujrat thali, khandvi, thepla, aam ras Dams:Aamli Chharchhoda Dam,Abhalwad Dam,Adhia Dam,Adhochhani Dam Rivers:Narmada,Tapi,Sabarmati,Mahi,Daman Monuments:Laxmi Vilas Palace,Dwarkadhish Temple,Dholavira,Vijay Vilas Palace,Sun Temple,Somnath Temple,Rani Ki Vav  Laxmi Vilas palace Rani ki Vav More about Gujarat: Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat. 8. Haryana Haryana is a North Indian state surrounding New Delhi on 3 sides. The Yamuna River runs along its eastern border with Uttar Pradesh. Shared with Punjab, the state capital Chandigarh is known for its modernist buildings and gridlike street plan designed by Swiss architect, Le Corbusier. Capital:Chandigarh Language:Hindi Area: 44,212 km2 Flower: lotus Animal: blackbuck Festival:Lohri Art and craft: Handlooms, Embroidery and Weaving Food: Singri Ki Sabzi,Hara Dhania Cholia,Methi Gajjar,Kadhi Pakora,Mixed Dal Khichri. Dams:Kaushalya Dam, Ottu barrage,Tajewala Barrage,Hathnikund barrage,Anagpur Dam Rivers: Yamuna, Markanda, Ghaggar, Somb nadi Monuments: Hanuman mandir, tomb of bu-ali shah kalandar, Qutub khan’s tomb,Lat ki masjid,Jal mahal  Hanuman Mandir Qutub Khan’s tomb More about Haryana: Haryana is well known for its folk music, dance, handicrafts, pottery and different kinds of embroidery and weaving. The grand Suraj Kund Crafts Mela organized by Haryana Tourism displays the best of its handloom and handicrafts as well as the colourful culture of Haryana and other Indian states. 9. Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It's home to scenic mountain towns and resorts such as Dalhousie. Host to the Dalai Lama, Himachal Pradesh has a strong Tibetan presence. This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries, as well as its vibrant Tibetan New Year celebrations. The region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas. Capital: Shimla Languages: Hindi Area: 55,6732 Flower:Pink Rhododendron Animal:snow leopard Festival:Kullu dussehra Art and craft:carpets, leather works, shawls, metalware, woodwork and paintings. Food:Thukpa, Thenthuk, Dham, Sidu,Madra,Kullu,Trout. Dams:Baira Siul Dam, Bassi Dam, Bhakra Dam,Chamera I Dam Rivers: Sutlej,Chenab, Yamuna, Beas, Ravi Monuments:Rashtrapati Niwas,Hadimba Devi Temple,Tabo Monastery,Kangra Fort,Champavati Temple,Rock Cut Temple  Rashtrapathi nivas Hadimba devi temple More about Himachal Pradesh: This is popularly renowned for its Himalayan landscapes and popular hill-stations. Many outdoor activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, ice-skating, trekking, rafting, and heli-skiing are popular tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. 10.Jharkhand Jharkhand is a state in eastern India. It's known for its waterfalls, the elegant Jain temples of Parasnath Hill and the elephants and tigers of Betla National Park. The state capital of Ranchi is a gateway to the park. It features the 17th-century Jagannath Temple, a Hindu shrine and the Jharkhand War Memorial. Tagore Hill is a monument honoring Nobel Prize-winning author Rabindranath Tagore Capital: Ranchi Languages: Hindi Area: 74,677 Flower:Palash Animal: Elephant Festival:Sarhul Art and craft:bamboo crafts, woodcrafts, Pitkar paintings, tribal ornaments and stone carving Food:Dhuska, Koinar Sag, Grenn Sag, Dubki, Udad Dal, Kurthi Dal, Litti-Chokha Dams:Amanat Dam,Anjanwa Dam,Anraj Dam,Baksa/Buksa Dam Rivers:Subarneka river, Damodar river,Ganges river,Mayurakshu river,Barakhar river Monuments:Jagannath Temple,Deori Mandir,Rajrappa temple ranchi,Ancient Fort and Sangeet Dalan  Jagannath Temple Deori mandir More about Jharkhand: Jharkhand is famous for its rich mineral resources like Uranium, Mica, Bauxite, Granite, Gold, Silver, Graphite, Magnetite, Dolomite, Fireclay, Quartz, Fieldspar, Coal (32% of India), Iron, Copper (25%of India) etc. Forests and woodlands occupy more than 29% of the state which is amongst the highest in India. 11.Karnataka Karnataka is a state in southwest India with Arabian Sea coastlines. The capital, Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore), is a high-tech hub known for its shopping and nightlife. To the southwest, Mysore is home to lavish temples including Mysore Palace, former seat of the region’s maharajas. Hampi, once the medieval Vijayanagara empire’s capital, contains ruins of Hindu temples, elephant stables and a stone chariot Captial: Bangalore Languages: Kannada Area: 191,791 km2 Flower:Lotus Animal:Indian elephant Festival:Hampi festival Art and Craft:Wood Carving, Ivory Carving, Sandalowwod CraftsMysore Painting, Silk Weaving, Bidriware, Silk Sarees Food:Korri Gassi,Neer Dosa,Mysore Masala Dosa,Allugedda ,Mysore Pak.,Kane Rava Fry. Dams:Basava Sagara Dam,Raja Lakhamagowda dam,Renuka Sagara Dam,Vani Vilasa Sagara Rivers:Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, North Pennar, South Pennar, Palar & West Flowing Rivers. Monuments: Gol gumbaz, Rangeen mal, Bidar fort, Mysore palace, Chennakeshavaswami temple.  Gol Gumbaz Bidar Fort More about Karnataka: Karnataka is primarily known for its Heritage destinations and its Wildlife/ National Parks. Apart from that, it is also famous for its magical hill stations, spectacular waterfalls, pilgrimage centres and a 320km long coastline dotted with un-spoilt beaches. 12.Kerela Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It's known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers. Captial: Thiruvananthapuram Language: Malayalam Area: 38,8632 Flower: Golden shower tree Animal: Indian elephant Festival:Onam Art and craft:Brass and Bell Metal Works, Coir and Cane Products, Ivory Works, Lacquer Ware, Sandalwood Carving, Textiles, Wooden Toys, Kathakali Masks, and Wood Carving Dance form: Kathakali and mohiniyattam Food:Appam with stew,Karimeen pollichathu ,Malabar Parotta with Kerala beef curry.,Erissery or pumpkin and lentil curry,Palada payasam Dams:Aruvikkara Dam,Azhutha DiversionDam,Cavaiar Dam,Cheruthoni (Eb) Dam Rivers:Periyar River,Bharatapuzha River ,Pamba River,Chaliyar River,Chalakudy River Monument:edakkal caves, bekal fort, poonjar palace, st.francis church,thrikkakudi rock cut temple.  Eddakal caves Bekal Fort More about Kerela: Kerala is well-known for its mesmerizing backwaters, ecotourism initiatives, scenic beauty, amazing beaches, and mouthwatering cuisine. 13.Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh, a large state in central India, retains landmarks from eras throughout Indian history. Begun in the 10th century, its Hindu and Jain temples at Khajuraho are renowned for their carvings of erotic scenes, most prominently Kandariya Mahadeva, a temple with more than 800 sculptures. The eastern Bandhavgarh and Kanha national parks, noted Bengal tiger sanctuaries, offer guided safaris. Capital: Bhopal Language: Hindi Area: 308,252km2 Flower: a sacred tree Animal: barasingha Festival:Bhagoria Haat Festival Art and craft:bamboo and cane coverings, carpet weaving, durries, folk paintings, iron crafts, jute works etc. Food:Rass Kheer, Lapsi, Kalakand, Lavang Latika, Palak Puri, Bhutte Ki Khees Dams:Adampura Dam, Adner Dam,Agar Agari Dam,Agar Dam Rivers:Narmada,Tapi,Betwa,Chambal,Mahi Monument:Sanchi stupa, Khajuraho temple, Gwalior fort, Taj-Ul-Majsid,Bhimbetka rock shelters,Omkareshwar temple.  Sanchi Stupa Khajuraho Temple More about Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh is known as the “Heart of India” because of a lot many things that it has to offer. It has been home to cultural and spiritual heritage of almost all the religions. Innumerable monuments, intricately carved temples, stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the State. 14.Maharashtra Maharashtra is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India and the second-most populous country subdivision globally Capital: Mumbai Language:Marathi Area:307,713km2 Flower:Jarul Animal:Giant squirrel Festival:Ganesh chaturthi, gudi padwa Art and Craft:Bidriware, Mashru and Himroo crafts. Food:bhaji, vada pav, misalpav and pav bhaji  Dams:Khadakwasla dam,Ashti dam,Mhaswad dam,Tansa dam,Ujjani dam Rivers:Godavari,Krishna,Bhima,Narmada,Tapi Monuments: Ajanta Caves,Bibi ki maqbara, Gateway of India,Chand minar,Agakhan palace,Ajanta ellora caves Ajanta Caves Bibi ki maqbara More about Maharashtra: Maharashtra is one of India's largest commercial and industrial centres, which has led to its being called the gateway of India. Maharashtra is also famous for its culture and beauty. The ancient cave paintings found at Ajanta and Ellora are UNESCO World Heritage sites and popular tourist destinations. 15.Manipur Manipur is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south, and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanmar, the Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south. Capital:Imphal Language:Metei Area:22,347km2 Flower:shirui lilly Animal:Sangai Festival:Yaoshang Art and craft:Wood Carving, textile weaving, stone carving, block printing and hand-embroidery Food:Nga-Thongba Dams:Khoupum Dam,Khuga Dam,Singda Dam,Thoubal Dam Rivers:Manipur river,Imphal river,Barak river,Khuga river,iril river Monuments:Ancient Remains,Gunavati Group of Temples, Temple of Chaturdasa Devata, Bhubaneswari Temple  More about Manipur: The state has a rich cultural past dating back to centuries. It is the birthplace of Raas Lila- a renowned form of classical dance which was created by Maharaja Bhagyachandra. Manipur is also the birthplace of Modern Polo and the locals call this game 'Sagol Kangjei'. 16.Meghalaya Meghalaya is a state in northeastern India. Meghalaya was formed by carving out two districts from the state of Assam: the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills on 21 January 1972. Capital:Shillong Language:English Area:22,720 km2 Flower:Orchid Animal:Clouded lepoard Festival:Wangala Festival Art and craft:Handicrafts made with cane and bamboo products, textile weaving, carpet weaving, ornament making and woodcarving Food:Sakin Gata, Jadoh Dams:Khandong Dam, Kyrdemkulai (Umiam st-III) Dam,Mawphlang Dam,Myntdu-Leshka Dam  Rivers:Umngot river, Kopili river, Simsang river, Nitai river, Ganol river Monuments:Megalithic Bridge on the Um-Kumbeh,Nartiang Monoliths,Kiang Nongbah Monument,Megalithic Bridge Known as Thul-Um-Wi,Stone Memorial of U-Maw Thodur-Briew, Nartiang. Nartiang Monoliths Megalithic Bridge More about Meghalaya: Located in North-east India, Meghalaya, also known as the Abode of Clouds, falls in one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. The famed monsoons, the rich traditional festivals, and the dramatic terrain are just some of the many things this state is famous for. 17. Mizoram Mizoram is a state in northeastern India, with Aizawl as its seat of government and capital city. The name of the state is derived from "Mizo", the self-described name of the native inhabitants, and "Ram", which in the Mizo language means "land." Thus "Mizo-ram" means "land of the Mizos". Capital:Aizwal Language:English,Hindi and Mizo Area:21,081 km2 Flower:Red vanda Animal:Serow Festival:The Chapchar Kut Art and craft:Cane and bamboo handicraft items Food:Bai,Rep,Chhum han,Hmarcha rawt,Dal,Bekang Dams:Tehri Dam,Doyang Dam,Tuirial Dam,Bhakra Dam,Ranganadi Dam,Hatnur dam. Rivers:Tlwang river, Sonai river, Serlui river, Teirei river,Barak river. Monuments:Sibuta Lung,Rulchawm Kua,Paruallung,Kawilam Chhir-kawn,Raj Bhawan  Sibuta Lung Rulchawm Kua More about Mizoram: Known for its evergreen hills and dense bamboo jungles, Mizoram lies in the southern most tip of north east India. Called the Land of Blue Mountains, the hills are crisscrossed by gushing rivers and high sparkling waterfalls. 18.Nagaland Nagaland is a mountainous state in northeast India, bordering Myanmar. It's home to diverse indigenous tribes, with festivals and markets celebrating the different tribes' culture. Its capital city of Kohima suffered heavy fighting in World War II, commemorated by memorials at the Kohima War Cemetery. The Nagaland State Museum exhibits ancient weaponry, a ceremonial drum and other traditional Naga cultural artifacts. Capital:Kohima Language:English Area:16,579 km2 Flower:Rhododendron arboreum Animal:Gayal Festival:Hornbill festival Art and craft:Baskerty and cloth painting. Food:bushmeat,Anishi,Pork curry Dams:Doyang Hep Dam Rivers:Dhanasiri river,Bakala nadi river,Dikhow river,Kushiyara river Monuments:Kachari ruins,Kohima war Cemetery  :Kachari ruins Kohima war Cemetery More about Nagaland: With a whopping number of different tribes and the cultural diversity that they bring, there is little wonder in the fact that Nagaland is famous as the 'Land of Festivals'. With each tribe practising its own rituals and traditions, Nagaland is a state that has one major festival lined up for all months of a year. 19.Odisha Odisha (formerly Orissa), an eastern Indian state on the Bay of Bengal, is known for its tribal cultures and its many ancient Hindu temples. The capital, Bhubaneswar, is home to hundreds of temples, notably the intricately-carved Mukteshvara. The Lingaraj Temple complex, dating to the 11th century, is set around sacred Bindusagar Lake. The Odisha State Museum is focused on the area’s history and environment. Capital:Buhaneshwar Language:odia Area: 155,820 km2 Flower:Ashoka tree Animal:Sambar deer Festival:Ratha Yatra Art and craft:tone work, silver filigree, wood craft, appliqué work, brass and bell metal work, dhokra castings, horn work Food:Pilaf Dams:Alubani Dam,Aradei Dam,Arikul Dam,Badabandha Dam Rivers:Manahnadi river,Brahmani river,Baitarani river,Subarnarekha river,Rushikulya river. Monuments:Archaeological Site Museum,Ancient Remains on Udayagiri and Khandagiri Hill,Rajarani Temple,Ratnagiri Monastery.  Archaeological Site Museum Ancient Remains on Udayagiri More about Odisha: Odisha is famous for its heritage sites and enthralling views. From beaches to pilgrimage sites, Odisha offers a lot of sightseeing opportunities to travellers from across the globe. Moreover, Puri Beach Festival and the Jagannath Rath Yatra attracts tons of tourists to Odisha yearly. 20.Punjab Punjab, a state bordering Pakistan, is the heart of India’s Sikh community. The city of Amritsar, founded in the 1570s by Sikh Guru Ram Das, is the site of Harmandir Sahib, the holiest gurdwara (Sikh place of worship). Known in English as the Golden Temple, and surrounded by the Pool of Nectar, it's a major pilgrimage site. Also in Amritsar is Durgiana Temple, a Hindu shrine famed for its engraved silver doors. Capital:Chandigarh Language:Punjabi Area:50,362 km2 Animal:Blackbuck Festival:Lohri Art and craft:Block printing, Ajrak, tie and dye, fine cottons and muslins, such as Sussi and Khes, Farasi embroidery, Rilli ,bangles, jewellery and lacquer work Food:Amritsari Kulcha,Sarso ka Saag and Makki di Roti,Lassi,Chhole-BhatureTandoori Chicken,Gobhi-Shalgam-Gajar Pickle. Dams:Chohal Dam,Damsal Dam, Dholbaha Dam,Jainti Dam Rivers:Sutlej river, Beas river, Ravi river,Chenab river,Ghaggar river Monuments:Golden temple,Ram bagh palace, Minarat-ul masih,Lala rukh tomb  Golden temple Ram bagh palace More about Punjab: Punjab has always been land of great saints and fighters. Tourist places - Punjab is the place of Sikhism. The holiest of Sikh shrines, the Sri Harmandir Sahib (or Golden Temple), is in the city of Amritsar. The five Takhts (Temporal Seats of religious authority) of Sikhism, three are in Punjab. 21.Rajasthan Rajasthan is a state in northern India. It covers 342,239 square kilometres or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. Capital:Gangtok Language:English,Nepali Area: 7,096 km2 Flower:Noble orchid Animal:Red panda Festival:Durga puja Art and craft:Thangka painting,Handloom weaving,Carpet weaving,Blanket weaving,Wood craft, Wood and cane craft. Food: Processed meats of mutton,beef,pork chicken and fish Dams:Rangit III Dam,Rangpo Dam,Rongli Dam,eesta -V (NHPC) Dam Rivers:Testa river, Rangeet river, Jaldhaka river, Lachen river Monuments:Dubdi Monastery,Coronation Throne of Norbugang,Rabdentse, Siddheshwar Dham,Pemayangtse Monastery,KirateshwarMahadev Temple. Coronation Throne of Norbugang Rabdentse More about Rajasthan: Rajasthan is known for its historical hill forts & palaces, it is claimed as the best place for tourism-related to palaces. Umaid Bhawan Palace: It is the largest Royal Palace in Rajasthan. It is also one of the largest private residences in the world.  22.Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu, a South Indian state, is famed for its Dravidian-style Hindu temples. In Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple has high ‘gopuram’ towers ornamented with colorful figures. On Pamban Island, Ramanathaswamy Temple is a pilgrimage site. The town of Kanyakumari, at India’s southernmost tip, is the site of ritual sunrises. Capital Chennai is known for beaches and landmarks including 1644 colonial Fort St. George. Capital:chennai Language:tamil Area: 130,058 km2 Flower:Kandhal Animal:Nilgiri tahr Festival:Pongal Art and craft:Terracotta figurines,Patterned tiles,Handloomed sarees,Bronze ornaments,Thanjavur paintings,Floor rugs. Food:Idli and vada Dams:Aanaimaduvu Dam,Adavinainarkovil Dam,Aliyar Dam,Amaravathi Dam Rivers:Kaveri river,Palar river,Adyar river, Periyar river,Tampreparni river Monuments:Ram setu, Brihadeeswarar Temple, Vivekananda rock memorial, Manora monument, Gandhi mandapam,Meenakshi amman Ram setu Brihadeeswarar Temple  More about Tamil Nadu: In addition to the long history of the Tamil people, Tamil Nadu is famous for its temples, festivals, and celebration of the arts. The Hindu temples and monuments at Mamallapuram have become famous tourist attractions. 23.Telangana Telangana is a state in southern India. In the capital of Hyderabad, the Charminar is a 16th-century mosque with 4 arches supporting 4 towering minarets. The monument overlooks the city's long-running Laad Bazaar. Once the seat of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, the sprawling Golconda Fort is a former diamond-trading center. In the city of Warangal, the centuries-old Warangal Fort features carved stone towers and gateways. Capital:Hyderabad Language:Telugu Area: 112,077 km2 Flower:Tangedu Tangedu Animal:Chital Festival:Dushhera Art and craft:Banjara Embroidery, Bidri, Leather items, Pearls, Lacquer studded bangles and jewelry, Hand Embroidery and Glass Blowing crafts. Food:Biryani,Rail Palaram Dams:Nagarjuna Sagar Dam,jurala dam, srisilam dam, kaddam,manair dam etc Rivers: Godavari river, Tungabadra river, Musi river, Krishna river, Munneru river Monuments:Charminar, Qutub shahis tomb,Chowmalla palace, Golkonda fort etc. Charminar Qutub shahi tombs More about Telanagana: The state is the gateway to Krishna and Godavari Rivers in South India and is considered the seed capital of India. One of the wealthy economies in India, Telangana is here to take its rightful place in the country, as a highly developed state and society with a proud history and grand heritage. 24.Tripura Tripura is a hilly state in northeast India, bordered on 3 sides by Bangladesh, and home to a diverse mix of tribal cultures and religious groups. In the capital Agartala, the imposing Ujjayanta Palace is set among Mughal gardens, and Gedu Mia’s Mosque has white marble domes and towers. South of the city, Neermahal summer palace sits in the middle of Lake Rudrasagar and blends Hindu and Islamic architectural styles. Capital:Agartala Language:Bengali, English, Kokborok Area: 10,492 km2 Flower:Nageshwar Animal:Phayre's Langur Festival:Garia Puja Art and craft:Cane and Bamboo Handicrafts Food:Mui Borok Dams:Gumti Hydro Dam Rivers:Manu river, Gomati river, Khowai river, Longai river Monuments:Ujjayanta Palace, Heritage park at Agartala  Ujjayanta Palace Heritage park at Agartala More about Tripura: Rubber and tea are the important cash crops of the state. Tripura ranks second to Kerala in the production of natural rubber in the country. The state is known for its handicraft, particularly hand-woven cotton fabric, wood carvings, and bamboo products. 25.Manipur Manipur is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanmar, Sagaing Region to the east and Chin State to the south. Capital:Imphal Manipur map Language:Metei Area:22,347km2 Flower:shiroy lilly Animal:Sangai  Sanagi Manipur traditional women dressing Festival:Yaoshang Art and craft:Wood Carving, textile weaving, stone carving, block printing and hand-embroidery, Papier mache, decorative ivory, collectible dance dolls, bamboo, and cane work Food: A typical Manipuri meal consists of the following dishes: steamed rice is accompanied by kangsoi , ooti , nga Atoiba, kanghou , eromba Dams:Khoupum Dam,Khuga Dam,Singda Dam,Thoubal Dam Rivers:Imphal river,Barak river,Manipur river,Nambul river  Manipuri river Monuments: Red hill and Indian peace memorial, Khongjom war memorial,Imphal War cemetery,Ina memorial,Kangla,Shaheed minar. More about Manipur: The state has a rich cultural past dating back to centuries. It is the birthplace of Raas Lila- a renowned form of classical dance which was created by Maharaja Bhagyachandra. Manipur is also the birthplace of Modern Polo and the locals call this game 'Sagol Kangjei'. Fish farming 26.Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India, bordered by Nepal. With over 200 million inhabitants, it is the most populated state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was established in 1950 after India had become a republic. Capital:Lucknow  Map of UP Language:Hindi Area: 243,286km2 Flower:Brahm kamal Animal:Swamp deer Taj mahotsav Festival:Taj mahotsav Art and craft:Stone-craft, pottery, Chikankari, Zari embroidery, glassware, textile printing and carpet weaving Textile Printing Food:Veg Kofta curry and rice,Kadhi Chawal,Aloo puri,Malaiyo,Khasta Kachori Dams:Adwa Dam,Afzalgarh Dam,Ahraura Dam,Arjun Dam Rivers:Ganges river,Gomti river, Yamuna river, Tams river, Ghaghara river.  Yamuna river Monuments:Taj mahal,Chota imambara,Ashokan pillar,Tomb of marian-uz-zamani,Victoria memorail,Chaukandi stupa Taj mahal More about Uttar Pradesh: Uttar Pradesh is known for its rich culture and tradition. It is home to Ayodhya and Mathura birthplace of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Bhgwan Parshuram respectively. Uttar Pradesh attracts many national and international tourists. 27.Uttarakhand Uttarakhand, a state in northern India crossed by the Himalayas, is known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh, a major centre for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. The city hosts the evening Ganga Aarti, a spiritual gathering on the sacred Ganges River. The state's forested Jim Corbett National Park shelters Bengal tigers and other native wildlife. Capital:Deharadun Language:Hindi Area: 53,483 km2 Flower:Brahm kamal Brahm kamal Musk Deer Animal:Musk Deer Festival:Basant Panchami, Bhitauli, Harela, Phooldei, Batsavitri Art and craft:painting, wood carving, jewelry making, candle making,decorative temples and of course performing arts like music and dance. Wood carvings Food:Butter chicken,Tandoori chicken,Aloo paratha,Makki di roti,Lassi Tandoori chicken Dams:Chohal Dam,Damsal Dam,Dholbaha Dam,Jainti Dam Rivers:Sutlej river,Ravi river, Beas river, Chenab river, Panjnad river. Monuments:Ram bagh palace, Lal rukh tomb, Golden temple, Sangani fort, Minarat-ul-masih.  Golden temple More about Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand is known for the composed Himalayas, holy rivers, spiritual centres, and spellbinding landscapes. Uttarakhand is also famous for adventure sports, an enrapturing variety of flora and fauna, a charming history recorded in antiquated stones and the most modest people 28.West Bengal West Bengal is a state in eastern India, between the Himalayas and the Bay of Bengal. Its capital, Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), retains architectural and cultural remnants of its past as an East India Company trading post and capital of the British Raj. The city's colonial landmarks include the government buildings around B.B.D. Bagh Square, and the iconic Victoria Memorial, dedicated to Britain's queen. Capital:kolkata West bengal map Language:bengali Area: 88,752 km2 Flower:sephali Sephali Animal:Fishing cat Festival:Durga puja Durga puja Art and craft:embroidery to sculpture, sketching to metal crafts Food:Luchi-Alur Dom,Keemar Doi Bora,Kathi Rolls,Jhal Muri,Daab Chingri,Shukto  Daab chingri Hooghly river Dams:Bakreshwar Dam,Bandhu Dam,Bara Mandira Dam,Barabhum Dam Rivers:Hoogly river, Ganges river, Teesta river, Damodar river, Mahananda river. Monuments: Chika Majsid,Plassey Monument,Indian National Army Memorial,Eklakhi Mausoleum. Plassey monument More about West Bengal: West Bengal is famous for its terracotta temples of Bishnupur. Hazarduari Palace, a popular tourist attraction, is known to have the second largest chandelier in the world and also the largest staircase in India.