India is a popular tourist destination country because of its rich culture, beautiful attractions, delicious cuisine, thriving entertainment industry, and friendly, accommodating people. This is especially true in the country’s most visited cities that include New Delhi, Mumbai, Agra (where the world-famous Taj Mahal is located), Calcutta, and Bangalore. However, as a country that is slightly more than a third the size of the United States, India certainly has so much more to offer tourists beyond what their largest cities have been known to provide.
Here is a list of five states in India that are worth visiting and the reasons they are worth visiting despite their being less popular than the country’s major population centers.
1. Goa
This state in Western India boasts of 36 beaches but it also has miles of jungle with long, winding rivers and majestic waterfalls that contribute to the area’s breathtaking natural beauty. The local architecture, particularly the traditional houses in Old Goa, features hints of Portuguese influence dating back to the time that the state was still under Portuguese rule. Perhaps the best part is you can spend an entire day virtually anywhere in Goa with just 400 rupees (roughly 6 US dollars or 5 UK pounds) in your pocket.
One popular event in Goa is the Festival of Sao Joao which is celebrated mainly by the local Catholic population every twenty-fourth of June, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist. Among the highlights of the festival is the local youth performing an old tradition by jumping into wells as part of the revelry.
2. Assam
This Northeastern Indian state situated just south of the Eastern Himalayas is characterized by deep valleys, huge mountains, wildlife sanctuaries that house some endangered species, and a stretch of the 2,390-mile-long Brahmaputra River. You can take a nature tour around Assam and get up close with some of the region’s wildlife, watch the colorful Bihu festivals that occur at harvest time three times a year, or go on a boat safari of the Brahmaputra and take photographs of the coastal villages, temples, and monasteries that you will pass by.
Found in the same stretch of the Brahmaputra River that passes through Assam is Majuli, the largest river island in the world with a total area of 136 square miles. The uniqueness of this attraction has led to it being hailed as the cultural capital of Assam as well as being nominated for inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
3. Gujarat
Gujarat is a Western Indian state that shares a border with Pakistan’s Sindh province. It is also known as the cultural capital of India due to the assortment of beautiful handicrafts that they produce.
In Gujarat, one can find the Great Rann of Kutch, one of the largest salt deserts in the world with an area of 2,897 square miles. Gujarat also has the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park and its wide array of fortresses, palaces, and monuments, some of which were first constructed in the 9th Century AD. This living heritage site is one of the few places in India that contain entire communities of structures built centuries ago.
4. Tamil Nadu
The southernmost Indian state of Tamil Nadu is known among citizens not just for its capital of Chennai, which is also one of the country’s major economic and cultural centers. It also boasts of the Chettinad Palace, a 19th Century structure which was made partly from materials and furnishings imported from elsewhere in East Asia and even Europe. Many of the locals believe that those who constructed the palace achieved the smooth finish seen all throughout by using a plaster made of egg whites.
Tamil Nadu is also home to Kanyakumari, a coastal town that also has the little-known distinction of being the southernmost point of Mainland India. Just across the waters surrounding the town are the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, which holds special significance among Hindus, and the 133-foot-tall statue of the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar who is best known for his many writings on ethics and morality. Both structures were built only in the 20th Century and are situated right beside each other, which gives tourists instant convenient access to two of the famed attractions in the region.
5. Sikkim
This Northeastern Indian state has often been compared to Switzerland because of its snow-capped mountains and majestic lakes. You can go trekking through the wilderness in Sikkim even if you lack the necessary experience or expertise as there are numerous trails that can accommodate people of different skill levels.
Sikkim has one more thing in common with Switzerland: chocolate! You can buy homemade chocolate in many of the small bakeries found along MG Road to satisfy your craving.
About the Authors
Lysha works at Lalco Residency – Luxury Service Apartments & Hotel Mumbai and she loves her job. Helping clients and monitoring the progress of business strategies along with her leadership skills makes her perfect suit for Hospitality services. You can catchup with Lysha at Lalco Residency in Mumbai.
