Tourism Development in India

Name : Riya Agarwal

Class : 10th D
Roll No. : 16
 Tourism In India
• Travel and tourism is the largest service industry in India. It
provides heritage, cultural, medical, business and sports
tourism. The main objective of this sector is to develop and
promote tourism, maintain competitiveness of India as tourist
destination and improve and expand existing tourism
products to ensure employment generation and economic
growth.
•  India with her enriched beauty is unambiguously one of the
most viable candidates for promoting tourism. Since the past
few years, Government of India has undertaken various
measures to promote tourism. Tourism is growth oriented
industry with its impact on the employment and foreign
exchange potential of the country.
 Development of Tourism
• During the 1980s, India began to be viewed as a tourist destination.
The country's diversity and rich culture, as well as its landscape,
architecture and history continue to draw in tourists from all over
the world. The Central and State governments of India have been
working to actively promote tourism in the nation by enacting
specific policies in the public and private sectors.
• In order to boost up the tourism development in India,
identification of thrust areas have been done. For the convenience
of the tourists, the accommodation facilities have been increased.
• The Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has been
promoting and expanding the tourism in India from the year 1966.
 It also provides dependable and innovative money solutions for the
development of tourism.
 Himachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh is a northern Indian state in the Himalayas. It's
home to scenic mountain towns and resorts such as Dalhousie.
This is reflected in its Buddhist temples and monasteries and
region is also well known for its trekking, climbing and skiing areas.
• Situated in the western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh has several
hill stations which are the most appropriate destination to find
respite from the scorching summer heat.
•  The Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art preserves local
crafts and heritage. In the Tibetan quarter, the Buddhist monastery
Gadhan Thekchhokling is recognizable by its yellow, pagoda-style
roof. East of the Beas River is Vashisht, a village known for its hot
springs.
• Some point of interests are Vashisht Temple, khajjiar lake , golden
devi Temple, Dharamshala, Rohtang pass, Great Himalayan
National Park, Dal Lake, Tibet museum and many more.
• Shimla, Dalhousie, Manali, Dharmshala, KasauliChail, Mcleodganj,
Palampur, Keylong are marked as the most visited hill stations with
an estimated four Lakhs foreign tourists during 2011.
• The queen of seven hills the most visited place by the British tourist
and  Shimla boasts itself as the most preferred and favorite
destination amongst the British mass.
• The State Tourism Department predicts that the international tourists
will exceed five Lakhs this year.
• As the numbers of tourists are increasing, the hotel industry is also
booming here proving employment and additional income to the
local people.
• Kullu shawls, Kangra paintings and forts, Chambarumal and
Himachali wool products are always in demand. This has encouraged
artisans and small enterprises to uphold the state’s rich culture and
heritage.
• Mountain biking, paragliding, river-rafting, skiing are some of the
most awaited events of this place, which is organized seasonally.
 Uttar Pradesh
• Situated in the northern part of India, bordering with the capital of India New
Delhi, Uttar Pradesh is one of the most popular and an established tourist
destination for Indians and foreigners. The most populous state of India, Uttar
Pradesh contains a large number of historical monuments and places of
religious significance.
• Geographically, Uttar Pradesh is very diverse, with Himalayan foothills in the
extreme north and the Gangetic Plain in the centre. Agra in Uttar Pradesh is
home of India's most visited sites as the Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders
of the world, Agra Fort, Sikandra & the Fatehpur Sikri.
• It is also home to many other beautiful Mughal buildings like Akbar's Tomb,
Itmad-Ud-Daulah , Baba Imamabara and many more. Dayal Bagh is an under-
construction temple which is eye-catching. The lifelike carving in marble is not
seen anywhere else in India which attracts the tourists.
• Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Allahabad are holy cities for
Hindus and Kushinar and Sarnath are important Buddhist places among the
main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha.
• Hinduism's holiest city, Varanasi also known as “City of Temples” is famous
for its ghats which are populated year round with people who want to take a
dip in the holy Ganges River. Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is home to
the Vishwanath Jyotirling temple, which is one of the most sacred of Hindu
Temples. Varanasi attracts thousands of Hindu pilgrims every year.
• Allahabad is a beautiful city situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ganga,
Yamuna and Saraswati known as Triveni Sangam Ghat. Allahabad is one of
the destinations which holds the Kumbh Mela, world’s largest congregation
of devotees. The city was the nerve centre of activities during the India’s
Freedom Movement. It has also played a leading role in development of
Hindi and Urdu literature. The city has been described in ancient scriptures
as ‘Teerthraj’, the holiest pilgrimage centre.
• The Allahabad Museum located in the Chandra Shekhar Azad Park (Company
Bagh) is among the National level museums of India. Anand Bhawan is a
beautiful double storey building which is an erstwhile ancestral home of the
Nehru family.
• Dudhwa National Park is among the major tourist attractions.
• Chaukhandi Stupa is an important Buddhist stupa in Sarnath. Dhamek Stupa,
traced to Sanskrit version Dharmarajika Stupa is a massive stupa located at
Sarnath, 13 km away from Varanasi in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India
 Rajasthan
• Rajasthan is India's largest state by It is located on the north-western side of the India,
where it comprises most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert. Tourism is a flourishing
industry in Rajasthan which has a rich and varied flora and fauna.
• Rajasthan is also noted for its national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Ranthambore National
Park is known worldwide for its tiger population and is considered by both wilderness lovers
and photographers as one of the best place in India to spot tigers The Indira Gandhi Canal
irrigates north-western Rajasthan.
• Rajasthan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, for both domestic and
international tourists. Rajasthan attracts tourists for its historical forts, palaces, art and
culture. Every third foreign tourist visiting India also travels to Rajasthan as it is part of the
Golden Triangle for tourists visiting India.
• Endowed with natural beauty and a great history the palaces of Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur, and
desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer are among the most preferred destinations of
many tourists.
• Bikaner boasts some of the world’s best riding camels and is aptly nicknamed ‘camel
country’. It is also home to one of the world’s largest camel research and breeding farms as
well as being known for having its own unique temple dedicated to Karni Mata at Deshnok,
called the Rats Temple.
• Tourism accounts for eight percent of the state's domestic product. Many old and neglected
palaces and forts have been converted into heritage hotels. Tourism has increased
employment in the hospitality sector. Mount Abu is a popular hill station in the Aravalli
Range in Sirohi district of Rajasthan state in western India.
• Rajasthan is culturally rich and has artistic and cultural traditions like the
Ghoomar dance from Jodhpur Marwar and Kalbeliya dance of Jaisalmer
reflect the ancient Indian way of life and has gained international recognition.
Folk music is a large part of Rajasthani culture.
• Jaipur, the Pink City, is noted for the ancient houses made of a type of
sandstone dominated by a pink hue and is home to two UNESCO World
Heritage Sites which are the Jantar Mantar and the Amer Fort. Hawa Mahal is
a five-storey pyramidal shaped monument with 953 windows that rises 15
metres from its high base.
• Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan is popularly known as the ‘Blue
City’. Mehrangarh Fort is a historic fort is one of the most famous in India and
is packed with history and legends. It still bears the imprints of cannonball
attacks courtesy the armies of Jaipur on its second gate. The Phool Mahal or
Flower Hall is the most exorbitant of all the halls in the palace and is
captivating for the tourists.
• Udaipur known as ‘the city of lakes’ is located around azure water lakes and
the famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the
most beautiful sights of Udaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to
be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The beautiful City
Palace and Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and
grandeur of the city.
 Goa
• Goa, the land of beaches, is the smallest state in India and yet, the biggest
tourist destination of the country. The beaches, the markets, the parties and the
natural beauty of this land on the west coast of India is what mesmerizes and
attracts everyone. A blend of Portuguese and Indian influences, Goa’s unique
history makes it a place much more than just beaches and parties.
• Baga Beach is the most famous of all Goan beaches while the largest beach in
Goa, Calangute Beach is also affectionately known as the “Queen of Beaches”. It
is among the top ten beaches in the world and is one of the major tourist places
in Goa .There are many water activities like Jet skiing, kitesurfing, parasailing,
and waterboarding are some of the water sports which one can do here. Scuba
diving is the most popular activity in Goa where underwater exploration is
experienced in Grand Island.
• The Dudhsagar Waterfalls are one of India’s must-see sights. The four-tiered
waterfall structure is one of the tallest in India and is located on the Mandovi
River. Paloleum, Anjuna,Candolim,Vagator,Arambol and Mobor are few other
beaches which are also some of tourists attractions.
• Fort Aguada’s architecture gives a good insight into the building techniques of
old Portuguese architects and it has some amazing views as the old fort provides
a good view of the sea and the sunset reckoned to be lovely.
• One of the most important of all tourist places in Goa as well as a central
landmark for Catholics, the Bom Jesus Basilica is the place in which the incorrupt
body of St Francis Xavier is kept. The Church was built in 1605 and the body of
the Saint was brought to it in 1622 where it has laid since in its glass
mausoleum. The body is perhaps the greatest attraction of the Basilica for the
tourists. A gallery of Modern Art is also a part of the Basilica.
• The Church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception is one of the most
frequented sight-seeing places in Goa. It draws devotees from all over the globe
and has been a spiritual and geographical white landmark for centuries in Panaji
with a lovely multicoloured interior that at once imparts peace and delight.
• Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is the smallest wildlife sanctuary in Goa and is very
famous amongst the children and the environmentalists due to the some of the
rarest species of flora and fauna found in India.
• The Church of St. Cajetan is one of the most famous churches in Old Goa. The
church possesses a very strong resemblance with the popular St. Peters Basilica
church located in Rome. Goa is also the hub of many types of spice Plantations.
Spice Plantations are one of most delightful the places to visit in Goa.
• Goa is the ideal place to visit for a group of people who want to party and enjoy
themselves on their vacation. Therefore, the development of tourism in Goa has
certainly raised and has raised its tourists potential.
 Tamil Nadu
• Tamil Nadu known as 'The Land of Tamils' is one of the 29 states of India which
lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula. Tamil Nadu is well renowned
for its temple towns and heritage sites, hill stations, waterfalls, national parks,
local cuisine and the natural environment and wildlife.
• The state has the largest tourism industry in India as it is home to a number of
religious sites including Hindu temples of Tamil architecture, historic hill stations,
multi-religious pilgrimage sites, and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Chennai formerly known as Madras, is the capital city of the state, and India's
fourth largest metropolis. The city is known for its beaches, ancient Tamil
architecture, cultural festivals and is India's largest shopping destination. The
metre gauge Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu, is the World Heritage Site
by UNESCO and then came to be known as the Mountain railways of India.
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple in Darasuram built by the
Cholas and the Shore Temple along with the collection of other monuments in
Mahabalipuram have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.Vellore
known as the Fort city, has housed Tipu Sultan’s family during the British Rule.
• The tourists who visit Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of India enjoy the
exuberant scenes of the sunsets and sunrises while nature of the sand in the
beaches of Kanyakumari is unique as it is multicolored.
• Kanchipuram also referred as the ‘Golden city of Thousand Temples’ , is an important
pilgrimage destination in India. The city attracts a lot of tourists from all over the
world who are interested in Hinduism and want to enjoy the South Indian
architectural grandeur. It is known for its majestic Church dedicated to Mother Mary,
Velankanni is a beautiful coastal town. Anamalai Tiger reserves and Veranganthal Bird
Sanctuary are major attractions in Tamil Nadu.
• Situated on an island, Rameswaram is one of the holiest places in India. The Five-faced
Hanuman Temple also catches tourists’ eyes as this place holds the floating stone
which is said to be used to build the bridge between India and Sri Lanka.
Chidambaram has been a destination of architectural glory and religious significance
since ancient times.
• Famous for its Meenakshi Temple, Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India and
known as Lotus City for its construction. Gandhi Museum houses Gandhi’s blood
stained dhoti and some other artifacts related to freedom struggle in India. The
Adiyogi statue is a wide statue of the Hindu deity Shiva at Coimbatore which has
been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the "Largest Bust Sculpture” in
the world.
• Ideal for landscape photography, Coimbatore has some popular places of worship like
Ayyappan temple, Anubhavi Subramaniar Temple and Infant Jesus Church. Thanjavur
also called Tanjore or the City of Temples have some major tourist attractions like
Brihadishwara Temple, Siva Ganga Garden, Saraswathi Mahal Library and Sangeetha
Mahal are. Kumbakonam is a lovely temple town in the heart of the this district.
 Karnataka
• Karnataka is a state in the south western region of India. Though several
etymologies have been suggested for the name Karnataka, the generally accepted
one is that Karnataka is derived from the Kannada words karu and nadu, meaning
"elevated land". With an antiquity that dates to the paleolithic, Karnataka has been
home to some of the most powerful empires of ancient and medieval India.
• By virtue of its varied geography and long history, Karnataka hosts numerous spots
of interest for tourists. There is an array of ancient sculptured temples, modern
cities, scenic hill ranges, forests and beaches. Karnataka has been ranked as the
fourth most popular destination for tourism among the states of India.
• Ambavilas Palace, otherwise known as the Mysore Palace, is a historical palace and
a royal residence at Mysore in the southern Karnataka state of India. It is the official
residence of the Wadiyar dynasty and the seat of the Kingdom of Mysore.
• The monolith of Gomateshwara Bahubali at Shravanabelagola is the tallest sculpted
monolith of height 60 feet in the world. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in
Karnataka and is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of India. It is situated at
Shravanabelagola in the Hassan district of the state. The giant monolithic statue
attracting ten thousands of pilgrims during the Mahamastakabhisheka festival.
• The Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebidu, which were built with Chloritic schist
(soapstone) are proposed UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Gol Gumbaz and
Ibrahim Rauza are famous examples of the Deccan Sultanate style of architecture.
• Karnataka has 25 wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks. Popular among them
are Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park and Nagarhole National Park.
The ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire at Hampi and the monuments of Pattadakal are
on the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. St. Philomena's Church, Vidhana
Soudha, Kudalasangama, Mysore Zoo and Badami cave temples are some other
major tourists point of interests.
• The waterfalls of Karnataka and Kudremukh are considered by some to be among the
"1001 Natural Wonders of the World". Jog Falls is India's tallest single-tiered waterfall
with Gokak Falls, Unchalli Falls, Magod Falls, Abbey Falls and Shivanasamudra Falls
among other popular waterfalls. Recently Karnataka has emerged as a hot spot for
health care tourism. Karnataka has the highest number of approved health systems
and alternative therapies in India.
• Chitradurga Fort is a fortification that straddles several hills and a peak overlooking a
flat valley in the Chitradurga District, Karnataka. Biligiriranga Hills and Chamundi Hills
leave tourists mesmerizing while Netravati River is considered as one of the Holy
rivers of India. Jaganmohan Palace, Devanahalli Fort are some of the most beautiful
contributions of the Wodeyar Kings of the city during their regime. The Mirjan Fort in
the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The fort known for its architectural elegance
is the famous Hindu pilgrimage centre on the west coast of India
 West Bengal
• From the mighty Himalayas to the greenery of Gangetic planes, from serene beaches
to mangrove estuaries - West Bengal is a land of many natural splendours. Adding to
its charm and appeal are the magnificent heritage architecture, colourful folk
festivals, beautiful arts and crafts, traditional and contemporary music, theatre and
films and delicious ethnic specialities that make West Bengal truly a brilliant
experience offering unique diversities.
• West Bengal, located on eastern bottleneck of India stretching from the Himalayas in
the north to the Bay of Bengal in the south, presents some of marvellous landscape
features and natural scenic beauty. World heritage sites in West Bengal include the
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway and the Sundarbans National Park which is one of the
largest reserves for the Bengal tiger. Neora Valley National Park, which is one of the
richest biological zones in the entire Northeast, situated in the Darjeeling District,
West Bengal. The state of West Bengal has significant architectural and natural
heritage.
• Calcutta Botanical Garden is the largest and oldest reserve of greeneries of its kind in
South East Asia. It is also a premier institution for botanical and horticultural research
in India. The culture of West Bengal attracts tourists from around the world. It has its
roots in literature, music, fine arts, drama and cinema. The Calcutta High Court is the
oldest High Court in India.
• The Victoria Memorial is a large marble building in Kolkata, West Bengal which was built
between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria and is now a
museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture. The
memorial lies by the bank of the Hooghly River, near Jawaharlal Nehru road. Eden
Gardens is the largest cricket stadium in India and second-largest in the world by
seating capacity.
• The Howrah Bridge is a bridge with a suspended span over the Hooghly River in West
Bengal. The bridge is one of four on the Hooghly River and is a famous symbol of
Kolkata. The Howrah Bridge is currently the sixth-longest bridge of its type in the world.
The Science City of Kolkata is the largest science centre in the Indian subcontinent. Fort
Williams, Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, Indian Museum, Rabindra Sadan and others are
some major tourists attractions.
• Belur Math temple is the heart of the Ramakrishna Movement. The temple is notable
for its architecture that fuses Hindu, Christian and Islamic motifs as a symbol of unity of
all religions. The Great Banyan is a banyan tree located in Acharya Jagadish Chandra
Bose Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah near Kolkata. The great banyan tree draws more
visitors to the garden than its collection of exotic plants from five continents.
• Rededicated to the memory of the martyrs of the Indian freedom movement it was
renamed the "Shaheed Minar," which means "martyrs’ monument” by the then United
Front Government in memory of the martyrs of the Indian independence movement.
Kumortuli is a traditional potters’ quarter in Kolkata which is famous for its sculpting
hot-spot which not only manufactures clay idols for various festivals but also regularly
exports them.
 Sikkim
• Sikkim offers wide potential of tourism in north eastern part of India. The state is one
of the prominent destination for travel enthusiast because of the Himalayan
environment, Gurgling streams, snow capped mountains, its richness of culture,
monasteries, flora and fauna.
• The state is bestowed with a greater variety of vegetation and undisturbed valleys,
peaceful environment, hospitable and humble people and a rich cultural heritage
which is unmatched than anywhere else. Among its mountains is the fabulous
Kanchenjunga which is the third highest mountain in the world. Sikkim is also the least
populous state in the Indian union. Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim is situated at a
height of over five thousand feet above sea level . It is also known as the land of
monasteries, as it has got maximum number of monasteries in the whole world. It is a
significant Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre and Buddhist people visit this place every year.
• Sikkim offers several treks that lead through pine forests and picturesque valleys. The
state is also the base for mountaineering expeditions and excellent river rafting. In the
past few years the state has become one of the most sought after tourist destination.
Namgyal Institute of Tibetology is a Tibet museum in Gangtok, Sikkim was opened
officially by the Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on 1 October 1958
• Rumte Monastery also called the Dharmachakr Centre, is a gompa located in Sikkim
near the capital Gangtok. It is a focal point for the sectarian tensions within the
Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo Lake or Changu Lake, is a glacial whose surface
reflects different colours with change of seasons and is held in great reverence by
the local Sikkim people. Buddhist monks prognosticated after studying the changing
colours of the lake.
• Dro-dul Chorten is a stupa in Gangtok in the Indian state of Sikkim. The Chorten
Stupa is marked by a golden top dome. This golden top can be seen from various
places in Gangtok.
• Hanuman Tok, one the famous attraction in Gangtok, is a Hindu temple complex
which is located in the upper reaches of Gangtok, the capital of the Indian state of
Sikkim. The temple is dedicated to lord Hanuman and maintained by the Indian
army. Rabdentse monument containing the ruins of the city has been declared as of
national importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.
• The Pemayangtse Monastery is a oldest Buddhist monastery which is part of
Buddhist religious pilgrimage circuit starting with the first monastery at Yuksom
known as the Dubdi Monastery, followed by Norbugang Chorten, Tashiding
Monastery, the Rabdentseruins, the Sanga Choeling Monastery, and the
Khecheopalri Lake. Khecheopalri Lake is an integral part of the much revered valley
of "Demazong" meaning valley of rice. This landscape is also known as a land of
hidden treasures blessed by Guru Padmasambhava.
 Assam
• The state of Assam is the gateway to the northeastern part of India situated south
of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. The state
has conserved the one-horned Indian rhinoceros from near extinction, along with
the wild water buffalo, pygmy hog, tiger and various species of Asiatic birds, and
provides one of the last wild habitats for the Asian elephant.
• The Assam economy is aided by wildlife tourism to Kaziranga National Park of the
Brahmaputra River and the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary near the border with Bhutan
which are now World Heritage Sites. Assam is one of the richest biodiversity zones
in the world. Many are now protected as national parks and reserved forests.
Gargaon was the capital of the Ahom kingdom for many years
• Located in Assam, Guwahati is the largest city in the region and one of the fastest
growing cities in India. It is blessed with a vast history and has a number of ancient
temples, which led to it being called as ‘City of Temples’. Umananda Temple is
located on Peacock Island, which stands out as the world’s smallest inhabited
riverine island.
• With its beautiful parks, hillocks, and scenic beauty, tourism in Tezpur is on the rise.
Also famous for being Assam’s oldest inhabited city, Nameri National Park, the
impressive fire-fort, Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, Chitralekha Udyan District
Museum, Ouguri Hill, Padum Pukhuri, Kalia Bhomora Setu, Nag-Sankar temple and
Ketakeshwar Dewal temple.
• Located in Cachar district of Assam, Silchar serves as a gateway to other Northeastern
states such as Mizoram and Manipur. The city is full of tourist spots such as
Maniharan tunnel, Gandhibag Park, Maibong, Hazo, and Bhubaneswar Temple, which
speaks highly of Silchar’s cultural past.
• The historical town of Hajo which serves as a major pilgrim attraction due to the
presence of Powa Mecca (a mosque) and Hayagriva Madhava Temple which dedicated
to Lord Shiva). Srimanta Sankaradev Kalakshetra is a cultural institution in the
Panjabari area of Guwahati named after the medieval poet-playwright and reformer
Srimanta Sankardev.
• Dibrugarh is the second largest and one of the most urbanized cities in the state.
Renowned for its massive tea plantations, Dibrugarh is often referred to as the Tea
City of India. Dehing Patkai Wildlife sanctuaries and Lekai Chetia Maidam are some of
the most visited tourist spots in Dibrugarh. It has India’s longest rail-cum-road bridge
of Bogibeel bridge.
• Madan Kamdev is an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Assam. Excavation and
ruins here shows the prosperity and might of Pala dynasty of Kamarupa. Also
embraced idols carved on the stones of medieval temples while most prominent
statues are of the Sun, Ganesha and Vidhyadhar.
• The Talatal Ghar is located in Rangpur.Of all Ahom ruins, it is one of the grandest
examples of Tai Ahom architecture. The Assam State Museum, Kamakya Temple,Rang
ghar,Dipor Bil are major attractions .Kareng Ghar, also known as The Gorgaon Palace
of all Ahom ruins is one of the grandest examples of Ahom architecture.
 Madhya Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is
Indore with Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Ujjain being the other major cities. Also known as the
"Heart of India" due to its geographical location in India, Madhya Pradesh is the second-
largest state in the country by area.It has been home to the cultural heritage of
Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc. Innumerable monuments, but exquisitely carved
temples, stupas, forts & palaces are dotted all over the state.
• Madhya Pradesh has won Best Tourism State National award. Sanchi Stupa, is a Buddhist
complex, famous for its Great Stupa in Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh. The Great
Stupa at Sanchi is one of the oldest stone structures in India. Its nucleus was a simple
hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the
chatra symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics.
• Taj-ul-Masajid means "Crown Among Mosques". It is the largest mosque in India and in
Asia as well. Aalmi Tablighi Ijtima is an annual three-day congregation that draws people
from all over the world. The Narmada is the longest river in Madhya Pradesh. The
Narmada river is considered very sacred and is worshipped throughout the region. Kanch
Mandir in Indore is famous for exquisite artwork on glass panels.
• Gwalior Fort is an hill fort near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The fort has many inscriptions
and monuments found within what is now the fort campus indicate that it may have
existed as early as the beginning of the 6th century. The Marble Rock has carved the soft
marble, creating a beautiful gorge. It is a popular Indian tourist destination.
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya or National Museum of Humankind or
Museum of Man is an anthropology museum located in Bhopal to present an
integrated story of the evolution of man and culture with special reference to India.
Bhojtal,National Chambal Sanctuary, Bhoj Wetland and Lower Lake are other major
tourists attractions in Madhya Pradesh.
• Rajwada is a historical palace in Indore city. It was built by the Holkars of the Maratha
Empire about two centuries ago. This seven storied structure is located near the
Chhatris and serves today as a fine example of royal grandeur and architectural skills.
• Van Vihar National Park is developed and managed as a modern zoological park where
animals are kept in their near natural habitat. Van Vihar is unique because it allows
easy access to the visitors through a road passing through the park and by providing
natural habitat to the animals.
• The Bhimbetka rock shelters are an archaeological site in central India spans the
prehistoric paleolithic and mesolithic periods, as well as the historic period. It exhibits
the earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent. It is a UNESCO world
heritage site that consists of seven hills and over 750 rock shelters distributed over 10
kilometres.
• The Bagh Caves are a group of nine rock-cut monuments, situated among the
southern slopes of the Vindhyas and are renowned for mural paintings by master
painters of ancient India. Omkareshwar is a Hindu temple dedicated to God Shiva. It is
one of the 12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is on an island called Mandhata or
Shivapuri in the Narmada river.