Glimpses Of Incredible India: States And Union Territories – Part II

Indian States

We are back as promised with some more gems, specially plucked for you from the dazzling garland, that is also known as India. We do hope you have read the first part of our series on the Indian States and Union Territories that together form Incredible India. If you have not yet read it, you can do so by clicking here.

In this, the second of our 4 part series, we look at 10 more states of India which shine luminously on India’s map.

The Indian states that we will cover in this post are colored in green, in the map below:

Jharkhand

Among the Indian states, this is a relatively new Indian state which came into existence in the year 2000. Prior to this, Jharkhand was an integral part of the State of Bihar. The Capital of Jharkhand is Ranchi. The other main cities of Jharkhand include Jamshedpur known for its steel industry and Dhanbad which is famous for its collieries. One of Ranchi’s attractions is the 300-year-old Jagannath temple which is built on a hillock. This temple’s architecture is similar to the famous temple in Puri but on a smaller scale. The Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Math founded by Paramhansa Yogananda whose book, “The Autobiography of a Yogi”, took the world by storm, is also situated in Ranchi.

Karnataka

A state so steeped in history, that its origins can even be traced to the Paleolithic age. Karnataka situated in the southern part of India is a veritable treasure trove of wonders. The capital of the state is Bangalore which besides being one of the most important IT centers of the world has also recently earned the tag of being the most dynamic city in the world. Besides Bangalore, the city of Mysore with its royal heritage is a jewel in the crown of the state and a must visit for travelers. Heritage temples, wonderful wildlife – Bandipur and Nagarhole, bird sanctuary – Rangantittu, beautiful beaches and pristine hill stations make the state an irresistible destination. Hampi, the site where the ruins of the 7th-century Vijayanagara empire are situated is a place where stones tell a silent story of a bygone era.

Kerala

This state, popularly known as “God’s own country”, is situated on the southern coast of India. It is also known as the “Spice Garden of India”, and has been known the world over for its spices from as long back as 3000 BCE. The capital of the state is Thiruvananthapuram which was previously known as Trivandrum. The famed Kovalam Beach which is a favorite haunt for travelers is situated near the state capital. Kochi is another important city of Kerala and here lie the mortal remains of the Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama, who arrived in Kerala in the year 1448. When in Kerala, do not forget to lose yourself in its romantic backwaters and seductive beaches.

Madhya Pradesh

The name of the state literally translates into Central Province or State, it lies in the heart of India, at the center of the country. In terms of area, this is the second largest state in India. One of the cities of Madhya Pradesh is Ujjain and this city was a major urban center as early as the 6^th Century BCE. Today, Ujjain is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus as one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Shiva is located here. The capital of the state is Bhopal and a major city is Indore. The state has some rich treasures to offer to visitors and ensure that they have some amazing travel experiences. The Kanha National Park, which is said to have inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the stories of Jungle Book, is situated in this state.  Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for its large population of royal Bengal tigers. The temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO world heritage site is also found in Madhya Pradesh. The famous Sanchi Stupa that was built in the 3^rd century BCE also stands as a silent testimony to the wonderful history of Madhya Pradesh.

Maharashtra

This state is situated on the western coast of India and is the third largest in terms of area. More than 112 million people live in the state, of which about 12 million calls the capital of the state, Mumbai, as their home. Mumbai is synonymous with Maharashtra and in many ways India itself. It can be termed as the economic capital of the country. Mumbai is the land of dreams which draws millions into its fold chasing those very dreams. The Gateway of India is an iconic landmark of Mumbai, standing on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it has many a story to tell. The famed Ajanta & Ellora caves which date back to 2^nd Century BCE are situated near Aurangabad, a city in Maharashtra.

Manipur

This is a state on the North-East frontier of India. The capital of Manipur is Imphal and the lush green environs of the state and its beautiful hills make it an ideal destination to get close to Nature. The word Manipur literally translates to ‘a jeweled land’, and the enchanting landscapes of the state sing out the reason why the place got this name. Manipur beckons you to take a walk along the Loktak lake and visit Keibul Lamjao, the only floating National Park in the world.

Meghalaya

The abode of clouds is what the word Meghalaya means. This beautiful state in the North-East region of India was referred to as, “Scotland of the East”, by the British in the pre-independence era. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong. Meghalaya is the wettest state in India and receives on an average close to 12,000 mm of rain annually. The state of Meghalaya is picturesque and dotted by enchanting hills and waterfalls. Mawsynram and Cherapunji, which are the wettest places on earth are located in the state of Meghalaya. When in Meghalaya, do not forget to take a walk on one of the living root bridges in the hills of the state.

Mizoram

This is a hilly  Indian state in the Nort-East of India. The capital of the state is Aizawl, and it is a sparsely populated state. A state blessed with beautiful valleys, rivers, hills and lakes, Mizoram is indeed a land of enchantment. Trekking in the untouched forests of Mizoram would be a wonderful experience. Phawngpui hills, also known as “House of Goda”, is a lovely hill station with captivating flora and fauna that includes Orchids, Rhododendron, and exotic birds.

Nagaland

Nagaland is an Indian state on the North-East border of India. The state is inhabited by 17 tribes with their own unique culture and customs. The capital of Nagaland is Kohima. Kohima is one of the most sought after destinations of Nagaland, owing to its picturesque views and exciting trekking and camping opportunities. The other major city of Nagaland is Dimapur and here is located the Kachari ruins which date back in history to the 10^th century.

Odisha

Odisha is an Indian state on the eastern coast of India. Bhubaneshwar is the capital of this state whose history can be traced back to the Paleolithic age. Odisha is home to the second largest lagoon in the world, the Chilka lake which spans 1,100 square kilometers welcomes more than 160 species of migratory birds. The exquisitely designed Sun temple of Konark stands brightly as a shining example of ancient Indian architecture and sculpture in Odisha. The famous Jagannath temple which hosts a Rath yatra or Chariot Procession is also located in Puri, Odisha.

Glimpses of Indian states. This post covers Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Odisha. This is the second of the 4 part series of posts on 29 states and 7 union territories. We have covered glimpses of 10 states of Incredible India in this post.

We hope you liked the second part of our series on Indian States and Union Territories. Do stay tuned in for more as we will be back with the third part of the series of the Indian States, soon. In the meanwhile, do not hesitate to write to us for any information about India.

Glimpses Of Incredible India: States And Union Territories:

Part I

Part II

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