Indian States
Welcome back dear readers to this third part of our series on Indian States and Union Territories. In this part, we steal some glimpses of a few more states that are a part of the incredible mosaic that is India. We would encourage you to do refer to our earlier posts in this series:
Some Glimpses Of The Beautiful Mosaic Called India – Part I
Glimpses Of Incredible India: States And Union Territories – Part II
Reading Part I and Part II will give a complete picture of the complexity and diversity of India and a brief overview of different Indian states. In this part, we look at the remaining 9 states that make up India.
In this, the third of our 4 part series, we look at 9 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:
Punjab
The name literally translates as,”The land of the 5 rivers”. The five rivers being referred to here are the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. These rivers have ensured a rich and fertile soil because of which Punjab is also referred to as, “The Granary of India”. Punjab is one of the Indian states which has a flourishing agrarian economy. The state of Punjab is situated in the northern part of India and is a colorful and vibrant region. A drive through the interiors of the state is sure to mesmerize one with rows and rows of mustard fields swaying in the breeze to the hypnotic rhythm of Bhangra, the folk dance of the state. The capital of Punjab is Chandigarh and its main cities are Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. A visit to Punjab would remain incomplete without a glimpse of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, a serene place where spirituality pervades the air.
Rajasthan
The state which has royalty snuggling in its very name is probably one of the most popular Indian states in terms of tourism. Rajasthan which literally means, “Land of Kings”, offers a unique and varied experience to its visitors. It is an intoxicating cocktail of palaces, forts, desert lands, temples, wildlife sanctuaries, music, and dance. The capital of Rajasthan is Jaipur. The state is situated in the western part of India and is easily accessible from all the major cities of the country by rail, road, and air. The state of Rajasthan is a giant tableau of sights and sounds and it indeed very difficult to choose one over the other. Amer Fort and Palace in Jaipur, Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the vast Thar Desert beyond Jaisalmer are some of the places that epitomize the spirit and character of Rajasthan.
Sikkim
This state which nestles in the lower Himalayas is a pristine region that is relatively less touched by the winds of industrialization. This is one of the most beautiful Indian states in terms of natural beauty. Its beauty is indeed a revelation as you travel across enchanting lakes, villages and treacherous mountain passes. This northern state of India was on the ancient Silk Route which was the main conduit for trade and cultural interaction of the Asian region. Sikkim was an independent monarchy till it became the 22nd state of India in the year 1975. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok and it accounts for the highest production of Cardamom in the country. Gangtok, Nathula Pass, Pelling, Ravangla, and the Yumthang Valley are some magical places that must not be missed in Sikkim.
Tamil Nadu
The state of Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Penisula. The capital city of the state is Chennai, earlier known as Madras. The lingua franca of the region is Tamil, one of the longest existing classical languages in the world. This is one of the Indian states that is resplendent with many ancient and exquisite temples. As one travels in the state, one is sure to brush with history in the form of ancient temples like the Meenakshi temple In Madurai which is more than 2500 years old. Kanya Kumari which is the southern most tip of India is also situated in Tamil Nadu. The picturesque hill stations of Ooty and Kodaikanal are also jewels that adorn the state.
Telangana
Telangana is among the brand new Indian states formed recently. This state has been carved out of the state of Andhra Pradesh. It came into existence in 2014 and has Hyderabad as its capital. The other major cities of this southern state include Warangal, Khammam, and Karimnagar. Hyderabad is a city with a rich history of Mughal architecture and culture. The Charminar, Golconda fort and the Salar Jung Museum are sights one should not miss when in Hyderabad.
Tripura
Tripura is one of the small Indian states in the Nort-Eastern part of India and covers an area of about 4,000 square Kilometres. The state is connected to the rest of the country through National Highway No.8. The capital city of Tripura is Agartala. The majestic Ujjayanta Palace standing on the banks of a serene lake amidst beautiful gardens is indeed a sight to behold when in Agartala.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest Indian states in terms of area and the most populous region. The historic and sacred rivers Ganga and Yamuna flow through the state. One of the wonders of the World, a monument that was described by Rabindranath Tagore as a tear on the cheek of time, the Taj Mahal is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh in Agra. Varanasi, the spiritual destination for Hindus and one of the oldest existing cities of the world is also situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow, with its Mughal heritage, is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh.
Uttarakhand
This is a Northern state of India that came into existence in the year 2,000. It was carved out of the north-western and Himalayan districts of Uttar Pradesh.The capital of the state is Dehra Dun. The proximity to the Himalayan ranges ensures that the state is endowed with rich and varied natural beauty. Uttarakhand is one of the Indian states that has incredible nature trails which are a heaven sent for trekkers. Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain peak in India lies in this state. Nainital, nestling in the midst of snow-clad mountains is a picturesque destination in Uttarakhand. The Valley of Flowers is a place high up in the Himalayan valleys which is a treasure trove of nature and bio-diversity. Uttarakhand is a paradise for nature lovers.
Bengal
A state situated in the Eastern part of the country, Bengal has Kolkota(Calcutta) as its capital city. Bengal is one of the Indian states that has a rich heritage and culture. Kolkata is steeped in history with its Victoria Memorial as a distinctive landmark of the state. The Sunderbans which form the largest single block of Mangrove forests in the World is situated in Bengal. The roar of the Bengal tiger echoes through the state combining with the sweet strains of Rabindra Sangeet to create a magical ethos in the state of Bengal. A tiger tour is a great way to experience the tigers in Indian national parks. India’s tea country in the form of Darjeeling is also situated in Bengal. And when in Bengal do yield to the temptation of Rosogolla, a syrupy dessert.
Glimpses of Indian states. This post covers Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, & Bengal. This is the third of the 4 part series of posts on 29 states and 7 union territories. We have covered glimpses of 9 states of Incredible India in this post.
We hope you enjoyed reading about Indian states. We shall be back soon with our final part of the series where we will cover the Union Territories, which together with the 29 states make up India. In the meanwhile, do not hesitate to write to us for any information about India.
Glimpses Of Incredible India: States And Union Territories:
Thanks for visiting our site Voyager – imvoyager.com and taking the time to read our post! Do check out our various Travel Destination posts. We’d love if you’d comment and share this post.
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I really want to go to India and explore the different states! Ever since my husband has been telling me about his trip to India he has said great things about Rajastan and it’s made me want to go even more! I also want to check out all these other areas you’ve mentioned as well!
Oh I love how you go into all the regions in such detail. India is a mystery to me because it’s so big, I wouldn’t know where to start but your guides are perfect. I want to go to Uttar Pradesh since it’s the most populated and go to Varanasi.
What a great idea for an article! I know very little about India except that it is made up of many different regions, languages / dialects and customs. The map is so helpful to see which areas you are referencing. And I just love your photos! The slide show is awesome.
India has always been my dream destination for me and this is a great article to get to know India’s regions. Very useful map as well.
Only heard of 3 of the states covered in this post. Sikkim looks stunning!
So many gorgeous places to visit. I have dreamt of visiting India for so long and each time I read one of your posts – my list of must visit places grows. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Another very comprehensive post! Thank you!
I love those places even if I still haven’t visited them.
Now you have to create a guide “best of all Indian states for 2 weeks or so” 🙂
Such beautiful photos and a very informative post, loved it. Thanks for sharing!
Another fascinating snapshot.
I’m curious, as many of the states are distant geographically (you haven’t stuck with a group clustered together), how did you come to select those focused upon in each post?
Is there a theme that I have perhaps missed?
Thanks, Chris. We have covered all the states in alphabetical order. In the next one, it will be all union territories. While writing this third in the series, we realized ‘West Bengal’ is now officially ‘Bengal’! So it is covered in the third part of the series.
Great overview of the nine regions. I have been wanting to go to India, but would never be able to choose just one region to visit. I did find Sikkim intriguing with it’s more natural beauty.
These posts have been making me so excited for my upcoming (in the not-so-distant-future) trip to India! We’re going to the Holi Festival in 2018, so I have to ask where the best place to experience that is? I know that I want to visit Rajasthan. It makes sense that all of the photos of it are so grande since it’s the Land of Kings.
Wow, glad to know you will be visiting India. Some of the best places to celebrate Holi is Mathura, Vrindavan, Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi and Mumbai. Reach out to us if you need any help.
This was a fun virtual tour of the Indian states. I need to check out the other posts off of this series. Uttar Pradesh has got me curious – that UNESCO site is definitely on my bucket list!
Been to Pujab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and west bengal. But can’t say have covered the length and breath of any of them. That itself tells how vast they are and how much there is to explore. Thanks for this series..it’s really bringing the best of India out to the world.
This is super amazing and I’m glad you can highlight and sum up the states. The states that caught my attention were Telangana for its rustic beauty and Bengal that is rich in history and culture.
I always hear the world Punjab and had no idea that it meant The land of the 5 rivers”. I would love to drive through the mustard fields and the Golden Temple is magnificent. I clicked on the link and my is it a stunning building.
Beautiful. I’m meaning to travel across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan later this year. 🙂 Was thinking of making it a train journey.
Wow! India has to be one of the most gorgeous countries in the world! So so so much diverse in its landscape! I can’t wait to visit one day!
India is my top favorite travel destination in the world. I did a lot of research about it and I must admit that it is truly incredible. So many languages and religions … just unbelievable.
I saved these series of posts, I want to do more research later.
Wow, I had no idea India had such diversity to offer from place to place. I am excited to dig through the guide and plan out a visit to this beautiful country!
I feel like I’m learning so much about India in your posts! And I love that you include maps! I’m not sure if I really want to do a train trip in India, but the pictures look so amazing.
Thanks for putting these posts together – I don’t think people truly realize how diverse India really is – between the culture, history, food, communities, palaces, architecture, stunning nature and wildlife – you’re spot on when you say it’s an incredible mosaic!! I wouldn’t blame Indian people for not wanting to travel anywhere else when their own country is so incredible and diverse!
Looks like I’ve only been to two of the Indian states. THe others have so much to offer I might just need to plan a trip back to take it all in. Just stunning photos. Thank you.
I will be honest, I don’t know much about India. I have begun reading more blogs that focus on this beautiful country but my lack of knowledge makes its hard for me to place where they are referring too. I’m saving these post for when we can finally add this beautiful country to destinations list.
I have been to India twice, but seeing this makes me think that I really need to spend a much longer time there. What a vibrant place of cultures it is! What is the best time of year to visit these places? Sikkim in particular looks spell bounding
You can visit Sikkim in April – May or September to November. Northern states of India are quite hot during summer. But Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu Kashmir would be cool in summer too. Same with Kerala, Tamil Nadu etc. They would be quite hot during summers.
I am going to travel to india in september month, since then I have started reading alot about it. I am looking forward to the Taj Mahal. It looks wonderful I have also read some piece about taj mahal on your space. and I found it out of the world! Cheers!
Silly, but I had no idea that Bengal tigers were named after the region. There are so many cities and states in India, this is a great post to break them down and cover a few at a time. I imagine it would be like trying to explain all 50 US states to someone who had never been to visit – overwhelming
Gosh your pictures are gorgeous and your article is just fascinating! It almost makes me want to go to India. I’m saying almost as I’m quite scared of going. Scared of liking it too much, or scared of just hating it. One day I’ll go, just to find out…
India has so many beautiful destinations. I really want to see the Taj Mahal but the golden temple is running as well. The parks and architecture in Telangana is also quite lovely. Hopefully I have a chance to explore india in the future.
You live in such a beautifully diverse country! I’m happy to say that I’ve been to 5 of these states (only drove thru Uttarakhand) and The Golden Temple was a highlight of my trip to India.
Super helpful! India is such a big country, and I found it so hard to conceptualize the geography before visiting myself. Thanks for the resource!
It seems like there’s a lot more diversity than one would think in India, wow! I’d love to see Uttar Pradesh for the Taj Majal and all of the culture there. I had never heard of Sikkim–I love the nature photos you have of it. Such a different picture than I have in my head of India (but so beautiful).
I always love reading your posts because I learn something new each time. India is such a vast nation and it would be incredible to see these places in person someday!
I have always wanted to go to India, it looks so beautiful. I love how you went into detail about each region, there really is so much to see! I’ll have to keep this post in mind for the future, what a great travel resource.
I did enjoy seeing pictures from all over India. What an incredible and diverse country! Of course I want to see the Taj Mahal, but I would also want to see the Golden Temple and the beautiful natural surroundings. I hope to visit India soon.
I’ve always wanted to visit India. It’s such a diverse country. My friend is in New Dheli now, for a month and she absolutely loves it! Rajasthan and Sikkim both look like places I would love. The architecture is so ornate, and then Sikkim with all the beautiful nature.
Good going with this series. Some of these states are very popular but some others are not known much. For example Uttarakhand is a heaven but few explore Punjab or Telengana as a tourist. Hope this creates more awareness.
It is really incredible how much variety, both cultural and geographical that exist throughout India. Of course, many visitors will head straight to Delhi and all its sights but as you’ve highlighted, there is so, so much more. Certainly, there are some lesser-known spots in this post and when I FINALLY make it to India, I’ll most certainly bear some of these suggestions in mind
I arrived 3 days ago from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Goa 😀
Your description about Rajasthan it is really what I feel. Next November will be there again, to be honest, I am thinking to go to India for a long term to visit every single state.
Great pictures and details about the Indian states. You won’t believe in the 37 years of life so far, I haven’t gone beyond Maharashtra & Gujarat. Well once been to a holiday to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Apart from these there’s so much to cover and so many places to visit yet. I’ll be ticking them off one by one very soon 🙂
My geographical knowledge of India is not great – these posts have been absolutely fantastic for me. It has been fantastic to learn more about India – hopefully i will get to visit one day! #feetdotravel
I am hoping to go to India one day, thank you for sharing so much information. You photos are gorgeous!
It’s amazing how incredibly diverse and complex India is, which makes it an interesting country to travel around. I have still so much to learn about this country and have yet to travel to it. Rajasthan sounds like a wonderful place to visit – and the architecture looks so royal!
That was so interesting! India has so much to offer… I’ve only been to Rajasthan but your pictures really make me wish I had seen more!
Rajasthan has been my top most pick from this one. I have been and yet there is so much left to see. I would love to explore Tripura too…it has a lot of unexplored paths. Loving this series of yours.
A great post about the Indian states. These are names we are familiar with but are unfamiliar with their rich culture and landscapes. The more we here about India the more we would love to visit, hopefully in the next year we will get there.
I never really understood how diverse India is so thank you for giving me a little snapshot of every area so I could better understand. I now have an idea of which states i would like to visit and may I say your pictures are just gorgeous.
India is such a large country with so much to see and you have done a fantastic job in helping travellers choose where to visit and what they can start with. For me personally, it was Rajasthan as I had to see the Taj Mahal and go on a tiger safari in Ranthamborne and it was such an amazing experience! Thank you for providing so much information for when we return! #feetdotravel
Wow i really like the pictures. I want to travel there absolutely! Thanks a lot for the advices.
I’m dreaming about going to India someday and explore the whole country and culture. It have always been very interesting for me, thanks for the informative post.
I have been to some of these states that you have listed. I reside in Rajasthan and been to major tourist destinations here yet some offbeat places are yet to be covered. Uttrakhand has been my all time favorite state. Its beauty is unrivaled. Hope to cover other states too, someday!
Beautiful pictures!
We love the field of flowers in Punjab, and the Himalayan mountains look breathtaking. Thank you for the beautiful pictures, we will add these to our list. 🙂
I had no idea India was split into so many states! Such a informative series of posts. Thanks for sharing your info!
We’re in the process of planning a trip to India so your posts have been really useful for us! There are so many beautiful states – so much to see and do past the Taj Mahal which attracts so many visitors. Great pictures too! thanks for sharing.
Considering how little some people (eh, me) know about the Indian states, this is an excellent guide. I like that you covered a geographical variety in this post so the photos can demonstrate how different things are from east to west, north to south.
Wow such beautiful descriptions of each region! I’ve only visited a small section of India but your blog is giving me wanderlust to see more! X
I would really like to get back to India to further explore the country. It’s so massive– there’s so much to see and do. Such a beautiful and interesting country.
This is such a cool initiative and a wonderful way to appreciate how incredible India is. Loved it and bookmarking ( all parts) to share with friends who want to travel to India as it truly highlights the different states. The photos on top of that are incredible.
Have you personally been to every state in India? How long do you think that would take? The more I read your posts about India, the more I need to see of it!
I am amazed at the diversity of India. I am so happy you are sharing these articles so I get a small understanding of India. I would love to visit Rajasthan with its beautiful architecture. Stunning photos and thanks for sharing 🙂 #feetdotravel
What can I say apart from that I LOVE these Indian States posts? I find them an excellent pocket guide, with in a nutshell description + beautiful pictures. Read already part 1 and 2, can’t wait for part number 4
I’ve always wanted to visit India, but never knew where to start so your series with details on the different states has been a great starting block! I’m always drawn to the water and mountains so Sikkim looks amazing to me, with magical villages and lakes. Thanks for sharing!
This is so informative, thanks for sharing. I learned so much. India is massive and there is clearly so much to see, I really want to visit but just can’t justify spending any less than 2-3 months there! From your list, my top “must visits” are Uttarakhand and Bengal!!
India is indeed diverse and thanks for the great coverage and introduction.
Helped me a lot for the explosion of the country soon enough!
I have always wanted to travel to India – seems like such an interesting place. Your overview of the various places is fantastic and really helps in deciding which places to visit – only trouble is I want to visit them all!!
Living in India and haveing travelled so much here, I cab still say that I have not been many of the places you talk about here. One lifetime is not enough!
The contrasts of India continue to amaze me! There are so many beautiful and varied landscapes here – it would take a long time to explore them all!
I must admit that my knowledge of the different Indian states were so limited. I never knew India had such a variety of landscapes and the buildings are beautiful! You just opened my eyes to another possible destination to travel to!
Wow–so many amazing spots to check out in India! I love all the info about the various states. I’ve never really looked into the different states, so it’s great to have a bit of an overview. I would especially love to visit Sikkim and Tamil Nadu–the landscapes look amazing!
I never get tired of visiting Rajasthan, which looks like the India we recognise from the movies! But I also like the mountains in India too. The mountain scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.
India is in my bucket list. I would love to see Taj Mahal, really! I hope one day my boyfriend and I can visit this romantic place. It might take 3 or 4 more years before I can visit India because of visa issues.
What a fantastic series! We backpacked around Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh a few years ago. I think most people have a very specific image of what they think India looks like in their mind. They are not aware of the diversity. You have done a great job in showing this!
India is just full of diversity. Each state is unique in it’s own way. Great job with the post that showcases the best of India has to offer. I’m going to visit Sikkim soon and couldn’t be more excited!
You say well, India is an incredible mosaic, and I just discovered more things about it than expected! From a usual western point of view, India is just Mumbai or New Delhi, but there really is much more to see. I’d like to visit your country as soon as possible, and I already know a trip won’t be enough, but a least is a starting point!
Great photos, interesting histories and so informative post about diverse India… I have read a lot about Rajasthan but I’ve just learned now that it means Land of Kings. 🙂
I’ve been in India last year and simply I fell in love with this magical country. It’s amazing how diverse it is. I hope to come back and visit the northern part. I dream about Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.
Very well detailed series! Thank you for sharing with us. We are planning to go to India in the near future and after reading this post at least I have a better view what places we want to see. My favourites are Rajasthan because of its beautiful architecture and the other one is Sikkim for its natural beauty. Hoping to see you more posts from you!
I’ve never seen a compilation like this. The photos look so grand and make me want to visit immediately! I hope one day I’ll experience visiting those great places in the future!
What a great overview to several regions! Sikkim tops my list to visit as I love the mountains in the background.
This series is a great gift. We’ve found it to be so educational and very inspirational too. We can’t wait to see as many of these places as possible.
I’ll admit, I didn’t know much about the recently formed Indian states. Telangana is definitely going on my list. India is such a beautiful and diverse country. Great post, thanks for sharing 🙂
Wow, Uttarakhand looks beautiful and very different from the rest of India. This is such a wonderful list. I’m bookmarking for the future. Thanks for sharing and happy travels 🙂
Your photos of Rajasthan are amazing! Helpful post, didn’t know there were so many states in India, thank you for that. You make me even more impatient to go! 🙂
I would love to visit states like Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Also the eastern part of India is one place I am yet to cover and hopefully one day I will be able to cover. Have you guys been to all the states and union territories?
What a series . Introducing states with the description and the slideshow of pictures are surely inviting. I have been to many of these states and many are on my list. Rajasthan , Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are my all time favorite whereas I am yet to explore Sikkim. Lovely post.
Wow, India is so diverse! Stunning landscapes and fascinating history. I’d absolutely love to visit Varanasi. Thanks for sharing this beautiful country with us!
I have never been to india yet but I’d love to explore the Rajasthan state, I didn’t realise there are so many states in india thanks for sharing.
From India I only visited Kerala which was amazing. Yet I bet there is so much to see in India and our article is a proof!
What a great idea for an article! This must be one of the best ways for us to learn about the different states in India and as I am planning my two weeks itinerary for New Delhi to Madurai, I will surely refer back to this! Too bad I won’t be able to make it to Sikkim, as it just seems so magical with the lower Himalayas towering above. If you have any advice for me for where to go and what to see, I would love to hear from you!
A very good list made. West Bengal is now officially Bengal?
Love the slide shows you included.
I am so happy that I have been to all the states that you have mentioned in this list … yay!!!
Uttrakhand is surreal, Rajasthan is gorgeous, Bengal’s Misthi, UP ke andaaz and Punjab’s vibrancy. Loving your series and looking forward to posts on Union Territories as I have been to only 5 🙁
Very informative post about these states! I’ll have to come back to this article when i plan my visit India. You present the photos really well and make me want to visit all of the states. I also never knew that Punjab means five rivers!
Having traveled extensively in India I must say.. this is one of the best and most comprehensive posts about india i’ve read. India is rich in culture and traditions. Its sch a big country with diversity and so much history, its like a subject you can never get over with studying. You made a great summary of the states you have listed.
This part of India is like paradise. Good thing you shared a map so I wouldn’t forget the names of these awesome places. So Punjab is in the North.. I really know nothing about India’s geography. Are there Canola Flower farm or field in Punjab? What are those yellow flowers?
Loving this series! It’s fascinating to learn something new about your own country. It also means I still need to see so much more in India still…
India is the land of beauty, culture, serenity, and colors. This article has given the essence of India in just a peep. Much to to be traveled in India.
This was very informative, especially for me since I have never visited India. I hope to be able to visit there soon. Pictures look absolutely amazing and the country is so full of life. I wouldn´t even know where to start exploring there.
Very interesting read, i have been to Calcutta for example but i never knew that it is considered the capital of Bengal . The map helps a lot and your photos are great, India is truly fantastic !!!
Ughhhh why did I not know about your blog when I was backpacking through India two years ago? This would have seriously come in handy! I loved Tamil, it was a beautiful language to listen to but I think I was most enthralled by Rajasthan, they don’t call it the land of Kings for no reason. I didn’t get to make it to Jaisalmer but I know it will happen one day!
The article gives a detailed picture of all the 9 state of India. The writer have succinctly written about the states and gives serious wanderlust to the people. But all the states are extremely beautiful that words are not enough to describe them.
Now, that looks like google maps got a new feature adding a tiny description of everyplace on it. All these places have got its unique flavor that will never wear off.
Now, that looks like google maps have got a new feature adding a tiny description of every place on it.
All these places have got unique flavor that will never wear off. Thank you for the list of punchy information.
I have been to India twice, but only very north (Ladakh) and very south. So much more to discover!