Where is India — India on the Map

The Himalayan Landscape

The Himalayas of northern India comprise a series of mountain ranges, including the Siwaliks, Lesser and Greater Himalayas and Transhimalaya. The region is amongst the most dynamic geomorphically on the planet.

Renowned as an "abode of snow", the Himalayas offer the most incredible mountain landscapes in India.

The Arid West

The hot arid western region of India is found in the western part of Rajasthan State, which contains the predominantly sandy Thar Desert. The desert has sand dunes averaging 10-30 m in height, interspersed with inter-dune plains of different sizes covering more than 60% of the area.

It is a vast rocky-gravelly upland, with isolated hills cutting through the dune landscape.

The Gangetic Plains

Located at the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, the Indo-Gangetic Plains (or Northern Plains) contain the subcontinent's richest and most densely populated areas. Much of the area is covered by alluvial soil, deposited by the three main rivers and their tributaries.

The plain becomes progressively drier towards the west, where it incorporates the Thar Desert.

The Deccan Plateau

Located in the southern part of the peninsula south of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Deccan Plateau can be considered the cultural and historical heart of India, defining the subcontinent.

This upland is drained by a series of rivers, notably the Godavari, Krishna, Penner, and Kaveri, most of which start near the Arabian Sea and flow eastward to the Bay of Bengal.

The Coasts

Combining the western and eastern coastlines of India provides appealing spots for witnessing some of the best landscapes in the country.

Extending from Gujarat to Kerala in the west and from Tamil Nadu to West Bengal in the east, India's stunning coastline passes through exotic destinations which are often sought by honeymooners.

High-Altitude Desert and Glaciers

The Himalayas are the origin of many glaciers and important rivers in Asia. The range has many different kinds of glacier. The most important is Siachen, the largest glacier outside the north and south poles.

Other glaciers include Baltoro, Biafo, Nubra, and Hispur.

Flora and Fauna

The Himalayan region, with its diverse climatic conditions, is home to many uncommon, endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna.

Here, you can find thousands of species of fungi, and animals that have adapted to the cold, like mountain goats, Tibetan yak, rhinoceroses, bison, and elephants.

Traditional Himalayan Dwellings

The Himalayans have a distinctive traditional way of building known as kath-khuni. It has become part of the regional culture, a natural outworking of the forbidding landscape, harsh climate, and availability of local materials and tools.

Walk the Northeastern Himalayas

India's little patch of northeastern Himalayas is squeezed in between Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. This spectacular region was historically the home of several ethnic tribes.

Ethnically, culturally and linguistically these tribes were closer to people from India's eastern neighbors, than those of the Indian mainland.

Rituals Performed in the Ganges

The Ganges is considered a tirtha, a crossing point between heaven and earth.

The river is the location of the extraordinary Kumbha Mela ritual, where Hindu pilgrims of all social status will perform a ritual bathing in the river, said to purify body and soul, wash away karma, and bring good fortune.

Evening Aarti

The Ganga Aarti is performed every evening, where a small diya with a candle and flowers is floated down the Ganges River.

The offering is made to the Goddess Ganga, or Maa Ganga, goddess of the holiest river in India. The aarti takes on special significance on the occasion of the descending of Maa Ganga from heaven to earth.

Boat Rides (or River Cruise)

You can book a cruise on the Ganges River. Tours on the Lower Ganges offered by American and British tour operators generally run from October to March.

Most cruises start or end in Kolkata, which sits on a tributary of the Ganges called the Hooghly, named after the first European settlement established in Bengal in the late 1500s.

Delhi

Delhi is a city with a rich history saturated with old stories, reflected in beautiful heritage buildings tucked away around the sprawling city. It is a haven for gourmets.

Ranging from traditional Mughlai recesses tucked behind Jama Masjid to fancy world-class restaurants, Delhi has something for everyone.

Some must-visit attractions in Delhi include the Red Fort, the India Gate, and the Bahai Temple (commonly called the Lotus Temple).

Agra

Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. It is as loved by Indians as it is by foreigners, who swarm there in large numbers to admire its beauty.

Right from the epic Mahabharata (400 AD) to the Mughal dynasty (1526-1857), Agra has been monumental and has played a significant role in shaping India's history.

Agra is most renowned as the home of three UNESCO world heritage sites: the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the abandoned city "Fatehpur Sikri". There are, however, many other places to visit in Agra, including the Mehtab Bagh and the Kinari Bazar.

Jaipur

The 'Pink City' of Jaipur was named after Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded the city on November 18, 1727. Along with Delhi and Agra, Jaipur forms India's Golden Triangle, the most popular tourist circuit in the country.

The city's attractions include the Amer Fort, the City Palace, the Birla Mandir, the Sisodia Rani Garden, and the Johari Bazaar.

Varanasi

Varanasi, the holy city of India, is also known by the names Kashi or Benaras. It is well-known for its fine-quality silks, 'paan' and Benares Hindu University and Avimukta of ancient days. Varanasi is the most popular pilgrimage venue for Hindus.

The Assi Ghat, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Ramnagar Fort & Museum, the Man Mandir Observatory, and the Brown Bread Bakery are among the places you should visit in Varanasi.

Jodhpur

Jodhpur is one of the most enchanting cities of Rajasthan. It is called the Blue City, as it looks completely blue from the air, because of its blue walls and blue houses.

Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in Rajasthan, the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the Jasant Thada, the Mandore Gardens, and Kailana Lake are among the tourist attractions the city has to offer.

Udaipur

An idyllic place for romantics at heart, Udaipur is undoubtedly the best place to holiday in Rajasthan. Adorned with pretty palaces and dazzling lakes, this popular tourist place has so much to offer to honeymoon couples and history lovers.

Udaipur's tourist attractions include the City Palace, Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, and Jagdish Temple.

Jaisalmer

Beyond the dazzling royal cities of Rajasthan lies Jaisalmer, the gateway to the Thar Desert and a popular tourist destination in India. The city, also dubbed the "Golden City", was established in the mid-12th century by Rawal Jaisal, filled with many artistic structures, monuments of local historical importance and abandoned villages.

The city is renowned for Jaisalmer Fort, the Bada Bagh, the Sam Sand Dunes, the Thar Heritage Museum, and the Gadisar Lake.

Mumbai

Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, is one of the most populous and biggest cities of Maharashtra. Also the biggest metropolis of this state, Mumbai is popular as the entertainment and financial capital. It is the largest city in India and fondly called the city of dreams.

Here you can visit the Gateway of India, the Banganga Tank, the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, the Haji Ali, and Bollywood in Mumbai.