The North India, strategically, most important part of India has shaped the course of India's historical and cultural evolution over the last 3500 years. The three main religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism; the origin of sacred river Ganga, Yamuna and sources of many other important rivers are in northern India. The mighty Himalayas from Himachal Pradesh to Arunachal Pradesh safeguarding the country are also part of the northern India. Delhi, the capital of India has seen the battle between many emperors and has been ruled by them from time to time. Some of the outstanding monuments like Qutab Minar, Jama Mosque, Humayun's Tomb were built by Mughal Emperors during their regime. Rajasthan, one of the most colourful and vibrant state of India is proudly associated with northern India. Most famous for its Forts and Palaces; Rajasthan's Thar Desert and Cattle Fairs are no less interesting. Uttar Pradesh, the most populated state in the country has beautiful monuments like Taj Mahal; wildlife sanctuaries and is associated with river Ganges as her source of origin from Gaumukh in the Himalayas.

Northern India has its own significance due to diverse culture; amazing monuments, wildlife, rivers, Himalays; religion and climate. The entire north India from north-west to north-east is also very important, strategically and from country's safety point of view as well, as it borders Pakistan in the north-west, China in north and north-east, Nepal in and Bhutan in north-east.

India's Great Divide is the Vindhya Mountains. They run from east to west, separating the fertile river valley of the Ganges called the Ganga, from the Deccan Plateau which occupies much of the peninsula of India. It also separates the north, where the predominant languages are Sanskrit - based (brought in by the Indo Iranian herds people about 3,500 years ago), from the Dravidian tongues brought in by a long headed race from the Mediterranean about a thousand years earlier. The South India's coastal plains are backed by the mountains rimming the wedge of the Deccan plateau. On these plains lie the best beaches in South India. On the rimming mountains, the western and eastern ghats are the tea, coffee and spice lands. Beyond these mountains, in the wedge shaped plateau, are great old cities supported by rich farm lands and a culture that has its roots in the almost historical Kumari Continent from where, they claim, civilization spread across the world. The south is gracious, graceful, Old India.

MADHYA PRADESH (Central India), located in the heart of India is the largest state in the country, sprawling over 4,43,000 km. It has one third of India's forests and hence numerous natural parks and sanctuaries, including Kanha and Bandhavgarh. Geographically it is a land of contrasts, with river valleys, dense forests and rolling plains overlooked by the ancient hills of the Vindhya and Satpura ranges and the sprawling highlands of the Malwa plateau. The region offers an exciting contrast of destinations from superb fort in Gwalior which saw many fierce battles to the legends of love in the city of joy - Mandu; an awesome spectacle of nature - marble rocks in Jabalpur to tradition of faith - the legendary cities of Ujjain and Buddhist site at Sanchi. The states also proudly possess almost intriguing, the spectacular temples at Khajuraho known world over for their sheer beauty and masterpiece of art work on stone and erotic figures running through a whole Kamasutra.
Madhya Pradesh is a vast plateaux surrounded by the vindhya and satpura mountains, that rise from 600 to 1,300 m and make a rugged descent into the valleys of Narmada and Rapti rivers. The eastern plateu is poor in agriculture but heavily forested. In the northeast lies the depression of Chattisgarh where the west, the Malwa region is rich in wheat and cotton, cotton that brought fame to the cities of Ujjain, Gwalior and Indore. The state is also rich in teak, rosewood, ebony and saal forest where tiger, bison, deer and panther roam, a wildlife protected at the sanctuaries of Kanha and Bandhavgarh. The Narmada and Rapti Valleys have long served as a passageway connecting east and west India.

The north eastern region of India constitutes five states and two union territories. It is the least explored region of India for various reasons which include the infrastructure, special permits and sensitivity of the of the whole region. The area is dominated by the tribes speaking many different languages and dialects. These states and union territories border with Myanmar, Bhutan, China and Bangladesh and connect rest of the India through Siliguri corridor.

The snow capped mountains of Arunachal Pradesh bordering China (Tibet), Bhutan and Myanmar on its three side, offers a breath-taking spectacle of Nature's glory in a wild profusion of flora, fauna and people abounding in a variety of tribal customs, culture, language and dresses. It is a treasure hunt for historians, anthropologists and archaeologists. Meghalaya, the 21st state of the Indian Union with an area of 22,429 sq. km, tucked away in north eastern region, it borders Bangladesh in south. Meghalaya boats of 300 rare species of orchids as well as wildlife. The people are pre-dominantly Garos, belonging to the Bodo family of the Tibeto-Burman race, said to have migrated from Tibet. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is a a beautiful nature's gift at an altitude of 1496 mt. Mizoram, a mountainous region became the 23rd state of Indian Union in February 1987 and is sandwiched between Mynamar in the east and the south and Bangladesh and Tripura in the west with its northern frontier touching Assam and Manipur. The state has an area of 21081 sq km. The majority of the Mizos are Christian by faith with a very high literacy rate of 88.06 percent. Tripura, with an area of 10,500 sq km is inhabited by 19 tribes. The state is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east by the international boundary of Bangladesh. 60 percent of the total area is under hills and forests. The princely state, pollution free echo-friendly environment has beautiful Royal Palace, Neemmahal built in early 20th century. Assam, the largest and most easily accessible of the north-east states, Assam grows 60 percent of India's tea and produces a large proportion of India's oil as well. The capital of the state, Guwahati is connected on air-route with Delhi, Calcutta and Bagdogra. Assam's major attraction of the permitted areas is Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary, most famous for one horned rhinos.

Nagaland, the land of Nagas covering an area of 16,572 sq km lies to the south east of Assam and borders Burma. There are about 16 major Tibeto-Burmese tribes in Nagaland collected referred to by the generic term "Naga". About 90 percent of the people are Christians, and they belong mainly to the American Baptist Mission. Kohima, the capital is situated at 1500 mt above sea level and is one of the prettiest centres of the north east. Manipur, 22356 sq km extending to the south of Nagaland was formerly a princely state. The Meiteis of Tibeto-Burmese origin, who live in the valleys form 60 percent of the population and are follower of Hinduism. The state is rich in culture, dances, martial art, drum dance, spear dance. Imphal, the capital, stands right in the middle of the state. It is the nerve centre of all cultural, commercial and political activities.

The name 'Gujarat' is said to have been derived from the Prakrit Gujjar Ratta or Gujjar Rashtra - the land of Gujjars - a tribe that entered India with the Huns in ancient time and wandering through Punjab and Rajasthan, settled in western India.

Even before the advent of the Aryans, Gujarat had trade links with the ancient civilisation of Sumer, Babylon, Assyria and Egypt. The pre-Arayan Harappan culture survived here for over five centures after it was destroyed in Sind and Punjab. The ancient port of Lothal excavated recently has been identified as one of the most important centres of the 4500 years old Indus Valley Civilisation.

Gujarat is a complete destination in itself. Imposing buildings, ancient monuments, mosques, temples attract a large number of tourists to Ahemdabad. The most fasincating Palitana Temples at Shetrunjay Hills, dominating the landscape for miles is one of the most sacred places for Jains. Ancient temple of Somnathpur near Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Union Territory of Diu with its Portuguese characteristics; the house of majestic Lion at Sasangir and imposing forts at Junagardh are some of the highlights of visit to South of Gujarat. The west is dominated by Runn of Kutchh, the breeding ground of Flamingo, Pelican and the heart of Gujarat's handicrafts buisiness flourishing for many centuries. The tribal belt at Bhuj - The Rabaris can be seen all around in their traditional dresses, busy in the fields of art and culture.

Maharashtra, India's third largest state in area and population is one of the foremost state in agricultural and industrial production. Marathi is the predominant language of the state. The deep sense of nationality and unity among the Maharashtrians, whose ancestors defied the mighty Mughals under the leadership of their great hero and king, Chhatrapati Shivaji.
The pride city of Maharashtra, the commercial capital of India, Bombay famous for Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves and many other imposing buildings, museums is also the gateway point for tours to South India and Goa. The other most important tourist town of Aurangabad,named for the Mughal emperor Aurangazeb, is most famous for Buddhist Cave paintings at Ajanta and rock cut Kailash Temple at Ellora.

Pune, another fast grown industrial town with pleasant climate year around is also an institutional centre of Maharashtra, 170 kms from Bombay. Besides, Maharashtra's Ghat areas near the Konkan coastal houses several small hill stations. The closes to Bombay is Matheran, Mahabaleshwar and Lonavla. Karla and Bhaja Caves are 12 km from Lonavla