West India Tourism

The states in the western part of the country are often recognized as the gateway to the western countries particularly the Gulf region. The four states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa and Madhya Pradesh form the coastal belt of west India. Inspite of being adjacent, these states are extremely varied in their landscapes, culture and milieu.

Maharashtra, the land of legendary warriors, has a valiant historical past that witnessed - rise and fall of Maratha empire. It has many beautiful cities that are of prime significance that include: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Aurangabad. The major attraction of Mumbai is Bollywood, the glamorous film industry. Maharashtra excels as a rich resource of art and culture reflected in its forts and palaces known for the rich history. The state of Maharashtra is ridged by the Western ghats and covered by dense forests. The state has a long and varied tradition of art and crafts from the paintings at Ajanta dating back to many hundreds of years to today's Warli paintings.

Bounded by Arabian Sea o the west, Gujrat has an astonishing history and truly vibrant culture. The region was part of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC under King Ashoka. The significant cities of Gujrat are: Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Dwarka, Baroda, Rajkot, Surat and Bhavnagar. It has a predominating Hindu population with Muslim and Jain minorities. Gujarat is famous for its rich folk culture and art and craft products. The memories of life and work of Mahatma Gandhi who spent a part of his life here, are a living presence still.

Goa has a splendid and surprising scenic beauty. The palm fringed beaches, green and serene locations offer an enriching experience for the tourists. Bustling with day to day activities in the countryside palm fringed canals and calm beaches, Goa is a prefect place to spend some time in total peace and tranquility. It plays host to majestic churches and glorious forts, rhythmic music, tantalising cuisine, and a beautiful 100 km coastline.The interesting places to visit in Goa are: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Dudhsagar waterfalls, Aguanda Fort, Anjuna Beach and St. Cathedral.

Madhya Pradesh lies in the heart of the country and is reputed for the intricately carved temples, majestic forts, rich of wildlife and vibrant culture. Most of the state is a high plateau, historically known as the Malwa region and it geographically shares the mountain ranges and plateaus of the western States. Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh represent artistic excellence in itself. The state also has remarkable wild life sancturies and national parks that sustain a variety of flora and fauna. The important cities include: Bhopal, Khajuraho, Gwalior, Sanchi, Ujjain and Mandu. The state has an ancient cultural lineage with Hindus forming the majority of the polulation. It does have a significant strength of Muslims, Jains, Christians, and Buddhists and a small population of Sikhs.