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KARNATAKA
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Andhra Pradesh bound Karnataka, the "Lofty land" in the east, Maharashtra in the north and Tamil Nadu and
Kerala in the south. A long coastline hedged by miles and miles of tall, waving, palmgroves frames this pretty land. The majority
of the state lies on the Deccan Plateau. Bangalore is the state capital.
Karnataka boasts a diverse flora and fauna, which make it a nature tourist's paradise. The state's long and
colourful history, and the many forts, temples, mosques, and churches make it a great place to explore.
Garden city Bangalore, Jog Falls, the beaches of Karwar and Malpe, Golgumbuz in Bijapur, the stone temples of Belur and
Halebid, Mysore palace, the list is endless.
Capital: Bangalore, the capital goes by many names -- the Garden City of India, India's Manhattan and
Silicon Valley. One of the most industrialized cities of the country, its pleasant climate makes it the seat of much commercial
and cultural enterprise.
Rich in Sandalwood, Rosewood and Silk, it has a lot to offer than a day or
two of sight seeing. Founded by the local Chieftain Kempe Gowda in sixteenth century, Bangalore came into its own after it
was converted into the summer capital of Mysore by Tipu Sultan.
The Wodeyars also contributed in the city's beautification. Bangalore, is undoubtedly the trump card of Karnataka?
History: Karnataka's history takes us back to pre-historic times. The earliest find of the Stone Age period
in India was an hand axe at Lingasugur in Raichur district. Chandra gupta Maurya, the great Indian emperor abdicated his throne
to embrace Jainism at Shravanabelagola.
In 1956, the Kannada-speaking areas were grouped along with the princely state
of Mysore to form what we now call Karnataka in 1973. Karnataka has the imprint of many dynasties.
Prominent among them
was the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas and the mighty Vijayanagara Empire.
Culture: Karnataka possesses a rich cultural heritage. The folk theatre has an ancient and rich tradition,
the two principal forms being Yakshagana and the puppet theatre.
"Yakshagana" is akin to Kathakali of Kerala in the choice
of its elaborate costumes and vigorous dancing. 'Bhootada Kunita' (Dance of the Divine Cult), 'Nagamandala' and the demon
dance are some quaint rituals prevalent only in Dakshina Kannada coastal area.
Sravanabelagola, near Mysore, has a giant 1,000-yr-old stone statue of Bahubali, the Jain saint. Huge monolithic Jain statues
are peculiar to the Kannada culture.
Occupation: While agriculture is the major occupation, the state boasts some of the most significant industrial
growth in post independence India. Karnataka is as well known for its silk and sandalwood as for its high tech industry.
Bangalore, among the fastest growing cities in Asia is home to many industries. The state is rich in mineral
ore, and supplies all of India's gold.
Other ores mined in the state include iron, chromite, magnetite, mica, copper, etc. The Sharavati, Kali, and the Cauvery
rivers have been harnessed for electric power.
Handicrafts: Karnataka is famous for its aesthetic craftsmanship in sandalwood and rosewood. Eye-catching
items of furniture, in-lay work, coffee tables, wall hangings etc. are worthwhile purchases.
Rich silks, wooden toys, leather puppets, Bidriware and other artifacts make ideal mementos.
Climate: Best time to visit is September to February.
Population: 50 million
MAHARASHTRA
Vast and rugged country of Shivaji is a region of intrinsic beauty; it's a landscape blessed with a mosaic of palm-fringed
coast of Konkan, the cotton-growing region of Vidharba and the Jyotirlinga-studded land of Marathwada.
Forts that dominate the ranges tell the unending history of valor and artistic skills. The Caves and Temples with artistic
embellishments of unimaginable beauty mark the land and attest to the skill of cultured people.
Capital: Mumbai
Attractions: Gateway of India, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Marine Drive.
Language Spoken: Marathi
Best Time To Visit: September to April (Coastal Regions) And
September to Mid-June (Hill Stations)
Rugged and vast, of enormous energy and vitality, Maharashtra, the third largest state in India, was created
in 1960, from the Marathi-speaking regions of what was previously Bombay State. The Arabian Sea in the west, Gujarat in the
northwest, Madhya Pradesh in the north, Andhra Pradesh in the southeast, and Karnataka and Goa in the south bound the state.
Maharashtra with its diverse geographical features provides a range of tourist centers. The state has a 720-km
coastline dotted by rugs standing as mute witnesses down the ages to the march of warrior kings, foreign trading vessels and
invaders from across the seas.
Running parallel to the coast are the Western Ghats, which harbour some of the more scenic
and inviting hill stations - particularly Matheran and Mahabaleshwar. The Ghats divide the Deccan from the Konkan coast, with
its unspoilt beaches, today being developed as modern resorts, like Ganapatipule and Sindhudurg.
The beauty of Maharashtra is in its forts, caves and temples, so much so that it is called 'Dagd-Ancha Desh',
meaning the Land of Rocks. It has a lot to offer to a visitor, its features are such that any tourist will definitely find
something of his interest from among its beaches, forts, caves, temples, cities, wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries etc.
The intricately carved caves of Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta highlight the Indian heritage and the spellbinding Indian
Culture. Religious places like Pandharpur, Nashik, Shirdi; Trimbakeshwar, Tuljapur, Ganapatipule, Bhimashankar etc are a refreshing
experience and make a fascinating whole.
Capital: Mumbai, the capital, can well claim to be (after Kolkata) the second cultural center of India.
Also known as the First City of India, it is one of the world's truly great cosmopolitan metropolises. Being the economic
powerhouse of India Mumbai is the most affluent and industrialized city in the country today. Its tradition of glamour and
showbiz makes it the city of dreams. Lively and pulsating, Mumbai is India's answer to Hollywood, producing more films each
year than any other county in the world. It is also the center of a healthy theatre culture.
Originally, the city was a place of seven islands, which Colaba, Fort, Byculla, Parel, worli, Matungs and
Mahim. At present the Greater Mumbai extends into a single Mumbai extends into a single large landmass. Mumbai's major sightseeing
interests include Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, Victoria Terminus, and countless others.
Basically Mumabai belongs to the international culture. A lot of western influence over many Decades has
managed to smooth out the cultural differences of the local people and pop music and disco-culture prevail above all. Open
spaces in this crowded city include Chowpatty, Marine Drive and Juhu beach.
History: Maharashtra is the land of legendary warriors, full of history and adventure. Maharashtra enters
recorded history in the 2nd BC, with the construction of its first Buddhist caves. Maharashtra also played a key role during
the freedom struggle with strong connections to Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
A large area of the state rests on high plateau, historically the main center of the Maratha Empire, which
successfully defied the might of the Mughals under the fearless rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji, who is still an immortal legend
here, his memories alive in the many forts scattered across the countryside. Many of the inland and coastal forts of Maharashtra
are a legacy of Shivaji's rule.
Povadas are Marathi ballads that describe the events in the life of Shivaji. They are very popular in Maharashtra
and Maharashtrians highly respect this great hero and remember him through these ballads.
Culture: Maharashtra is a huge storehouse of timeless art and culture, which has been reflected through
its, forts, caves, palaces known for its rich history, its saints, philosophers, music, handicrafts and its festivals with
all their colourful rituals and traditions, all of which amalgamate together to give a true reflection of Maharashtrian Culture.
Occupation: Majority of Maharashtrian people are engaged in agriculture; main crops being sugar cane,
cotton, peanuts, tobacco and pulses. The strong agriculture sector in the state has always made significant contribution to
the economic development of the region. Sugarcane farming and 100's of strong complex of sugar cooperatives are turning into
important growth centers in rural areas.
Manufacturing industries are centered in Mumbai and to lesser extent cities such as Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad,
Sholapur and Kolhapur, NOW account for a quarter of the nation's output. Textiles have long been important, but this is now
also the premier region for electronics.
Handicrafts: Maharashtra is the proud home to various different artistic techniques that have flourished
under many rulers including the Marathas, the Mughals and the British. 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. Maharashtra is known
for its Worli folk paintings. The Paithani and Narayan Peth saris are the most celebrated textiles of the state. Kolhapur
is famous for its jewelry and Chappals and the craft of Lacquerware in Sawantwadi continues to cast its spell on visitors.
CLIMATE: November to February is most comfortable time to visit Maharashtra although evenings can be
cold. Summers are warm with the state receiving monsoon rainfall between mid-June and mid-September.
Temperatures: summer (average) 22°C-39°C; winter 12°C-34°C.
Best Time To Visit: September to April (coastal regions) and September to mid-June (hill stations).
Festivals: Maharashtrians have many festivals to celebrate, with each having a special reason to celebrate.
Ganesh Chaturthi is the most important of all Maharashtrian festivals and is celebrated with great aplomb amongst Marathi
communities worldwide. The Government of Maharashtra (MTDC) organizes cultural festivals that are held as a tribute to the
artists of yore, to celebrate the greatness of a site or simply a religious occasion. Gokhulashtami, Holi, Diwali, Raksha
Bandhan, Gudhi Paadva, Guru Pournima, Maharashtra Day are the other festivals celebrated in the state.
Population: 92 million.
ORISSA
Capital : Bhubaneshwar
Attraction : Golden Triangles ( Bhubaneshwar, Puri, and Konark )
Language Spoken : Oriya
Perpetually washed by the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Orissa lies on the East Coast of India with a
482-km-long coastal stretch. West Bengal and Bihar bound it on the north, Andhra Pradesh on the south, the Bay of Bengal on
the east and Madhya Pradesh on the west . The state's history is divisible into the same four periods in which Indian history
is usually analyzed, i.e., the Hindu period, the Muslim period, the British period and the post-Independence period.
Orissa's main attractions are the temples of the capital Bhubaneswar, - the long sandy beach
at Puri, the Sun Temple at Konark and Simlipal and Nandankanan sanctuaries of Cuttack.
The renowned Jagannatha Temple dominate the landscape at Puri as does the Lingaraja Temple of Bhubaneswar.
10 Kms west of Bhubaneshwar are the Udayagiri Caves, which were occupied by the Buddhist monks as early as the 2nd century
BC.
History: It's hazy past is linked to the fortunes of Kalinga of which it was once
a part. Ashoka's carnage of Kalinga made the emperor foreswore war and till 2nd century AD, Buddhism and Jainism alternately
held sway in Orissa. Fast forward to 1514: the time of the European arrival here. After the British conquest in 1804, Orissa
was divided into three districts: Cuttack, Puri and Balasore. After independence, Orissa became a state of India in 1950.
Capital: Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa, famous as a temple town and a handicraft
center, has, over the last decade, become an upcoming business center. While the city itself boats of no giant industrial
plants, showcased in its main bazaars are craftwork, such as the traditional tie and dye technique of ikat, that date back
over several thousand years.
Handicrafts: Shopping in Orissa is a joy. You don't look there for what
the modern industry can give you, but for unique and exquisite handicrafts, made by those fingers whose forerunners had with
such dexterity and skill created the magnificent Orissa Temples.
The handicrafts of Orissa include Silver Filigree, Horn Work, Folk Paintings (Pattachitra), Metalware,
Applique Work, Stoneware, silk and cotton handloom etc.
Culture: Another expression of Oriyan culture is Odissi, one of the finest forms
of Indian classical dance. Evolved out of spiritual consciousness, it formed an essential part of the ritualistic services
in the important shrines of Orissa. Devotional in spirit, it is marked for its elaborate grace and lyrical charm, revealed
through rounded movements. Orissa also has a rich body of literature with Sitakant Mahapatra being one of the major voices
in contemporary Oriya poetry.
Festivals: Makar Sankranti in January; Magha Mela and Konark Dance Festival in
February; Maha Shivratri and Holi in March; Basant Panchami in February / March; Chaitra Parba or Chhow Festival in April;
Rath yatra or the Car Festival of Puri and Raja Sankranti in June / July; Durga Puja in September / October; Kartika and Kumar
Purnima in October-November; Lakshmi Puja in December -January.
CLIMATE:
Temperature (deg C):
summer - Max.38, Min.27.1
Winter - Max.28.2, Min.15.2.
Rainfall : Mid June-September 60 inches (152 CMS).
Best season : October to March
Population: 35 million
TAMIL NADU
Capital : Chennai
Cradle Have : South Indian Temple Architecture
Official State Language : Tamil
Best Time To Visit : December to February
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh bound Tamil Nadu in the north and Kerala in the west. The eastern
and western tips of the state are defined by the Point Calimere and Mudumalai wildlife sanctuaries while the northern extreme
is Pulicat lake and the southernmost tip is Kanyakumari, the land's end. The Cauvery, originating in Coorg in neighboring
Karnataka principally washes Tamil Nadu. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is known for its beautiful beach resorts.
A Temple State: Tamil Nadu, the cradle of south Indian temple architecture, is
a living museum of styles that originated in the 7th century and matured in the huge temple complexes studded with towering
gateways-"Gopurams"-that soar above the markets of almost every town. Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam,
Rameswaram, Palani, Srirangam, Tiruttani and Kanyakumari are some of the famous pilgrim centers in the state. The famous Meenakshi
temple of Madurai is a must see.
The Nilgiri Panorama: In the west of the state, where the hill stations of Kodaikanal
and Ooty are the premier attractions, sylvan hills offer mountain views and a network of trails winds through forests and
tea and coffee plantations. Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, a vast spread of deciduous forest dominated by teak, offers a good
chance of spotting elephants and dholes, wild pack-hunting Dogs, Tigers and Leopards.
Annamalai Sanctuary, closer to Kodaikanal in the Palani hills, is better known for its Lion-tailed Macaques (black-maned
Monkeys). The wetlands of the coast provide perfect resting-places for migratory birds, whose numbers soar during the winter
monsoon at Vedathangal, near Chennai, and Point Calimere.
History: Tamil Nadu was ruled by three major dynasties-the Cholas in the east, the Pandyas in the central
area and Cheras in the west. This was during the Sangam Age-the classical period of Tamil literature-that continued for some
300 years after the birth of Christ. The Pallava dynasty was influential particularly in the 7th and 8th centuries, the testimonies
to which are the monuments at Mamallapuram.
In the 13th century, with threats of Muslim invasions from the north, the southern Hindu dynasties combined
and the empire of Vijaynagar (also spelt as Vijayanagar), which covered all of South India, became firmly established. However,
by the 17th century, due to the disintegration of the Vijaynagar Empire, various small rulers like the Nayaks ruled southern
India.
By the middle of the 18th century, there were frequent conflicts between the British, French, Danes, and Dutch due to their
interest in these areas. The British were finally victorious, while small pocketed areas including Pondicherry and Karaikal
remained under French control. Under the British rule, most of south India was integrated into the region called the Madras
Presidency. In 1956, the Madras Presidency was disbanded and Tamil Nadu was established.
An Agro-Based Land: Although Tamil Nadu is one of the most urbanized states of India, it is still a rural
land; agriculture is the mainstay of life for about three-quarters of the rural population. The principal food crops are rice,
maize, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, and pulses. The cash crops include cotton, sugarcane, oilseeds, coffee, tea rubber, and chillies.
The major industries include cotton textiles, chemicals, fertilizers, paper and paper products, printing and allied industries,
diesel engines, automobiles and parts, cement, sugar, iron and steel, and railway wagon and coaches. The state is the largest
textile producer in India and an important exporter of leather and leather products, cotton piece goods, tea, coffee, spices,
tobacco, etc.
There are a number of hydel power stations in Tamil Nadu. The atomic power plant is located at Kalpakkam,
in the Chengalpattu MGR district.
Tamil Nadu is rich in handicrafts; notable among them are hand loomed silk, metal icons, leather work, Kalamkari
(hand-painted fabric, using natural dyes), brass, bronze, and copper wares, and carved wood, palm leaf, and cane articles.
For the best Chola bronzes and a glimpse of the magnificent paintings that flourished under Maratha rajas in the 18th century,
travelers should head for Thanjavur.
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Capital: Chennai (formerly, Madras), the largest city in South India and the fourth largest city in the
country, is located on the Coromandel Coast. The city's British lineage is evident in the various cathedrals, buildings in
Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, wide tree lined avenues but there is no denying its traditional Tamil Hindu culture
either. This is not surprising because this region had remained a centre of Pallavan culture long before the British came
here.
The varied aspects of traditional South Indian culture existing alongside the lifestyle of a modern city complete with
its plush hotels, restaurants offering a range of continental to typical South Indian cuisine, long and uncrowned stretches
of beaches, modern shopping malls, cinema halls, etc.
The People: Tamil, the official state language, is spoken by most of the people. The main religions in
the state are Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and Jainism. There is an established caste system, and the traditional differentiations
here are a lot more pronounced than in many other parts of the country. The Brahmin community here is very pious and people
normally have a white mark on the forehead to signify caste.
The Performing Arts: Tamil Nadu is synonymous with the Indian musical maestro of the 18th century, Thyagaraja.
The land of Carnatic music, Tamil Nadu, is the birthplace of many other music legends as well. The main instruments used are
the Violin, Wooden flute, 'Veena', 'Gottuvadayam', 'Mridangam' (also spelt as Mridanga), 'Nadaswaram' and 'Ghatam'.
Bharatanatyam, one of India's major classical dance forms, and Carnatic music are both widely practiced. Painting and sculpture,
however, are less developed, although there are schools that teach the art of sculpture in stone and bronze. Tamil literature
rapidly adapted to the Western literary forms of the novel and the short story. Since the 1940s, cinema has become the most
popular form of mass entertainment. There are both touring and permanent cinema theatres; and sentimental and spectacular
films, often featuring light music and dancing, are produced by the film studios situated largely around Chennai.
Festivities: The main festival of the state is Pongal, which is a harvest festival celebrated in the month
of January. Feasting, music and dance mark this festival. "Karthigai Deepam" and "Varushapirapu" (Tamil New Year's Day) are
also celebrated on a grand scale.
Several temple festivals are held throughout the state, of which The Mahamagam festival celebrated once in 12 years at
Kumbakonam, Meenakshi Kalyanam festival at Madurai, Natyanjali Dance Festival at Chidambaram are the famous ones.
Climate: The climate of Tamil Nadu is essentially tropical. The temperature in summer seldom 43º C and
in winter seldom falls below 18º C. The lowest temperatures are recorded during December and January, and the highest in April
to June. The average annual rainfall, falling mainly between October and December, ranges between 25 and 75 inches. The most
precipitation falls in the Nilgiris and other hill areas.
Population: 55,638,318
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