The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies near the western coast of India and consists of two separate parts. Of these, Dadra is surrounded by the state of Gujarat, and Nagar Haveli lies on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The territory has hilly terrain especially towards the north-east and east where it is surrounded by ranges of Sahyadri Mountains (Western Hills). River Daman Ganga and its three tributaries cut across this territory. The most prominent tribes are Dhodia, Kokna and Varli, with small groups of Koli, Kathodi, Naika and Dubla scattered across the territory.

On 11 August 1961, it became a part of the India and was announced to be a Union Territory. As it shares borders with both Gujarat and Maharashtra, the languages spoken here are Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi, Konkani, Bhilodi and Bhili.

Union Territory of Daman and Diu comprises of two districts namely Daman and Diu. Both Districts are situated on western coast of India at a distance of about 700 kms. Daman is the Head Quarter of this Union Territory. Daman is on the main land, while Diu is an island!! Both the Districts of Daman and Diu are near Gujarat State and are separated by about 700 kms from one another.

Diu is a tiny island of breeze and beauty in the Western coast of India. The climate here is pleasant throughout the year making it an all season tourist spot. Diu was a Portugese colony till 1961 and now a Union Territory separated from Goa in 1987. This has been an important trading post and naval base of armies for centuries in the past.

A perfect blend of the Sun, Sand and Sea this serene island is situated off the tip of Saurashtra peninsula of Gujarat. Lapped by the Arabian sea Diu has some superb beaches and a fascinating history of the colonial past. The branching palms of Diu, known as Hoka trees were introduced by the Portugese from faraway of Africa!! The historical Portugese monuments, the golden beaches, unpolluted blue water, various water sports and friendly people make Diu a perfect gateway at any time of the year.

Nestling near the mouth of Damanganga River as it embraces the Arabian Sea, the Union Territory of Daman is easily your dream destination. Its picture postcard loveliness never fails to charm the innumerable tourists who visit here. Far from the madding crowd, its beauty, variety and tranquillity weaves a unique magic on the traveller. This picturesque fort town has retained its old world charm, vestiges of the Portuguese colonial rule from 1531 to 1961.

Even today history whispers through the walls of its forts and churches. A beautiful lighthouse, fort, beach, churches and proximity to Mumbai and Surat make Daman a convenient gateway. Sun, sand, surf and life at languorous pace, Daman is a place to slow down and relax. Daman is best in the winter, though a monsoon visit with greenery around the city and approaching roads is wonderful. Recently, a helicopter service is connecting Daman and Diu, which is added attraction for visiting both the places.

Goa, situated on the west coast of India, is one of the most delightful states of India. Formerly a Portuguese colony, it is endowed with a variety of attractions including palm fringed beaches, miles of golden sands, lush green country-side, an incredible mosaic of cultural heritage, magnificent churches, temples, forts and monuments and a unique cultural synthesis of the east and west. With its tropical climate, Goa is a tourist destination for all seasons. Goa is a treasure trove of culture, music, dances and art forms that can be enjoyed during local festivals and celebrations. Animal lovers can visit the State’s wildlife sanctuaries It is often said that ‘Goa never stops partying’. The city is known for its vibrancy that attains its pinnacle in the annual Goa Carnival festival.

Neatly tucked along the western coast of India, Goa has several beaches and an over 300-year old Portuguese architectural heritage. Goa has characteristic colourful houses, lush green fields and a soothing languidness in the atmosphere. The Churches and Convents of Goa have been included in the list of World Heritage Sites.

A French colony till 1954, Puducherry (earlier Pondicherry) is a small Union territory in India that retains a distinctly French ambience and culture. It has a spiritual ambience, unspoilt stretch of beaches, and backwaters along with a surprising mix of cuisines. Every year, it attracts thousands of tourists who come here to visit the Aurobindo Ashram, meditate and learn yoga. Food, ocean view, coconut trees, clean air, and peaceful shores, this place has a color for everyone and is definitely a great weekend getaway from Chennai or Bangalore.

Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Puducherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast of India. The unmistakable French connection, the tree lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual sceneries, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches and a surprising choice of restaurants serving a melange of cuisines.

Telangana is known for its hospitality and multicultural and pluralistic society. Hyderabad, the capital city of this state is the fifth largest city in India and home to some of India’s best educational institutions, public sector and defence companies and a thriving global services sector and film industry and known for its world famous Hyderabadi Biryani.

Constituting a major part of Deccan plateau, Telangana has a pleasing climate, with abundant natural and water resources. The state is the gateway to Krishna and Godavari Rivers in South India and is considered the seed capital of India. One of the wealthy economies in India, Telangana is here to take its rightful place in the country, as a highly developed state and society with a proud history and grand heritage.

Telangana apart from the historical perspective of various dynastic and regional and cultural influences offers its visitors a plethora of places of pristine natural beauty. With serene lakes, verdant woods, rocky regions, abundant wildlife, flora and fauna, elaborately carved temples, magnificent palaces and forts reflecting architectural blends of Hindu, Pathan and Persian styles. The artistic temper of the local people finds expression in the varied art forms of the different tribes and regions of Telangana in paintings, handicrafts in wood and metal and textile of International repute.

Telangana is famous world-wide for its amazing Bronze castings that require exquisite skills for creating incredible idols. Nirmal town is world-famous for its varied range of handicrafts made using best traditional techniques to create masterpieces. Other prominent art works of the state include Nizamabad panels, Nirmal painted furniture, Dokra castings, Silver Filigree, Cheriyal Scroll Paintings, Bidri craft, Pembarthi brassware etc.

Large sweeping avenues, the serene Sukhna Lake, sprawling parks, spectacular contemporary buildings and the famous Rock Garden, make India’s most well-planned city an urban paradise. The capital of the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, Chandigarh is an urban oasis with charming tree-lined boulevards and beautifully landscaped gardens. Envisioned and designed in the 1950s by the prominent French-Swiss architect, Le Corbusier, the major buildings of the city are marvels of modern design.

The city is neatly divided into sectors, each a self-contained pocket with local markets, schools, parks and other infrastructural facilities. Merely 70 years old, Chandigarh is a young, prosperous and vibrant city. It is extremely pedestrian-friendly and most visitors to the city begin by exploring Sector 17 for its shops and restaurants and Sector 22 for its hotels. What makes Chandigarh a great travel destination is its geographical location at the foothills of the majestic Shivalik range and the Himalayas, and its pleasant climate.

The region is also famous because of the fossil remains that have been found here, indicating a wide variety of aquatic and amphibian life. Before civilisation arrived here, it is said this region was submerged under a large lake ringed by a marshy area.

Delhi is the city that may surprise you at first but will soon engulf you in a string of new experiences, leaving you entwined with its culture and people. Ruled by some of the most powerful emperors in the history of India, Delhi has transformed into a soulful city embracing each culture with open arms.

The capital of world’s largest democracy, Delhi as a city that bridges two contrasting worlds. While Old Delhi is a labyrinth of mysterious narrow lanes, haveli’s and majestic mosques, the imperial city of New Delhi is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings. The city has gradually evolved to become a window to India’s unique cultures and ethnicities.

The Eternal city, offers visitors a sumptuous banquet of history and heritage seamlessly in tune with its transformation as one of the world’s fastest growing and largest metropolises today. Monumental architecture here is redolent of the creative genius of successive historical era. Delhi’s kaleidoscopic core is ripe for many more cinematic ventures to be staged here. From the opulent expanse of Old Delhi to urbane skyscrapers, tree lined avenues, undulating flyovers, ancient bazaars, and the wonderful Delhi Metro, our city is the visual spectacle like none other.

Located on the north-western edge of India, Punjab is one of the prosperous states of the nation, and home to a lively, hospitable and dynamic people.

Deriving its name from five full-bodied rivers–Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Jhelum, and Chenab–which flow through its vast plains, Punjab is representative of abundant things.

Punjab is a land of ethnic and religious diversity, having borne and shaped a number of religious movements that include Sikhism, Buddhism and Sufism. The Punjabi language, too, finds its origin in the Indo-European linguistic family that includes Persian and Latin. Naturally replete with fertile soils and rich water sources, it is primarily an agricultural state, and has continually and infinitely contributed towards the food security of the Indian Republic.

Punjab’s many festivals–Teej, Lohri, Basant, and Baisakhi, to name some–are celebrations that mirror the farming ethos. Indeed, Bhangra, the traditional dance of Punjab revolves around, and replicates a farmer’s daily life. Historically, Punjab has played host to a number of ethnicities, including the Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Afghans and Mongols, thus bestowed with a rich tangible heritage.

Reflecting this history are the countless sites that dot the state: impressive forts & palaces, ancient monuments, architectural marvels and many a battlefield.

Uttarakhand, a state in northern India crossed by the Himalayas, is known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh, a major centre for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. The city hosts the evening Ganga Aarti, a spiritual gathering on the sacred Ganges River. The state’s forested Jim Corbett National Park shelters Bengal tigers and other native wildlife.

Beauty is so inherent to almost all things Uttarakhand stands for – the magnanimous Himalayas, the holiest of the rivers, the spiritual mystery, stunning landscapes, the incessantly colorful play of nature, enchanting history carved in ancient stones, a mesmerizing floral and faunal plethora and the simplest of the people. Myths, anecdotes and stories are part of every visual that unfolds itself to the eyes of the beholder.

The age-old Hindu traditions have always accorded highest esteem to the glory of the colossal and composed heights of the Himalayas which are spontaneously assumed to be the chosen consecrated residences of Gods. A whole lot of the Hindu lore sets out from this ‘Land of the Gods’.

Pilgrimages to these heights dating back to more than 1500 years are found recorded in authentic documents and Uttarakhand still attracts millions of devout people who come here with the chaste objective of spiritual emancipation and revelation.

Today, these mountains are no longer restricted to the religious or the spiritual – as a traveler one can get pleasure from mountaineering, trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing or simply strolling amongst the highest mountainous terrains in the world.

A description of the charismatic beauty of Uttarakhand would be incomplete without the mention of people who inhabit this blessed country – simple, willing to help and hardworking people of the state are as diversified as the elements of nature. Several indigenous tribal groups peacefully co-exist with others, simultaneously keeping their distinct cultures alive. Apart from being a unique tourism destination, Uttarakhand is a goldmine for anthropologists, historians, ornithologists, linguists, geologists … you name the discipline and the state has something on offer.

No words can ever be enough to perfectly describe this blessed land. The incredulous variety of experiences – both spiritual and sensory – goes beyond any language or dialect.

Himalayas in Himachal’ or one must say Himachal in Himalayas. ‘Him’ in Hindi literally means ice or snow and ‘alaya’ means home, which makes Himalayas ‘The Home of Snow’ and from there Himachal gets its name meaning ‘Land of Snow’.

While traditionally Himachal was known as a summer destination, the Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation Government of Himachal Pradesh has taken special efforts to break the seasonality factor and has developed diversified tourism products to attract tourists in other seasons too. Now Himachal is known as “A Destination for All Seasons and All Reasons”.

In fact, the Department has laid a special emphasis on the development of activity-based tourism and opening up of new sub destinations. To promote tourism in the countryside and to unexplored areas, appropriate infrastructure is being developed within available resources. By focussing on quality tourists, the Department aims at promoting sustainable tourism and encouraging private sector to develop tourism related infrastructure in the State without disturbing the existing ecology and environment.

Himachal situated in the heart of the western Himalaya, identified as “Dev Bhumi” and is believed to be the abode of Gods and Goddesses. The entire State is punctuated with stone as well as wood temples. The shadowy valleys, rugged crags, glaciers and gigantic pines and roaring rivers and exquisite flora and fauna compose the symphony that is for ever Himachal. The State has a rich treasure of places of pilgrimage and of anthropological value. The State has also the pride of being the home to rishis like Vyas, Parashar,Vashist, Markandey and Lamas, etc.

Buddhism in Ladakh is ancient and widespread and a popular theme for cultural tours in Ladakh. The population of Ladakh is predominantly Buddhist and Ladakh has been deeply influenced by Tibetan Buddhism, which follows the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. In these forms of Buddhism, Buddha is worshipped a deity who has attained Nirvana (freedom from the cycle of birth and death). Various incarnations of Buddha, known as Bodhisattvas, are also worshipped in monasteries. Many tourists undertake trip to Ladakh to explore, understand and learn from the ancient Buddhism which is practiced here.

The mythology of Tibetan Buddhism has many tales of various spirits and demons. These representations of both good and evil qualities are depicted in the form of masks and their stories are enacted as masked dances during the annual festivals of various Gompas in Ladakh.

Dalai Lama: The Buddhists of Ladakh regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as their supreme spiritual leader and as living incarnation of Buddha. The present Dalai Lama, who is the 14 Dalai Lama was originally known as Tenzin Gyatso. As a child he was recognized as an incarnation of the previous Dalai Lama, who had passed away in 1933. Tenzing Gyatso was brought to Lhasa and proclaimed the new spiritual leader of the Tibetan people on Feb 22nd 1940.

Due his resistance to the Chinese occupation Tibet, the Dalai Lama became an icon of political as well as spiritual leadership for the Tibetans. The Dalai Lama left Tibet and came to India in March, 1959. Ever since, he has led an international campaign against the Chinese occupation of Tibet. He received the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1989 for his leadership of the struggle for the peaceful liberation of Tibet.

Some Common Buddhist Terms are:
Gompas: A Gompa is a spiritual community where monks or nuns live and practice their religion. Gompas in Ladakh are also educational institutions and play a central role in the life and economy of the local community. Gompas are more than just monasteries and many have museums where tourists can view collections of Buddhist art. The annual festivals in Ladakh are celebration at the Gompas which is a colorful sight with masked dances and religious ceremonies drawing both pilgrims and tourists in large numbers.

Chortens and Stupas: Chortens and stupas are dome shaped structures built over a square base. They are usually built in memory of a Buddhist monk or religious teacher. Some stupas may contain relics of holy men. Chortens are often decorated with Buddhist prayer flags and offerings such as oil lamps or flowers etc may be placed around them.

Thangka: Thangkas are Buddhist religious paintings that depict episodes from the life of Buddha or various Boddhisatvas. Rich in symbolism and Buddhist imagery, Thangkas are religious artifacts and the art of learning to paint a Thangka is a discipline that requires extensive training.

Mandala: A Mandala is a symbolic representation of the Universe according to Buddhist iconography. A colorful design made from sand on the floor of a monastery or painted on a wall or screen, a mandala is believed to have mystical powers that aid in meditation concentration and prayer. Mandalas often depict a palace with four gates, which open to the four principal directions of the Earth. Mandalas are used in the rituals of a monks initiation and are called the ‘Architecture of Enlightenment’ Mandalas made of sand are usually swept away after a prayer ceremony to symbolize the impermanence of life. The designs of the Mandala follow an ancient tradition and consist of concentric circles and intersecting lines. The process of learning to create a Mandala is part of the training of every Tibetan monk.