India is "so called" the world's largest democracy, and is home to the descendants of one of the world's oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley civilization which is infact situated in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is a country showing many contrasting shades in every aspect of life. Right from snake charmers to farmers to high tech engineers there is oppulence of variations. If in one part rice is staple diet than a few thousand miles away, it might be wheat bread. If there is desert in the west then the world's rainiest place lies in the east. The country is rich in natural resources. It has rich natural resources, a civilised history, and now acclimatising to the growing technology. To know about this country for traveller, let us divide it into 5 regions and throw some insight about each region. If on one side we have snow clad mountains, to the other there is a hot desert and if on one side we have the mountain ranges then we have coastal plains too.

If one can look beyond the dirt, pollution and the poverty,one can find that it is a country of profound vibrations with centuries of austerities practiced, a thirst quencher for the spiritual seeker, the nature lover, and for those, who come here for a beautiful,yet, a unique experience.

First to the North, we have Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal which are at the foot of Himalayas. Known for scenic beauty, flowers, gardens, lakes, snow covered hill stations like Shimla, Kulu, Manali, Mussourie. There are plenty of oppotunities for snow games like skiing. Also river rafting, mountaineering, trekking are some other sports of interest. Apples, saffron(flower) and apricots are grown in this region. Aptly, this region is also called the Switzerland of Asia.

Other Northern states are Rajasthan, Punjab, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Rajasthan is mostly a desert and temperature running to 50 degrees Celsius during summer. Even to this day, camels are used for transportation. Jaipur, called the Pink city, Udaipur, Ajmer are places of interest. Jaipur is called the Pink City because a variety of Pink Stone is used for the Palaces constructed by the olden days Kings. Udaipur is called the City of Lakes. People are called Rajputs here...being very brave by nature.

Punjab is rich and fertile. Chandigarh, a well planned city with Nek Chand's Rose Garden and a park /sculptures made of broken procelain/glass pieces are worth seeing. Mostly the people here are Sikhs. Amritsar, the Golden Temple is situated in this state which is a holy place to Sikhs like Mecca to Muslims.

Uttar Pradesh, though no longer a visitors paradise, is still Home to India's most seen tourist spot - 'The Taj Mahal'. Uttar Pradesh is also the heritage heartland of India, with many of Hindu Pilgrim spots.

Then we move on to the Western region of India, with major states like , Gujarat. Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat...is a flourishing business centre with the people belonging to the very rich community. It is famous for textile industry. Dwaraka, childhood spent by Lord Krishna, Surat is the city of cloth manufacturing and Ship building makes this State very rich in resources. Perhaps there are the richest community in India.

Maharashtra the financial hub of India is also famous for its film Industry in state capital Mumbai. Bollywood, Indian version of Hollywood is worlds largest film Industry by number of movies made every year, many times more then made in real Hollywood. Popularly known as Hollywood of India, there are more movies made then Hollywood.

It is said that people who come to this city never return empty handed because Lakshmi..the Goddess of Wealth resides here. The beautiful Marine Drive is also called as the Queen's Necklace is worth seeing in the night when it is lit. There are many island caves near Mumbai. Elephanta caves are very famous in this regard. Konkan region in Maharashtra has got tremendous tourist potential. Ratnagiri district in this region has come to world map becuase of its Alphanso mango. Lot many beaches including religious places attracts many tourists all over the world to Konkan region.

Goa is a small state which was ruled by portugese until 1961 and so one can find their influence on every street of this state. Known for its beaches and churches, Goa , the name itself is a boost for tourism.

Then we move on to the Eastern part of India. We have many smaller states like Sikkim, Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh. All these states are rich with tea plantations. Kolkata in Bengal, the capital is the first city where the British established their East India Company. Even to this day, we can see the buildings in British Style on many streets of Kolkata. Darjeeling, with its a century old toy train is one of the main attraction hill station. Then we have thick forests with Rhinos, Tigers and one will be surprised to find that the grass in these forests are more than 7 to 8 feet, almost covering vehicles on the move. Sikkim is a land of Buddhists with many monastries while the other smaller states like Tripura, Mizoram have Christians. Manipur is called the "Switzerland of India" by Lord Irwin. This small state has the largest freshwater lake in eastern India, called Loktak. And the world's endangered brow antlered deer plays in the world's only floating park Keibul Lamjao. The state is famous for the Ima Keithel or "Mothers' Market where more than 3, 000 women controls the daily market to sell vegetables, fruits, fish and other essential products. Two well tended Commonwealth War Graves Cemetries are located built in memory of soldiers fought in World War II.