India Travel Destinations

Large cities

India's largest cities, listed below, are known as metros.

• New Delhi, the Capital of Ancient Bharat and Modern India - The political capital of India
• Calcutta (Kolkata) — cultural capital of India, biggest port of East India known as City of Joy.
• Ahmedabad — known as Textile Capital of India - located in Gujarat.
• Bangalore — Garden City, Pub City, Silicon Valley of India, Land of Silk, Gold, Sandal Wood, Incense etc.
• Chennai (Madras) — main port in South India, cradle of Carnatic Music and Barathanatiyam, Home of famous Marina Beach, Automobile Capital of India.
• Cochin — queen of Arabian sea, spice trade and tourism - industrial hub of state of Kerala.
• Hyderabad — Pearl city of India, and part of the Silicon Plateau with Bangalore
• Mumbai (Formerly Bombay) — the financial capital of India, "Bollywood" (Indian Film Industry's hub)
• Pune — Maharashtra's cultural capital.

Other destinations

Landmarks:

India has many outstanding landmarks. Below are four of the most notable that are not in a large city nor a sacred site.

• Taj Mahal — Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Historical Ruins — Hampi, Karnataka
• Mysore Palace — Mysore, Karnataka
• The Mall - Victorian heritage — Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Sacred sites:

As the birthplace of several world religions, India is home to many sacred and holy sites. Below is a list of nine of the most notable. For other sacred sites refer to regional articles.

• Amritsar, Punjab — The Golden Temple, Sikh holy city
• Bodh Gaya, Bihar — the place where the Buddha Shakyamuni attained enlightenment.
• Gangotri, Uttaranchal — Origin of the Ganges (mother Ganga) in the Himalayas
• Haridwar, Uttaranchal — Gateway to the GOD
• Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh— located 10 km away from Varanasi it is the site of the deer park where the Buddha Shakyamuni first taught the Buddha Dharma.
• Shravanabelagola, Karnataka— one of the most sacred places for Jains.
• Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh— one of the most sacred places for Hindus with Golden Temple on Seven Hills.
• Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh— A sacred Hindu city located on the banks of the Ganges.
• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh— Birth Place of Lord Krishna