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Meghalaya, the state of India, is located in the northeastern part of the country. It is bounded by the Indian state of Assam to the north and northeast and by Bangladesh to the south and southwest. The state capital is the hill town of Shillong, located in east-central Meghalaya. It became a state in 1972.

Meghalaya is an upland area formed by a detached block of the Deccan plateau. Its summits vary in elevation from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The Garo Hills in the west rise abruptly from the Brahmaputra River valley to about 1,000 feet and then merge with the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, adjacent highland systems that form a single massif of tablelands separated by a series of eastward-trending ridges. The southern faces of the plateau, overlooking the Bangladesh lowlands, is particularly steep. Many rivers and streams flow out of the plateau, creating deep, narrow, steep-sided valleys; the most important is the Umiam-Barapani, the major hydroelectric power source for Assam and Meghalaya states.

Climate

The climate of Meghalaya is generally mild. In August, the mean temperature at Shillong (in the Khasi Hills) is in the low 70s F (about 21–23 °C); it falls to the upper 40s F (about 8–10 °C) in January.

One of the world’s wettest regions is Meghalaya—Cherrapunji, which has an average annual precipitation of about 450 inches (11,430 mm) during the monsoon season (from May to September). (That may exceed rainfall at Cherrapunji at Mawsynram, a village directly west of Cherrapunji, where rainfall totals of some 700 inches [17,800 mm] per year have been recorded.) Annual rainfall in Shillong, only about 50 miles (80 km) from Cherrapunji, is about 90 inches (2,290 mm). During the winter months (December to February), the climate is relatively dry.

Plant and animal life

Meghalaya is blanketed in lush forests, and pines, sals, and bamboo are plentiful. Other species include oak, birch, beech, and magnolia. Elephants, tigers, leopards, deer, wild pigs, gaurs (wild bison), mithan (or gayals, the domesticated form of the gaur), wolves, anteaters, monkeys, apes, squirrels, snakes, hares, and sambar deer are all found in the state. Birds in Meghalaya include peacocks, partridges, pigeons, hornbills, jungle fowls, mynas, and parrots.

People

Most of the inhabitants of Meghalaya are Tibeto-Burman (Garos) or Mon-Khmer (Khasis) in origin, and their languages and dialects belong to these groups. The Khasis are the only people in India who speak a Mon-Khmer language. Khasi and Garo, along with Jaintia and English, are the state’s official languages; other languages spoken in the state include Pnar-Synteng, Nepali, Haijong, and the plains languages of Bengali, Assamese, and Hindi.

Christianity, Hinduism, and animistic forms of Hinduism are the major religions in the area. There are also a small minority of Muslims and even smaller groups of Buddhists and Sikhs.

The population is predominantly rural, and few towns exist in the state. Shillong is the largest town; other urban centres, listed in descending order of population, include Tura, Mawlai, Nongthymmai, and Jowai.

Cultural life

Meghalaya is rich in tribal culture and folklore. Drinking and dancing to the accompaniment of music from singas (buffalo horns), bamboo flutes, and drums are integral parts of religious ceremonies and social functions. Marriages are exogamous. However, the advent of Christianity in the mid-19th century and its strict morality disrupted many tribal and communal institutions.

A curious custom among the Garos is that after marriage, the youngest son-in-law goes to live in his wife’s parents’ house and becomes his father-in-law’s nokrom or clan representative in the mother-in-law’s family. If the father-in-law dies, the nokrom marries (and the marriage has to be consummated) the widowed mother-in-law, thus becoming the husband of both mother and daughter. The custom has been falling into disuse. The Khasis formerly practised human sacrifice.

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INTRODUCTION:
Named as one of the ten paradises of the world by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

CLIMATE:
Being between the Lakshadweep Sea and the Western Ghats, Kerala experiences equatorial tropic climate implying 120 to 140 days of incessant downpour courtesy of the southwest summer monsoon. While the quantity of rainfall varies in accordance with the area, overall it could be described as featuring a wet and dry climate which is neither too hot in summers nor too cold in winters. The entire state could be segregated into three climatic regions based on its topography namely the cool mountainous regions occupying the east, the rolling hills playing the role of the central midlands and the coastal plains bringing up the west.

FOOD:
Kerala is known for its delicious food. The most popular would include:
1.​Erissery (Lentil & Pumpkin Stew)
2.Idiyappam & Curry
3.​Parippu Curry (Curried Dal)
4.​Appam & Ishtu (Stew)

5.CULTURE and ARTS:
Kerala is the land of Arts, their life is associated with the art and culture of the state. Kathakali is a vibrant Kerala art form, where the artist wears elaborate costumes, face paint, and sometimes masks. The traditional themes of the Kathakali are folk mythologies, religious legends, and spiritual ideas from the Hindu epics.

While other dance forms too are popular like Mohiniyaattam, Chavittunatakom, Oppana, Krishnanattam. Kerala has a rich tradition in Carnatic music, vocal, and percussion music. Contemporary music is influenced by western music too.

The state has a long list of eminent personalities who have contributed to the Carnatic and Hindustani music genres. The state has its light music, pop music, and devotional songs which are popular.

HIDDEN GEMS:
1. GOD'S OWN LAND:
There is a mythological story behind the phrase God’s Own Country. It is said, as per Hindu beliefs, that this state was the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the creation of Lord Parasurama. Kerala is blessed with beauty and was the place of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and so, it is called God’s Own Country.

2.KERALA'S BACKWATERS:
The unique geography of Kerala’s backwaters is that the lakes and lagoons run parallel almost along the entire coastline of the state. The majority of the backwaters consist of 5 lakes interconnected by narrow canals.

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Houseboat Cruise In Alleppey - The Best To Experience

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West Bengal's capital is Kolkata. West Bengal was the birthplace of modern Indian literary and artistic thought, and is referred to as the "cultural capital of India".

Language – Bengali also known by its endonym Bangla is an Indo-Aryan language and is the lingua franca of the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent.

Food – Bengali cuisine is the culinary style of the Bengal region there is an emphasis on fish, meat, vegetables, and lentils with rice as a staple. Bengali cuisine can be subdivided into four different types of dishes, charbya or food that is chewed, such as rice or fish; choṣya or food that is sucked, such as ambal and tak; lehya, or foods that are meant to be licked, like chutney; and peya, which includes drinks, mainly milk.

Attire - Bengali women traditionally wear the special Banarasi sari and salwar kameez, among men, the traditional costumes like dhoti, Panjabi, kurta, sherwani, pyjama and lungi are seen.

Dance – There are 5 main folk dances of Bengal.Firstly, Gambhira which is a devotional dance performed by devotees for goddess Shakti. Secondly, Kirtan dance this dance was done to pay a tribute to Lord Krishna. The devotees sang out their love and affection of their Lord and danced as if the Almighty appeared before their eyes. Third, Kushan fold dance which is performed to wipe out evil. Fourth, Alkap dance which is a confluence of dancing, singing, drama and recital. The dance drama portrays the most popular love stories along with a mix of dialogues and emotions. Fifth, Chau dance, it is a renowned tribal martial dance, a unique thing amongst folk dances of West Bengal.

Music - The Baul tradition is a unique heritage of Bengali folk music, which has also been influenced by regional music traditions. Other folk music forms include Kabigaan, Gombhira, Bhawaiya, kirtans, and Gajan festival music. Folk music in West Bengal is often accompanied by the ektara, a one-stringed instrument.

Festivals and Celebrations – Bengal is famous for its culture and festivals are an inevitable part of this culture. Some festivals are celebrated state-wide, while others are local in nature. There are also various other village fairs and seasonal tribal festivals. Durga Puja is the biggest and most important festival of West Bengal, and it features colourful pandals, decorative idols of Hindu goddess Durga and her family, lighting decoration and immersion processions.

Theatre and Films - Among other types of theatre, West Bengal has a tradition of folk drama known as jatra. Kolkata is the home of the Bengali cinema industry, dubbed "Tollywood" for Tollygunj, where most of the state's film studios are located. Its long tradition of art films includes globally acclaimed film directors such as Academy Award-winning directors.

Literature - The Bengali language boasts a rich literary heritage, shared with neighbouring Bangladesh. West Bengal has a long tradition in folk literature, evidenced by the Charyapada, Mangalkavya, Shreekrishna Kirtana, Thakurmar Jhuli, and stories related to Gopal Bhar. In the nineteenth and twentieth century, Bengali literature was modernized in the works of authors such as Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. Coupled with social reforms led by Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and others, this constituted a major part of the Bengal Renaissance The middle and latter parts of the 20th century witnessed the arrival of post-modernism, as well as literary movements such as those espoused by the Kallol movement, hungryalists and the little magazines.

Monuments -Bengal was the first capture of the British rulers when they had just started building their system of administration to empower their position in the country. The place has gone through multiple transformations industrially and culturally since its formation. In Kolkata you will find multiple places to tell the story of the British age. But, Victoria memorial, Kali temples, Marble Palace, Fort William are a few famous places.

Art - Dokra is unique folk art of West Bengal. Metal casting dokra mask is created various contemporary sculptures with this art form. Her works of Dokra art are equally popular in other countries. Durga face is a well known shola mask of Murshidabad.

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The Culture of Telangana in India has a cultural history of about 5,000 years. The region emerged as the foremost centre of culture in Indian subcontinent during the rule of Kakatiya, the Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi dynasties— (also known as the Nizams of Hyderabad). The rulers' patronage and interest for arts and culture transformed Telangana into a unique multi-cultural region where two different cultures coexist together, thus making Telangana the representative of the Deccan Plateau and its heritage with Warangal and Hyderabad being its epicenter.
FESTIVALS IN TELANGANA
The regions' major cultural events celebrated are "Kakatiya Festival" and Deccan Festival along with religious festivals Bonalu, Bathukamma, Dasara, Ugadi, Sankranthi, Milad un Nabi and Ramadan
CUISINE
Telangana has two types of cuisines, the Telugu cuisine and Hyderabadi cuisine. Telugu cuisine is the part of South Indian cuisine characterized by their highly spicy food. The Telangana state lies on the Deccan plateau and its topography dictates more millet and roti (leavened bread) based dishes. Jowar and Bajra features more prominently in their cuisine. Due to its proximity with Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and northwest Karnataka, it shares some similarities of the Deccan plateau cuisine. The region has the spiciest food amongst all other Telugu and Indian cuisines. Telangana has some unique dishes in its cuisine, such as jonna rotte (sorghum), sajj

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𝙸𝙽𝙲𝚁𝙴𝙳𝙸𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙸𝙰! 

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ѕєиѕαтισиαℓ ѕιккιм

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ѕєиѕαтισиαℓ ѕιккιм

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Location:  Sikkim is located in the North-Eastern part of India. Sikkim is very close to the Himalayas range of mountains.

Population: Sikkim is a very thinly populated state. Its population is only 6.58 Lakhs. It's one of the smallest states in India in terms of population.

Boundry woes: Sikkim shares its International boundaries with Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the West and Tibet (China) in the North. Sikkim borders only West Bengal in India.

Area: Sikkim covers an area of 7096 sq Km. Which accounts for 0.2% of the total area of India. Sikkim is one of the smallest states in India in terms of population.

Traditional wear: There is a total of 6 Traditional dresses in Sikkim.
~ Bhutia Tribe - Bakhu/Kho
~ Thokro-Dum
~ Dumvum
~ Shuruval
~ Wedding Attire

Food: There are many famous foods in Sikkim.
~ Momos (Dumplings)
~ Thukpa or Gya Thuk
~ Phagshapa
~ Sha Phaley
~ Gundruk
~ Sinki
~ Kinema
~ Dal Bhat

Culture: The predominant religions are Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. The predominant communities are the Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese. The people of Sikkim are very warm, simple and friendly with a nature gaiety. The customs and rituals of Sikkim are as diverse as the ethnicities that inhabit the land. Some of the most popular festivals, notable in Sikkim are Losoong, Drupka Teshi, Bumchu, Saga Dawa, Dassin and Phang Lhabsol.

Languages: Some of the main languages of Sikkim are Nepali, Sikkimese, Bhotia and Lepcha.

Tourist destination:
Gangtok: Gangtok is the capital city of Sikkim and the beauty of this city justify it being one of the prominent cities in the state. Incredibly beautiful, exuberant, and garlanded with clouds all over. Sikkim is blessed with the kind of cultural and historical significance Gangtok adds to the pride of this state.
Tsomgo Lake: Tsomgo Lake is nestled around 40 km away from the main city of Gangtok. This immensely beautiful glacier lake is one of the top tourist destinations of Sikkim. Tsogmo literally means ‘Source of Water’. This mesmerizing lake is one of India’s highest altitude lakes which make Sikkim even more beautiful. Tsomgo Lake reflects the gigantic views of snow-clad mountains around it, making your journey to Sikkim even more memorable.
Nathula Pass: Nathula Pass is around 53 km away from the main city of Gangtok. This place apart from being one of the best tourist places in Sikkim and is a politically very important point of Sikkim. Nathula Pass connects India to Tibet (China) which creates an amalgamation of Indian and Tibetan culture around this place.
Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple: Memorial & temple honouring Indian army soldier, folk hero & saint Baba Harbhajan Singh.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp: Its height is around 14,000 ft. above sea level. Kanchenjunga is the world’s third-highest peak. The trek to Kanchenjunga starts from Dzongri which is the last road lay around this peak. This thrilling base camp is nestled so close to India-China Borders.
Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang Valley: This village is the home of Tibetan nomadic tribes during winters. It is a gateway to two really beautiful lakes named Gurudongmar and Tso Lhamu Lakes. Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang Valley are three peaceful and perfect destinations in Sikkim. Lachung is perfect to relish snow and Yumthang is the place you must go to catch on the beauty of the flower valley of Sikkim.
Pelling: Pelling is the second most favourite spot in Sikkim after Gangtok. It coaxes thousands of travellers who seek peace in the lap of nature and to be surrounded by gigantic views. This town is the paradise of trekkers and peace lovers.
Siddheshwar Dham: It has a 108-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, 18 feet statue of Shiva in hinter avatar and has a replica of all 12 jyotirlingas spread around it and models of Chardham temples.

Facts: And the spirit lives on: Baba Harbhajan Singh; This Temple is built in honour of baba Harbhajan Singh. It is believed that his spirit still guards the Indian border in the region.
Organic State: Sikkim is India's first organic state with around 75,000 hectares of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming.
Cardamom: Sikkim is the world's second-largest producer of cardamom after Guatemala.
Nirmal State: Sikkim is India's first and only defecation free state.
Demographics: The majority of the Sikkim Population is Nepali by ethnicity.
From an independent country to an Indian state
The Prime Minister of Sikkim in 1975 appealed to the Indian Parliament to accede Sikkim to the Indian Union. Indian Army then took over the city of Gangtok, abolished the monarchy and held a referendum where 97.5% of the votes were in favour of joining the Indian Union. Thus, Sikkim became the 22nd State of India.
The first mixed world heritage site: Khangchendzonga National park has been termed India's first mixed world heritage site by UNESCO. It is home to 18 glaciers, lakes, mountains peaks, waterfalls, 18 sub-forest types, 124 species of animals and 300 species of birds.
Saving World: Styrofoam products and plastic are banned in Sikkim.
Rhubarb Sikkim: It is a flowering plant in Sikkim and in the Himalayas which can grow up to 2 meters in height.
Mt. Kanchenjunga: Sikkim is the home to the worlds third-largest mountain peak Mountain Kanchenjunga The main mount which lies on the border of North Sikkim is 8,586 meters in height.

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Karnataka is the largest state in South India and sixth largest in India. Capital of Karnataka is Bangalore. Karnataka is primarily known for its Heritage destinations and its Wildlife and National Parks. Tourism centers on the ancient sculptured temples, modern cities, the hill ranges, forests and beaches. Karnataka has several species of striking mammals including the sloth bears, Indian elephant, Asiatic elephant, Bengal tiger, wild boars, gaurs, black panthers, big Indian cats etc. The Hampi Festival, celebrated in November, is one of the most important festivals in Karnataka celebrated on a grand level. During this artists and musicians famous in their fields showcase their talent. Also known as ‘Vijaya Utsava’, this is the festival of colour and lights. This is one of the many festivals celebrated in Karnataka. Karnataka is known as the state with the largest production of Raw Silk in India. Karnataka is also known for its variety of food. Starting from Masala dosa which is the staple food to the sweets mysore pak. Mysore Pak is a Karnataka sweet made with a concoction of ghee, sugar, and gram flour. The famous filter kappi which is also called as filter coffee. The list just goes on

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Uttar Pradesh is a place we hear about on the news, rather than anywhere else. Even tho what we hear may be intriguing, there are  a lot of things you might not know.

UP is the state with the largest population in India.

Its known for the famous Kumbh Mela, the Ganga river and various tourist spots.

Due to the many rivers in this region different crops are found here.

In Hindu mythology, it was the birthplace of the Gods, Ram and Krishna.

Kathak, a classical dance form, grew and flourished in Uttar Pradesh.

One of the most interesting things about UP is the Parijaat tree is a sacred baobab tree in the village of Kintoor, near Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India, about which there are several legends. The flowers of the tree change colours throughout the year.

With reference to food,  a traditional state thali consists of Roti, Sabzi, Dal, Chawal, Achar, Raita, etc.  Snacks and refreshment include Samosa, Jalebi, Lassi, Gulab-Jamun, Golgappas, Chaat, etc.

In terms of the clothing, the people of Uttar Pradesh wear a variety of native- and Western-style dress. Traditional styles of dress include colourful draped garments – such as sari for women and dhoti or lungi for men – and tailored clothes such as salwar kameez for women and kurta-pyjama for men.

UP is also the most political state, located in proximity of Delhi, where the Parliament is.

UP is one of the most polluted states in India, owing to the great population.

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Haryana has always remained a rendezvous for diverse races, cultures and faiths. Hindu Saints and Sikh Gurus have traversed the land of Haryana spreading their message of universal love and brotherhood.
Haryana is among the most prosperous states in India, having one of the highest per-capita income. With just 1.37% of the total geographical area and less than 2% of India’s population.
The Green revolution benefited the economy of Haryana and was one of the fastest states to implement it. Haryana is one of the important agricultural and industrial states in India , it produces surplus amount of rice and wheat.

Haryana is also great tourism spot. Here are some famous places:

1. Panjokhra Sahib Gurudwara
2. Kingdom of Dreams ( Gurugram )

The main dress of the people of Haryana is :
Men wear dhoti kurta’s and women wear kurta and lehenga. While different communities wear their attire in different manner.

The festivals of Haryana :
Lohri is the most popular festival that marks end of winter and welcomes the season of fertility.

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Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful states in India. This state is located in the northern part of India.Uttarakhand is often referred as the land of the Gods, as there are many HIndu temples and pilgrimage centres in this state.
There are 2 capitals of Uttarakhand :- Dehradun (the winter capital)
Gairsan (the summer capital)

Uttarakhand also attracts many tourists as there are very scenic landmarks across this eye catching state.

Uttarakhand has many mouth watering delicacies like
Kabul : A gravy made out of leafy vegetables.
Bal mithai : a chocolate - like fudge made with roasted khoya.

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Jammu and Kashmir (Triyan Mitra XI Humanities A)

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Jammu and Kashmir (Triyan Mitra XI Humanities A)

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Jammu and Kashmir, officially known as the Princely State of Kashmir and Jammu, which was recently divided into two union territories, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, with effect from 31 October 2019.  Popularly known as "Paradise on Earth", Jammu and Kashmir is world famous for its scenic splendour, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, hospitable people and local handicrafts. The experience of visiting Jammu and Kashmir will be a memorable one as the state will appeal to you with its scenic beauty and snow-covered mountain ranges. It's capital is Shrinagar during summers and Jammu during the winters as during winters, Srinagar becomes geographically challenging due to the blockage of National Highways and landslides. Thus every year the capital is shifted to Jammu to make sure that the trade and business do not suffer. Jammu is famous for its temples, while Kashmir Valley is known for its lakes and gardens. Jammu and Kashmir has agro-climatic conditions best suited for horticulture and floriculture. Horticulture is the mainstay of the rural economy, providing employment to large number of local inhabitants. Some of the main festivals of Kashmir include Lohri, Holi, Navratri, Baisakhi or New Year Day, Guru Ravi Das's Birthday, Tihar and Sankranti. What is the famous dance of Jammu and Kashmir you ask? the Dumhal is a famous dance performed by men of the Wattal region of Kashmir valley. The major proportion of the population consists of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, meanwhile Buddhists and Christians are in lesser proportions.

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-This Island's famous for it's seafood .
-The tourist and the people of Andaman and Nicobar island engage in the annual Island Tourism Festival .
-Though not many schools are in the island due to less population and less area , citizen of the island do get basic education .

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Chattisgarh is a heavily forested state in Central India known for its temples and waterfalls.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHATTISGARH:

1.  Home to famous Kosa silk.
2.  Majority of tribal population.
3.  Use of  motorcycle ambulance.
4.  The state of steel.
5.   Film industry of chattisgarh is known as chollywood.
6.  Their exotic temples.
7.  Pandavani is a folk singing style of chattisgarh which includes narration of tales of the ancient Indian epic of mahabharata.
8.  The road where lord ram walked.
9.   Butsar Dusshera is one of the biggest festivals here.
10.  One of the oldest temples in India situated in chattisgarh, the laxman temple.

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Established in 1987, Arunachal Pradesh is the largest and the youngest of all the seven sisters.

With Itanagar as its capital, Arunachal is the gateway for the Brahmaputra river in India.

This state has a forest cover of 82%.

English is the only official language of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh's 400 years old Tawang Monastery is the largest Monastery in India and Second largest in the world.

Arunachal is known as the  "Land of Rising Sun" because its Dong Valley is the first to receive sunrise in the country.

With over 200 species of orchids Arunachal Pradesh is known as "Paradise for Botanists."

Arunachal is also famous for its Snow Lion Dance.

Arunachal Pradesh has lowest population density in India with only about 13 people per sq. km.

Parshuram Kund located in Lohit District of Arunachal is a holy place for hindus. It is believed that Lord Parshuram washed away all his sins for killing kshatriyas here.

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Andhra Pradesh is a state in the south-eastern costal region of India.  It is the seventh largest state and also the tenth most populous state of India.  Andhra Pradesh is the first state to be formed on a linguistic basis in India on 1st October 1953. It is also known as the land of the world-famous diamond kohinoor and many other globally known diamonds due to their source in its Kollur Mine. It is also known as the "rice bowl of India "  for being a major producer of rice in India. It's official language is Telugu which is the fourth most spoken language in India and the 11th-most spoken language in the world.

CUSINE
Telugu cuisine is a cuisine of South India native to the Telugu people from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana .
It is generally known for its tangy, hot and spicy taste. The cooking is very diverse due to the vast spread of the people and varied topological regions.
All three regions- Costal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana have distinctive cuisines. In the semi-arid Telangana state region millet- based bread ( roti) is the predominant staple food, whereas rice is predominant in irrigated Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Ragi  is also popular in the Rayalaseema region. Many if the curries ( known as Koora) , snacks and sweets vary in the method of preparation and differ in name too.
Andhra Pradesh is the leading producer of red Chilli and rice amount Indian states and Telangana the leading producer of millet; this influences the liberal use of spices in Telugu cuisine, making its food some of the richest and spiciest in the world. Vegetarian as well as meat and seafood (costal areas) feature prominently on the menus. Spicy and hot varieties of pickles form an important part of Telugu Cuisine.

FESTIVALS
Andhra Pradesh is land of rich cultural heritage which beautifully reflects in its festivals and other attractions. Festivals are intricately woven into the culture of the state and celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Some famous festivals of Andhra Pradesh are :-
1. Sankaranti

This is celebrated in January as a harvest festival. It is celebrated in various part of the country under different name. You can find a lot of fairs and other celebrations during this festival.

2. Ugadi

This is the Telugu New Year. It is celebrated in April. During this festival, you ought to taste the dish called Ugadi Pacchadi which is made with all six tastes together.

This dish is never made during other times as some main ingredients like flower of neem leaves cannot be found during other time of the year.

3. Ganesh Chaturthi

This festival is celebrated in August or September. In this festival, people make small statues of Ganesh (Elephant God of Indian Mythology) and worship it for a few days and then dissolve it in any water body.

There would be a lot of celebrations during this festival that would be colourful and entertaining.

People make or buy small statues of the elephant God of Hindu Mythology (Ganesh).

They pray and perform many rituals with this statue and conduct many performances each day and after 10 days, they carry the statue and dissolve it in any big water body (especially sea).

4. Maha Shivaratri

This festival falls on the 13th or 14th of March. This festival is dedicated to lord Shiva and people fast and celebrate it without sleeping. To help people stay awake, a lot of shows and performances would be conducted in temples.

5. Diwali

It is a colourful festival. You can find a lot of fireworks and crackers making the night of Diwali, an amazing time. Diwali sweets of this state are very special and you ought to taste all of them.

There would be a lot of fairs and exhibitions conducted in various places in the state during this festival. This festival falls in the month of November.

6. Dussehra

Dusherra of Andhra might not be as fabulous as the one that is celebrated in West Bengal. But, you ought to visit the Bommala Kolluvu, a pyramid display of small dolls that would be placed in many places.

7. Deccan Festival

This is a cultural festival that is celebrated in many important places like Hyderabad. There would be a lot of local fair and exhibitions conducted during this festival.

Many food festivals would also be celebrated in various places to appreciate the cuisine of this state. If you are visiting this state during this festival you ought to visit the pearl exhibition and buy a few Hyderabadi pearls.

8. Lumbini Festival

This festival is celebrated in December. This is very commonly celebrated in Lumbini. This is the place where Buddha was born and this festival is a grand one for those who follow this religion.

Many international tourists visit this state during this festival.

9. Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival

This is a local festival that occurs in October. As the name of the festival indicates this festival is celebrated in Rayalaseema region. This festival focuses on appreciating the food and culture of this region.

A lot of performances, food feast and others would be available during this festival.

10. Visakha

This is celebrated in middle of January. This is very similar to Rayalaseema Food and Dance Festival. The festival focuses on the culture and cuisine of Visakhapatnam. A major fair would be conducted during this festival.

People from other parts of the state visit this fair to enjoy cultural programs, sports and other celebrations

TRADITIONAL WEAR
Men:-

The men in Andhra Pradesh generally wear dhoti and kurta.
Women:-

Before the 14th century, women in Andhra Pradesh wore dhotis, just like the men did. But over the years, the length of their dhoti kept on increasing and much later, they started using an additional piece of cloth to wrap over their shoulders. The additional piece of cloth later got stitch together to form a saree.

Dresses For Special Ceremonies

For marriage ceremony, the bride wears silk sarees from Dharmavaram as these sarees beautify the dresses for festivals, parties, and wedding. The sarees are brocaded and decorated with gold plating. The bridegroom wears kurta, and full-length dhoti with an overlapping pattern or a zigzag of excess cloth tucked in the front along with an additional piece of cloth draped over one of his shoulders. The bride wears the colour red whereas the groom wears white or cream coloured clothes. Both the bride and groom wear jewellery. The bride wears bangles, neckpiece, earrings,

payal (anklets) and a maang tikka (head jewellery) that goes around their forehead. The groom wears head jewellery that is in the form of a gold chain wrapped around his forehead.
In South India coming of age, the ceremony is celebrated when a girl reaches puberty. For the ceremony, the girl wears a Langa Voni given by her maternal grandparents during the first part of the ceremony. For the second part of the ceremony, she wears a saree given by her paternal grandparents. This marks her transition into womanhood.

LANGUAGE
The official language of Andhra Pradesh is Telugu.  Telugu is spoken by more than 85% of the population.  Tamil is also spoken here in the southern region and there is also kannada speakers on the border of karnataka.
There are a large number of Urdu speakers in Hyderabad and their population is 7% of the state's population . Most educated people will also be able to speak Hindi and English.

CULTURE
A combination of many cultures has formed the present-day culture of Andhra Pradesh because some great dynasties have ruled the region like Ikshvakus, Pallavas, Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, Vijayanagar, and Mughals.

Andhra Pradesh culture became rich and creative with the touch of so many rulers and dynasties. The monuments like Charminar, Golconda Fort, Salar Jung museum says all about the skilled abilities of the past rulers.

Agriculture is a major source of Andhra Pradesh’s economy. About 70 percent of the state’s population is connected to agriculture and it is a major area of ​​rice production in India. The people of the state are divided as one who lives on the banks of river Krishna and Godavari while others who live in the hilly and forest area of the state.
The culture of Andhra Pradesh is very rich in terms of clothing, food, festivals, dance, music, and art and crafts. People live with peace and harmony and the state is the land full of fun and laughter.

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Also known as the land of blue mountains, Mizoram Is the southernmost state In north east india.

The staple food of the people is rice with vegetables here

The Chapchar Kut is a festival of Mizoram, India. It is celebrated during March after completion of their most arduous task of jhum operation i.e., jungle-clearing

the traditional attires worn by Mizoram women is the traditional dress called 'Puan'. Beautifully intricated design with perfect fit makes it the most preferred dress for the people of Mizoram. Puanchei is the dress worn by most Mizo women during festivals.

Cheraw dance is the main festive dance here. Both men and women perform this dance during festivals with the help of bamboos during festivals and occasions.

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A civilization of warm, happy people, Goa sees a mix of different religions like Christians, Catholics, Muslims, and Hindus that live together in harmony. Following their age-old traditions and customs, Goan's celebrate all major festivals with fervour without bringing any religious barriers within the society.Goa is a combination of Indian and Portuguese cultures, which together makes up a different ethnicity of the entire state. It is a multi-ethnic state with a majority of Hindu and Christian people. Contrary to popular belief Goan people just don’t drink all the time or speak broken English , the mother tongue of Goa is Konkani.  (Kōṅkaṇī) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Konkani people, primarily along the western coastal region (Konkan) of India. People residing in Goa also speak Hindi , English , Marathi etc. The culture of Goa is an amalgamation of Indian and Portuguese culture. The long Portuguese rule has influenced the culture in more ways than one and many of the Portuguese traditions are reflected in the Goan culture even today. The crafts and arts of Goa also reflect Hindu, Muslim and Christian origins. Regarding food  Seafood, coconut milk, rice, and local spices are main ingredients of Goan cuisine. Being a state with a tropical climate, the spices and flavours are intense. Use of kokum is another distinct feature. Goan food is considered incomplete without fish, Rice and fish-curry is the staple of most Goans. As far as clothes are concerned, not a single local wears Hawaiian shirts . Goan people reside in normal clothes like the rest of us . As for their traditional clothing the traditional costumes of Goa people are very similar to other states of South India. Generally, women wear a sari, which called 'Nav-Vari'. The saries studded with precious stones and jewelry. Valkal costumes are other attractive costumes, these made with loincloths. Goa not only has the best beaches , party hubs , clubs etc. but also has an alluring  environment with scenic and serene views that offer nothing but solitude .

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SPECIALITIES

Himachal Pradesh is famous for its handicrafts including carpets, paintings leather work, stones and more. Lentils, rice, vegetables, and chapati form the staple food of the state. Himachal Pradesh also has its own IIT in Mandi

BEAUTY                                                     Himachal Pradesh is one of the best tourist destinations for summers. One can experience amazing scenic beauty, serene landscapes in places like MANALI, SHIMLA, DALHOUSE, etc. You can experience amazing scenic beauty, serene landscapes in places like Manali, Shimla, Dalhousie and many more.

DRESSING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

People in Himachal Pradesh wear Ghangris, salwar kamiz and cholis. Cholis are the shirts which are worn on the upper part with a long skirt and a lot of bangles. Brahmin women also wear similar clothing like salwar kameez and ghagra choli.

FOOD IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Thenthuk

Dham

Sidu

Madra

Kullu Trout

Chicken Anardana

Thukpa

FESTIVALS

KULLU DUSSERA is one of the most significant festivals in Himachal Pradesh celebrated. In Himachal Pradesh, a grand fair is organised every year in the month of October in the Dhalpur Maidan in the Kullu valley. Accorded as an international fair, this mega festival has been attracting thousands of tourists every year.

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This state is popularly known as the Heart of India. MP’s capital is Bhopal, and the largest city is Indore. Madhya Pradesh is the second biggest state in India

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Historically known as Malwa, Madhya Pradesh – the second largest cenrally located state in India is called the very heart of India.

The history of Madhya Pradesh goes back to the time of Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler.

Major portion of Central India formed part of the Gupta Empire (300-550 AD).

The state of Bhopal came into existence in June, 1949 & only in 1952 a popular ministry was formed.

The state of Madhya Pradesh formed on 1st November 1956 was a conglomeration of Mahakosal, Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, Bhopal state & Seronj sub division of the Kota District of Rajasthan.

Archeological explorations & excavations provide a glimpse of the ancient period from the earliest times to about the 13th century AD. The finds speak of a developed ancient civilization & reflect the glorious & chequered history of its rulers & warriors & a rich cultural past.

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Madhya Pradesh is truly the heart of Incredible India! Madhya Pradesh brings before us the images of roaring tigers in Bandavgarh or the mesmerizing marble rock

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• Madhya Pradesh has the largest reserve of diamonds in India.
• Ram Raja Temple in Orchha is the only Temple in India Where Ram is worshipped as a king and not as a GOD.
• Historically known as Malwa, Madhya Pradesh – the second largest cenrally located state in India is called the very heart of India.

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Nagaland is one of the smallest states of India. It's capital city is Kohima. Agriculture is the most important economic activity. Other significant activities include forestry, tourism, insurance etc. It has a largely monsoon climate with high humidity levels. About one-sixth of Nagaland is covered by tropical evergreen forests—including palms, bamboo and mahogany forests. Various unique animals are found here such as the Bengal Tiger, Slow Loris, Himalayan Black Bear etc. The state has been extremely successful in promoting the great Hornbill Festival, which attracts many tourists. The festival unites Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food, games etc. Alungstu is a traditional costume worn there. With so many different tribes and the cultural diversity that they bring, Nagaland is also known as the 'Land of Festivals'.

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Gujarat is divided into three parts Kutch, Saurashtra and Uttar Gujarat.

It is very famous for its handicrafts and variety of food.

It has the longest sea shore compared to any other Indian state.

Gujarat has 17 airports, which makes it the state with the highest number of working airports.

Gandhinagar is the greenest capital city in whole Asia.

It is the safest city in India. It’s crime rate is 8.2, which is the least in India.

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Amazing Facts about Meghalaya

Meghalaya is a young state in India. It is in the North-East region of India.

The literal meaning of the term “Meghalaya” is “Abode of Clouds”.

Meghalaya is a beautiful state and hence widely known as “Scotland of the East”

Meghalaya became an autonomous state by virtue of Assam Reorganization (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 and North East Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.

On January 21, 1972, the new state of Meghalaya was formed. The districts included were Khasi hills, Jaintia hills and Garo hills.

Meghalaya shares an international border with Bangladesh. It is one of the most interesting and lesser-known facts about Meghalaya.

Famous Places in Meghalaya

Shillong: The capital of this state, Shillong is also known as Scotland of the East. It is a hill station and has rolling hills and narrow lanes that remind you of Scotland.

Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures: The Don Bosco Museum situated in Shillong is one of the major tourist destinations of Meghalaya. A visit to this place will make you privy to the rich, multi-cultural lifestyle of the indigenous people of the entire north-eastern states of India.

Mawsmai Cave: Mawsmai Cave located in Cherrapunji is an experience of a lifetime that every traveller should have. There are narrow paths that are entwined with each other.

Garo Hills: Garo Hills is situated in the western part of Meghalaya. Garo Hills are home to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (pictured above), Balpakram National Park and also the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary.

Elephant Falls: The structure on the black rocks resembles an elephant and hence the name. The rock structure was destroyed during an earthquake.

Nohkalikai Falls: Located near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, Nohkalikai Falls are the tallest in India flowing from a height of 1115 feet (340 mt). The force of the water is so strong that there is a waterhole that has been carved.

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Ladakh (meaning "land of high mountain passes") is a mountainous region in North India. Leh, the main city is situated at 3500m above sea level nestled in the great Himalayan, Karakoram, Zanskar and Ladakh ranges. Ladakh is known for remote mountain beauty, studded with monasteries and stupas. Ladakh is often referred as "Little Tibet" due to its geographical proximity and strong links to Tibetan culture.

Capital: Leh

Area: 98 000 square km

Altitude: altitude ranges from 2750m at Kargil to 7672m at Saser Kangri in the Karakoram

Languages: Ladakhi, Zanskari, Tibetan, English and Hindi
The predominant language is Ladakhi, it is closely related to Tibetan though is not mutually intelligible with it. A Ladakhi phrasebook "Getting Started in Ladakhi" by Melong publication is available in bookstores.

Population: 250 000 out of which 23 000 live in Leh

Religion: Buddhist (77.3%), Muslim (13.8%), Hindu (8.6%)

Climate: Ladakh is a rain shadow region of the Himalayas, the annual average rainfall in Leh is 100 mm. In summer, temperature reaches 25°C and it drops down to -15°C in winter.
The high passes are closed during winter due to heavy snowfall.

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Dadar and Nagar haveli are union territories in western India which has silvassa as it capital.portuguese had control over Dadar and Nagar haveli since 1783.later it was integrated with India in 1961.it is composed of two separate geographical regions.Nagar haveli present between maharshtra and Gujarat and Dadar is surrounded by Gujarat. Te total area covered by Dadar and Nagar haveli is 491 square km.official Language are Hind and Gujarati.According to the 2011 census,Dadar and Nagar haveli population was 3,43,709.Hinduism is a major religion.Other religion s include Islam, Christianity,Jainism,Buddhism,Sikhism etc.About 43% of the land is covered by forest.

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PUNJAB
Punjab, a state bordering Pakistan, is the heart of India’s Sikh community. The land of the five rivers punjab, Punj+Aab, reminds you of richness and royalty. The lush-green state is widely famous for its rich heritage, food, tradition and culture, but more than anything else Punjab is known the most for “Punjabis”!! Their spontaneity, positivity and vibrancy is beyond imagination. The loud, boisterous, generous and full of life-‘Punjabis’ have so much to offer.
CUISINE
The Punjabi cuisine goes way beyond Butter chicken and naan! The buttery flavours of Sarson-ka-Saag with Makki-di-Roti, Aloo-wala-Kulcha, Maa-ki-Daal, Tandoori Chicken, all possible varieties of stuffed Parathas, aam papad…the list is endless!
Though milk in all its forms is exceedingly loved in Punjab, but the lip-smacking lassi is indeed the National Drink of Punjab! Equally enjoyed in its sweet or salty avatar, the tall-glass of lassi, that too malai-maar-ke is truly irresistible.
DRESSES OF PUNJAB
DRESSES OF PUNJAB Costumes of Punjab are indicative of the bright and vibrant culture and lifestyle of the people. The costumes are a mix of colour, comfort and beauty. It may be noted here that the state of Punjab is well known for the use of phulkari in its costumes. Other commonly worn clothes by people in Punjab are pagri, dhoti, lacha, kurta, khusa, gharara, paranda, choli and shalwar kameez. The traditional dress for Punjabi men is the kurta and tehmat, which is being replaced by the kurta and pajama, especially the popular muktsari style in India. The traditional dress for women is the salwar suit which replaced the traditional Punjabi ghagra. The patiala salwar is also very popular.
OCCUPATION
The main occupation of the Punjabi’s is Agriculture and its related field.  Having a base of Agrarian economy they don’t have much of Industrial output but have small sized industrial units which are based on Agriculture like food products, beverages, cotton, wood and paper industries.
FESTIVALS
Punjabis celebrate cultural, seasonal and religious festivals, which include Maghi, Mela Chiraghan in Lahore, Lohri, Holi, Holla Muhalla, Basant Panchami,  Eid ul Adha, Eid ul Fitr, Baisakhi, Teeyan, Diwali, Dussehra, Gurupurab and Guru Nanak Jayant.