STATES WITH CAPITAL Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad 2. Arunachal Pradesh - Itanagar 3. Assam - Dispur 4. Bihar - Patna 5.

Chhatisgarh - Raipur 6. Goa - Panaji 7. Gujarat - Gandhinagar 8. Haryana - Chandigarh 9. Himachal Pradesh - Shimla 10. Jammu & Kashmir - Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) 11. Jharkhand - Ranchi 12. Karnataka - Bangalore 13. Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram 14. Madhya Pradesh - Bhopal 15. Maharashtra - Mumbai 16. Manipur - Imphal 17. Meghalaya - Shillong 18. Mizoram - Aizawl 19. Nagaland - Kohima 20. Orissa - Bhubaneswar 21. Punjab - Chandigarh 22. Rajasthan - Jaipur 23. Sikkim - Gangtok 24. Tamil Nadu - Chennai 25. Tripura - Agartala 26. Uttar Pradesh - Lucknow 27. Uttaranchal - Dehradun 28. West Bengal - Kolkata

Arunachal Pradesh

Climate

Vegetation

The climate is highly hot and humid at the lower altitudes and in the valleys covered by swampy dense forests particularly in the eastern section, while it becomes exceedingly cold in the higher altitudes. The rainfall is amongst the heaviest in the country. The annual average rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh is more than 300 cm! The rainfall varies from 450 cm in the foothill areas to 80 cm in the upper reaches. As can be expected, the vegetation of the whole of Arunachal varies gently in relation to the elevation of the different regions. It ranges from a wide belt of swampy rain forests along the foothills and the low lying areas to tropical and sub tropical. There's a great variety of plantation to be found. There are climbers, and an abundance of cane, bamboo and orchids. The lower altitudes are remarkable for their deciduous forests with patches of ever green tropical vegetation. The forests of the state are its most important wealth. A huge revenue is earned from them each year. Over 22 million wood sleepers used by the Indian Railways in all the three gauges were supplied by the state. Leasing of the tribal owned forest land to the forest department of the government is a unique system in the state. In the jungles of Arunachal, a large variety of medicinal plants are also available. The natives utilize these plants for treatment and cure of a large number of diseases. Despite the fact that modern medicine is quite easily available now, the use of herbal medicines is still in vogue. Some of these herbal medicines are really quite effective. The People and Culture

Although a number of tribal groups constitute the total population, the density of the population is only eight per sq. km. There are as many as 25 tribal groups that contribute to the human mass in the state! All the individual tribes have a rich cultural heritage and the government is making all out efforts in helping conserve their traditional heritage. The society of Arunachal Pradesh is patriarchal and primogeniture and the fundamental laws of inheritance with variations are not uncommon. They follow endogamy and strictly observe the rule of clan exogamy. Polygamy is socially sanctioned and practiced by most of them. The people are highly democratic, and each tribe has its own organized institutions that maintain law and order, decide disputes and take up all activities for the welfare of the tribes and the villages. The members constituting these organizations are selected by the people. The entire population of the state can be divided into three cultural groups on the basis of their socio-politico-religious affinities. It has been found that the tribes of Arunachal were integrated into groups independent of each other, living there separate lives. The common denominators were that the patterns of lifestyle of each were the same and that they followed the same occupation; the societies were casteless; the societies were governed by chiefs and the adults grouped according to their age for distinct social functions and the young organized around dormitory institutions to act as the implementing instruments of the decisions and instructions of the older generation. The population of Arunachal is 8,65 lakhs according to 1991 census and is scattered over 12 towns and 3649 Allages. There are 26 major tribes and a number of sub-tribes inhabiting the area. Most of these communities are ethnically similar, having derived from and original common stock but their geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst them certain distinctive characteristics in language, dress and

customs. Three Cultural Groups broadly, the people may be divided into three cultural groups on the basis of their socio - religious affinities. The Monpas and Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng districts follow the lamaistic tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. Noted for their religious fervor, the villages of these communities have richly decorated Buddhist temples, locally called 'Gompas'. Though largely agriculturists, practicing terrace cultivation, many of these people are also pastoral and breed herds of yak and mountain sheep. Culturally similar to them are Membas and Khambas who live In the high mountains along the northern borders. Khamptis and Singphos inhabiting the eastern part of the state are Buddhists of Hinayana sect. They are said to have migrated from Thailand and Myanmar long ago and are still using ancient scripts derived from their original homeland. The second group of people are the Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishis, Mishimis, Mijis, Tangsas etc, who worship the Sun and the Moon God, namely, Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani, the original ancestor for most of these tribes. Their religious rituals, largely coincide with the phases of agricultural cycles. They invoke nature deities and make animal sacrifices, They traditionally practice jhurrdong or shifting cultivation. Adis and Apatanis extensively practice wet-rice cultivation and have a considerable agricultural economy. Apatanis are also famous for their paddy-cum-pisciculture. They are specialized over centuries in harvesting crops of fish along with each crop of paddy. The third group comprises Noctes and Wanchos, adjoining Nagaland in the Tirap district. These are hardy people known for their strictly structured village society in which the hereditary village chief still plays a vital role. The Noctes also practise elementary form of Vaishnavism. . Orchids Arunachal Pradesh is known for a rich occurrence of orchids in varying latitudinal zones from foot-hills to the snowclad peaks. There are about 450 species reported from this state and many more may be discovered. Amongst these orchids many are rare, endangered and threatened species in accordance with the Red Data book of India and fall under the category I & II od cities that are listed in the Wildlife Conservation Act of Government of India. Economy The economy of the people is based mainly on agriculture. The nature of the terrain has compelled the people to follow the slash and burn method of cultivation, popularly called Jhumming. Permanent cultivation is however practiced by the Apatanis, Singhos and Khamtis traditionally. While the Singphos and khamtis harness animal power in tillage, the Apatanis use hoe and spade. Besides agriculture, the bulk of the economy of the people is connected directly of indirectly with forest and forest produce. If there is no drastic change their dependence on forest and forest produce will continue. A substantial amount of livelihood of the people is derived from the forests, edible roots, leaves and tubers, honey, wild games and fish help the people to subsist. Houses are built with timber and bamboos and cottage crafts are practiced with local raw material. Herbs and medicinal plants are used to cure diseases. Even many folk lores are woven around the spirits of the forest.

Horticulture has also a great role to play in the economy of the people. A large number of horticultural farms growing apple, pineapple and other important fruit trees have come up in some parts of the territory where soil is suitable for such plantation. Religion The religion of the bulk of the population of Arunachal Pradesh consists of belief in the existence of a high God or Super Natural being and a host of other spirits and deities. The high god is called differently by different groups of people. Many, however, believe in the duel existence of the high god - one in the sky and the other on earth. While the high God is always believed to be benevolent, the spirits and deities are grouped under two classes - benevolent and malevolent. The traditional religion of the people can be more conveniently understood, as a cultural system since it is one of the aspects of the cultural tradition, which makes the people live their life with unquestionable belief and with a sense of absolute dedication to the supernatural being controlling their destiny. Communication Construction of roads in Arunachal Pradesh is a very hard task because of the nature of the terrain. The hills are high and steep and rivers are truculent and difficult to negotiate. Inspite of these difficulties more than 6000 km of motorable roads and more than 4000 km of portar track, bridlepath etc. have been constructed. This figure is definitely encouraging in comparison to 167 km of motorable roads in 1947. In road construction the local people play a vital role. They have now learnt the art of road building and most of the roads are increasingly being built by tribal labor. These roads and bridle paths now carry goods and ideas throughout Arunachal Pradesh. Today isolation is a thing of the past and the people are learning about each other more and more. Every major center of population is now connected by regular bus services. The problem of carriage of supplies of the post independence period has been solved by this network of motorable roads. Besides road communication, air transport also has an important role to play, particularly in the areas where road communication has not yet reached. To facilitate air transport a number of air strips have been constructed. Regular passenger service has also been introduced of late. A 12 km railway line has been constructed from Bilpara to Bhalukpong. Some other projects for extension of rail communications are in the offing. Industry Revival and revitalization of the traditional handlooms, handicrafts and similar industrial endeavors was the basic aim of industrial development immediately after post independence period. In view of this Objective craft centers for training and production were established, sericultural programmes taken up and small scale industrial units setup. Inspite of the difficulties small and medium scale industries have come up most of which are forest based industries such as saw mills, veneer mills and plywood mills. Installation of large scale machinery is in the process. A number of measure have been taken to promote growth of industries.

Arunachal Pradesh :: Introduction Arunachal Pradesh, earlier known as Northeast Frontier Agency, and largest of the seven sisters of North East India, shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar and state boundaries with Assam and Nagaland. Mysterious, powerful and beautiful, with faces and moods that change dramatically ever so often, the rivers with distinguishing individualities form the colorful lifelines of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh :: Agriculture Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Food grain production is continuously increasing and many cash crops and horticultural crops are also being developed in the state. Arunachal Pradesh :: Arts And Crafts The major craft in this state is mask making by the Buddhist tribes, carpets, painted wooden vessels, silver articles, cane and bamboo work, shawls and jackets, and shoulder bags. Monpas, the Buddhist community, are specialists in carpet weaving, with exotic designs of geometric and floral patterns and dragons. Other crafts include making religious images, figures of dancers, toys, and ornaments like multicolored beads, bamboo bangles and earrings, and papers for religious prayers. Arunachal Pradesh :: Climate The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies with the altitude. The southern part of the state has hot and humid sub-tropical climate. The central region is cooler while there is alpine climate in the higher altitudes. Rainfall is uneven and continues throughout the year and the wettest periods of the year are the months of May to September. Arunachal Pradesh :: Cuisine Rice is the staple diet, which is extensively cultivated by all the tribes. It is taken in a boiled form mixed with vegetables, pulses, fish, potatoes, and meat. The people do not use spices. Poultry, pigs, and goats are reared for domestic use. The meat of the mithun is consumed with relish. The tribals also make a light and nourishing drink known commonly as apang (rice beer). Arunachal Pradesh :: Ethnicity Arunachal Pradesh consists of 26 main tribal strains. They are divided into numerous clans and sub-clans, each with a distinct linguistic, ethical, cultural, and social identity that sets them apart from each other. The population is therefore a mixed conglomerate to the point that one tribe differs from another in marked features such as dress, religious faiths, food habits, language and racial origin. There are three main religions in Arunachal Pradesh. The tribes such as the Monpas and Sherdukpens in Kameng and Tawang district, who came in contact with the Tibetans in the north, adopted Lamaism of the Buddhist faith while the Khamtis in Lohit district, who are an early migration from Thailand, practice Mahayana Buddhism. There is a small population of the Noctis and Wanchoos in Tirap district whose long association with the Assamese to their south converted them to Hinduism. They believe in a supernatural being that has different names among different tribes. The High God is considered to have two different existences-one in the Heavens and the other on Earth.

Arunachal Pradesh :: Facts Area: 83,743 sq km. Capital: Itanagar. Languages: Monpa, Aka, Sherdukpen, Apatani, Hill Miri, Nishi, Tagin, Adi, Idu, Digaru, Miji, Khamti, Singpho, Tangsa, Nocti, Wanchoo, Assamese, Hindi, English. Best Time to Visit: October to March. Arunachal Pradesh :: Fairs And Festivals The people enjoy life, are welcoming, warm and hospitable with a bubbling urge to make the most of the natural bounty. The festivals mirror the peoples culture, their artistic genius, and skill at making music and dance forms. Practically each month of the year witnesses a festival of one tribe or the other. The Losar Festival of the Monpas hails their new year and is celebrated for five days. The houses are cleaned and Buddhist prayers are offered for prosperity and good health. Colorful prayer flags are hoisted atop the temples and dwelling places. The Mopin Festival of the Galo tribe in Siang District lasts for five days when wealth, prosperity, and universal happiness are sought. The festivities of the Idu Mishmi Tribe of Lohit District are devoted to the appeasement of the deities for six days. It ends with a colorful fanfare and dances by the priests. Arunachal Pradesh :: Flora And Fauna Due to its variety of climatic conditions there is a creation of different types of forests whose natural shelter and food harbor a range of fauna, some of which are peculiar to Arunachal Pradesh. It is the only state, which has the four major cats, the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and the snow leopard-and lesser feline species like the golden cat and marbled cat. More than 500 bird species have been recorded, many of which are highly endangered and restricted to this state like the white-winged duck, sclater monal, Bengal floricans etc. A large mammal called mithun-a cross between the wild gaur and domestic buffalo-is a majestic animal here. Individual wealth is reckoned in terms of the number of mithuns possessed. Mithun counts for cash transactions and is looked upon as a precious part of a dowry. Arunachal Pradesh has an equally rich variety of reptiles, amphibian, and pisces. Arunachal Pradesh also has a number of national parks and sanctuaries. Arunachal Pradesh :: History There is not much information available on the history of Arunachal Pradesh. The earliest recorded history dates back to 16th century AD when Ahom rulers of Assam extended their kingdom to this region. The Ahom rulers had a tradition of not interfering in the affairs of the tribes of this region. Before 1962, the state was known as Northeast Frontier Agency and was constitutionally a part of Assam. Because of its strategic importance, it was administered by the Ministry of External Affairs until 1965 and subsequently by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the governor of Assam. In 1972, Arunachal Pradesh was constituted as a union territory, and, in 1987, it became the 24th state of the Indian Union. Arunachal Pradesh :: Industry The state has witnessed rapid progress in the industrial development front. Considerable efforts have been made to develop medium and small-scale industries in the state. Local entrepreneurs are being encouraged to establish tea plantation in the state. The important mineral in Arunachal Pradesh is petroleum. Besides, the state also has copper ore, gold and pyrites, limestone, dolomite and graphite located in the state.

Arunachal Pradesh :: Location Arunachal Pradesh stretches on the Northeast frontier of India from the foothills of the eastern Himalayas to their peaks. Being one of the landlocked states of India, Arunachal Pradesh shares its border in the east with Myanmar, Bhutan in the west, China in the north, and Assam in the south. Arunachal Pradesh :: Music And Dance All the tribes have a wide range of dances. By and large, these are community dances and the people have no tradition of individual dances. Certain dances have a religious significance, such as in the worship of the gods or at the time of festivals. Others are a thanksgiving for handsome crops and yet others are performed for entertainment. Pantomime dances are very popular among the Monpa, Khamba, Mamba, and Sherdukpen tribes. The dancers wear a mask, which has a human, animal, or bird face and, through their movements and gestures, depict a mythical story. Thus, the Deer Pantomime tells the story of a deer chased, caught, and later released. It also provides the moral lesson of compassion towards animals as preached by Buddha. In the case of the Nocti and Wanchoo dances, the dancers use spears and daos (steel blades) to enact threatening assault postures in headhunting. These dancers stamp the ground powerfully as they move forwards and sideways making deep echoing noises providing a beat. Arunachal Pradesh :: Physical Features A part of the Eastern Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh stretches over 83,000 sq km. Almost 60% of the state area is covered by evergreen forests. Besides the forests, there are mountains, peaks, rivers and streams, making it a state of various scenic beauties. Arunachal Pradesh :: Tourist Centers Arunachal provides a host of sites of tourist interest. Its capital at Itanagar tells the story of the Ita Fort built in the fourteenth century by King Ramchandra of Mayapur. Mallini Than is another unique site that goes back to the 10th and 12th century. It has an ancient temple housing sculptures of gods and goddesses of the Hindu iconographic school. Parasuram Kund and the Brahma Kund in the Lohit district are sacred places that attract thousands of pilgrims to take a dip in their holy waters and cleanse themselves of their sins. Bismaknagar and its fort in the Dibang valley are memorials to the Bhagwat Gita, story of Lord Krishnas visit there and his elopement with a local girl, Rukmini. The Tawang Monastery, constructed in the 17th century, houses a big library of holy books, some of which are written in gold letters. Situated atop a ridge and surrounded by thick clouds and mist, it seems to be hanging in unearthly space. Arunachal also has a large number of beauty spots at various altitudes where one may relax and refresh oneself in a pollution-free environment. There are waterfalls, glades, forest groves where one may picnic, camp, or relax in an available rest house. The state government has built a large number of circuit houses, guesthouses, forest bungalows, hotels, and tented accommodation for the comfort of visitors. For total natural scenic beauty, Arunachal Pradesh is a showcase of Nature.

Andhra Pradesh Information on Andhra Pradesh,India Home States Metros Pilgrimages Monuments Sanctuaries Trains Maps Hotels

Area : 2,75,068 square kilometers. Capital Hyderabad : Popula 7,61,11,243 tion : Langu Telugu and Urdu. age : Climat The climate of Andhra Pradesh is hot and humid. e: People The people of Andhra Pradesh speak Telugu and are tall,with thick and : protruding noses,with straight hair and yellow skin. The other inhabitants of the Andhra Pradesh include the tribal communities. The tribal people worship their own pantheon of nature gods and goddesses and continue to revel in their ancient customs and manners. Their languages do not have scripts and are essentially verbal. There are certain nomadic tribes that include Piccukaguntlu,Balasanta,Saradakandru,Viramushtivaru,Bavanilu,Birannalav aru,Gollasuddulu,Dasarulu,Jangamulu,Kommuvaru etc are Telugu nomads whose main occupation is ballad singing. Among non-Telugu nomads,Lambadis also called Sugalis are very prominent. Originally they were Rajasthani's who took to a nomadic way of life and moved in batches towards the south of the sub-continent. Econo The major Crops that are cultivated my : seeds,Pulses,Rice,Sugarcane,Tobacco. are cotton,Millets,Oil

The major industries are textile manufacture,sugar-milling,machine tools,pharmaceuticals,cement,chemicals,glass,fertilizers,eletronic equpt,heavy electrical machinery,aircraft parts and paper making. Minera Andhra Pradesh is an important producer of asbestos and barytes. Other

ls :

important minerals are copper ore,coal,iron and limestone,steatite,mica and manganese.

Culture The classical dance form of Andhra Pradesh is Kuchipudi that originated in : Kuchelapuram. History Andhra Pradesh has been the home of the Pre- Dravidian dark coloured : inhabitants. Andhra region witnessed the rule of Chandragupta Maurya during which it established itself as an independent kingdom. However after Ashoka,the Mauryan empire declined. From 230 B.C. to 200 A.D. the Satavahanas one of the oldest of the dynasties ruled over this region. They held sway over the whole of the Deccan and far into Northern India. By the 3rd century A.D. Ikshvakus overpowered Satavahanas. Andra region was ruled by various other dynasties from 3rd to 6th century like the Pallavas of Kanchi,the Anandas and the Chalukyas exercised their power for many centuries. The Kakatiyas who were the feudatories of the Eastern Chalukyas came into power by the 12th century. In 1332 A.D. Ulugh Khan established the Reddi Kingdom of Kondavidu called the Velama kingdom. The Vijayanagar Kingdom also ruled independently. The region was dominated by Muslim power at the time of emperor Muhammad Tughlag. Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah ruled the region from 1518 to 1687 and it was during his rule that the city of Hyderabad came into existence. In 1687 the Mughals overpowered QUtub Shah. Followed were the empires of Nizams who influenced Andhra region before it was ceded to the East India Company. Gradually the whole of Andhra Pradesh except Hyderabad was under the British till 1947. In 1956 Andhra Pradesh was declared as a state. When India became independent,Telugu-speaking people were distributed in about 21 districts in South India. Twelve of these districts formed part of the Madras Presidency and the other nine constituted the princely state of Hyderabad which was ruled by the Nizam. The Nizam sought to become an independent ruler even after the British left India but after a brief action from the Indian Union government in 1949,Hyderabad became a part of the India. In the year 1953 the Teluguspeaking areas that were separated from Madras Presidency and thus Andhra Pradesh came into being whose capital was Kurnool. Later,the nine districts that had been ruled by the Nizam were added to the state and the present-day Andhra Pradesh was established on November 1,1956.

Andhra Pradesh is encircled by Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the north. The Bay of Bengal surrounds it in the east, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the south and Maharashtra in the west. Andhra Pradesh is the fifth largest state in India. It is a connection between the north and south India. Spread over a large area , Andhra Pradesh is the most populous state in the south of India. There are three major regions in Andhra Pradesh - (1) Northern Circars or coastal

Andhra including Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore districts; (2) Rayalaseema or Ceded districts including Kurnool, Cuddapah, Chittoor and Anantapur districts; and (3) Telangana including Khammam, Nalgonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Aadilabad, Mahbubnagar and Hyderabad districts. The Circars or Coastal districts are the vital districts compared to the other two regions and at the same time well developed. The second region, Rayalaseema are situated close to the coastal districts. This area receives less rainfall compared to the coastal districts. Thus, drought is a regular feature here. The third region is the Telangana region, which is a former princely state of Nizam's Hyderabad. This is nearby Maharashtra's Marathwada region and some parts of Karnataka. The Varied Landscape

The topography of Andhra Pradesh is quite varied with dense forest in the north east, flat paddy lands in the coastal plains and several noteworthy beaches along the Bay of Bengal. Apart from these, the area around Hyderabad is strewn with many huge rocks. Thus, providing a landscapes each different from the other. Mountains and Rivers

The state of Andhra Pradesh provides information on varied land scapes of the state. Andhra Pradesh has many hill ranges that stretch from the north to the south. These hill ranges divide it into western and eastern or coastal Andhra. These hills are an inseparable part of the geography and the history of Andhra Pradesh. In the northern part of the state, there are Simhachalam and Annavaram hills. The Srisailam hill ranges are located in the middle of the state and Tirumalai-Tirupati hills are located in the south. There are two major rivers in Andhra Pradesh, Godavari and Krishna. They originate from the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and flow eastward, further joining the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari enters the state of Andhra Pradesh direct from Maharashtra, whereas the Krishna river arrives in the state after coming from Karnataka. Apart from these two big rivers, there are the Tungabhadra, the Pennar and many other small rivers and rivulets. The river Pennar emerges from the Karnataka plateau. It is a rain fed peninsular river. Climate

The climate of Andhra Pradesh is generally hot and humid. The temperature in summer varies between 20 degree Celsius to 40 degree Celsius, whereas in winter it is between 13 degree Celsius and 32 degree Celsius. The climate of the state is dominated by the South-West monsoons. Best time to visit Andhra Pradesh is between the months of October and February. Flora and Fauna

Andhra Pradesh is rich in flora and fauna. The state is bestowed with a lush coastal belt, moist deciduous Eastern Ghats, dry deciduous forests of the Nallamalais and mangrove belt at Coringa. The fauna of Andhra Pradesh is equally good with many wildlife sanctuaries here. The Nehru Zoological Park is a natural habitat of numerous birds and animals. Other sanctuaries like the Pakhal and Ethurnagaram wildlife sanctuaries near Warangal has a wide variety of animals like Tiger, Panther, Wild Boar, Jackal Muntjack, Fox, Gaur, Wild Dog, Spotted Deer and Sloth Bear. A good variety of water birds and reptiles are also found here. The dense forests of Nallamalai at Srisailam in central Andhra Pradesh has a wildlife sanctuary that consists of innumerable animals, birds, and reptiles. India's largest project tiger reserve also lies over here. The Kolleru Bird Sanctuary is a haven for migratory birds. There is another sanctuary called Kawal wildlife sanctuary, which is home to many species of birds. The Coringa sanctuary is situated in the delta region of the Godavari. This sanctuary is famous for reptiles like the salt-water crocodile, fishing cats and others.

Assam Capital Principal Largest Establishment : Language City : : : Dispur Assamese Guwahati

Districts : Barpeta | Bongaigaon | Cachar | Darrang | Dhubri | Dibrugarh | Dhemaji | Golaghat | Goalpara | Hailakandi | Jorhat | Karbi Anglong | Kokrajhar | Kamrup | Karimganj | Lakhimpur | Marigaon | North Cachar Hills | Nagaon | Nalbari | Sibsagar | Sonitpur | Tinsukia Major Cities : Barpeta | Bongaigaon | Dhubri | Dibrugarh | Diphu | Goalpara | Guwahati | Jorhat | Karimganj | Nagaon | North Lakhimpur | Sibsagar | Silchar | Tezpur | Tinsukia Geography

Assam is a tight fit in northeastern India, bounded by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Nagaland and Manipur to the east, Mizoram and Tripura to the south, and Maghalaya, Bangladesh, and West Bengal to the west. Its geography is greatly influenced by the Brahmaputra River, which runs westward across the state for nearly 450 miles. The river valley is full of many low hills, but mountains surround it and bring more rivers and streams to the Brahmaputra. Additionally, there are large areas of dense tropical rain forests in the state. Important Cities Towns and Religious Tourist Places:

Barpeta,Batadrava (With place of great Vishnav Saint Sankardev), Bhalukpung (Angling), Chandubi Lake (Picnic Spot), Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dibrugarh, Diphu, Goalpara, Golaghat, Guwahati, Madan Kamdev Temple, Navagraha (Temple of Nine Planets), Straight Bridge, State Museum, State Zoo, Sukresuwar Temple, Umanada [Peacock Island]), Halflong (Health Resort), Hajop (Meeting point of Buddhism, and Islam), Hailkandi, Jatinga hills, Jorhat, Karimagnj, Kaziranga National Park (Famous for one-horned Great Indian Rhinoceros), Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Majuli (Largest river island in the world), Marigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Pragjyotishpur, Sibsagar (Shiva temple), Silchar, Sualkchi (famous for silk industry), Tezppur (scenic beauty), Tinsukia. Climate The winter months (October - February) bring night and morning fog and temperatures in the low 40s (6C - 8C) but little rainfall. Once summer and the monsoon get into full swing, however, temperatures rise to the high 90s (35C - 38C), and rainfall becomes very heavy (among the heaviest in the world). Rainfalls can become so heavy that destructive floods ensue. Autumn and spring have moderate temperatures and light rainfalls, and are therefore the best times to visit. Assam is also prone to frequent minor earthquakes, but intense earthquakes are rare. Location :

Location in eastern India, Assam is almost separated from central India by Bangladesh. It is bounded west by west Bengal, north by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh, east by Naglad, Manipur and Myanmar, south by Meghalaya, Bangladesh, Tripura and Mizoram. Culture Assam's people are a mix of Mongolian-Tibetan, Aryan, and Burman origins, and their cultures have come together in Assam. The language of the people, Assamese, is very much like Bengali. Not surprisingly, much of the population is of Bengali and Bangladeshi decent. Large tribal populations exist in the hills and plains of Assam. Their culture includes a religion much like animism with elements of Hinduism. Many tribes adopted Christianity. Artists, sculptors, and other craftsman have thrived in Assam since ancient times. To this day, their arts are encouraged, especially silk work and weaving. In fact, in every Assamese house, regardless of caste or social standing, there is a loom, and every woman is expected to be skilled in producing fine silk and cotton cloths. The most important celebrations in Assam are the three Bihu festivals. The most important is the springtime Bohag Bihu (or Rangali Bihu), which marks the new year; it is celebrated with dancing, singing, and the presentation of a hand-woven towel to each family member from women of the house. The harvest festival Magh Bihu occurs in mid-January and celebrates community. The Kati Bihu (or Kangali Bihu) of mid-October marks the time of year when common houses lack food grains. History :

Assam is an ancient land with a rich cultural heritage. Known as Pragjyotisha and later Kamrupa, she played a prominent part in history of Ancient and medieval India. Assam first became a British Protectorate at the close of the first Burmese war in 1826. In 1832, Cachar was annexed; in 1835, the jaintia Hills were included in the East India company's dominions and in 1839, Assam was annexed to Bengal. In 1874, Assam detached from Bengal and made a separate chief commissionership. On the partition of Bengal in 1095, it was united to the Eastern Districts of Bengal under a Lt. Governor. From 1912 the chief commissionership of Assam was revived and in 1921 a governor. From 1912 a governorship was created. On the partition of India almost the whole of predominantly Muslim district of Sylhet was merged with East Bengal (Pakistan, now Bangladesh). Dewangiri in North Kamrup was ceded to Bhutan in 1951. The Naga Hill district, administered by the union Government since 1957, became part of Nagaland in 1962. The State of Meghalays within Assam, Comprising the districts of Garo Hills and Khasoi and Jaintia Hills, came into existence on April 2, 1970 and achieved full statehood in January 1972 when it was decided to form a Union Territory of Mizoram from the Mizo Hill district. Mizoram became a State in 1987. The rest of the part remained as Assam. Agriculture Assam is primarily an agrarian state, which accounts for the livelihood of about four-fifths of the states population. More than 70 percent of the workforce is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Rice is the primary food crop; cash crops like jute, tea, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, potato, etc., are also grown in the state. Also grown on a small scale are horticulture crops like orange, banana, pineapple, areca nut, coconut, guava, mango, jackfruit, etc. Economy :

About 74 percent of the State's working force is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. More than 79 percent of the total cropped area is utilised for food crops production. Rice is the principal food crop. Jute, tea, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, Potato and fruits are the main cash crops. Forests account for 22.21 percent of the total area of the State. The State has five national parks and 11 wild life sanctuaries. The Kaziranga National Park and the Manas Tiger Project (National Park) are renowned internationally. Assam holds a unique position in respect of mineral oil production. Coal, Limestone, refractory clay, dolomite and natural gas are the other minerals found in the State. Tea occupies an important place so far as agriculture-based industries are concerned. Assam has over 800 tea plantations and contributed about one-sixth of the world's entire tea production. A substantial part of the country's total petroleum output and natural gas is found in the State. The State has two oil refineries and the third with a petrochemical complex is being set-up. Besides a public sector fertilizer factory at Namrup, the industries located in the State are sugar, jute, silk, paper, plywood manufacture, rice and oil milling. A polyester spinning mill has also been established at Nathkuchi village of Kamrup district. Flora and Fauna Out of the total area of Assam, around 21% is under forest cover. The state has a rich biodiversity and has been gifted by nature with varieties of flora and fauna including the world famous one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), pigmy hog, royal Bengal tiger, elephant, swamp deer, Gangetic dolphin, wild buffalo, golden langur, hoolock gibbon, stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, hispid hare, etc., while the important birds found in the state include greater adjutant stork, white-winged wood duck, Bengal floricans, spot-billed pelican, lesser adjutant stork, king vulture, etc. People Ethnicity One can find traces of at least three races in Assam: the Australoids (the first race that occupied this

region), the Caucasoids (who came from the west to settle in the valley formed by the Ganges and the Brahmaputra), and the Mongoloids (who came to the Northeast in a series of migrations from Southeast Asia). This regular migration of different races created two distinct ethnic groups in the state, the non-tribals or plains people who generally live in the plains, and the tribals who have mainly live in the hills. However, there is a substantial tribal population in the plains too. Arts & Crafts The major handicrafts of the state include making furniture from cane and bamboo, Handloom weaving, jewelry making, sitalpati (or mat making), brass and bell-metal products, pottery, woodwork, and kuhila koth (or fiber weaving). Music & Dance The daughter of King Banasura, Usha, was the first lasya (classic) dancer of the earth, according to Abhinaya Darpan, a Sanskrit treatise written in the second century AD. King Bana ruled Sonitpur (now Tezpur) around the time of Mahabharata. Bhomoraguri Hill near Tezpur is said to be the Natakasailya where Usha first practiced the lasya dance. Usha is also a household name in Assam because of her love affair with Lord Krishnas grandson Anirudha. Ojapali, a dance of chorus singers, is led by the Oja. He starts the singing and then starts expressing the meaning of the song with hand gestures supported by eye movements and body postures. The role of the Palis (associates) is limited to giving an affirmative nod to the core meaning of the song with very simple one-line or often one-word utterance and very simple dance movement. This dance can be seen in and around Barpeta, Nalbari, Mangaldoi, Guwahati, Kamalabari Satra in Majuli, and in Narayanpur in Lakhimpur district. Satriya Nritya is one of the finest dance forms of India. It was discovered in the 15th century by Mahapurush Sankardeva, the great Vaishnavite saint. His disciple Mahapurush Madhavdeva enhanced the classic quality of this dance form. Both Sankardeva and Madhavdeva also wrote devotional songs called Borgeets, which are quite popular among the masses even today. The Bodos have many folk dances to boast of. Among them, the most important and attractive is the Bagrumba Dance. This is mainly a formation dance with slow steps and outstretched hands. About a score of girls, dressed in colorful attire, perform this dance to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments. Fairs & Festivals Rongali or Bohag Bihu is the main festival of Assam. It derives its name from the Sanskrit Vishuvam when day and night are rendered equal through the vernal equinox. People welcome the spring season and pray for a bountiful and rich harvest. This festival is celebrated in the month of Bohag (mid-April), the first month of the Assamese calendar. The exact date in the English calendar varies, but the festival normally starts from the 13th day of the month of April. Other Bihus are Bhugali Bihu (also Magh Bihu) and Kangali Bihu (also Kati Bihu). Ambubasi Mela is a fair held in Guwahati, the capital of Assam, and is closely related to Tantric rituals. Other important festivals of Assam are Bathow Puja, Kheraj Puja, Rajni Gobra, Harni Gobra, Ali-ailigang, and Po-rag. Attire

People of Assam use a vast range of hand-woven fabrics with intricate designs. Local silk occupies a prominent place in the Assamese society. Traditional garments (Churia for men and Mekhela-Chador for women) are used for social and religious events. With growing impact of Western culture, traditional attires have given way to Western clothes and majority of the people can be seen in these clothes only. Cuisine Fish is a major delicacy in Assam. One can savor mouthwatering fish curries in and around Guwahati at cheap rates. During the Bihu festivals, a wide range of delicaciesfrom the rice-flour pastries stuffed with coconut and til, named as til pitha and narikal pitha, respectively, to the sweet balls of coconut and til called larusare prepared with great care in every home. Seera (flaked rice) and doi (curd and yogurt) are also quite popular. There is a special loveliness about bunches of the green coconuts hanging from bicycles. They have a special taste here since they are grown on the banks of freshwater sources. Guwahati is the ideal place to savor the special thali of Assam. The Assamese thali is a real treat with its chutneys made from pudina and mustard seed. Among the sweets, channa (cottage cheese) sweets like spongy rosogolla, sandesh, and kalakand have a delectable taste. Facts About Assam

* Assam is known as "The Land of the Red River and the Blue Hills". The red river is the Brahmaputra River and the blue hills are the hills surrounding the river valley. * It is believed that the name Assam comes from either the Bodo word "Ha-cham" (meaning low or low level country) or the word "Asama" (meaning unequalled and referring to the Ahoms, who ruled the land for six centuries). * Paat and muga are two types of silk that come from Assam. They are considered some of the finest silks in the world. The major power stations are Chandrapur Thermal Project, Namrup Thermal Project, Karbi-Langpi Hydel-Electric Project and Lakwa Thermal Power Station.

Bihar Capital Districts Languages : Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri Geography and climate

State : :37

Information Patna

. Bihar has a diverse climate.Its temperature is extreme{too hot during summers and too cool during winters} Bihar is a vast stretch of fertile plain. It is drained by the Ganges

River, including its northern tributaries Gandak and Koshi, originating in the Nepal Himalayas and the Bagmati originating in the Kathmandu Valley that regularly flood parts of the Bihar plains. The total area covered by the state of Bihar is 94,163 km2 (36,357 sq mi). the state is located between 21-58'-10" N ~ 27-31'-15" N latitude and between 83-19'-50" E ~ 88-17'-40" E longitude. Its average elevation above sea level is 173 feet (53 m). The Ganges divides Bihar into two unequal halves and flows through the middle from west to east. Other Ganges tributaries are the Son River, Budhi Gandak, Chandan, Orhani and Falgu. Though the Himalayas begin at the foothills, a short distance inside Nepal and to the north of Bihar, the mountains influence Bihar's landforms, climate, hydrology and culture. Central parts of Bihar have some small hills, for example the Rajgir hills. To the south is the Chota Nagpur plateau, which was part of Bihar until 2000 but now is part of a separate state called Jharkhand. Bihar is mildly cold in the winter, with the lowest temperatures being in the range from 410 C (3950 F). Winter months are December and January. It is hot in the summer, with average highs around 3540 C (95104 F). April to mid June are the hottest months. The monsoon months of June, July, August, and September see good rainfall. October, November, February, and March have a pleasant climate. Land division A reason for the poverty that is found so widely in Bihar are the land divisions. The lands started off as huge farmlands covering several acres, but in due course the area drastically reduced as the land was always divided between all the sons and with the continuous divisions a once-huge farmland is converted into several farms which now have became smaller than an average sized room. Another reason is the mistrust between the farmers. They let weeds to grow in the areas between the farmlands so that a proper boundary is not needed, in India alone this wastes almost a hundred thousand acre of fertile farmland. Flora and fauna Bihar has notified forest area of 6,764.14 km2 (2,612 sq mi), which is 7.1% of its geographical area.[7] The sub Himalayan foothill of Someshwar and the Dun ranges in the Champaran district are another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consist of scrub, grass and reeds. Here the rainfall is above 1,600 millimetres (63 in) and thus promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the area. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta, Sal Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. Deciduous forests also occur in the Saharsa and Purnia districts.[58] Shorea Robusta (sal), Diospyros melanoxylon (kendu), Boswellia serrata (salai), Terminalia tomentose (Asan), Terminalia bellayoica (Bahera), Terminalia Arjuna (Arjun), Pterocarpus Marsupium (Paisar), Madhuca indica (Mahua) are the common flora across the forest of Bihar.

A Bengal tiger in the Tiger Reserve of Valmiki National Park The Ganges River dolphins, or "sois" are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra.This river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India. It is now considered amongst the most endangered mammals of the region. The dolphins range from 2.3 to 2.6 meters in

length. They have impaired vision due to the muddy river water but use sonar signals to navigate.Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, near Bhagalpur is set up to ensure the protection of this species. Valmiki National Park, West Champaran district, covering about 800 km2 (309 sq mi) of forest, is the 18th Tiger Reserve of India and is ranked fourth in terms of density of tiger population.[59] It has a diverse landscape, sheltering rich wildlife habitats and floral and faunal composition, along with the prime protected carnivores

Economy The economy of Bihar is largely service oriented, but it has a significant agricultural base. The state also has a small industrial sector. As of 2008, agriculture accounted for 35%, industry 9% and service 55% of the economy of the state. [77] Among all the sectors, the manufacturing sector performed very poorly in the state between 2002 2006, with an average growth rate of 0.38% compared to India's 7.8%. Bihar was the lowest GDP per capita in India, although there are pockets of higher than average per capita income.[78] Between 1999 and 2008, GDP grew by 5.1% a year, which was below the Indian average of 7.3%.[79] More recently, Bihar's state GDP recorded a growth of 18% between 20062007,[citation needed] and stood at 94251 Crores Rupees[80] ($21 billion nominal GDP). In the five-year period of 20042009, Bihar's GDP grew at a stunning rate of 11.03%.[81] This makes Bihar the fastest growing major state. In actual terms, Bihar state GDP was ranked second out of 28 states, next only to Gujarat.[81] Corruption is an import hurdle for the government to overcome according to Transparency International India, which highlighted Bihar as the union's most corrupt state in a 2005 report. Despite the recent economic gains, significant challenges remain and the government has also stated that combating corruption is now the biggest challenge the administration is faced with.[82][83] Bihar has emerged as brewery hub with major domestic and foreign firms setting up production units in the state. Three major firms United Breweries Group, Danish Brewery Company Carlsberg Group and Cobra Beer are to set up new units in Patna and Muzaffarpur in 2012.[84] Bihar has significant levels of production of mango, guava, litchi, pineapple, brinjal, cauliflower, bhindi, and cabbage.[85] Despite the state's leading role in food production, investment in irrigation and other agriculture facilities has been inadequate. Historically, the sugar and vegetable oil industries were flourishing sectors of Bihar. Until the mid1950s, 25% of India's sugar output was from Bihar. Dalmianagar was a large agroindustrial town. There were attempts to industrialize the state between 1950 and 1980: an oil refinery in Barauni, a motor scooter plant at Fatuha, and a power plant at Muzaffarpur. However, these were forced to shut down due to certain central government policies (like the Freight Settlement Policy) which neutralized the strategic advantages of Bihar. Hajipur, near Patna, remains a major industrial town in the state, linked to the capital city through the Ganges bridge and good road infrastructure. [citation
needed]

The state's debt was estimated at 77% of GDP by 2007. [86] The Finance Ministry has given top priority to create investment opportunities for big industrial houses like

Reliance Industries. Further developments have taken place in the growth of small industries, improvements in IT infrastructure, the new software park in Patna, and the completion of the expressway from the Purvanchal border through Bihar to Jharkhand. In August 2008, a Patna registered company called the Security and Intelligence Services (SIS) India Limited[87] took over the Australian guard and mobile patrol services business of American conglomerate, United Technologies Corp (UTC). SIS is registered and taxed in Bihar.[88] The capital city, Patna, is one of the better-off cities in India when measured by per capita income

Rivers One of the most striking feature of the river system of Bihar is the dominant role of Ganga. The important rivers that join the Ganga from the north are, from west to east, Ghaghra, the Gandak, the Burhi Gandak, the Kosi, the Mahananda and its tributaries. Sonpur, which is situated along Ganga's bank is famous for the great bathing festival which is the occasion for the greatest cattle and elephant fair in the world. The Karmanasa, the Sone, the Punpun, the Phalgu, the Sakri and the Kiul are the principal streams that joins the Ganga from the south.

Rivers

of

Bihar

One of the most striking feature of the river system of Bihar is the dominant role of Ganga. The important rivers that join the Ganga from the north are Ghaghra, Gandak, Burhi Gandak, Kosi, Mahananda and its tributaries. Sonpur, which is situated along Ganga's bank is famous for the great bathing festival, which is the occasion for the greatest cattle and elephant fair in the world. The principal streams, which join Ganga from South, are Karmanasa, Sone, Punpun, Phalgu, Sakri and Kiul.

Food

of

Bihar

The cuisine of the state is an interesting mix of North and East Indian cuisine. Rice, pulses, and roti are the most common food consumed by the people of this state. One exclusive item of this state is Sattu (gram powder), commonly taken as a mixture with water, salt, and limejuice. A favorite breakfast all over the state is Chura-Dahi (flattened rice and curd) taken together with sugar or jaggery. The influence of Bengal is evident in the way large quantities of fish are consumed in the state. There are several specialty sweets that are made all over the state for special occasions. Khaja, tilkut, anarsa and thekuwa are some of the preparations that form a part of every sweet-toothed Bihari's dreams. Arts & Culture of Bihar

People of the Bihar are Aryans who came from Central Asia and entered this province in around 600 years before Christ after defeating the aboriginal people. According to the legends, great sage Agastya was the first person who crossed the river Gandak and burnt down Dandakaranya (forest of this region as it was known in the Vedic times). Patna Qalam and Mithila paintings are two of the most impressive and popular crafts of Bihar. With the decline of the Mughals, the Delhi artists migrated to Murshidabad (a great center of commerce and a flourishing town of the Nawabs). When this Bengal hamlet did not hold the artists for long, they thought of Bihar. Some of them came over to Patna and practiced their craft following a style that gradually came to be known as the Patna Qalam. The style is famous for its soft colors and the use of hand made paper or mica sheets. Most of these paintings depict the day-to-day life of the people of Bihar. Madhubani, in the heart of the Mithila region, had a rich tradition of wall paintings done by the village women. Hit by a severe drought in 1966, an artist encouraged them to try their wall paintings on paper. The idea was a great success and since then Mithila paintings gained ground. These line paintings in primary colors normally depict village scenes, human and animal forms, gods and goddesses. A kind of artistic emotion can be observed in these paintings. Tulsidas gives an elaborate description of how the entire Mithila region was decorated for the wedding of Sita with Ram. Bhagalpur is famous for its silk industry all over the world and is considered one of the best silk producing centers in India. Other crafts of Bihar include Sujni embroidery, lac bangle making, and creation of decorative and utility items of Seenki (a local dried grass). Costumes of Bihar

Sari is the most popular attire for women all over the state. The salwar-kameez is also popular especially with the younger and urban women. The traditional attire for men includes dhoti, kurta, and kharaun (wooden sandal). However, men have taken to the more convenient attire of shirts and pants, though western wear is not so common among women. In Mithila, a unique part of a man's dress is the Paag, a turban whose color is meant to symbolize the status of the man wearing it. People Bihar there has been a good deal of mixture among the various castes. Though Brahmans and Kshatriyas belong to the same racial stock, the Kshatriyas are more mixed because of their marriage with various stocks of people. The lower castes like the Koiri, Kurmi, Kahar and Ahir represent various racial strains. Caste rivalries and prejudices are numerous in Bihar. The narrow-mindedness of the people is one of the chief causes of the unsatisfactory state of Bihar politics. But now though modern life, better education and above all the efforts of its enlightened youth, are gradually doing away with the prejudices. Brahman, Bhumihar, Rajput, Banias and Kayastha are the dominant castes. Kayasthas and Banias are the two important caste groups in the cities and towns. The Kayasthas are prominent in all modern professional occupations and are generally given the status of elite castes. The Banias predominate in trade and commerce. Bhumihars are regarded as a caste different from the Brahmans who consider the former inferior in the social hierarchy. Members of all these caste groups have occupied prominent positions in the educational and political life of the state.

The other land owning castes are Ahirs (Yadavas), Kurmis and Koiris in the plains of Bihar. The Ahirs or Yadavas are agricultural caste. Cattle-raising is their hereditary occupation most are settled cultivators. Some still roam about selling milk and ghee. Koiris are agriculturists. They are distinguished from Kurmis and other purely cultivating castes by their skill in growing vegetables and other special cash crops. In the neighbourhood of large towns they work as market-gardeners. Many Koiris are rich land owners. Some of them are still prosperous cultivators, holding occupancy rights. The most notable among the schedule castes are Bhumij, Chamar (Mochi), Dhobi, Dom, Dusadh, Musahar, Nat and Pasi. Their means of livelihood still being hard manual and menial. About 92 percent of the total population of these castes are confined to the village while those in the towns and cities are slum-dwellers who work on pavements. Although education is free for them, the vast majority of them still continue to wallow in illiteracy. The Musahars are field labours whose wages are paid in cash or in kind according to the traditional custom in the villages. Most of them live apart from the basti. Only a few have attained the dignity of cultivating on their own account. Another caste, Dusadhs are probably of aboriginal descent. A large number of them serves as watchmen or chaukidars, they are also employed as village messengers, grooms, elephant drivers and wood cutters, punkha coolies and porters. The Dhanuks are servant class found in every place where there are high caste Hindus. The poor among them perform the menial household duties along with their family. Some Dhanuks are also cultivators while the females act as maid servants. Insane prejudice which was prevalent against the lower castes is gradually disappearing in Bihar. The rich titled classes in the state are regarded as ordinary mortals. In the country districts the influence of Zamindar (land lords) families is considerable. It depends more on their position as landlords than as persons of title. In small towns they have a certain importance on account of their historic descent. In the larger towns the members of the upper classes are of small account unless accompanied by wealth. The middle classes in Bihar are mostly caste-ridden. They are mostly professionals and doesn't have caste prejudices. They are the ones who almost monopolize the bar, the bench, the medical profession, trade and industry, the civil service and educational appointments. Many important posts in the secretariat are held by men of humble birth. The middle classes merge imperceptibly into the lower middle class and then into the masses. Bihar Forests The sub Himalayan Foothill of Someshwar and Dun Rangesin Champaran constitute another belt of Moist deciduous Forests. These also consists of Scrub, Grass and Reeds. Here the Rainfall is above 1600 mm and thus promotes Luxuriant Sal Forests in the favoured Areas. The Hot and Dry Summer gives the deduous Forests. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta ( Sal ), Shisham, Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. This type of forests also occurs in Saharasa and Purnia Districts.

GUJARAT Gujarati food is probably unique in that it is dominantly vegetarian. Most Gujaratis are rigid vegetarians. There are slight differences in food habits and methods of preparation throughout Gujarat, owing to climactic and cultural variations. Some ingredients like yogurt, buttermilk, coconut, groundnut, sesame seeds, lime juice, sugar, etc are staples in Gujarati preparations. Gujarati food is a highly distinctive Indian cuisine. It is usually served on silver platters along with rice and diverse wheat breads. Most people love Gujarati delicacies like crisp spicy fried farshans, available at roadside stalls. The popular Gujarati thali served at marriages comprises farshans, sweetmeats and a plethora of sweet and sour chutneys and pickles. This harmony due to the blending of the sweet and the salty is what demarcates Gujarati food from other Indian varieties. Gujarati food typically consists of rice or chapatis, pulses, vegetables, kachumbar (mixed vegetables salad), papad and curd. It is nutritious and balanced. Snacks like dhokla, khandvi, sweets like basundi are popular all over the country. Gujaratis relish snacks known as farshan, prepared in several ways. The most popular variety is known as chivda. Culture Gujarat is home to Gujarati people. Notable populations of Marathi people and Marwaris currently reside in Gujarat. It is also the home of Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel, who preached the unity between all religions and became a worldwide figure for peaceful struggle against tyranny. CUISINE Gujarati food is primarily vegetarian. It is believed to be one of the healthiest cuisines in India. It has been portrayed in eminent Bollywood films, including the 2009 feature film 3 Idiots.[37] The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli or bhakri, dal or kadhi, rice and sabzi. Indian pickle and [[chhundo]] are used as condiments. North Gujarat, Kathiawad, Kachchh, and Surti Gujarati, the four major regions of Gujarat,t all bring their own styles to Gujarati food. Many Gujarati dishes are distinctively sweet, salty, and spicy at the

same time. In Saurashtra region, chass (buttermilk) is believed to be a must-have in their daily food. Flora and fauna As per the India State Of Forest Report 2009, Gujarat has 7.46% of its total geographical area under forest cover. As per the districts, The Dangs has the largest area under forest cover. Gujarat has four national parks and 21 sanctuaries. Gujarat is the only home of Asiatic lions and outside Africa, Gujarat is the only present natural habitat of lions. Gir Forest National Park in the southwest part of the state covers part of the lions' habitat. Apart from lions, leopards are also found in state. They are spread across the large plains of Saurashtra and the mountains of South Gujarat. Other National parks include Vansda National Park, Blackbuck National Park, Velavadar and Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch. Wildlife sanctuaries include: Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, Porbandar Bird Sanctuary, Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Anjal, Balaram-Ambaji, Barda, Jambughoda, Khavda, Paniya, Purna, Rampura, Ratanmahal, and Surpaneshwar. Gujarat has some of major mountain ranges of India, including Aravalli, Sahyadri (Western Ghats), Vindhya and Saputara. Apart from this Gir hills, Barda, Jessore, Chotila, etc. are situated in different parts of Gujarat. Girnar is the tallest peak and Saputara is the only hill-station in the state. Gujarat is the main producer of tobacco, cotton, and groundnuts in India. Other major food crops produced are rice, wheat, jowar, bajra, maize, tur, and gram. The state has an agricultural economy; the total crop area amounts to more than one-half of the total land area.[49] Animal husbandry and dairying have played vital roles in the rural economy of Gujarat. Dairy farming, primarily concerned with milk production, functions on a co-operative basis and has more than a million members. Gujarat is the largest producer of milk in India. The Amul milk co-operative federation is well known all over India, and it is Asia's biggest dairy.[50] Among livestock raised are buffalo and other cattle, sheep, and goats. As per the results of livestock census 1997, there were 20.97 million head of livestock in Gujarat State. In the estimates of the survey of major livestock products, during the year 200203, the Gujarat produced 6.09 million tonnes of milk, 385 million eggs and 2.71 million kg of wool. Gujarat also contributes inputs to the textiles, oil, and soap industries, among others. As in much of India, since the 1960s farmers in Gujarat have increasingly relied on extensive groundwater irrigation to maintain production. In recent years, however, experts have become increasingly alarmed at the rate of water depletion in the state. The water table in Gujarat has been falling steadily for the last 1520 years, leading to a risk of catastrophic, irreversible saltwater intrusion into the groundwater. [51] The problem is exacerbated because electricity for farmers is subsidized, leaving little incentive to conserve water. To address this issue, the government of Gujarat has begun working with NGOs and universities to create new incentives for water conservation and to promote the adoption of water-saving technologies. Gujarat

General Information about Gujarat Area 196,024 square kms. Capital Gandhinagar Language Gujarati Districts 25 Population 55,696,629 Male 26,344,053 Female 24,252,939 Literacy 69.97% Best time to Visit: October to March Information about Gujarat Gujarat is one of the most diverse states in India. Gujarat derives its name from the word 'Gujaratta'. Gujaratta means the land of gurjars. The gurjars were a sub-tribe of the Huns who ruled the area during the 8th and 9th centuries AD. They passed through Punjab and settled in some parts of western India, which came to be known as Gujarat. The state of Gujarat is an industrially advanced state. The state of Gujarat is not a popular tourist destination among foreign and Indian tourists, but still holds an important place in India. Gujarat is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west, by Rajasthan in the north and northeast, by Madhya Pradesh in the east and by Maharashtra in the south and south east. The state has an international border and has a common frontier with Pakistan at the northwestern fringe. It is situated on the north end of the west coast of India and covers an area of 196,024 square km. Gandhinagar, located near Ahmedabad is the state capital of Gujarat. The people of Gujarat are also known to be a successful business community. At present, Gujarat comprises of 25 districts. The official and primary language spoken is Gujarati. The state of Gujarat is known all over the world for its holy temples, historic capitals, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches, hill resorts, fascinating handicrafts, mouth watering cuisine and colourful lifestyle of the people of Gujarat. This state can also be visited during your trip to Mumbai or Rajasthan. The best time to visit Gujarat is from October to March. History of Gujarat The history of Gujarat dates back to 3500 years. The Harappa and Mohenjodaro civilization can be known from the archaeological findings at Lothal near Dhandauka in Ahmedabad district and Razdi in Saurashtra. The history of Gujarat flows through the dynamic kingdoms and principal states of Saurashtra. According to the legends, the Somnath shore temple was built by Soma, the moon god himself to mark the creation of the Universe. The Lord Krishnas kingdom was also built at Dwaraka in Gujarat. Gujarat was also present in the exploitation of the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka and his Rock

Edicts can be seen near Junagarh. Later, Gujarat

also suffered invasions from Mahmud of Ghazni who demolished the Somnath Temple and carried away gold with him. Gujarat was also a battlefield at the time of the war between the Mughals and Marathas. It was also the earliest contact point with the West at Surat where the British set up their first commercial outpost in the 16th century. Daman and Diu, the two small Portuguese enclaves survived within Gujarat for over 450 years till 1961 when these were liberated by the Indian Army. During the British Raj, Gujarat was part of the larger Bombay Presidency and was ruled from Mumbai, and became a separate state in 1960 when the Indian States were divided on the basis of language. More... Geography of Gujarat Geographically, the state of Gujarat is divided into three areas. The mainland region includes the major cities of Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara (Baroda). The Gulf of Mumbai divides the mainland from the flat and barren plains of the Kathiawar Peninsula also known as Saurashtra. Before independence, the Saurashtra region was ruled by about 200 rulers who continued to rule it as they had made peace with the British. Later, these tiny states were merged in the larger state of Bombay Presidency after independence and later merged in the new state of Gujarat. The Gulf of Kutch separates the Saurashtra from Kutch. Kutch is virtually an island cut off from the rest of Gujarat that is wedged between Pakistan in the east and the low-lying Rann of Kutch in the north. More... Climate of Gujarat The best time to visit Gujarat is in the mild winter months from November to March. During the monsoon season, most of the Gujaratis came back to home on leave. The monsoon period has its own charm when the air is cool and the sky is overcasted. The temperature in the Gujarat shows relatively little contrast, but there are great contrasts in the rainfall from South to North. In north, the temperature is about 42 to 43 degree Celsius in summers while in winters it is about 12 degree Celsius. In further south, the winter temperature never fall very far and the summer temperatures are moderate. The rainfall is also scattered throughout the state. The Kutch receives minimum rainfall while Ahmedabad receives moderate rainfall. Economy of Gujarat Agriculture in Gujarat forms a vital sector of the state's economy. It provides the required food grains for the state's population and raw materials for most of the agrobased industries. There was a development of industries like Chemicals, petrochemicals, fertilizers, engineering, electronics etc. With the largest Petro-chemical

complex in the country, Gujarat is a major producer of inorganic chemicals such as soda-ash and caustic soda as well as chemical fertilizers. The most remarkable feature of Gujarat's recent industrial development has been the growth of the dairy industry, much of it is conducted on a cooperative basis. More....

People of Gujarat The people of Gujarat or the Gujaratis are known as a successful business community. Some of the famous businessmen and industrialists can be seen operating hotels and motels in California, running stores in Australia and New Zealand and newspaper kiosks in England. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of nation also belongs to Gujarat. He worked for the independence of India through non violence. One of the biggest billionaires of the world, Dhirubhai Ambani was also a Gujarati, who built his empire in three decades. Parsis also belong to this state where they had landed at a place called Sajjan in

745 AD. Many of the Parsis still live here, but some of them have now migrated to Bombay. The Jains are also a very important community in Gujarat. These families own textile and chemical mills and spend lavishly on building new temple and on charities like schools and religious trusts. More... Languages in Gujarat The three important languages of Gujarat are Gujarati, Urdu and Sindhi. There are eleven variants or dialects of Gujarati. The majority of the people of Gujarat speak Gujarati which belongs to the Indo-Aryan family. This language is derived from Sanskrit and other ancient languages. It was also highly influenced by Apabrahmsa, which was widely spoken in the north west India from the 10th to 14th centuries. The maritime contact with Persia, Arabia, Portugal and England further led to the introduction of many words from these languages. Kachchi as a mother tongue was spoken in Kutch. Cuisine of Gujarat The Gujarati food is mostly vegetarian. The dishes of Gujarat are not very spicy and sweet than those of the neighboring states. Some of the popular dishes of Gujarat are Kadhi, Undhyoo and Paunk. The diet of the Gujarati's consists of the rice, chapatis, wide variety of beans and pulses, coconut, pickles and sweetened yoghurt. You can experience all these constituents of the vegetarian Gujarati meal by having a Thali at Vishala, about 5 kms. from Ahmedabad. It is a restaurant and part of a complex is described as a Gujarati village with a small museum, local crafts and performing arts. Besides Vishala, there are various other good restaurants in Ahmedabad which offers the Gujarati food, Chinese and Continental cuisine. More... Fairs & Festivals of Gujarat Various fairs and festivals are celebrated in every month in Gujarat. Some of the main festivals which are celebrated in Gujarat are the Kite Flying Festival or Makar Sankranti, Navaratri Festival, Sarkhej Fair and Tarnetar Fair. The Navratri festival is celebrated during September-October and devoted to the three goddesses of the Hindu mythology. The Kite Flying Festival is celebrated on 14th January. On this day, the people of every age fly kites of various shapes and sizes. More... Handicrafts of Gujarat The handicrafts of the Gujarat are also unique like the Gujarati cuisine. Gujarat also has a rich tradition of high quality weaving, unique Kutch embroidery and hand-block printing, the most common are the tie-and-dye fabrics. These fabrics are known all over the world for their variety and excellent colors. Apart from these fabrics, the hand-painted cloth is also available in traditional black, red, maroon and ochre colors and is also inexpensive. Besides these, you can also buy various items like nut-crackers, silver, wood, brass and other items. The Patola silk sarees are another famous item of Gujarat that are extremely fine and quite expensive and made by very small master craftsmen at Patan. Surat is known for silk sarees and zari or gold thread

embroidery. Jamnagar is known for its woolen shawls, blankets, rugs, wooden chest and furniture.

Music and Dances of Gujarat In the field of music, Gujarat has made its own contribution. Gujarat has preserved folk music in its pure and pristine form by Charans and Gadhavis, a community whose hereditary profession is folk music and folk arts. Lullaby, Nupital songs, festive songs, Rannade songs are the different types of folk songs in Gujarat. Besides its contribution to classical and folk music, Gujarat has produced its own folk instruments. Gujarat has a unique distinction of having a legendary origin of folk dance forms. There are certain folk dances which typically represent the community activities and their functional aspect. The tribes in Gujarat have their own forms of the folk dances. The most popular and known folk dances of

KARNATAKA

SOIL & VEGETATION Soil and vegetation in Karnataka forms an interesting area of study. In Karnataka, soil and vegetation shows a varied trait with different kinds of soils spread in different regions. The soil in Karnataka is varied with red clay and laterite soil, red soil mixed with clay and sand, black soil or split; and it is owing to the availability of the different kinds of soil in different region that influences the cropping pattern of Karnataka. The soil and vegetation in Karnataka are two complimentary terms that go hand in hand with each other. It is noteworthy that in Karnataka about 61.95% of the land is cultivable; that is to say that the soil and vegetation produce a complete sync in Karnataka. In fact, the percentage of cultivable land in Karnataka is higher than any other state in India. This sync in soil and vegetation supports the growth of different kinds of trees such as:

Sandalwood Teak Rose Wood Honne Jack Mango Mathi Nandi White Cedar Bamboo coconut, etc.

Talking about the soils in Karnataka, we can summarize the following points:

Laterites and lateritic soil - Lateritic soil is basically a vesicular rock composed of a mixture of the hydrated oxides of aluminum and iron with small amounts of manganese oxides, titania, etc. In Karnataka, the laterite soil occurs in the western part of the district of North and South Kanara, Shimoga, Hassan, Kadur and Mysore. Red soils - Red soil composes the majority of Karnataka. The red soil is the resultant of the weathering of the crystalline and metamorphic rocks and the red color of the soil is owing to the diffusion of iron oxide in high proportion.

Thus, it is evident that soil and vegetation in Karnataka shows a distinctive characteristic trait. FLORA AND FAUNA

Flora and fauna of Karnataka is like a multi-cuisine platter! The wide range of flora and fauna in Karnataka are indeed a source of delight for the tourists. The geography of Karnataka boasts of a wide variety of flora and fauna that are spread throughout its length and breadth. In Karnataka, one can find many varieties of mammals, birds, a wide range of insects, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, etc. The state animal of Karnataka is Indian Elephant and the state bird is Indian Roller. Further, the state tree is Sandalwood (Santallum album); whereas the state flower is Lotus. Some of the important mammals that constitute the flora and fauna of Karnataka are:

panther leopard sambar wild pig elephants sloth bear spotted deer common langur bonnet macaque porcupine leopard cats rusty spotted cat Asiatic wild dog, etc.

Karnataka houses as many as 25% of elephants and about 10% of tigers found in India. In fact, the mountains of the Western ghats are the biodiversity hot-spot. Moreover, two sub-sections of these Western Ghats, namely Talacauvery and Kudremukh are the tentative world heritage site. The flora and fauna of Karnataka is incomplete without a reference to the birds. Varieties of birds are found here, such as:

peacock herons storks lapwings bonnet macaque Malabar trogon great pied hornbill Malabar whistling thrush imperial pegion, etc.

Flora in Karnataka include a wide variety of vegetation. Some of the important species are:

Anogeissus latifolia Terminalia tomentosa Grewia tilaefolia Santalun album

Shorea talura Emblica officinals, etc.

Many regions of Karnataka, especially the Malnad, were left unexplored till recently. But the recent discovery has revealed a wide range of flora and fauna that remained uncovered for so long, viz.

Flora: Paracautleya bhatii Isachne veldkampii Cosmarium deskikacharyi, etc. Fauna: o Dilobocondyla bangalorica o Disconthyrea sringerensis o Batasio sharavatiensis, etc.
o o o

Therefore, as it is evident, Karnataka has an enormous store of flora and fauna.

Language Perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the people of south India, Kannadigas, as the Kannada speaking people of Karnataka are called, are among the most easygoing youll ever meet. Bangalore, with its jet set executives, hard working and mad partying is really an exception. The city is more a reflection of metropolitan India than of the state that it administers. The north of Karnataka is dominated by the Lingayats while in the south, Vokkaligas, a peasant caste, are the most powerful. The state government has implemented a system of reservation for backward classes and certain scheduled castes and tribes in order to redress the imbalances of a traditionally caste-based society. The nomadic Lambani tribe are a colourful people who have managed to preserve many of their customs. The Kannadigas are easygoing, almost laidback and deeply content, till of course, they feel culturally threatened. Fiercely protective of their language, arts, customs, heritage, and film stars even, they will not stand for anything that has the teeniest hint of disparagement. The mother tongue of most people in Karnataka is Kannada. Many people do however speak at least one of the other south Indian languages. Kannada belongs to the group of Dravidian languages but has more in common with Telugu (Andhra Pradesh) than Tamil or Malayali. In the coastal areas people speak Konkani and Tulu, the Coorgis speak Kodagu, and the hill tribes have distinct dialects of their own. Religion The largest religious community is that of the Hindus. Of the minority religious groups Muslims are the largest community. The others are Christians, Jains and Buddhists. The areas close to Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have a legacy of Muslim rule and mausoleums, mosques and the muezzins call are a prominent feature here. In the south near Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the people and landmarks are predominantly Hindu. Temples, old and new, dot the landscape. Food Besides gold and sandalwood, Karnataka is famous as the land of coffee, spice and much more thats nice. Kannada cuisine while broadly similar to that of its neighbours has much that is unique to it too. It is milder than the food of Andhra and almost as dependent on coconut as Kerala food. The famous south Indian sambar dhal is called huli here. The Udupi dosa originated in the coastal town of Udupi: a thin crisp savoury pancake made from rice flour, this particular dosa is stuffed with cooked potatoes. (Udupi has now become synonymous with the south Indian restaurants that serve delicious vegetarian authentic south Indian cuisine all over India). If you spot one in the course of your travels, dont hesitate to walk in. Uthapams, vada, puri palaya, idli (rice cakes) are all eaten with huli and coconut chutney. A special dish is Patrode, which is made of steamed stuffed colocasia. Peardaya is a sweet made with jaggery cooked in coconut oil.

Culture and Crafts In dance, art, sculpture, in literature and especially in classical music Karnataka has the oldest literary tradition among the Dravidian languages. Evidence of this is found in the 9th century treatise on poetry called the Kavirajamarga, where references are made to earlier writings. The three gems of Kannada literature are the poets Pampa, Ponna and Ranna. They lived between the 10th and 12th centuries. Carnatic music along with the North Indian Hindustani tradition makes up the body of Indian classical music. It is a distinctly different tradition from that of Hindustani music. The stringed tanpura, the mridangam, the ghatam and violins too usually accompany a vocal music recital. Karnataka has a particularly rich culture of folk theatre. The most famous forms are Yakshagana, which features a single narrator, and Bayalata, which has multiple narrative voices. Both these may be rustic in flavour but in technique, they are quite sophisticated. Other lesser-known forms are the Dasarata and Sannata and the Dodatta. Silk, incense, coffee and sandalwood are the major products of Karnataka. A very famous craft of Karnataka is Bidriware. Originally produced in the town of Bidar, this metal craft is made by inlaying silver (or gold) in blackened metal.

Karnataka :: Ethnicity/People The majority of Kannadigas are of Dravidian origin. Dravidians were the original inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent and in Vedic literature they have been mentioned as Dasyus and Rakshasas, the people who had black skin and were opposed to the Aryans. The Aryans, with their better war technology (they were the first race who brought to India horses and iron), defeated the original inhabitants of the land and forced them to convert to Hinduism. Many of them left the plains of North India and moved towards the south to inhabit the Indian Peninsula. Karnataka is a part of the Indian Peninsula and the people of this land speak a language that has its roots in the Dravidian languages. The religion of most of the people is Hinduism with a small population of Muslims. Karnataka :: Agriculture/Crop Agriculture is one of the main occupations of the state and accounts for nearly 65 percent of the workforce. Paddy, jowar, ragi, bajra, maize, wheat and pulses are some of the important crops of the state.

Karnataka :: Flora And Fauna

Karnataka has more than twenty per cent of its area under forest cover. There are many wildlife sanctuaries in the state and they have a rich variety of flora and fauna. Major wildlife sanctuaries and National Parks of the state are Bandipur National Park, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli, Bhimeshwari, B. R. Hills, Nagarhole, Ranganathittu Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chamundi hills.

FORESTS About 38724 km (or 20% of Karnataka's geographic) are covered by forests. The forests are classified as reserved (28.611 km) protected (3,932 km), unclosed (5,748 km), village (124 km) and private (309 km) forests. The percentage of forests area to Geographical area in the State is less than the all-India average of about 23%, and 33% prescribed in the National Forest Policy. The area under forests in the neighboring States is as follows: Andhra Pradesh 62,000 km (9% of the total area of the country), Maharastra 54,000 km (8%), Tamil Nadu 22,000 km (3%) and Kerala 11,000 km (2%). Karnataka is known for its valuable timbers from the evergreen forests in the Western Ghat region, notably Teak and Rosewood, the richly ornate panels of which adorn the beautiful chambers of the Two Houses of Karnataka Legislature. Climate Karnataka has the following four seasons in the year:

The winter season from January to February The summer season from March to May The monsoon season from June to September The post-monsoon season from October to December.

The post-monsoon and winter seasons are generally pleasant over the entire state. The months April and May are hot, very dry and generally uncomfortable. Weather tends to be oppressive during June due to high humidity and temperature. The next three months (July, August and September) are somewhat comfortable due to reduced day temperature although the humidity's continue to be very high. The highest recorded temperature was 45.6 C (114 F) at Raichur on May 23, 1928. The lowest recorded temperature was 2.8 C (37 F) C at Bidar on December 16, 1918.[6] Karnataka is divided into three meteorological zones:

Coastal Karnataka: This zone comprises the districts of Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. It is a region of heavy rainfall and receives an average rainfall of 3638.5 mm per annum.[7] far in excess of rest of state.[8] North Interior Karnataka: This zone comprises the districts of Belgaum, Bidar, Bijapur, Bagalkot, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Koppal, Bellary and Raichur Districts. This is an arid zone and receives only 711.5 mm of average rainfall per annum.[7] South Interior Karnataka: The rest of the districts of Karnataka falls into this zone. This zone receives 1064.8 mm of average rainfall per annum.[7]

Rivers of Karnataka With a surface water potential of about 102 cubic kilometers, Karnataka accounts for about six percent of the country's surface water resources. Around 60% of this is provided by the west flowing rivers while the remaining comes from the east flowing rivers. There are seven river basins in all formed by the Godavari, Cauvery, Krishna, the west-flowing rivers, South Pennar, and Palar.

Soil

Eleven groups of soil orders are found in Karnataka viz. Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Spodosols, Alfisols, Ultisols, Oxisols, Aridisols, Vertisols, Andisols and Histosols.[4] Depending on the agricultural capability of the soil, the soil types are divided into six types viz., Red, lateritic (lateritic soil is found in bidar and kolar district), black, alluviocolluvial, forest and coastal soils.[5] The common types of soil groups found in Karnataka are:[5][5]

Red soils: Red gravelly loam soil, Red loam soil, Red gravelly clay soil, Red clay soil Lateritic soils: Lateritic gravelly soil, Lateritic soil Black soils: Deep black soil, Medium deep black soil, Shallow black soil Alluvio-Colluvial Soils: Non-saline, saline and sodic Forest soils: Brown forest soil Coastal soils: Coastal laterite soil, Coastal alluvial soil

KERALA RIVERS: There are 44 rivers in the state, of which 41 originate from the Western Ghats and flow towards west into the Arabian sea. Three tributaries of the river Cauvery originate in Kerala and flow east into the neighbouring States. These rivers and streams flowing down from the Western Ghats either empty themselves in to the backwaters in the coastal area or directly into the Arabian Sea. As the Western Ghats are nowhere more than 120 kms from the sea, all these rivers are comparatively short. The important rivers from north to south are; Valapattanam river (110 kms.), Chaliar (69 kms.), Kadalundipuzha (130 kms.), Bharathapuzha (209 kms.), Chalakudy river (130 kms.), Periyar (244 kms), Pamba (176 kms), Achancoil (128 kms.) and Kalladayar (121 kms.). Other than these, there are 35 more small rivers and rivulets flowing down from the Ghats. Most of these rivers are navigable up to the midland region for country crafts which provide a cheap and reliable transport system. Culture Kerala has a rich cultural heritage with rich classical dance forms like Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Mohiniyattom etc, folk dances like Chavittunatakom, Oppana etc. semi classical forms like Thiruvathaira, Ottamthullal etc, compositions of Swathi Thirunal and the Sopanam music. Kerala has a rich tradition in architecture with the Vastuvidya and Thachusastra. Wood was the chief material used by ancient builders of Kerala. The splendour of Padmanabhapuram palace and the Dutch palace at Mattanchery is well known. The traditional painting called murals on the walls of temples and churches are also much acclaimed. The carved figures of Kerala handicrafts are only too well-known. In modern times literature, drama and cinema flourished under western influences. Climate Kerala, which lies in the tropic region, is mostly subject to the type of humid tropical wet climate experienced by most of Earth's rainforests. Meanwhile, its extreme eastern fringes experience a drier tropical wet and dry climate. Kerala receives an average annual rainfall of 3107 mm some 7,030 crore m3 of water. This compares to the allIndia average is 1,197 mm. Parts of Kerala's lowlands may average only 1250 mm annually while the cool mountainous eastern highlands of Idukki district comprising Kerala's wettest region receive in excess of 5,000 mm of orographic precipitation (4,200 crore of which are available for human use) annually. Kerala's rains are mostly the result of seasonal monsoons. As a result, Kerala averages some 120140 rainy days per year. In summer, most of Kerala is prone to gale-force winds, storm surges, and torrential downpours accompanying dangerous cyclones coming in off the Indian Ocean. Keralas average maximum daily temperature is around 36.7 C; the minimum is 19.8 C.

Agriculture

Kerala produces 97% of national output of pepper and accounts for 85% out of the area under natural rubber in the country.[13] Coconut, tea, coffee, cashew, and spices including cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg comprise a critical agricultural sector. A key agricultural staple is rice, with some six hundred varieties grown in Kerala's extensive paddy fields.[14] Nevertheless, home gardens comprise a significant portion of the agricultural sector. Related animal husbandry is also important, and is touted by proponents as a means of alleviating rural poverty and unemployment among women, the marginalized, and the landless. Feeding, milking, breeding, management, health care, and concomitant micro-enterprises all provide work for around 32 lakh (3.2 million) of Kerala's 55 lakh (5.5 million) households. The state government seeks to promote such activity via educational campaigns and the development of new cattle breeds such as the "Sunandini". Sea and Ports On the one hand, the Arabian Sea prevented some invaders, traders, and intruders from visiting Kerala; on the other hand, it attracted mostly traders from Europe and the Middle East. From historical records we know of Arabs from the eighth century and the Portuguese (1498). the Dutch. and the British from the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries establishing trade centers in Kerala.Kerala had a flourishing trade with Rome and Alexandria between 100 B.C. and 300 A.D Rivers and Lakes Kerala is rich in water supply. There are 41 rivers in the state that flow west and three rivers that are tributaries of River Kaveri and flow east. Only four rivers are more than 100 miles long. They are the Bharathapuzha (150 miles), the Periyar (142 miles), the Pamba (110 miles), and Beypore or the Chaliyar (105 miles). The average length of the other rivers is 40 miles. Many places of cultic importance are located on the banks of some of these rivers.Besides rivers, Kerala has a number of natural lakes or lagoons and backwaters along the coast, which receive their water supply from rivers and streams Rivers There are broadly 44 rivers and streams in Kerala. Though tinier in dimension, compared to the major rivers of the country, they drain a surprisingly large quantity of water and sediments into the Arabian Sea. This is due to the heavy rainfall and physical relief of the terrain of Kerala, which slants from the Western Ghats to the plains to finally merge with the Arabian Sea. A distinct characteristic of the rivers in Kerala is that they flow in an almost straight course, further facilitating drainage. 41 of the 44 rivers in Kerala are west flowing, and originate mainly from the Western Ghats. They fuse with the Arabian Sea either directly, or through the medium of the backwaters. Some smaller rivers, like the Kumbala, and Bekal, have separate watersheds, and drain into the sea through the channel of the backwaters.

Climate Kerala's climate reaches equatorial conditions. Maximum temperatures rarely exceed 90F (32C); minimum rarely falls below 70F (21C). The annual range at Cochin is only 6F (3.3C) and the diurnal is about 10F (5.6C), Apart from the heavy rainfalls in the hills, rainfall decreases from around 120 inches (3,008 mm.) in the north to half that at Trivandrum. There is an even distribution of rain throughout the year in Trivandrum: 39% in June - August, 33% in September - November, and 28% in December -May which is dry season in most of India. Not all parts of Kerala are as fortunate as Trivandrum in the moderation of rainfall and humidity rates. Agriculture contributes most to the state's income in the primary sector. Kerala's major sources of exports are agro-based and traditional like coir and cashew as well as marine products and manpower. In spices, pepper is the single most important product, with Kerala being the largest producer and exporter of black pepper. Cardamom and ginger are also exported. Climate The climate of Kerala can be classified into roughly three categories from March to May, when it is hot and humid, with March being the warmest month. This season is followed by the onset of the southwest monsoons that last till the end of October. The northeast monsoons take over the relay around this time and linger on till the month of February. The intensity of the northeast monsoons is more or less on the wane around December, leaving behind a spell of cool and comparatively dry weather. Temperatures in Kerala seldom rise above 320 C, while the minimum temperature in the coastal region remains mostly around 200C. The flow of the wind in most of Kerala, besides the Palghat Gap, is governed by the differential heating of land and water mass. Language Malayalam is the language of Kerala, the southern most state in India. Over 35,000,000 people speak this language. Malayalam, one of the Dravidian languages in India, has its own alphabet and grammar. It originally developed from Tamil and uses many Tamil words. It also has adapted many words from Sanskrit, other India languages and English. Malayalam is extraordinarily rich in every genre of literature. Every year numerous books and publications are produced in Malayalam. In Kerala alone 170 daily papers, 235 weekly and 560 monthly periodicals are published in Malayalam. The most circulated daily paper in India is in Malyalam. This language is presently taught in many Universities outside Kerala including some in the United States. Malayalam (/malayALam/) is the principal language of the South Indian state of Kerala and also of the Lakshadweep Islands (Laccadives) of the west coast of India FOOD Sadya traditional Kerala vegetarian feast Sadya is the traditional vegetarian feast of the people of Kerala, a southern state in India. Kerala sadya is usually a big feast associated with special occasions like marriages, birthdays and so on. This traditional vegetarian meal is served on a plantain

leaf. Sadya provides ones taste buds to savour sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent tastes.This vegetarian lunch consists of parboiled pink rice accompanied by side dishes like parippu, sambar, avial, kichadi, thoran, olan, rasam, kaalan, pachadi, pickles like ginger, mango and lime. A variety of payasams or desserts will be served at the end of the meal. Snacks like chips and sarkara upperi are also part of the feast. Traditionally, the preparation of Sadya is a teamwork managed by a chief cook, who supervises the preparation for each and every dish. Featured in this video is the traditional way of preparing a Sadya as part of a marriage in Kerala. PEOPLE, LIFESTYLE & RELIGIONS Kerala is isolated from the deccan plateau by the mountanious belt of the Western Ghats, but with a long coastline open to foreign influences, Kerala has evolved a unique culture. It is a highly politicized region, but has a long tradition of religious amity. It is an educationally advanced state with its own language Malayalam, and has the highest rate of literacy (100%) among Indian states. Women in Kerala enjoy a high social status Various racial strains have passed through Kerala virtually since the dawn of time and have left the state richer in its philosophy of co-existence. Even in these modern times, with Kerala being India's only fully literate state, and having provided the nation with some of its eminent writers and satiric cartoonists, it comes to dwell in a time warp, where slow-boats still coast along backwaters, the people dress elegantly in white, and festivals are celebrated over many days with traditional gaiety.The official language of the state is Malayalam, but English is widely spoken and understood. One of the principal Hindu castes of Kerala is that of the Nairs, among two of the country's only societies that follow a matriarchal system that has brought the women into social prominence. Kerala's Brah- mins, the namboodris, till recently had a system in which only the eldest son could marry within the same caste, since the others had to find wives outside the community, they were disowned from family rights. These are now traditions of the past. But it is not only the Hindus that make up the colourful mosaic of this land. Festivals Festivals abound in Kerala, but there are some that are better known than others. Since all temples celebrate their individual festivals, chances are that on your visit you will come across atleast some form of the cele- bration. The most spectacular of these is Trichur Pooram, the annual temple festival in Tirchur. Held in April-May, it includes a spectacular proces- sion of ten temple deities. Some thirty elephants of a uniform size are dressed in glittering chain-mail to lead the celebrations. Onam Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug - Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition. Intricately decorated Pookalam, ambrosial Onasadya, breathtaking Snake Boat Race and exotic Kaikottikali dance are some of the most remarkable features of Onam - the harvest festival in Kerala.

Flora & Fauna Stretching from the white sand beaches, to some of the highest peaks that crown the Western Ghats, Kerala is home to a mind-boggling diversity of life forms. The wet forests of the foothills, and the fecund tropical conditions support a myriad species in the boundaries of Kerala. The upper reaches of the Western Ghats form evergreen and semi-green forests, while the foothills support deciduous forests. There is a marked similarity between the fauna found in Kerala, and that of the Eastern Himalayas and the southwest region of Sri Lanka. The Silent Valley and the Eravikulam National Parks, are amongst the richest biosphere reserves in India, and form the prime habitat of some highly endangered species. Various other parks and sanctuaries like the Periyar, Wayanad,Parambikulam and the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuaries, along with the mangrove swamps, form reserves of considerable significance. But the distribution of flora and fauna in Kerala is not restricted to these patches. The terra firma of Kerala is an impossible web of unabashed greenery, in the folds of which thrive innumerable creatures. Through the ages, Kerala has been a storehouse of medicinal herbs, and has been closely associated with the ancient medicinal science of Ayurveda. But all is not hunky dory. The all-encompassing pressures of industrialisation and agriculture, to name but two, have taken their toll on this highly fertile topography, sparking off some rather serious environmental dilemmas. Crops Kerala grows an abundant quantity of cereals, pulses, spices, vegetables such as yam and arrowroot, and fruits like coconut, jack fruit, banana, custard apples, mango, pineapple, tapioca (originally from Brazil), cashew. Tea, coffee and cardamom are grown extensively on the highlands. Kerala produces the maximum quantity of cardamom in the world. 97% of Indias pepper is grown in the moist lowlands of Kerala, mainly in Kozhikode and Kannur Districts. 64 countries import turmeric from the state. Kerala also produces the maximum quantity of ginger in the country. Rubber, Clove and Cashew are other important products that rake in foreign exchange. The People The backwaters will keep your head spinning like a top. Men covered from the waist to the knees in bright flowery, orange, green and purple lungis (a dress, consisting of a long cloth wrapped around the waist), glide past on their wooden boats, which they navigate with the help of a long bamboo stick. Shy little girls prance about in pigtails, wearing colourful long skirts with golden motifs, and smiles as sunny and round as their bindis (a motif - generally a little dot, glued or painted on the forehead, by Indian women). Ladies, sitting in little groups on the water steps, or going about their daily household chores, shyly look up and smile as you pass by.

Kerala Wildlife National Parks and Sanctuaries of Kerala From the rugged land of The Dangs in Gujarat, the Western Ghats run along the southwestern strip of India for almost 1,600km. They rise to their apogee and form the most striking geographical feature on their journey through Kerala. Kerala wildlife tours will take you to great wildlife reserves situated within the folds of the Western Ghats. Kerala is home to some of Indias more noteworthy national parks and wild life reserves. Forests cover 24% of the states area, and 5.9% of the region falls under protected land, with a total of 24 national parks and wildlife reserves. Land of Kerala The Land Kerala is a dramatic, narrow, leaf-shaped strip of land, flanked by the formidable Western Ghats on the east, and the Arabian Sea on the west.A land of unabashed wealth,its people are amongst the most progressive and literate of the Indian populace. This tropical spice garden has lured the Arabs, Chinese and Europeans for many centuries. Christianity and Judaism entered the subcontinent through the legendary white sand beaches of Kerala. The region is also home to Indias only virgin tropical rain forest the Silent Valley National Park, supporting an overwhelming range of life forms, many of which are highly endangered, and endemic to this part of the planet. The backwaters are a time capsule; a glimpse of a lifestyle reminiscent of an era gone by.

MAHARASHTRA Rivers The rivers of state, Krishna, Bhima, Godavari, Tapi-Purna and Wardha-Wainganga have divided it into broad, open river valleys and alternating plateaux, that helps in the formation of the Sahyadri hills. The water falls of the Konkan are hardly a 100 km. long, rushing down as roaring streams. These streams flow in deeply established valleys that end up as tidal estuaries. Climate Maharashtra experiences tropical monsoon climate. The state faces extremely hot summers from March onwards till the starting of the rainy season in early June. The lush greenery is the result of monsoon season, which persists during the following mild winters. The state enjoys mild winters and but the season changing month of October is very unpleasant. The Sahyadri hills receives a heavy rainfall of 400 cm due to the seasonal rains from the western sea-clouds. The Konkan region is also receives torrential rainfall. At the eastern side of the Sahyadri, the rainfall diminishes with the area receiving just 70 cm. of rainfall. The Solapur-Ahmednagar lies in the heart of the dry zone. But later in the season, the rainfall increases towards the eastwards in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. The unpredictable monsoon, some times results in short spells of rainy weather, long dry breaks, floods and droughts making life a little difficult here. Flora and Fauna The flora and fauna of Maharashtra is quite diverse. The varied climate and topography has resulted in rich vegetation and a good animal population. The land of Maharashtra has arid desert, tropical rain forest and mountain range with an height of 4000 feet. 17 % of Maharashtra's land is covered with thick virgin forests. The forests found here are mainly evergreen deciduous type. Majority of the forests are in the eastern and Sahyadri regions of the state. Maharashtra has five national parks, three game reserves, and 24 wildlife/bird sanctuaries. Here many different kinds of animals are found like tigers, panthers, bison, deer and antelopes, wild boars, bears and blue bull. WILDLIFE Rich in natural beauty, Maharashtra is a paradise for nature lovers. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and wildlife parks within the state, having a wide range of vegetation. Wildlife parks are the home to a number of animals and birds including Tiger, Crocodile, Bison, Gawa, Neelgai, Wild deer, Sambar and rare migratory birds. These wildlife parks are equipped with jeep rides, night safaris, comfortable accommodation and efficient transport. They offer an outstanding opportunity to view animals in their natural habitat. Apart from the existing wildlife sanctuaries, steps are taken by the state government to set up many new sanctuaries and parks.

FOOD The people of Maharashtra regard their food as 'Anna he poornabrahma' which means 'anna', or food is equal to 'Brahma', or the creator of the universe. In other words it means food is God, thus it should be worshiped. Maharashtrians also believe in offering their food first to the lord as a thanksgiving ritual for all that he has given. On festive occasions, some specific mithais (sweets) are offered such as Ukadiche Modak (Ganesh Chaturthi) and Satyanarayan Puja Sheera. The most popular seafood of Maharshtra is the bombil or the Bombay duck, which is normally served better fried and crisp. Almost all non-vegetarian and vegetarian Maharashtrian dishes are served with boiled rice or with bhakris, soft rotis (bread) made of rice flour. A pancake made of rice, urad dal and semolina is called vada or amboli. This a special rice puri, eaten as a part of the main meal. Brinjals are the most popular vegetable of this region. A popular preparation of brinjals is bharlivangi or baby brinjals stuffed with coconut. Maharashtrian fare is incomplete without papads, which are eaten roasted or fried. Puran poli is the most popular dessert of Maharashtra. It is roti (bread) stuffed with a sweet mixture of jaggery and gram flour, and shreekhand. Shreekhand is sweetened curd containing flavors of cardamom and saffron. Maharashtra completes itself with mouthwatering food. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra is the also the food capital of the state. Some of the popular snacks that can be enjoyed here are Chaat, pani puri, bhelpuri, pav bhaji, and dosai, etc. These are mostly sold on the streets and on the beaches, where people gather in the evenings to unwind themselves. Apart from vegetarian snacks, non-vegetarian snacks are also available like Muslim kebabs, baida roti (an egg roti stuffed with minced meat), tandoori chicken, seekh kebabs, and fish koliwada. In Mumbai, 'paan', a mouth freshener can also be enjoyed in a very artistic form. One of the popular variety of paan is the Cold and Sweet paan in which the sweet filling is chilled. Maharashtra Culture As Maharashtra is a vast state, the people of this colourful state wears different types of costumes, take different cuisines, has different forms of dances and music according to the physical features of their locality. Generally, men wear dhoti and pheta in olden days, while women wear choli and saree. But with the change of time, young Maharashtrians too are fast attracting to the latest fashions imported from the western countries. Arts & Culture of Maharashtra Varied customs and traditions co-exist peacefully in Maharashtra. There are the Parsis who have made Maharashtra their home, there are the Christians and Anglo-Indians who swear by Maharashtra, there is the folk population of lohars (blacksmiths), the dhangars (shepherds) and of course the fishermen and women called the Kolis. In addition, two major influences operate simultaneously in Maharashtra to mould their thinking and therefore customs. One is a strong Brahmanical influence; Pune has been

and still is, to a certain extent, the center of Sanskrit learning. The second is the influence of BR Ambedkar, who introduced neo-Buddhist thoughts in the minds of the people. Two of the most well known handicrafts of Maharashtra are Kolhapuri chappals and the Paithani saris. Maharashtra is well known throughout the country for its rich music and dances. Lavnis, Bharuds, Povadas, and Gondals are the major forms of folk music in the state and represent the best that the Maharashtrian society has contributed in the field of music. Sharang Dev, from the state, was the writer of one of the greatest treatise on Indian music in the medieval times, Sangit Ratnakara. Most famous of the Indian musicians like Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Jasraj, Bhimsen Joshi, Kishori Amonkar belong to Maharashtra. Maharashtra also has a very good theatre tradition.

CROPS Cotton, sugarcane, tobacco, turmeric and vegetables are the main cash crops in Maharashtra. Since industries like textile mills and sugar factories are dependent on cotton and sugarcane, these cash crops are considered most important. In fact, the States politics, whole of the agro-based economy in Maharashtra, as well as many agricultural industries are to a large extent dependent on the production of these crops. A total of six and a half to seven lakh hectares of land is under the cultivation of sugarcane in the State. Almost 14% of the countrys share of sugarcane is cultivated in the State. Maharashtra ranks second in the State-wise cultivation of sugarcane. The cooperative sugar industries linked with this crop constitute the main factor of agriculture in the State. Cotton is another most important cash crop in Maharashtra. Out of the total cultivation of cotton in the country, 36% of the total area is in Maharashtra. Cotton is cultivated in an area of 15.9% of the cultivable land in the State, that is, 30-35 lakh hectares. In India, Maharashtra ranks first in the production of cotton. 60% of the total cotton is produced mainly in Vidharbha, 25% in Marathwada, while 10% is produced in Khandesh. Fruit-production constitutes 25% of the total agricultural produce in the State. Approximately, 103 lakh tons of fruits are produced every year. Maharashtra ranks first in the country in the production of fruits. Bananas constitute 25% of the total fruitproduction in the country, whereas the production of grapes, pomegranates and oranges is highest in Maharashtra as compared to other parts of the country. Other fruits like mango, coconut, cashew-nuts are also produced to a large extent in Maharashtra. Soil The soils of Maharashtra are residual, derived from the underlying basalts. The land in the river basins of Godavari, Bhima, Krishna and Tapi has a deep layer of fertile black basalt soil, rich in humus. This soil is so well suited for growing cotton and is often

called black cotton soil. The rest of the semi-dry plateau has a medium layer of black regur soil which is clayey and moisture retentive, rich in iron but poor in nitrogen and organic matter. The higher plateau areas have pather soils, which contain more gravel. The peaks of the Sahyadri Mountains, the districts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg and the western regions of Kolhapur and Satara have a reddish lateritic soil, locally called Jambha. The Konkan coast has sandy loam soil. Farther away towards the east in Vidharbha region, with a better mixture of lime, the morand soils form the ideal Kharif zone. North Konkan, eastern Vidharbha area like Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts have reddish and yellowish soil. Forests The total forest area in Maharashtra is approximately 61,939 sq km, making up nearly 21% of the area of Maharashtra. To maintain the ecological balance of any State, it is important to have at least 33% of the States area under forests. Construction wood, fuel wood, bamboo, betel leaf, sealing wax, essential extracts and oils, natural glue and resins, esculent roots, fruits, fibre, medicinal herbs and animal produce are the main forest produce in the State. Logging, pulp and paper, furniture - plywood, Beedi making, matchbox, fruit processing, medicinal herbs, essential extracts and oils, tourism etc are the forest based occupations in the State. The State has approximately 85 species of mammals, 460 species of birds, and several species of reptiles, amphibians, water animals and insects in the forest. Among the mammal species are the tiger, leopard, bison, sambar, chital, blue antelope, barking deer, wild bear, monkeys, hyena, jackal, fox, wild dog and wild boar. Birds like the bulbul, cuckoo, woodpecker, bustard, parakeet, green pigeon, stork, owl and peacock and migratory birds like the flamingo, ducks and black-winged stilts, jacana and others can be seen here.

Himachal Pradesh

Particulars Area Population Capital Principal Languages

Description 55,673 sq. km 60,77,900 Shimla Hindi & Pahari

History and Geography 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 rich culture and traditions have made Himachal unique in itself. 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. Himachal Pradesh came into being as a Union Territory in April 1948 as a result of integration of 30 princely States spread over 27,000 sq.km. In 1954, when another C"class state of Bilaspur merged in Himachal Pradesh, its area increased to 28,241 sq.km. The position remained unchanged till 1966. On re-organisation of the State, the hilly areas of Punjab were merged with the State, increasing its size to 55,673 sq.km. Himachal Pradesh today is quoted as a successful model of not only hill area development but also for having realised development in education, health and social services. Agriculture Agriculture being the main occupation of the people of Himachal Pradesh has an important role in the economy of the State. It provides direct employment to about 69 per cent of the main working population. Income from agriculture and allied sectors accounts for nearly 22.1 per cent of the total State Domestic Product. Out of the total geographical area of 55.673 sq. km., area of operational holding is about 9.79 lakh hectares owned by 9.14 lakh farmers. The marginal and small farmers possess 86.4 per cent of the total land holdings. The cultivated area in the state is only 10.4 percent. About 80 per cent of the area is rain fed and farmers depend on weather gods for rains. The food grain production in 2006-2007 has been 16 lakh metric tonnes.

Forestry The total geographical area of the state is 55,673 sq km. As per record, the total forest area is 37,033 sq. km. Out of this, 16,376 sq. km. area is not fit for tree growth comprising alpine pastures, area under permanent snow, etc. The cultivable recorded forest area is only 20,657 sq. km. Efforts are being taken to bring maximum area under green cover by implementing States own projects, Government of Indias projects and also through external aided projects. The World Bank has also sanctioned a Rs.365 crore Integrated Watershed Development Project for the Mid Himalayas. 545 panchayats of 42 developmental blocks in 10 districts would be covered during the next six years. There are 2 National Parks and 32 wild life sanctuaries in the State. Total area under wild life sanctuaries is 5562 km area under National Parks is 1440 Km and total area of Protected Area Network is 7002 km. CULTURE The people of Himachal Pradesh have a rich culture which is very much apparent in their day to day lives. The colourful dresses of Himachalis will strike you instantly as you make your way through the state. However, more than the dresses or even the notable physical features of the people, it is their warm and friendly nature that will draw you towards them. Interacting with them can be extremely fruitful as you will get to know more about their religious and cultural life as it is. Watch the various art forms of the people on metal, wood, leather and wool and collect some of these items as memory of your visit. Rejoice in their folk dance and music and even pick up a few notes and steps from the artists. The cuisine of Himachal is not as rich as some other states of the country yet there are quiet a few dishes that you must try out during your visit. People & Lifestyle The population of Himachal Pradesh is a mixed one though Hindus are definitely in majority. The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There are also tribal population in the state which mainly comprise Gaddis, Kinnars, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis. In some area, like Lahaul & Spiti, there is a majority of Buddhist population. A percentage of people are also Tibetans. Muslim, Christian and Sikhs are in relatively small numbers. The physical feature of most of the people resemble the Aryans however, there are still many with prominent Mongoloid feature. Though Hindi is the state language, many people speak Pahari. Pahari itself has many dialects and all of them trace their origin to the Sanskrit language. A majority of the population is engaged in agricultural work, however the more educated of them are now moving towards farming and other newer profession. Traditional dress of the Brahmin male includes dhoti, kurta, coat, waistcoat, turban and a hand towel while that of the Rajput male consists of tight fitting churidar pyjamas, a long coat and a starched turban. The female of these two caste have kurtas, salwars, long skirts (ghaghri), embroidered tops (choli) and red head scarves (rahide) as their traditional attire. The dress up of the people has now become a mixed one with

traditional blending gracefully with the modern. The typical house in Himachal Pradesh is constructed of clay bricks and the roofs are of slate. The hilly areas have their own kind of house which is made of stone. The slate roof is replaced by timber. The houses are pucca and cattle shed is nearby. The tribals usually have two storied houses wherein the cattle house occupies the ground floor while the first floor is meant for personal use. Labourers have thatched roofs house for themselves. FOOD The day to day dishes of the people of Himachal Pradesh is very similar to the rest of north India in the sense that they too have dal-chawal-subzi-roti (lentil broth, rice, dish of vegetables and bread). However, one difference is that non vegetarian items are more in famous here than other north Indian states. Till recently, all that Himachal knew of vegetables were potatoes and turnips. However, now gradually, green vegetables are making their importance felt more and more. Some of the dishes that are unique to Himachal include Pateer, Chouck, Bhagjery and chutney of Til. Apart from these Nasasta is a sweetmeat of the Kangra region, Indra is dish prepared of Urad dal and Bada/Poldu is cooked in the Shimla region.
Climate
The climate varies from semi-tropical to semi-arctic from place to place depending on the altitude of the region. The months from April to June are pleasant and comfortable at higher altitude and humid in the lower hills. The months of July to September are the month of rainfall. Himachal Pradesh experiences average annual rainfalls of about 160-cm. the entire state becomes lush green and all the springs and streams are filled again. The winter season begins from October to February and is very severe. Heavy snowfall occurs during this season.

Flora and Fauna

The 63.9 % of the total area is under the thick forest cover. The vegetation is a blend of the Ban Oak Forest, Moist Deodar Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest, Himalayan Alpine Pastures, and Rhododendron Scrub Forest. The lower ranges have the growth of blue pine while the higher altitudes have firs. The flora includes pine, cedar, deodar, bamboo, spur, oak etc. There are around 1200 species of bird and 359 species of animals in Himachal Pradesh. The major species of wildlife in the state are Snow Leopard, musk Deer, Blue Sheep, Ibex, Wolf, Leopard, Rhesus macaque, Common Langur, Himalayan Black Bear, Goral, Muntjac and Serow. Two National Parks and a few Wildlife Sanctuaries have been established in Himachal Pradesh to protect the unique fauna of the state. The park has the largest remaining population of Himalayan Tahr in the Himachal Pradesh.