A Virtual Tour to the Western Region of the Indian Sub-Continent

Bounded by the Thar Desert in the north, the Vindhya Range in the east and north, and the Arabian Sea in the west is the Western region of India.

The states which come under this region are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chattisgarh.

Often termed as the Land of rich Diversity, the West part of India has its style and uniqueness.

Stay tuned to enjoy a virtual tour of the western region of Incredible India!

Well, as Maharashtra is gearing up to welcome Lord Ganesha, let us begin our tour from the land of Shivaji.

Maharashtra

Did you know?

Maharashtra is one of the top states contributing to the GDP.

Mumbai and Pune are the two most popular cities here.

Mumbai is the home to many Bollywood celebrities.

The rich, diverse and vibrant culture is woven into a beautiful quilt. The mountains stretch out into mists as far as eyes can see. The innumerous forts that till date stand proud and strong. The beautiful temples are sculpted out of basalt rocks.

The mesmerizing festivals. The miles of water beaches and how one can forget, Bollywood!

Let us have a look at the places you can visit if you are in Maharashtra:

There are innumerable places to visit, but I have listed some of the best tourist attractions. One should come for a long and pleasant walk to Marine Drive and Juhu Beach. Some eye-capturing sites to see are Gateway of India, Ajanta Caves, Elephanta Caves, and Elephanta Head Points.

It is around August that the celebrations to welcome Lord Ganesha begin. The eleven-day festival begins by bringing Lord Ganesha’s idol home. Large colorful pandals which mark the occasion depict religious and cultural themes.

The 11th day is the time to bid farewell. People take Lord Ganesha’s idol in a procession accompanied with music and dance for immersion to the nearby river, lake, or sea.

Modak is one of the sweet delicacies prepared as it is Lord Ganesha’s favorite.

When speaking of delicacies, this place has lots to offer. The snack items include the lip-smacking pav-bhaji, the Indian version of the burger, or the vada pav. The sweet version of the paratha or the Puran Poli, the misal pav, the shrikhand, and the poha.

There is so much more to taste when you are in Mumbai, I already have my mouth-watering.

It does not matter if you are a Bollywood fan or not. You will be happy to know that Mumbai is the home to so many celebrities. Next time that you are here, you might bump into one of them.

Starting from the Shenshah of Bollywood Amitabh Bachhan to the King of Romance Shahrukh Khan Mumbai is the residence of so many celebs. Salman Khan, Amar Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhat, and the list goes on.

Also, Mumbai is the home of the Indian Billionaire Mukesh Ambani.

Gujarat

Situated on the banks of the Sabarmati River, Gujarat houses some of the best artifacts that the medieval period has to offer. The history of the place speaks for itself.

Also, known as the land of Lord Krishna, Gujarat is the birthplace of the great freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.

You will be amazed to know that our Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to Gujarat. It is from Gujarat that he began his political career.

If you are in Gujarat, some of the must-visit places for you are listed down.

The Somnath Temple or the ‘Lord of the Moon’ is a must-visit. Followed by the Kutch Desert which speaks of grandeur and dates back to history with its tales famous till today. The Gir National Park is one of my all-time favorites.

When you are in Gujarat how you can miss a visit to Dwarka and Saputara? The list is incomplete without the mention of the Statue of Unity. Build in the memory of the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, is one of the finest pieces of architecture that India has to offer.

Ah…When you are in Gujarat, how can you miss the amazing dishes this place has to offer? What else, other than Thepla to begin from. This signature dish is sworn by every Gujarati. No picnic, travel or even business tour is complete without this dish. Next is Khandvi and undhiyu which will cheer your tastebuds.

Oh, how can I forget about the classical combination of Fafda-Jalebi, just the name brings water to one’s mouth. Gujarati Khadi, Mohan thal, and lots more to taste when you are here.

From the great freedom fighters to the Top Politicians today, Gujarat has been home to great Indian Leaders. Our present Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have their roots in this place.

The founder of Tata Group- Jamshedji Tata is born in Gujarat. Truly the place has great names to offer.

Goa

Bounded by the Terekhol River in the North which separates it from Maharashtra, in east and south by Karnataka, and west by the Arabian Sea. Goa is the crown of the Western Part of India. The economy is fueled by tourists all around the year-both from India and abroad.

Goa was liberated from the Portuguese influence in 1961. The evidence of which is present to date in the architecture and cuisine of Goa.

One of the finest places to visit, if you are a tourist to Western India.

Here is a list of places you must visit if you are in Goa. Starting with Calangute Beach which is the largest beach in North Goa. Next, is a Portuguese masterpiece Fort Aguada, followed by the Dudhsagar falls and the Anjuna Beach. If you love beaches just like I do, then Baga Beach and Butterfly Beach should be a must.

Don’t miss out on the water sports like kneeboarding, kite surfing, snorkeling, diving, and much more than the place has to offer. More on to-do lists is the Cruise-in Goa and shopping in the streets to carry back some memories.

Goa also has some great food dominated by spices and flavors to offer. The staple dish in Goa is rice and fish curry along with a rich variety of seafood. You can smell the Portuguese influence in the dishes that they make!

A must-try is the Goan fish curry, chicken cafreal, Goan pork vindaloo, chicken Xacuti, sorak, Prawns Xeque Xeque, and a lot more.

This place is heaven for people who love seafood. Fresh, authentic, and delicious seafood is a must if you ever visit this place in real.

Did you know?

Goa is the native place/town of the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosale.

Madhya Pradesh

Situated right at the heart of the country, this state has no coastline or international frontier. Bounded by the states of Uttar Pradesh to the northeast, Chattisgarh to the southeast, and Gujarat to the southwest.

There are some amazing places to visit if you are in and around Madhya Pradesh. The first on the list is Khajuraho, a world heritage site known for its stunning temples. The next on the list is Bhedaghat, known for the Dhuandar Falls. A mesmerizing cascade of water that falls from a height of 98 feet. Especially if you can enjoy boating under the moonlight, it will be a lifetime experience. The boatmen here are great storytellers and the best time to visit this place is between November to March. Other places on the list are- Pachmarhi, the highest point in Madhya Pradesh. Often known as the Queen of the Satpura Range. Gwalior, a historic city full of temples and forts. Giving the city a majestic charm that speaks volumes about the glorious past.

Two must-visits are Bandhavgarh National Park and the Kanha National Park. The next two places are world heritage sites, which speak about the country’s rich heritage. The Sanchi Stupa- one of the oldest stone structures in India and Ujjain-one of the oldest cities of ancient India.

When you are here, how can you forget about the delicacies this place has to offer?

Starting the day with the super-light Poha, a dish enjoyed by the entire day which is a gift by Madhya Pradesh. The next few items to be enjoyed are Daal Bafla, the seekh kebabs, the Bhopali Gosht Korma, the Chakki ki shaak, and much more.

Jalebi and malpua are the two sweet dishes that should not be missed.

B.R Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution is from Madhya Pradesh. Popular names like Shankar Dayal Sharma (former President of India) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (former Prime Minister of India) belong to Madhya Pradesh. This is just in politics, over time Madhya Pradesh has given India many eminent names in various fields.

Rajasthan- The land of the Maharajas

Rajasthan is a jewel in India’s crown. The land of Maharajas and forts. Of beautiful palaces and tigers and kaleidoscopic festivals.

The history of Rajasthan dates back to pre-historic times. The Rajputs ruled over the land, who fought tirelessly for the freedom of the country.

The tales of bravery of the Rajputana clans are sung to date. True, this royal place has everything unique about itself.

There is a big list of places to visit, and one should not miss anything. Because everything here is beautiful and mesmerizing. Jaipur- the amalgamation of the old and the new is a great start. Followed by Udaipur, the city of the lakes. The next on the list is Jaisalmer- the golden city of Rajasthan. You can enjoy the camel ride to make your experience memorable. Mount Abu, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Alwar and Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh- is a land of forts, citadels, and ruins of immortal folklore of sacrifice and heroism. The Hawa Mahal and the Amer Fort add to your travel experience.

Thus, you see the place has enchanting views and captivating stories for a tourist to get lost into.

Don’t worry this royal place will not starve you if you are here. The royal delicacies are mouth-watering to taste. The land of Maharajas- is a paradise for foodies. The Dal-Bati Churma is the signature dish of this place. The next on the platter is the Mohan Thaal, the Laal Maas, the mawa kachori, the Mirchi vada, Mohan Maas, the kalakand, and much more. Every rich is prepared with a touch of royalty.

The pyaaz ki khachori, the gatte sabzi, kadhi, or the masala chaash. Everything food item be it sweet, savory is way too tasty.

Rajasthan is the birthplace of great warriors, kings, and queens. The list is endless. The tales of heroism are sung in form of movies, songs, and poems and will always be glorified with pride.

The Legendary musician Jagjit Singh is from Rajasthan.

Chattisgarh

Carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1st November 2020 is the 26th State of the Indian Union. Chattisgarh-finds mention in Ramayana and Mahabharata, the two epics of India.

A lot of beautiful places are there for you to visit. Let us see what this place has to offer?

The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Chattisgarh. Jagdalpur, a beautiful and naturally bountiful city. The next place to visit is – Charre Marre Waterfalls. Sirpur- an archaeological wonder and a must-visit. Mainpat- a beautiful hill station with green pastures, deep valleys, and breath-taking waterfalls. Also, the Chitrakote Falls, the Madku Dweep, and the Dhamtari should be on your list.

Chattisgarh has many beautiful temples and natural beauty to offer.

You can taste a variety of dishes like muthia, aamat, chila, bhajia and much more. The sabudana ki kichdi, Bara and faraa are a must-have. How can one miss the tilgud? Last but not least is the khurma to end things on a sweet note.

Chattisgarh has been the hometown of many social activists and two eminent scientists- namely, Atanu Kumar Pati and John Willam Theodore Youngs.

The West has a lot more to offer- and is the home to unsung personalities of both ancient and modern India. The virtual tour- will provide a glimpse of the history, culture, and heritage of the region of the country.

No doubt that this place has problems of its own. Some that the government is addressing and some not highlighted. But aren’t problems a part of life and no place excluded from that?

Talking of Maharashtra, the major problems are uncontrolled migration, water scarcity, and lack of proper infrastructure. Every year people migrate to Mumbai and Pune for better education and job opportunities. As a result, natural resources are getting depleted. There is water scarcity because of poor management and surplus demand. Moreover, the Marathi language and heritage are getting lost.

The government is taking steps and trying to come up with alternatives. Also, we as a country should develop so that proper job and education facilities are available all across the country. So people will not need to migrate from their cities.

Gujarat is a dry state. It faces water issues. Water requirements for agriculture and other requirements are difficult to meet. Gujarat also lacks good education facilities. Another problem that is of rising concern is the security of the lower classes.

Our Prime Minister and Home Minister belong from Gujarat. This place has a lot of potentials. Problems and hardships are also here. Hopefully, in the coming years, the people and the local government will be able to resolve the issues.

Goa is the smallest state but has the highest tourist inflow throughout the year. It is blessed with immense natural resources.

Mining and tourism contribute to the major GDP of Goa.

Two major problems faced by this place are illegal mining activities and cultural deterioration. Illegal mining results in the depletion of natural resources and damages the environment. In the long run, this kind of activity has a lot of negative impacts. Because of high tourist flow and a lot of outsiders coming for stay and vacation, this place is losing its culture. Also, everything is getting commercialized which damages the authenticity of the place.

Our heritage and natural resources are our responsibility. We must ensure correct usage of the resources so that no exploitation is there. Moreover, the government should come up with strict policies to stop illegal activities.

Madhya Pradesh has the highest forest cover in the country. Also, it has a large tribal population. Deforestation and displacement of tribal population is a big concern of this place. Many other problems like development and demography issues are there.

The people need to be conscious and aim to protect and preserve their natural resources. The tribal people have the right to live like every one of us. We can’t take away their shelter for our greed.

The State and the Central Government should make strict policies to preserve and protect the resources of the country.

When talking about Chhattisgarh, it is carved out of Madhya Pradesh. One of the main concerns to date is Naxalism. The active presence of anti-social groups is a constant threat to the government. The government has not been able to enforce law and order on the state, even after 18 years of foundation. Poor connectivity and transport facilities led to the slow development of the place. Also, a lot of tourists flow in every year because of the ancient heritage. But the government pays no interest in preserving and rejuvenating these sites.

Industrialization is slow and migration from other states like Jharkhand for better jobs is very high. Therefore, the state is not developing despite having resources and potential.

Rajasthan is the largest and driest state in the country. Having a rich cultural heritage, this region is the pride of the country. But it has problems of its own. Being a dry state, there is a water shortage and water is directly proportional to agriculture and development. The rate of corruption is fairly high. Many social problems like child marriage, ghoonghat pratha still prevail. Issues of casteism are very strong. As a result, the lower classes are subjected to social injustices. If you try to understand, you will realize that to date people here are afraid of the western culture. So, the social stigmas still prevail.

The government and the society together need to work hand in hand to develop and resolve the issues.

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