Culture
The Regions of India: North, South, East, West and Northeast
From Himalayan peaks to Kerala's backwaters, each region of India has its own food, festivals, languages and character. A warm tour of a remarkable country.
North India
Home of Delhi, the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan's palaces and the Himalayas. Food is rich and wheat-based — butter chicken, parathas, chole bhature. Hindi and Punjabi are widely spoken, and Diwali and Holi are celebrated with spectacular color.
South India
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — towering temples, tea hills, backwaters and India's tech capital, Bengaluru. Meals center on rice: dosa, idli, sambar and fragrant coconut curries, often served on a banana leaf.
East India
West Bengal, Odisha and Bihar — the land of poets and thinkers. Kolkata gave the world Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray. Durga Puja is one of the world's great festivals, and Bengali sweets like rasgulla are loved everywhere.
West India
Mumbai, Gujarat and Goa — business, beaches and Bollywood. Gujarat is famous for vegetarian thalis and the Navratri dance garba, while Goa blends Indian and Portuguese culture with seafood and old churches.
Northeast India
Eight green, mountainous states including Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland — tea gardens, living root bridges and over a hundred tribal cultures. Nagaland's Hornbill Festival is a joyful showcase of music, dance and tradition.
One India
The Indian saying 'unity in diversity' fits perfectly. Despite the differences in food, language and dress, Indians share a deep warmth toward guests — 'Atithi Devo Bhava', the guest is god.