Until the mid-twentieth century, India was considered a country with a low level of urbanization. Most of its citizens were rural residents. A few cities, such as Allahabad, Varanasi, Delhi, Patna, were the focus ancient culture, which arose at the dawn of civilization. In the 1980s, the country experienced an urban boom. Large cities have sharply crossed the million mark. New urban agglomerations have also emerged. What are the largest cities in India in terms of area or population? We will consider a list of such subjects in this article. For now, let’s just say that India ranks second in the world in terms of the number of city residents. It is second only to China in this indicator.
Dynamics of urbanization level growth
At the very beginning of the twentieth century, there were not even two thousand cities in the vast country. Now their number has more than doubled. In 1991, there were more than 4,700 of them. But it is not because of the number of cities that India is “breathing down the neck” of China. The urban settlements themselves are swelling by leaps and bounds. Two thirds of the country's total population live in large agglomerations. But back in 1901, only Calcutta alone could boast of a million inhabitants. But already in 1911, Bombay (present-day Mumbai) crossed this line. In the middle of the century, India already had five million people, in 1981 - twelve, and ten years later - twenty-three. The country celebrated the beginning of this century with 34 huge megacities, twelve of which had populations of more than two million. The number of Indian cities with a population exceeding 500 thousand will soon exceed 300. Below we will look at the top 5 largest metropolitan areas in the country.
The largest cities in India by population
The list of the country's greatest cities is topped by Mumbai. Previously, this city was located on seven small islands in the Arabian Sea. But now the former Bombay is also taking over the vast mainland. The islands have long been welded together by numerous bridges. The rapid growth of the population began with the construction of a cotton factory by the British in 1851. Then hired workers from the countryside came to the city and settled in it. Now the metropolis in the state of Maharashtra has a population (as of 2011 census) of 12,478,447. The remaining megacities included in the top 5 “most big cities India", were distributed as follows. The second position is the capital of the country, Delhi, with a population of eleven million people. This is followed by Chennai in Tamil Nadu (8,425,970), Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh (6,809,970) and Bangalore in Karnataka (5,570,585). There are also more than fifteen megacities in India, where there are from one and a half to five million inhabitants.
Mumbai is the most populous city in India
First, seven islands in the Arabian Sea were captured by the Portuguese. This happened in 1534. But already in 1660 they became part of the dowry of the Portuguese princess who married the British King Charles II. The British contributed in every possible way to the growth of the city. All the islands were connected to each other and to the mainland by earthen dams. The historical part of Mumbai is located in the south. There is an ancient fort and the famous “Gateway of India” built in the Hindu-Muslim style. The administrative quarters are located near Malabar Hill. Southern Islands By appearance reminiscent of a European metropolis. In the north, the traveler will find slums, narrow streets and a minimum of infrastructure. The mainland and port parts are occupied by industrial enterprises. Together with the surrounding area, the agglomeration is inhabited by about twenty million people. Thus, Mumbai deservedly received the title of the largest city in India.
Delhi
During the colonization of India, the British, as a rule, built a new European part, leaving the local inhabitants a confusing labyrinth ancient streets. It so happened that big cities India consists of two distinctly different halves. In Delhi this division is especially clear. This city on the banks of the Jumna has been the capital of various states for many centuries. Fate itself was destined for him to lead the independent republic of India. Although in 1911 the population of Delhi including its suburbs was only 214 thousand people. Now the agglomeration numbers about fifteen million. Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) is a chaotic development with shops, handicraft workshops, bazaars, Hindu temples and mosques. The main street of this part of the city is Chandi Chowk (Silver). One end of it abuts the famous Lal Qila (Red Fort). New Delhi was built south of Old Delhi in 1911 according to the design of Edwin Lutyens. It was conceived and implemented as a “garden city”. Avenues with a radial-ring layout radiate from Cannaut Square. The government quarter of Rashtra-Pati Bhavan is located in New Delhi.
Kolkata
The name of this city in India, more familiar to Europeans, is Calcutta. The metropolis is located in the Ganges delta, at the confluence of the Hooghly. The city was formed in 1690 on the site of three villages by Job Charnock, an employee of the British East India Company. Calcutta experienced rapid growth from 1773 to 1911. It was then the capital of the colony of British India. When Bangladesh was formed in 1947, the industries previously closely associated with East Bengal began to decline. And with the transfer of the capital to Delhi, the growth of Kolkata slowed down completely. However, it still holds the position of the second industrial city of India. The contrasts in the standard of living of the population are also most noticeable here. More than half a million people are homeless.
Chennai
Until recently, the name of this large city in India was different - Madras. It was founded in 1639 by the British as the southernmost fort of the East India Company. The city stretches along the Bay of Bengal for twenty kilometers. Local beach Marina is considered one of the best in the world. Chennai, like Kolkata, is a city of contrasts. Entire blocks are huddled next to luxurious skyscrapers square kilometers slum About thirty percent of the residents of this metropolis are deprived of any sanitary and hygienic conditions. Chennai is the capital of the Tamil Nadu province. Cars, bicycles, and carriages are produced here.
Hyderabad and Bangalore
These major Indian cities are not alike. Hyderabad is famous for its centuries-old history. The city has many temples (Hindu, Islamic, Christian), palaces and examples of colonial architecture. It was once the capital of the Nizams - rulers who became rich in the diamond trade. They say that even their clothes were woven from gold threads and studded with pearls. Hyderabad is a recognized center of Islamic culture in the country. Bangalore is the complete opposite. It was electrified earlier than other big cities in India. And now it houses the centers of knowledge-intensive companies. Because of this, Bangalore received its second name - the Silicon Valley of India. A large flow of tourists traditionally flocks to this city, which is why it is also called the capital of pubs.
Distant India is of great interest to tourists. This country has thousands of ancient attractions that will be of interest to any traveler. India is the birthplace of religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. However, millions of foreign tourists come to India every year not only, for example, to visit the places where Buddha preached. India now has a large number of attractions, spa resorts, as well as ski and beach resorts.
Geography of India
India is located in South Asia. India is bordered in the west by Pakistan, in the northeast by China, Nepal and Bhutan, and in the east by Myanmar and Bangladesh. In the south India is washed Indian Ocean, in the southwest - the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. The total area of this country is 3,287,590 square meters. km, including islands, and the total length of the state border is 15,106 km.
India owns several islands. The largest of them are the Laccadive, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.
It stretches across the territory of India from north to northeast mountain system Himalayas. The most high peak in India - Mount Kanchenjunga, whose height reaches 8,856 meters.
In India there are several very big rivers– Indus (its length is 3,180 km) and Ganges (its length is 2,700 km). Other Indian rivers include the Brahmaputra, Yamuna and Koshi.
Capital
The capital of India is New Delhi, which is now home to about 350 thousand people. New Delhi became the capital of India at the beginning of the 20th century. The “old” city in New Delhi was built in the mid-17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, ruler of the Mughal Empire.
Official language
The official language in India is Hindi. In its turn English language is "auxiliary state language" in India. In addition, 21 more languages have official status in this country.
Religion
More than 80% of India's population professes Hinduism. More than 13% of the population of this country are Muslims, more than 2.3% are Christians, about 2% are Sikhs, and 0.7% are Buddhists.
Government of India
According to the current Constitution of 1950, India is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by a special board for a 5-year term (this board consists of deputies of parliament and members of state councils).
The parliament in India is bicameral - the Council of States (245 deputies) and the House of the People (545 deputies). Executive power in this country belongs to the President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
The main political parties in India are the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India, the National People's Party, etc.
Climate and weather
The climate in India varies from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north. The climate in India is greatly influenced by the Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and the Thar Desert.
There are three seasons in India:
- from March to June – summer
- from July to October – monsoons
- from November to February - winter
The average annual air temperature in India is +25.3C. The hottest month in India is May, when the average maximum air temperature is +41C. The coldest month is January, when the average minimum temperature is +7C. The average annual precipitation is 715 mm.
Average air temperature in New Delhi:
January - +14C
- February - +17C
- March - +22C
- April - +28C
- May - +34C
- June - +34C
- July - +31C
- August - +30C
- September - +29C
- October - +26C
- November - +20C
- December - +15C
Seas and oceans of India
In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. General coastline in India, including the islands, is more than 7.5 thousand km.
Average sea temperature near Goa, India:
January - +28C
- February - +28C
- March - +28C
- April - +29C
- May - +30C
- June - +29С
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +28C
- October - +29С
- November - +29C
- December - +29C
Rivers and lakes
In India there are two river systems with different feeding regimes. These are the Himalayan rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra, etc.) and rivers flowing into the ocean - Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.
One of the longest rivers in the world, the Indus, whose length is 3,180 km, also flows through India.
As for lakes, there are not very many of them in India, but, nevertheless, some of them are very beautiful. The largest Indian lakes are Chilika, Sambhar, Koleru, Loktak, and Wular.
Story
Neolithic human settlements on the territory of modern India appeared approximately 8 thousand years ago. In 2500-1900 BC. in Western India there was the first urban culture, which formed around the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dhalavira.
In 2000-500 BC. Hinduism spreads in India, and during the same period a caste system begins to take shape there, consisting of priests, warriors, and free peasants. Subsequently, castes of merchants and servants were formed.
Around the 5th century BC. In India there were already 16 independent states - Mahajanapadas. At the same time, two religions were formed - Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and Jainism, founded by Mahavira.
In the 6th century BC. some territories of India were conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century the troops of Alexander the Great conquered some of the northwestern parts of this country.
In the 2nd century BC. The Mauryan kingdom reaches its peak, having conquered several neighboring Indian states.
In the 1st century BC. Indian kingdoms traded with Ancient Rome. In the 7th century, most of the Indian kingdoms were united by King Harsha into a single state.
In 1526, the Mughal Empire was founded on the territory of modern India, whose rulers were the descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.
In the 17th-19th centuries, the territory of modern India was ruled by the English East India Company, which even had its own army.
In 1857, the so-called “The Revolt of the Sepoys,” whose discontent was precisely caused by the East India Company. After the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny, the British liquidated the East India Company, and India became a colony of the British Empire.
In the 1920s, a massive national liberation movement against British rule began in India. In 1929, Great Britain gave India dominion rights, but this did not help the British. In 1947, Indian independence was declared. Some Indian territories later became the independent state of Pakistan.
India was admitted to the UN back in 1945 (though at that time this country was still British India).
Culture
India is a country with a huge cultural heritage. Indian culture has had (and continues to have) an influence not only on neighboring countries, but also to other states located far from it.
There is still a caste system of society in India, thanks to which Indian culture retains all its traditional values.
Indian traditions are expressed through music and dance. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
We recommend that tourists in India definitely see local festivals and parades, of which there are a lot. During festivals, there are often elephant parades, musical performances, tiger dances, fireworks, distribution of sweets, etc. The most famous Indian festivals are the Onam festival (dedicated to the memory of the mythical king Bali), the Tea Festival in Kolkata, Diwali, Ratha Yatra (Festival of Chariots), Dussehra in Delhi, the Ganapati Festival in honor of god Ganesh.
Also worth noting is the interesting festival of sisters and brothers, Raksha Bandhan, celebrated every year in July. On this day, sisters tie scarves and ribbons around their brothers’ wrists, which protect them from evil forces. In turn, the brothers give their sisters various gifts and vow to protect them.
Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine is famous all over the world for its use of spices. It was thanks to the Indians that various seasonings and spices, including black pepper and curry, became widespread in the world.
India is a very large country, and therefore it is not surprising that each region has its own culinary traditions. However, all regions of India are characterized by the consumption of rice. This product is the basis of Indian cuisine.
It is generally accepted that the inhabitants of India are vegetarians, as required by their religious teachings. However, in fact, quite popular in India meat dishes, because there are also Muslims in this country. The most famous Indian meat dish is “tandoori chicken,” when chicken is marinated in spices and then baked in a special oven. Other famous Indian meat dishes are “biryani” (chicken with rice), “gushtaba” (meatballs stewed in yogurt with spices).
In general, meat dishes are most often included in the diet of residents of northern India. Fish and seafood are popular in coastal areas, while vegetables are popular in southern India.
We also recommend that tourists in India try dal puree soup, naan wheat flatbread, sabji vegetable stew, chapati and samba rice cakes, kitchari (stewed rice with mung bean and spices), jalebi "(pancakes in syrup), "rasgulla" (curd balls), "gulab jamun" (yogurt with flour and almonds).
Traditional non-alcoholic Indian drinks are “dhai” (yogurt or yogurt), “raita” (yogurt with mint and grated cucumber).
Sights of India
There are so many attractions in India that it is difficult for us to select the most interesting ones. Perhaps, in our opinion, the top ten best Indian attractions include the following:
Construction of the Red Fort in Delhi began in 1638 and ended in 1648. This fortification was built by order of the emperor of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan. The Red Fort is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by order of Shah Jahan, the emperor of the Mughal Empire. This mausoleum was built by 20 thousand people over 20 years. The Taj Mahal is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Qutub Minar in Delhi
The height of this brick minaret is 72.6 meters. Its construction lasted from 1193 to 1368.
Elephant Cave near Mumbai
The Elephant Cave houses an underground temple of Shiva with her sculptures. It was built several thousand years ago. Now the Elephant Cave is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The first small temple on the territory of the modern city of Hampi was built back in the 7th century AD. Gradually other religious buildings were built around it, and after some time there was already a huge beautiful temple complex.
Harmandir Sahib is better known as the “Golden Temple”. This is the most important religious building for Sikhs. Construction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar began in the 16th century. In the 19th century, the upper floors of this temple were covered with gold.
Buddhist monks began building their Ajanta caves around the 2nd century BC. These caves were abandoned around 650 AD. It was only in 1819 that the British accidentally stumbled upon the Ajanta Caves. To this day, unique frescoes have been preserved in these caves, telling about the life of people in the distant past.
This fort was built near the city of Amber in 1726. According to legend, once upon a time the largest cannon in the world was located in the Jaigarh fort (it can still be seen, since the ancient fort is now a museum).
Raj Ghat Palace in Delhi
Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated in this palace.
Pearl Mosque in Agra
This mosque in Agra was built in the mid-17th century under Emperor Shah Jahan. No, there are no pearls in this mosque, its domes just sparkle very much in the sun.
Cities and resorts
The largest Indian cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, and Kanpur.
India has a large number of beautiful sea resorts with magnificent beaches. The sand on Indian beaches is white and fine. The most popular beach resort in India is Goa. Among other Indian beach resorts, the following should definitely be mentioned: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, as well as beaches on the Andaman, Nicobar and Laccadive Islands.
India has several ski resorts that are considered the best in Asia. Of course, with ski slopes Austria, Italy and Switzerland winter resorts India can't compare. However, for those travelers who love skiing and who at the same time want to get to know the unique India, a holiday at Indian ski resorts will be remembered forever.
Most Popular ski resorts in India - Auli, Dayara-Bugayal, Mundali, Munsiari, Solang, Narkanda, Kufri, and Gulmarg. By the way, the skiing season in India lasts from mid-December to mid-May.
Many foreign tourists come to India to relax at spa resorts. Indian spa centers offer various Ayurvedic programs to clients. Among such spa resorts we should first of all name Beach & Lake, Ayurma, and Ananda.
Souvenirs/shopping
Before you go to India, think about what you want to buy there. Otherwise, Indian traders in bazaars and shops will sell you many different unnecessary goods, and you will lose thousands of rupees. We recommend that tourists from India bring Indian tea, various incense, bracelets (glass, metal, precious metals), amulets, talismans, souvenirs made of marble (for example, a small marble Taj Mahal), scarves, shawls, saris (traditional Indian dress ), leather shoes, sets of Indian dry spice mixtures, henna paint, carpets, musical instruments (for example, drums or an elegant wooden flute).
Office hours
While the Taj Mahal shines with majestic marble brilliance, the Meenakshi Amman Temple is bursting with vibrant colors. It is located in the South-Eastern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the city of Madurai, which is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world, operating for more than two thousand years.
Photo: Pabloneco on Flickr
Photo: Bryce Edwards on Flickr
It is based on something extraordinary - the temple of the Hindu goddess Parvati, wife of the god Shiva. The entire temple complex is guarded by towers known as gopuras. The tallest of these is the south tower, which was erected in 1559 and is over 170 feet high. And the oldest tower is considered to be the eastern tower, founded in 1216, that is, it was built several centuries before Columbus set off to discover distant lands.
Jantar Mantar
Photo: Guy Incognito on Flickr
The remarkable complex of structures looks like a set for a planet distant from Earth from a science-fiction blockbuster. But in fact, these are instruments developed and used in Jaipur for observing celestial bodies. They were built by order of the Maharaja in the first decades of the 18th century and are still in use today.
Photo: McKay Savage on Flickr
Photo: Philip Cope on Flickr
Jai Singh II was born in 1688 and became Maharaja at the age of eleven, but inherited a kingdom that was on the verge of impoverishment. The Kingdom of Amber (later Jaipur) was in dire straits, with cavalry numbering less than a thousand men. But on his thirtieth birthday, the ruler built Jantar Mantar.
Kumbalgarh - Great Wall of India
This is the second largest continuous wall on our planet. Some call it after the fort it surrounds - Kumbulgarh, while others call it the Great Wall of India. Surprisingly, such an outstanding building is little known outside its region.
Photo: Lamentables on Flickr
Photo: Beth on Flickr
The wall extends for 36 kilometers. In many images you can mistake her for the Great Chinese wall. However, many centuries and cultural differences lay between them. Work on the creation of Kumbalgarh began only in 1443 - just fifty years before Columbus sailed Atlantic Ocean to make amazing discoveries on the other side.
Karni Mata Temple
Photo: alschim on Flickr
From the outside, the Karni Mata Hindu temple, located in the small town of Deshnok in the Indian province of Rajasthan, looks like any other. But the beautifully and ornately decorated shrine with a constant stream of devotees holds a surprise for unsuspecting visitors. The temple is inhabited by thousands of rats.
Photo: owenstache on Flickr
Photo: micbaun on Flickr
Rodents are not random inhabitants of the temple. The parishioners especially take care of food for the rats, as they are here in memory of the legendary woman - Karni Mata.
Jodhpur - blue city of India
Photo: bodoluy on Flickr
Travelers brave the arid landscape of the Thar Desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan to reach this place. It seems that here the sky fell to the ground and everything became the same color - blue. Jodhpur stretches out before you like blue treasures in the middle of the desert.
Photo: Christopher Walker on Flickr
Photo: Il Fatto on Flickr
According to one version, the population Blue City paints their houses various shades of blue due to the prevailing caste system in India. Brahmins belong to the highest Indian caste, and the blue color makes their homes stand out from other people.
Lech Palace
Photo: watchsmart on Flickr
In the early years of the seventeenth century, the king of the Ladakh kingdom, Sange Namgyal, ordered the construction of this huge palace. It is located at the top of the Himalayas in the city of Leh, now in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The building served as the home of a dynasty of rulers until their overthrow and expulsion in 1834. Since then, the high Lech Palace has been abandoned. However, it stands majestically in this region of India, often called Little Tibet.
Photo: teseum on Flickr
Photo: Matt Werner on Flickr
It is believed to have been modeled after the more famous Potala Palace in neighboring Tibet, which served as the residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, when he left the country. Leh Palace is smaller than the Potala Palace, but its nine-story structure is still impressive. The upper floors were occupied by King Namgyal, his family and crowds of courtiers. The lower floors housed servants, storage rooms and stables.
Living Bridges Meghalaya
Photo: Ashwin Mudigonda on Flickr
Our understanding of India, with its population of more than a billion people, is often limited by statistics. However, there are places in this subcontinent that remain virtually inaccessible. The state of Meghalaya in the northeast of the country is rich in subtropical forests. To move around this area, local residents resorted to an ingenious form of natural engineering - living bridges from roots.
Photo: Rajkumar1220 on Flickr
Photo: ARshiya Bose on Flickr
With every rain, river fording becomes very dangerous, and this is one of the wettest places on the planet. Steady rainfall combined with rugged topography, steep slopes and dense deciduous forests turn many areas of Meghalaya into impenetrable jungles. But the inventive and resourceful local population created a unique system of natural suspension bridges.
Ajanta Caves
Photo: Ashok66 on Flickr
Two thousand two hundred years ago, work began on an extensive series of cave monuments in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Over the course of hundreds of years, thirty-one monuments were carved out of rock here. Around 1000 AD, the monks gradually abandoned the cave complex and it fell into disrepair. The overgrown dense jungle hid the caves from human eyes.
Photo: Franekn on Flickr
India is among largest countries on the planet. Along with China, it is considered a dynamically developing state and ranks second in the world in terms of population. The United Nations believes that by 2050, India will overtake China to become the world's most populous country. The annual population growth rate is approaching 2%, while China's population growth is 1.4%. India is a huge country consisting of 29 states, 6 union territories, more than 600 districts and 7900 cities and towns. The largest cities in India amaze with their dense population, vibrant activity and at the same time enchant with their architecture, monuments, and landscapes.
Big cities in India:
Mumbai
The financial capital of the country and the economic center in India is Mumbai, formerly Bombay. The headquarters of a number of multinational companies, large industrial houses and financial corporations are located here, which makes the city attractive for making money and attracting foreign employees. Mumbai is home to the Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India.
Its convenient location on the shores of the Arabian Sea has turned the metropolis into a bustling and prosperous port. Thanks to its history and diversity architectural styles, Mumbai attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world. The Indian “city of dreams” is the birthplace of Bollywood, a thriving film industry similar to American Hollywood.
Delhi
One of the most ancient cities in the world, and now the capital of India, is the city of Delhi. Historical monuments of this city are unique heritage and are of high archaeological value. Delhi has been destroyed and rebuilt many times.
The city is two different worlds- ancient and modern. Old Delhi consists of narrow streets and mosques. New City is home to government offices, including the Houses of Parliament, making it a diplomatic and governmental center. Modern Delhi is a bustling metropolis and the second densest populated city in the country.
India Gate, Red Fort, Lotus Temple are the main attractions of the capital of India, which make Delhi a popular holiday destination for both tourists and the local population.
Bangalore
Bangalore has official name Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka state and the third most populous Indian city. Received the title of capital after the liberation of India from British colonial rule.
Many decades ago, Bangalore was a tiny place, but with the development of information technology, many residents of neighboring cities and villages moved here permanently in search of income and professional prospects. Modern city Bangalore is at the forefront of the telecom and software industry.
Compared to other metropolitan cities in India, it boasts of cleanliness and abundance of vegetation. It is not for nothing that the city was given the name “garden city”.
Chennai
Chennai is located on the Bay of Bengal on the Coromandel Coast in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city was originally called Madras. Chennai is often compared to Detroit in the US for its key role in the Indian automobile industry. This place is famous for its education system and has the most high level literacy in India. Chennai is known as the “Gateway to South India” and is rich in rivers, lakes and canals. The city has many modern architectural structures and ancient temples built in the 7th and 8th centuries.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh and is known as the “City of Pearls”. Its rapid growth and development is driven by new business opportunities in light manufacturing, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.
It is home to two of the largest film studios in the country - Tollywood and Ramoji. The latter is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest film studio in the world.
Hyderabad is also famous for its cinema with the world's largest IMAX 3D screen.
Tourists are attracted by such attractions as the Mecca Masjid Mosque, the Arc de Triomphe of the East, and the magnificent palace complexes of Chaumahallai Phalakunum.
Hydabarad is home to the largest Nehru Zoo in India and South Asia.
Calcutta
Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal and a river port in the Ganges delta. The largest commercial city in eastern India and the center of numerous private and public sector companies. It has a developed infrastructure and is proud of its rich culture. Kolkata is one of the friendliest cities in India. The most famous attraction is the Kali Temple, which is an important sacred place for Hindus.
However, the city has a number of environmental problems; many areas are striking in their poverty.
Surat
Surat is a city in the state of Gujarat and is considered an important diamond exporter in the country and a major textile manufacturing city. Surat is also the hub of various giant corporations that contribute greatly to the city's economy. The dynamics of its development are one of the fastest growing in the world.
Indian festivals are often held here, distinguished by their brightness and enchantment - a holiday kites, Ganesh Chaturhi, Diwali, Navratri.
Pune
Pune - cultural capital state of Maharashtra. It is one of the fastest growing cities in India and ranks second in the country in terms of quality of life, second only to Hyderabad. The city is located on east coast India is just a few hours away from Mumbai.
Pune is a major cultural and arts center and also has an important economic segment in the information technology and automobile industries. Jawaharlal Nehru once described Pune as the "Oxford and Cambridge of India" as the city is considered the main educational and scientific center of the country.
Jaipur
Jaipur is located in the state of Rajasthan. It is the center of numerous international companies. Known as the "Pink City" due to the pink color of the stones used in construction. Due to such unique architecture, Jaipur is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It is the largest city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan and is part of the famous Golden Triangle of India.
The city's main attractions include:
- Jal Mahal is a unique floating palace, 4 floors of which are completely submerged in water; tourists can only observe the upper floors of the building; you can only get here by boat.
- Nahargarh Fort.
- Jantar observatory building Matara.
Cities of Goa
India is known for its countless exotic beaches. The state of Goa is the most popular place among the tourist destinations, located in the western part of India. It attracts a large number of foreign travelers with its beautiful beaches, scenic spots and historical monuments.
This state has a unique combination of Indian and Portuguese culture. By Indian standards, it is the smallest state and is divided into southern and northern regions.
Panaji
Panaji is the capital of the state of Goa, its political, educational and cultural center. There are no skyscrapers in Panaji, and old colonial buildings coexist with modern buildings. Despite its status as the capital, the city ranks third in India in terms of population.
There is a wide range of entertainment in Panaji:
- casino on board a small luxury liner;
- bus tour of the city at night, including river cruise down the river;
- evening boat cruise.
On the western side of the city is the Kampala district, which is considered its cultural center. There are dance, theater and music programs, art exhibitions and show productions.
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama is a port city on west coast state of Goa. The city was named after the Portuguese explorer and his former viceroy Vasco da Gama and is better known as Vasco. The city is a key shipping center, with more than 30% of ore exported from this port. Wasco is the only city in the state that is well connected by road, rail, sea and by air with other settlements.
Numerous leather, textile and jewelry shops decorate the city market, while a long line of cafes and music stores give it a festive atmosphere.
Mapusa
Mapusa is the main commercial center North Goa after Panaji. Traditionally, every Friday a bazaar opens in Mapusa. Unlike other markets oriented more towards tourists, the Mapusa fair has local flavor and specializes in the sale of agricultural products.
Margao
Margao is the second largest city in India Goa state, which is 33 km from the capital Panaji. It is surrounded by fertile agricultural land.
The city was once a major religious center with dozens of rich temples and magnificent examples of Portuguese churches. Train Station Margao is the largest and most important railway junction in the state. It is located at the intersection of the Konkan and South-Western railways. railway, it is called the “Gateway of South Goa”.
Margao has a quaint charm and beautiful examples of Portuguese architecture. A favorite destination for tourists traveling to Margao is nearby beach Colva.
Modern megacities and ancient cities India combines the grace and beauty of Indian-Portuguese architecture, ancient monuments and many colonial-style churches. India is unique and unique country, which managed to preserve the power and rich heritage of the ancient civilization.
What associations do you have when you mention a country like India? Surely these are some kind of mystical images, symbols that excite the minds and imagination. Visiting major cities in India will definitely give you more than just good memories and experiences. After all, here even the most ordinary things are perceived in a new way, let alone the exotic. No one can resist her charms.
India
This is a South Asian state consisting of 28 states, each of which has its own national characteristics. The seven union territories of India are under central jurisdiction. The country is located within three geographical regions of striking beauty: the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Himalayan mountains and on the Hindustan Peninsula. The local climate is comfortable at any time of the year, depending on the purpose of the trip, so they are popular all year round. So, let's take a closer look at the large and truly ancient cities of India.
New Delhi - capital
It is here that all the main government agencies of the country are located. In 1991, New Delhi's population was 294,000 inhabitants. The city is divided into two parts: Old and New. Old Delhi in ancient times was the capital of Indian Muslim state, so there are many old forts, monuments, mosques. New Delhi is riddled with long, shady boulevards - this place is the grave of many empires and the birthplace of the republic, so every visitor feels an incomprehensible and fascinating mixture of new and old in the air.
Agra
Many cities in India were previously the residence of various empires. Agra, for example, was the capital of Agra Fort, which was repeatedly mentioned in literary works and captured on feature films. It was in this city that the monument to “immortal love” - the Taj Mahal - found its place. This white marble tomb, looking the same as it did 2.5 centuries ago, is the tourist emblem of India and the most extravagant monument to human love. was erected by Emperor Shah Jahan for his second wife, who died in 1631 during the birth of her 14th child.
Jaipur
Considering all the cities in India, this one stands out for its pink hue. Most of the buildings in the old part of Jaipur, by order of Maharaja Ram Singh, were painted in pink color, symbolizing hospitality. This was done to meet the Prince of Wales. Among the countless attractions of this Indian city, the most notable are the Palace of the Winds, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort.
Mumbai or Bombay
It is the largest metropolis in the country. If we consider all the coastal cities of India, then Mumbai is the youngest of them. About 15 million people live here. Basic tourist area The city is called Colaba. Life in this place is in full swing: countless hotels, restaurants and shops. Bombay is the capital of Indian cinema, the commercial and financial center of the country. Arriving here, you should definitely see the Gateway of India, the Marine Drive embankment and the most beautiful train station in Asia - Victoria. Have a magical trip!
