North India refers to a set ofstates like Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh and Uttaranchal which are situated in the northern-peninsular region of the Republic of India. North India plays a significant role in shaping the course of India’s history due to its strategic location and cultural evolution since the time of human settlement in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Whose fertile soils and perennial rivers played a very important role in the permanent settlement early human being. North India was the fountain head of the great religions of the world – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism – were born and spread to all the parts of India and the world. The great Himalayas are situated in north India which separates the Indian sub-continent from the rest of Asia. From the begining the north India was the centre of conflict among the different powers like Mauryan, Gupta, Mughals, British and many others to control the entire subcontinent of India.
Tourist Attractions of North India
The diversity and intermixing of different cultures and religions in North India has become more dynamic and centre of attractions for its States. Uttar Pradesh is known as “one of the most ancient and diverse states of India”;Rajasthan is known as the “Desert Jewel of India”; Punjab is known as the “granary of India”; Delhi the capital of India is an epitome of the whole history of Indo-Islamic culture; Uttaranchal is known for its beautiful hill stations; Himachal Pradesh as the place of “nature at its best”; Jammu & Kashmir is blessed as “the paradise on earth”. The other attractions of North India are forts and monuments, wildlife tours, fairs and festivals, adventure tourism of north India, pilgrimage centres, Ayurveda & meditation and north India train travel.
World Heritage Sites in North India
Since the time immemorial, India is considered as mosaic of different beliefs, faiths, doctrines and cultures. The Aryans, Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, Arabs, Afghans, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British visited this part of India and with the passage of time they assimilate the very culture of India and became one without losing the peculiarity of their own culture. It was this peculiarity that makes Indian art and culture so vibrant which is still reflected in the forms of historical monuments and other architectures. Out of 29 world Heritage sites in India, north India has 13 sites to her credit. All these world heritage sites of north India are the source of attractions especially for the international tourists. Among them, seven wonder of the world Taj Mahal of Agra, built by Shah Johan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal! Other World Heritage Sites of north India are Agra Fort a reflection of distinct Mughal style of art and architecture, Fatehpur Sikri, Humayun's Tomb, Khajuraho, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Delhi, Keoladeo National Park, Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers, Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, Sanchi, Champaner, Kalka-Shimla railway etc.
Religious Tourism of North India
The holy pilgrimage tour to Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri combinedly known as Chardham, Kailash Mansarovar and many other sacred places attracts religious tourists from all over the world. Some of the famous places of religious tourism are Vaishno Devi Yatra to Jammu & Kashmir which is devoted to Mata Vaishno Devi; Golden Temple of Punjab which is devoted to Sri Harmandir Sahib; Ajmer for Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti called as Gharib Nawaz in Rajasthan; Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh are devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu respectively; Char Dham is devoted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Ganga & Yamuna; Buddhist pilgrimage centres at Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Spiti, Lahaul and Dharmashala in Himachal Pradesh, and Leh Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir make north India the prime attractions of pilgrimage tourism.
