Top 10 most visited states of India by foreign tourists

India is a land where verbatim, thousands of different cultures thrive.

1) Tamil Nadu

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 6,074,345

This state is blessed exceptionally with a high number of temples along with a vast coastline and very beautiful hill-stations. It presents architectures which date back to the 2nd and the 3rd centuries but are still well-maintained. There are many popular tourist attractions in Tamil Nadu. Ooty referred to as the “Queen of Hill Stations”, does justice to its title. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway here is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Chennai is one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu. It bounds in temples, churches and breathtaking beaches. Marina Beach here is the longest beach in India. Pondicherry is a blessing when it comes to beaches like the Promenade beach, the Rock beach and the Paradise beach. The French colony here, with beautiful monochrome bright walls and alleys, are a must-visit for any tourist. Kodaikanal is another breathtaking hill station in Tamil Nadu and the lush green and world-famous Western ghats can be seen from here.

Other beautiful cities to visit in Tamil Nadu are Madurai which is famous for the Madurai Temple, Coonoor- famous for trekking in the Nilgiris, Yercaud – famous for the Eastern ghats, Rameshwaram – the beautiful island city, Kanyakumari at the tip of the Indian subcontinent and Group of Monuments at Mamallapuram / Mahabalipuram is a collection of 7th- and 8th-century CE religious monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site has 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples, including one of the largest open-air rock reliefs in the world: the Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance. The best things one can do in Tamil Nadu is to enjoy the sandy beaches, wander about in the temples, explore the Vellore Fort and enjoy the local seafood. The best activities in Tamil Nadu are surfing at Serenity Beach, Scuba Diving at Pondicherry along with Kayaking and Canoeing.

Tamil Nadu Tourism

2) Maharashtra

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 5,078,514

The literal translation of this state’s name is “The Great state”. This is the land of the Marathas and the epic warrior Shivaji. Sitting beside the Arabian Sea and having the Western Ghats laying across it, Maharashtra is one of the most beautiful states of India. It is also the richest state in India, contributing 13.3% of the total GDP of our country. Mumbai is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Maharashtra. The ‘Dream City’ stands true to its name. It has the world-renowned Gateway of India, the Siddhivinayak temple and the historical Elephanta caves. Mahabaleshwar is a hill station that sits on the Western Ghats. It is one of the major trekking and camping hotspots for tourists in Maharashtra. Aurangabad here prides over the famous mausoleum Bibi ka Maqbara which is also known as Tomb of the Lady and Ajanta – Ellora caves having spectacular rock structures.

Solapur is a city here that lies over the Deccan plateau and has the well-known Siddeshwar Temple. The best activities in Maharashtra are the native dances and folk music and trekking across the Western Ghats. The Solapur fort is another treat to the eye. Other important and beautiful places to visit in Maharashtra are Pune – the land of the Peshwas, Matheran and its striking natural views, Alibagh and its coastal forts along the white beaches, Ratnagiri and its lighthouse and so on. As a matter of fact, one of the best things to do in Maharashtra is trekking and camping to the forts sitting atop a high hill. You can’t just get enough of this state.

Maharashtra Tourism

3) Uttar Pradesh

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 3,780,752

Uttar Pradesh has very beautiful natural scenic landscapes because it is situated in the Ganga basin, India’s mightiest river. Nevertheless, it is the man-made monumental beauty present in this state which does the real talking. It has numerous ghats, tombs, temples and forts to say the least. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh include Agra which houses one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal which carries the brilliance and marvelousness of the classic Mughal architecture.

Some of the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh include Lucknow, the ‘City of Nawabs’ still maintains its ancient glory and gives a peek in the classic music, dance and art of India and Allahabad. Among the best things, one can do in Uttar Pradesh are exploring the ghats of Varanasi, finding peace in the temples of Mathura and reliving the past in Ayodhya. The best activities a person can do in Uttar Pradesh include boating in the mighty Ganges in Varanasi and Allahabad and enjoy the extravagant atmosphere of Vrindavan.

Uttar Pradesh Tourism

4) Delhi

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 2,740,502

Delhi is the capital union territory of India. A fine blend of old and new, ancient and modern, Delhi is a melting pot of cultures and religions. Old Delhi has been the capital of numerous empires that ruled India, making it rich in history. New Delhi, on the other hand, is a modern city designed by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker. The different rulers left behind their trademark architectural styles. Delhi currently has many renowned historic monuments and landmarks such as the Tughlaqabad fort, Qutub Minar, Purana Quila, Lodhi Gardens, Jama Masjid, Humayun's tomb, Red Fort, and Safdarjung's Tomb. Modern monuments include Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Laxminarayan Temple, Lotus Temple, Lal Mandir and Akshardham Temple.

New Delhi is famous for its British colonial architecture, wide roads, and tree-lined boulevards. Delhi is home to numerous political landmarks, national museums, Islamic shrines, Hindu temples, green parks, and trendy malls.

Delhi Tourism

5) Rajasthan

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 2,740,502

Rajasthan, literally meaning "Land of the Kings", is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Western India. The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year.

Attractions:


Rajasthan Tourism

6) West Bengal

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 1,617,105

Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), is the capital of West Bengal has been nicknamed the City of Palaces, City of Joy, etc. This comes from the numerous palatial mansions built all over the city. Unlike many north Indian cities, whose construction stresses minimalism, the layout of much of the|right| architectural variety in Kolkata owes its origins to European styles and tastes imported by the British as it was the capital of British India from 1772 to 1911 and, to a much lesser extent, the Portuguese and French. The buildings were designed and inspired by the tastes of the English gentleman around and the aspiring Bengali Babu (literally, a nouveau riche Bengali who aspired to cultivation of English etiquette, manners and custom, as such practices were favourable to monetary gains from the British). Today, many of these structures are in various stages of decay. Some of the major buildings of this period are well maintained and several buildings have been declared as heritage structures. Long known as the "Cultural Capital of India" for its vibrant culture which has led India from the forefront from the 18th century onwards in all fronts ranging from culture to arts, literature to sciences, sports to politics, theatre to films. Home to the famous Bengal Renaissance which boasts of a host of luminaries like Raja Rammohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Ramakrishna, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, Khudiram, Chittaranjan Das, Sri Aurobindo, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bagha Jatin, Bidhan Chandra Roy, and countless others. West Bengal is also known for the famous The Sunderbans.

From historical point of view, the story of West Bengal begins from Gour and Pandua situated close to the present district town of Malda. The twin medieval cities had been sacked at least once by changing powers in the 15th century. However, ruins from the period still remain, and several architectural specimens still retain the glory and shin of those times. The Hindu architecture of Bishnupurin terracotta and laterite sandstone are renowned world over. Towards the British colonial period came the architecture of Murshidabad and Coochbehar. Darjeeling is a famous Himalayan city in the state of West Bengal. Darjeeling tea is world-famous because of its attractive smell. Other than Darjeeling there are notable hill stations like Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon, Rishyap, etc. There are some wonderful trek routes also, like Sandakfu, Falut, etc. Beside hill stations West Bengal has some beaches like Digha, Shankarpur, Mandarmoni, Bakkhali etc. West Bengal is home to six national parks — Sundarbans National Park, Buxa Tiger Reserve, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Jaldapara National Park, and Singalila National Park. Extant wildlife include Indian rhinoceroses, Indian elephants, deer, bison, leopards, gaur, and crocodiles, as well as many bird species. Migratory birds come to the state during the winter. The high-altitude forests of Singalila National Park shelter barking deer, red panda, chinkara, takin, serow, pangolin, minivet and kalij pheasants. Additionally, the Sundarbans are noted for a reserve project conserving the endangered royal Bengal tiger, although the forest hosts many other endangered species, such as the Gangetic dolphin, river terrapin and estuarine crocodile.


West Bengal Tourism

7) Punjab

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 1,200,969

The state of Punjab is renowned for its cuisine, culture and history. Punjab has a vast public transportation and communication network. Some of the main cities in Punjab are Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, Pathankot and Ludhiana. Nabha is famous as a manufacturing hub of combine harvesters and other manufacturing units, while Patiala is known for the historical forts. Punjab also has a rich Sikh religious history. Tourism in Punjab is principally suited for the tourists interested in culture, ancient civilisation, spirituality and epic history. Some of the villages in Punjab are also a must see for the person who wants to see the true Punjab, with their traditional Indian homes, farms and temples, this is a must see for any visitor that goes to India. Lonely Planet Bluelist 2008 has voted the Harmandir Sahib as one of the world's best spiritual sites with over 100,000 pilgrims and tourists visiting on a daily basis. Since Amritsar is a big tourist spot, a lot of five star hotels are getting attracted to open up properties here. Hotel Ista has become very popular with nonresident Indian (NRI) community. New properties by Radisson and Taj are coming up in this city

Another main tourist destination is religious and historic city of Sri Anandpur Sahib where large number of tourists come to see the Virasat-e-Khalsa (Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex) and also take part in Hola Mohalla festival. Kila Raipur Sports Festival is also popular tourist attraction in Kila Raipur near Ludhiana. Shahpur kandi fort, Ranjit sagar lake and Muktsar Temple also popular attractions in Pathankot.


Punjab Tourism

8) Kerala

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 1,096,407

Kerala is a state on the tropical Malabar Coast of south-western India. Nicknamed as one of the "10 paradises of the world" by National Geographic, Kerala is famous especially for its Eco-tourism initiatives. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, has made it one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Growing at a rate of 13.31%, the tourism industry significantly contributes to the state's economy. Kerala is known for its tropical backwaters and pristine beaches in Trivandrum such as Kovalam and Varkala.

From the green scapes of Idukki to the buzzing cities like Trivandrum and Kochi, Kerala has its vivid collection of tourist spots. Popular attractions in the state include the beaches at Kovalam, Kappad, Muzhuppilangad, Cherai and Varkala; the hill stations of Munnar, Thekkady, Ramakkalmedu Nelliampathi, Ponmudi and Wayanad; forts like the Bekal Fort in Kanhangad and St. Angelo's Fort in Kannur and the National Parks/ Wildlife sanctuaries at Periyar and Eravikulam. The "backwaters" region—an extensive network of interlocking rivers, lakes, and canals that centre on Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Punnamada also see heavy tourist traffic. Heritage sites, such as East Fort, Kuthira Malika, Hill Palace, Mattancherry Palace are also famous. Cities such as Trivandrum, Cochin, Trichur, Calicut and Quilon are popular centres for shopping and traditional theatrical performance. The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) claimed to be Asia's largest shopping festival was started in the year 2007. Since then it has become an annual shopping event being conducted in the December–January period. During this period stores and shops registered under the GKSF offer wide range of discounts, vat refunds etc. Along with the guaranteed shopping experience, shoppers are provided with gift coupons for a fixed worth of purchase entering them into weekly and mega lucky draws. As compared to shopping festivals being held in other countries, this Festival converts the entire state of Kerala into a giant shopping mall, incorporating not just the big players, but also the small and medium scale industries. The state's tourism agenda promotes ecologically sustained tourism, which focuses on the local culture, wilderness adventures, volunteering and personal growth of the local population. Efforts are taken to minimise the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people.


Kerala Tourism

9) Bihar

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 1,087,971

Bihar is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world with history of 3000 years. The rich culture and heritage of Bihar is evident from the innumerable ancient monuments that are dotted all over this state in eastern India. This is the place of Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, Aryabhata, Great Ashoka, Chanakya, Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Gobind Singh, Chandragupta Maurya, Vātsyāyana, Sher Shah Suri, Maa Tara Chandi Temple, and many other great historical figures.

On an average, 20 million domestic tourists and 1 million foreign tourists visits Bihar annually.

Attractions:

  • Pawapuri - Mahavira, the last of the twenty-four Tirthankara attained Nirvana or moksha (liberation). He was cremated at Pawapuri. There was a great rush to collect his ashes, with the result that so much soil was removed from the place of his cremation that a pond was created.
  • Patna – The capital of Bihar, known for its rich history and royal architecture
  • Gaya – Known for Bodh Gaya the place at which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment
  • Muzaffarpur – Known for its education Garibnath Mandir, Sikandarpur mann, Devi Mandir, Banglamukhi Mandir, Jai Mata Di Mandir, Jubba Sahani park
  • Kesariya – Location of the world's largest Buddhist Stupa
  • Nalanda – Location of one of the world's oldest university
  • Sasaram – Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, the great emperor of medieval India
  • Sonepur Cattle Fair – The Sonepur cattle fair or Sonepur Mela, it is the biggest cattle fair of Asia and stretches on from fifteen days to one month
  • Takht Sri Patna Sahib – A Sikh pilgrimage known as the birthplace of Sikh's Tenth Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Sahib
  • Darbhanga – It is among the oldest cities of Bihar. Famous for the Maharaja forts and Kali Mandir.
  • Munger – Home to the only Yoga University in the world, Bihar School of Yoga. Religious places such as Shakti Peethas.
  • Deoghar – A Hindu pilgrimage known for the Satsang Ashram of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra situated at Satsang Nagar
  • Vaishali – Lord Mahavir was born on the outskirts of this ancient city, and lived in Vaishali till he was 22
  • Champapuri- It is one of the most sacred places of Jainism. Lord Vasupujya, the 12th Jain Tirthankara was born in Champapuri and it is the place where all the five kalyanaks of Lord Vasupujya took place. Location of 31 feet monolitihic statue, the tallest statue of Lord Vasupujya. Sitamarhi: It is a native place of Devi Sita Mata.
  • Rajgir - It is sacred to Buddhism and Jainism. The place has temples belonging to Jainism, Buddhism and Hinduism. The ancient site also has Son Bhandar Caves.

Bihar Tourism

10) Goa

Foreign Tourist Arrival – 933,841

Goa is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India. A former colony of Portugal, Goa is famous for its excellent beaches, amazing nightlife, Yogas, spas & massage, flea markets & shopping, water sports activities like cruising, Portuguese churches, Hindu temples, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, Basilica of Se Cathedral, Mangueshi Temple, Dudhsagar Falls, Shantadurga, Anjuna Beach, Aguada Fort, and Chapora Fort are famous attractions in Goa. Recently a Wax Museum (Wax World) has also opened in Old Goa housing a number of wax personalities of Indian history, culture and heritage.

The Goa Carnival is a world-famous event, with colourful masks and floats, drums and reverberating music, and dance performances.


Goa Tourism