East India tours introduce one to the Seven Sister States of the lush green eastern part of Indian sub-continent. The region is the historical centre of Maurya, Pala, Kalinga and Sunga empires. After great Kalinga War on Ashoka’s orders Buddhism was spread across Asia and East India got highly influenced by it and it is for this region that it still holds several historic monuments. With one of the ancient most universities, Nalanda University established in the region, it is also a great epitome of art, literature and learning. On tours to East India one cannot help but notice and admire the geographical vivacity of the Seven Sister States of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya. Their tea estates, misty mountains, lush greenery and horde of wild animals are greatest attractions visited by gamut of travelers every year.
Rich biodiversity attracts thousands of globetrotters to the eastern region of India and the virgin beauty impresses all its visitors. The diversified natural splendor is laden with diverse species of flora and fauna, cultural exuberance and richness of fabulous art and handicrafts. On East India tours sights and destinations one must not miss are:
Kamakhya Temple: A Shakti (holy shrine of cosmic power) temple situated on Nilachal Hill in Assam, Kamakhya temple is a well known Hindu pilgrimage site. According to the legend, the temple was built on the spot where a body part of Goddess Sati fell after Lord Shiva danced with her corpse. It is a in the complex of individual temples dedicated to different forms of mother goddess and symbolizes fusion of faiths and practices.
Kazirang National Park: Kaziranga National Park is a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site which boasts of highest density of tigers and two-thirds of the world’s Great One-horned Rhinoceroses. The lush vast expanse of the park is rich with elephant grass, dense forests and marshland. Four rivers including grand Brahmaputra meanders through the park located on the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. Other wilds in the park which make it a must visit for all those on East India tours include elephants, wild water buffalo, swamp deer and endangered species of Red Panda.
Brahmaputra River: A trans-boundary river, Brahmaputra is one of the largest rivers in whole of Asia. The vast river appears ceaseless and its lower reaches are sacred to believers of Hinduism and the river is thus named Brahmaputra which literally means son of God Brahma.
Tea Gardens in Darjeeling: A Himalayan town, Darjeeling in West Bengal is a must visit for its gorgeous tea estates and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lush tea plantations are where world famous Darjeeling tea grows which is renowned for its great taste and sweet fragrance.
On East India tours other highlights are a visit to the cultural capital of country, Kolkata. The metropolitan though traffic clogged is where great poets and philosophers such as Rabindra Nath Tagore and Ramkrishna Paramhansa were born and gave birth to their great works. These and many more insightful, tranquilizing experiences await you when you plan to spend your vacation in the spectacular East India.
