Journal of Research in Hospitality, Tourism and Culture Vol. 3(1) pp. 011-013, March, 2016
DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/jrhtc.2016.011
Available online @http://www.interesjournals.org/JRHTC
Copyright ©2016 International Research Journals
Review
Incredible India
Dr. M Lakshmi Prabha
Assistant Professor (SG), Department of Biotechnology Karunya University, Coimbatore-641 114, Tamilnadu
Corresponding author: lakshmi.prabha48@gmail.com
Abstract
Incredible India is the name of an International marketing campaign by the Government of India to
promote tourism in India in 2002 to a global audience. The campaign projected India as an attractive
tourist destination by showcasing different aspects of Indian culture and history like yoga, spirituality,
etc. The campaign was conducted globally and received appreciation from tourism industry observers
and travelers alike. India has emerged as the fastest growing market in the Asia-Pacific in terms of
International tourist spending. In 2011 Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Delhi were the most popular states
for foreign tourists. Domestic tourists visited the states like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu most frequently. Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Agra have been the four most visited cities of India
by foreign tourists during the year 2011. Worldwide, Chennai is ranked 41 by the number of foreign
tourists, while Delhi is ranked at 50, Mumbai at 57 and Agra at 65. India's rich history and its cultural
and geographical diversity make its International tourism appeal large and diverse. It presents heritage
and cultural tourism along with medical, business, educational and sports tourism (Smith, 2007).
Keywords: Incredible India, India, Heritage, Tourism
Tourism in Andhra Pradesh
The state of Andhra Pradesh comprises like scenic hills,
forests, beaches and temples. Also known as The City of
Nizams and The City of Pearls, Hyderabad is today one
of the most developed cities in the country. The Birla
Mandir, is a Hindu temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built
entirely of white marble located in Hyderabad. The
Ramappa Temple and Thousand Pillar Temple in
Warangal are the famous tourist spots and depict the
finest taste of Kakatiya dynasty for arts, culture and
temple carvings. Warangal is also known home to
Medaram – the Asia's largest tribal fair/festival called
"Sammakka Saralamma Jatara". Tirupati, the abode of
Lord Venkateswara, is the second richest and most
visited religious centre in the world. Srisailam, the abode
of Sri Mallikarjuna, is one of the twelve Jyothirlingalu in
India. Amaravathi's Siva temple is one of the
Pancharamams, Vemulavada temple, one of the old
abodes of Lord Shiva, reputed as Dakshina Kashi –
Benaras of South India. Vemulavada temple is built by
Chalukya Kings between AD 750 and 975 AD.
Yadagirigutta, the abode of an avatara of Vishnu, Sri
Lakshmi Narasimha. Lepakshi-This is the largest
monolithic Nandi (Bull) in the world, (length 27 feet,
height 15 feet), It is 15 km east of Hindupur, 105 km from
Anantapur, and about 120 km north of Bangalore.
Golkonda Fort – Largest and 400 years oldest fort. Araku
Valley – known as Andhra Ooty near to Vizag City. Borra
Caves – caves formed 1 million years ago situated near
to Vizag City. Surendrapuri – A unique Mythological
Awareness Centre near Yadagirigutta, 60 km from
Hyderabad. Thimmamma Marrimanu - The World's
Largest Banyan Tree, and "Marrimanu" was recorded as
the biggest tree in the Guinness Book of World Records
in 1989. Its branches spreads over nearly 5 acres located
about 35 km from Kadiri, and 100 km from Anantapur.
Tourism in Assam
Assam is the central state in the North-East Region of
India and serves as the gateway to the rest of the Seven
Sister States. Assam boasts of famous wildlife preserves
the Kaziranga National Park, which is the home to
012 J. Res. Hosp. Tourism Cult.
the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros, the Manas
National Park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Nameri
National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (These first
two parks are UNESCO World Heritage Site); the largest
river island Majuli in Assam declared by UNESCO as a
world natural heritage, this river island has preserved well
the antique utensils, and other items of cultural
significance of the hundreds of year old Assamese
civilization.
Tourism in Bihar
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 Aryabhata, Great Ashoka,
Chanakya and many other great historical figures.
Tourism in Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh is called the "Heart of India" because of
its location in the centre of the country. It has been home
to the cultural heritage of Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism,
Sikhism and Jainism. Innumerable monuments, carved
temples, Stupas, forts and palaces are dotted all over the
state. The temples of Khajuraho are world-famous for
their erotic sculptures, and are UNESCO World Heritage
Site. Gwalior is famous for its fort, Jai Vilas Palace, the
Tomb of Rani Lakshmibai, Madhya Pradesh is also
known as Tiger State because of the tiger population
(Evans, 2005).
Tourism in Manipur
Manipur as the name suggest is a land of jewels. Its rich
culture excels in every aspect as in martial arts, dance,
theatre and sculpture. The charm of the place is the
greenery with the moderate climate making it a tourist’s
heaven. The beautiful and seasonal Shirui Lily at Ukhrul
(district), Sangai (brow antlered deer) and the floating
islands at Loktak Lake are few of the rare things found in
Manipur. Polo, which can be called a royal game, also
originated from Manipur.
Tourism in Orissa
Odisha is famous for the world famous Jagannath
Temple (Puri), UNESCO World Heritage Site Konark
Sun Temple and The Leaning Temple of Huma.
Tourism in Rajasthan
Rajasthan, literally meaning "Land of the Kings", is one of
the most attractive tourist destinations in Northern India.
The vast sand dunes of the Thar Desert attract millions of
tourists from around the globe every year. Udaipur also
known as the City of Lakes, it is also known for its Rajputera palaces. The Lake Palace, covers an entire island in
the Pichola Lake. It is often called the "Venice of the
East", and is also nicknamed as the "Lake City". Lake
Pichola, Fateh Sagar Lake, Udai Sagar and Swaroop
Sagar in this city are considered as some of the most
beautiful lakes in the state. Monsoon Palace also known
as Sajjan Garh Palace. The summer resort of the
Maharajas is atop the hill overlooking all of the lakes.
This palace had a way to collect rain water for
consumption all year around.
Right from Himalayas situated in the north to the Indian
Ocean way down the south, India has an abundant
number of spots that haven’t still been explored .The
country is widely known and popular for its scenic beauty;
rich culture and the perfect unify mixture of flora and
fauna. There are numerous eye-catching places situated
here that would leave awe struck with unforgettable
experiences. Let’s have a glance of some of the greatest
unexplored destinations.
1. Bhimbetka Rock Shelters – these are an
archaeological site of the Paleolithic, exhibiting the
earliest traces of human life on the Indian subcontinent,
and thus the beginning of the South Asian Stone Age. It
is located in the Raisen District in the Indian state of
Madhya Pradesh. The Bhimbetka shelters exhibit the
earliest traces of human life in India. Some of the Stone
Age rock paintings found among the Bhimbetka rock
shelters are approximately 30,000 years old. The caves
also deliver early evidence of dance. They were declared
a World Heritage Site in 2003.
2. Sandakfu or Sandakphu is the trekker’s paradise. It is
the highest peak in the state of West Bengal, India. The
Sandakphu is the concluding point of many trekking
routes in the Darjeeling-Sikkim expanse. The peaks of
Kanchenjunga and Everest can be seen from its
pinnacle. Sandakphu looks splendid and magnificent with
the beauty of magnolias, rhododendrons, primulas and
other sub-alpine plant life. It also contains more than 600
kinds of orchids.
3. The Malvan region is one the opening and prime
places for a holiday to ooze in history or to soak up the
sun. Sindhudurg fort rises on a rocky island, known as
Kurte that is situated hardly at a km, from the Malavan
which is 510kms south of Mumbai . Apart from the Fort,
one can unwind on the beaches of Tarkarli and another
beach in the Malwan region. These beaches are quite
clean and are often quite less crowded.
4. Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian National
park, located in West Himalaya, in the state of
Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic
alpine flowers and the variety of flora. Birds found include
Himalayan Monal Pheasant and other high altitude birds.
Together they encompass a unique transition
zone
between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and
Prabha 013
Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of
87.50 km² and it is about 8 k.m. long and 2 k.m. wide.
This Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network of
Biosphere Reserves since 2004 (Amin, 2007).
1. Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves - In the Indian
state of Odisha the Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves are
the earliest group of Jain rock-cut shelters. These caves
are of high importance preserving history, rock-cut
architecture, art and religion. The wall carvings and rockcut painting in these caves tell us much about the origin
and development of Jainism (Alvarez, 2010).
2. Pangong Tso - Located in a high altitude in the
Himalayan Ranges, the salty water of Kumarakom lake is
3. bluer and clearer. Pangong Tso is one of the
best less hindered tourist destinations in the country.
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