76

Western States of India

India is a country located in South Asia. It is the second biggest country in the world as per population and the seventh-largest country as per the land area. The country borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. India has a total of 28 States and 8 Union Territories.

The country is mainly divided into six parts as per their geographical regions which are as under:

• Central India
• East India
• North India
• Northeast India
• South India
• Western India

Western India

The region of India located in its Western part is known as Western India. Before the partition of the country, the Pakistani territories of Sindh and Baluchistan were also part of Western India.

The majority of people in this region are Hinduism. Other than this, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Buddhists, Bene Israel, and Parsers are also settled here. Marathi, Gujarati, and Konkani respectively are the most widely speaking language of western India. English and Hindi are mainly spoken in urban areas as additional languages. The region has a higher literacy rate of 76%. Western India has a great distinct and varied cultural value also. A major portion of the population is locked in agribusiness. The climate of the locale shifts between tropical damp, tropical damp and dry, and semi-dry.

Western India mainly includes one Union Territory (Dadra Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) and three states which are as under:

1. Gujarat:

Gujarat is an Indian state found on the western coast of the nation. The capital of the state is Gandhinagar whereas its biggest city is Ahmedabad. Gujarat has a total area of 196,024 km² (the fifth-largest state in the country by area) and a total population of about 6.27 crores (the ninth largest state in the country by population). The official language of the state is Gujarati and Hindi. The state is bordered by the Rajasthan, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, the Arabian Sea, and the Pakistani province of Sindh. Narmada and Tapi are the major rivers of Gujarat.

Transportation:

• Rail: The railways of the state comes under the Western Railway zone of the Indian Railway. The busiest railway station of Gujarat is Vadodara which is also the fourth busiest in India. Other major railway stations of the state include Ahmedabad Railway Station, Surat Railway Station, and Rajkot Railway Station. The state has also a metro rail service in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
• Road: The primary body responsible for the availability of bus service in the state is Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation. A number of services are provided by this public transport corporation that includes mofussil services, intercity bus services, interstate bus services, city services, and parcel services. The services of auto-rickshaw are also highly available and used as a means of transportation.
• Air: The state has two international airports in Ahmedabad and Surat, and nine domestic airports in Bhavnagar, Kandla, Rajkot, Bhuj, Keshod, Porbandar, Amreli, Jamnagar, and Vadodara. Other than this the state has two private airports in Mundra and Mithapur, and the military bases in Bhuj, Naliya, and Jamnagar. There are two more airports based in Rajkot and Ankleshwar which are under construction.
• Sea: The sea coast of the state is 1214 km which is the longest in the country. The ports located in Gujarat are Kandla Port, Port of Magdalla, Bedi Port, Mundra Port, Port of Navlakhi, Port of Porbandar, Port of Pipavav, and Port of Veraval.
• Tourism: The state’s natural environment is its main point of attraction. Gujarat is also the hometown of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. At present, the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism is Amitabh Bachchan. A few of the foremost wonderful and eye-catching areas and cities of the state are as follows:
• Ahmedabad: It is the largest city and former capital of Gujarat situated at the bank of the Sabarmati River. The must-visit places of the city are Kankaria Lake, Sabarmati Ashram, Adalaj Step-well, Bhadra Fort, Lothal, Gujarat Science City, Vastrapur Lake, etc.
• Dwarka: This is an ancient city situated at the bank of the Gomti River. The place is one of the char dhams of Hindus. The places to visit in Dwarka include Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, Sudama Setu, Dwarka Lighthouse, Gomti Ghat, etc.
• Kutch: The place is located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch district. It is also called “India’s Wild West”. The place is highly famous for the Kutch Festival of Rann of Kutch. Other than this Mandavi Beach, Vijaya Vilas Palace, Kalo Dungar, Dholavira, Bhadreshwar Jain Temple, Marine National Park, etc.
• Vadodara: It is located at the bank of the Vishwamitri River. Some tourists destination of the city is Makarpura Palace, Sayaji Garden, EME Temple, Sur Sagar, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Laxmi Vilas Palace, etc.
• Gir: The place is mainly famous for Gir National Park or Sasan Gir. This wildlife sanctuary is known worldwide because of the presence of Asiatic Lions. Some other eye-catching sites of the city are Kamleshwar Dam, Uparkot Fort, Girnar Hills, Durbar Hall Museum, Nalsarovar Lake, etc.
• Other Cities: Some other places include Bhuj, Somnath, Junagadh, Saputara, Patan, Rajkot, etc.

Bio-Diversity: As per the India State of Timberland Report 2011, 9.7% of the state’s add-up to the region is secured by woodland. There are four National parks and 23 wildlife sanctuaries found within the state. Gir Forest National Park of Gujarat is the homeland of Asiatic lions. The natural habitat of lions is also found only here other than in Africa. Apart from lions, the state has a large number of leopards also. Other National parks of the state are Blackbuck National Park, Vansda National Park, Velavadar, and Narara Marine National Park. The National mammal of Gujarat is the Asiatic lion, the bird is a greater flamingo, the flower is marigold, the fruit is mango, and the tree is Banyan.

2. Maharashtra:

Maharashtra is an Indian state found within the western peninsular locale of the nation that involves the impressive portion of the Deccan Level. The capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai which is the foremost populous urban region in India due to the high number of available financial opportunities. The state features an add-up to the region of 307,713 km ² (the third biggest state of the nation by zone) and a populace of 11.42 crores (the moment biggest state of the nation by populace). The broadly talked and official dialect of Maharashtra is Marathi. The major rivers that stream through the state are the Krishna and the Godavari. Maharashtra is bordered by the Arabian Sea, Karnataka, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Transportation:

• Rail: Maharashtra has one of the oldest railway networks in the country. The first train in the country was also run in Maharashtra between Mumbai and Thane on 16 April 1853. Rail transportation within the state is controlled by the Central Railroad, South Central Railroad, and South East Central Railroad, and Western Railroad. Maharashtra has India’s busiest railroad stations at Thane and CSMT. The local trains are known as the lifesaver of the state.
• Road: The Multi-model Transportation System of Maharashtra is the largest road network in the country. The road transportation service is provided by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC). The bus provided by the MSRTC is known as ST (State Transport). The state’s taxis and auto-rickshaws are also very popular means of transportation. Almost 98% of villages of the state are linked to the main highways.
• Air: Maharashtra has several airports in all of its major cities. The state has three international airports in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur and seven domestic airports in Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Nanded, Nashik, Shirdi, and Sindhudurg. Other than this, there are two private airports in Aamby Valley City and Shirpur and fifteen military and general aviation airports also located in the state. Two airports in Navi Mumbai and Pune are under construction.
• Sea: The Sea is also a major source of transportation in Maharashtra. The state has two major ocean ports counting Mumbai Port and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Both are owned by the Central Government. Apart from this, the state has 48 minor ports also that handle passenger traffic.
• Tourism: Maharashtra receives a large number of tourists every year. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh are the key suppliers of domestic tourists while foreign visitors come from mainly the US, UK, Germany, and UAE who account for 2% of the total number of tourists. The state is filled with beautiful destinations. Some of the best cities for tourist attractions in the state are:
• Mumbai: The city was formerly known as Bombay. It is called the city never sleeps. Other than Bollywood, the city is also famous for tourists spots that include Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Elephanta Caves, Siddhivinayak Temple, Beaches, etc.
• Pune: it is the land of Peshwas. The must-visit places in the city are Lal Mahal, Western Ghats, Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati, Aga Khan Palace, Parvati Hill, Shanivarwada, Rajgad Fort, etc.
• Mahabaleshwar: It is a beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats. Some of the must-visit places of the city include Mahabaleshwar Temple, Mount Malcolm, Pratapgarh Fort, Rajpuri Caves, Wilson Point, Morarji Castle, etc.
• Lonavala: It is also a very beautiful picturesque hill station. It is famous for hiking and tracking. Other than this, Lonavala Lake, Karla and Bhaja Caves, Tiger Point, Tungarli and Pawna, Lohagad and Rajmachi Fort, 2nd-century rock-cut cave temples, etc. are some other points of attraction.
• Aurangabad: The city is the tourism capital of Maharashtra and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Devgiri Fort, Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki, and the 52 gates, Aurangabad Caves, etc.
• Other Cities: Some other places are Shirdi, Nashik, Kolhapur, Matheran, Ganpatipule, Alibaug, Amboli, Panchgani, Kamshet, Khandala, etc.

Bio-Diversity: As per the survey of 2012, the state has a total forest area of 61,939 km². There are five sorts of forests found in Maharashtra: Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests, Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, Southern Tropical Thorn Forest, and Littoral and Swamp Forests. The state has three Public Forestry Institutions Other than this, the state has six tiger reserves and several national parks with a large number of animal species. The National mammal of Maharashtra is an Indian giant squirrel, National Bird is a yellow-footed green pigeon, the insect is a blue Mormon, the flower is Jarul, and the tree is a Mango tree.

3. Goa:

Goa is a small state located on the southwestern first of the country within the Konkan The Western Ghats separate the state from the Deccan highlands. The capital of Goa is Panaji (Panjim). It has a total area of 3,702 km² (the smallest state of the country by area) and a total population of 18.2 lakhs (the fourth-smallest state of the country by population). It is partitioned into two parts North Goa and South Goa, encompassed by Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively. Goa is bordered by the Arabian Sea on the western coast. Konkani is the official dialect of the state by Marathi and English is moreover permitted for official works and address broadly talked.

Transportation:

• Rail: The city has two rail lines which are run by South Western Railway and Konkan Railway. The South Western Railway line was used to link Vasco da Gama with Karnataka, Belgaum, Hubli, etc. during the Britishers’ period. The other railroad line was built in the 90s and it interfaces the major cities on the western coast.
• Road: The main source of road transportation in Goa is privately owned buses. The public buses are run by the Kadamba Transport Corporation. The corporation has its head office at Porvorim. It also has 4 depots and 15 bus stands. But the public transport is not so much developed in the state. There are four National Highways in the state which are among the narrowest in the nation. Hired vehicles include taxis, auto-rickshaws, and motorcycle taxis are also available here.
• Air: Goa has a Naval airfield at Dabolim near Vasco da Gama named Goa International Airport. It may be a civil enclave at INS Hansa and gives the residential as well as universal flight administrations. At Mopa in Pernem taluka, a Greenfield airport is also near to ready to provide its services.
• Sea: Near Vasco, the Mormugao Port Trust is located. It handles mineral pre, international containers, and coal, and petroleum. In Panaji, a minor port is also present that links Goa and Mumbai by the service of passengers steamers till the 1980s.
• Tourism: The coastal areas of the state get a very high number of Indian as well as foreigner tourists (particularly Britishers) and in the list of Top 10 Nightlife Cities in the World, Goa reserved the 6^th The state has lots of picturesque locations that include the following:
• Panaji: There are many sightseeing places located in the capital of Goa. They include Fontainhas, Resig Magos Fort, Miramar Beach, Adil Shahi Palace, Divar Islands, Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Shanta Durg Temple, etc.
• Margao: It is the cultural capital of Goa. Some of the best tourists attractions in the city are Municipal Garden, The Holy Spirit Church, Pandava Caves, Monte Hill, Zalor Beach, Damodar Temple, House of Seven Gables, etc.
• Vasco da Gama: The name of the city is derived from a Portuguese explorer with the same name. Vasco da Gama is well known for its shorelines. The must-visit places in the city are Mormugao Fort, Arossim Beach, Velsao Beach, Hollant Beach, Keasaval Waterfall, St. Andrews Church, etc.
• Mapusa: This city of North Goa is very popular for Mapsua Friday Market. Other than this market, some of the best things to see in the city are Bodgeshwar Temple, St. Jerome Church, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Municipal Building, Cansaulim Church, etc.
• Calangute: This city of North Goa is known as the Queen of Beaches located in Bardez district. Parasailing and Water Skiing are some common activities here. The places to visit here are Calangute Beach, Tibetan Market, St. Alex Church, Benz Celebrity Wax Museum, etc.
• Other Cities: Some other destinations are Candolim, Anjuna, Bambolim, Old Goa, Morhum, Mandrem, Canacona, Ponda, Agonda, etc.

Bio-Diversity: Goa has a total Forest area of 1,424 km². The Western Ghats of the state are among the biodiversity hotspots of the world. The state’s wildlife sanctuaries are very rich in flora and fauna. There are about 1512 recognized species of plants, 275 species of birds, 48 categories of animals, and over 60 categories of reptiles. Goa has many National Parks. The state is very popular for its coconut cultivation also. The National mammal of Goa is the gaur, the bird is flame-throated bulbul, fish is grey mullet, the flower is Jasmine, fruit is cashew, and the tree is coconut palm.

SOME OTHER WESTERN STATES OF INDIA

Other than these three states, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka are also sometimes included in Western India. However, the historians and ministry of minority affairs, as well as the geological survey of India, have a different opinion about calling these states a part of Western India.

• RAJASTHAN: Rajasthan is a state found within the northwestern portion of India. The capital of the state is Jaipur. The title Rajasthan implies the “Land of Kings” which was shaped on 30 Walk 1949 when Rajputana was blended into the Domain of India. The state incorporates an add-up to the region of 342,239 km² which makes it the biggest state within the nation by region. The whole populace of Rajasthan is 6.89 crores and it is the seventh biggest state by the populace. Most of the zone of the state is left known as Thar Desert or the Incredible Indian Forest. Hindi and Rajasthani are the official and territorial languages of the state respectively. Rajasthan is bordered by Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Pakistani province Punjab, and Sindh along the Sutlej-Indus river valley. The major rivers of the state are Chambal, Mahi, and Banas. The heritage forts, palaces, mansions (Havelis), wildlife, lakes, fairs, festivals, carnivals, Great Indian Desert, Rajput velour, magnificent architectural work, hospitable locales, etc. are the reason behind huge tourism in Rajasthan. Some of the best places in the state are Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Bharatpur, Alwar, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Ranthambore National Park, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dungarpur, Jhalawar, Kota, Mount Abu, Ranakpur, and others.
• MADHYA PRADESH: Madhya Pradesh is an Indian state found within the central portion of the nation. Its capital is Bhopal. The commercial capital and the biggest city of Madhya Pradesh is Indore, tourism capital is Gwalior, and social, legal, and combat hardware capital is Jabalpur. Its Nickname is “Heart of India” and “Tiger State”. The state contains an add up to the zone of 308,245 km² which makes it the moment biggest state of the nation by region. It incorporates a population of 7.33 crores, the fifth-biggest state by the population. The official language of the state is Hindi. Madhya Pradesh is bordered by Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Narmada, Chambal, and Son are the major rivers of the state. Madhya Pradesh is well known for its fairs, festivals, natural beauty, historical monuments, lavish palaces, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks, hill stations, picturesque landscape, pilgrimage shrines, rich culture, kind hospitality, etc. Some of the best places to visit in the state are Khajuraho, Sanchi, Bhimbetka, Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Ujjain, Pachmarhi, Jhansi, Mandav, Chitrakoot, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh, Orchha, Ratlam, Amarkantak, Vidisha, Bhedaghat, Chhindwara, and others.
• KARNATAKA: Karnataka is an Indian state in the South Western region of the country. The capital of the state is Bangalore which is additionally the biggest city of Karnataka. It is also known as the “Silicon Valley of India”. The state has a total area of 191,791 km² (the biggest state within South India and the 6^th biggest within the nation by region). The total population of Karnataka is 6.41 crores, the eighth largest state in the country by population. The state was shaped on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganization Act. Earlier in 1973, it was known as the State of Mysore. Kannad is the official language of the state. In a few towns, Sanskrit is additionally talked about. Karnataka is bordered by the Middle Eastern Ocean, Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri are some major rivers of the state. The point of attraction in Karnataka are its rich heritage, cultural beauty, cuisine, adventure, trekking, religious sites, hill stations, beaches, museums, festivals, forts, palaces, bird sanctuaries, national parks, etc. Some of the best tourist destinations of the state are Hampi, Bengalore, Coorg, Mysore, Udupi, Murudeshwar, Chikmagalur, Gokarna, Bandipur National Park, Sakleshpur, Dandeli, Pattadakal, Shivanasamudra Falls, Jog Falls, Belur, and others.
• DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a union territory, not a state but it is also a part of western India. Its capital is Daman. This union territory was created with the merger of two former union territories on 26 January 2020. These were Dadra and Nagar Haveli and the other is Daman and Diu. The territory has a total area of 603 km² and a total population of 585,764. The official languages of the territory are Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, and English. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are well known for their historic importance, Portuguese culture, scenic beauty, adventure, wildlife sanctuaries, museums, beaches, forts, churches, lakes, cuisine, crafts, stunning architecture, etc. Some of the best places for tourist attractions in the UT are Daman, Diu, Silvassa, Dadra, Vapi, Diu Islands, Dudhani, Khanvel, Naroli, Marwad, Chanod, Kauncha, Ghoghola, Vanakbara, Madhuban, Varkund, Kadaiya, Umarkui, Bindrabin, Dungra, and others.

---