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Western India comprises three large states, one small state and one small union territory. It is bounded by Pakistan and the Arabian Sea to its west and the Gangetic Plains to its east. This is the most heterogeneous of India's regions, with the states differing dramatically from one another in language, culture and levels of economic development. Maharashtra and Gujarat are among the most industrialised states of India, while Rajasthan and Goa are magnets for tourists, though for different reasons.
The land of warriors, deserts, colourful saris, historic forts and Rajput temples
Home to Asiatic lions and fine textiles, developing fast especially around Ahmedabad and Surat
India's richest state by GDP, home to cities like Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur.
Home to the country's best beaches and commonly known as the "party state". Former Portuguese colony.
By plane
By far the most convenient way to enter the region. There are many international airports and Mumbai is the busiest in the country.
By train
There are no international options, given the Rajasthan–Pakistan border and there are no trains between India and Pakistan since 2019.
By boat
Cruises from the Mediterranean ports can be organized and are generally very expensive, amounting to well over €500 one-way. Mumbai is the busiest port in the country.
By train
There are good connections available by train. Mumbai is a hub for trains to all major cities. The Konkan Railway provides a picturesque route through the Western Ghats.
By road
The national highway network is quite well maintained in Western India. The Mumbai–Delhi leg of the Golden Quadrilateral provides excellent connectivity between Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
By plane
Western India is a large region, so you might want to fly long distances. Even within Western India, flights may well be over an hour long, the Pune-Ahmedabad flight takes one and a half hours.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bhopal · International · BHO
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Ahmedabad (Gujarati: અમદાવાદ Amdāvād) is the seventh largest city in India with a population of 8.5 million. Although it is the commercial hub of one of the most prosperous states of India, Gujarat, it's not the state capital, which is its twin city of Gandhinagar, 30 km (19 mi) to the north.
Aurangabad (Marathi: औरंगाबाद Auraṅgābād), now known officially as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Marathi: छत्रपती संभाजीनगर Chatrapatī Sambhājīnagar), is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It sees a lot of international tourist traffic due to its proximity to the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely Ajanta and Ellora caves.
Jaipur (Hindi: जयपुर Jaypur), also known as the Pink City, is the capital of Indian state of Rajasthan, and its largest city. The city was built in the 18th century by Sawai Jai Singh as India's first planned city, and today it's a major tourist attraction for Indians and for international visitors.
Jodhpur (Hindi: जोधपुर) is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. It is called the Gateway to Thar, as it is on the edge of the Thar desert.
Mumbai (Marathi and Hindi: मुंबई Mumbaī), formerly known as Bombay, is the largest city in western India and the capital of the state of Maharashtra. A cosmopolitan metropolis, Mumbai was built on seven islands on the Konkan coastline which over time were joined to form the island city of Bombay.
Nagpur (Marathi: नागपूर Nāgpūr), a major city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, is famous for its Nagpur oranges and also widely considered to be the city at the center of India. Nagpur is also the state's winter capital, as the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature is held here, along with some administrative functions.
Panaji, also spelt Panjim, is the capital city of the tiny state of Goa in India. It has its own charm, a river flowing along one side of the city, some areas which are low-rise and red-roofed, and even a Latin Quarter at the eastern end of town.
Pune (Marathi: पुणे Puṇe), formerly Poona, is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Often considered as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune is known for its educational tourism and has a blend of cultural, business, health, and cuisine tourism background.
Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan, India famous for its Brahma temple, lake, ghats, and bazaar.
Dudhsagar Falls (Konkani: दूधसागर / Dudhsagor) is a waterfall in the southern part of Goa at Mollem, near the border with Karnataka state. It is one of the highest waterfalls in India, and among the hundred highest waterfalls in the world.
spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus
Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan-Gir, is a wildlife sanctuary and protected forest area in Gujarat, India. It is considered one of the most important protected natural areas in Asia due to the rare animals living here, particularly the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica).
a small town best known for the Statue of Unity, the tallest statue in the world
Kutch (also spelled Cutch, Kachh, Kachch, and Kachchh) is a district in the north-west of Gujarat, India. It is the largest district in India, with an area of more than 45,000 km².
Mount Abu (Hindi: माउंट आबू Māuṇṭ Ābū) is the only hill station in Rajasthan, situated very close to the Rajasthan-Gujarat border, in the Aravali hills. The mountain forms a distinct rocky plateau 22 km long by 9 km wide.
Ranthambhore National Park, also spelled Ranthambore, is a national park and tiger reserve in the Sawai Madhopur district in Rajasthan state in western India. The park is one of the best places in India to see tigers in the wild.
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