Nagaland, a state situated in the north of East of India, is known as the tribal heart of India. Nagaland is home to a number of Tibeto-Burmese tribes, with each tribe different from the next in customs, traditions, beliefs and dialect. The tribal culture of the state makes Nagaland a unique area of India and a a popular tourist attraction. During the second world war British and Indian troops halted the Japanese advance in Nagaland.
The state of Bihar is situated on the banks of the Ganges and is home to a large concentration of Buddhist monasteries. Bihar is posited as the birthplace of both Buddhism and Jainism. The town of Bodhgaya is one of Bihar's most popular tourist attractions. It is famous for being the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment and is the most important of Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya became a UNESCO world heritage site in 2002.
Assam is the Indian state that links East India with North India. Assam is home to lush forests that foster exotic ecological systems, tribes and cultures. Assam is famous around the world for its tea and it also offers some of the best white-water rafting in the country. Assam is also well-known for its wildlife; it is home to the one-horned rhino at Kaziranga National Park. Guwahati is the capital city of the Assam and the commercial center; tourists visit Guwahati for its business, commerce and affluent westernized lifestyle.
The East Indian state of Orissa covers over 300 miles along the Bay of Bengal. It is a mix of vibrant modernity and rural tranquility. Tourists visit Orissa for the forested hills of the Eastern Ghats, for the vibrant tribal culture, the Buddhist trail and the sensuous Odissi dance. Bhubaneswar, called "the Temple City," is the capital city of Orissa and is a blend of bustling modernity and ancient spirituality. The four-storied Orissa state museum is a highlight.
The East Indian state of Meghalaya literally translates as "the land of clouds." Meghalaya is the wettest place on earth and consists of a green tropical landscape of rolling hills. Tourists visit Meghalaya for its exotic flora and fauna, its tribal dance and music and its rich cultural heritage. Shillong is the capital Meghalaya and derives its name from Shillong Peak, the highest point in Meghalaya, overlooking Shillong city. In the heart of the city there lies a beautiful artificial lake crafted in the days of the British Raj.
