Western India comprises three large states, one small state and one small union territory. It is bounded byPakistan and the Arabian Sea to its west and the GangeticPlains 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.
Western India consists of four states:
| Rajasthan The land of warriors, deserts, colourful saris, historic forts and Rajput temples |
| Gujarat Home to Asiatic lions and fine textiles, developing fast especially aroundAhmedabad andSurat |
| Maharashtra India's third-largest state, home to two of its most fascinating cities,Mumbai andPune |
| Goa Home to the country's best beaches |
There is also a union territory:
Here are nine of the most notable cities.
This region has some of the country's most popular destinations. InRajasthan, the desert forts ofJaisalmer and the magnificent sand-dunes evoke all the romance and splendour of its princely past. Gujarat's Jain temples and intricately designed stepwells are architectural marvels, while its natural beauty can be enjoyed on the beaches ofDiu.
The landscape in Western India varies from the sand-dunes of Rajasthan to the vast salts of the Kutch, to the urban bustle ofMumbai,Ahmedabad,Surat, etc.
As in the rest of India, most of the people in the tourist industry speak basic English at the very least.Hindi is widely spoken and understood except in remote rural areas.
Rajasthanis speak regionalRajasthani (and its dialects like Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati, and Hadoti) as well as Hindi, which is also widely used for media and education. Marathas (people of Maharashtra) speakMarathi, GoansKonkani while people fromGujarat speak Gujarati. English, Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi are spoken inDadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as well.
Flying in is convenient, and there are many airports. Railway and sea links exist, but are not recommended for a number of reasons.
By far the most convenient way to enter the region. There are many international airports andMumbai is the busiest in the country.
International options are terribly limited given the length of theRajasthan–Sindh border and there are no trains between India and Pakistan since 2019.
Indian Railways[dead link] trains connect Western India to many important cities in other parts of the country.Mumbai Central,Mumbai CSMT,Ahmedabad,Vadodara,Surat,Pune City,Jaipur andChhatrapati Sahu Maharaj Terminus are important junctions.
TheDelhi Cantonment–Ajmer Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train to Western India. The Delhi–Mumbai Rajdhani Express connects the capital to Mumbai in 18 hours. The Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram Rajdhani Express also passes through Western India and is the fastest way of travelling through some parts ofGujarat.
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. Unless you have a lot of time to spare and a deep pocket, this option is not recommended. There are cheaper boats that ferry passengers fromthe UAE andYemen toMumbai.
Getting around generally isn't a problem, as the transportation network is extensive.
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 theWestern Ghats.
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. Bus services are very frequent, particularly inMaharashtra andGujarat. Online booking is possible, and there is no surcharge. They serve cities in Western India includingAhmedabad,Goa,Kolhapur,Mumbai,Nashik,Pune,Shirdi,Surat andVadodara.
Oneway cab is a cab service available in the western region.
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, thePune-Ahmedabad flight takes one and a half hours. You have to check in an hour and a half in advance. There are numerous airlines serving Western India, for a comprehensive list seeIndia#Get Around. The following airports are used for commercial purposes, there are numerous other small airfields that serve as training centers.
There is plenty to see in Western India, which makes it a particularly touristy area.
The spectacular forts ofRajasthan were built as unforgiving defensive citadels, but by the mid-16th century luxurious palaces, pleasure pavilions and gardens were added, displaying Mughal-inspired features. In the early 20th century there was another spate of palace buildings in Rajasthan andGujarat. As a result of increasing contact with the British Raj, a marked European influence in both architecture and décor is clearly visible in these palaces.
Hill forts such as the ones inChittorgarh andJodhpur are the most impregnable examples of Rajasthani forts. The forts atJaisalmer, on the other hand, lie amidst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Bharatpur'sLohagarh fort used thick mud walls for protection.The Neemrana Fort Palace, now ahotel is another architectural wonder with brilliantly designed balconies and lush green patches.
Lalgarh Palace inBikaner was built in 1902 and is a wonderful example of Indo-European architecture. The unique blend of both styles is reflected in the banquet halls and old-fashioned billiard rooms. TheWankaner Palace is crowned with Italianate pillars and Gothic arches. The cities ofJaipur andUdaipur have the best palaces.
Western India has a variety of geography, ranging from the deserts of Rajasthan and Kutch-Gujarat to the long coast of Gujarat, Maharastra and Goa. There are some of the oldest forests of the Western Ghats and grasslands in Saurashtra-Gujarat and part of Maharashtra.
Sariska National Park andRanthambore National Park are both home to tigers. However, the chances of spotting them are low (especially at Sariska since there are barely a handful left), unless you decide to spend a week or more at these places. TheKeoladeo Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of Bharatpur is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to over 275 species of migrant birds. Don't expect miles and miles of forest green in these sanctuaries, most of the landscape is dry and slightly rocky scrubland.
Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is the only place where you can find Asiatic Lions and their population is on the rise. Some other attractions for wildlife enthusiasts areBlackbuck National Park, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Wild Ass National Park in Kutch and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. There are many wildlife sanctuaries where approved campsites are available. Facilities at these campsites can vary widely and lesser-known sanctuaries have very basic camping facilities.
Mumbai,Jaipur andPune house a number of good museums. See the city pages for more information. TheChhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya and theNational War Museum are perhaps the most well-known.
You will find some great cuisine groups in the region. Gujarati cuisine is mostly vegetarian, sweet, and makes heavy use of milk products. Gujaratis make some of the best snack items such as the Dhokla and the Muthia. Rajasthani cuisine is similar to Gujarati, but somewhat spicier. Maharashtra and Goa are famous for their seafood.
If you order a thali (lit: "platter"), you will get a complete meal arranged on your plate, with a roti or chappati, rice and many different varieties of curries and curd. Ordering a thali is a popular option when you are hungry and in a hurry as it will usually be served blazingly fast. Most mid-level restaurants will have a thali on the menu, at least during lunch hours. Occasionally, they will be "unlimited", which means that some of the items are all-you-can-eat. The waiters will actually serve them at your table. Try the Gujarati thali, with its unlimited range of vegetarian dishes, or the spicier Rajasthani thali. The Rajdhani chain of retsurants serve the best thalis for a mere ₹124. They have numerous locations throughoutMumbai,Vadodara andPune.
This is a region with drastically different approaches to alcohol!Gujarat is adry state, which means that you cannot legally purchase alcohol without a special permit.Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, a union territory directly administered by the central government, has taken full advantage of Gujarat's prohibition by setting extremely low taxes on alcohol and as a result is a popular destination for Gujarati alcohol tourism.Goa has an extremely liberal attitude to drinking andfeni, a wine made of cashew is a popular drink there. Maharashtra is fast becoming a wine-producing region and theSula wines are beginning to make a mark internationally.
Bhang, a form of cannabis is available at government-recognized shops and is socially accepted in Rajasthan.
Cafe Coffee Day[dead link] andBarista have coffee stores inMumbai,Pune,Vadodara,Ahmedabad,Gandhinagar,Rajkot,Jamnagar,Nashik,Jaipur,Jodhpur,Jaisalmer,Udaipur andSurat. Fresh juice is available off the sidewalk for nominal prices, usually ₹15-₹20 a glass.
This region has tea-loving culture. Any time is good for offering tea. Tea here comes with milk (cream) and sugar unless you specify otherwise.
Unlike the plains, Western India has a low crime-rate. Pickpockets are known to operate inPune andMumbai. Keep your money, passport and credit card safely in your wallet. TheNational Toll-free Police Helpline is100.
Rajasthan has plenty of persistent touts. Just ignore them and walk on. Hotel scams are not uncommon and booking a room in advance is highly recommended.
| Thisregion travel guide toWestern Indiais ausable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but pleasefeel free to improve itby editing the page. |
