A mix of natural grandeur, cultural depth, and historical value, most travellers think of East India as an ignored destination. From the majestic Himalayas to the dense jungles of Assam, this eastern region of India is waiting to be unearthed.

Visit East India with Outdoorkeeda: The Secret Treasure

A Tapestry of Culture: Explore the diverse cultures of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Rich in varied traditions, languages, and cuisine, bringing life to the state.

Natural Wonders: Discover dramatic landscapes of East India, from majestic Himalayas, serene lakes through lush green tea plantations and dense rainforests. Visit wildlife national parks, home to wild animals and trek over scenic mountains.

Spiritual centres: Find a pocket of tranquillity and spiritual calmness at the sacred spiritual centres of East India. Visit the famous temples, monasteries, and ashrams that will reveal to you the best of this region’s deep spiritual heritage.

East India State Name List with Capitals

This is a list of East Indian states and their respective capitals.

Off the Beaten Path: East India

Darke as well as Shillong combined, hidden treasures; the backwaters in Kerala tend to be soothing; also simple remote villages or Arunachal Pradesh.

Adventure Activities: There are treks, rafting, paragliding and wildlife safaris among other things for all the adventure freaks. The rugged mountains and pristine rivers along with varieties of ecosystems constitute East India.

Discover the Secrets of East India

East India will, no doubt, leave a kind of memory. Thanks to its fabulous landscapes and a rich culture mixed with warm hospitality, it is bound to make a tourist want to go there. So pack your bags and get ready to walk that extra mile for the discovery of this hidden gem of India.

Diving into East India: A History of Geography, Culture, and Heritage

East India is a country of diversified landscapes with distinctive rich historical heritage and its classical cultures. This region comprises the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and the northeastern states which include Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura. Thus, East India is a treasure for travelers and history enthusiasts alike. Discussing it in-depth, here is a comprehensive discussion of what exactly makes East India exciting in terms of geography, historical landmarks, and culinary delights.

East India State Name List – Languages Spoken..

This is a list of East Indian states and their primary languages.

Geography of East India

Geography of East India is diversified and dramatic in terms of landscapes. The region comprises the moist plains of Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers; verdant hills of the northeastern states; a picturesque coastline that runs along Bay of Bengal.

1. The Gangetic Plain:

The Gangetic plain is one of the highest regions of agricultural productivity in India, encompassing both Bihar and West Bengal. It is the lifeblood to this region for centuries in developing the plain from nourishment by Ganges River. This place basically features flat terrain and rich alluvial soil.

2.The Chota Nagpur Plateau:

Jharkhand basically has been dominated by the Chota Nagpur Plateau with an undulating landscape of mineral wealth. The plateau comprises many waterfalls and dense forests; therefore, nature lovers throng this region.

3. The Eastern Ghats:

The Eastern Ghats lie parallel to the Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and parts of Tamil Nadu coasts. While much less rugged compared with the Western Ghats, this mountain system does display terrific natural beauty and many endemic flora and fauna.

4. Northeastern Hills:

Beautiful landscapes also characterise the Northeast states. Scenic beauty and biodiversity make Naga Hills, Khasi and Jaintia Hills, and Mizo Hills particularly noteworthy. Tea gardens and vibrant tribal cultures make it distinctive.

5. Coastal Regions:

Such beautiful beaches and an unparalleled coastal environment, which the Odisha and West Bengal coastline has brought, promise some beautiful seaside experiences at Digha and Puri. The Sundarbans delta has already given an international name to West Bengal with its mangrove forests and the Royal Bengal tiger.

Top 10 Major Attractions of East and Northeast India

This list incorporates attractions from both East and Northeast India, offering a diverse range of experiences:

1. Jorhat, Assam:

Popularly known as the tea capital of India, it is one of the most important urban centers of Assam. Birendra Kumar Bhattacharya, first person to win Jnanpith Award, hails from here only. Jorhat is accessible through all four routes water, air, road and railways.

2. Puri, Odisha:

Known for its beaches, Rathyatraand being one of the four pilgrimage sites (Chaardhaams) of Hindu religion, Puri’s main attraction is the Jagannath temple. This holy city has been invaded almost 18 times by Hindu as well as Muslim rulers of ancient times. Recently, owing to its vast cultural heritage, Purihas been selected as one of the Heritage Cities for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojna (HRIDAY).

3. Kolkata, West Bengal:

This 350 year old metropolis, the capital of West Bengal, fondly known as ‘the city of joy’ is a festival in itself. While the whole city halts on Durga Pooja, the loud voices of Dhak and red color of sindoor can be heard and seen everywhere. The Howrah bridge, Victoria memorial, Science city and many more such marvelous sites are ready to refresh and entertain you at the same time. This exciting city of Bengalis is situated on the banks of the Hooglyriver.

4. BodhGaya, Bihar:

Very holy and important pilgrimage site of the Buddhists, Bodhgaya is a village located in Bihar. The reason this site is so important for the Buddhists is that it is here under the Bodhi tree that Gautam Buddha became enlightened. The place is bundled up with, shrines, monasteries and temples. The magnificent Buddha statue at the Mahabodhi temple attracts tourists even from outside of India.

5. Darjeeling, West Bengal:

Quite rightly called ‘the Queen of Himalayas’, Darjeeling is a very popular hill station of West Bengal. Located at just 700 kms from Kolkata, this hill station spreads over a steep mountain ridge. The climate here is cold year round as it is on an altitude of 2,050 meters above sea level. The major attraction here is acres of tea plantations spanning all over the hill station.

6. Kaziranga National Park, Assam:

The Kaziranga National park is a World Heritage Site. Home to two thirds of one horned rhinoceros of the world, this high diversity park is located in the Nagaonand Golaghat districts of Assam. Inhabited by high density of tigers, elephants, swamp deer and wild water buffaloes, this park is the point of interjection of four major rivers.

7. Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh:

This is the birthplace of holy Dalai Lama. The whole area is budded with beautiful monasteries, and is situated at an altitude of 3048 m from the sea level. The best season to visit this place is from September to March.

8. Mawsynram, Meghalaya:

Wettest place on Earth, Mawsynram is feast to the eyes of a nature lover. The raining spree here makes it the perfect abode for those who love rains. It’s second to Cherrapunjee by just a bit.

9. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

A UNESCO world heritage site, the sun temple is a magnificent piece of ancient Indian architecture. It is also famous for its beautiful and mesmerizing beaches, and yearly festival in which people dance and enjoy their hearts out.

10. Shillong, Meghalaya:

Do you know we have Scotland in India? Yes, this city has pine trees in abundance. This soothing hill station is home to many ancient tribes, whose descendants still inhabit here. Derives its name from Lei Shyllong, this city is situated at an altitude of 1496 m. this hill station is famously known as ‘the Scotland of East’.

What to Eat

Food in Bengal and Orissa

Being a country that changes with the landscape, culture and food – East Indian cuisine is quite diverse. Each state has its own culinary tradition that often reflects the local ingredients and also the influence by the varied culture.

1. Bengali Cuisine:

The Bengali food is known for its delicate flavour and a wide use of mustard oil and panch phoron – an admixture of five spices. These include:

Macher Jhol: A spicy curry made with spices and mainly prepared with seasonal vegetables.

Shorshe Ilish: Hilsa fish prepared in the paste of mustard seed.

Rasgulla and Sandesh: Chenna sweets prepared from curdled milk.

2. Odia food makes use of mustard seeds, panch phoron, and other locally available vegetables. The notable ones are:

Dahi Pakhala: The fermented rice along with yoghurt, served with fried fish and vegetables.

Dalma: The simple lentil and vegetable preparation wherein lentils are cooked so as to complement coconut and cumin.

Chhena Poda: A baked chhena-based sweet dish sugar and cardamom flavoured.

3. Assamese Cuisine:

Assamese is characterised by a lot of rice and fish in dishes; the onset of flavors comes by use of local herbs and spices. Some of the main dishes are:

Assam Laksa: It is the noodle soup that comprises sour and piquant broth.

Khar: It is a preparation for chana dal with raw papaya and cooked in alkaline water called khar.

Pitha: Rice cakes which are either sweet or Savory. Coconut is the common filling and sometimes even jaggery.

4. Bihari Cuisine:

Bihari food is very hot and rich with lentils and vegetables. Some favorites include:

Litti Chokha: Dough balls, stuffed with sattu- or roasted gram flour, which are served with mashed, spiced vegetables

Sattu Paratha: Stuffed parathas of sattu with spices

5. Northeastern Cuisine:

Northeastern states boast a fabulous array of dishes that are made the most from local ingredients like bamboo shoots and fermented fish. Popular dishes include:

Thukpa: a noodle soup from Tibet that has gained immense popularity within the region.

Smoked Pork: It happens to be one of the oldest dishes available in Nagaland; it is steamed with bamboos and spices

Khar: Although Khar is an Assamese dish, it is prepared in many areas of Meghalaya also. Khar is a preparation made from raw papaya and lentils.

Conclusion

Discover East India with Outdoorkeeda, a land of striking contrasts and enthralling stories-from the vast geography to the richness in history, rich food traditions to its magnificent eclectic cultural melting pot. From ancient temples to trying out local delicacies or simply basking in the natural beauty East India has on offer; much is there about the deep cultural and historical layers inherent to this fascinating part of the world.

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