Connect India's places, languages, food, sacred geography and cultural identity. Start with the map, then explore the land, its heritage sites, its pilgrimage places and its kitchens.
Each tile is one of India's 28 states and 8 union territories (dashed border), placed roughly where it sits on the map. Tap or click a tile to open its profile.
NorthWestCentralEastNortheastSouth
Pick a state
You'll see its capital, main languages, festivals, signature food, places to see, and a fun fact for kids.
Try this: Find three states whose festivals appear in the Festivals Compass.
This is a simplified tile diagram for learning, not a to-scale or boundary map. For official maps, see the Survey of India. The official Indian Culture Portal also offers map-based access to states and heritage sites.
Map layers coming soon
Future versions will add switchable layers for rivers, mountain ranges, cities, languages, dance traditions, cuisines, UNESCO sites, monuments, pilgrimage sites, and historic ports and trade routes.
5.3
Rivers, mountains, and ecosystems
Ganga
The Ganga rises at the Gangotri glacier in the Himalayas and flows about 2,500 km to the Bay of Bengal. It is India's national river. Its plains feed hundreds of millions of people, and cities like Haridwar, Prayagraj and Varanasi grew on its banks as places of pilgrimage. It faces serious pollution, and the Namami Gange programme works to clean it.
Brahmaputra
Starting in Tibet (as the Yarlung Tsangpo), it enters India in Arunachal Pradesh and crosses Assam. Its huge floodplains bring fertile soil but also yearly floods. Majuli, one of the world's largest river islands, sits in it, and Kaziranga's grasslands depend on it.
Narmada and Godavari
The Narmada flows west through a rift valley into the Arabian Sea, unusual for a large Indian river. The Godavari, sometimes called the "Dakshin Ganga" (Ganga of the south), crosses the Deccan to the Bay of Bengal. Both are lined with temples, ghats and pilgrimage routes.
Himalayas
The world's highest mountain range, still rising as the Indian plate pushes into Asia. Its glaciers feed great rivers. Mountain communities in Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal have adapted farming, homes and festivals to the altitude. The glaciers are now retreating as the climate warms.
Western Ghats
A chain of hills along the west coast and one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, listed by UNESCO. They catch the monsoon rains, feed rivers like the Krishna and Kaveri, and shelter species found nowhere else, such as the lion-tailed macaque.
Diverse landscapes
The Thar Desert in Rajasthan has camel fairs and folk music. The Sundarbans are the world's largest mangrove forest, home to tigers that swim. Northeast India has rainforests, living root bridges and orchids. The Deccan plateau holds ancient volcanic rock and great forts.
River Story Map: Pick one river. Trace it from source to sea on a map. Along the way, mark the cities, temples or shrines, festivals, crops, and one environmental concern.
5.4
Monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites
India has more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are some featured ones. For each, notice the period, the builders, what makes it special, and how to visit respectfully.
Taj Mahal, Agra
Built by Shah Jahan (c. 1632–1653) as a tomb for Mumtaz Mahal. White marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, perfect symmetry and a charbagh garden.
I Spy: find the four minarets. Why do they lean slightly outward?
Qutb Minar, Delhi
A 73-metre victory tower begun around 1199 under the early Delhi Sultanate. Nearby stands the ancient Iron Pillar, which has resisted rust for about 1,600 years.
I Spy: count the tower's balconies.
Red Fort, Delhi
Shah Jahan's red sandstone palace-fortress (1639–1648). The Prime Minister raises the national flag here every Independence Day.
I Spy: the Lahori Gate's arches.
Hampi, Karnataka
Ruins of Vijayanagara, a capital of the 14th–16th centuries, among giant boulders. It includes the Virupaksha temple and the famous stone chariot at Vittala temple.
I Spy: the stone chariot's wheels.
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Temples built by the Chandela dynasty (c. 950–1050) with extraordinarily detailed sculpture of daily life, music, dance and the divine.
I Spy: find musicians in the carvings.
Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
A 13th-century temple to Surya designed as a giant chariot with 24 carved wheels pulled by seven horses. The wheels also work as sundials.
I Spy: count the spokes on one wheel.
Ajanta and Ellora, Maharashtra
Ajanta's Buddhist caves hold some of the world's finest ancient paintings. Ellora has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves side by side, including the Kailasa temple carved from a single rock.
I Spy: one Buddhist, one Hindu, one Jain cave at Ellora.
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Pallava-era (7th–8th century) shore temples, rathas carved from single rocks, and the giant relief often called "Arjuna's Penance."
I Spy: elephants in the great relief.
Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh
Buddhist monuments with roots in Ashoka's time. The Great Stupa's four carved gateways (toranas) tell stories of the Buddha's lives.
I Spy: the Buddha is not shown in human form. What symbols stand for him?
Fatehpur Sikri, Uttar Pradesh
Akbar's red sandstone capital (1570s–1580s), with the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid and the Diwan-i-Khas, where he held discussions with scholars of many faiths.
I Spy: the height of Buland Darwaza's steps.
Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Grasslands and wetlands on the Brahmaputra, home to most of the world's one-horned rhinos, plus tigers, elephants and wild buffalo.
I Spy: a rhino's single horn.
Sundarbans, West Bengal
The world's largest mangrove forest, shared with Bangladesh. Tides flood it twice a day, and Royal Bengal tigers live here.
I Spy: mangrove roots poking up to breathe.
Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal
High forests, alpine meadows and glaciers sheltering snow leopards, musk deer and the western tragopan pheasant.
I Spy: how do trees change as you climb?
Visitor etiquette at heritage sites: Don't touch or lean on carvings and paintings; flash photography harms ancient colours. Stay on paths, carry your litter out, and check Archaeological Survey of India rules for photography and timings.
Teerth Sthal Explorer: sacred places across traditions
A teerth (tirtha) is a "crossing place": somewhere people travel to for prayer, healing, learning or remembrance. This guide focuses on history, geography, culture and responsible travel, across all of India's traditions.
Show:
Varanasi (Kashi)
Uttar Pradesh. One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, on the Ganga's ghats. Evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Best: Oct–Mar.
Ayodhya
Uttar Pradesh. Revered as Rama's birthplace, on the Sarayu river. Known for its Deepotsav lamp festival at Diwali. Best: Oct–Mar.
Mathura and Vrindavan
Uttar Pradesh. Linked with Krishna's birth and childhood; famous for Holi and Janmashtami. Best: Feb–Mar for Holi; Oct–Mar.
Dwarka
Gujarat. Krishna's kingdom by the sea and one of the Char Dham. The Dwarkadhish temple overlooks the Gomti's mouth. Best: Oct–Mar.
Rameswaram
Tamil Nadu. An island temple town and one of the Char Dham, famous for its long pillared corridors. Best: Oct–Apr.
Kedarnath and Badrinath
Uttarakhand. High Himalayan shrines to Shiva and Vishnu, open only about May–November because of snow. Tip: plan for altitude and weather.
Tirupati (Tirumala)
Andhra Pradesh. The Venkateswara temple on the Tirumala hills is among the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world. Tip: book darshan slots online.
Shirdi
Maharashtra. Associated with Sai Baba, revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. Best: Oct–Mar.
Bodh Gaya
Bihar. Where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO site. Best: Oct–Mar.
Sarnath
Uttar Pradesh, near Varanasi. Site of the Buddha's first sermon; Dhamek Stupa and the Lion Capital museum.
Kushinagar
Uttar Pradesh. Where the Buddha passed into parinirvana; the reclining Buddha statue.
Sanchi, Ajanta and Ellora
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Ancient stupas, monasteries and painted caves (see UNESCO above).
Palitana (Shatrunjaya)
Gujarat. Over 800 temples on a hilltop, reached by more than 3,000 steps. No one stays on the hill overnight.
Shravanabelagola
Karnataka. The 17-metre monolithic statue of Bahubali (Gommateshwara), anointed in the Mahamastakabhisheka about every 12 years.
Ranakpur and Mount Abu (Dilwara)
Rajasthan. Marble temples with extraordinarily fine carving. Ranakpur has over 1,400 pillars, no two alike.
Amritsar: Harmandir Sahib
Punjab. The Golden Temple, open on all four sides as a sign of welcome to everyone. Its langar never closes.
Anandpur Sahib
Punjab. Birthplace of the Khalsa (1699) and home of the Hola Mohalla festival.
Hemkund Sahib
Uttarakhand. A high-altitude gurdwara beside a glacial lake, open roughly June–October, near the Valley of Flowers.
Patna Sahib and Hazur Sahib (Nanded)
Bihar and Maharashtra. Birthplace and final resting place of Guru Gobind Singh, two of the five Takhts.
Ajmer Sharif
Rajasthan. Dargah of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, visited by people of all faiths, especially during the Urs.
Delhi
Jama Masjid, and the Nizamuddin Dargah with its Thursday-evening qawwali.
Hyderabad and Lucknow
Mecca Masjid and the Charminar area; Lucknow's Bara and Chhota Imambaras, centres of Shia heritage and Muharram observances.
Kashmir
Hazratbal Shrine on Dal Lake and Srinagar's wooden Khanqah-e-Moula, examples of Kashmir's distinctive architecture.
Goa
The Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Se Cathedral in Old Goa (UNESCO), linked with St Francis Xavier.
Kerala: St Thomas tradition
Syrian Christians trace their community to the apostle Thomas, said to have arrived around 52 CE. Ancient churches stand at Kodungallur, Palayur and elsewhere.
Northeast India
Strong Christian communities in Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya, with large church festivals at Christmas.
Sacred groves
Forests protected by communities for generations: Meghalaya's Mawphlang, the kavu of Kerala, and the devrai of Maharashtra.
Sacred lakes and hills
Khecheopalri Lake in Sikkim, Niyamgiri hills revered by the Dongria Kondh, and Majuli's satras on the Brahmaputra.
What every site profile includes
Location and access · historical background · religious or cultural significance · best time to visit · dress and conduct · photography and conservation rules · accessibility notes · nearby food and cultural experiences.
Visiting any sacred place: Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Remove shoes where asked, and cover your head in gurdwaras and many dargahs. Follow queue and photography rules. Always ask before photographing people or rituals. Check accessibility in advance, since many sites involve steps, slopes or high altitude.
5.6
Indian Food Library
Food in India is history, geography, festival culture, family memory and everyday life all at once. Each recipe card shows the dish, its story, and adaptations for different diets and for kitchens outside India.
Can be made:
Moong Dal Tadka
All over India · dal = lentils · 30 min · Easy
Story: The everyday comfort food of millions of homes, often the first food babies eat.
Ingredients (serves 4)
1 cup split yellow moong dal, rinsed
3 cups water, ½ tsp turmeric, salt to taste
Tadka: 1 tbsp oil or ghee, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 2 garlic cloves, 1 dried red chilli, a pinch of hing (asafoetida)
Fresh coriander, lemon
Steps
Simmer dal with water and turmeric for 20–25 minutes until soft (or about 3 whistles in a pressure cooker). Add salt.
Heat oil, add cumin until it sizzles, then garlic, chilli and hing.
Pour the tadka over the dal, finish with coriander and lemon. Serve with rice or roti.
Adaptations:Vegan: use oil. Jain: skip garlic and use extra hing and ginger. Gluten-free: check the hing, since many brands mix it with wheat flour.
Abroad: Moong dal is sold at Indian, Asian and many large supermarkets. Yellow split peas work in a pinch (cook longer).
Keeps 3 days in the fridge. Ask: "What dish reminds your family of home?"
Til-Gud Laddu
Maharashtra, Gujarat, North India · Makar Sankranti · 25 min · Easy
Story: Sesame and jaggery warm the body in winter. In Maharashtra people share them saying "Tilgul ghya, god god bola": "take these sweets and speak sweetly."
Ingredients (about 15)
1 cup white sesame seeds
¾ cup grated jaggery
1 tbsp ghee
¼ cup roasted peanuts, crushed (optional)
½ tsp cardamom powder
Steps
Dry-roast sesame on low heat until golden and fragrant; cool.
Melt jaggery with ghee on low heat, stirring, until it bubbles and a drop in water forms a soft ball.
Off the heat, mix in sesame, peanuts and cardamom.
With greased hands, shape small balls while warm. Careful: jaggery syrup is very hot. An adult should do this step.
Adaptations:Vegan: use coconut oil. Nut-free: skip peanuts. Note that sesame is itself a common allergen.
Abroad: Use jaggery (gur) from Indian stores, or dark muscovado / panela with a splash of water.
Sheer Khurma
Hyderabad, Delhi, Lucknow and beyond · Eid al-Fitr · 30 min · Easy
Story: Persian for "milk with dates." It is served on Eid morning to every guest who visits.
Ingredients (serves 6)
1 litre full-fat milk
½ cup fine roasted vermicelli (seviyan)
1 tbsp ghee
¼ cup sugar (adjust)
6–8 dates, chopped
2 tbsp each almonds, pistachios, cashews, sliced
½ tsp cardamom, a few saffron strands
Steps
Fry nuts and dates in ghee for 1–2 minutes; set aside.
Lightly fry vermicelli in the same pan until golden.
Add milk and simmer 10–15 minutes until slightly thick, stirring.
Add sugar, cardamom, saffron, then most of the nuts and dates. Garnish with the rest. Serve warm or chilled.
Adaptations:Vegan: oat or almond milk and coconut oil. Nut-free: use toasted seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower. Gluten-free: use rice vermicelli.
Abroad: Look for "roasted vermicelli" in South Asian or Middle Eastern shops. Medjool dates work well.
No sample recipe matches that filter yet. More recipes are being added.
Recipe card template
Every recipe in the library covers: dish name and regional origin · names in local languages · main ingredients · step-by-step method · cultural or festival connection · vegetarian, vegan, Jain, gluten-free and nut-free adaptations · overseas substitutions · cooking time and difficulty · food-safety and storage tips · a family memory prompt.
5.7
Regional cuisine modules
North India
Butter chicken, dal makhani, chole bhature, tandoori dishes, chaat and stuffed parathas.
Key traits: wheat breads, rich dairy (ghee, paneer, cream), the clay tandoor oven, and Mughlai influences in Delhi and Lucknow.
South India
Dosa, idli, sambar, rasam, coconut chutney, Kerala sadya and fiery Chettinad cuisine.
Key traits: rice and lentil batters, coconut, curry leaves, tamarind, and long seafood traditions along the coasts.
