Saral Study

Introduction

Odisha, formerly known as Orissa is situated on the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. The state was established in 1936 under the British rule. A large part of the state speaks Oriya, the native language of Odisha.

Capital

Bhubaneswar is the official capital of Odisha. Cuttack was the capital of the state before independence. The city is also known as the ‘temple city’ of India because of the presence of numerous beautiful temples here.

Culture

The inhabitants of Odisha are mainly tribal who love to sing, dance and enjoy. Mayubhanj Chau is the most famous dance form of Odisha. Sand art is practiced on the beaches of Odisha.

Weather

The state of odisha experiences a typical tropical type of climate. During the summers, it experiences hot winds coming from the northern areas and during winters, biting cold winds blow all over the state. The average temperature during summers is 36⁰-40⁰C while during winters the temperature may drop down to 10⁰C.

Lifestyle

Odisha has long been known for its exotic lifestyle and beautiful beaches. The people indulge themselves in works like hunting, fishing and gathering.

Major crops grown

Agriculture is the major occupation of the people of odisha. The state is amongst the largest producers of rice in the country. Other crops grown here include jute, oilseeds, pulses, coconut, sugarcane, tea, rubber, maize etc.

Costumes and Ornaments

Western dressing has entered the state and has been widely accepted by both rural and urban people. Traditional wear includes dhoti, kurta and gamcha among men and sari of different kinds among women.

Major festivals

The major festivals celebrated in Odisha are Saraswati puja, Ganesh puja, Shiva ratri, Janmashtmi and Karma festival.

Tourist attraction

Orissa is famous for its beaches and temples. The puri beach is a famous tourist attraction in odisha. Other places which attract tourists are Jagannath temple, Konark sun temple, Ling raja temple and Nandankanan zoological park.

Kinds of homes

The population of Orissa consists mainly comprised of tribal people who have settled in the plain. Few of them also reside in the hilly areas with well built plastered houses.

Famous personalities

Odisha is home to many eminent personalities who have contributed in various fields like art, literature, freedom fight, journalism, etc. Few names in the literary field are Gangadhar Meher, F.M.Senapati. Freedom fighters like Dr. H.K. Mahtab, Pandit Gopabandhu Das.

Introduction

Maharashtra is the most populous state of the nation. The state inhabits around 110 million people. The state is a home to Marathi and Bollywood film industries also. Because of the immense job and business opportunities available in Maharashtra, people from all parts of the country migrate to this state and settle here.

Capital

Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra and is also the financial capital of the country. The city is home to the headquarters of all the major banks in the country. The city is famous for its seaside location and the fact that many Bollywood celebs live here.

Culture

The Marathi culture is visible in the day to day life of the people of Maharashtra. Their culture is a fusion of different castes, creeds and religions. The main craftwork of Maharashtra includes KolhapuriChappals, Kolhapurijewelry of different varieties. Women indulge in jewellery making and handmade footwear of leather.

Weather

The state of Maharashtra experiences tropical monsoon climate. The weather conditions are not extreme with the summer temperatures ranging between 22-39 degrees and the winter temperature between 12-34 degrees. Winter season is pleasant and dry while the summers are hot and humid. The monsoon season begins from June and lasts till September/October.

Lifestyle

The Marathi people are very welcoming and hospitable. People from different religions reside there harmoniously. Excluding the urban population, a large part of Maharashtra has tribal and rural population. The people of Maharashtra love their dance, music and festivals.

Major crops

Agriculture is practiced mainly in the land of Maharashtra. Cotton and sugarcane are the major crops grown here. Other crops found here are wheat, rice, mangoes, bananas, seasonal vegetables, grapes etc.

Costume and ornaments

The dressing sense of Marathi people is influenced by their traditional culture. Men in general wear a dhoti with a shirt and a head gear called pheta. The women wear a 9 yard sari teamed up with a choli or blouse.

Major festivals

Apart from holi and diwali which are celebrated all over the country, dussehra and ganesh chaturthi are two festivals that are celebrated with great zeal and the celebrations reach the zenith during the festival nights.

Tourist attractions

Maharashtra has a lot to offer to the tourists. The main places of interest include Dargah of Haji Ali, Gateway of India, and Elephanta Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara, Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Kinds of homes

The urban population of Maharashtra resides in well built apartments, luxurious skyscrapers and flats while the rural population lives in houses with basic amenities.

Famous personalities

Chhatrapati Shivaji, Aziz Premji, numerous Bollywood Icons and Business tycoons also belong to Maharashtra.

Introduction

The first thing that comes to mind when one hears about Goa is the beach. Goa, ‘the pearl of the east’ has been a famous spot for tourists because of its age-old ruins, beautiful churches, picturesque landscape and beaches.

Capital

Goa is a state of barnstorming spots and its official capital is Panaji. Panaji is the main attraction for tourists worldwide. People all over the globe visit Goa for the heritage architecture, worship places and most importantly the beaches.

Culture

The people of Goa are mostly Hindus, but a strong Catholic influence is seen in the monuments and culture of the state. People found here are very good at wood carving, bamboo and seashell crafting. Other important craftwork includes brass metals, wooden lacquer ware, embroidery, metal embossing, stone carving, soft toys and artistic weaving.

Weather

The weather in Goa is moderate. The month of May is hottest during summers and the coldest months are January and February. The monsoon season is from the month of June till September.

Lifestyle

The Portuguese settled in Goa for a long time, which is why the lifestyle of the people has the influence of Portugal.

Major crops grown-Agriculture is an important activity in Goa. The main food crops grown here are paddy, maize, Bajra, Ragi, jowar and pulses. The main cash crops found here are coconut, mango, banana, cashew nut, pineapple etc. onions and chillies are also grown here.

Costume and Ornaments

Skirt is a common outfit among females due to strong Portuguese influence. Traditional sari is also worn by women on special occasions in a different style.

Major Festivals

The festivals of Goa are mostly Christianity specifically. Thanksgiving, processions, feast days, the feast of our lady of miracle (celebrated after 16 days of Easter) are some of the festivals of Goa which both the Hindus and Christians celebrate with joy.

Tourist Attraction

The historical monuments and churches in the state show a harmony between Indian and Portuguese culture. The palm fringed beaches are the biggest tourist attraction here. Goa is the home to around a million years old beaches which are famous all over the world. Other famous places include the Indian bazaars, magnificent churches and the temples.

Kinds of homes

The houses are beautifully designed with the brick art easily visible outside each house. People live in small houses that are not much maintained and the industries will rarely be seen except on the outskirts.

Famous personalities

Goa has given birth to many of the famous personalities be it the freedom fighters, musicians or the political leaders. Mohan Ranade was a freedom fighter who actively participated in the freedom movement of India.

Establishment Date

On 30th May,1987 Goa was made India’s 25th state.

Introduction

Chhattisgarh was formed in 2000 when it was separated from Madhya Pradesh. The state is a storehouse of steel and electricity and accounts for the largest contributor of both these things in the country. It has become one of the fastest developing states with time.

Capital

After partition, Raipur was made the capital of Chhattisgarh. Raipur has its name in the top list when it comes to sites of archaeological importance and ancient heritage. The majority of people residing in the city belong to the Hindu community.

Culture

A large part of the state consists of tribal people who speak Hindi and Chhattisgarhi. They are peace loving and live in harmony with nature. They are hard working and creative at the same time. Industries located on the outskirts employ people, while the other lot expertise in traditional handicrafts.

Weather

Chhattisgarh experiences tropical climate. As it is close to the tropic of cancer, it remains hot and humid for most part of the year. During the summers, temperatures shoot up to 45 degrees. The state receives an appreciable amount of rain during the months between June and October. Winters are pleasant and cool with less humidity.

Lifestyle

The tribal people of Chhattisgarh have a distinct lifestyle that revolves around delicious cuisines, traditional dance forms and local music. They have their own way of living that is not influenced by any foreign factor.

Major festivals

The people in Chhattisgarh are full of life and they enjoy their festivals to the fullest. Grand Festival celebrations are held all over in Chhattisgarh. Some of the major festivals celebrated are Madai festival, Bastar Dussehra, Champaran Mela, Fagun Wadai, Teej festival, Ramaram fair, Pola festival, Dantewada festival, Sihawa fair, to name a few.

Major crops

Chhattisgarh’s central part is located in the fertile plain of the mahanadi river. Rice cultivation is very common in this part of the state and it is referred to as the rice bowl of central India. The principal crop grown here is paddy. Other crops grown here include wheat, pulses, oilseeds and millets.

Costumes

The traditional costumes are not very much prevalent in the state. The tribal people have a significant costume. They wear white clothes with brightly colored borders. Different colors are used in the fabrics. In the urban areas, normal clothing trends are followed that have an influence on western culture.

Tourist attractions

The major tourist attraction of Chhattisgarh is the chitrakote falls which are also known as the Niagara Falls of India. It is surrounded by forests and the mere sight of it attracts thousands of tourists. The state has more natural attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, forests and mountains which are worth seeing.

Kinds of homes

Chhattisgarh is a fast developing state and is well connected with the rest of the country through a network of roads and railways. The people here prefer to live in well maintained houses.

Establishment Date

Chattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1st November,2000.

Famous Personalities

Agnivesh, a social activist, Anurag Basu, famous Bollywood Writer & Director and Rajesh Chauhan, former Indian Cricketer.

Introduction

Assam has an amazing aura with vast fields of tea and exquisite gardens of unique trees and herbal plants. Assam is located in the extreme northeastern part of India and is surrounded by Nagaland in the east, west Bengal in the west, Bhutan in the north and Mizoram and Tripura in the south. it is considered as a place of divine beauty and peace.

Capital

Guwahati is the capital of the state and gets its name from an amalgamation of two words,guwa and hati, which means the betel nut and a little market together. People here are extremely gentle and humble. Guwahati is home to many beautiful and eye catching locations of the state.

Culture

Assam is mainly a forest oriented place with most of its culture influenced from the forest products itself. The state specializes in mat making, pottery, bamboo and cane furniture, mat making, woodwork and weaving handloom.

Weather

The weather of Assam is marked by extreme humidity. On the hills, climate is salubrious while the plains experience comparatively warmer climate in summers and cool in winters. During summers, when the rest of the country experiences summers, Assam receives a considerable amount of rainfall from the northwestern winds and is responsible to lower the temperatures during summers. Winters are colder dropping the temperatures to around 8 degrees.

Lifestyle

People in Assam enjoy a unique lifestyle. They wear different kinds of handmade fabrics which have astonishing designs on them. Migration is common in Assam with people migrating from south East Asia who adopt their homes in the plains and tribal region just so to make their ends meet.

Major festivals

Bohag bihu or Rongali is the famous festival of Assam where people from all over the state gather to enjoy and celebrate their hearts out. The festival comes from a theory of vernal equinox when night and day are counted equal. It is celebrated at the start of April which is also the first month in the Assamese calendar.

Major crops

Assam shares a huge part in the economy of the country. Being an agricultural land, Assam produces a variety of crops which accounts for the survival and living in major parts of the state. It has a lot of greenery and forests all around and hence a rich flora and fauna. Major or the only popular crop is the tea plantations. Because of the soil, tea and its variants grow extremely well in an area of about 2.31 Lac hectares. Other crops are sugarcane, pineapple, guavas,mango, jute cotton, etc.

Costumes and ornaments

The traditional costumes are mekhela-chador for women and for men its churia which are usually worn on special occasions and festivals. Though the traditional prevails, with the western culture finding its way in the state, people are changing from their traditional clothes to modern attire.

Tourist attractions

Assam is one such place which opens in closure from the three sides, the scenic view and undulating topography is something that tourists get attracted from all over the world. Assam also has many museums that are a storehouse of the state’s culture and ancient traditions. Many of the ruined sites which have been resurrected by the ASI give a fine view of the past glory of the state.Tea Gardens spread across the state also attract tourists.

Kinds of homes

As the weather of Assam is mostly rainy, hence the houses are made in a way to avoid floods and water logging. They also make ways to collect rainwater initiating rainwater harvesting.

Famous personalities

Assam has raised some magnificent personalities and continues to do so. Few names among them are Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, who was the fifth president of India, Gopinath Bordoloi, first CM of independent Assam, Bagh Hazarika and Chilara are the freedom fighters.

Introduction

Andhra Pradesh has always been the seat for mini ancient dynasties which is why it is called as the state of rich heritage, beautiful temples and culture. Andhra is often referred to as the food bowl of the south. Apart from its ancient history, the state has always been in light for its diverse and amazing landscapes.

Capital

Hyderabad  is the capital of Andhra Pradesh. The place has a lot of influence from the Mughal dynasty of its art and architecture. The impact of Mughals is also noticed in Hyderabad’s cuisine like the HyderabadiBiryani. Historically Hyderabad was famous as the diamond and pearl trading center.

Culture

It was believed that the original settlers in Andhra Pradesh were Dravidians. People of all religions and faiths are found here. Because the state derives its heritage from the ancient world, hence the handicrafts are very popular of all kinds. Nirmal, Bidri, Himroois some famous art forms that depict exquisite artwork of the people residing here.

Weather

The weather in the southern states is usually hot and humid throughout the year. Andhra Pradesh has a sub-tropical type of climate where the summer season stays from March to June. The coastal areas of the state experience sea breeze and land breeze because of which the temperatures don’t shoot too high. During monsoons, tropical rains are seen and the winters are not much cooler.

Lifestyle

People in Andhra Pradesh choose to live freely without any boundaries. They believe in simple living and high thinking. Their attire, way of living and their language differs from others in every sense.

Major Crops Grown

Nearly 70% of the population of Andhra Pradesh is indulged in farming and agriculture. The main crops that are found here are jowar, bajra, rice, sugarcane, cotton, banana, tobacco, etc. A small part of the state, around 20%, is covered by forest. The main products obtained from the forest are bamboo, cashew, teak, softwood and eucalyptus.

Costume & Ornaments

The traditional attire of the people in Andhra Pradesh includes sari, salwar-kameez, churidar, kurta and lungi. Due to the increasing western influence, trousers, shirts and jeans are catching pace now.

Major Festivals

Andhra Pradesh celebrates all major festivals like Eid, Diwali, Janmashtami, MahaShivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Christmas, Easter and all with great joy and fun, but their favorite of all is the Sankranti and Ugadi which has some extra importance in their history and lives. Bathukamma is a festival where the idol of goddess Bathakamma is left in the rivers.

Tourist Attractions

Andhra Pradesh has got some really attractive and picturesque spots for the tourists. Apart from the landscape, major historical monuments are also tourist attractions. The most famous among them are Golconda fort, Char Minar, Mecca masjid,Falaknuma Palace,Chowmahalla Palace. The capital of the state itself is a unique location as it is a twin city-Hyderabad and Secunderabad.Andhra Pradesh has lots of famous temples too like Bhadrachalam Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple.Kuntala Waterfall and Bhongir Fort in Hyderabad attract visitors from all over the world.

Kinds of homes

because of the hot climate throughout, the houses are as such normal. The colonies are big, giving space to many houses. The place altogether looks complex and packed.

Famous personalities

Andhra Pradesh has given birth to dozens of famous personalities and one of them is Sarojini Naidu. She was known as the nightingale of India, an independent activist, a poet and a child prodigy. She was also the first woman to become the governor of an Indian state. Another name in the list is Sania Mirza. She is an amazing tennis player who has made her country proud by winning several major leagues and challenges.

Establishment Date

Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1st October,1953.