India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: भारत गणराज्य Bharat Gaṇarajya; see also other Indian languages), is a country in South Asia. It is a parliamentary federal republic consisting of 28 states and 7 union territories. It is the seventh largest country by geographical area, the second most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east, India has a coastline of 7,517 kilometers (4,671 mi). It borders Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Burma to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean. (via Wikipedia)

India is land of pilgrims and pilgrimages. These holy places, whether in the hills or in the plains, are generally situated on river-banks or by the sea. It is not only religious people who visit these places of pilgrimage. Also travelers and sightseers from all over India and even from abroad visit these. Wherever two or more rivers meet, pilgrims come to bathe and worship, because that place is supposed to be holy. In the north-wester region of India travellers often cross the tributaries of Indus and see strange and beautiful sights. Here we have one of the rarest places of pilgrimage. This is Monimahesh situated beside the beautiful lake of the same name. To reach it, pilgrims trek along the river Ravi. Just beyond are the beautiful Kalu and Kangra Valleys, known for their delicious fruit and works of art.

Location and Position of India World Scale Map:

• Lying between latitude 8˚4’ N to 37˚6’ N and from longitude 68˚4’ E to 97˚25’ E, the country is divided into almost equal parts by the Tropic of Cancer (Passing from Jabalpur in MP).
• The southernmost point in Indian Territory, (in Great Nicobar Island) is the Indira point (6˚45’), while Kanyakumari, also known as Cape Comorin, is the southernmost point of Indian mainland. The country thus lies wholly in the northern and eastern hemispheres.
• The 82˚30’ E longitude is taken as the Standard Time Maridian of India, as it passes through the middle of India (from Naini, near Allahabad).

Area and Boundaries of India

• India stretches 3,214 km. from N to S & 2,933 km. from E to W.
• Area: 32, 87,263 sq. km. Accounts for 2.4% of the total world area and 16% of the population.
• Mainland India has a coastline of 6,100 km. Including the Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar, the coastline measures about 7516.6 km.
• In India, of the total land mass:
• Plains: 43.3%, Plateaus: 27.7%, Hills: 18.6%, Mtns: 10.7%.
• In the South, on the eastern side, the Gulf of Mannar & the Palk Strait separate India from Sri Lanka.
• Total land neighbours: 7 (Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar).
• India’s Islands include the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Bay of Bengal & Lakshadweep, minicoy & Amindive Islands in the Arabian Sea.

Facts about Position of States of India

• Uttar Pradesh borders maximum number of states- 8 (Eight): Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, MP, Chhatisgath, Jharkhand and Bihar.
• Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 (Eight) States: Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Indian Standard Meridian (82˚30’E meridian) passes through UP, MP, Chhatisgarh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.