India is an amazing country. But what do we know about her? Let's lift the curtain a little and learn about its strange customs, culture and traditions.
Below are 12 interesting facts about India that will probably surprise you!
1. All major world religions are represented in India
Although 80 percent of Indians are followers of Hinduism, an interesting fact is that the country is home to a large number of major communities and all world religions. Christian communities and churches can be found in Kerala and Goa. Judaism in India is represented at Fort Kohi in Kerala.
Also in different regions of India there are followers of Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and other religions.
2. India has the largest number of vegetarians in the world
Although not all Hindus are vegetarians, and not all Indians are Hindus, vegetarianism is an important part of the traditional views and beliefs of Hinduism. Approximately 20-40% of Indians are vegetarians, making India the largest vegetarian country in the world.
3. India is the second largest English-speaking country in the world
The number of people who speak English is slightly smaller here than in the US. Another interesting fact about India is that English is one of the 22 official languages of India, and a subsidiary official language of the government along with Hindi. Only 10% of Indians speak English, and a small minority speak it as their first language, but in a country with such a large population, you can almost always find someone you can communicate with in it.
Sights of India
4. Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people in the world
The Kumbh Mela is a ritual of Hindu pilgrimage that grows in size every year. It is held every three years in one of the cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain, but the congregation in Allahabad, held every 12 years, is the largest and holiest. Interesting fact: in 2013, the festival attracted about 100 million people.
5. India has been a fashion hub since ancient times.
Among the interesting facts about India is that since ancient times, Indian fabrics have been sold all over the world, and the country has long been known as a producer of the best cotton and silk. One of the consequences of British colonialism was the impoverishment of Indian textile producers.
Today, the Indian fashion industry is once again thriving, with fashion weeks constantly held in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Also, many traditions have been preserved in India, such as hand weaving and hand printing.
6. Stepwells can be found throughout the desert.
In the dry climate of northern and western India, water is not always readily available and often has to be extracted from underground. Many stepwells in Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat were carved and decorated like temples with zigzag steps with many tunnels and balconies that lead to the water.
Some of the most beautiful step wells are Chand Baori near Jaipur and Ajalaj outside Ahmedabad.
7. Meghalaya is the rainiest populated place in the world
Although the arid deserts of Rajasthan in the west are better known, the northwestern state of Meghalaya is the rainiest inhabited place in the world, and that's quite an interesting fact! For example, the village of Mawsynram receives 11,871 millimeters of precipitation annually.
8. Bridges made from living trees
In the state of Meghalaya you can find amazing bridges that were created by nature over 500 years. Such bridges made of roots and climbing stems are much stronger than wooden bridges, which would quickly rot in the humid climate of Meghalaya.
9. India has the largest sundial in the world
The Jantar Mantar observatory complex in Jaipur and Delhi, built in the 18th century, was once a place where astronomical tables were prepared and the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets were predicted with the naked eye.
Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest, and is equipped with 19 architectural astronomical instruments, including the largest sundial in the world. The Delhi observatory is smaller but not as crowded and you can even climb some of the structures.
10. There are more than 140 types of traditional Indian desserts
Interesting fact: each region of India has its own distinctive desserts: petha - a dessert made from boiled pumpkin from Agra, daulat ki chaat made from foamed milk, which is sold in Delhi only in winter, rasagolla - Bengali balls based on milk in syrup, gajar ki halwa , made from grated carrots and popular in the north, rice pudding kheer or jalebi are curls of dough soaked in syrup.
Indian desserts are very sweet, made with lots of ghee and flavored with cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, coconut, rose water or nuts.
11. India has 6 seasons
According to the Hindu calendar, India has 6 seasons: summer, autumn, winter, spring, monsoon season and pre-winter season.
12. The largest family in the world
Among the interesting facts about India, there is one more - Ziona Chana is the head of the largest family in the world. He has 39 wives, 94 children and 39 grandchildren. They live in a 4-storey, 100-room house in Baktwang village in Mizoram.
In details.
India has it all - from sarees to spicy dishes, beautiful beaches and abundant snowfall! In this article, we will tell you interesting and surprising facts about India that will give you a better understanding of the different cultures and lifestyles of this country.
- Mobile factory for the production of environmentally friendly fuel briquettes
But let’s continue describing the interesting features of India.
India is famous for its rich culture and numerous traditions, which have their own characteristics in different regions of the country. India's area is fourth place in the world, has experienced development in many areas, its inhabitants belong to different religions and cultures. Currently, India's economy ranks 12th in the world, and although this magnificent country is developing at a fairly rapid pace, the big problem here still remains poverty and illiteracy of the population. India is proud of its proud history and is famous for its diversity, and the people of this country are especially famous for their hospitality and friendly nature! India is a unique country.
In the south, India is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. The western part of the country is washed by the Arabian Sea, and the eastern part by the Bay of Bengal. It is bordered in the west by Pakistan, in the northeast by China, Bhutan and Nepal, and in the east by Bangladesh and Burma.
The earliest traces of human life in India, found in the rock dwellings of Bhimbetka, located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Experts say that the oldest settlements appeared in India during the Indus Valley Civilization.
The largest rivers flowing through India include the Brahmaputra, Ganges, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Mahanadi, Indus, Narmada and Tapti.
India is famous not only for its diverse culture, but also contrasting climatic conditions. While in India, you can witness different types of weather conditions. In the west of India there is a desert region, in the north there are glaciers, in the southwest there are tropical forests that form humid tropical regions, etc. Therefore, in India, you can experience all four seasons: warm summers, wet monsoons, post-monsoon period and cool winters.
Indian music very diverse and includes many styles. Indian classical music has traditionally been passed down from generation to generation. It is based on certain religious ideas and beliefs. Apart from the traditional classical genre, India has a very interesting fusion of folk and pop music.
India is home to many traditional dance styles. Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Sattriya and Mohiniattam are some of the Indian classical dance styles. Along with these main types of classical dance, the folk dances of India, which are traditionally performed in a variety of colorful costumes, are of no less interest.
Here's another interesting feature of India. In terms of architecture, India has many historically significant landmarks that vividly demonstrate the rich history of this diverse land. Hindu temples date back to the 5th century AD. Many Hindu and Buddhist temples were carved into rocks, especially during the medieval period. In Indian architecture you can see features of religions such as Islam, Buddhism and Jainism.
India has many significant landmarks that are today considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among such monuments, one should highlight the cave temples of Ajanta Caves, cave temples on the island of Elephanta Cave, cave temples of Ellora Caves, Taj Mahal, numerous beautiful churches in the city of Goa, monuments of Hampi. , Qutub Minar, etc.
And of course, the Kama Sutra in stone: “Temples of Love in India.”
Along with the official language Hindi, many other languages are spoken here. An interesting fact is that the distribution of millions of local languages depends on the specific region of the country, but according to the Government of India, Sanskrit and Tamil are the classical languages. In addition, India has about 22 officially recognized languages.
Rabindranath Tagore is considered one of the highly revered Bengali writers; in 1931, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He is also the author of the national anthem of India - "Jana Gana Mana" ("Soul of the Nation").
In 1947, the national flag of India was adopted. Orange color symbolizes the courage and sacrifice of people who did not spare their lives for the good of the country, white symbolizes peace, and green symbolizes faith and prosperity. The central place on the flag is occupied by the national emblem of India “Ashoka Chakra”.
Indian cuisine traditionally uses many different herbs, spices and herbs. Therefore, Indian food is considered the most diverse, since each region of the country has its own unique technology and methods of preparing unique dishes. Staple foods include rice and round roti bread, as well as various types of beans and pickled vegetables. A dish like curry has a truly unique taste and is in greatest demand in India.
As you know, the Indian film industry is considered the largest in the world in terms of scale. It is called "Bollywood" (a merger of the words "Hollywood" and "Bombay"). "Bollywood" is synonymous with the film industry of the Indian city of Mumbai, where an astonishing number of films are produced annually (about 800 films per year). Bollywood films have spread from India to other countries, including Pakistan, where a government ban on Indian-made films has been imposed.
The traditional attire of India has undoubtedly made its mark in the global market where the demand for typical Indian attire is constantly increasing. The traditional type of Indian women's clothing is the sari (sarees), a long piece of fabric wrapped around the body. By the way, another interesting fact is that the style of Indian sarees varies depending on the region. Apart from saris, women also wear salwar kameez with a dupatta, this type of clothing is most often used in casual and even formal situations. Another type of traditional clothing worn on special occasions is the ghagra, a long skirt with many pleats, and a short choli.
Traditional men's clothing consists of a Hindu loincloth (dhoti) and a pajama jacket (kurta), and in South India even a wide skirt (lungi). On formal occasions, men can wear a sherwanis, a lightweight coat that is knee-length or shorter and fastened at the front. Nowadays, Indian streetwear is a curious mix of Western and Indian styles; in everyday situations, young people prefer to wear jeans and other types of stylish Western clothing.
Thus, Indian culture combines a fusion of traditional and modern values. This information about India is just a brief glance at an incredible country, by visiting which you can discover much more interesting and exciting things!
Based on materials from http://www.destinations.ru/fact/51
India is a country with an ancient history that has given the world a lot of scientific knowledge, discoveries and achievements in culture and art. Until the 17th century, when the British colonialists set foot on this land, India was the richest country in the world. Having regained independence, India remains a country of rich historical heritage, which has preserved its identity and traditions in various spheres of life, as evidenced by many interesting facts. 
History facts
The country got its name from the Indus River, which in turn received its name from the Sanskrit word “Sindhu”, which simply translates as “river”.
The Indian city is recognized as the world's oldest inhabited city. It was considered "ancient" as early as the time of Buddha's visit in 500 BC. 
India is the birthplace of the first dams and reservoirs for irrigation. In 150 AD, the world's first artificial river was created here, called Sudarshana, which translates as “beautiful.”
India is the birthplace of the art of eroticism - the Kama Sutra. In the Temples, erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra are depicted on the walls. 
There are about ten million wild dogs in the country, from the bites of which approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Hordes of monkeys attack Indian cities. Considering these animals sacred, it is forbidden to destroy them. Fighting against the tyranny of the monkeys, they are taken to special “sacred” places, from which they return to the city again
It turns out that Indian elephants are lovers of strong alcoholic drinks. It is a known fact that in 2012, a herd of 50 elephants, sensing the smell of alcohol from the village in the jungle, raided the place of its production and drank 500 liters of alcohol, after which they destroyed more than a dozen houses in the village. 
Cows are considered sacred animals in India. They are allowed to walk independently along the beaches and streets, looking into shopping shops. 
It turns out that in the river Ganges There are very dangerous predators - freshwater sharks that love human meat. It is believed that their presence in the river is due to the many unburnt corpses floating in the river.
Interesting facts from the life of Indian society
India is the seventh largest in the world in terms of area and population, with about 1.2 billion people, ranks second in the world rankings for this indicator.
- The official languages of India are Hindi and English. In addition, on its territory there are more than 780 languages and 1000 dialects, among which the Tamil dialect is considered the most ancient in the world.
- In India, there is a cult of gold, which is revered as a symbol of prosperity, purity and good luck. It is estimated that 11 percent of the world's gold reserves are owned by Indian women. This amount exceeds the total gold reserves of the United States, Germany, Switzerland and the IMF.
- The main religion of Hindus is Hinduism, which is followed by more than 80% of the population. About 13% profess Islam, and the country has the third largest number of Muslims in the world.
- In general train carriages, if there are no seats, passengers are placed on luggage racks. Each carriage has two types of toilets: the Western style - a toilet, and the local custom - a hole in the floor.
- In Indian cities there is no centralized hot water supply; at best, water is heated by individual boilers.
India is a country of pioneers in science
- A resident of India, Brasharacharya, in the 5th century AD, calculated that the sun makes a full circle, moving around the Earth in 365 days. This discovery was made several centuries before the famous astronomer Smart.
- About 6000 years ago, on the Indus River, a scientific approach to navigation was first applied, which in Sanskrit was designated by the word “navgatih”, which served as the modern concept of “navigation”.
- More than 2600 years ago, surgical operations began to be performed in India. The doctor Shushruta is considered the father of surgery. Surgeons of that time used 125 surgical instruments for prosthetics, removal of cataracts and bladder stones, for caesarean sections and plastic surgeries. Anesthesia was widely used.
- It is known that veterinary medicine, as a science and field of medicine, originated in India. It was based on the treatises of Haya Ayurvega on the anatomy, physiology and treatment of horses and Dr. Shapihort, born in 2352 BC.
Indian customs and traditions
- Polygamy is not frowned upon in India. A fact was recorded here when a man had a family with 39 wives, from whom 94 children were born.
- Most families maintain a tradition according to which the wife is not allowed to say her husband's name out loud, considering this a sign of disrespect for her husband. The address should be “listen” or “father of my child.”
- Widows in India wear white clothes. This color is considered mourning here. It is believed that widows have bad karma, which causes the death of their husband. In many states, they are not allowed to approach newlyweds or appear at various public events.
- It is customary among Indian supporters of Zoroastrianism not to bury and cremate the dead, but to place the bodies of the dead on “towers of silence,” where they are eaten by birds after a period of time. The bones are then thrown into the brotherly well. It is believed that this way the four vital elements: fire, air, water and earth are not polluted.
- Hindus do not use toilet paper for hygiene purposes. “Cool” toilets have a small shower next to the toilet, while simple ones have a water tap and a ladle.
Culture and art
In the Indian city of Mumbai there is the world's largest “film factory” -. It got its name from the old name of the city - Bombay. Between 600 and 800 films are filmed here every year. 
The birthplace of chess is India. They call this game “ chaturanga”, which translates as “four divisions of the army”: elephants, horses, chariots and pawns.
In India, every 12 years the religious holiday Kumbh Mela is celebrated in one of the cities. More than 100 million people gathered to worship Hindu shrines in 2013, which was registered as a record for gatherings of people for the festival.
Features of Indian cuisine
- Indian cuisine is very spicy. Most often, places where you can eat are designated by the word Hotel. In small restaurants there is no menu, and people order the dishes they know.
- Here it is customary to serve certain dishes for different meals: breakfast (before 11), lunch (from 12 to 15) and dinner (from 19 to 21). You will not be able to order a dish for lunch from the morning or evening menu.
- Before eating, Hindus are required to rinse their hands, feet and face. You can only eat with your right hand.
- Poor residents, as a rule, do not use utensils, but eat dishes from banana leaves, which are then thrown away.
- In India, dairy products include kerd (an analogue of fermented baked milk) and lassi, which tastes similar to kefir. Cottage cheese and sour cream are not produced here, and you will not find them on store shelves.
- Hindus are the largest English-speaking nation in the world.
- There are only six seasons in the Hindu calendar: spring, monsoon (summer monsoon), autumn, winter and winter monsoon.
- It is prohibited by law to export the national currency, rupees, from India.
- Eight states in the country have more poor people than 26 African countries.
- Until 1896, India was the only country in the world where diamonds were mined.
- As early as 700 BC, the first university in the world was founded in India.
- Local regular buses in the southern states operate without glass and have bars on the windows.
- The “yes” gesture here is indicated not by nodding the head, but by swaying from side to side.
Without a doubt, India is considered one of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world. She still remains a mystery to most, despite the fact that everyone knows about her, her traditions, cooking, and history. Everyone knows that this is a country of contrasts. And yet in India, a country with democracy, mobile phones, a developed pharmaceutical industry and Bollywood, there are many strange and incomprehensible phenomena.
It is known that more than a billion people live in India and it is the largest democratic country in the world. It is difficult to imagine such huge support for the government from society, but society, in turn, forces the government to work hard. Well, or so it seems! To this day, the caste system has been preserved in India, which indicates to each member of society his place.
Most countries in the world have only 4 seasons; there are countries that have even fewer. For example, in countries located on the equator it is warm all year round, and vice versa, in countries above the Arctic Circle it is constantly cold. In India, there are 6 seasons according to the Hindu calendar, the main religion of the country: summer, monsoon season, autumn, winter, pre-spring season, spring.
Unfortunately, the national currency of India, rupees, is not allowed to be taken out of the country. This news will upset tourists, but this rules out currency speculation. Although local residents try to export currency and speculate with neighboring Bangladesh, this all happens on a small scale. More and more people in India are starting to use cards.
India is a country of contrasts. In the country, poor and rich, literate and people who cannot read and write live side by side, and such a majestic structure as the Taj Mahal is adjacent to shacks. Only 65% of the country's population is literate. Among women, 45% are literate, and among men – 75%. Despite relatively high literacy rates, India has high poverty rates.
The country's population continues to grow. They say that by 2028, India will overtake China. Already today it has exceeded the total population of Western Europe.
At the time of Pangea, all the continents were one large piece of land. Thanks to tectonic processes, huge parts began to separate. It was then that India began its journey separately from other parts. Later she came across a piece of what is today Asia and stopped.
In India, people speak 1000 different languages and dialects. A phrasebook will not help a traveler, since many local dialects and languages are radically different. It is true that most people know Hindi.
India has the highest death rate in the world. The main reason for this phenomenon is road accidents. Traffic on roads in India, especially in cities, is extremely heavy and poorly regulated. It takes talent to maneuver safely between cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, animals and pedestrians. People die under the wheels of cars or due to suffocation in crowded buses. The mortality of newborn children and pregnant women due to insufficiently qualified medical care also contributes to the high mortality rate. In addition, people still kill for infidelity and dowry.
When it comes to cinema, everyone has associations with Hollywood. However, India produces about 1,100 films every year, which is twice as many as the US. Believe it or not, most Indian films are not produced in Bollywood. Although many people enjoy the colorful, emotional, expressive films of Bollywood stars, this is only a small part of the entire Indian film production.
Indians' passion for records in various fields can be called strange. For example, the Guinness Book of Records holds a record for the world's largest crocheted blanket. The world's largest metal peacock was built in India. A record has been recorded for the largest mass performance of the national anthem.
Everyone knows the problem that arises in megacities around the world - air pollution from car exhaust gases, which manifests itself visually in the presence of smog, and physically in difficulty breathing. China is most famous for this, but in Mumbai the situation is even worse. Staying in Mumbai or Delhi for one day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. According to the World Health Organization, 1.5 million people die from lung cancer and asthma every year in these cities.
Although most people in India eat plant-based foods, Indian cuisine has very tasty chicken, goat, and lamb dishes. But India has the largest number of vegetarians. The Indian Golden Temple distributes several thousand free vegetarian meals to the poor and homeless every day. You should definitely try paneer, naan and biryani - dishes made from vegetables and rice.
8. 53% of houses without water supply and sewerage
In Indian cities, people die under the wheels of cars, from polluted air, and also from unsanitary conditions, since 53% of houses lack running water and sewerage.
Dowry is an ancient Indian tradition. When a guy and a girl are going to get married (very often their parents make the choice for them), the bride and her family give a large sum of money to the groom's family. These are especially large sums when they intend to improve their social and caste status through marriage. Unfortunately, because of this money, one girl is killed every hour in India.
In every spoon of almost all Indian dishes you can find turmeric, coriander, mustard, cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, and chili pepper. It is not surprising that 70% of the world's spice supply is of Indian origin. If you want to try a native Indian dish, then it is better to visit any Indian family. They spend several hours preparing the dish and a huge variety of spices - this art is difficult to learn.
Unfortunately, slavery still exists in India today. The number of slaves reaches 14 million people. For a long time this topic was kept silent and no attention was paid to it. People in many countries of the world could not even think that in India there is slavery, which exists due to imperfect legislation and corruption of local authorities. Most slaves are poor, illiterate women and children forced into hard labor and prostitution.
Apart from slaves, there are a lot of poor people in India. A large number of families with children live on the streets and collect alms. In India, the average person has to work 14-16 hours to earn a little money. On average, they earn up to $1.25 per day. The government is trying to pay benefits to the poor, stimulate the development of agricultural areas and motivate the poor to take up farming, but so far to no avail.
There are a number of developed countries in the world where the rights of men and women are equally respected. In India, in some families, newborn girls are deliberately killed, since they will not be able to continue the family line. Between 100 and 500 thousand girls are killed every year in the country simply because of their gender. Selective abortions are practiced here, which were officially banned back in 1994. Those girls who manage to survive are often humiliated throughout their lives by the male population. If we talk about medicine, then more attention and respect is shown to boys and men when talking about vaccinations and treatment.
In accordance with the traditions of Hinduism, which is very common in India, the day of the funeral of the deceased is celebrated and remembered by relatives. Most often in India, corpses are burned, and at funerals they are not allowed to drink alcohol or eat meat products; this rule also applies to the next 12 days. The eldest son in the family pours the ashes of the deceased into the water of any body of water nearby, it can be the ocean, sea, river, lake. Relatives and family friends celebrate the death of the deceased by wishing him a happy afterlife.
In ancient times in India, marijuana was used for various purposes. Today this is an absolutely legal action; marijuana is used in different forms, although there are some restrictions related to religion and traditions. For example, it is added to dishes and milkshakes are made from it. It is one of the five sacred plants that are mentioned in ancient Hindu texts. Marijuana is also used to treat various diseases and during religious ceremonies. Hindus are sure that Shiva also used marijuana.
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brief information
Distant India is of great interest to tourists. This country has thousands of ancient attractions that will be of interest to any traveler. India is the birthplace of religions such as Buddhism and Jainism. However, millions of foreign tourists come to India every year not only, for example, to visit the places where Buddha preached. India now has a large number of attractions, spa resorts, as well as ski and beach resorts.
Geography of India
India is located in South Asia. India is bordered in the west by Pakistan, in the northeast by China, Nepal and Bhutan, and in the east by Myanmar and Bangladesh. In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. The total area of this country is 3,287,590 square meters. km, including islands, and the total length of the state border is 15,106 km.
India owns several islands. The largest of them are the Laccadive, Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.
The Himalayas mountain system stretches across India from north to northeast. The highest peak in India is Mount Kanchenjunga, whose height reaches 8,856 meters.
India has several very large rivers - the Indus (its length is 3,180 km) and the Ganges (its length is 2,700 km). Other Indian rivers include the Brahmaputra, Yamuna and Koshi.
Capital
The capital of India is New Delhi, which is now home to about 350 thousand people. New Delhi became the capital of India at the beginning of the 20th century. The “old” city in New Delhi was built in the mid-17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, ruler of the Mughal Empire.
Official language
The official language in India is Hindi. In turn, English is an “auxiliary official language” in India. In addition, 21 more languages have official status in this country.
Religion
More than 80% of India's population professes Hinduism. More than 13% of the population of this country are Muslims, more than 2.3% are Christians, about 2% are Sikhs, and 0.7% are Buddhists.
Government of India
According to the current Constitution of 1950, India is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by a special board for a 5-year term (this board consists of deputies of parliament and members of state councils).
The parliament in India is bicameral - the Council of States (245 deputies) and the House of the People (545 deputies). Executive power in this country belongs to the President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
The main political parties in India are the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Socialist Party, the Communist Party of India, the National People's Party, etc.
Climate and weather
The climate in India varies from tropical monsoon in the south to temperate in the north. The climate in India is greatly influenced by the Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and the Thar Desert.
There are three seasons in India:
- from March to June – summer
- from July to October - monsoons
- from November to February - winter
The average annual air temperature in India is +25.3C. The hottest month in India is May, when the average maximum air temperature is +41C. The coldest month is January, when the average minimum temperature is +7C. The average annual precipitation is 715 mm.
Average air temperature in New Delhi:
January - +14C
- February - +17C
- March - +22C
- April - +28C
- May - +34C
- June - +34C
- July - +31C
- August - +30C
- September - +29C
- October - +26C
- November - +20C
- December - +15C
Seas and oceans of India
In the south, India is washed by the Indian Ocean, in the southwest by the Arabian Sea. The Bay of Bengal is located in the southwest of the country. The total coastline in India, including the islands, is more than 7.5 thousand km.
Average sea temperature near Goa, India:
January - +28C
- February - +28C
- March - +28C
- April - +29C
- May - +30C
- June - +29C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +28C
- October - +29C
- November - +29C
- December - +29C
Rivers and lakes
In India there are two river systems with different feeding regimes. These are the Himalayan rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra, etc.) and rivers flowing into the ocean - Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.
One of the longest rivers in the world, the Indus, whose length is 3,180 km, also flows through India.
As for lakes, there are not very many of them in India, but, nevertheless, some of them are very beautiful. The largest Indian lakes are Chilika, Sambhar, Koleru, Loktak, and Wular.
Story
Neolithic human settlements on the territory of modern India appeared approximately 8 thousand years ago. In 2500-1900 BC. In Western India, the first urban culture existed, which formed around the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dhalavira.
In 2000-500 BC. Hinduism spreads in India, and during the same period a caste system begins to take shape there, consisting of priests, warriors, and free peasants. Subsequently, castes of merchants and servants were formed.
Around the 5th century BC. In India there were already 16 independent states - Mahajanapadas. At the same time, two religions were formed - Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and Jainism, founded by Mahavira.
In the 6th century BC. some territories of India were conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century the troops of Alexander the Great conquered some of the northwestern parts of this country.
In the 2nd century BC. The Mauryan kingdom reaches its peak, having conquered several neighboring Indian states.
In the 1st century BC. Indian kingdoms traded with Ancient Rome. In the 7th century, most of the Indian kingdoms were united by King Harsha into a single state.
In 1526, the Mughal Empire was founded on the territory of modern India, whose rulers were the descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.
In the 17th-19th centuries, the territory of modern India was ruled by the English East India Company, which even had its own army.
In 1857, the so-called “The Revolt of the Sepoys,” whose discontent was precisely caused by the East India Company. After the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny, the British liquidated the East India Company, and India became a colony of the British Empire.
In the 1920s, a massive national liberation movement against British rule began in India. In 1929, Great Britain gave India dominion rights, but this did not help the British. In 1947, Indian independence was declared. Some Indian territories later became the independent state of Pakistan.
India was admitted to the UN back in 1945 (though at that time this country was still British India).
Culture
India is a country with a huge cultural heritage. Indian culture has had (and continues to have) an influence not only on neighboring countries, but also on other states located far from it.
There is still a caste system of society in India, thanks to which Indian culture retains all its traditional values.
Indian traditions are expressed through music and dance. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
We recommend that tourists in India definitely see local festivals and parades, of which there are a lot. During festivals, there are often elephant parades, musical performances, tiger dances, fireworks, distribution of sweets, etc. The most famous Indian festivals are the Onam festival (dedicated to the memory of the mythical king Bali), the Tea Festival in Kolkata, Diwali, Ratha Yatra (Festival of Chariots), Dussehra in Delhi, the Ganapati Festival in honor of god Ganesh.
Also worth noting is the interesting festival of sisters and brothers, Raksha Bandhan, celebrated every year in July. On this day, sisters tie scarves and ribbons around their brothers’ wrists, which protect them from evil forces. In turn, the brothers give their sisters various gifts and vow to protect them.
Indian cuisine
Indian cuisine is famous all over the world for its use of spices. It was thanks to the Indians that various seasonings and spices, including black pepper and curry, became widespread in the world.
India is a very large country, and therefore it is not surprising that each region has its own culinary traditions. However, all regions of India are characterized by the consumption of rice. This product is the basis of Indian cuisine.
It is generally accepted that the inhabitants of India are vegetarians, as required by their religious teachings. However, in fact, meat dishes are also quite popular in India, because there are also Muslims in this country. The most famous Indian meat dish is “tandoori chicken,” when chicken is marinated in spices and then baked in a special oven. Other famous Indian meat dishes are “biryani” (chicken with rice), “gushtaba” (meatballs stewed in yogurt with spices).
In general, meat dishes are most often included in the diet of residents of northern India. Fish and seafood are popular in coastal areas, while vegetables are popular in southern India.
We also recommend that tourists in India try dal puree soup, naan wheat flatbread, sabji vegetable stew, chapati and samba rice cakes, kitchari (stewed rice with mung bean and spices), jalebi "(pancakes in syrup), "rasgulla" (curd balls), "gulab jamun" (yogurt with flour and almonds).
Traditional non-alcoholic Indian drinks are “dhai” (yogurt or yogurt), “raita” (yogurt with mint and grated cucumber).
Sights of India
There are so many attractions in India that it is difficult for us to select the most interesting ones. Perhaps, in our opinion, the top ten best Indian attractions include the following:
Red Fort in Delhi
Construction of the Red Fort in Delhi began in 1638 and ended in 1648. This fortification was built by order of the emperor of the Mughal Empire, Shah Jahan. The Red Fort is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Mausoleum-mosque of the Taj Mahal in Agra
The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by order of Shah Jahan, the emperor of the Mughal Empire. This mausoleum was built by 20 thousand people over 20 years. The Taj Mahal is now included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Qutub Minar in Delhi
The height of this brick minaret is 72.6 meters. Its construction lasted from 1193 to 1368.
Elephant Cave near Mumbai
The Elephant Cave houses an underground temple of Shiva with her sculptures. It was built several thousand years ago. Now the Elephant Cave is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Virupaksha Temple in Hampi
The first small temple on the territory of the modern city of Hampi was built back in the 7th century AD. Gradually, other religious buildings were built around it, and after some time there was already a huge, beautiful temple complex in Hampi.
Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar
Harmandir Sahib is better known as the “Golden Temple”. This is the most important religious building for Sikhs. Construction of the Golden Temple in Amritsar began in the 16th century. In the 19th century, the upper floors of this temple were covered with gold.
Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra
Buddhist monks began building their Ajanta caves around the 2nd century BC. These caves were abandoned around 650 AD. It was only in 1819 that the British accidentally stumbled upon the Ajanta Caves. To this day, unique frescoes have been preserved in these caves, telling about the life of people in the distant past.
Jaigarh Fort
This fort was built near the city of Amber in 1726. According to legend, once upon a time the largest cannon in the world was located in the Jaigarh fort (it can still be seen, since the ancient fort is now a museum).
Raj Ghat Palace in Delhi
Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated in this palace.
Pearl Mosque in Agra
This mosque in Agra was built in the mid-17th century under Emperor Shah Jahan. No, there are no pearls in this mosque, its domes just sparkle very much in the sun.
Cities and resorts
The largest Indian cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, and Kanpur.
India has a large number of beautiful seaside resorts with magnificent beaches. The sand on Indian beaches is white and fine. The most popular beach resort in India is Goa. Among other Indian beach resorts, the following should definitely be mentioned: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, as well as beaches on the Andaman, Nicobar and Laccadive Islands.
India has several ski resorts that are considered the best in Asia. Of course, the winter resorts of India cannot compare with the ski slopes of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. However, for those travelers who love skiing and who at the same time want to get to know the unique India, a holiday at Indian ski resorts will be remembered forever.
The most popular ski resorts in India are Auli, Dayara Bugayal, Mundali, Munsiari, Solang, Narkanda, Kufri, and Gulmarg. By the way, the skiing season in India lasts from mid-December to mid-May.
Many foreign tourists come to India to relax at spa resorts. Indian spa centers offer various Ayurvedic programs to clients. Among such spa resorts we should first of all name Beach & Lake, Ayurma, and Ananda.
Souvenirs/shopping
Before you go to India, think about what you want to buy there. Otherwise, Indian traders in bazaars and shops will push you a lot of different unnecessary goods, and you will lose thousands of rupees. We recommend that tourists from India bring Indian tea, various incense, bracelets (glass, metal, precious metals), amulets, talismans, souvenirs made of marble (for example, a small marble Taj Mahal), scarves, shawls, saris (traditional Indian dress ), leather shoes, sets of Indian dry spice mixtures, henna paint, carpets, musical instruments (for example, drums or an elegant wooden flute).
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