One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.One of the oldest civilisations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, for a total of 36 entities. Dadra and Nagar Haveli into a single union territory to be known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, effective from 26 January 2020.
Feel the contrast of young, modern but heritage culturally rich Incredible India. One of India's key attractions is its extreme contrasts which further add to this theme of ‘diversity’ from Snowy mountains in north to Indian ocean in south. As well Ran of kutch desert is west to Seven sisters in east,
Rugged mountains reach dramatically for the sky while their rainforest-clad slopes sweep down to floodplains teeming with forest life. Cool highland hideaways roll down to warm, sandy beaches and rich, humid mangroves.
Capital : New Delhi
Time Zone : UTC+5.30
Language : Hindi is the national language but every state also carries its own language, but English is also widely spoken.
Currency : Indian Rupee and is written as INR or ₹.
Religion : All religions are the official religions of the country, as India is world biggest and successfully operated Democratic country. But Hinduism is the religion of majority of the population.
Airport : International Airport : Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Banglor, Kolkatta are 4 Metropolitan airports along with Ahmedabad, Banglore, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Cochin are well connected International airports in India.
Indian climate does vary considerably across the different states, but the best time to visit India is between October and March, when the weather is more likely to be warm, sunny, and dry.As a general rule however, the climate in the north of India is cooler, central India is hot and dry, and the south is hot and humid.The winters are mostly pleasant with moderate temperatures and almost no precipitation (honestly, it hardly ever rains in India outside of the months June to September). The summer months of (mid) April, May and June can get unbearably hot.From mid June to September, the monsoon winds bring heavy rainfall across the entire subcontinent.
India has a rich and varied history dating back to 300,000 years ago. For the same reason, there are several tourist attractions in India of historical significance.
The Red Fort, New Delhi
Built by Shah Jahan in 1648 as the seat of Mughal power-a role it maintained until 1857-the magnificent crescent-shaped Red Fort in New Delhi, named after the stunning red sandstone used in its construction, covers a vast area of more than two square kilometers, all of it surrounded by a large moat. Highlights include its two largest gates: the impressive Lahore Gate (the fort's main entrance) and the elaborately decorated Delhi Gate, once used by the emperor for ceremonial processions.In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the ceremonial and political center of the Mughal state and the setting for events critically impacting the region.
The Taj Mahal, Agra
Perhaps India's most recognizable building, The Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world and is considered to be the most popular tourist attraction in India. Named after Mumtaz Mahal, the favorite wife of Emperor Shah Jahan, this most beautiful of mausoleums was begun upon her death in 1631 and took 20,000 workmen until 1648 to complete.
Incorporating many elements of Islamic design including arches, minarets, an onion-shaped dome, and black calligraphy inlaid around the entrance, the Taj Mahal is largely constructed of white marble decorated with delicate inlaid floral patterns and precious and semi-precious stones such as jade, lapis lazuli, diamonds, and mother of pearl.
The Golden Temple of Amritsar
Founded in 1577 by Ram Das, it is the most spiritual place in India, Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmindar Sahib, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism which is alive with religious fervour and sacredness.
In addition to its splendid design, visitors are equally impressed with the temple's spiritual atmosphere, an effect enhanced by the prayers continuously chanted from the Sikh holy book and broadcast throughout the complex. Part of the overall experience-and visitors are welcome to participate-is the chance to enjoy one of the 50,000 free meals the attraction serves up to visitors each and every day.
Varanasi - The Spiritual Capital
A major pilgrimage center for Hindus, the holy city of Varanasi has long been associated with the mighty Ganges River, one of the faith's most important religious symbols. Dating back to the 8th century BC, Varanasi is one of the oldest still inhabited cities in the world.Popular among both domestic and international tourists for its magnanimous ghats and Ganga Aarti, the city is among the top tourist attractions in India.Varanasi boasts more than 100 ghats, the largest being Dasashvamedh Ghat and Assi Ghat
The Golden City: Jaisalmer
So named for the yellow sandstone used in most of its buildings, the Golden City of Jaisalmer is an oasis of splendid old architecture that rises from the sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Once a strategic outpost, today the city is filled with splendid old mansions, magnificent gateways, and the massive Jaisalmer Fort-also known as the Golden Fort-a daunting 12th-century structure that rises high above the town.Climb on to the camel saddle and make your way through this desert or camp under the night sky in this golden land for an unforgettable experience.
The Gateway of India - Mumbai
This stunning piece of architecture was opened with much pomp and ceremony in 1924 and was, for a while, the tallest structure in the city. Constructed entirely of yellow basalt and concrete and notable for its Indo-Saracenic design, the Gateway of India was also the scene of a rather less jubilant procession of British soldiers in 1948 when India gained its independence. It is located at Apollo Bunder Waterfront and overlooks the Arabian Sea in the most beautiful way. One of the most distinguished monuments in Mumbai,
The Beaches of Goa
Goa, a tiny state on the western coast of India along the Arabian Sea, is famous for its laidback beaches, night long parties, beach shacks, water sports and many other adventure activities. Goa's more than 60 miles of coastline is home to some of the world's loveliest beaches, each with their own particular appeal. For those looking for peace and quiet, isolated Agonda Beach is a good choice, while Calangute Beach is by far the most commercial and crowded.
Kerala Backwaters
Kerala is a unique south Indian state with a labyrinthine web of canals, lagoons, lake and estuaries. Whenever we hear Kerala, our imagination places us in a houseboat in the famous backwaters, drinking coconut water and eating in a plantain leaf. In the backdrop are the tall coconut trees and lush green nature. Going on a houseboat cruise in the backwaters of Kerala is a dream which requires little effort to make it a reality. The backwaters of Kerala are simply stunning tourist attractions in India which one cannot miss to experience incredible India.
India is a country full of vibrant holidays and festivals. Whether it's a Hindu celebration, Islamic holiday, or regional festival, you will find that there is almost always something being celebrated in India.Indian festivals have always drawn travelers from around the world not only because of their gorgeous colors and boisterous participants but also because they are a great way to have meaningful experiences with the local people and see the country at its most joyful.Every festival is unique in its way. Celebrating them while you pay a visit to the country is a great chance to explore the prosperity of Indian culture and heritage.
Diwali - The festival of Lights - Everywhere – November
Diwali, or Deepavali, is also known as the Festival of Lights and is India's most anticipated and biggest festival of the year. Diwali is a Hindu holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness with fireworks, clay lanterns called diyas, and string lights.The country celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years in the form of lighting diyas, drawing rangolis, decorating houses, wearing new clothes, distributing gifts and burning crackers. People also worship Goddess Lakshmi(Goddess of wealth and prosperity) and Lord Ganesha(symbolises ethical beginnings).
Holi - Festival of Colours-Everywhere – March
Holi is a Hindu festival that takes place in March every year and is the celebration of the victory of good over evil. Holi is often called the Festival of Colors due to the countrywide chaotic colored-power fight that takes place on this day of boisterous celebrations.Gujiya, Mathri, and Thandai are the specialities of the festival. "Lath Maar Holi" is celebrated in the Bhaj region of Mathura. Women playfully beat their husbands' shields with sticks. In the South, offerings are made to Kamadeva, the Indian God of Love. Dwarka, a coastal city of Gujarat, celebrate the festival at Dwarkadheesh Temple.
Ganesh Chaturthi-Mainly in Maharashtra - August / September
Ganesh is an elephant-headed Hindu god who is worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles from the lives of his followers. Although Ganesh is a beloved deity all across India, the city of Mumbai holds a particular love for him and throws a huge festival in his honor every year. Ganesh Chaturthi is a 10-day festival that celebrates the birth of Ganesh. During the festival, huge handcrafted statues of Ganesh are displayed in pandals or temples throughout Mumbai. Every neighborhood in the city competes to make the best and most beautiful statue of Ganesh.The festival is known as Vinayaka Chaturthi in Tamil Nadu. Ganesha idols are made out of clay. In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, procession marches involving great idols of Ganesha take place from Pazhavangadi Ganapathi Temple to Shankumugham Beach and the icons are immersed in the sea. Modak is the primary sweet dish of the festival.
Durga Puja, Navaratri, Dussehra - Everywhere – October
Durga Puja is the largest festival to take place in Kolkata and West Bengal. This festival is a 5-day celebration that commemorates the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo demon Mahishasura. During the festival, large statues of the goddess Durga with her ten arms are created and placed in temples or pandals throughout the city.Post monsoon Navratri, also known as Sharad Navratri is observed in honour of Maa Durga. In the western and north regions of India, the final day of Navratri is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra, whereas in northeastern and eastern states it is similar to Durga Puja.Also known as Vijayadashmi, it marks the end of Durga Pooja and celebrates the victory of Good or Evil in the form of victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. Northern India observes Ravana idols being burnt signifying the restoration of faith in good.
Eid al-Fitr- Everywhere – Date varies year to year
The holy festival of Ramadan consists of month-long fasting. It is believed that fasting makes a man give up his vices which bring him closer to Allah. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated all over the world but is an important holiday in India because of the country's large Muslim community.Eid is a day of celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Because Eid marks the breaking of the fast, this holiday is celebrated with large meals and incredible street food.
Onam-Kerala - August / September
Onam is a 4-day harvest festival that takes place in Kerala. This holiday is a stunning display of Kerala's culture and heritage and is celebrated to commemorate the return of the mythical King Mahabali.Onam in Kerala is full of cultural events including traditional dances, sports competitions, boat races, and Kathakali performances. Every household also creates a pookalam which is a decoration made from flower petals and rice that is placed on the floor at the entrance of homes and buildings.Visitors to Kerala during Onam can watch the joyous celebrations or participate in the Onam Sadhya, a large festival feast where dishes are served on banana leaves.It is one among the three major Hindu festivals of Kerala along with Vishu and Thiruvathira. Although Onam is a Kerala festival, it is celebrated among Malayali communities around the world with the same vigour and pomp.
Pushkar Camel Fair-Rajasthan - November
Pushkar is a small town located in the Thar Desert where once a year, thousands of colorfully decorated camels along with their owners arrive for a large carnival. The Pushkar Fair began as an event to buy and sell livestock, but in recent years has been developed by Rajasthan Tourism to be a beautiful display of Rajasthani culture.The festival is full of great activities including street performances by snake charmers, musicians, and folk dancers as well as camel races and camel beauty contests. You can also check out the Best Mustache and Turban Tying competitions.
Makar Sankranti - The festival of kites-Everywhere – October
Makar Sankranti is a very holy day in Hindusim and occurs when the sun passes back into the Northern Hemisphere signaling the return of warmth to the country, falling on almost the same date every year, i.e. January 15, Makar Sankranti has different festivities associated with it. These are named as Lohri by North Indian Hindus and Sikhs and Uttarayan by Gujaratis.Uttarayan- On Uttarayan, you see beautiful skies covered with kites of different sizes, designs, and colours. The International Kite Flying Festival of Gujarat is the most significant festival celebrated in India. This festival is celebrated in many different forms across India. In Tamil Nadu, it is celebrated as Pongal.In North India, Makar Sankranti takes on a life of its own. To celebrate the return of the sun, many Hindu devotees head outside to bathe in holy rivers such as the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the Godavari and offer prayers to the sun god.
The 'Shopper’s Paradise' is what India should be called. You can get anything from traditional handicrafts to electronics, to fake Gucci’s here. Only shop at reputed places if you want value for your money. Do not be afraid to bargain, in fact insist on it. Handicrafts, brassware, clothing, carpets, woodwork artifacts, leather work, semi-precious stones and jewellery make the best souvenirs from India. There are Government and State-run emporiums where you can buy these or you can head to the local markets. Some of the renown places for shopping in differt cities of India are as below.
Most malls open daily from 10.00 am - 10.00 pm. Local steert shopping is found in abundance in all cities of India, street shoppinh need a mastery in bargaining, as in some places you can bargain up to 50% of the original offered price.
Janpath - Delhi, Sarojini Market - Delhi, Bapu Bazar - Jaipur, Lal Chowk - Kashmir, Hazratganj - Lucknow,Fashion Street - Mumbai, Fergusson College Road - Pune, New Market - Kolkata, Arpora Saturday Night Market - Goa, Laad Bazaar - Hyderabad, Tibet Walk - Ooty, Commercial Street - Bengaluru, Serenity Beach Bazaar - Pondicherry Anna Salai - Chennai – Buy SareeWhen it comes to shopping, knowing the shopping landscape, where to find the best deals and the cheapest goods, and when and how to bargain is very important.
Indian cuisine consists of a variety of regional and traditional cuisines native to the Indian subcontinent. Given the diversity in soil, climate, culture, ethnic groups, and occupations, these cuisines vary substantially and use locally available spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religion, in particular Hinduism, cultural choices and traditions. Centuries of Islamic rule, particularly by the Mughals, also introduced dishes like samosa and pilaf
As well as many herbs and spices used in Thai food, fish sauce is often used in a similar way salt is, as it mellows the taste. This means vegetarians will have to take this into account and be more careful when choosing food in Thailand.Indian cuisine reflects an 8,000-year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the Indian subcontinent, leading to diversity of flavours and regional cuisines found in modern-day India. Later, trade with British and Portuguese influence added to the already diverse Indian cuisine.
Many Indian dishes are cooked in vegetable oil, but peanut oil is popular in northern and western India, mustard oil in eastern India,[23] and coconut oil along the western coast, especially in Kerala and parts of southern Tamil Nadu.[28][self-published source?] Gingelly (sesame) oil is common in the south since it imparts a fragrant, nutty aroma.[29] In recent decades, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, and soybean oils have become popular across India.[30] Hydrogenated vegetable oil, known as Vanaspati ghee, is another popular cooking medium.[31] Butter-based ghee, or deshi ghee, is used frequently, though less than in the past.[citation needed] Many types of meat are used for Indian cooking, but chicken and mutton tend to be the most commonly consumed meats. Fish and beef consumption are prevalent in some parts of India, but they are not widely consumed except for coastal areas, as well as the north east.
