Namaste! Welcome to India!
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India, located in South Asia, is known
as the land of golden fortresses,
intricately carved ancient temples,
rolling sand dunes, snow-capped
Himalayas and home to over 1.2 billion
people making it the largest democracy
in the world!
Did you know that there are 21 official
languages spoken in India? There are
29 states in India and every state has
their own food, music, clothing,
wedding ceremonies, festivals, and
traditions. So, let’s discover India.
Basic Facts
Capital ! New Delhi
Population ! 1.210 billion
Area ! 3.3 million sq. km.
Languages ! Hindi, English, Bengali, Tamil, Telegu,
Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Malayalam,
Oriya, Rajasthani, Urdu, Kannada,
Kashmiri, Assamese, Konkani, Sindhi,
Manipuri, Sanskrit and more
Religon ! Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain,
Zoarastrian, Christian, Jewish, Bahai
Main Industries ! Software, tea, cotton, textiles, steel,
pharmaceuticals, petroleum products,
chemicals, agriculture, mining, cement
Currency ! Indian Rupee
‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’
Mahatma Gandhi
Did You Know…
1. The great peace leader, Mahatma Gandhi, was born in
India on October 2, 1869 in Porbander, Gujarat. He
dedicated his life to promoting peace among Hindus and
Muslims and led India to its independence from the British
in 1947 by teaching non-violence and passive resistance.
2. India has the second largest population in the world. It is
only second to China.
3. India has the third highest mountain in the world called the
Kanchenjunga, which is 8,598m. It shares the mountain with
its neighbour Nepal.
4. The physical, mental and spiritual practice of yoga
originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It is
believed that it originated in the Indus Valley.
5. India experiences a heavy rain season called ‘monsoon’ in
the summer months because of its location.
6. The British ruled India from 1858, but as a result of
Gandhi’s perseverance for justice and equality, India gained
its independence in 1947.
7. The most popular sport in India is cricket.
8. India is the home of Bollywood, which produces the
greatest number of films each year in the world. Even
many Hollywood films like Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and
Disney’s Million Dollar Arm have been shot in India.
9. India has the largest human gathering for religious
purposes in the world known as the Kumbh Mela where
approximately 100 million HIndus gather every 12 years
to bathe in the Ganges River in Allahabad.
10. Algebra, trigonometry and calculus originated in
India.
Kanchenjunga Mountain Range
Traditions
1. Always take your shoes off before entering a temple in
India.
2. It is a custom to touch the feet of elderly when meeting
them to show a sign of respect and to get their blessings.
3. Most families in India have a special place in their homes
for worship called a ‘puja ghar’.
Hindu Puja Ghar
Festivals
Diwali
India’s festival of lights is the Hindu festival of Diwali, which
shares the message of ‘good over evil’. On Diwali, families
exchange gifts, create rangolis made of petals or coloured
powder to welcome visitors into their home. In the evening,
families gather for a special festive dinner. Sweets are a big
part of the festivities. After dinner, the children and families
gather for a display of colourful fireworks.
Holi
Holi is a very popular Hindu festival in India that celebrates the
coming of spring. It is also called the ‘Festival of Colours’.
Everyone gathers on the streets and throws coloured powder
and water on each other that symbolize the colours of spring.
Holi is celebrated once a year on the last full moon of the
lunar month.
Famous Places in India
Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, located in the town of Agra near New Delhi, is
one of the seven wonders of the world. It was built in by
Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal as
the most beautiful tomb stone in the world. The Taj Mahal
took 22years to create and was built by 22,000 men.
Jaisalmer
Hidden in the north-west corner of India near the border of
Pakistan, the golden fortress of Jaisalmer rises on top of a hill
in the center of the medieval town. Jaisalmer is known for its
intricately carved havelis and its cobblestone roads. Nearby lies
the Sam and Khoori deserts where tourists are able to go on
overnight camel rides through the vast Thar Desert.
Udaipur
Udaipur, located in Rajasthan, is the home to the floating Lake
Palace Hotel where the James Bond movie, Octopussy was
shot. The marble palace sits in the middle of Lake Pichola and
can only be reached by boat.
Lake Palace Hotel
Ladakh
Ladakh, located in the northern part of India,
means ‘land of high passes’. Ladakh is one of the most
beautiful places in India with breathtaking snow-capped
mountain peaks, Tibetan monasteries and crystal blue lakes.
People of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent live in Ladakh. The
area is very remote, but has a strong presence of the Indian
military as it is part of Jammu and Kashmir, an area that has
seen many years of conflict. The largest town in Ladakh is Leh
and can be reached by only two roads from June to September,
but it takes a very long time, so many people chose to travel
there by air.
Ladakh
Jammu/Kashmir
Kashmir, also located in north India, is a jewel of India. Srinagar
is the capital of Kashmir, which boasts the beautiful Dal Lake
filled with shikaras and houseboats, surrounded by snow-
capped mountains and lush green valleys. It is definitely one of
the most beautiful areas of India.
House Boats on Dal Lake, Kashmir
Amber Fort
Perched on top of a forested hill area near the town of Amer,
11km from Jaipur in northern India, lies the majestic Amber
Fort. Amber Fort was believed to have been built by Raja
Man Singh in 967 CE.
Upon arrival in the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur, tourists rush to the
fort to experience an elephant ride winding their way along the
long and narrow path to the entrance of the fort.
Ride on elephant back up to the gateway of Amber Fort
Backwaters of Kerala
The Backwaters of Kerala, located in south west India, will
carry you through the lush green landscape between Cochin and
Trivandrum. Enjoy the beautiful scenery while drifting on a
Kerala style houseboat that comes with a cook as you float
down the calm rivers surrounded by coconut trees,
Back Waters of Kerala
Boat Race in Kerala
Mysore Palace
The Mysore Palace is located in South India in the city of Mysore.
It is the residence of the Maharajas of Mysore, the royal family
of Mysore. The palace includes courtyards, gardens and
buildings. Tourists are able to take guided tours of the interior
of the palace and learn about its history.
Mysore Palace in Lights
Take a Glimpse of Incredible India…
Welcome to India… A Country of 100 Nations!!
Incredible India 2010
Top 10 Royal Palaces in India
Spirit of India
My Home - Incredible India
Ten Best Places to Visit in India
Festivals of India
Northern India
Beautiful Leh and Ladakh