India is a land which has a rich ancient history and deep cultural roots. A visit to India is unlike any other place one can visit in the world. Indian customs and traditions have been revered by most of the travelers who have visited the country and the vast range of geographical locations in India has made it one of the top tourist destinations. It’s also a country that can transform you in a myriad of wonderful ways, from architecture to cultural experiences to spiritual wonders.
History
IMAGE (CROPPED) CREDITS @ GILI CHUPAK
India has been inhabited by one of the oldest civilizations in the world dating back to the Neolithic period. It has been a home to ancient kingdoms and dynasties with each of their stories more interesting than the others. The ancient books written nearly thousands of years ago provide a deep look into one of the most interesting of all world cultures. Being a part of the European colonies from the 17th century India is a home to major world events and is an essential part of world history.
The Taj Mahal
IMAGE CREDITS @ ETRENARD
India is a geographically diverse land that enjoys almost all the physical features and geographical locations, from the monolithic mountains of the Himalayas to the Golden Sands of the Thar Desert, and from the snowcapped mountains to pristine sandy beaches. States of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, Uttaranchal and Tamil Nadu are famous for their exciting attractions and are visited by millions of travelers from all over the world.
Culture
IMAGE CREDITS @ ABHISEK SARDA
The country is a birthplace to few of the major world religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism and is known for its vast and dynamic culture. Most tourists consider visiting India as they want to experience the various cultures and traditions which are often unique. The Indian weddings are often few of the most amazing experiences one must try out. Indian dresses like Saris, Salwar Kameez, Dhoti, Lungi and Sherwani are well renowned for their aesthetics.
Architecture
IMAGE CREDITS @ MANUEL MENAL
India is the home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Architecture in India has evolved through countless centuries due to the influence of the various dynasties and civilizations that have flourished in the region. The various historical and archeological sites are simply marvelous and many have been recognized as world heritage sites by UNESCO. The forts, palaces and temples in India are often characterized by some of the most striking architectural designs and display the artistic prowess of the Indian kingdoms and dynasties.
Food
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India has a huge number of recipes which are native to the different regions, and most tourists are attracted to this country for its mouthwatering and flavorful dishes. Indians are generally perceived as vegetarians, and there are a huge number of artful and great tasting vegetarian dishes and curries. The arrival of the Mughals in the 16th century saw the introduction of Middle Eastern influences in Indian cooking and is majorly responsible for the amazing non-vegetarian cuisines offered here. The street food is worth trying; however, one must be careful as the food is often very oily and spicy.
Music
IMAGE CREDITS @ MICHAEL HOEFNER
India being on the forefront of world civilization is famous for its various performing arts and especially the classical Indian music. Music is an important part of the Indian society and many notable world musicians have originated from India since the ancient times. The Carnatic influence from the 13th and the 14th century AD plays a major role in shaping traditional Indian music. There are, however, various forms of folk music which display a distinctive sound and feel which is specific to their region of origination. The music is usually performed using Indian stringed and percussion instruments which further facilitates the production of a unique blend of sounds.
Dance
IMAGE CREDITS @ US CONSULATE CHENNAI
Indian Dance arts are few of the most complex and expressive dance forms in the world. Each that originated in India follows certain philosophies which exist in the ancient religious texts. Dance forms like Kathakali, Bharatnatyam, Kathak are a few to check out while visiting India.
Shopping
IMAGE CREDITS @ JAVIER CARCAMO
India is known for its huge market places and most tourists visit the country because of the amazing shopping experience. Textiles, clothing, handicrafts from India has been widely popular in the world due to the unique design aesthetics employed in their making. Many cities like Jaipur in Rajasthan are known for their market places built inside a fortified town. The national capital of Delhi is known for its marketplaces and various handicrafts which can often be bought cheap after a little bargaining.
Festivals And Fairs
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India is a home to a huge number of people who belong to a different cultural background, and the Indian calendar is full of various festivals and is famous for its elaborate and colorful fairs. The color filled festival of Holi and the vibrant and enlightening festival of Diwali are few of the most important festivals in Indian culture, and a visit to the country during these is recommended. The massive fairs like the Kumbha Mela and the Pushkar Camel fairattract millions of visitors from all across the globe.
Spiritual Experience
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India is the birthplace of various religions and religious philosophies. Many people visit India not for the tourist attractions, but to experience a calm and peaceful environment and get in touch with their spiritual self. Ever since the arrival of the Beatles, spiritual arts like Yoga and Meditation have attracted a huge number of tourists from the world. A visit to the various temples, a look in the religious texts and the stories of how the different legends originated can provide a deeper insight in the Indian culture, and will certainly refresh your senses like no other place in the world.
Contributed by Rohit Agarwal.
Jessica Festa is the editor of the travel sites Jessie on a Journey (http://jessieonajourney.com) and Epicure & Culture (http://epicureandculture.com). Along with blogging at We Blog The World, her byline has appeared in publications like Huffington Post, Gadling, Fodor’s, Travel + Escape, Matador, Viator, The Culture-Ist and many others. After getting her BA/MA in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany, she realized she wasn’t really to stop backpacking and made travel her full time job. Some of her most memorable experiences include studying abroad in Sydney, teaching English in Thailand, doing orphanage work in Ghana, hiking her way through South America and traveling solo through Europe. She has a passion for backpacking, adventure, hiking, wine and getting off the beaten path.
