home › Brake system › India 17th 18th century interesting facts. Amazing Facts About India: Asian Country's Shocking Contrasts

India 17th 18th century interesting facts. Amazing Facts About India: Asian Country's Shocking Contrasts

Very strong) To be there and not to fix at least in some primitive way the pictures seen is a great blasphemy. Therefore, I decided to put the interesting facts about India collected by me and other travelers into an article and reflect a little on this topic myself.

What do you know about India? Travelers can give a banal answer to this question: India is a country of contrasts. I will not argue with this, but in one word “contrast” it is impossible to convey all the mystery and magic of this piece of land.

The culture of India has evolved over the centuries, therefore, despite the modern pace of life, some of the old customs have survived to this day.

As a handshake, there is a special gesture called "namaste". It means "I salute God in you". To perform it correctly, you need to bring folded palms and fingers to chest level.
Basically, marriages are not created under the influence of love, but by a clear choice of parents. One of the main parameters that they pay attention to when choosing a bride or groom are religious beliefs and caste.
There are practically no divorces in India. Many people get married once and for life.
In many villages, the land is still plowed with the help of buffaloes and plows, which, against the background of good 4G Internet reception, creates a special contrast (along with a break in the pattern)
The groom is forbidden to look at the bride during the wedding ceremony, he can only see her through the reflection in the mirror.
It has long been believed that a girl born on a certain date promises death to her husband. Therefore, such "lucky women" got married twice, and for the first time - for an inanimate object.
Well, everyone knows about cows. Here they calmly walk the streets and sometimes sleep right on the roadway. In Rishikesh, specially trained people feed them stew
Shipping was founded in India, about 6,000 years ago.
Continuing the conversation about the country, it is worth noting that until the 17th century India was considered the most economically stable and one of the richest in the world.

Ghats of Varanasi

Sacred animals on the streets of Pushkar

For the sweet one anywhere

Like any other country, India is rich in various customs. And looking at them, I am sometimes very glad that I myself am not a Hindu.

Sati is an ancient ritual, according to which the wife must completely and completely share the fate of her husband. Including his death. When performing sati, the wife goes with her husband to the funeral pyre. At present, this custom is practically not practiced, its implementation is equated with a crime. Therefore, in order to avoid temptations, only men are present at the funeral.
The inhabitants of some Indian settlements adhere to such a ritual as throwing a newborn child from the roof of the house onto a large piece of cloth. But do not be afraid, everything happens absolutely safely. According to legend, this rite promises a newborn good luck, health and long life. What will happen if the child suddenly misses the fabric, history, of course, is silent.

Through me

The history of India, like its present, is very rich in various cultural practices and facts:

The ancestor of the famous game of chess was India.
Crystalline sugar from cane was first made in India.
Nowadays, most people like to relax Saturday night in the hookah. Not everyone knows that India is the birthplace of hookah.
Ancient India left a colossal mark in mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Most of the mathematical terms were coined by the Indians.
The most ancient literary heritage is the Vedas. According to historical data, they were created about 3,500 years ago.
The Indians were not only not afraid of a huge elephant, but they were the first to tame it
As many as 5 world religions were born on the territory of this wonderful country: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Bahaism. In addition, representatives of absolutely all possible religions and beliefs live here. Recently, even an Orthodox church was opened near Chennai.

Temples in Hampi, one of the UNESCO cultural heritage sites

Climate, geography and weather

Continuing the conversation about facts, it is worth saying a few words about geography and climate.

The highest point in India is Mount Kanchejunga (8560 m), the 3rd highest in the world, after Everest and Chogori (K2)

In India there are all climatic zones: from equatorial to arctic. The second such country is.
The state of Meghalaya is the rainiest place in the world.
The absolute height difference in India is 8500 meters. From sea level to the top of Kanchenjunga
In the farthest Indian north, in the town of Dras, a record-breaking low temperature at -57 degrees. Hindus consider the coldest place in the world after Yakutia. Of course, this information is very "conditional", like much that is said in India, but it greatly emphasizes the significance of this or that place.

We are in Dras. On the right in the photo - information about the coldest place

Population

The largest city is Mumbai with a population of about 19 million people.
The population of Uttar Pradesh is larger than that of all of Brazil.
According to 2014 data, about 315 million students studied in India, which is many times more than total residents in Russia.
In 2013, more than 120 million people took part in the jug festival.
The progress of the birth rate in India is going through the roof. So, for example, if we take data from 1901 to 2016, we can observe a growth rate of 332%, which is a kind of record.
Everyone knows about the Indian slums, but no one knows that about 65 million Indians live there, which is approximately the number of inhabitants of Thailand.
The population density is 382 people per square kilometer. In the state of Bihar, the figure is 1,102 for the same area.

Languages

Do you think Britain has the largest number of native English speakers? But no, according to the data received, this record belongs to India
There are 2 official state languages: Hindi and English
Regional languages - 22 + 447 local languages and about 2000 dialects. Against the backdrop of such a motley variety, it is not surprising that it became necessary to look for some kind of universal way of communication.

Medicine

Medicine in India was not only developed many centuries ago, but also has its own interesting facts.

Sushurata is the founder of surgery, who lived more than 2,600 years ago in India. At that time, he could successfully perform a number of operations, including: cataract removal, caesarean section, plastic surgery, etc.
In the study of ancient scriptures, scientists found that in India, back in the days of ancient civilization, anesthesia was used with might and main.
The first school of medicine in human history, Ayurveda, was founded over 2,500 years ago.
The pharmaceutical company Bayer produced a new drug in its laboratory in 1898. It helped with coughing and also relieved pain. At the same time, when using it, patients felt like real heroes. This drug was given a name - heroin. In India, until 1910, it could be bought at a regular pharmacy.
Pharmaceuticals is one of the most important branches of the Indian economy.

Transport

In India, even ordinary roads have several interesting nuances that can cause an ordinary European, if not shock, then surprise, for sure.

Indian railways are the third longest in the world, after the US and Russia.
Trains are often late here. Don't be surprised if you arrive somewhere 20 hours late
Judging by the news, it happens that they also go astray and go in the wrong direction
It is strictly forbidden to smoke in a car in Delhi. If you suddenly did this, then you face a considerable fine.
In Mumbai it is forbidden to leave the car with the engine running
Very few people follow the traffic rules here. On the roads - chaos, subject to an unknown controller
You can move around the streets of Kolkata on a cart that is pulled by a person and on a taxi ordered through UBER.
If you notice a cow on the road during a trip, then you should be extremely careful. In the event of even a minor collision with an animal, you face a fine, and in some cases, even prison term
Mumbai commuter trains carry about 8 million passengers per day. This is more than the number of inhabitants of some countries
India has one of the highest mountain roads in the world,. A special pleasure is to drive it on the good old Royal Enfield

We are at the Tanglang-La pass (5330 m) during a motorcycle trip through Kashmir and Ladakh

A few words about Goa

The picturesque resort of India is famous not only for its numerous recreational opportunities, but also for interesting facts.

Goa is a former Portuguese colony that became part of India only after 1961.
In many resort restaurants you can order dumplings, and even okroshka.
It's very beautiful nature and few big cities
Most of the population is Christian

Church of St. Xavier in Goa (as early as the 16th century, by the way)

Some more interesting things

As you can see, there are many interesting things in India. If you are not tired, please do not close the page.

There are 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Among them is the famous Taj Mahal complex.
Despite the fact that 80% of Indians are followers of Hinduism, representatives of all world religions can be found in India.
Indians don't use toilet paper. Near each push there is a faucet with water and a ladle
Almost 40% of Indians are vegetarians, so the country is the most "herbal" in the world.
The largest postal system operates in India. Here you can see a post office located at an altitude of about 4440 meters, or a post office floating right in the lake.
is one of the oldest in existence today. According to legend, it was created by the deity Shiva about 5,000 years ago.
Hindus often use banana leaves as a plate.
lovers natural features, will be able to see the so-called "living bridges" in the state of Meghalaya. They were created by nature itself for 500 years.
The largest sundial is located in Delhi and Jaipur.
Do you like sweet things? Then you will love various Indian desserts. The national cuisine of India consists of 140 desserts for every taste.
When riding a bus, do not be surprised that there is no glass in it.
Yoga was born about 5,000 years ago and today it is included in the so-called. " intangible heritage» UNESCO.
If you want to make a vivid impression on an Indian, tell her that her walk is similar to that of an elephant and then you will win her heart (honestly, I have not tried it, but if you have experience - share it, please?)
In the state of Rajasthan, it is not uncommon to see camels harnessed to carts on the roads.

Finally - my favorite photo, which I briefly called "India, summer, Yaroslav." As you can see, the contrasts are just off scale.

Of course, this is not all that I have collected in my memory and on the Internet. I will continue to supplement and expand this list, and maybe even make another article.

If you have useful additions to interesting facts about India, share them in the comments, please?

India is considered a country of contrasts and it is fraught with many secrets. Interesting facts about India include the historical development of the country, and the traditions, and characteristics of the people living there. Everyone can be interested in India. Interesting facts about this state will give the impression that this country is extraordinary. And indeed it is. Interesting facts about India will impress all travelers and lovers of ancient culture. Both children and adults will be interested in reading such a selection.

As a gesture of "yes" (instead of a nod of the head, as we have), the Indians shake their heads to the sides, like our "ay-ay-ay." At first, subconsciously, there was a feeling that they were shaking their heads reproachfully in response to the question, they say, “well, you have questions, white ones.” It’s the same when they meet – they often start dangling their heads from side to side, like tumblers, very funny.
The movement here is left-handed, such a concept as traffic rules, if it exists, is very conditional, the main rule on the road is a horn. Moreover, unlike, for example, flashing turn signals, the beep is more of a warning character, that is, it beeps and immediately starts turning, and if you don’t give in, it’s your problems, you were warned. Especially frantic traffic in large cities - Delhi, Chennai, Calcutta, aggravated by the incredible number of tuk-tuks scurrying here and there - the buzz of signals does not stop there for a minute.
A close friendship is common among men, so close that one can often find them walking hand in hand or embracing. At first we were surprised, but then we read that it was just such a friendship, without sexual overtones.
Indian cuisine, especially the southern one, is very spicy with lots of spices. Requests "no spicy", "no chilly" rarely lead to the expected result, despite the diligent nods of the waiter's head. There is a certain set of dishes, initially not very spicy - they can be eaten with a complete rejection of spicy food.
In most cases, the word Hotel is used to indicate a place where you can eat. At the same time, most hotels are called Lodge, but some, especially large ones, also use Hotel in the name.
The most common fruits are papayas, pineapples, tangerines and bananas, with the latter a huge number of varieties - large and small, thick and thin, yellow, red and green. Often apples are also sold, but incredibly expensive.
Many products are labeled MRP (maximum retail price) - the maximum retail price at which this product can be sold. This is especially noticeable in bottled water, which is sold on every corner and costs 15 rupees per 1 liter almost everywhere, both in shops and in cafes.
Many small local restaurants do not have a menu - people come and order dishes they have long known.
Meals for different meals are usually clearly divided into breakfast (until 11), lunch (from 12 to 15) and dinner (from 19 to 21). The time, however, is rather conditional and can vary, but ordering something from the breakfast menu in the afternoon, and in the afternoon from dinner, most often will not work. Moreover, from 15 to 18-19, some cafes are generally closed.
The most common lunch among low-income residents is Meals: a mountain of rice, usually on a banana leaf (very convenient, free disposable dishes, and even profitable in waste disposal) with several sauces and seasonings in bowls. Most often, this dish is without restrictions - sauces are almost always added, sometimes rice is added, cheap and cheerful.
Tipping in cafes is customary to leave at will, from 3–10%, but most often it is 10–20 rupees.
There is no alcohol on sale. i.e. it is not prohibited, but not particularly welcomed - you can buy it only in specially designated places. In most cafes, it is also not officially available (sometimes they sell it “from under the counter”), it is only available in restaurants.
Staff in guesthouses and cafes, especially inexpensive ones, are rarely friendly. They are not aggressive, but they talk as if they have this job in their livers, maybe they are. And locals often very smiling and friendly.
Rickshaws and other "assistants" for driving a client to a hotel, as a rule, receive a fixed amount, and for each night spent by the client in this hotel. So, from a room for 250 rupees, a rickshaw will receive 50 rupees, and for 300 - already 75, and so on. Each city has its own fees.
There is no central hot water supply anywhere. In the cheapest guesthouses, there is no hot water in principle, in some they bring it in the morning in a tank (sometimes for extra money), in more advanced ones there are boilers.
Indians do not use toilet paper, instead, in advanced places next to the toilet hangs a small shower, and in simpler places - a tap with water and a ladle.
Hindu temples start working at 5 am and this is usually accompanied by loud howls (prayer) into the microphone for the whole district, huge speakers are put out on the street. It is especially fun if such a temple is under the windows of the guesthouse.
Most Hindus are very devout, religious. There are queues to temples, there are many pilgrims everywhere and, as a result, the business of selling offerings is widely developed: as a rule, this is a set of flowers and fruits (bananas, coconuts). Some even have a small prayer room with an altar and deities at home, while visiting one of the couchsurfers they witnessed the evening prayer of his daughter - she rang the bell and waved incense sticks.
Only Hindi is allowed to enter most Hindu temples or their separate prayer parts, despite the fact that Europeans can also bless the Indian “pop” (put a dot on the forehead, wash with holy water), if only the money is paid.
Apparently, due to the heat here, most people get up at 5-6 in the morning. So at 7 am on a typical weekday, we witnessed pandemonium on the beach - the locals played football, volleyball and just sat in groups or walked, the same thing in the evening - after 5 o'clock.
Indians for the most part do not like to swim in the sea, they prefer lakes with fresh water and no waves. Women never bathe at all, at least in public places.
Children, seeing us, often ask for "skulpen". At first they didn’t understand, and then they figured it out - school pen (school pen), apparently, tourists often give them.
The most common clothing among women is a sari, young men wear jeans and T-shirts, and the older generation often prefers lungi - a rag wrapped around the legs is wound around the naked body.
Yoga and Ayurveda are two big myth about India. In Russia, many believe that in India all Hindus practice yoga and are treated with Ayurveda, but both are more common outside of India, and even here they are popular mainly among tourists.
There are many “pure” vegetarians in India, i.e. those who not only do not eat meat / fish / eggs, but also do not allow animal food to be cooked in their kitchen or use the same utensils / table / refrigerator for storage and cooking products. In this regard, a special group of cafes and restaurants marked "pure vegetarian" has been singled out, which means the complete exclusion of any links with non-vegetarian products.
A washing machine in an Indian apartment is a rarity. And in those families that can afford it, as a rule, they use the services of housekeepers who clean, do laundry, and sometimes cook. In low-income families, they wash by hand in a river or lake.
Very cheap in India work force- 3 thousand rupees (1800 rubles) per month for daily cleaning of a 3-room apartment / house and cooking dinner for 3-4 people. If cleaning is needed 2 times a day and breakfast is needed, then the salary for such an employee will be 5 thousand rupees per month, even in the expensive city of Mumbai. We are not talking about the quality of cleaning, far from all Indians from the staff, even in hotels or cafes, do their job properly.
Even in a large and developed city, in the middle of the day, you can sometimes see a peasant (probably a visitor from the outback) who relieves himself of a small need. In order not to attract attention to himself, he squats down next to the fence, behind a parked car or bus, and, rolling up his lungi, does his job while sitting.
Street coffee and tea is poured into clay pots, which are automatically disposed of after a couple of rains. Buying such pots from the poor is cheaper than plastic and paper ones (1 paper cup costs about 7 kopecks, and a clay one is even cheaper, you can imagine what crumbs a person who makes such dishes earns).
Weddings in India are magnificent even for people of average income - they invite all relatives, friends and even completely unfamiliar friends. Tourists are also very happy to see - sometimes, when we were just passing by, we were invited to come in, introduced to relatives, offered to take a picture with the bride and groom and treated us. An Indian wedding is usually attended by 300 to 1500 people (sometimes more), and the food is prepared with a margin so that it would be enough for twice as many guests.
Earliest traces human life in India, found in the rock dwellings of Bhimbetka, lying on the territory of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Experts say that the most ancient 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 will become famous not only for its diverse culture, but also for its contrasting climatic conditions. During your stay in India, you can witness different types of weather conditions. In the west of India there is a desert region, in the north - glaciers, in the southwest - tropical forests that form humid tropical regions, etc. Therefore, in India, you can catch all four seasons: warm summers, wet monsoons, post-monsoon period and cool winters.
Indian music is very diverse and includes many styles. Classical music India is traditionally passed down from generation to generation. It is based on certain religious ideas and beliefs. In addition to the traditional classical genre in India, there is a very interesting fusion of folk and pop music.
India has many significant landmarks that are today considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among such monuments, one should highlight the cave temples of Ajanta (Ajanta Caves), the cave temples on the island of Elephanta (Elephanta Cave), the cave temples of Ellora (Ellora Caves), the Taj Mahal (Taj Mahal), numerous beautiful churches in the city of Goa, the monuments of Hampi (Hampi) , Qutub Minar, etc.
Along with the official language of Hindi, many other languages are spoken here. An interesting fact is that the distribution of millions of local languages depends on a certain region of the country, but according to the government of India, Sanskrit and Tamil are classical languages. In addition, India has about 22 more officially recognized languages.
One of the highly respected Bengali writers is Rabindranath Tagore, in 1931 it was he who was awarded Nobel Prize on literature. He is also the author of the national anthem of India - "Jana Gana Mana" ("The Soul of the People").
In trains, in common carriages (general class), if there are no empty seats, people calmly ride on luggage racks. Tested on our own experience - the luggage rack fits up to 3 people + luggage. In sleeper class cars, up to 5 people can be accommodated on two side shelves - two on the top, 3 on the bottom, and in the reserved seat where four people travel in Russia, there are 6 shelves but not six, but 9-10 people sit on them, so and they sleep in a bunch, they also sleep in the aisles right on the floor and in the vestibules near the toilets and entrances. There are 2 types of toilets in each car - Western style (toilet) and Indian style (hole in the floor).
Prices for visiting various parks, palaces, reserves often differ for local and foreign tourists, usually by 10, and sometimes 15 times, for example, 10 and 150 rupees.
In 1947, the national flag of India was adopted. Orange 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. Central to the flag is India's national emblem, the Ashoka Chakra.
It is interesting to know that in the last 10,000 years, India has not invaded the territory of another country, good fact
5000 years ago, when the majority of the world's population were nomadic forest dwellers, the Indians (inhabitants of India) managed to create the Harappan civilization. The civilization was located in the Shindu Valley (West of modern India).
The name "India" comes from the Indus River, which sheltered the very first settlements around it. The Aryans called the Indus River "Shindu". The Persians invaded the territory of India, after which the name "Hindostan" appeared, which comes from "Shindu" and "Indu", and is one of the names of the lands of India.
India is the birthplace of chess. Algebra and geometry also originate here.
The world's first granite palace is the Brahideeshwarar temple in Tanjur, India. Beautiful in beauty, the palace was erected in only 5 years (from 1004 AD to 1009 AD).
India ranks 7th in the world in terms of area.
India has more post offices than any other country.
India's largest employer, Indian Railways, employs more than 1 million people.
The very first university in the world was founded in India in 700 BC. More than 10.5 thousand students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. Another university, Nalanda, built in the IV century. - one of the most outstanding achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
India was one of the richest countries in the world until the British colonization in the early 17th century. Columbus, discoverer of America, hoped to find sea route to India precisely because of the indescribable wealth of India.
The art of navigation and navigation as a science were formed in the Sindh River valley about 6000 years ago by representatives of the ancient Indian civilization. The word "navigation" and the English "navy" are rooted in ancient language India.
The mathematician and astronomer Bhaskara (1114 - 1185) was able to accurately calculate the amount of time that the Earth spends on 1 complete revolution around the Sun. This time is 365.258756484 days. Baudhayana is a talented Indian mathematician who managed to accurately calculate the value of pi. In addition, he managed to formulate the main part of the Pythagorean theorem. These discoveries by this Indian scientist were made in the 6th century, long before the appearance of European mathematicians.
Interesting facts bring us back to algebra in India: quadratic equations already used by Indian scientists in the 11th century. The largest numbers operated by the Greeks and Romans were numbers of the order of 100, while already in 5000 BC. Indian scientists used numbers of the order 10^53 (10 to the power of 53). Numbers of such orders had their own names in India. Even today, the largest number with its own name is Terra 10^12 (10 to the power of 12).
Until 1896, India had a monopoly in diamond mining.
Bailey Bridge is the highest bridge in the world, located in the Himalayas (India), built in 1982.
Sushurata is the generally recognized founder of surgery, who lived in India more than 2600 years ago. The Indian scientist managed to carry out successful operations to remove cataracts, prosthetics, caesarean sections, remove stones from the bladder, plastic surgery, and brain surgery.
Knowledge of anesthesia (pain relief) was available to doctors of ancient India. In ancient writings, evidence was found about the knowledge of the ancient civilization in anatomy, digestion, metabolism, physiology, etiology, genetics and the immune system.
India exports computer programs (software) to more than 90 countries around the world.
Hinduism is the main religion of India, followed by Islam.
India has 300,000 active mosques, more than any other country.
More than 5,000 years ago, the teachings of yoga originated in India.
In India, as early as 2000 years ago, crystalline sugar was made from cane. When Alexander the Great reached Indian territory, he was surprised by the process of obtaining honey without the use of bees (that is, artificial honey from sugar).
The largest consumer of gold - 936 tons annually - India. This amount of gold is enough to make Golden ring for every Indian.
India is the world's largest producer and consumer of whiskey. About 600 million liters of whiskey are drunk annually in India, which is twice as much as in the United States. However, outside the country, this drink would most likely be considered rum (unfortunately, it is not exported, everything goes to the domestic market).
In 19th century India, postmen carried long sticks with iron bowls tied to their ends. If they were pursued by wild animals or snakes, the postmen would scare them away with sticks. The burden of messengers could reach 35 kilograms. As a rule, postmen moved on a run, overcoming two days up to 160 kilometers.
Despite the fact that Delhi and Novosibirsk are almost on the same longitude, their time differs by an hour and a half. This is due to the fact that India has a special standard time.
In India, cows are still considered sacred animals.
One of the inventions of ancient India, which spread throughout the world, was the hookah. It is believed that the Hindus taught hookah smoking to the Persians, who shared their knowledge with the Egyptians. Those, in turn, with the Turks, and so on the chain the whole world.
Martial arts were first invented in India and then spread to Asia by the missionaries of Buddhism.
Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. It was created by the father of medicine - Charaka, 2500 years ago.
In Western India (the city of Saurashta), the first irrigation dams and reservoirs were built. And in 150 AD, under the leadership of the ruler Rudradaman I, the very first artificial river was created - Sudarshana, which means “beautiful” in translation.
Engineers from the American Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering confirmed the fact that the father of wireless communication was not Marconi, but Dr. Jagdeesh Bose from Calcutta.
The art of navigation also first developed in Idia, on the river. Sind, approximately 6000 years ago.
The birthplace of the largest unit of measurement is India. Kalpa is a unit of time from the creation of the universe to its destruction. According to the theory of the universe, it is equal to 25 billion years.
T. E. Brasharacharya is the first astronomer who calculated how long the Earth takes to revolve around the Sun.
Budhayana was the first to calculate pi and gave an extended version of what is now known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He did this long before European and Arab mathematicians - in the 6th century.
Saint Calcutta, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi are the world's greatest adepts of the 20th century.
In order not to pollute the four elements (fire, earth, air and water), the Indian adherents of Zoroastrianism do not bury or cremate their dead, but lay their bodies on the so-called "towers of silence", from which they are eventually eaten by carrion birds. After only one skeleton remains from the dead, it is thrown into the "fraternal" well.
Taking Indian rupees out of India is prohibited by law.
In many Indian families, wives are not supposed to say their husband's name aloud: this is considered disrespectful. The wife may refer to him indirectly (for example, with the word "listen"), or refer to him as "the father of my child."
A widow in India is credited with bad karma - because otherwise her husband would not have died! In some especially religious families and communities, widows are not allowed to approach the newlyweds or appear at public gatherings.
In the old days in India, there was even a ritual “essence”, according to which a widowed woman was supposed to lie down on a funeral pyre along with the body of her husband.
In India high level of death. India has the highest death rate in the world. main reason of this phenomenon are traffic accidents. Traffic on the roads in India, especially in cities, is extremely heavy and there is no regulation. 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 overcrowded buses. The death rate of newborns and pregnant women also contributes to the high mortality rate due to insufficiently qualified medical care. In addition, they still kill for infidelity and for dowry.
The film industry is booming in India. When it comes to cinema, everyone has associations with Hollywood. However, about 1,100 films are released annually in India, which is twice as many as in the US. Believe it or not, most Indian films are not made in Bollywood. Although many people like the colorful, emotional, expressive films of Bollywood stars, this is only a small part of the entire Indian film production.
India breaks records. The passion of Indians for records in different areas can be called strange. For example, the Guinness Book of Records holds the record for the largest crocheted blanket in the world. The largest metal peacock in the world was erected in India. The record for the most massive performance of the national anthem was recorded.
Both the color and style of clothing in India is an important means of social identification. It comes to the point that a woman can be considered a prostitute or, conversely, a righteous woman, depending on how her hair is styled.
The most popular sport in India is cricket, which was introduced by the British.
The Baily Bridge is the highest bridge in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley, located between the Dras and Suru rivers, in the Himalayas. It was built by the Indian Army in August 1982.
Religion plays an important role in India, as evidenced by historical temples and shrines. Among them, the Tirupati temple stands out, because to get to it, you need to take the greatest number of steps compared to other hard-to-reach religious shrines in the world. Angkor Wat, a temple complex located in Cambodia, was once a Hindu temple, but still holds the first place in the world in terms of architectural size.
Many Hindus rinse their hands, feet and faces before sitting down to eat. Eat only with the right hand. Women in many families eat after men.
The color of mourning in India is not black, but white. Widows often wear white robes, contrasting with the colorful outfits of newlyweds and brides.
On Independence Day, August 15, 1947, India and Pakistan were divided into two different countries. This division was the result of the displacement of more than 1.2 million people, and the chaos caused by it was the fault of several thousand to a million deaths.
The images of many Indian gods were influenced by ... Greek sculpture, which the Indians met during the period of the invasion of the troops of Alexander the Great.
The Indian city of Varanasi was called "ancient" as early as 500 BC when it was visited by the Buddha. Today, Varanasi is considered the oldest inhabited city in the world.
Despite the fact that in many areas of life India is guided by the Western model of development and therefore is looking for inspiration in developed countries, the opposite is also happening. In 2004, Marvel Comics launched comic book series "Indian Spider-Man", where Peter Parker became Pavitr Prabhakar, Mary Jane became Mira Jane, Aunt May was renamed Aunt Maya, and Uncle Bim became Uncle Bheem. Great fit for a local audience!
Few people know that sharks live in the Ganges. Moreover, the freshwater Ganges shark is an extremely dangerous predator, famous for its love of human meat. It is possible that this gastronomic habit appeared in the shark due to the numerous unburned corpses floating in the river.
India is the most populous democracy in the world: 1 billion, 200 million people.
Mumbai is the richest and at the same time the poorest city in India. Nowhere else in the country will you find such a contrast of glittering skyscrapers and entire slum blocks.
Shampoo was first invented in India. But not as a commercial product, but as a hair care product. The word "Shampoo" comes from the Sanskrit "champu", which means to massage.
The Asiatic lion, also known as the Persian lion, once lived in the Middle East and India. Currently, it is an endangered species and can only be found in the state of Gujarat in the Gir reserve.
Kumbh Mela is a rite of Hindu pilgrimage, which is getting bigger every year. It is held every three years in one of the cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain, but the meeting in Allahabad, which is held every 12 years, is the largest and most sacred. In 2013, the festival attracted about 100 million people.

Incredible Facts

India is one of the most amazing countries in the world. There are many facts about India that few people know about.

This country boasts a wide variety of places and cultures, strange phenomena and unusual traditions.

Here are some of the most interesting facts about India that would be interesting to know.

1. India has over 32 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Taj Mahal is one of the most famous places in the world, however there are 31 other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

This includes the forts in Rajasthan, the mountain railways in Shimla, Darjeeling and the Nilgiri, the Western Ghats in the southwest of the country, the Ajanta and Ellora caves in Maharashtra, the Sundarbans National Park in Bengal and many other national parks and reserves. And this is only a small part of the amazing places and objects of India.

2. All major world religions are represented in India.

Although 80 percent of Indians are followers of Hinduism, the country is home to a large number of large communities and all world religions. Christian communities and churches can be found in Kerala and Goa. Judaism in India is represented at Kohi Fort in Kerala.

Also, followers of Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and other religions coexist in different regions of India.

3. 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 beliefs and traditions of Hinduism. Approximately 20-40% of Indians are vegetarians, making India the largest vegetarian country in the world.

4. Here you can find strange and unusual post offices.

India has the largest postal system in the world and here you can find post offices in the most unexpected and unusual places. So in the city of Haikki in the state of Himachal Pradesh is the highest post office at an altitude of 4440 meters. A floating post office can be found on Dal Lake in Kashmir, and in the 70s, some cities were supplied with mobile camel mail.

5. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

The holy city of Varanasi was first inhabited more than 3,000 years ago, and the Hindus themselves believe that the city is even older and was created more than 5,000 years ago by the deity Shiva. Varanasi is located on the holy points of the Ganges River. Many Hindus choose to die in this place as they believe that it frees a person from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

6. India is the second largest English-speaking country in the world.

The number of people who speak English here is slightly less than in the US. 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 know English, and a small minority know it as native language, but in a country with such a large population, you can almost always find someone with whom you can communicate on it.

7. Asiatic lion lives only in western India.

The Asiatic lion, also known as the Persian lion, once lived in the Middle East and India. Currently, it is an endangered species and can only be found in the state of Gujarat in the Gir reserve.

8. The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh could become the fifth most populous country in the world.

The population of Uttar Pradesh is more than 200 million, and this is more people than in Japan, Mexico and even in Russia. This northern state is home to the Taj Mahal and the city of Varanasi, as well as many other attractions including " dead city Fatehpur Sikri, Nature Reserves, Bara Imambara building in Lucknow and others.

Landmarks of India

9. Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people in the world.

Kumbh Mela is a rite of Hindu pilgrimage, which is getting bigger every year. It is held every three years in one of the cities of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain, but the meeting in Allahabad, which is held every 12 years, is the largest and most sacred. In 2013, the festival attracted about 100 million people.

10. India has long been a center of fashion.

Since ancient times, Indian fabrics have been traded all over the world, and the country has long been known as the producer of the finest cotton and silk. One of the consequences of British colonialism was the impoverishment of Indian textile manufacturers.

Today, the Indian fashion industry is once again flourishing, with fashion weeks regularly taking place in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Also in India, many traditions have been preserved, such as hand weaving and hand stuffing.

11. Step wells can be found throughout the desert.

In the dry climate of northern and western India, water is not always available to the public and often has to be extracted from underground. Many stepwells in Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat have been carved and decorated like temples with zigzag steps with many tunnels and balconies that lead to the water.

One of the most beautiful step wells are Chand Baori close to Jaipur and Ajalaj outside Ahmedabad.

12. Meghalaya is the rainiest inhabited place in the world.

Although the arid deserts of Rajasthan in the west are better known, the northwestern state in Meghalaya is the rainiest inhabited place in the world. So, for example, the village of Mawsynram receives 11,871 millimeters of rain annually.

13. Here you can see bridges made from living trees.

In the state of Meghalaya, you can find amazing bridges that have been created by nature for more than 500 years. Such bridges of roots and climbing stems are much stronger than wooden bridges, which would quickly rot in the humid climate of Meghalaya.

14. Padmanabhaswamy Temple is the richest temple in the world.

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum, Kerala is not only the richest Hindu temple in the world, but also the richest place of worship. In 2011, the temple's cellars were opened for the first time in 130 years, and a treasure trove of gold, silver and precious metals, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, was discovered inside.

15. 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.

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest, and is equipped with 19 architectural astronomical instruments, including the largest sundial in the world. The observatory in Delhi is smaller but not as crowded and you can even climb some of the structures.

There are many corners on our planet that will not leave indifferent even the most captious person. In this article, we will look at ancient civilization which has preserved its culture to this day. She surprised and continues to surprise us with her contrasts and worldview. This wonderful country is India.

Amazing country

IN modern world you can find almost any information you are interested in, including interesting facts about India. You can read books or watch movies and videos about it as much as you like, but still you will know practically nothing about this state. India is the only country on Earth where religious and cultural traditions have not been interrupted since ancient times. All the great civilizations of antiquity - Sumerian, Egyptian, Celtic, Roman and others - arose and sunk into oblivion, while the Indian one has survived to this day. There is no need to look for interesting facts about India, because this country surprises and amazes at every turn. Often there is a feeling that an unknown force has thrown you into a parallel world or at other times. This country has preserved mysterious sects with their rituals strange for a modern person, Buddhist monasteries, ancient temples, stunning landscapes, a unique way of life and much more. Every educated person on our planet knows that India, Sanskrit, has been preserved here. And even uneducated representatives of our society have heard about the existence of the teachings of the Kama Sutra (although many of them do not understand the philosophical core of this teaching).

Land of contrasts

This state absorbed jungles and deserts, plains and mountains, palaces of maharajas and thatched shacks, respectable businessmen and beggars, red-light districts and cruel puritanism, government and caste system. This is what India is like. You can collect yogis all your life and still this work will not be finished. Mysterious Tibet, the majestic Himalayas, tropical forests, the sacred river Ganges, many seaside resorts, ancient monuments and museums - all this is the national pride of India.

By studying the history of this country, you can discover many amazing facts about scientific and cultural achievements ancient Let's consider some of them.

1. The first university on the planet was founded in the city of Takshashil. This happened in 700 BC. Here, more than ten thousand students studied over 60 subjects. And in the fourth century A.D. e. in the city of Nalanda, another university was founded, which became one of the greatest achievements of this country in the field of education.

2. Listing interesting facts about India, one cannot fail to mention Ayurveda - the earliest medical school known to man. It was created 2500 years ago by the father of medicine Charaka. Complex surgical operations were performed here - cesarean section, prosthetics, cataract removal, removal of stones from the urinary system, and even brain surgery.

3. In the fifth century AD, the scientist Brasharacharya made a calculation of the time during which our planet passes around the Sun.

4. It was first calculated by another Indian scholar, Budhayana, in the sixth century (long before the Arab and European mathematicians). In addition, he introduced extended options for what is known today as the Pythagorean theorem. In India, sciences such as trigonometry and algebra were invented. From here came the basic concept of calculation, and quadratic equations, and much more. The scientists of this country even invented the largest unit of time - kalpa, which described the interval from the birth of the universe to its destruction (approximately 25 billion years).

The tragedy of this country

These and many other interesting facts about India are hushed up today, which, in principle, is understandable, because otherwise “civilized” Europe will have to explain to the whole world what kind of “culture” they brought to the “wild” tribes of this country. Why did the British, and not only them, having become like barbarians, destroyed millions of Indians, plundered national wealth of this nation, took out a lot of cultural and historical values. Indeed, at a time when universities functioned here, scientists with a capital letter worked here, the most complex medical operations were carried out, future English "sirs" slept in a barn hugging pigs. After all, having recognized the fact of the barbaric plunder of India, one will have to admit true reason contemporary military conflicts. Not a better life for civilians NATO missiles, poppy fields, looting natural resources and other delights of democracy.

But enough about the sad, back to this beautiful country.

For young readers, we highlight a few interesting facts. In this country, more than five thousand years ago, the teachings of yoga originated. Visiting India, every child and adult will be able to see with their own eyes how these people walk on broken glass, sleep on nails. And if you are very lucky, you can see cases of levitation of the ancient masters.

And which of the children is not familiar with the main character of the cartoon "Mowgli"? But the story described by Kipling has real roots. Similar cases, when wild animals brought up a human child, are known in life.

Through the eyes of a traveler

India is a very hospitable country, the most good-natured and peaceful people on the planet live here. And this is so, this is evidenced by another interesting fact. Over the past ten thousand years, the inhabitants of this country have not invaded the territories of other states. And Mother Teresa (Saint of Calcutta) and Mahatma Gandhi are the greatest apostles of the twentieth century.

Well, let's continue, collect interesting facts about this country.

1. India is the birthplace of the now popular game of chess. Previously, they were called "chaturanga", which in Sanskrit means "four branches of the army": once they were infantry, chariots, cavalry and war elephants.

2. In terms of area, modern India ranks seventh in the world. It is three times smaller than the United States, but at the same time it is the second largest in the world in terms of population - 1 billion 170 million people.

3. There are more post offices in this country than in any other. India's largest employer is the Indian Railway. It provides jobs for more than a million people.

4. Until 1896, India was a world monopoly in the field of diamond mining. And this state was one of the richest (until the colonization of it by Britain at the beginning of the seventeenth century).

5. In this country, the main religion is Hinduism, the second place is occupied by Islam. India has over 300,000 active mosques, more than any other country.

6. Citizens of this country are called Indians, and not Hindus at all, as many people think. The latter term refers to those people who practice Hinduism. Therefore, citizens of other countries where this religion is practiced, for example, Nepal, can also be Indians.

sacred dump

Along with the amazing facts listed above, India is one big garbage dump. Here ancient monuments can be combined with fetid heaps of garbage. And even in the Himalayas, sacred to the Indians, at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level, perennial garbage dumps are often found. The people of this country are just throwing garbage down. It covers the mountain slopes with a continuous fetid carpet. And no one cares about this.

Conclusion

Summing up, it should be noted: despite the fact that many inhabitants of our planet know about this large state, which occupies the second place in the world in terms of population, modern youth have a very vague idea that the World Map will help eliminate this gap in knowledge. The state borders on such countries as Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Washed by the ocean.

brief information

Distant India is of great interest to tourists. This country has thousands of ancient sights that will be of interest to any traveler. India is the birthplace of such religions as Buddhism and Jainism. However, millions of foreign tourists annually come to India not only, for example, to visit the places where the 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 borders Pakistan to the west, China, Nepal and Bhutan to the northeast, and Myanmar and Bangladesh to the east. In the south, India is washed by Indian Ocean, in the southwest - 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 sq. km, including the 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 stretch across India from north to northeast. The most high peak in India - Mount Kanchenjunga, whose height reaches 8,856 meters.

There are several very large rivers in India - the Indus (its length is 3,180 km) and the Ganges (its length is 2,700 km). Among other Indian rivers, one should also highlight 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 middle of the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan, the ruler of the Mughal Empire.

Official language

The official language in India is Hindi. In its turn English language is the "auxiliary state language" in India. In addition, 21 more languages have official status in this country.

Religion

Over 80% of India's population is Hindu. More than 13% of the inhabitants of this country are Muslims, more than 2.3% are Christians, about 2% are Sikhs, and 0.7% are Buddhists.

State structure of India

Under the current Constitution of 1950, India is a parliamentary republic. Its head is the President, elected by a special collegium for 5 years (this collegium consists of deputies of parliament and members of state assemblies).

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, the Prime Minister and the 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 Himalayas, the Indian Ocean, and the Thar Desert have a great influence on the climate in India.

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 rainfall is 715 mm.

Average air temperature in New Delhi:

January - +14C
- February - +17C
- March - +22C
- April - +28C
- May - +34С
- June - +34C
- July - +31C
- August - +30C
- September - +29С
- October - +26С
- November - +20C
- December - +15С

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 - +28С
- February - +28С
- March - +28С
- April - +29С
- May - +30C
- June - +29C
- July - +28C
- August - +28C
- September - +28С
- October - +29С
- November - +29C
- December - +29С

Rivers and lakes

India has two river systems different regime"nutrition". These are the Himalayan rivers (Ganges, Brahmaputra, etc.) and the rivers flowing into the ocean - Godavari, Krishna and Mahanadi.

One of the longest rivers in the world, the Indus, also flows through India, with a length of 3,180 km.

As for the lakes, there are not very many of them in India, but, nevertheless, there are very beautiful ones among them. The largest Indian lakes are Chilika, Sambhar, Koleru, Loktak, and Wular.

Story

Neolithic human settlements on the territory of modern India appeared about 8 thousand years ago. In the years 2500-1900 BC. in Western India there was the first urban culture, which was formed around the cities of Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Dhalavira.

In 2000-500 BC. Hinduism spread in India, and at the same time a caste system began to take shape there, consisting of priests, warriors, and free peasants. Subsequently, castes of merchants and servants were formed.

Around the 5th century BC. India already had 16 independent states - Mahajanapada. At the same time, two religions were formed - Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, and Jainism, founded by Mahavira.

In the VI century BC. some territories of India were conquered by the Persians, and in the 4th century the troops of Alexander the Great conquered some northwestern parts of this country.

In the II century BC. The Mauryan kingdom reaches its peak, conquering 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, the rulers of which were the descendants of Genghis Khan and Timur.

In the XVII-XIX centuries, the English East India Company, which even had its own army, was in charge of the territory of modern India.

In 1857, the so-called. "Rebellion of the sepoys", whose dissatisfaction was just caused by the East India Company. After the suppression of the Sepoy Rebellion, the British liquidated the East India Company, and India became a colony of the British Empire.

In the 1920s, a massive national liberation movement began in India against British rule. In 1929, Great Britain gave India the rights of a dominion, but this did not help the British. In 1947, the independence of India was declared. Part of the Indian territories after some time became the independent state of Pakistan.

India was admitted to the UN back in 1945 (however, then 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 impact not only on neighboring countries, but also on other states located far from it.

Until now, India has a caste system of society, thanks to which Indian culture retains all its traditional values.

The expression of Indian traditions is music and dance. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world.

Tourists in India, we recommend that you definitely see the local festivals and parades, of which there are a lot. Elephant processions often take place during festivals, 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 (Chariot Festival), Dussera in Delhi, Ganapati Festival in honor of god Ganesh.

Also of note is the interesting festival of sisters and brothers "Raksha Bandhan", celebrated every year in July. On this day, the sisters tie their brothers' wrists with handkerchiefs, ribbons that protect against evil forces. In return, the brothers give their sisters various gifts and swear to protect them.

Indian Cuisine

Indian cuisine is known throughout the world for its use of spices. It is thanks to the Indians that various seasonings and spices, including black pepper and curry, have become widespread in the world.

India is a very large country, and therefore it is not surprising that each of its regions has its own culinary traditions. However, all regions of India are characterized by the use 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 the 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 the inhabitants 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 soup puree, naan wheat cake, sabji vegetable stew, chapati and samba rice cakes, kichari (stewed rice with mung bean and spices), jalebi "(fritters in syrup), "rasgulla" (balls of cottage cheese), "gulab-jamun" (yogurt with flour and almonds).

Traditional non-alcoholic Indian drinks - "dhai" (yogurt or yogurt), "raita" (yogurt with mint and grated cucumber).

Landmarks of India

There are so many attractions in India that it is difficult for us to single out the most interesting ones. Perhaps the top ten Indian attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:

Red Fort in Delhi

The construction of the Red Fort in Delhi began in 1638 and ended in 1648. This fortification was built by order of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Now the Red Fort is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Mausoleum-mosque Taj Mahal in Agra

The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by order of Shah Jahan, Emperor of the Mughal Empire. This mausoleum was built by 20 thousand people over 20 years. The Taj Mahal is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Minaret 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

In the Cave of the Elephants there is an underground temple of Shiva with her sculptures. It was built several thousand years ago. The Elephant Cave is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Virupaksha Temple in Hampi

The first small temple on the territory of the modern city of Hampi was built in the 7th century AD. Gradually others built around it. religious buildings, and after a while there was already a huge beautiful temple complex in Hampi.

Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar

Harmandir Sahib is more commonly known as the Golden Temple. This is the most important religious building for the Sikhs. The 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 to build their Ajanta caves around the 2nd century BC. These caves were abandoned around 650 AD. Only in 1819 did the British accidentally stumble 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 placed in Jaigarh Fort (it can still be seen now, because 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 middle of the 17th century under the emperor Shah Jahan. No, there are no pearls in this mosque, just its domes shine very strongly in the sun.

Cities and resorts

The largest Indian cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, and Kanpur.

In India, there are 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 must be mentioned: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, as well as beaches on the Andaman, Nicobar and Laccadive Islands.

There are several ski resorts in India that are considered the best in Asia. Of course, the winter resorts of India cannot be compared with the ski slopes of Austria, Italy and Switzerland. However, for those travelers who love to ski, and who at the same time want to get to know the unique India, holidays in Indian ski resorts will be remembered forever.

Most Popular ski resorts in India, 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 in the spa resorts. Indian spa centers offer clients various Ayurvedic programs. Among such spa resorts, first of all, Beach & Lake, Ayurma, and Ananda should be named.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Before you go to India think about what you want to buy there. Otherwise, the Indian merchants in the bazaars and shops will sell you a lot of different unnecessary goods, and you will lose thousands of rupees. We recommend tourists from India to bring Indian tea, various incense, bracelets (glass, metal, precious metals), amulets, talismans, marble souvenirs (for example, a small marble Taj Mahal), scarves, shawls, saris (traditional Indian dress ), leather shoes, sets of Indian dry spice mixes, henna paint, carpets, musical instruments (such as drums or an elegant wooden flute).