The Republic of India (India has 26 World Heritage Sites) is a South Asian country that comprises a major portion of the Indian subcontinent. It has a coastline of over seven thousand kilometres, borders Pakistan to the west, the People's Republic of China,Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. On the Indian Ocean, it is adjacent to three island nations — the Maldives to the southwest, Sri Lanka to the south, and Indonesia to the southeast. India also claims a border with Afghanistan to the northwest.
The name India is derived from the Old Persian version of Sindhu, the historic local name for the Indus river. The Constitution of India, and common usage also recognises Bharat as an official name of equal status. This name is derived from the Sanskrit name of an ancient Hindu king whose story can be found in the Mahabharata epic poem. A third name, Hindustan been used since the twelfth century AD, though its contemporary use is unevenly applied due to domestic disputes over its representativeness as a national signifier.
India is the fourth largest economy in the world by purchasing power parity, and the tenth largest by absolute GNP. It is the second most populous country, with a population of over one billion, and the seventh largest by geographical area. It is home to the Indus Valley Civilisation — one of the most ancient civilizations in recorded history — and a centre of important historic trade routes. Four major world religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism — have Indian origins. India was a part of the British Empire before gaining independence in 1947. In the last twenty years, it has grown significantly, especially in the economic and military spheres.
India is a vast country with such climatic diversity that conditions in the far north have no relation to those in the extreme south. The weather is tropically hot with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from December to February, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September. Basically India has three seasons in a year - the hot, the wet and the cool.
Rich and diverse, Indian cuisine, coupled with the celebrated hospitality of the people is the crowning glory of the opulent Indian culture. Simply irresistible and sumptuous, Indian dishes are any gourmet's delight.
More than million Indians belong to tribal communities inhabiting the undisturbed hills and densely wooded regions in the states of Arunanchal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and the north eastern region primarily, for thousands of years, these ‘Aadivasis’, as they are known in India, have origins, which precede the Vedic Aryans and the Dravidians of the south.
India is world renowned for its dexterity in paintings, exquisite embroidery, the pristine and beautiful sculptures in stone, metal, wood, temple carvings and exquisitely designed jewellery.
India is truly a land of spirituality and philosophy. It is the birthplace of quite a few religions that exist even today. India has cradled scores of cults and religions, including all the major religions of the world. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism practiced by about 80% people. Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism are some of the popular religions. The British rule in India for almost 300 years led to the progress of Christianity in India and establishment of many churches as centers of religious and social life. India is a country known for its religious tolerance and diversity of religions.
The Constitution of India recognizes eighteen languages and these fall into two major groups: Indic or Indo-Aryan and Dravidian. In India there are many types of dance forms. These are beautiful expression of the moods, celebration and gaiety of the people. The mixture of these dances varies from the classical Indian dance forms, which are deeply religious in content to the lively and mirthful folk dances of India, which are danced on more trivial happy occasions.
One can also notice how the influence of various regions and dynasties managed to amalgamate various architectural styles. In the Monuments the Islamic style predominates on other styles, whilst the Hindu style being more religious, thematically. India is proud to possess some of the world’s architectural delights such as the majestic Taj Mahal, the temples of Southern India, the Jain temples and the Buddhist monasteries. With its intricate embellishments and exquisite architecture, Indian monuments represent one of the most prominent facets of the multi-faceted India. India, known as the” Land of temples”, possess hundreds of temples, several, over a 1000 years old. Imposing forts and magnificent palaces of India, the eloquent reminders of a bygone era, are inherent parts of rich cultural heritage. India was once a medley of princely kingdoms, where feudal traditions still carry on amidst forts and palace hotels. Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner in the state of Rajasthan were stronghold of hill forts and series of palaces. The Mughals in Northern India have given to India several fascinating forts and palaces. Although battered by the destructive forces of time, weather, and invading forces, the temples of India remain as the greatest legacy of the glory of the ancient Indians. Some of these magnificent sites speak volumes of the ancient Indian culture. India flaunts some of the most magnificent caves that are monumental, of immense archaeological value and are architectural wonders in themselves. Amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage, Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves are enchanting enough to bewitch every visitor.
In India there are also some of the world’s most exotic beaches. These are to be found along the vast peninsular Indian coastline. India boasts of some of the most beautiful gardens like the Mughal Gardens and the Rock Garden. Well-laid gardens, which are influenced by the architecture of the buildings that surround them, are in the state of Rajasthan, which is famous for its magnificent architecture.
Visitors who are keen on lake expeditions have a variety of lakes. For such expeditions one can check out Mt. Kailash, Lake Mansarover, Mandu in Madhya Pradesh, and innumearable lakes in Ladakh, Rajasthan and the foothills of Shivalik Mountains. Rivers, which are both snow-fed and rain-fed dot the Indian mainland and are central to its history as well as to Indian mythology. For one to enjoy the Indian flora and fauna, one has to join horse safaris that provide the best view. Camel safaris highlight the lonely deserts and the amazingly colourful and welcoming inhabitants. Two splendid protected habitats situated in the Himalayan foothills are the Corbett National Park and the Dudhwa National Park that provide an unforgettable wildlife experience. The most pleasant time to visit any wildlife sanctuary in India, with the exception of Dachigam is the months between October and March.
Skiing is a new sport in India but this has gained popularity worldwide. Jammu, Kashmir, the hills of Kumaon, Himanchal Pradesh and the eastern states being the main resorts for the skiing enthusiasts. India offers ample opportunity to the adventure enthusiasts to pacify their adventuresome spirits. River sports in the rapids and rivers of North India are the most popular, throughout the summers. The innumerable fresh water streams and lakes provide the ideal setting for the exciting sport of angling and trout fishing. The coastal regions provide excellent opportunity for water sports like water skiing, wind surfing, yachting, snorkeling and scuba diving. India can also be considered as a trekkers’ paradise as it can offer snowy peaks of the spectacular Himalayas, lush meadows, green woodlands and dramatic waterfalls.
The beauty of these sites has inspired poets, painters and writers to express their feelings. If one is looking for a relaxing holiday away from the maddening city life then one is to let loose in the lap of the natural beauty that only India can offer.
In India the sacred lotus is legendary and much folklore and religious mythology is woven around it. The Government of India, under its Project, Tige Panthera Tigris, programme, started a massive effort to preserve the tiger population. Because of this characteristic and its longevity, this tree Ficus bengalensis,is considered immortal and is an integral part of the myths and legends of India. Male bird of species P. cristatus, is a native of India. Found wild in India (and also domesticated in villages) they live in jungle lands near water. They were once bred for food but now hunting of peacocks is banned in India. The mango, Mangifera indica , is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world. In India there are over100 varieties of mangoes, in different sizes, shapes and colours. Mangoes, have been cultivated in India from time immemorial.
Delhi, the capital of India, is an amalgam of the old and the new. The name Delhi, Dehali, or Dilli is derived from Dhillika, the name of the first medieval township of Delhi, located on the southwestern border of the present Delhi, in Mehrauli.Delhi is divided into two parts. The old Delhi or Delhi was one of the capitals of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries. Delhi is a major travel gateway into India. Among the places of special interest to tourists in Delhi are the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Coronation Durbar Site, Raj Ghat, Jantar Mantar, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Secretariat Building, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Parliament House, National Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Nehru Museum, Rail Transport Museum, International Dolls Museum, Crafts Museum, Gandhi Darshan, Purana Qila, the Zoo, Safdarjung's Tomb, and Bahai House of Worship.
The best season to visit Delhi is between October to March. Summers in Delhi are very hot and it is not recommended to visit it during May, June or July. Delhi has a extensive network of international and domestic flights. All the major airlines in the world fly through Delhi and it is easily accessible from anywhere in the world. Domestic air links cover Delhi from all the major cities in the country. Trains run from all the parts of the country to Delhi. For nearby places like Chandigarh, Dehradun, Gwalior, Bhopal, Lucknow and Kanpur, the Shatabdi Express is recommended. Buses from all the major places in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are available for getting to Delhi. During summer months air-conditioned coaches are recommended.
Agra is globally reknown as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomise the high point of Mughal architecture. Here, Akbar, raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens, and Shahajahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble. 10 km north of Agra lies Akbar's tomb, in Sikandra. Named after the Afghan ruler Sikander Lodi, Sikandra is the final resting place of Emperor Akbar. Akbar began the construction of his own garden mausoleum during his lifetime, a red sandstone structure in a chahar - bagh, or 4 - square formal garden. Other places to visit include, Mathura and Brindavan. Agra is on the popular regular tourist route Delhi/Agra/Khajuraho/Varanasi and return. Flights connect Agra to Delhi, Khajuraho and Varanasi. Agra lies on the Delhi to Mumbai broad - gauge railway line. Express trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai halt at Agra. Agra is connected to Delhi, Rajasthan and other cities of Uttar Pradesh by an excellent bus service.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is meant to be one of the most atmospheric cities in the hugely colourful state of Rajasthan. It is 431 meters above sea level and 262 kilometers from New Delhi. It was founded in 1727 AD by one of the greatest rulers of the Kachhawaha clan, the astronomer king Sawai Jai Singh. The old city is a maze of narrow streets that screams and shouts life like only Indian cities can. It remains the only city in the world that symbolizes the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. The three main spoken languages are Hindi, Rajasthani and English. It has an area of 200.4 sq.km and a population of 1,458,483 (1991) The pink color was used at the time of making to create an impression of red sandstone buildings of Mughal cities - and repainted in 1876, during the visit of the Prince of Wales. The city is best explored on foot, best time to visit is between October and March, and the adventurous visitor willing to go into the inner lanes can discover a whole new world not visible to the tourist-in-a-hurry. Jaipur is a shopper's paradise. This is one of the few places where the shoppers may actually watch the skilled artisans producing the articles they want to buy. Jaipur, with its cultural,political and scientific history, is one of India’s must see sites.
Places of interest are mainly located within the walled city. The City Palace complex is the most important landmark with its numerous outbuildings, courtyards, impressive gateways and temples. Across the road from the palace is the Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. A collection of complex astronomical instruments, chisseled out of stone- most of which continue to provide fairly accurate information to this day - is the highlight of this observatory
Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world. But then, Goa is much more than just beaches and sea. It has a soul which goes deep into unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer. Much of the real Goa is in its interiors, both inside its buildings and in the hinterland away from the coastal area. Goa was liberated by the Indian Army from Portuguese colonisation on December 19, 1961 and became an Union Territory along with the enclaves of Daman and Diu. On May 30, 1987 Goa was conferred statehood and became the 25th state of the Indian Republic.
Having been the meeting point of races, religions and cultures of East and West over the centuries, Goa has a multi-hued and distinctive lifestyle quite different from the rest of India. Hindu and Catholic communities make up almost the entire population with minority representation of Muslims and other religions.
All the communities have mutual respect towards one another and their secular outlook has given Goa a long and an unbroken tradition of religious harmony. The state of Maharashtra borders Goa on the north, the state of Karnataka on the south and east. The vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on the west forms the magnificent coastline for which Goa is justly famous.
Goa is serviced by an international/national airport located at Dabolim near Vasco. An intra-state and inter-state bus network also plays an important role in getting locals and visitors alike in and around Goa. The vast green expanse of the Sahyadri mountain range ensures that Goa has an abundance of water.
Along with English which is widely spoken all over Goa, Konkani and Marathi are the state languages. The national language Hindi is also well understood in most areas around the state.
Goan cuisine is a blend of different. The tourist season in Goa begins in late September and carries on through early March. The weather in these months is usually dry and pleasantly cool.
Then the weather gets fairly hot around May and by end of June, Goa receives the full blast of the Indian monsoon with sudden downpours and tropical thunderstorms. However it is also during the monsoon that Goa is probably at its most beautiful, with greenery sprouting all around.
Besides the natural beauty, the fabulous beaches and sunshine, travellers to Goa love the laid-back, peaceful, warm and friendly nature of the Goan people. After all, more than anywhere else on planet earth, this is a place where people really know how to relax.
Udaipur, is known as the City of Lakes, because it is set amid lakes and dotted with palaces. This city is renowned as one of the most romantic cities in the world, due to its character, relaxed pace and atmospheric sense of history. The countryside around Udaipur is dry and desert like, studded with rocky hills that rise sharply from the plains. Here, only a short distance from the city, dress and customs are different. Women in India usually dress colourfully, but here the yellows, oranges and pinks are almost fluorescent. The old city, with its narrow winding streets, wandering cows and swerving rickshaws, is full of charm. The huge City Palace complex occupies a large part of the old city area. A visit to the Lake Palace is on the “must do” list for most tourists in Udaipur. This is a city of heroes and the most popular of all is Chetak, loyal white charger of Maharana Pratap Singh. In 1576, defending the city from the Mughals, both Maharana and horse were injured in battle. Chetak carried his master valiantly to safety before breathing his last, and the stallion has been venerated ever since.
The name Mumbai is an eponym, etymologically derived from Mumba — the name of the Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and Aai — mother in Marathi. In the 16th century, the Portuguese named the area Bom Bahia (Good Bay), later corrupted to Bomaím or Bombaim, by which it is still known in Portuguese.After the British gained possession, it was anglicised to Bombay.
Mumbai epitomises India. Once a group of seven islands, artifacts found near Kandivali, in northern Mumbai indicate that these islands had been inhabited since the Stone Age. These islands were tossed from one king to another emperor for two millenia, until the maritime trade empire of the British decided to develop the natural harbour into a city. Present-day Mumbai is India's vibrant and pulsating cultural and commercial centre. The city has a splendid natural harbour - a passageway for half of India's international trade. It also houses Asia's largest stock exchange, a lively arts and theatre scene and the world's biggest film industry. Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is diverse. Ranging from places of historical importance to forts and religious monuments,architectural beauty to beaches and nearby hill stations, Mumbai has something to offer everyone. The city is a melting pot of different cultures as hundreds of people from all over the country flock here, giving the city a cosmopolitan appeal.Bombay is energetic, exuberant, sparkling.
