| Different cultures, customs, backgrounds, languages, | | | | Maharastra are fantastic experiences to add to your |
| sights, sounds, smells, cuisine, clothing, products, | | | | itinerary if you would like to experience religious |
| attitudes, await the world traveler. There are so many | | | | ceremonies, which are a major part of Indian culture. |
| things to experience, it's difficult to decide which aspect | | | | Another large part of Indian culture is their music. There |
| of your trip was the most sensational or enlightening. | | | | are many types of music to be found during your |
| Traveling the world will enrich your life in too many | | | | travels to India. Some of the most interesting music is |
| ways to describe in just one article, so here we will | | | | the folk music you will find as you travel through |
| focus on a part of the world called India. | | | | different parts of India. There are also interpretive |
| First of all, for the geographically challenged of you out | | | | dances that are performed by the people there. They |
| there, India is located in South Asia. It has 7000 | | | | tell epic stories based on Indian legends and are very |
| kilometers of coastline on the Indian Ocean, the third | | | | spiritual and devotional. There is a lot of popular music |
| largest body of water in the world. Three islands are | | | | as well, including Filmi Music and two well known forms |
| near India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and the Maldives. India | | | | of classical music you might hear are Hindustani and |
| also shares borders with China, Bhutan, Nepal, | | | | Carnatic Music. |
| Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar. It should also be | | | | Despite popular opinion, there are both vegetarian and |
| mentioned that there is also a disputed border with | | | | non-vegetarian delights to be had in India. Bhel puri, a |
| Afghanistan, but that's another topic for another article. | | | | puffed rice dish, usually with spices added and served |
| Much like the United States, India has 28 states, that | | | | on deep fried puris, a wheat bread, is a popular snack |
| each have their own elected governments. There are | | | | often sold on the roadside. The staple foods of India |
| some differences though, India has the National | | | | are ones made from rice or wheat, but a wide variety |
| Territory of Dehli and 6 Union Territories. China | | | | of cuisine is available to you as you travel through |
| currently has a larger population than India, however by | | | | different regions. Different types of spices and sweets |
| 2030, India is expected to surpass Chain and become | | | | are available and used in the dishes they prepare in |
| the most populated country in the world. | | | | each area. Sweets and spicy food is very popular in all |
| There are many beautiful rivers in India. The Ganges | | | | of India. |
| River, (Ganga or Holy Ganga, in India) is the largest and | | | | While shopping for antiques, clothing, fabrics, and other |
| most well known of them, and is located in Northern | | | | items, in alleyways and open markets alike, one piece |
| India. The Ganga Basin has a huge population. The land | | | | of advice, try to take a local citizen or guide with you |
| is extremely fertile and it is said that one out of every | | | | to make sure you are buying authentic pieces. You will |
| 12 people in the world live there. You can also see | | | | find the hand-carved wood artifacts and sandalwood |
| Irrawaddy Dolphin in the river, as well as another | | | | carvings amazing. The woodcarvers are very talented. |
| species called the ganga River Dolphin. Another | | | | India is of course also famous for its hand-rolled |
| interesting note is that there is a rare freshwater shark | | | | incense. You will want to bring some back with you. |
| found in the river that has not much is known about. | | | | The fragrances are unique and the incense is of great |
| Other major rivers in India include the Krishna, the | | | | quality if you find the right shops. |
| Brahmaputra, the Kaveri, the Yamuna, and the | | | | There is also a lot of silk and pure cotton clothing, but a |
| Godavari. | | | | few knockoffs as well, hence the warning to have |
| The mountain range that you will find covering the | | | | someone from the local area guide you to the best |
| northern states is called the Himalayas. Central and the | | | | shops and markets. Leather goods can be had in India |
| rest of the northern and eastern parts of India consist | | | | for a fraction of the cost here, so if you like leather, go |
| of very fertile flatlands called the Indo-Gangetic Plain. | | | | shopping! |
| Southern India is a peninsula and made up mostly from | | | | A quick look at some of the sights you may want to |
| the Deccan Plateau with two hilly regions called the | | | | visit while traveling to India before I finish this article. |
| Western and Eastern Ghats. Last, but not least, near | | | | India is a beautiful country and its doubtful you can |
| India's border with Pakistan lies the Thar Desert. | | | | take in all the wonderful sights on just one trip. |
| There are also three archipelagos in India. In West | | | | The Pandavas Caves Temple in Goa is dedicated to |
| Bengal you find the Sunderbans, Lakshadweep on the | | | | the Lord Shiva and dates back to the 1st century. |
| southwest coast, and a chain of volcanic islands in the | | | | The Rajabai Tower in Bombay is a clock tower of |
| southeast called the Nicobar and Andaman Islands. | | | | gothic designs that is 260 feet high. One of the |
| India has been a country for many centuries and it's | | | | curiosities of this gothic tower is that it is adorned with |
| rich culture and heritage has been preserved for the | | | | oriental figures. It chimes on every quarter hour and |
| most part. While traveling in India, you will be exposed | | | | sounds like Big Ben in London. The university library, |
| to some of the most wonderful cultural monuments in | | | | located under the tower, contains recently restored |
| the world. India's culture is partly created from invaders | | | | stain glass windows that are magnificent to look at |
| and immigrants who have arrived here over the years. | | | | and considered to be the most beautiful in all of Asia. |
| The Taj Mahal and other examples of Islamic | | | | New Delhi is a beautiful city whose buildings have |
| Architecture are left over from the Mughal Dynasty | | | | serene courtyards and are definitely one of the nicest |
| that ruled between 1526 and 1857. | | | | attractions along with some of the finest museums in |
| India is made up of a large variety of people. There | | | | the country. New Dehli also sport many shops and |
| are a large number of different languages, cultures and | | | | boutiques that feature some of the best crafts India |
| religions. Education in India has been improving | | | | has to offer. New Dehli is definitly a place to go during |
| dramatically in recent years and is a source of great | | | | your travels to India. |
| pride for the families of young people who attend the | | | | The Karnataka Folk Museum in Bangalore has displays |
| universities there. Traditions that have survived for | | | | of rare masks, artifacts, and costumes that are part of |
| centuries are held sacred by families here and should | | | | India's rich history, as well as a collection of the folk |
| be respected when traveling there. | | | | music and videos of folk dances mentioned earlier in |
| There are many religious ceremonies and festivals | | | | this article. |
| held in public in India that you shouldn't miss during your | | | | The Taj Mahal in Agra is of course one of the must |
| trip. Harvest festivals for many of the different religions | | | | see sights in India. It took 20,000 laborers to build the |
| of India are attended by everyone, even those of | | | | Taj Mahal in the 1600s and has become a known |
| differing faiths. During the Buddhist New Year (the first | | | | landmark throughout the world. From the jail, to the |
| full moon in May), the Tibetan Buddhist Community in | | | | dome, to the garden, the beauty of this building of both |
| Sikkum performs the mystic Gumpa Dance and is a | | | | Hindu and Islamic design cannot be justified with words |
| must see if you plan to travel to India during that time. | | | | alone. |
| In the Autumn months, two of the most prominent | | | | We hope we have added some useful information |
| harvest festivals are the Ganesh Chaturthi and the | | | | and ideas for your trip to India. |