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