India Facts You Should Know Before Visiting
India is a vast country with an incredibly diverse population. It is home to many languages, religions and ethnic groups.
Traveling to India is a beautiful experience. However, there are things you need to know before you go. These facts will help you prepare for your trip and make it more enjoyable.
Religion
India is a country where religion is important to people of all ages and backgrounds. Most of its population is Hindu, and smaller shares are Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain.
India’s many religious communities share common values and observances, including patriotic feelings and cultural traditions. In a survey by Pew Research Center, overwhelming shares across all major Indian religious groups say they are very proud to be Indian.
The country’s vast diversity also makes it a unique case of religious pluralism, as followers of different faiths live side by side and have shared a nation for centuries. But India has never been a cohesive culture, and even today, India’s major religious groups have long had complicated relationships.
Religious tolerance is an essential part of Indian society, and Indians of all religious backgrounds see this value as a central tenet of their nation. A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that, among all Indians, nearly seven in ten say it is essential to respect all religions to be “truly Indian.”
For most of the country’s history, India was divided into multiple kingdoms with various religious traditions. In the fourth century, the emergence of the Hindu Empire unified the country and led to a period of civilization, trade and astronomy that many consider its golden age.
Despite this, the country has experienced significant social hostility directed against low-caste Dalits and other members of its lowest rungs of the social ladder. Based on old occupation and economic status rules, the caste system remains deeply rooted in India’s culture.
Despite these difficulties, most people in India remain religiously loyal to their faiths. Few switch religions, and those that do tend to cancel each other out. If you intend to know their culture and witness the extravagance of the country, you must apply for a visa first. Applying for an Indian visa is quick and easy, thanks to the Indian government. Even using an eVisa, you can travel to India electronically. Indian eVisas must be eligible in terms of needed supporting documentation. Before beginning the application process, visitors should carefully review a list of required documentation, India country specific information, and eligibility requirements to make sure their application for an Indian eTourist visa will be approved.
Geography
India is a large country in South Asia, the seventh largest country globally and the second most populous. It is bounded on the north by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and Nepal; on the east by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean; on the south by Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The geography of India is diverse, with arid deserts, mountains, forests, valleys and plains. The Thar Desert lies in the west, the Himalayas are in the east, and the Deccan Plateau is in the southeast.
In the central part of the country, hills vary in elevation from 300 to 1,200 meters. The Satpura and Vindhya Ranges are the most prominent of these hills. They are located in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and extend to Gujarat, Chattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh.
Another important area in India is the Indo-Gangetic plain. This plain runs parallel to the Himalayas from Jammu and Kashmir in the west to Assam in the east. It is a significant floodplain of the Indus River and Ganges River systems and drains Punjab, Haryana, eastern Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and parts of Jharkhand.
River Ganges
One of Hinduism’s holiest rivers is the Ganges, which offers millions of people hope and healing. They believe bathing in the river will wash away sins and karma, and it is also thought that dying in the holy city of Varanasi can lead to moksha or enlightenment.
The river flows through northern India, and its many tributaries also reach Nepal and Bangladesh. It is a vital water source for the entire region, with over 400 million people in its catchment area.
Fortunately, the government is trying to clean up the river. It has set up monitoring stations along the river to measure pollutants. It aims to make the river 70-80 percent clean within three months and 100 percent pure by March 2020.
Architecture
India is a land of incredible architecture, but it’s also a place where the culture and beliefs of different eras have shaped its designs. For this reason, it’s essential to understand the country’s architectural history before you visit.
Indian architecture is divided into several eras, including the Indus Valley Civilization and the Maurya Empire, and many different cultures throughout the centuries influence it. Some of the earliest surviving examples of Indian temples are Buddhist, dating to around 322 BCE.
India’s earliest monumental stone architecture is from the Maurya period, during which emperor Ashoka ruled the area. During this period, he began to master the art of creating monumental stone sculptures and monuments.
Ashoka’s conquest of the Indian peninsula produced a new style of stone temple architecture, including the Lion Capital of Sarnath and the Pillars of Ashoka, a series of stone columns that stand today. In addition, he adopted Greek and Near Eastern artistic influence, such as the highly polished Achaemenid load-bearing column at Persepolis.
A significant development in Indian architecture is the use of floral friezes. These can be found on the capitals of pillars, including the lion capital of Sarnath, and they were also used in Hindu temples to replace regular palmettes.
