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The tour for India & Nepal is an exciting tour which starts with Indian popular destinations and continues to Nepal’s the famous places can visit the land scenic beauty of Indian Himalayan ranges to discover. The rich Himalayan flora and fauna, dazzling white peaks, and lush valleys experience given you magical memories for a lifetime.

PLACES COVERED  Delhi-Varanasi-Bodhgaya-Nalanda-Patna-Vaishali-Kushinagar-Lumbini
DURATION OF TRIP  14 NIGHTS/15 DAYS
MINIMUM  REQUIRED  2 PAX
 ACCOMMODATION  BUDGET ACCOMMODATION
DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION PICKUP Delhi/DROP Kathmandu (Nepal)
RETURN TIME Approximately 6:30 PM/Depends on onward Journey
WEAR Comfortable athletic clothing,  sunscreen.
BASIC INCLUSION
14Night Accommodation as per tour plan
Varanasi to Delhi By Flight
Varanasi Morning Boat ride at Holy Ganges River
Kushinagar to Lumbini By Car
Bed and Breakfast
Private Car From arrival till Departure
BASIC EXCLUSION
Entrance Tickets To monuments
Gratuity Recommended
Meals Unless specified
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1

Day-01- Delhi Arrival

Today arrive in Delhi airport meet & assist with our tour manager, later you will be transferring to the hotel in Delhi. Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.

2

Day-02- Delhi City Tour

After breakfast start s sightseeing tour of Delhi visit:

Red Fort:-Delhi’s most famous monument, the Red Fort, stands as a powerful reminder of the Mughal emperors who ruled India. Its walls, which stretch for over two kilometers (1.2 miles), were built in 1638 to keep out invaders. However, they failed to stop the fort being captured by the Sikhs and the British. (*Red Fort remains closed on every Monday)

Jamia Masjid:-Jama Masjid is another marvelous treasure of the Old City, and is the largest mosque in India. Its courtyard can hold an incredible 25,000 devotees. The mosque took 13 years to build, and was completed in 1650. A strenuous climb to the top of its southern tower will reward you with a stunning view across the rooftops of Delhi.

Humayun’s Tomb:-If you think Humayun’s Tomb looks a bit like the TajMahal in Agra, that’s because it was the inspiration for the TajMahal’s creation. The tomb was built in 1570, and houses the body of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun. It was the first of this type of Mughal architecture to be built in India, and the Mughal rulers followed it up with an extensive period of construction all over the country. The tomb is part of a greater complex that’s set amongst beautiful gardens.

QutubMinar:-QutabMinar, the tallest brick minaret in the world, is an incredible example of early Indo–Islamic architecture. It was built in 1206, but the reason remains a mystery. Some believe that it was made to signify victory and the beginning of Muslim rule in India, while others say it was used to call the faithful to prayer. The tower has five distinct stories, and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Quran. There are also a number of other historic monuments on the site.

Lotus Temple:-The Bahai Temple is commonly referred to as the Lotus Temple, as it’s shaped like a lotus flower. It’s particularly pretty at night, when it’s attractively lit up. Made out of white marble, the temple belongs to the Bahai Faith, which proclaims the unity of all people and religions. Everybody is welcome to worship there. The tranquil gardens and ponds surrounding the temple are also a great place for a relaxing picnic.

India Gate:-The towering archway of India Gate at the center of New Delhi is a war memorial, built in memory of the Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army in World War I. At night it glows warmly under floodlights, and the gardens that line its boulevard are a popular place to enjoy a warm summer’s evening.

Laxmi Narayan Temple:-Built in 1938 by the Industrialist G.D. Birla, it is one of the major temples in Delhi and is located near Connought Place. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi and her consort Narayana. The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the stipulation that people of all castes shall be allowed to enter the temple.

Stay overnight at Hotel in Delhi.

3

Day 03:- Delhi / Varanasi (By Fly)

Today after breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to the Delhi airport to catch the flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi airport meet & assist with our tour manager, later you will be transferring to the hotel in Varanasi. Afternoon free for own activities / personal shopping. Evening watch “Ganga Aarti” a Hindu ritual with fire at Dashashwmegh Ghat.

DashaswamedhGhat:-DashaswamedhGhat, a much acclaimed religious spot, is a very favorite among the Hindu devotees and is considered as the main Ghat. It is believed that Lord Brahma performed his victorious Dasa_Ashwamedha (ten-horses) sacrifice in this spot. Legends claim that a similar kind of ten horse sacrifice was done here in the second century by Bhara Shiva Naga rulers.

AssiGhat:-AsiGhat, the Ghat located at the confluence of Assi River and the holy Ganges, is the southernmost Ghat in Kashi. The Ghat is renowned for a spectacular and large Shiva Lingam placed under a Peepal Tree. This is a favorite spot for Hindu devotees to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva after taking holy dip in the river. This religiously important place got its reference in many puranas, including MatsyaPurana, KurmaPurana, Agni Purana and Padma Purana. Legendary stories describe this Ghat as the place where GoodessDurga thrown out her sword after killing the Asura demons Shumbha- Nishumbha.

Later back to the hotel for overnight stay in Varanasi.

4

Day 4:- Varanasi Morning Boat ride at Holy Ganges River

Wake up early morning our tour representative will meet you at hotel lobby later he will assist you at Ghat in Varanasi for Boat ride on Ganges river at the time of sunrise.
Later driver will drop you at hotel, take breakfast and the day is free for your personal activity.

Later in the afternoon driver pick you from the hotel and proceed to temples in Varanasi:

KashiVishwanathTemple:-KashiVishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in Benaras, the Holiest Place of Hindus (and center of earth in Hindu Cosmology) where at least once in life a Hindu is expected to do pilgrimage and if possible pour the remains (ashes) of cremated ancestors here on the River Ganges.

Later back to the hotel, Stay overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.

5

Day 05:- Varanasi to Sarnath Day excursion

After breakfast proceed to Sarnath visit:

Sarnath is the main place to visit while on tour around Varanasi. A much sacred pilgrimage and tourist spot in country. Sarnath is only 10 km away from Varanasi. It is one of the four most significant Buddhist pilgrimage places in India; Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha first covey his lecture after attaining “nirvana”.

Sarnath Buddhist Temple:-There are a number of twentieth century Buddhist temples in Sarnath. Many of these Buddhist temples at Sarnath are built and maintained by monks from Tibet, China and Japan but the main Buddhist temple is the MulagandhakutiVihar. The main shrine (vihara), called the Mulagandakuti, is said to be located at the place where Buddha used to stay during his visits to Sarnath. There is a carved sandstone railing inside the temple. In the MulagandhakutiVihara there also is a Buddha walk.The recent ‘MulagandhakutiVihara’ or the modern Buddhist temple is 110 feet high with an image of Buddha inside it.

Sarnath Museum:-Sarnath has yielded a rich collection of sculptures, artifacts and edifices comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images and other ancient remains. To house all the findings and excavations at Sarnath, the Archaeological Survey of India established a site Museum at Sarnath. Finest specimens of Buddhist art and other important remains have been housed at the museum.

Pillars of Ashoka:-The pillars of Ashoka are a series of columns dispersed throughout the northern Indian subcontinent, erected or at least inscribed by the Mauryan king Ashoka during his reign in the 3rd century BCE. Originally, there must have been many pillars but only nineteen survive with inscriptions. Many are preserved in a fragmentary state. Averaging between forty and fifty feet in height, and weighing up to fifty tons each, all the pillars were quarried at Chunar, just south of Varanasi and dragged, sometimes hundreds of miles, to where they were erected.

Evening free visit Local Markets and small temples. Stay overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.

6

Day 06: Varanasi - Bodhgaya – Gaya (243 km / 6 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya. Bodh Gaya is the place of the Buddha’s Enlightenment and spiritual home of Buddhists. It attracts many believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres and in the second place of the four holy sites in Buddhism .

Check-in at Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

7

Day 07: Bodhgaya Tour

Morning after breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Niranjana River, Sujata Temple – which is across the Niranjana river & it’s 30 minutes walk. Afternoon visit to Dungeshwari caves.

Overnight stay at Bodhgaya.

8

Day 08: Bodhgaya /Nalanda (85 km – 2.5 hrs drive)

After breakfast, leave for Nalanda. This place has the ruins of world famous Nalanda University which thrived between 5th and 12th century. At its peak, the university attracted scholars and students from as far away as Tibet,China, Greece, and Persia. Nalanda was ransacked and destroyed by an army under Bakhtiyar Khilji in 1193. Nalanda was one of the world’s first residential universities. In its heyday, it accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. A vast amount of what came to comprise Tibetan Buddhism, both its Mahayanaand Vajrayana traditions, stems from the late (9th–12th century) Nalanda teachers and traditions. Other forms of Buddhism, such as the Mahāyāna Buddhism followed in Vietnam,China, Korea and Japan, flourished within the walls of the ancient university.

From Nalanda, travel to Rajgir for overnight stay in the hotel.

9

Day 09: Nalanda

After early breakfast drive to Rajgir 15 km drive the vulture Hill, hot spring in Rajgir, world peace Stupa, Bamboo’s Garden. Continue to Nalanda to visit the ruins of world oldest University.

Return back to the hotel, Overnight stay at hotel in Nalanda.

10

Day 10: Nalanda/Patna (92 km - 2.45 hrs drive)

After breakfast day free and later proceed to Patna, Patna is an ancient city that sprawls along the south bank of the Ganges River in Bihar, northeast India. The state capital, it’s home to Bihar Museum, a contemporary landmark exhibiting bronze sculptures and old coins from the region. Nearby, Indo-Saracenic–style Patna Museum displays a casket believed to contain the Buddha’s ashes. Close to the river, the Golghar is a domed colonial granary overlooking the city. Upon arrival in Patna check-in to the hotel, Later visit some places:

Buddha Smriti Udyan:-also known as Buddha Memorial Park is a large and beautifully maintained park. It also houses a stupa and has separate grounds for meditation. This is also a place where the ashes of Buddha are kept. It lies in close proximity to the railway station.

Golghar: A building in the shape of a beehive, Golghar originally served the purpose of a storehouse. It was built in 1786 by Captain John Garstin and provides a panoramic view of the entire city along with the River Ganga.

Overnight stay at hotel in Patna.

11

Day-11:-Day 11: Patna Tour

After breakfast start sightseeing tour in Patna and visit:

Gandhi Maidan: Gandhi Maidan, previously known as the Patna Lawns, is a historic ground at Patna near the banks of Ganges River, in Bihar, India. The Golghar falls to its west. (br) Gandhi Maidan is a historic ground situated near the river Ganges. Being in the center of the city, it is place of many activities, which can be gauged by the presence of many important buildings all around it. It has played an important role in the Independence movement and is a witness of the growth of the city.

Patna Museum: Patna Museum is a very popular museum in the city of Patna, storing more than 50,000 rare art objects, including Indian artifacts from the ancient, middle ages and the British colonial era. The Holy Relic Casket, with the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha and the beautiful statue, Yakshani, are the most highlighted attractions of the place. This place is a must-visit place for those who wish to experience the historical culture.

Mahatma Gandhi Setu: Mahatma Gandhi Setu is a bridge over the river Ganges connecting Patna in the south to Hajipur in the north of Bihar. Its length is 5,575 metres and it is one of the longest river bridges in India, inaugurated in May 1982 by the then Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi.

12

Day 12: Patna/Vaishali (31 km – 1 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Vaishali. The vivacious capital of the Lichhavi republic in ancient times, Vaishali was named after King Vishal. In memory of the primordial city of Vaishali of Mithila, this city has been mentioned in mythological scriptures such as the Mahabharata. The Lichhavi republic is known to be possibly the first republic in the world. Mythological and historical records have mentioned Vaishali in their scriptures various times. Now belonging to the Tirhut division in Bihar, Vaishali used to be a part of the Muzaffarpur district.

Upon arrival in Vaishali check in to the hotel later visit to:

Vishwa Shanti Stupa: Following the teachings of Saodharma Pundarika Sutra, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa was built in Vaishali as a symbol of peace and tranquility. There are artifacts across the structures, which pay tribute to Lord Buddha. It was erected by Nipponzan Myhoji. The edifice is visited by locals and tourists alike, adding charm to the city of Vaishali.

Ashokan Pillar: One of the many pillars that were erected by Ashoka, the Ashokan Pillar at Vaishali is a prominent structure of historical, religious and mythological importance. Identified by Alexander Cunningham, the pillar holds great significance for Buddhists. Also being a historical monument, the Ashokan pillar attracts a lot of tourists, mostly those who show interest in archaeology. Generally, the pillars bear inscriptions by King Ashoka, but the one in Vaishali does not contain any such inscriptions. It is possibly the most popular tourist spot of Vaishali, and a lot of visitors flock about this sculpture.

Later back to the hotel, overnight stay in Vaishali.

13

Day 13: Vaishali sightseeing

After breakfast day free and later visit to:

Abhishek Pushakaran: Known to be one of the most beautiful spots of Vaishali, Abishek Pushakaran is filled with water that is known to be sacred. It is believed that this water was used for the coronation of the previous kings of Vaishali, and even the elected representatives bathed in this sacred water to get blessings. Along with being a sacred destination, this spot also offers a great view, and tourists are attracted to it.

Bawaan Pokhar Temple: This temple holds a lot of religious and historic significance, and devotees are found here in a large number. Various Hindu gods and goddesses are present in this temple, and all are worshipped as a whole. Not only Hindus, but people from other religions also visit this temple due to its mythological importance. A stone edifice of the medieval era, the Bawan Pokhar temple is situated beside a tank. The idols, including the prominent Shivalinga, are made of black basalt, rendering a beautiful view of the carvings.

Raja Vishal Ka Ghar: Known as the ancient parliament house, Raja Vishal ka Garh is a huge dome spanning about a kilometre, containing looming walls about 2 metres high. A moat surrounds the corners of the towers, and the building is known to have been King Vishal’s parliament. King Vishal is said to be of the lineage of Suryavanshi kings, of that of King Ram.

King Vishal is known as a democratic king who brought about a lot of changes in the administration of his kingdom. The Garh is quite an attraction for tourists and history enthusiasts.

14

Day 14: Vaishali / Kushinagar (215 km – 5hrs drive)

Morning proceed to Kushinagar (place where Lord Buddha had left the world behind him after offering an invaluable contribution to humanity, the great religion known as Buddhism). On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha). Overnight in Kushinagar.

15

Day 15: Kushinagar/Lumbini (180 km – 6hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast drive to Lumbini – the birth place of Lord Buddha (180 kms and 05 hrs drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit the birth place of Buddha – Mayadevi Temple. This place is a blessed one for its serenity and the natural beauty, purely coinciding to the perception of a place where the legend was born.

Overnight in Lumbini.

PRICES BASED ON BUDGET ACCOMMODATION FOR UPGRADE PLEASE EMAIL

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General Inclusion:

For India:-

  • A safe and comfortable air-conditioned Private car with driver, all inclusive. (Fuel for Bus, road and state taxes, toll fees, parking fees, and driver’s food and lodging).
  • The car will be with you from your arrival to departure with as many stops to sight see as you want.
  • A Driver with excellent skills and record, a good knowledge of the area you are visiting and sufficient English to communicate.
  • Transfers and land transportation according to itinerary.
  • Accommodation Double or Twin rooms with Bed and Breakfast
  • Guided tour in each city by English speaking tour guide.
  • Sightseeing Tours in All Cities
  • Delhi / Varanasi By Flight
  • Varanasi Morning Boat ride at Holy Ganges River
  • Kushinagar/Lumbini By Car

PRICES BASED ON BUDGET ACCOMMODATION FOR UPGRADE PLEASE EMAIL

General Exclusion:

  • Tips, laundry, telephone bills, luggage handling and Beverages.
  • Meals unless specified
  • Any monument entrance tickets
  • Personal equipment and clothing
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VISA INFORMATION

OVERVIEW

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad.

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through Online application link , in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa.

The duly signed physical copy of the application form completed in all respect and submitted successfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be seen at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions.

The applicants are also requested to visit website of the Indian Mission concerned for detailed information about Indian visa.

ONLINE VISA APPLICATION

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through online application link. Or can apply by typing the URL: http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ in the address bar of web browser, in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa. In either case, no hand written application form will be accepted by any of the Indian Mission/ Post, where-ever online Visa facility has been implemented. The application form completed in all respect and submitted succesfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post in absence of IVAC, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be refered at Instructions for Online Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions. If you have already applied online for Indian Visa online and want to know the status of your application,

VISA CATEGORIES

Government of India issues the following visas: Business Visa, Conference Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Employment Visa, Emergency Visa, Entry Visa, Journalist Visa, Medical Visa, Missionaries Visa, Permit to re-enter within 2 months, Research Visa, Student Visa, Tourist Visa, Transit Visa. Please follow the link for details on Visa Provision and supporting documents

VISA PROCESSING TIME

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

Online India Visa Application allows the Applicant to upload a digital photograph of self to complete the online visa application.

Guidelines/procedure to upload a digital photograph

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

Format – JPEG

Size

Minimum 10 KB

Maximum 300 KB

The height and width of the Photo must be equal.

Photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.

Center head within frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.

Background should be plain light colored or white background.

No shadows on the face or on the background.

Without borders.

Make sure that photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm). Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3.

FEE FOR INDIAN VISA

The visa fee depends upon the type of applied for and duration of visa. Visa fee is divided into various types depending upon the case viz; Basic fee, special fee, processing fee by out-sourcing agency. During the online registration process, at the end of the process the basic fee shall be displayed. However, this fee shall be indicative only and final fee shall be charged while submitting the application at the respective counters Fee once received are non-refundable even if the visa application is withdrawn, the visa is not granted, or if visa issued is of shorter duration of period than applied for or otherwise issued or returned at a time or on terms and conditions that may vary from those sought by the applicant. For further information on this, please check with local embassy office or Indian Visa Application center office or websites for information on applicable fee and payment methods.

VISA PROVISION

Sl. No. Type of Visa Period for which granted Entry – Single (S), Multiple (M), Double Documents required with application Extendable in India
1 Tourist 180 days M No
2 Transit 15 days S/ Double Return/ onward journey ticket No
3 Business 5 years M Documents to prove bonafide purpose (Company’s letter etc.) Yes
4 Employment 1 year/ period of contract M Proof of employment (appointment document), terms and conditions Yes
5 Student Period of course/ 5 years M Proof of admission in Indian Institution Yes
6 Foreigners of Indian Origin 5 years M Proof of being of Indian Origin Yes

INSTRUCTIONS 

  1. Online application form:

This application form is meant for those foreigners who are applying for visa from outside India.

Each online application form is meant for one person only. Separate application has to be filed for each applicant.

Furnish information exactly in the manner asked for in the forms, especially the names, address and date of birth.

Applicants are required to verify the application details before submitting the online application. They have an option to save the online application form, in case it is not to be submitted.

Once the online application form is submitted by the applicant, then further modifications are not allowed. Hence applicants are requested to check and validate the details before submitting the online application form.

Applicants are requested to keep the Application Id (generated automatically after the submission of online form) for further communications.

  1. Appointment Scheduling:

Applicant can schedule the appointment as per his/ her convenience with the concerned Indian Mission.

Each applicant to schedule a separate appointment with the Indian Mission

  1. Process for filling up online application form:

Applicant shall access the Visa Application system online through the following link: http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/.

Applicant visits the above mentioned web link and selects the Indian Mission from where he intends to apply for the Visa from the tab “Select Mission”.

Applicant fills the application on-line as per the forms standardized by the Ministry.

After filling the form and submitting it, the system shall automatically generate a Application Id. Applicants are requested to keep this Application Id for further communications with the concerned Indian Mission.

System will automatically ask the Applicant for the following confirmation: “Select ‘Yes’ if the applicant want to seek appointment and make payment online or ‘No’ if the applicant just want to print the submitted application form.”

If the applicant response is “No”, then it is requested by the applicant to take the print out of the submitted online application form and approach the concerned Indian Mission for submission of the online form along with supporting documents.

If the response from applicant is “yes” then the system automatically takes the link to perform the following:

Selection of Date and Time of appointment at the concerned Indian Mission

Calculation of Visa fee, service charge, VAT etc. as applicable according to the Visa type

E Payment using service provider’s payment system

In case the facility of Appointment Scheduling and e-Payment is not available for the concerned Indian mission, then applicant has to take the printout of the online application form and visit the concerned Indian Mission to submit the same along with supporting documents and make the payment.

Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India

India’s culture is among the world,s oldest; civilization in India began about 4,500 years ago. Many sources describe it as “Sa Prathama Sanskrati Vishvavara” — the first and the supreme culture in the world, according to the All World Gayatri Pariwar (AWGP) organization.

Western societies did not always see the culture of India very favorably, according to Christina De Rossi, an anthropologist at Barnet and Southgate College in London. Early anthropologists once considered culture as an evolutionary process, and ”every aspect of human development was seen as driven by evolution,” she told Live Science. “In this view, societies outside of Europe or North America, or societies that did not follow the European or Western way of life, were considered primitive and culturally inferior.  Essentially this included all the colonized countries and people, such as African countries, India, and the Far East.”.

However, Indians made significant advances in architecture (Taj Mahal), mathematics (the invention of zero) and medicine (Ayurveda). Today, India is a very diverse country, with more than 1.2 billion people, according to the CIA World Factbook, making it the second most populous nation after China. Different regions have their own distinct cultures. Language, religion, food and the arts are just some of the various aspects of Indian culture. Here is a brief overview of the culture of India.

Language

India has 28 states and seven territories, according to the World Health Organization. There is no official language in India, according to a Gujarat High Court ruling in 2010. Many people living in India also write in Devanagari script. In fact, it is a misconception that the majority of people in India speak Hindi. Though many people speak Hindi in India, 59 percent of India residents speak something other than Hindi, according to The Times of India. Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and Urdu are some other languages spoken in the country.

Religion

India is identified as the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, the third and fourth largest religions. About 84 percent of the population identifies as Hindu, according to the “Handbook of Research on Development and Religion” Edited by Matthew Clarke (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2013). There are many variations of Hinduism, and four predominant sects — Shaiva, Vaishnava, Shakteya and Smarta.

About 13 percent of Indians are Muslim, making it one of the largest Islamic nations in the world. Christians and Sikhs make up a small percentage of the population, and there are even fewer Buddhists and Jains, according to the “Handbook.”

Food

When the Moghul Empire invaded during the sixteenth century, they left a significant mark on the Indian cuisine, according to Texas A&M University. Indian cuisine is also influenced by many other countries. It is known for its large assortment of dishes and its liberal use of herbs and spices. Cooking styles vary from region to region.

Wheat, Basmati rice and pulses with chana (Bengal gram) are important staples of the Indian diet. The food is rich with curries and spices, including ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, dried hot peppers, and cinnamon, among others. Chutneys — thick condiments and spreads made from assorted fruits and vegetables such as tamarind and tomatoes and mint, cilantro and other herbs — are used generously in Indian cooking.

Many Hindus are vegetarians, but lamb and chicken are common in main dishes for non-vegetarians. The Guardian reports that between 20 percent and 40 percent of India’s population is vegetarian.

Much of Indian food is eaten with fingers or bread used as utensils. There is a wide array of breads served with meals, including naan, a leavened, oven-baked flatbread, and bhatoora, a fried, fluffy flatbread common in North India and eaten with chickpea curry.

Architecture and art

The most well-known example of Indian architecture is the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to honor his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. India also has many ancient temples.

India is well known for its film industry, which is often referred to as Bollywood. The country’s movie history began in 1896 when the Lumière brothers demonstrated the art of cinema in Mumbai, according to the Golden Globes. Today, the films are known for their elaborate singing and dancing.

Indian dance, music and theater traditions span back more than 2,000 years, according to Nilima Bhadbhade, author of “Contract Law in India” (Kluwer Law International, 2010). The major classical dance traditions — Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Mohiniattam and Kathakali — draw on themes from mythology and literature and have rigid presentation rules.

Clothing

Indian clothing is closely identified with the colorful silk saris worn by many of the country’s women. The traditional clothing for men is the dhoti, an unstitched piece of cloth that is tied around the waist and legs. Men also wear a kurta, a loose shirt that is worn about knee-length. For special occasions, men wear a sherwani, which is a long coat that is buttoned up to the collar and down to the knees. The Nehru jacket is a shorter version of a sherwani.

Customs and celebrations

The country celebrates Republic Day (Jan. 26), Independence Day (Aug. 15) and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday (Oct. 2). Diwali is the largest and most important holiday to India, according to National Geographic. It is a five-day festival known as the festival of lights because of the lights lit during the celebration to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness. Holi, the festival of colors, also called the festival of love, is popular in the spring.

Weather

India is situated in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.
The climate in India varies from a tropical monsoon climate in the south to a temperate climate in the north. If you are thinking of Visiting Delhi (the capital of India) then best to visit it in October, November, February and March. That’s when the nights are cool and the days are filled with a little sunshine. May, June and July are very hot with temperatures over 45 degrees (113 Fahrenheit). It is a dry heat and is sometimes accompanied by dusty desert winds. Most of the rain falls between July and September but they are not the tropical rains you’ll experience in India’s coastal cities.