Incredible India!

India Geographically :
India is the seventh largest country in the world by geographical area and the most populous democracy in the world. She is the second-most populous country estimated to have a population of 1,147,995,904 as of 2008. She is bounded by the Indian Ocean on the south, the Arabian Sea on the west, and the Bay of Bengal on the east with a coastline of 7,517 kilometers. It is bordered by sensitive Pakistan to the west; agile People's Republic of China, trekker of a country Nepal, benign Bhutan to the north; and brittle Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. India is in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.

Culture:
India's culture is marked by a high degree of syncretism and cultural diversity. It has managed to preserve established traditions despite having been invaded and ruled by British for around 200 years pre independence in 1947.
It adopted some of the new customs, traditions, and ideas from invaders and immigrants, but largely retained its rich cultural heritage despite the economy being open to the world since last one decade or so. The heritage cultural intensity is so strong that is not only influencing the other parts of Asia but also the rest of the world, including mighty America and Gorgeous Europe.

Traditional Indian society is relatively strict social hierarchy. The Indian hereditary groups or more famously known as Jatis or castes( Social classes), still rules the social stratification and social restrictions in the Indian society though not as much in vogue still hones the subcontinent.

Traditional Indian family values are highly respected in each region which retained their respective genre and customs. The multi-generational- lingual -patriarchal joint families have been the norm for ages, although nuclear family are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indians have their marriages arranged by their parents, relatives and friends, with the consent of the parents still equally important as that of couple ( bride and groom) The marriages are thought to be for life and second marriages and one night stands as taboo. Divorce rate is still very low despite more and more breakages gaining strength in the recent times. Love marriages and the divorce rate is gradually on the rise as the economy has grown and both working partner marriages have been in vogue. Child marriage is still a common practice, in rural India with half of women in India marry before the legal age of 18, as poverty still is very high in rural India.

Indian cuisine
It is rich in style and substance. It is characterized by a wide variety of regional styles and sophisticated use of herbs and spices. Vegetables and curries is the soul of Indian dining. Indian curry has caught the fancy of International tongue all over the globe. The staple food is rice (especially in the south and the east) and wheat (predominantly in the north). Spices, the soul of curries, originally native to the Indian subcontinent are now consumed world wide. The Americans are hoarding for Patent for some of the typical Indian Herbs and Spices, is enough to convey and write what Indian food is all about nutritionally and taste wise. No wonder the world wants to be wiser in their eating and cuisine values, with what the waist lines cautioning them over and over.

Dress:
With varied temperatures across the subcontinent, traditional Indian dress also varies across the regions not only in styles but colours as well. Most popular style happens to be a meter long piece of garment, draped around waist line by women is called” sari “ and dhoti or lungi” for men. Stitched clothes such as salwar kameez for women and kurta-pyjama and European-style trousers and shirts for men, are also popular amongst masses right across.

Festivals:
One can also call India as land of festivals and they are uncountable and vary from region to region, religion to religion. India being country of Gods, has as many festivals perhaps, and the temples in every nook and corner will be more than the “ loos” for public in the country. Some of the popular festivals are Navratras, Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Ugadi, Pongal, Onam, Vijayadashami, Durga Puja, Eid ul-Fitr, Bakr-Id, Christmas, Buddha Jayanti and Vaisakhi.

Architectural heritage:
Indian architecture represents the diversity of Indian culture. With Taj Mahal notably the best the Indian civilization boosts of in Architectural marvel , which recognition it has got in being amongst the 7 wonders of the world. Crafted in white marble, and engraved with ensemble of coloured precious stones, it is the must see destination of every tourist in the country/ to the country. The richness of Mughal architecture is still standing tall witness to Britsher’s falling for the Indian Golden Bird way and centuries ago. South Indian temples and architecture, offers on view a blend of ancient and varied local traditions. Desert-pie of Forts are magnificent foliage of dust and dunes architecture. Rivers and seas offer serenity which only one envies with caves architecture quite enveloping them.

Tourist attractions :
North India offers Mughal cities of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri, a favourite and must see on every tourist’s itinerary world over. Inhale the infectious aura of love and beauty of the TAJ MAHAL. Visit the glorious Rajput cities with royal past in Jaipur, Udaipur, where host of international marriages have been held in recent history. Marvellous beaches of Goa and Kerala, India's golden beaches help you soak your skin in the sun amidst the languorous palms, are rave with foreign tourists and so is the peace cum rejuvenating cum soul searching holidays in the Himalayas and Ganges, in the company of saints and preachers.

Have interest in nature and wild life, a safari to parks and sanctuaries spread across India, with likes of Corbett National Park, bets you on your horror instincts.

India a subcontinent with great variations in geography and climate, is a land of varied and colorful dimensions. It is a land of many seasons, of exuberant celebrations and colourful festivals reflecting the joie de vivre of the Indian people.

Why wait?
There is a nip in the air and the weather is bracing. Time to discover the vast artistic heritage of India. So what are you waiting for? Go On.

Bon Voyage with Ardresis
What a voyage India offers and you are right there with right people. Ardresis Bon Voyage