Quick fun facts about India;
- The popular snakes and ladders game was invented in India as a lesson to kids on Karma
- Yoga has been practiced in India for 5,000 years
- There are 454 languages spoken in India
- India is the producer of 70% of all spices in the world with the largest spice market in the world, the 400-year-old Khari Baori
- 100,000 people are fed daily for free at the Golden Temple
- India has the second-largest population of English speakers after the US
- India is home to the Sentinelese people, the last community of isolated and uncontacted people in the world
- India is home to the world’s largest community of vegetarians. About 70% of Indians (over 800 million people) are of faiths that forbid eating meat
- Modern sugar as we know it was first refined in India
- India is the only place you can find an elephant spa in the world, at Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard Rejuvenation Centre in Kerala
How to get there
You can apply for an Indian visa online. It is delivered on PDF in your email when approved. For tourism, apply for an Indian visa online, for business the eBusiness visa, and medical purposes the eMedical visa.
The tourist visa is valid for 365 days. You can visit as many times as you want in these 365 days. Holders of UK, US, Canadian and Japanese passports can stay in India for a consecutive 180 days, and other countries for 90 days consecutively. All big brand airlines land in the major cities; Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad
What to do and see in India
It is Magical India because of the numerous exotic physical and manmade attractions, as well as cultural and religious events. This country that is the 7th biggest in the world, with a population of 1.3 billion people is a land of marvels, with something new every way you look;
Visit the temples
There are hundreds of faiths with thousands of deities and gods in India, who have been honored with some of the most beautiful temples you can come across;
- Golden temple in Amritsar, Punjab – one of the holy shrines among Sikh followers. It is open to people of all faiths, to come and see the beautiful golden animal and floral motifs.
- Mecca Masjid at Hyderabad – This mosque dating back to the 17th century with massive pillars that are carved from single pieces of granite.
- Other temple attractions include the Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh, Lord Jagannath temple in Orissa, and Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple in Tamil Nadu.
See the Taj Mahal
This is perhaps the most beautiful building in the world, and it was built courtesy of that most beautiful feeling, which is love. It is a dedication to Mumtaz Mahal who was wife to Emperor Shah Jahan. It is built of Marble, with decorations of mother of pearl, jade, lapis lazuli, and diamonds.
Track big cats
Outside of Africa, lions are only found in India. You can track them at Sasan Gir National Park. India has the biggest population of tigers, found in Bandhavgarh, Corbet, Kanha, Ranthambore, and, Satpura parks. You will find snow leopards in Ladakh in the Himalayas. The Indian leopard ranges across the country.
Get in touch with your inner self
This is the birthplace of meditation and yoga, there are plenty of spiritual experiences. Rishikesh, at the foot of the Himalayas, is a favorite of many seeking inner peace, as are numerous other ashrams. Marvel at the human rush during the Kumbha Mela, a pilgrimage of millions of people, that is visible from space.
Religious festivals also pull thousands of participants and tourists. The most famous is Diwali, the festival of light, with huge displays of fireworks. There is also Holi, the festival of color where people splash each other with paint powder.
Trek in the mountains
The Indian Himalayas offer elaborate hiking trails, with amazing views, flora, and fauna. You can start at the Markha Valley and walk the Hemis Festival Trek, seeing snow leopards. There is the beautiful Sikkim region with rare plants, birds, butterflies, and monasteries. You can also drive on some of the world’s highest roads; Umling La, at 5793 meters elevation, Khardung La at 5359 meters, or the Kiu La at 5711 meters.
Visiting India is a once in a lifetime experience that will open your eyes to a sheer variety of culture, geographical and manmade attractions that are unmatched anywhere else in the world. It is a truly magical place, so please don’t forget your Indian visa.
