“India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.” – Shashi Tharoor
India that is Bharat, that is Hindustan, that is Bharatvarsha, that is Hindudesh or whatever you like to call it, is a very ancient land with a rich and diverse culture. It has been independent for a long period. Many great thinkers and philosophers have lived here for centuries. Their thoughts changed the way we think about life today. The people of this country have a unique identity of their own.
From Namaste to Fasting and everything that goes with it, we are proud of our traditions. They have shaped us and given us a sense of belonging. Today, we have a lot of places to be proud of. If you want to visit this wonderful land of cultures & festivals, get a SpiceJet flight booking today. This guide will let you know about 14 Interesting Indian Culture Facts which you don’t know.
Festivals & Religion – Always a Festive Season
With a large number of Festivals like Diwali, Holi, Baisakhi, Eid, Buddha Poornima, Bhai Duj, Shivratri, Janmashtami, Dussehra and many others, it’s always a festive season in India. Every festival has its history and significance. It symbolises the rich Indian culture.
Incredible India
India is a country of rich heritage, cultural & religious diversity, languages, dialects & traditions. But the country is called a land of gods, even though we don’t know what they are. There are many Indian Gods which do not appear in our Indian mythology. The term “Gods” Hindus haven’t given a name to them. It is believed that these deities were once people like us, and later on their divinity was bestowed upon them by God. Every place in this vast country has its gods which used to be worshipped by its people as a part of their culture and tradition.
Yoga & Spirituality
Yoga is a practice and philosophy that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It involves meditation, breathing exercises and physical postures. It is about maintaining a balance. People all around the world are doing Yoga every day – even children are doing it! The ancient Indian philosophy and practices have been a catalyst for modern exercise and health movements like aerobics and martial arts. It teaches people to keep calm, speechless and alert.
Family Structure – Joint Families
In Indian society, a joint family is the most important unit of the social system. In a joint family, all parents, brothers and sisters live together in one house or village, which acts as the centre of all life of its members. The people here believe that all members belonging to one family are equal, irrespective of their caste or religious background.
Symbols – Fasting
Fasting can be done for various reasons like health, religion and culture. By observing it, our ancestors try to purify their bodies and minds. Fasting is considered a pious practice with a long tradition in India since Vedic times. It encourages self-restraint and helps to keep the body pure and healthy. Anybody from any religion can fast at any time of the year as per their religious beliefs.
Religious Customs – Holy Cow
In Indian culture, we have seen a great devotion towards cows. The sacred cow is considered the mother of all life, and she’s always worshipped with all possible respect and love. The cow is known for her generosity and kind nature. No one goes after her to kill her, she is not just any other animal. Cows are highly revered and we take great care of them. In the Vedas, the cow is considered the symbol of motherhood.
Symbols – Rejuvenation
India is a land of abundant natural resources and is full of ancient heritage and cultural diversity. The Indian culture and traditions are very unique, which can be seen in every unlikely place. In India, most of the places have their significance. It’s also very interesting to see a place from different perspectives and interpret it as we wish. Sometimes a place becomes mysterious or mystical only when seen from another point of view.
Architecture – The Science Behind Temples
The ancient Indian temples are remarkable pieces of architecture and engineering. The temples, monuments and sculptures were built with such care, dedication, hard work and patience that they give us a sense of real art. The great wonders of ancient Indian architecture can be seen in Tamil Nadu.
The Hindu Calendar Recognizes 6 Seasons
The Hindu calendar is a unique method of timekeeping and has 365 days in a year. Each Hindu month has 28 or 29 days, depending on the start of the month. Hindu month starts from either Poush or Phalguna (this is influenced by the position of the moon). The festival is celebrated on the new moon day of each month. The Hindu calendar does not have any leap year. There are six seasons for the year.
Our Famous Poets
The great poets of India have been deeply influenced by their love for nature, while they express their feelings in simple yet rich language. They have also written a lot of beautiful poems dedicated to Indian culture and heritage. Their poems contain insights into the sentiments of the people and their lives. They have also expressed their religious beliefs and thoughts in this. Poets have played a major role in spreading Indian culture among the people of different states.
India’s National Drink: Chai
Chai is the most popular national drink in India. It is very famous all over India and has been so since ancient times. One can always find Chai stalls on any corner of the street or in shopping malls that sell this drink in a very cosy ambience. Chai is made with tea leaves, milk, water and spices. It is not just refreshing but very healthy too. It tastes even better when made with cow’s milk or desi ghee (butter).
ABC of India
Astrology, Bollywood & Cricket have a special corner in Indians’ hearts. Astrology is practised by almost every Indian as it is a part of our culture. Bollywood too has a great place in Indian history and culture, it became so popular in India that it spread its wings abroad. It is believed that Bollywood changed the face of Indian cinema forever. Cricket is probably the most famous sport in India. Everyone, young or old, male or female, knows about cricket and has their favourite cricketer.
Land of All Major Religions
India is a land where all the major religions of the world have found a place. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam and Sikhism are some of the major religions that make this country so diverse and rich. Apart from these three main religions, there are also several hundred other religious groups in India including Christianity, Judaism, Sikhism and Baha’i faith.
Unity in Diversity
Though India is a land of variety with different languages, religions, cultures and traditions, it has been able to maintain its unity. People here are often considered the most tolerant people in the world. The diversity has made India a wonderful country. It has made them learn and respect one another’s traditions, religion and customs. It’s interesting to see that people belonging to different communities live peacefully with each other and respect their differences too.
