Culture of India

The term culture refers to a state of intellectual development or manners. The social and political forces that influence the growth of a human being is defined as culture. Indian culture is rich and diverse and as a result unique in its very own way. Our manners, way of communicating with one another, etc are one of the important components of our culture. Even though we have accepted modern means of living, improved our lifestyle, our values and beliefs still remain unchanged. A person can change his way of clothing, way of eating and living but the rich values in a person always remains unchanged because they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind, body and soul which we recieve Indian culture treats guests as god and serves them and takes care of them as if they are a part and parcel of the family itself. Even though we dont have anything to eat, the guests are never left hungry and are always looked after by the members of the family. Elders and the respect for elders is a major component in Indian culture. Elders are the driving force for any family and hence the love and respect for elders comes from within and is not artificial. An individual takes blessings from his elders by touching their feet. Elders drill and pass on the Indian culture within us as we grow.

Respect one another is another lesson that is taught from the books of Indian culture. All people are alike and respecting one another is ones duty. In foreign countries the relation between the boss and the employee is like a master and slave and is purely monetary whereas in Indian culture the relation between the boss and the employee is more like homely relations unlike foreign countries. Helpful nature is another striking feature in our Indian culture. Right from our early days of childhood we are taught to help one another in need of help and distress. If not monetary then at least in kind or non-monetary ways. Indian culture tells us to multiply and distribute joy and happiness and share sadness and pain. It tells us that by all this we can develop co-operation and better living amongst ourselves and subsequently make this world a better place to live in. Even though India is a country of various religions and caste our culture tells us just one thing 'phir bhi dil hai Hindustani ' India is blessed with rich culture and heritage. The culture of India is one of the oldest cultures in the world. Right from the medieval period there prevail diverse cultural diversities in form of dances, languages, religions, people, their customs, festivals. Every state of India has its own distinct cultures and has carved out its own cultural niche. In spite of so much of cultural diversities, Indian's are closely bond and makes India as a great country perhaps because of its common history. Dating back to over 5000 years old civilization, India's culture has been adorned by migrating population, which over a period got absorbed into the Indian way of life. This great Indian culture comprises of Indian music, Indian Dance, Indian cuisine, costumes and Indian Festivals

Culture and Heritage

India is among the fortunate countries in the world that are ecstatic with the treasures of such an opulent and diverse melange of culture. The Indian culture is apparent in each and every aspect of congenial life extending back to an indiscrete stroke of over 5000 years. The glorious Culture and Heritage of India have invariably ameliorated by the consecutive billows of migration of the people from the near as well as from distant countries. The numerous religions followed by the people of India verily, is the essence of Indian culture. The rich and ancient civilization of India has left myriad of traveler awestruck with its variance and pungency. The culture and the heritage of this ancient peninsula embrace the whole shebang from diverse religions to rich artistry and literature, from clothes to cuisine and glorified art and architecture. This prevalent culture has made India most captivated destination for the die- hard tourists from all over the world.

Religion and their Diverse Festivals

India is a country embellished with varied number of religions adopted by people related to all faiths, living in complete amity and with an immense tolerance for other's belief. India is a country with surfeit of people following the religion of Hinduism in majority besides this India is an abode of other religions like Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The festivals of India are associated deeply with different religions, therefore celebrations never come to an end here, it is said that as many festivals are there in India that many religions prevails in the country. Diwali and Dusshera the most prestigious festivals of Hindus are celebrated all over the country with much of esteem, on the other side the Muslim festival Eid and Christmas festival of Christians are also equally celebrated with same enthusiasm and excitement. Beside these festivals India is embellished with number of fairs like Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh and Pushkar fair in Rajasthan that reflect the divine shades of the Indian Culture.

Art and Architecture

India is a perfect specimen of a rich architectural splendor that are manifested in its diversified monuments, sculptures, fort and temples. The erotic sculptures of Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh, Taj Mahal the 7th wonder of the world in Agra, the magnificent Red Fort and the Qutab Minar in Delhi depicting the beautiful work of Mughal architecture, the caves of Ajanta Ellora and Elephanta in Maharashtra tunneled out of the massive rock and the luxurious forts and palaces of Rajasthan are all the captivating sights, delicately exhibiting Indian culture and heritage as noticeable in India's rich art and architecture.

Literature and Languages

India's eminent culture lies in its rich literature and languages. Rightly called as a paradise of diverse ethnicity, India enjoys a rich melange of languages with Sanskrit ranking on the top, as the mother of all languages. The Indian Constitution has recognized 19 languages as regional languages of India. The manuscripts and the edifies written in various languages that are unique specimen of India's diverse languages and rich literature.

Dress and Cuisine

India's rich culture and heritage is reflected in its sense of dressing and a versatile cuisine. The traditional costumes like saree, ghagra-choli, salwar-kameez and lehenga are typical of the Indian women dress where as the dhoti-kurta and pyjama worn by the men are glowing exhibition of Indian Culture in the every day life. As the time changed the country adopted modernization that is equally manifested in its changed dress code, the Indian ladies now equally enjoys western outfits like pant, shirts, skirts where as men are seen in pant, shirt, coat and ties. India can also called as a wide kitchen, overflowing with the rich variety of Indian delicacies. India offers diverse opportunities of cuisine like Indian, Mughali and Continental Cuisine. The main course of rich Indian food includes roti (bread), chawal (rice), vegetables, curd and compulsorily a sweet dish. Other delicacies of India are tandoori chicken, kabab and mughlai dishes of the north and dosa, idli, sambar etc of the south along with a variety of other regional dishes are an essential component of the Indian culture.

Ayurveda and Yoga

The diversified stance of yoga and transcendental meditation are natural course of keeping the body and the mind into perfect harmony. The wealth of Yoga and Ayurveda flows in the country since the time of rich vedic civilization. Kerala the main Ayurvedic center that facilitates the herbal cure for various sicknesses is throng by the tourist from all over the globe to achieve mental rest and physical fitness. Ayurvada and Yoga are amazing legacy of Indian culture to the whole world.

National Symbols of India

You have heard the national anthem and learned about the flag of India, but what else symbolizes this vast and diverse nation? Even with all its differences, there are still some images and ideas that unite the people and represent their shared country.

National Symbol of India comes from the Sarnath Lion Capital of Emperor Ashoka. Ashoka ruled and from 272 BCE to 232 BCE. The original sculpture shows four lions on a pillar with an hant, horse, bull, and lion separated by a lotus on the base. A Dharma Chakra (wheel of law) is also ed into the stone.

emblem was adopted on January 26, 1950 by the Indian Government. The official symbol now ws three of the four lions with the Dharma Chakra in the center of the base and a bull and horse on r side. The base is also engraved with the phrase "Satyameva Jayate" in the Devanagari script of a. This simple phrase represents a powerful idea for the Indian people: "Truth alone triumphs".

The National Bird is the Indian peacock (Pavo cristatus). Peacocks symbolize grace, pr and beauty. They are a sign of joy for all who see them. Peacocks are often used in India mythology and folk stories. This bird is about the size of a swan, with a long neck and a shaped array of feathers. Male peacocks are brightly colored, with blue fronts and greenbronze feathers. The female (peahen) is smaller and brown in color.

The peacock may be found throughout India, especially south and east of the Indus Rive is heavily protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. It also enjoys grea sentimental protection from the nation at large.

National Animal is the tiger, officially known as Panthera tigris. It is ected in India for its strength and grace, as well as its incredible power. Indian tiger is also called the Royal Bengal Tiger.

ans are conscious of the threat that hunters and others pose to this ial animal. Although once popularly killed for its skin, there is now a ement to protect the tiger population. To this end, the government n "Project Tiger" in 1973. The project is also supported by the World dlife Federation. This project has created a network of tiger reserves ughout the country and implemented a plan to help tigers and humans ist. India is working hard to preserve its national animal, but sadly, 2,000 to 2,500 tigers remain.

The lotus is the official flower of India. It represents long life, honor, and good fortune. It is also symbol of triumph, since the lotus is rooted in the mud and can survive to regerminate for thousa of years. Even though it grows in mud, it remains pure and produces beautiful flowers. Thus, it symbolizes purity of heart and mind. The lotus holds additional significance for Hindus, as it is a symbol of God and used often in religious practices.

National Tree of India is the banyan. This huge tree towers over its hbors and has the widest reaching roots of all known trees, easily covering ral acres. It sends off new shoots from its roots, so that one tree is really a le of branches, roots, and trunks. The banyan tree regenerates and lives for ncredible length of time--thus it is thought of as the immortal tree.

ze and leafy shelter are valued in India as a place of rest and reflection, not ention protection from the hot sun! It is still the focal point and gathering e for local councils and meetings. India has a long history of honoring this it figures prominently in many of the oldest stories of the nation.

The mango is the national fruit. It has been cultivated in India since time immemo There are over 100 varieties of mangos in India, in a range of colors, sizes, and sha Common in the tropical part of the world, mangos are savored for their sweet juice bright colors.

People in India eat mangos ripe, or prepare them green as pickles or chutneys. The are rich in vitamin A, C, and D.

Tajmahal Agra, India

Indian Architecture
Indian architecture is a rich amalgam of various architectural styles, wherein the influences of various regions and dynasties, find due expression. With the Islamic style concentrating only on monuments and the Hindu style being

more religious, thematically, Indian architecture, is indeed, a celebration of the creativity of the unsung artisans who dedicated their lives to bring to life such wondrous pieces of enviable beauty. India boasts of a myriad of architectural delights such as the majestic Taj Mahal, the temples of Southern India, the Jain temples and the Buddhist monasteries, to name a few.

Temple Architecture
The Temple Architecture follows the concept of four compartments, namely an entrance porch (the ardhamandap), the vestibule (antarala) and the sanctum (garbhagriha). In some of the large temples an extra mandap with lateral transepts is added for size and splendor, converting it into a large assembly hall. The Khajuraho temple Located in the forested plains of Madhya Pradesh, in the region known as Bundelkhand is a well-known example of the temple architecture and exquisite sculpture. Dravidian style of temple architecture is more visible in the numerous temples of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. These temples built during the times of enduring peace (southern India had enough of that) are huge in size and some times encompasses entire townships. These temples at the height of their glory were center of all activities of social life and were parallel centers of economic and political powers. Good examples of Dravidian style are temples of Tanjore, Madurai, Mahabalipuram, temples of Badami and Pattadakal, and temples of Kanchipuram

Moughal Architecture
Before the Islamic elements of architecture were introduced to India, they had already passed through different experimental phases in other countries like Egypt, Iran and Iraq. The Indo-Islamic monuments were typical mortar-masonry works formed of dressed stones unlike most Islamic monuments of these countries, which were largely constructed in brick, plaster and rubble. Mughal architecture is a characteristic of Indo-Islamic-Persian style that flourished on the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal empire (1526-1857). This new style combined elements of Islamic & Mughal Architecture, which had been introduced to India during the reign of Delhi Sultunate and had produced great monuments such as the Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun Tomb etc having features of Persian art & architecture. Indo - European Architecture When the British left India, besides the legacy of language, social customs, the modes of administrative functioning, and more enduringly, their buildings scattered across twenty-four latitudes and widely varied terrain. A lot of the construction in British India was the work of amateurs and military engineers. Their work reflects a curious adaptation of local materials and weather to a longing for home being expressed in the implantation of European styles in a tropical land. In all of India, apart from Shimla perhaps, it is the city of Bombay, which shows the greatest incorporation of a multitude of divergent styles popular in the Victoria era. The various examples of the indo- European architecture being the Victoria Memorial, From the Fort the Fort area down to the cantonment at Colaba still stand buildings with examples of diverse architectural features such as German gables, Dutch roofs, Swiss timbering, Romance arches and Tudor casements mingled with more ethnic oriental embellishments. Perhaps the most fitting monuments both in name and splendor, the very symbol of the British in Victorian Bombay is a building that was opened in 1887 in time to celebrate Queen Victoria Terminus or VT. Today it is better known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

Monuments of India
Monuments are the backdrop of the world's largest democracy and a slice of India's history in which numerous civilizations flourished. The exquisite architecture and the intricate embellishments of the Indian monuments represent one of the most prominent facets of the multi-faceted India. An architectural feat in itself, each monument is a strikingly splendid specimen of incredible artistry, shrouding a sense of mystery, intrigue and romance. Be it the marvel in white marble, the unparalleled Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world; or the red stone splendor, the imposing

Red Fort; or the magnificence of temple art of Khajuraho, Konark and Hampi, therein is evident the master craftsmanship and elegance, that brings to the fore the grandeur of the bygone era.

Indian Fairs &Festivals

India is a rich land which has attracted invaders from Central Europe and Asia who left their imprint on this land, its religions and its lifestyles over 40 centuries. As a result, today, Indian celebrates more festivals than any other country. Nonetheless, Indians are known to celebrate all the festivals with great fan fare and importance. Festivals in India are determined by the Solar & Lunar positions & they may fall in a different month as specified here.

January
Makar Sankranti, Lohri, Pongal, Thai Pusam, Float Festival, National Kite Festival, Bikaner Festival, Pattadakal Dance Festival, Id-ul-Fitr, Vasant Panchami

February
Mahashivratri, Goa Carnival, Desert Festival, Nagaur Fair, International Yoga Week, Elephant Festival, Deccan Festival, Taj Mahotsav, Surajkund Crafts Mela, Chapchar Kut, Islands Tourism Festival

March
Holi, Gangaur, Jamshed-e-Navroz, Ramnavami, id-ul-Zuha, Mahavir Jayanti, Khajuraho Dance Festival, Elephant Festival, Hoysala Mahotsava, Ellora Festival

April
Good Friday, Easter, Baisakhi, Gudi Padva or Ugadi, Pooram, Maharram, Buddha Purnima, Mewar

June
Ganga Dussehra, Hemis Festival

July
Rathyatra, Guru Purnima

August
Janmashtami, Onam, Nag Panchami, Rakshabandhan, Ganesh Chaturthi

September
Tarnetar Mela

October
Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Marwar Festival

November
Sharad Purnima, Diwali, Guu Purab, Ka Pomblang Nongrem, Sonepur Fair, Pushkar Fair, Hampi Festival

December
Christmas, Konark Dance Festival.

Indian Cuisine
Indian Food
The major culinary influences on Indian cuisine resulted from significant historical invasions, including the Greeks, Mughal Portuguese and British. Today, Rich and diverse Indian cuisine, coupled with the celebrated hospitality of the people is the crowning glory of the opulent Indian culture. Simply irresistible and sumptuous, Indian dishes are any gourmet's delight. Various permutations and combinations of various ingredients and the innumerable aromatic spices create magical, mouth watering variety of the same dish, which may be very often different in taste, colour, texture and also appearance, taking into account the regional variations. The skill lies in the subtle blending of a variety of spices to enhance rather than overwhelm the basic flavor of a particular dish.

People And Religion

India is probably the only country with the largest and most diverse mixture of races. All the five major racial types - Australoid, Mongoloid, Europoid, Caucasian and Negroid - find representation among the people of India. India is perhaps the most culturally diverse country of the world. Once can find representation from almost all the major religions in India

Hinduism:
The Hindu religion had its origin in the concepts of the early Aryans who came to India more than 4,000 years ago. It is not merely a religion but also philosophy and a way of life. Hinduism does not originate in the teachings of any one prophet or holy book. It respects other religions and does not attempt to seek converts. It teaches the

immortality of the human soul and three principal paths to ultimate union of the individual soul with the allpervasive spirit. The essence of Hindu faith is embodied in the Lord's Song, the Bhagavad Gita: "He who considers this (self) as a slayer or lie who thinks that this (self) is slain, neither knows the Truth. For it does not slay, nor is it slain. This (self) is unborn, eternal, changeless, ancient, it is never destroyed even when the body is destroyed".

Jainism and Buddhism:

In the sixth century before Christ, Mahavira propagated Jainism. Its message was asceticism, austerity and nonviolence. At about the same time, Buddhism came into being Gautama Buddha, a prince, renounced the world and gained enlightenment. He preached that 'Nirvana' was to be attained through the conquest of self. Buddha's teachings in time spread to China and some other countries of South-East Asia.

Islam:
Arab traders brought Islam to South India in the seventh century. After them came the Afghan the seventh century. After them came the Afghans and the Moghuls, among whom the most enlightens was the Emperor Akbar. Akbar almost succeeded in founding a new religion Din-e-Elahi, based on both Hinduism and Islam, but it found few adherents. Islam has flourished in India through the centuries. Muslim citizens have occupied some of the highest positions in the country since independence in 1947.

Sikhism:
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism in the 15-century, stressed the unity of God and the The Sisganj Gurudwara in Delhi, an important Sikh shrine brotherhood of man. Sikhism, with its affirmation of as the one supreme truth and its ideals of discipline and spiritual striving, soon won many followers. It was perhaps possible only in this hospitable land that two religions as diverse as Hinduism and Islam could come could come together in a third, namely Sikhism.

Christianity:
Christianity reached India not long after Christ's own lifetime, with the arrival of St. Thomas, the Apostle. The Syrian Christian Church in the south traces its roots to the visit of St. Thomas. With the arrival of St. Francis Xavier in 1542 the Roman Catholic faith was established in India. Today Christians of several denominations practice their faith freely.

Judaism:
Jewish contact with the Malabar Coast in Kerala dates back to 973 BC when King Solomon's merchant fleet began trading for spices and other fabled treasures. Scholars say that the Jews first settled in Cranganore, soon after the Babylonian onquest of Judea in 586 BC. The immigrants were well received and a Hindu king granted to Joseph Rabban, a Jewish leader, a title and a principality.