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India is a modern nation with a five-millennia-old ancient civilization, that has withstood the ravages of time. Its land area extends across 3.28 million sq kilometers, making it the seventh largest nation in the world, but it is much more than a mere large nation. With a 5,000 year old culture, a multitude of languages, a confluence of religions and diverse communities of over a billion people living together in unity, India is more than just a land mass. It is a value system; a rich cultural tapestry, whose edifice is built upon pluralism and diversity.
Over the course of many centuries, India had been invaded by a wide variety of cross-cultural traits of different civilizations, which has eventually shaped its rich and pluralistic socio-cultural mosaic. India is not only a secular state, but also a secular society, which provides people of every faith not only the freedom, but also the space to practice their beliefs. Its pluralistic character in fact has contributed to its survival and growth as the world's most populous democracy, amidst a neighborhood of military coups and dictatorships. Lately India is also emerging as one of the world's emerging knowledge economies, and its popular image before the west has recently undergone a sea change. Once perceived as the land of magical sadhus and snake charmers, today India is fast emerging as the prime source of human resource to sustain the IT revolution, spearheading the global economy. India is a country with a great past...and a great future too!
Geographically, India occupies a central position in South Asia. Sharing its borders with Pakistan, Afghanistan(in the north-west), China, Bhutan and Nepal(in the north), Myanmar and Bangladesh(in the east) India extends from the snow-clad Himalayas in the north to the blue waters of the Indian Ocean in the south, and from the desert sands of Rajasthan in the west, to the dense forests of Arunachal Pradesh in the east. The south-west of India is rinsed by the Arabian Sea, whereas in the south-east of India there is Bay of Bengal. With immense natural beauty and an amazing architectural heritage, India's geographic and cultural riches are a must-see for every traveler..
Explore an Idea Called India
Whether you travel to India on business, leisure or pleasure, you'll find there's a lot to see and do in India. As a tourist destination, India offers a bewilderingly vast array of tourist options to see and explore that can cater to a diverse tourist profile. From heritage sites to adventure tours, from mountaineering to water sports, and from cultural attractions to wildlife encounters, you're sure to find a slice of India within you.
Heritage: The heritage of India is incredibly rich and varied. India's living heritage can be seen in the form of architecture, cultural traditions, and exquisite arts and crafts. The plethora of monuments, forts, palaces, temples, mosques, churches and mausoleums seen across India, reflect the richness and artistry of Indian craftsmen through the ages. They include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The rock cut caves at Ajanta and Ellora, the Sun Temple at Konark, the Khajuraho Temples, the temples of Mahabalipuram and Hampi, the Buddhist structures at Sanchi and Bodhgaya, and the one and only Taj Mahal in Agra, are all recognized as unique heritage treasure troves that India offers to the world to see and wonder upon.
Moreover, the vibrant cultural traditions of India, such as its colorful festivals and wedding ceremonies, provide an esoteric socio-cultural linkage between the past and the present and are popular tourist attractions in themselves. India's arts and crafts such as weaving, sculpture, painting, and carving are a part of our living heritage and display the versatility and skill of the traditional artisans of India. Viewers worldwide have recognized the traditions of Indian classical music and dance, which are sublime expressions of Indian perennial culture.
Spirituality and Well Being: India is the source of many of the world's religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism have originated in India, and have attracted followers around the world. Besides these, the pluralistic socio-cultural heritage of India has embraced Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and many more religious faiths, which have their roots outside the Indian soil. Tourists from all over the world come to India on pilgrimage tours or to study the spiritual facets of different religions. Ancient well being and medical systems like Yoga and Ayurveda, which are very much germane to India, have also gained followers around the world. They are thronging to India to get the much needed relief from their age-old ailments through Yoga and Ayurveda, for which conventional medicine don't have any answer. This healthy trend is accentuating India's emergence as a hub for medical tourism in the process.
Landscape: The landscape of the Indian subcontinent offers an amazing series of contrasts. For lovers of the mountains, the towering Himalayas in the north, and the verdant hills of the Western and Eastern Ghats in south India, offer beautiful locales for mountaineering and trekking. For beach and water sports enthusiasts, India's long coastline offers many idyllic palm-fringed beaches. The sun-kissed beaches of Goa and Kerala are world famous, and there are many lesser-known but beautiful beaches on the coasts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal. The island groups of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar are also home to many pristine beaches. From sandy beaches to sand dunes, a traveler can find plenty of both in India. The Thar Desert in Rajasthan offers views of undulating sand dunes stretching as far as the eye can see, an ethereal sight which is most enjoyed on a camel safari. In contrast are the thick jungles and tropical vegetation of the forests of India. Precious natural resources, India's forests are home to many species of rare and exotic flora and fauna.
Flora and Fauna: India's rich biodiversity and its varied geography, from the snow-covered Himalayas to the coral islands of the Indian Ocean, provide many rare species their unique natural habitat. From large mammals such as elephants, tigers and rhinoceros to dugongs and sharks, India's wildlife treasures are a treat for wildlife lovers. The various species of birds and vegetation seen in the National Parks of India are sure to delight a nature enthusiast. Five of India's National Parks - Kaziranga, Manas, Keoladeo, Sundarbans and Nanda Devi- have been declared UNESCO World Heritage sites because of their ecological richness.
From cosmopolitan cities to quaint wildlife sanctuaries infused with the fragrance of adventure, from heritage destinations to exotic sea beaches... India in a nutshell is an exciting tourist destination with lots to offer for every visitor. India For You invites you to explore India and gives you a preview of the wonders that awaits you in India.
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