50 Facts About India You Need to Know Before Traveling There

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India, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant diversity, has a lot to offer to those who seek to learn about its intriguing history and unique traditions. From bustling city streets filled with mouth-watering cuisine to serene landscapes that cradle some of the world’s oldest civilizations, India’s stories are as colorful as its people. But beyond the kaleidoscopic festivals and architectural marvels, there’s a whole wealth of lesser-known facts that make this nation genuinely fascinating.

In this article, we delve into fifty such facts about India, each revealing a unique aspect of this beautifully complex country.

Second Largest Population: With over 1.3 billion people, India is the second most populated country in the world, only behind China.

Youngest Country: India has more than 50% of its population below the age of 25, making it one of the world’s youngest countries.

Home of Chess: The game of Chess was invented in India, originally called “Chaturanga” during the Gupta Empire.

Birthplace of Yoga: Yoga, a practice that promotes physical and mental well-being, originated in India around 5,000 years ago.

Varied Cuisine: India has a wide variety of cuisines, with each state having its own distinct food culture.

Diamonds Were First Mined Here: Until the 18th century, India was the only known source of diamonds in the world.

Largest Producer of Tea: India is the world’s largest producer of tea, with Assam and Darjeeling being particularly famous for their tea varieties.

Largest Number of Vegetarians: Due to religious and cultural beliefs, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians in the world.

The Concept of Zero: The concept of ‘zero’ in the numerical system was invented by the ancient mathematician Aryabhatta in India.

Largest Film Industry: Known as Bollywood, India’s film industry is the largest in the world in terms of films produced per year.

Diverse Languages: India has 22 officially recognized languages, with hundreds of dialects spoken across the country.

First University in the World: The world’s first university was established in Takshashila, India, in 700 BC.

Largest Postal Network: India has the largest postal network in the world, with over 155,000 post offices.

Largest Democracy: India is the world’s largest democracy, with over 800 million eligible voters as of 2021.

Festivals: India celebrates thousands of festivals annually, showcasing the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

National Symbols: The national animal of India is the Bengal Tiger, the bird is the Indian Peafowl, and the flower is the Lotus.

Cows Are Considered Sacred: In Hindu culture, which is practiced by the majority of Indians, cows are revered and considered sacred.

Golden Temple Feeds Thousands Daily: The Golden Temple in Amritsar feeds over 100,000 people every day, regardless of religion, race, or class.

High Biodiversity: India is one of the 17 mega biodiverse countries, housing 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian, and 6.0% of flowering plant species.

Indian Railways: India’s railway network is one of the largest and busiest in the world.

Kumbh Mela Gathering: The Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage, is the world’s largest gathering of people, visible even from space.

India’s Mars Mission: India is the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit, and the first in the world to do so on its first attempt.

Wettest Place on Earth: Mawsynram, a village in Meghalaya, is officially the wettest place on earth.

A Floating Post Office: India has a floating post office on Dal Lake, Srinagar, which was inaugurated in 2011.

Chand Baori Stepwell: One of the world’s deepest stepwells, Chand Baori, located in Rajasthan, has 3500 narrow steps and is 13 stories high.

Shampooing is an Indian Concept: The word ‘shampoo’ derives from the Sanskrit word ‘champu,’ which means to massage. The concept originated in India in the 16th century.

India’s Calendar: The Indian national calendar, also known as the Saka calendar, is used alongside the Gregorian calendar by the Government of India.

India’s Space Film: India’s first space film, ‘Chandamama Door Ke,’ was released in 2023.

Polo Originated in India: The sport of Polo is believed to have originated in Manipur, India, and was later adopted by the Persians.

A Land of Snakes: India has over 270 species of snakes, with around 60 of them being highly venomous.

Birthplace of Major Religions: Four of the world’s major religions originated in India – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

World’s Largest Producer of Milk: India is the world’s largest milk producer, with a significant percentage coming from buffalo milk.

Lonar Lake, a Mystery: Lonar Lake in Maharashtra is a saltwater lake that was created by a meteor hitting the Earth and is one of its kind in India.

India’s Literacy Rate: As of 2021, India’s literacy rate was 77.7%, with Kerala having the highest literacy rate among all states.

Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal in Agra, a symbol of love, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Chenab Bridge: The Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir is the world’s highest rail bridge.

Indian Spice Trade: India is known as the home of spices and is the world’s largest producer and consumer of spices.

Jana Gana Mana: The national anthem, ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ was written by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Bharatanatyam Dance: One of the oldest dance forms in India is Bharatanatyam, originating over 2,000 years ago.

Ayurveda Originated in India: Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine, originated in India and is still practiced today.

India Never Invaded Any Country: In her last 10,000 years of known history, India has never invaded any country.

India’s Border: India shares its border with seven countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.

Indian Peacock: The Indian Peacock, known for its colorful and iridescent tail feathers, is India’s national bird.

Rivers of India: India has seven major rivers, the longest being the Ganges.

Indian Cuisine: Indian cuisine is known for its extensive use of spices and flavors and has influenced cuisines around the world.

Snake Charmers: Snake charming was once a common practice in India, although it’s now largely outlawed due to animal rights issues.

The Banyan Tree: The national tree of India is the Banyan tree, a symbol of immortality in Hindu mythology.

Kerala’s Backwaters: Kerala’s backwaters, a series of lagoons and lakes, are a major tourist attraction in India.

Indian Handicrafts: Indian handicrafts, known for their quality and uniqueness, are an important part of the Indian economy.

The Himalayan Range: India is home to the majestic Himalayan Range, which includes Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

Each of these facts brings a different dimension to the diverse, vibrant, and intriguing tapestry of India, painting a captivating image of this unique nation.