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India
has always been a living example of stupendous
paradoxes and extremes. Even the passage of millennia and modernity
could not lessen these. They run through the entire fabric of the
Indian society. Its extraordinary heterogeneity strikes one with awe
and wonder. One is left breathless and gaping at its sheer vastness
and complexity. More than one billion human beings, the one-sixth of
mankind live in India, a fortieth of the earth’s surface.
There are 934 females after every 1000 males. A quarter of world’s
cattle population is there in India. India is largest democracy of
the world comprising 28 states and 7 union territories. More that
48.5 crore people have there names in the electoral roles and elect
there representative in general electation. Staggering figure
indeed!
India, the land loved by everyone is so fantastic in variety,
colours, dresses, diets, deities, climates, background, languages,
scenic charms, faces, races and what not that it becomes an
inexhaustible experience. It has been a meeting point of various
cultures, civilization and religions for more than five millennia.
It has outlived the test of time and attacks of inwards. It is there
that modernity and tradition, urban and rural, religion and
secularism, peaks and valleys embrace each other in counter balance.
It’s so wonderful, mysterious, elusive, and paradoxical that it
baffles and defies any analysis. Underlining this vital truth once
Mark Twain exclaimed with excitement, “India is a land of dreams and
romance, a wonderland of fabulous wealth and fabulous poverty, of
splendour and rags. The one sole country under the sun that is
endowed with an imperishable interest for alien prince and alien
present, for lettered and ignorant, wise and fool, rich and poor,
bound and free, the one land that all men desire to see, and having
seen once, by even a glimpse would not give that blimps for the
shows of all the rest of the globe combined.”
India has been a travel-destination since ancient time. Megasthenese
(300 B.C.) was the earliest significant traveler on record followed
by numerous others from Greece, Europe, France, Middle East, China,
South East Asia etc. They came to have a glimpse of the real India,
to have an intimate and meaningful insight into Indian culture and
way of life.
Some come here in search of adventure and fortune, other speaking
truth, solace and enlightenment and still others to quench their
thirst for beauty and pleasure. Many of them return as pilgrims
thought they came as travelers. The every thought of India fires
them with imagination. They can neither resist the temptation nor
remain indifferent of the ides. To the ancient Indian genius every
beauty spot and scenic splendour was a call to the spirit from the
Universal Soul.
To make a trip of India, to visit its place and people, is a great
experience, is to know what India was, and is today.
THE LAND
India,
the seventh largest country in the world, has a very well defined
geographical entity. Crowned with snowy ramparts of mighty Himalayas
in the far north, it sprawls south-wards and that the tropic of
cancer, tapers of into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal of
the east and the Arabian Sea in the east. Though tropical yet it
lies entirely in the northern hemisphere. With a land frontiers of
about 15,200 kilometres and a coastline of mainland, Lakshadweep
group of Islands and Andaman Nicobar group of Islands of 7,516
kilometres it becomes a country of a continent.
There is no other country that has an ocean named after it. The
fantastic and so formidable and arc of the Himalayas in the north is
the highest of the world and has as many as a dozen eight thousander
pinnacles, all higher than any other in the world. And there are as
many as half a country of seven thousander peaks. It is really a
paradise for mountaineers, bird-watches, trekkers, skiers and
adventure-seekers.
FLORA AND FAUNA
India’s great latitudinal spread encompassing a wide range of
temperature conditions makes it rich and varied in flora and fauna,
which few other countries of comparable expanse possess. The Western
Himalayan region, extending from Kumaun to Kashmir, is made up of
three zones- alpine, temperate and lower. The temperate zone is rich
in chirpine, deodar, spruce, silver fir and forests of conifers. The
alpine zone which extends from the upper limit of the temperate zone
to about 4,750 metres or even higher, is characterized by the high
level silver fir, the silver birch and junipers. The eastern
Himalayan region has about 4,000 species of flowering plants along
with several verities of palm. Many laurels, maples, alders, birch,
conifers and junipers also flourish there. Rhododendrons, dwarf
willows and bamboos also abound. In the Gangetic plains forests of
widely differing types occur but sal forests predominate. The
vegetation in the Brahamaputra valley of Assam and the intervening
hills is luxuriant and the characterized by tall grass, broad-leaved
forests and thick clumps of bamboo.
Palms of many kinds are endemic to the entire table-land of the
Indian peninsular. It supports vegetation of various kinds from
scrub jungles to mixed deciduous forests. The Malabar area covering
the west coast and the mountains of the Western Ghats, is rich in
tropical vegetation, and produces such commercial crops as coconuts,
betel nuts, pepper, ginger, rubber and bananas of all kinds. At
higher elevation are coffee, tea, and cardamom plantations. The Far
East areas abound in such hard wood as rose wood, iron wood, teak
and also in numerous varieties of soft wood and bamboos.
In the outlying Island of Andaman and Nicobar is a variety of
forests-mangrove, beech, evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous.
The number of species of flowering plants in the country is about
15,000. There are about 35,000 non-flowering plants in the country.
Not unlike its flora India has a great variety of fauna. There are
about 350 species of mammals and 1.200 species of bird. More than
30,000 species of insects, apart from great varieties of reptiles
and fishes.
The mammals include elephant, the Indian bison, Indian buffalo, the
blue bull (nilgai), four horned antelope, black buck, Indian wild
ass and famed one-horned rhinoceros and many varieties of deer.
Under the big game category come the Indian lion, the tiger, the
panther, leopard and various species of smaller cats. Many types of
bears roam the Western Himalayas, but any a single species of Panda
is to be found. Several species of monkeys and apes are common. The
wild yak inhabits the uplands of Ladakh.
India is very rich in bird-life also. The Indian peacock, with its
resplendent blue plumage, is the national bird. Several other
species such as duck, pheasant, partridge, jungle fowls, quail,
green pigeon, mynahs, bulbuls, parakeets, hornbills herons, cranes
are a familiar feature.
The rivers and lakes harbour crocodiles, gharials and a large
variety of indigenous fish and offer a generous opportunity to the
angler. Trout is common in hill steams and the masher (Indian
salmon) in most of the large rivers.
PEOPLE AND RELIGION
HINDUISM
India is a land of great variety. Its unique civilization has been a
great unifying factor. The
spiritual essence of Indian civilization has been the greatest
influence on the world thought. Religion and spirituality play a
very important part in the life of every Indian. This religious life
makes a complex but a wonderful pattern. Hinduism, which is not
based on any single book, has the largest following. More that 65
percent of the population are Hindus. Hinduism is one of the most
ancient extant religions. It believes in oneness of the Universal
Soul, and is essentially monotheistic. Hinduism believes in the
eternity of soul and its reincarnations that eventually lead to
final liberation or moksha. This theory is based on the scientific
principle of cause and effect. The path of salvation and perfection
lies through the good karmas or actions. The human form of is the
highest from of life. It is through good actions that one evolves
him higher and higher, and then ultimately attains the perfection or
nirvana.
ISLAM
Islam
came to India with the Muslim conquests. It is a monotheistic
religion and forbids the image worship in any form. The prophet
Muhammad, the founder of Islam was born in 570 A.D. in Mecca. His
sacred teachings are compiled in the holy Kuran. A true and devout
Muslim believes in one God, i.e., Allah and his prophet Muhammad,
prays each day five times, gives alms to the poor and needy,
observes a month’s fast during Ramzan and makes a pilgrimage to
Mecca Sharif, at least once in life. Muslims in India form the
largest religious minority, and makes India one of the largest
Islamic nations.
SIKHISM
Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak, five hundred years ago, in order
to fuse together the best of the Hindu and Muslim religions.
Basically it is an offshoot of Hinduism and has still much in common
with the latter. Sikh places of worship or temples are known as
Gurudwaras and their holy book is the Granth Sahib.
India is secular and yet profoundly religious. The Indian
Constitution guarantees all its citizens freedom of faith and
worship. One can follow and preach not interfere in the religious
freedom and rights of the others.
CHRISTIANITY
The Christian Church in South India is much older than the coming of
Islam in India. St. Thomas, one of the first twelve disciples of
Christ, was the first preacher of Christianity in India. He was
contemporary of St. Peter in Rome. But it was much later than
Christian missions came to India and converted many Indians, mainly
from low castes into the faith.
BUDDHISM
Jainism and Buddhism, the offshoots of Hinduism, marked the first
great revolt against Hindu, religious sacrifices and rituals. Buddha
laid great emphasis on non-violence, compassion and right conduct.
Desires are the root of suffering. Desires and attachment are a
great obstacle on the path of enlightenment. Through moderation one
should overcome ones sensual desires. By following the eightfold
path one can ultimately realize nirvana, the supreme goal of human
life. It is through good karmas or deeds that a man can move up
higher and higher in the scale of rebirths. With the attainment of
nirvana all sufferings and reincarnations cease.
PARSIS
The Parsis came in 8th century seeking refuge in this country from
religious persecution in Iran and brought Zoroastrianism. The Jews
came quite early about 2,000 years ago. They are found chiefly in
Mumbai, Pune, Cochin and Delhi.
FESTIVALS
Festivals mark the grand, gay and happy moments in the life of an
Indian citizen. These are the occasions of family gatherings,
exchange of greetings, thanks giving’s, relaxation, joy, praying,
fasting and elders. Festivals come round year after year and enthuse
people with a new spirit of joy. India has a great number of
festivals, fairs, and holidays, and some of them are bound to
coincide with the occasion of your visit to this country. The most
of Indian festivals follow lunar religious calendar, which differs
much from the western one. Only the approximate times are indicated
below.
HOLI
(MARCH/APRIL)
The most colourful and boisterous festival, marks the advent of
spring and ripening of the crops. People throw colourful water and
powder and perfume, at each other in gay abundance; sing, dance and
enjoy to the heart’s content.
GANGAUR
(MARCH/APRIL)
This is a festival dedicated to Parvati, the consort of Shiva. It’s
chiefly celebrated in Jaipur (Rajasthan) and a colourful procession
is taken out. Women and damsels decked in their finery visit
temples, worship Gauri or Parvati and invoke her blessings for happy
marital life.
BAISAKHI
(APRIL/MAY)
This is of special significance to the Sikhs. The Hindu solar New
Year is celebrated and people visit temples after ritual bathing in
holy rivers, ponds and tanks.
MEENAKSHI KALYANAM
(APRIL/MAY)
A huge procession of large temple chariots is taken out through the
streets of Madurai to celebrate the annual marriage of Shiva.
BUDDH PURNIMA
(MAY)
The Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and nirvana are celebrated on
this day and special celebrations are held at Sarnath and Bodhgaya.
Buddha was born, got enlightenment and the nirvana on the same day (purnima,
the full moon day), but in different years.
RATH YATRA (JUNE/JULY)
One of the most spectacular events when Lord Jagannath’s huge
chariots roll out in procession from the temple in Puri, Orissa.
TEEJ
(JULY/AUGUST)
A women’s festival celebrated in Rajasthan to welcome the rains. An
occasion of local fairs, singing and enjoying swings set up in every
village and town.
AMARNATH YATRA (AUGUST)
This coincides with another festival called Rakshabandhan, when the
women and girls tie colourful threads round their brother’s wrists
and receive gifts. Pilgrimage to this occasion to offer their
prayers.
NAGA PANCHAMI (JULY/AUGUST)
This festival is dedicated to the worship of the cobra deity and
snakes.
JANMASHTMI (AUGUST)
The birth anniversary of Krishna is celebrated throughout the land
and dance-dramas are performed to represent the scenes from
Krishna’s life. At Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna special
festivities are held.
GANESH CHATURTHI
(AUGUST/SEPTEMBER)
The images of elephant headed god Ganesha are worshipped, and then
ceremonially immersed in sea or a lake. In Mumbai and surrounding
areas it is celebrated with special fervour and gay abandon.
PUSHKAR FAIR
(OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)
It is one of the most spectacular cattle fairs held at the Pushkar
Lake near Ajmer in Rajasthan.
GURU PARAB (NOVEMBER)
This festival is a major Sikh festival, which marks the birthday of
the founder of Sikh Religion, Guru Nanak.
CHRISTMAS
(DECEMBER 25)
It is also celebrated with great fervour all over the country.
MUHARRAM
(WINTER)
This commemorates the martyrdom of a grandson of the Prophet
Muhammad. In cities such as Delhi, Lucknow, Hyderabad and Jaipur
mourning processions are there.
PONGAL/SHAKRANTI (MID-JANUARY)
It is celebrated as a harvest festival in the south. In the north it
marks the change of season when the sun moves into its northern
course called uttarayana.
ONAM
(SEPTEMBER)
This is the harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated for four days
with feasting, dance and famous snake-boat races.
ID-UL-FITER (SEPTEMBER)
This is a Muslim festival which marks the end of month long Ramzan
fat.
DUSSEHRA/DURGA PUJA
(SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER)
Dussehra is also called Vijayadashmi and is celebrated to mark the
victory of Rama on the Demon King Ravana, or of good over evil. The
popular Ramayana epic is presented in dance-drama form on the stage
all over India during the preceding nine days. It is popularly
called Ram Lila. The effigy of Ravana is burnt and fireworks are
there. It is followed by Bharat Milap, an occasion of family
reunion. In Mysore great royal procession is taken out on this
occasion. In Kulu also it is observed as Durga Puja.
DIWALI
(OCTOBER/NOVEMBER)
This is the festival of lights and fireworks. At night earthen lamps
and candles are lit illuminating the dark night, greetings and
sweets are exchanged and Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and
prosperity, is worshipped. The businessmen close their old accounts
and open the new ones.
Vasanta Panchmi
(January/February)
This is a Hindu festival dedicated to Saraswati, the goddess of
learning. At some places it is associated with kite flying.
DESERT FESTIVAL (FEBRUARY)
This is a great tourist attraction. It is celebrated at Jaisalmer in
Rajasthan. Colourful camel races, folk dances and songs mark the
festivity. You can go on a camel safari to explore the great Indian
Desert on this occasion.
CULTURE
Indian culture is one of the oldest extant cultures. Dharma has ever
been a great cultural force to unite India into a nation. It is not
easy to explain dharma in western terms. The term religion can
hardly represent the meaning for which dharma really stands. Dharma
is far more inclusive, deep and cosmic. It is universal and yet
personal and specific. Like Hindu religion, the Hindu society is
also heterogeneous, a highly evolved organic whole. The discerning
eye cannot fail to realize the fundamental cultural unity arising
out of limitless diversities and teeming millions speaking numerous
languages and dialects, observing different customs and rites, and
professing several faiths. India is not merely a physical name and
geographical entity, but a nation inhabited by many faiths and
cults. All the apparent and endless diversities not withstanding,
India has always been culturally one organic whole.
INDIAN CUISINE
India has been the land of the world’s greatest vegetarian and non-vegetarian
cuisine. Indian cuisine is among the few in the world, which knows
how to combine different recipes. Spices, condiments and herbs are a
distinctive feature of Indian dishes. Spices and sugar are being
used in India since the dawn of civilization. It offers a tremendous
variety. As regards the standards of hygiene and cooking, they are
very high. Beef and pork are taboos in India. A Hindu cannot imagine
eating beef and a Muslim eating pork. The cow is sacred to a Hindu
and a pig profane and repulsive to a Musalman.
“Curry” is a universal dish in India and there is curry and curry.
There are scores of ways to prepare curry. It can be made with
anything-vegetables, meat, fish and eggs. The basic formula consists
in frying and cooking the main contents in ghee or vegetable fat,
with ground spices.
Besides a wide range of vegetarian curries, there are several
delicious varieties of chicken, mutton and egg curries. In the north
murg masala, biryani, korma, kababas, pulao are some of the
best-known non-veg. Dishes. Pulao can be either sweet or salty. Dal,
chutneys, pickles and curd with vegetable curries are part of almost
every meal. Like curries, the chutneys and pickles have a great
variety. Chapaties or puries and paranthas, the fried version of
chapaties, and rice are common to most of the meals.
South Indian meals are rice-based. Rice is used invariably in
preparing Idlis and Dosas. These are served hot with freshly made
chutneys and sambar. Otherwise also rice is a staple diet in south.
Dosa is a crisp rice pancake served piping hot, and idli is a soft
rice patty steamed in a special vessel. In West Bengal also rice is
the main stay of a meal. Fish appears more frequently in the menus
both of east and south India.
But Indian food is not just curries. There is much more to it.
Indian sweets are legion. Malai ladoo, barfi, kheer, rajbhog,
rasgolla, rabree, kalakand, sandesh are some of the best-known milk
recipes. Then there are halva, jalebi, firni, gulab jamun and
coconut burfi. The snacks include chat, pakoras, samosas and papads.
There are numerous drinks to choose from. You can have freshly
prepared or bottled fruit juice, nimbu pani, lassi (butter milk),
tea, coffee or a cola, coconut milk straight from green coconut is
both refreshing and tasting and is available in plenty in the south
and coastal regions. Desserts and drinks offer unlimited varieties
to suit every taste and pocket.
Pan or tamdul (betel leaf) after a sumptuous meal is worth trying.
Pan is a betel leaf spread with caustic lime and catechu pastes and
stuffed with pieces of areca nut, cardamom, and other spices. It is
slightly intoxicating, pungent, aromatic, carminative, aphrodisiac
and antacid.
WAY OF LIVING
Indian
society presents an infinite variety of human existence, and
reflects almost all the imaginable bases of differentiation and
their peaceful co-existence. Indian wisdom never felt the necessity
to make these diverse strands conform to a single set of practices,
beliefs, customs and faiths. But one cannot fail to notice the
underlying unity in diversity rooted in common cultural traditions.
This diversity is a real strength of India as a nation. This has
been proved time and again. India rose as one nation in spite of
many ness against the British and won independence. The same single
ness and purpose of nationalism was again evident, when India rose
and defended herself successfully in 1962 against the Chinese
aggression, and in 1965 against Pakistan attacks.
Family is the most important social unit. The oldest living male
progenitor heads a joint family, but due to modern urbanization and
rapid industrialization, the joint family system is under great
strain, and the conjugal family of husband, wife and children is
becoming a common feature. There are matrilineal family systems also
in some regions, but the overwhelming majority of Indian families
are patriarchal and patrilineal. The family descent is reckoned
through the males and brides are brought into the family. A marriage
has always been one of the most significant events in the life of a
Hindu. Marriages are still arranged by parents and civil marriages
are only exceptions, especially in rural areas. The urban educated
people do not feel so custom-bound and there is a good number of
love and civil marriages. Modern youth in the cities likes to choose
his or her life partner. The political independence and the impact
of modern scientific education have greatly enhanced this sense of
personal freedom in such matters as marriage. Among upper class
Hindus dowry system is still in vogue, while in many lower classes
bride price is in practice. Mass marriages are also performed. Most
of the men and women meet for the first time on their wedding day,
but the educated young men and women in the cities meet many times
before the occasion of marriage. Intercaste marriages are there but
few and far between. An Indian marriage is not only a bond between
two persons, but it also forms a bridge between two families.
Marriages are arranged through personal and family contacts,
matchmakers, marriage-agents and newspaper matrimonial.
INDIAN COSTUMES
Indian
costumes are both varied and colourful. Their limitless variety is
almost entirely determined by the climatic and working conditions of
the people in different regions. The successive invading races and
rulers introduced their own styles of dresses, for example, the
Mughals introduced achkans and churidar pyjamas, and the British
their shirts, coats, pants and ties. But women generally wear saris
and cholis or blouses. Some women like to wear salwar and kameez.
Men in rural areas wear dhoti-kurta and women ghagharas in
combination with cholis. The sari and the dhoti are universal but
their length and styles of wearing differ from province to province.
In ancient India men and women dressed much alike and both wore
jewellery. Ancient Indian sculpture and paintings give a very good
idea of costumes of those times. They dressed themselves in two
length of clothes. The women of north-eastern provinces of India
still wear a colourful two-piece costumes, a lower piece and an
upper garment.
Indian dresses are generally of cotton. Cotton keeps warm in winter
and cool in summer. Cotton wears are comfortable, cheap, easily
washable and most suited to Indian climatic conditions. Cotton has
been in use in India from times immemorial. Cotton was also known to
the ancient Greeks and the Egyptians. The Greek and Latin names for
cotton make an interesting comparison with Sanskrit ‘karpas’. India
is said to be the home of cotton. Indian muslins have been famous
all over the world for their fineness, and a sari would pass through
a ring. Indian silks woven with gold threads, so exclusive in the
exquisite craftsmanship have also been very famous. And Kashmere
‘pashmina’ has remained a craze all over the globe since Napoleon
presented such a shawl to the empress, Josephine. Indian silks and
pashmina are truly so exquisite and exalted, but Indian cotton
lengths are no less to drape your person in timeless tradition,
comfort, colours and pristine glory.
STATE AND CONSTITUTION
India, a union of states is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic
Republic, and has a parliamentary form of Government. The
Constitution of the Indian Republic came into force with effect from
January 26, 1950. The Indian Constitution is federal in structure
but has many unitary features. The President of India is the
constitutional head of the executive of the Union. There is a
Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head to help and
advise the President. The real executive power vests in the Council
of Ministers with the Prime Minister as the head. The Council of
Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People,
i.e., Lok Sabha. Similarly, in the States, the Governor heads the
executive but it is really the Council of Ministers with Chief
Minister as the head in whom the real executive power vests. The
Chief Minister along with his Council of Ministers is collectively
responsible to the legislative assembly of the state.
The Indian Republic comprises of 28 States and 7 Union Territories.
The Constitution provides for a single and uniform citizenship for
the whole India, and also
guarantees
some basic freedoms and rights called the Fundamental Rights, which
are justiciable. The Indian Constitution also enumerates some
fundamental duties. These enjoin upon a citizen, among other things,
to abide by the Constitution, to cherish and follow the noble ideas
which inspired the national struggle for freedom, to defend the
country and render a national service when called upon to do so and
to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all
the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional
or section diversities.
The Constitution also lays down certain Directive Principles of
State Policy, which though not justifiable, are fundamental in the
governance of the country.
The system of Government both at the Centre and in States is based
on adult suffrage whereby all citizens of India of 18 years of age
and not disqualified under the Constitution have the right to be
registered as voters in any election. The number of electors on the
electoral rolls in the beginning of 1984 was 38.50 crores
approximately. The first general election on the basis of adult
suffrage was held in 1951-52.
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ROYAL WAY INDIA
THE LAND OF DREAMS AND
ROMANCE
