Indian Culture

Religion in India

84% of Indians consider themselves to be Hindu. Hinduism is divided into four major sects C Shiva, Varnish, Shakteya, and Smarta. Dharma (the universal truth), ahimsa (nonviolence), and karma are the pivotal concepts in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

India is a land of ancient traditions and religious practices. Both Hinduism and Buddhism began in India and today are the third and fourth-largest religions in the world. 

Great Hindu Epics

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the world and was written by Vyasa, a sage and also a major character inside the poem. This story is thought to have taken place sometime between 400 and 100 BCE.

The Ramayana

The Ramayana is the other epic poem. This one was composed by Valmiki between 500 and 100 BCE. The epic tells the story of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, whose life is a representation of fulfilling one dharma, or moral code.

Festivals in India

Festivals are one of the most striking examples of how religion influences Indian culture. India is especially famous for its number of festivals that take place throughout the year.

Each region of the country also has its own unique festivals. In India, it can be said that every week there is a major festival going on somewhere.

Language

India has 28 states and seven territories, according to the World Health Organization. There is no official language in India, according to a Gujarat High Court ruling in 2010, though Hindi is the official language of the government. The Constitution of India officially recognizes 23 official languages. 

Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-European language usually referred to in action movies, came from Northern India

Food

When the Moghul Empire invaded during the sixteenth century, they left a significant mark on the Indian cuisine, according to Texas A&M University. Indian cuisine is also influenced by many other countries. It is known for its large assortment of dishes and its liberal use of herbs and spices. Cooking styles vary from region to region.

Wheat, Basmati rice and pulses with chana (Bengal gram) are important staples of the Indian diet. The food is rich with curries and spices, including ginger, coriander, cardamom, turmeric, dried hot peppers, and cinnamon, among others. Chutneys — thick condiments and spreads made from assorted fruits and vegetables such as tamarind and tomatoes and mint, cilantro and other herbs — are used generously in Indian cooking.

Indian Dress

One of the most remarkable features of Indian apparel is the ingenious way in which a simple length of unstitched cloth is used.

Long pieces of cloth are often gracefully draped as a sari which is a long dress that covers the right shoulder and is tied around the waist with the pleats tucked into an underskirt

 Indian Architecture

India is well known for its film industry, which is often referred to as Bollywood. The country's movie history began in 1896 when the Lumière brothers demonstrated the art of cinema in Mumbai, according to the Golden Globes. Today, the films are known for their elaborate singing and dancing. 

Indian architecture is unique and easily recognizable. The most well-known example being the incredible Taj Mahal which is a mausoleum that was built by the emperor Shan Jahan to honor his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This impressive construction blends elements from various architectural styles including Islamic, Persian, Turkish, and Indian.

Indian Music

Deeply embedded in Indian society, music is divided into two classical forms: the Carnatic, mostly played in the southern regions, and the Hindustani. Indian classical music has been heavily influenced by Hindus texts such as the Samaveda.

Modern Indian music is often a mixture of folk, rock, and pop.

Greetings of India

Though English is widely spoken and understood in India, most Indians are delighted and appreciative when a visitor attempts to speak their language. The traditional way to say hello in Hindi is Namaste (pronounced: nam-as-stay). Namaste can be used at any time of day and is sometimes spoken as Namaskar or Namaskaram.