India has over 1.4 billion people, making it the world’s second most populous country. It manages to make it onto every traveler’s bucket list due to its timeless beauty and intriguing culture. From the majestic forts of Rajasthan and the stunning landscapes of Meghalaya to the snow-capped mountains of Kashmir and the idyllic backwaters of Kerala, the vast diversity of landscapes, history, traditions, festivals, and cuisine is sure to pique your interest. The truth is that you can never learn enough about India, but one shouldn’t stop trying.
Discover some fascinating facts about India that you probably hadn’t heard of. These fascinating facts only scratch the surface of India’s rich history, culture, and achievements. But it will give you a get more in-depth look at the country and help you better understand its culture, people, and chaos.
1). Varanasi is the Oldest Surviving city in the World
Varanasi is believed to be one of the world’s most ancient inhabited cities. The holy city, also known as Benares or Kashi, is said to be 3000 years old. According to mythology, the place was once the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Located on the banks of the Ganges, the visually stunning city holds great significance for both tourists and devout Hindus. The ancient town has over 2000 temples and 100 ghats. Many devout Hindus travel to Varanasi to experience its divinity, bathe in the Ganges, and perform traditional funerals. They also prefer to spend their final days in this city in order to achieve salvation.
9). Not every Indian is a Vegetarian
India is widely perceived as a vegetarian country, but only about 30-40% of the population is vegetarian. An amazing variety of non-vegetarian food is available in all parts of India. It does, however, have the world’s largest vegetarian population. The vegetarian lifestyle is so widespread that even global food chains like KFC and McDonald’s have to offer a large veg menu to cater to the locals. Vegetarianism in India is mostly driven by religion (Hinduism and Jainism).
3). Hinduism is the World’s Oldest Religion
The official religion of India is Hinduism, the world’s oldest and third-largest religion. As nearly 80% of Indians are Hindu, it comes to 1 billion people. Hinduism has been documented as far back as 5500 BC. Hinduism has no known founder, but it thrived as soon as Vedic philosophies emerged around 1500 to 500 BC. Contrary to popular belief, Hinduism is not pure polytheism…
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