India
is filled with cultural depth, everyday surprises and remarkable
details many travellers never discover. Explore intriguing insights
and fascinating facts that reveal the country’s vibrant traditions,
rich history and unique character.
• India has a polling station set up for a single voter in the Gir Forest — a tradition maintained every election.
• The wettest inhabited place on Earth, Mawsynram, is in India, receiving more than 11 metres of rain a year.
• The country is home to the world’s largest vegetarian population, shaped by culture, faith and tradition.
• India has a floating post office on Dal Lake in Srinagar, complete with its own museum.
• In some parts of Meghalaya, villagers build “living bridges” from intertwined tree roots that strengthen over decades.
• India invented the number zero — one of the most important concepts in mathematics.
• The world’s first university, Takshashila (700 BC), taught more than 60 subjects to over 10,000 students.
• Ayurveda, one of the oldest holistic medical systems, originated in India over 5,000 years ago.
• Indian engineers built the world’s highest railway bridge, the Chenab Bridge, taller than the Eiffel Tower.
• India is the first country to reach Mars on its first attempt with the Mangalyaan mission.
• Public displays of affection are often frowned upon and can attract unwanted attention in conservative areas.
• Cows are considered sacred in many states, and harming them is illegal in several regions.
• It is customary to remove shoes before entering homes, temples and some shops.
• Many states enforce dry days where alcohol cannot be sold, especially on religious festivals or election days.
• Dressing modestly in rural areas is a sign of respect for local customs.
• Mahatma Gandhi inspired global civil rights movements and remains one of history’s most influential figures.
• Rabindranath Tagore was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Sachin Tendulkar, known as the ‘God of Cricket’, holds countless world records and a near-mythic status.
• A.R. Rahman, the Oscar-winning composer, introduced Indian music to global audiences.
• Mother Teresa, though born in Albania, made India her lifelong home and mission.
• India has every type of landscape — deserts, mountains, tropics, plains, islands and snowy peaks.
• The Thar Desert is one of the world’s most populated deserts, home to colourful cities and vibrant festivals.
• The Himalayas protect India from cold Central Asian winds, helping create its tropical climate.
• India has 7,500 km of coastline, including the untouched beaches of the Andaman Islands.
• Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
• India has over 22 official languages and hundreds of regional dialects.
• Joint family living remains common, with several generations under one roof.
• Cricket is almost a national religion, with match days turning cities into festivals.
• Weddings are major cultural events, often lasting several days with elaborate rituals and celebrations.
• Street food culture is a vibrant part of daily life, differing dramatically from state to state.
• Namaste, with palms pressed together, is a traditional greeting symbolising respect.
• Many homes burn incense or use marigolds for auspicious beginnings.
• Classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak trace back thousands of years.
• Festivals such as Holi and Diwali transform entire cities with colour and light.
• Spices such as cardamom, turmeric and cumin form the backbone of everyday cooking.
• The Indus Valley Civilisation is one of the world’s earliest urban cultures, older than Ancient Egypt.
• The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, taking over 20 years to complete.
• The ancient stepwells of Gujarat and Rajasthan were engineered masterpieces of water management.
• India was a major centre of the global spice trade for over 2,000 years.
• Many forts, palaces and temples are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, reflecting layers of history and empire.
• The Himalayas include Kanchenjunga, one of the world’s tallest mountains.
• Hampi’s ancient ruins cover more than 25 square kilometres of boulders, temples and forgotten kingdoms.
• The Sundarbans host the world’s largest mangrove forest and the iconic Bengal tiger.
• The Golden Temple in Amritsar serves free meals to up to 100,000 visitors a day.
• The Lonar Crater in Maharashtra was formed by a meteor strike over 50,000 years ago.
• India has the world’s second-largest population.
• Over 1 billion meals are cooked daily in Indian households.
• The Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest human gathering.
• India grows more spices than any other country.
• Mumbai’s dabbawalas deliver millions of lunchboxes with incredible accuracy.
• The country has the world’s largest film industry by output.
• The Indian Railways employs more than a million people.
• India has the most postal offices in the world.
• Goa was a Portuguese colony for over 450 years.
• India is one of the world’s top tea producers.
• The national emblem is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka.
• India’s national bird is the peacock, symbolising grace and beauty.