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India is a civilization so ancient and rich that it has attracted travellers, traders and conquerors from time immemorial. A sub continent that calls itself a nation but speaks more than 15 different languages, follows a multitude of faiths, is home to the oldest living city in the world and is one of the few developing nations that has an advanced space programme….India is incredible! We, at New Indian Voyages take you on journeys to the incredible, the beautiful, the exotic, the healing, the wild, the enigma that is India.

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Travellers Tools » Travel Guide Know India

India is a civilization so ancient and rich that it has attracted travellers, traders and conquerors from time immemorial. India which introduced the occident to silk and spices, presented them with the’zero’ and vedic mathematics, has one of the most ancient texts-the Vedas, given the world one of the largest and perhaps the most peace loving religions – Buddhism, practices Hinduism in majority, is home to millions of Muslims and Christians, is the land of turbaned Sikhs and has offered refuge to Jews, Parsis and many others through the centuries. Politically the region of strategic importance as it lies at the fringe of oil rich nations and the new economic dragons of south east asia.

Major International Airports Delhi (North), Bombay or Mumbai (West), Chennai or Madras(South east), Cochin (South west) and Calcutta(East).

Currency Indian Rupee

Languages Hindi and English and 15 different regional languages

Geographically, India expanses from sea level to beyond 8000metres.The whole area from the Himalayas upto the Vindhyas is loosely termed as North India. With the snow capped mountains in the north, the fertile Gangetic plains nurtured by the mighty river Ganga, the ravines of river Chambal ,the marble banks of river Narmada, the Thar desert to the west with its unique architecture in sandstone, The breathtaking beauty of the north east with is tribes of indigenous people is spellbinding. Northern India is really mosaic of culture and people. Home to the famous Taj Mahal, a monument in marble symbolizing eternal love, North India has many heritage sites, including the Stupas of Buddhist era, temples cut out of sheer rock faces with meditation chambers(Ajanta & Ellora), the Sun temple designed like a chariot(Konark), Hawa mahal of Jaipur – a multistoreyed palace with filigreed façade from where the womenfolk of the royal family could watch stately processions.

The land is also endowed with Nature’s wonders and boasts of rich flaura and fauna. The Gir forest reserve is the last recluse of the Asiatic lion, Manas and Kaziranga reserves shelters the one horned rhino, the Indian wild ass roams free in the salty wastes of Gulf of Kutchch and the white tigers are the pride of Ranthambore. India’s effort to protect the endangered species under the umbrella project, Project Tiger, has been a grand success. The many tiger reserves spread across the country are a testimony to this. Of these, Corbett national Park, Kanha – Kisli and Sunderbans are the more widely known. Migratory birds also come to India from as far as Siberia to nest at Chilka Lake in Orissa or in the Gulf of Kutchch. Northern India also enthuses the adventurous with ample facilities for skiing(Auli), white water rafting (Upper Ganga), rock climbing and mountaineering (Himalayas), hang gliding and bungee jumping, Trekking and mountain biking, cave exploring and making desert expeditions. The cuisine of north India is a blend of Persian, mughal and indigenous cuisine. Indian cuisine is famous for the variety of vegetarian dishes and has many spicy non vegetarian dishes.

South India is the land to the south of Vindhyas right upto the Indian Ocean. The southern states are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. These except for Pondicherry have a similar Dravidian culture. The cuisine is also different with rice as staple diet. Tha area occupies parts of Deccan Plateau to the North and Mountainous tracts of Western and Eastern Ghats bordering the coastline on either side of the peninsula. Fine silks, wooden, brass and bronze handicrafts are some of the attractions. It is also known for spices, tea, coffee and cashews. The temple architecture and other monuments are a must see.The classical arts be it dance or music and folk arts of this region has been appreciated worldwide and people from different countries learn these here from the masters of the art. Ayurveda also attracts many to the southern state of Kerala. The area also has some dense forests with rich flora and fauna and lakes that attract migratory birds from afar. The tropical rain forests of south India are home to many endangered and endemic species of plants and animals.

East India is again different from the rest of the country. Earlier eastern India was the seat of powerful dynasties. Even the colonial British ruled the country from the eastern metro Calcutta before they moved capital to Delhi. The culture of this area is different ,so is the cuisine which uses mustard oil to fry and season.The rich heritage of the area comprising Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal reflects in the monuments like Konark temple, the Buddhist viharas of Dhaulagiri and Bodhgaya. The large fertile plains support an economy that is essentially agrarian. Unlike the south, the temples in this are have flatter structures. Classical art forms and folk arts and handicrafts of the region are unique. It is the home of great thinkers and renowned scientists like Vivekananda and J.C. Bose.

Western India is a riot of colour and festivity. The states of Gujrat, Maharashtra, Goa and the Union territory of Daman & Diu make up the region that has the thar desert to the north, the Arabian coast to the west and parts of Chambal ravines and Deccan plateau to the east and south. The area also has commercial and industrialized hubs remains untouched in greater parts. The folkarts, festivals and carnivals are major attractions here. The vibrant culture supports a rich handicrafts industry. It also has some great forts and nice living architecture. The plateau slowly merging with the mountainous Ghats supports a peculiar type of forest and the place has some good hill stations. Goa with mesmerizing beaches, with western influence and colour is a tourist hot spot. Gujrat with its riot of colourful handicrafts and garments also is a hit with the tourist.

India has two group of islands- Lakshadweep which is coral in nature(Arabian Sea) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands which are volcanic in nature(Bay of Bengal). Lakshadweep offers quiet stretches of golden beaches with provision of water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling. Andamans have thick tropical forests with indigeneous tribes on some islands, still unknown to civilised world. It has civilized habitation on some islands and remnants of colonial past on few.

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