Things you didn't know about India

India is a country of immense variety, fascinating cultures, epic scenery, and a thousand and one things to see and do. If you are planning on taking a trip to India, we can hardly blame you. To help you prepare for your journey, or to get you inspired before your tailor-made India holiday, we have put together a handful of facts and stats about India. If you are just starting your love affair with India, this guide might introduce you to some things you didn’t know and will surely build your excitement for experiencing what the nation has to offer.

India is home to two million Hindu temples

India is a dominantly Hindu country, something that many know, with nearly 80 percent of the country practising this ancient religion. But were you aware that India is home to two million Hindu temples? It’s a staggering number but speaks to the faith and spirituality that permeates the country.

For visitors, regardless of their personal faith, it means that there is a vast collection of these incredible temples to visit, providing for a fascinating insight into local life and a look at the country’s history. The temples themselves are a truly stunning sight, some dating back more than a thousand years.

The Asiatic lion survives only in India today

India has some truly incredible wildlife, being home to the likes of tigers, elephants, and rhinos. It’s a truly unique location, with some species today only surviving because of India. This is the case with the Asiatic lion, a beautiful creature that can’t be found today anywhere but in India. Having recovered from near extinction, there are only 600 left in the world, living in India’s Gir Forest.

If you want to get a glimpse of Asiatic lions for yourself when in India, a trip to Gir National Park is the way to do it. Seema, from the travel blog, Take Off With Me, has been to Gir National Park and describes what else visitors can look forward to:

“The main attraction of the Gir National Park is the Asiatic lion, as it is the only place in the world where they exist now. Besides these beautiful creatures, the visitors can spot 2,375 other types of fauna in the Sasan Gir. The most spectacular and popular species include Indian leopards (more than 300), striped hyenas, crocodiles, cobras, reindeer, sambar, jackal, fox, vultures, Indian mongoose, wild boar, porcupine, Monitor lizard, jungle cats, eagle, owl, and many more rare species. All in all, the wildlife lovers are in for a memorable experience in the densely forested hills, plateaus, and valleys of the Gir forest.”

READ ALSO: Animals in India: A Simple (But Complete) Guide

India has more vegetarians than any other country

If you are a vegetarian and want to visit India, you are in luck. India has more vegetarians than any country in the world. Due to cultural and religious beliefs, it is thought that up to 30% of the country is vegetarian, with the next highest countries only reaching 5%. All of this means that you certainly won’t struggle to find some incredibly tasty, non-meat-based dishes when you visit.

Alyson, from the travel blog, World Travel Family, really enjoys the vegetarian dishes India has to offer: “Indian cuisine is one of my own world favourites, I prefer the light vegetarian dishes of the south, my husband (the chef) enjoys the heavier, meatier dishes of the north. These northern dishes are the dishes you’ll be more familiar with from western Indian restaurants and one of the joys of travelling around India is observing how regional foods change.”

Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities

India has an ancient history, with so much to discover during a trip to the country. One of the best ways of doing so is visiting Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest consciously inhabited cities. People have been living in the holy city of Varanasi, which sits on the banks of the River Ganges in Uttar Pradesh, since 1000 BC. Believed to have been the home to Lord Shiva, millions of pilgrims visit Varanasi, and its tourism is underpinned by its incredible artisanship. It’s a very picturesque city, home to 19 archaeological sites, 23,000 temples, and the Ghats – embankment steps along the river where pilgrims perform ritual cleansing. 

Anna, from the travel blog Global Gallivanting, has been to Varanasi and shares the following insight: “There are many things to do in Varanasi but the best way to understand this city is simply to walk along the ghats and also take time to explore the atmospheric, chaotic, winding lanes of the old city to soak up this unique city. You’ll see wandering cows, tiny shops, colourful bazaars, local life, smoking sadhus (holy men) and maybe even a funeral procession in the narrow streets.”

There is no national language in India

Due to the size of India and its many regions and cultures, there is actually no national language recognised. However, there are official languages as stipulated by the country’s constitution and which are used in India’s parliament: Hindi and English. All in all, there are 22 languages recognised across India, with each state having the power to specify its own tongue. For example, on a Kerala holiday you will find the official language to be Malayalam, but on a holiday in Rajasthan, the people will be speaking Hindi.

If you don’t fancy learning Hindi or another of the local languages ahead of your trip, you can take some comfort in knowing that India is home to the second highest number of English speakers in the world, behind the United States. In India, English is spoken as a second language by 105,455,385 people and as a third language by 60,983,087 people according to a census.

READ ALSO: Quick guide to accommodation in India

India is home to the world’s largest gathering of people

India is home to many beautiful and vibrant festivals, important to the country’s culture. But did you know that India has a festival that is so large it can be seen from space? Called Kumbh Melah, this Hindu festival and pilgrimage is the world’s largest gathering of people, with a world record of 50 million people gathering in 2019. The festival is celebrated four times over the course of a 12-year cycle at four riverbank sites and is marked by a ritual dip in the waters. Kumbh Melah is a celebration of community with fairs, education, religious discourse, entertainment and mass feedings of the poor.

India contains the wettest place on Earth

India might be known for its soaring temperatures, but it is also home to the wettest place on Earth. The town of Mawsynram in northern India’s Meghalaya state, is officially the wettest place on the planet, beating out the nearby town of Cherrapunji. Mawsynram receives 11,871mm of rainfall every year, with the local people resorting to using grass soundproofing in their homes to drown out the deafening sound of rain during monsoon season.

The humid monsoon season lasts from June to September in India, making late October to March generally the best time to visit the country on holiday when you can expect dry, sunny, and relatively cooler temperatures. 

70% of the world’s spices come from India

India is by far the largest producer of spices in the world, with 70% coming from India alone. Turmeric, cumin, and saffron are among three of the best-known Indian spices but there’s a good chance if you are enjoying spice in your food, it has its roots in India. You can of course experience the amazing tastes of India by sitting down to some local cuisine during your trip, but you can also consider visiting one of the country’s spice plantations or farms.

Tiffany, from the travel blog A Girl and Her Passport, has visited one of these locations during her time in Goa, sharing: “I had no idea what to expect. It sounded interesting, so I figured why not! It turned out to be one of the most fascinating tours I have ever been on.” Tiffany got an insight into India’s spice production, enjoyed a tour of the farm, played a spice smelling game, and even saw local animals. She adds: “If you are visiting Goa, I highly recommend visiting a spice farm. It was very educational and beautiful.”

Facts and stats about India

·       India is home to two million Hindu temples

·       The Asiatic lion survives only in India today

·       India has more vegetarians than any other country

·       Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities

·       There is no national language in India

·       India is home to the world’s largest gathering of people

·       India contains the wettest place on Earth

·       70% of the world’s spices come from India

If these fascinating facts about India have gotten you inspired for a future trip, we at Harji’s India would love to help you plan your holiday. We are the India travel experts and can create a tailor-made adventure for you that covers everything you would love to see and experience.

For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.