AMAZING FACTS ABOUT INDIA THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
India is located in the south of Asia, and is a country full of incredible destinations for you to visit. Whether you want to visit the majestic Taj Mahal, hike through the Indian Himalayas or eat your way through the many types of mouth watering curry; there is something for everyone. India also has plenty of wildlife, and lots of national parks you can visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger. If this country isn’t on your bucket list yet, then it should be. Here are 15 amazing facts about India that you should know before you start planning your trip!
1. INDIA HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST POPULATION IN THE WORLD
India currently has the second highest population in the world, with China having the highest. Each with a population of over 10 million.
In 1951 India became the first developing country to start a family planning program. Since then, India’s population has quadrupled. Current projections by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs estimates that the country’s population will reach 1.5 billion by 2030, and 1.64 billion in 2050.
2. COWS ARE CONSIDERED SACRED IN INDIA
Hinduism is one of the major religions in India, and is the reason why cows are considered to be sacred in this country. Cows are believed to be holy in Hinduism, and so they are protected, honoured and treated with respect.
3. THE CITY OF VARANASI IS BELIEVED TO BE ONE OF THE OLDEST LIVING CITIES IN THE WORLD
With a population of over 1 million people, Varanasi dates back to 11BC. India’s oldest city sits on the Ganges River where Hindu pilgrims travel to bathe in the sacred water and to perform traditional funerals. Found along the river are over 2,000 temples including the famous Golden Temple. Once a bustling trading city, Varanasi is now a hugely popular tourist destination with millions of people from all over the world visiting every year.
4. INDIA IS HOME TO THE FAMOUS HOLI FESTIVAL
The Holi Festival is a Hindu festival that takes place over two days. It originated in India and celebrates love, spring and new life. During the first day of Holi, people gather around a bonfire to celebrate good triumphing over evil. The second day of the festival is the one most people will know, and includes lots of colourful perfumed powder, paint, water pistols and balloons. People launch all these things at each other in the streets, which ultimately creates a colour bloodbath. Over the course of the two days, the festival celebrates the legend of Holika and Prahland, and the Hindu god Krishna.
5. WHEN FINISHED, THE CHENAB BRIDGE WILL BE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD
The Chenab bridge is found in the Jammu and Kashmir area of India, and crosses over the river Chenab. Once finished the total length of Chenab bridge will be 1,315m, and the height will be a whopping 359m; making it the highest railway bridge in the world.
