What Is India Known For?

India may not be a popular TEFL destination but it is most certainly a trendy tourist destination. That being said, many visitors to India don’t look further than the beaches of Goa, the markets of Delhi or the River Ganges for their Indian adventure. Beyond that, what is India known for? With such a big country to explore it’s no wonder that some of its best-kept secrets go undiscovered – but no more! India has so much to offer, and we’d hate for you to miss out so here are the things India is famous for that you need to experience when visiting this special country.

Lights, camera, action!

Move over Hollywood, Bollywood is making its mark. The Indian movie industry which was started in Mumbai in the 1930s now boasts over a thousand movies released every year. With movies as long as a marathon and filled with endless songs and dances, Bollywood stars are cult celebrities. 

A melting pot

India is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. With more than 1.3 billion people scattered over 28 states, India is home to a number of different religious and spiritual groups, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Buddhism. 

Sign language

India has 22 official languages, but more than 400 languages are spoken daily all around the country. Of course it’s difficult to draw a line between languages and dialects but you get the picture. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. When you get to India you’ll find yourself trying to interpret not only the language but also the various hand gestures and body language Indians naturally use. Shaking their heads, flicking their wrists and pointing their thumbs are just a few ways Indians express themselves without words. 

Howzat?!

Take a walk around the streets of any city in India and you’re bound to see gangs of children playing cricket together. It’s the unofficial official sport of India (hockey is the official national sport) and if you’re not watching it on TV you’re playing it, which is not surprising considering the strength of the Indian cricket side and the caliber of some of their cricket players. 

And relax…

You may know that many yogis and yoga-lovers go to India to practise their art but you may not realise that India is actually the birthplace of yoga. If you’re interested in yoga you should look into attending one of the many famous yoga retreats – from a peaceful beach retreat in Goa to a sweaty retreat in the desert of Jaipur, there’s a yoga retreat for whatever kind of yogi you are. 

…or would you  rather party?

If you’re looking for a party then India is the place to be. With so many different cultures, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that India celebrates a vast number of festivals every year. Some of the more well-known festivals include Christmas, Diwali, Holi and Eid-al-Fitr. 

A recipe for success

How can we not mention the food? Indian food is loved all over the world, but you need to come to India to experience the authentic tastes that has made this country’s cuisine so famous. Curries, kebabs, kathi rolls, lassis…the list is endless so your tummy may thank you but your wallet might not. And don’t forget to try the food from the street vendors! 

The Taj Mahal

No list would be complete without mentioning the Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is one of the most romantic love stories of all time and truly a sight to behold. Made of marble and sandstone and inlaid with precious and semi-precious stones, it is most magical at dawn or dusk. 

India is a huge country that is well worth exploring. No matter how often you visit or how long you stay there, you’ll still find new surprises to discover around every corner.