Spain is a country of contrasts...
Spain, what do we know about her? In the minds of the average Russian, this is a country of hot men who are fond of football and bullfighting, a country of sun, sand and warm sea. But the tourist who, having arrived in Spain, will never leave the resort town and spend the entire vacation on the beach. After all Spain- this is much more than the azure Mediterranean Sea and flamenco for tourists. Spain is the temperate climate of the Basque Country, and the scorching sun of Andalusia, this is agricultural Galicia, and industrial Catalonia, these are buildings from the times of the Roman Empire and the fruits of fantasy modern architects led by Santiago Calatrava, famous for his Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Contrasts of the country in everything: from vegetation and climate, to language and even appearance local population. It is enough to note the fact that in Spain as many as 4 languages have the status of state ones, and if Spanish, Catalan and Galician themselves have a common ancestor - Latin, then the Basque language is completely unlike anything, scientists are still at a loss about the origin of this ancient people and his language. Basques even differ in appearance from typical Spaniards: among them tall blue-eyed blondes. The contrast with the short, stocky, dark, brown-eyed southerners is obvious! It is still very difficult to meet a Russian tourist in the Basque Country, but many Spaniards vacation there, on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. Climate It’s not as hot there as in the Mediterranean, and the places are very picturesque. The most famous local resort is the city of San Sebastian, which is the capital of the annual film festival. Also, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to the Basque town of Pamplona to watch, and the most desperate ones, to take part in the running from the bulls that are allowed through the streets of the city. This event attracts especially many American fans of the work of E. Hemingway, who described this action in one of his novels.
Spain preserves not only the heritage of Christianity. IN Andalusia, which was under the rule of the Moors for almost 8 centuries, many masterpieces of Muslim architecture have been preserved. This is the Mezquita Mosque in Cordoba, from which, after the expulsion of Muslims, they made a Christian cathedral; this is the Seville Giralda minaret, converted into a bell tower at the monumental Cathedral, this is the former Arab quarter of Albaicin in Granada, but authentic pearl of Andalusia- this is the Alhambra Palace, the residence of the emirs of Granada; its oriental elegant courtyards and fountains, as well as the Generalife gardens located in the Alhambra, amaze many travelers with their splendor and majesty.
Castile also preserves many monuments. The medieval capital of Spain, Toledo, amazes with the severity of its Gothic architecture, no matter how you remember that it was here that the Inquisition was born. Sunny and cheerful Valencia In recent years, it has become a platform for architectural experiments - it was here that the research and exhibition complex City of Science and Art was erected according to the futuristic project of Santiago Calatrava and Felix Candela.
Madrid as befits a capital, it is elegant and luxurious. Wide squares, beautiful fountains, baroque buildings, mostly bought up large banks, the Royal Palace, the monument to Cervantes and his immortal heroes, the Prado Museum - to properly enjoy all the charm of this city you need not a day or two.
And finally, speaking of Spain, we can’t forget about the beauty Barcelona. This Mediterranean port city will captivate you at first sight. And how can one remain indifferent to the Barcelona Arbat - the Ramblas, which descends directly to the sea, to the fruits of the imagination of the brilliant architect Antonio Gaudi, who violated all accepted ideas about form and space, to the splendor of the Singing Fountains, to the charm of the narrow streets of the ancient Gothic Quarter, to the wide the avenues of the Eixample quarter, where each intersection marks not a quadrangular, but a hexagonal square, to the view of the city from Mount Montjuïc, on which the Olympic venues built for the Summer Games 1992. Barcelona the city is modern, cosmopolitan, it is a city of business skyscrapers and cramped bars, which are filled with crowds of people in the evenings, it is a city of fashion boutiques, and crazy fans of the football club of the same name. This is a city, a piece of which will forever remain in your heart.
Seville is the #1 tourist destination in 2018, according to Lonely Planet
The capital of Andalusia topped the list of the 10 best cities in the world to travel to in 2018, published by Lonely Planet, the largest international travel guide and travel portal.
Lonely Planet experts noted the rich historical and cultural heritage Seville, as well as the city's developed infrastructure, which has undergone numerous positive changes over the course of recent years.
The city also hosts a number of cultural events and unique exhibitions dedicated to the 400th anniversary of the great artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, born in Seville.
Additional interest in the city is caused by the holding of the 31st European Film Festival in Seville in 2018, as well as the filming of some scenes of the famous series Game of Thrones, which took place in the capital of Andalusia.
Spanish restaurants receive new Michelin stars
On November 22 at The-Ritz Carlton Abama, Tenerife, the new winners of the legendary Red Guide stars for Spanish and Portuguese fine dining restaurants were announced during the Michelin Gala Dinner. The list of restaurants with 3 Michelin stars was supplemented by ABaC in Barcelona and Aponiente in the city of Cadiz in southern Spain. Thus, in the Kingdom there are 11 restaurants awarded 3 Michelin stars.
The list of Spanish restaurants with 2 Michelin stars has also increased - it includes 4 more restaurants in different regions of Spain. 17 more restaurants in Spain have received 1 Michelin star
Feast of the Three Kings
The Day of the Three Kings, or Magi, which ends the New Year and Christmas holidays on January 6, is considered one of the most important and widely celebrated winter holidays throughout Spain.
Traditionally, the celebration of Three Kings Day takes place on January 5th and 6th and is accompanied by numerous street performances, carnival processions and colorful decorations. It is on this day that it is customary for Spanish families to give gifts, and according to tradition, participants in street carnivals and processions hand out sweets to children.
You can take part in the celebrations in almost all cities of Spain, but especially bright and large-scale performances take place in Madrid, Barcelona and the cities of Andalusia.
Literally from the first minutes of tourists’ stay in India, they are bombarded by a waterfall of bright colors of national clothes, the pungent smells of spices and smoking incense, the luxury of ancient temples and the poverty of narrow streets, the diversity of Tantric temples and the silent silence of the Taj Mahal.
The ambivalence of India is manifested in everything: here are unique beaches with the purest sand and warm sea, and crooked streets that are difficult to navigate due to the numerous garbage, and unimaginable colors traditional clothes, and the white silence of the most ancient palaces, and the destroyed temples of ancient kings, and the high-rise modern skyscrapers of the largest business centers, and a unique mixture modern technologies and artisanal manual labor.
India is all about contradictions. There is so much mixed in it that it knocks you down, turns your soul inside out, and then puts everything in its place.
Being one of the most populous countries after its neighbor China, India enjoys the status of a republic. Possessing a large area, it amazes with its natural diversity. Here are the inaccessible and alluring “abodes of snow” Himalayas and the endless Thar Desert with camels and nomads, as well as the unique beaches of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Many rivers originating in the mountains fill their beds during the melting of glaciers and the rainy season and often lead to extensive flooding in some states of the country.
The flora and fauna of India is amazing. Elephants, sacred cows, and numerous dogs calmly walk along the city streets. The crowns of sal and jat trees wave greetings to numerous tourists. Palm trees entwined with vines droop along the many beaches.
However, India is glorified not only by its unique climatic conditions, but a centuries-old culture. Customs, traditions that are frozen in eternity. Here it is impossible to distinguish between the future, present and past. This is a completely different world. A world that shows a person without the embellishment of civilization, without numerous stereotypes, without false masks.
A deeply religious country generously gives the world its culture and centuries-old heritage. Almost the entire population of India are deeply religious people, distinguished by their extraordinary tolerance towards other religions. It is tolerance towards other religions and faiths that makes it possible to see not only centuries-old temples, but also new ones architectural structures. The ancient temples and palaces of India are amazing in their diversity. Here you can find luxurious, huge, and ascetic, strict architectural forms. You can immerse yourself in the brightly colored motley of traditional temples and rest your tired eyes by looking at the dull colors of the numerous cave complexes.
Cuisine, which is part of the oldest Indian culture, occupies a special place in the unique culture of the country. The kitchen is as fancy as this one itself mysterious country. Here bright and spicy dishes are mixed with tender and soft ones, giving amazing taste sensations. Just look at semolina fried with vegetables, or spicy rice with the addition of sweet mango pieces. Like true artists, skilled Indian chefs blend a variety of herbs and spices into their culinary palettes. Here you can find in any dish mustard seeds, cinnamon, ginger, caraway seeds, and many other seeds, plants and herbs that are rarely found in European cuisine. The range of vegetarian cuisine is very widely represented: from lentils with spicy gravy to hot dishes from a special curd cheese- paneer.
It is impossible not to mention the original and colorful Indian holidays. All of them can be symbolically divided into state, celebrated throughout India, regional and religious. Spreading across numerous city streets, the Indian holiday erases the boundaries that exist between people in this country: religious and national. Whirlpool of performances, classic Indian dances, a riot of colors of national clothes, abundant illumination - this is what the holiday means in India. Their diversity not only fascinates, allows you to rest and relax, but also attracts many tourists with its hospitality.
India is a country you want to visit. She resonates in every heart oriental fairy tale. Arriving in India, you find yourself captivated by the shrill screams of barkers, the sultry aroma of spices and incense, the mooing of cows and the echoing sounds of mantras, chanted speech and bright faces and colors. It is impossible to escape from this captivity. India, with its contradictions, gently breaks all your existing ideas about the world around you and man’s place in it. Breaks down to show life in all its diversity. India is mysterious, diverse, enchanting, bright and melodious. A country that is just waiting to tell its centuries-old tales to everyone who wants to hear it.
Interesting information about India
India is one of the most amazing countries in the world. It can rightfully be called the most unique and beautiful country in South Asia. Story Indian civilization dates back more than 5000 years. World religions were born here: Buddhism and Hinduism. India is an amazing country, full of colour, life and light. A bunch of interesting places, among which are natural and architectural attractions, breathe history, and seem to be thoroughly permeated with mystery. The energy of these beautiful places so colossal that having visited them once, people get an indelible impression for the rest of their lives.
India is the largest country in South Asia. It has a significant area and a very large population. It is among the top ten countries in the world for these two indicators. The birthplace of ancient Indian culture. On its territory there are many historical and architectural monuments. The modern rapid development of the country contributes to technical progress and improvement in the quality of life of the population, but, by European standards, they are still low. Despite the fact that India is the second most populous country in the world, its territory is three times smaller than that of the United States. Rupees, the Indian national currency, are prohibited for import and export from the country.
India is the second largest English speaking country in the world. In India, almost every state has its own language, so English is considered the national language here. There are about 1650 dialects in India. The number of people who speak English is slightly smaller here than in the US. English language is one of the 22 official languages of India, and a subsidiary official language of the government along with Hindi. Only 10% of Indians speak English, and a small minority speak it as their first language, but in a country with such a large population, you can almost always find someone you can communicate with in it.
India attracts tourists and travelers from all over the world with its beautiful landscapes, a pleasant holiday on sea coast, gorgeous temples and magnificent architectural monuments. For my long history Many attractions were built in this country, which are valuable not only for the Indian people, but are also considered a world heritage. Since ancient times, other peoples have sought to see all the wonders of India with their own eyes.
Each state has its own set of attractions, among which it is easy to find places to suit every taste. Big cities(New Delhi, Mumbai) - megacities, noisy and active. Outback - villages in the jungle, secluded beaches. There is a lot of exoticism in the country, in all spheres of life. Tropical nature, intricate palaces and temples, the Great Ganges and the Indian Ocean, colorful saris and spices. There is almost nothing in India that is familiar to residents of other countries.
In India, in 2010, they created the most luxurious train in the world, called the Maharaja Express (great kings), the route of which runs from Delhi to Mumbai along the most famous places countries. The Maharaja Express is a unique a tourist route, whose guests travel in 5-star conditions.
In India, Holi is celebrated - the festival of spring. On this day, Hindus wish each other happiness by sprinkling the chosen one with colored powder or spices, or dousing them with colored water. Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The holy city of Varanasi was first inhabited more than 3,000 years ago, and Hindus themselves believe that the city is even older and was created more than 5,000 years ago by the deity Shiva. Varanasi is located on the holy spots of the Ganges River. Many Hindus choose to die at this place as they believe it frees one from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh could become the fifth most populous country in the world. The population of Uttar Pradesh is more than 200 million and it more people than in Japan, Mexico and even Russia. This northern state is home to the Taj Mahal and the city of Varanasi, as well as many other attractions including " dead city» Fatehpur Sikri, nature reserves, Bara Imambara building in Lucknow and others.
Stepwells can be found throughout the desert. In the dry climate of northern and western India, water is not always readily available and often has to be extracted from underground. Many stepwells in Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat were carved and decorated like temples with zigzag steps with many tunnels and balconies that lead to the water. Some of the most beautiful step wells are Chand Baori near Jaipur and Ajalaj outside Ahmedabad.
India has the largest sundial in the world. The Jantar Mantar observatory complex in Jaipur and Delhi, built in the 18th century, was once a place where astronomical tables were prepared and the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets were predicted with the naked eye. Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is the largest, and is equipped with 19 architectural astronomical instruments, including the largest sundial in the world. The Delhi observatory is smaller but not as crowded and you can even climb some of the structures. Here you can find strange and unusual post offices.
India has the largest postal system in the world, and here you can find post offices in the most unexpected and unusual places. Thus, in the city of Haikki in the state of Himachal Pradesh, there is the highest post office at an altitude of 4,440 meters. A floating post office can be found on Dal Lake in Kashmir, and in the 70s, some cities were supplied with mobile camel post.
20 sights, beautiful and sacred places India
1.Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is the greatest structure in Agra and is the most famous and popular attraction in India. This majestic mausoleum, covered in beautiful romantic legends, was built in the 17th century by order of Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. This is the huge snow-white tomb of Shah Jahan and his wife. The building is made of rare marble inlaid with semi-precious stones. The structure combines various architectural styles. Its walls are lined with a special type of marble, which seems to change color in different time days. Numerous gems, semi-precious stones, a huge garden with artificial ponds - this is what tourists who decide to visit this place will see. Taj Mahal is considered greatest monument Hindu-Muslim culture. Every year, millions of tourists come to Agra to see this unique Indian attraction with their own eyes. The Taj Mahal has rightfully earned an honorable place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is included in the list of new wonders of the world.
2. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is located in the capital of India. The walls of the building are made of snow-white marble, and its shape resembles a blooming lotus, which is what this attraction owes its name. This is a relatively young temple in New Delhi. It was built in 1986. The Lotus Temple is the main temple of the Bahai religion in India. The building is exceptional in its architectural design, unusually impressive at any time of the day. There is a garden next to the temple. One of the most popular tourist spots in Delhi.
3. Qutub Minar
The Qutub Minar is considered the tallest and oldest minaret on Earth. According to these indicators, he is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Currently, disputes about whether the minaret belongs to Islamic or Hindu culture have not yet subsided. The tower, 72 meters high, is built of brick, decorated with carvings and artistic masonry. You can climb 379 steps to the very top. The minaret consists of five tiers, the lower one with a diameter of 14 meters, and the upper one - 3 meters. The Qutub Minar reflects history medieval architecture in the Indian capital. Its walls are decorated with inscriptions, there are even words holy quran. This minaret was built in Delhi by several generations of sultan rulers. Protected by UNESCO.
4. Hampi
On the banks of the Tungabhadra River, in the north of the Indian state of Karnataka, one of the most interesting places in India is located - the village of Hampi. This Indian settlement lies in the heart of the ruins of the once great city of Vijayanagar. The village consists of several streets and is a stone plateau. The houses are built between giant boulders. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Hampi village every year to enjoy its unprecedented beauty, swim in the Tungabhadra River and climb giant boulders. Now there are the remains of ancient buildings and functioning Hindu temples. In 1986, Hampi Village was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has become an architectural, historical and religious landmark in India. Indeed, in the Hampi region there are 18 ancient architectural and historical monuments.
5. City of Varanasi
The city of Varanasi is the center of the world for Hindus, the most important and revered place by them. Possesses unique story, architecture, everyday life. This is the oldest city in India. It is located on the Ganges River and serves as a place of pilgrimage for many locals and visitors. Ritual actions are performed on the banks.
6. Gateway of India in New Delhi
The India Gate is an architectural monument designed in the form of an arch by the architect Edwing Lutyens. This is a monument to Indian soldiers who died in the First World War. It was opened in 1931. It is located right in the center of the capital. Outwardly it resembles the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The monument is made of sandstone, about 40 meters high. 90 thousand names of the dead are engraved on the walls of the arch. Nearby is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, erected in 1971. Around the memorial is broken big park. At the foot of the monument is burning Eternal flame. It is customary to lay wreaths at this monument in memory of fallen soldiers.
7. Red Fort in Agra
This is a grandiose fortress built of red sandstone. Located in Agra, it is one of the two most significant landmarks in the region. Built by several generations of the Great Mughals, the beginning of construction dates back to mid-16th century century. Inside the impregnable walls there is a whole complex of buildings, palaces and parks. Red Fort of Agra or Akbarabad Palace long years was the residence of Indian rulers and military leaders. The fortress perfectly adorns the banks of the Yamuna River. Agra Fort is a whole ensemble of architectural buildings that are protected by a huge red sandstone wall, 20 meters high and 2.4 kilometers long. Behind the wall there is a deep ditch. It used to be filled with water with crocodiles. In 1983, this Indian landmark was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The fort still plays a significant role.
8. Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's tomb was built on the orders of his widow Hamida Banu Begum in the mid-16th century. The creators of this architectural complex are considered to be the architects Mirak Giyathuddin and his son Said Muhammad. The Humayun Mausoleum is a whole complex of tombs of great Indian rulers and their entourage. The attraction is located in the city of New Delhi, on the banks of the Jumna River. The tomb is made in the best Indo-Islamic traditions. It is the prototype of almost all mausoleums in the world. The building rises 44 meters in height and is crowned with a snow-white marble dome. The complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the best tourist spots in India.
9. Indian Museum
The Indian Museum is considered one of the oldest museums on the planet. Its walls house exhibits from almost all over the world. There is an Egyptian mummy, Buddha-related exhibits such as a Buddhist stupa and Buddha's ashes. The Ashoka Column occupies a place of honor in the Indian museum. The museum houses fossils and remains of ancient animals, works of art and even meteorites. The Indian Museum is the most big museum and a hot tourist spot in India for antiquities and art lovers. It was founded at the beginning of the 19th century by the Danish biologist Nathaniel Wallich. The museum is located in Serampore, near Kolkata.
10. Dudhsagar Falls
This is the largest and most famous waterfall in India. Located in a natural park - the largest in Goa, in the Bhagwan Mahavir Nature Reserve. This is the most beautiful natural attraction in India! The name of the waterfall is translated into Russian as “milk shores”. Its jets fall from a height of 300 meters and have White color. A powerful stream of water falls from high mountain(the total length of the waterfall is 603 meters) and falls into a clean lake with fresh water. The road runs through tropical forests, in a real jungle, in which there are many animals and birds. You can get to it only by special transport (jeeps). Thousands of tourists come here every year to enjoy the beautiful spectacle of the seething waterfall, as well as to feed the fish that swim in the lake. If you crumble some bread to these fish, they will freakishly jump out of the water. A truly breathtaking sight! Untouched tropical vegetation, play of water jets, immersion in the atmosphere wildlife will not leave any visitor indifferent.
11. Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station
This is the most unusual building in Mumbai and is its symbol. The architecture of the station is quaint and very decorative, reminiscent of the maharaja's palace. The building was built by British architects during colonial times, but is stylized local traditions. Previously, the station was named after Queen Victoria. The film “Slumdog Millionaire” was filmed there.
12. Mehrangarh Fortress
This huge fortress-palace is located on top of a mountain in the state of Rajasthan, just above the city of Jodhpur. Its construction began in the middle of the 15th century, along with the construction of the city. The walls and gates were built over several centuries and became simply monumental. Until the mid-20th century, local rulers lived in the fortress. Inside there is a museum, palaces and observation decks over the city.
13. Golden Temple Harmandir Sahib
The golden temple of Harmandir Sahib rises majestically on the Amritsar reservoir in the city of the same name in the state of Punjab. It is considered the main prayer center for devotees of Sikhism. The settlement of Amritsar itself was founded in 1577 by the 4th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ram Das. On the site of the modern city of Amritsar, he ordered to dig a reservoir called Amritsar, which translated means “source eternal life" After 11 years, the great Sufi from Lahore - Hazrat Miyan Mir - began to erect a temple building in the heart of the reservoir. At the beginning of the 17th century it was ready for use. Before you find yourself inside the temple, you need to cross the path along the marble bridge, which marks the road from sin to holiness. Every tourist will be interested in visiting the Golden Temple of Harmandir Sahib in India.
14. Lake Pikola Palace
The palace of the local ruler was built right in the center of the reservoir. On the surface of the water there is a white-stone eastern castle, richly decorated with carvings. Currently, it is rented out to tourists and there are about a hundred luxurious rooms inside. One of the James Bond films, Octopussy, was filmed here.
15. Goa
An Indian state with about 100 km of beaches one after another. Divided into North and South. The northern coast is more “youthful”; it can be noisy and fun. Yuzhnoe is quieter, there are fewer hotels there and they are more expensive. Almost all beaches are sandy and ideal for relaxation. The proximity to the sea also determines the rich diet of fresh seafood.
16. Ganges River
The Ganges River is a sacred river for Hindus, a place of numerous rituals. It originates in the Himalayas and descends to the Bay of Bengal. Partially navigable. The flora and fauna are gradually becoming poorer, but are still of interest to tourists. Many cities and temples were built along the banks. This is the largest and longest river in India. Has a huge economic and cultural significance for the country.
17. Hawa Mahal Palace
Hawa Mahal is the harem wing of the Palace of Winds in Jaipur. Refers to 18th century architecture. The windows of the building offer an unforgettable view of the city, and the inside of the building is cool even on the hottest day. The building is unique in architecture, all permeated with windows. Since the palace was built for a harem, all the windows were covered with marble bars, the white color of which goes well with the red walls of the building. It has five floors and about a thousand windows in a lacy stone frame.
18. Gateway of India in Mumbai
An iconic arch gate built on the embankment in Mumbai. They were installed in honor of the visit of the country by King George V. The last British soldiers left India through these symbolic gates after it gained independence.
This palace was once the abode of the Maharajas of Mysore. Currently, the reconstruction of the palace, completed at the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th century, has been preserved. Gray granite walls and pink marble of the main domes, the presence of temples in honor of Hindu deities are the hallmark of this historical building.
20. Cave temples Ajanta
Ajanta is a man-made cave monastery belonging to the Buddhist tradition. Despite the fact that it is located in the central part of the country, it is separated from civilization by more than a hundred kilometers. This is Buddhist temple complex. It consists of many rooms for prayers and the life of monks, carved in stone and decorated with rich carvings and columns. The wall paintings of the complex are interesting and valuable; many surviving fragments belong to the genre of traditional Indian miniatures. This is another pearl of India's spiritual heritage.
30 interesting facts about India
1.About 1 million Indians are dollar millionaires.
2.About 35% of India's population is below the poverty line.
3.More than 50 million people cross the Lotus Temple in India every year.
4. There is no free alcohol in India.
5. In the Middle Ages, a widow in India burned herself along with the body of her husband.
6. The very first university in the world was founded here in 700. BC.
7.The Hindu calendar divides the year into 6 seasons: spring, summer, monsoons, autumn, pre-winter and winter.
8.India is the largest consumer of gold in the world.
9. There are 32 properties in India World Heritage UNESCO.
10. India has the most big number vegetarians in the world.
11. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in India is the richest temple in the world.
12. India has the most big family in the world. Zion Chana is the head of the largest family in the world. He has 39 wives, 94 children and 39 grandchildren. They live in a 4-storey, 100-room house in Baktwang village in Mizoram.
13.India is the country with the highest annual number of murders.
14.The first cotton fabrics were woven in India.
15. India has the most a large number of mosques in the world. Their number reaches about 300 thousand.
16.Local people often use banana leaves as a plate.
17. Hindu civilization is the oldest civilization that has been able to survive to this day.
18. The Taj Mahal was created by about 20,000 different kinds of craftsmen for about 22 years.
19. Bandra-Worli Sea Bridge is the longest overhead bridge in the world. The length of the bridge's steel wires is equal to the circumference of the Earth at the equator, and its weight is equal to the weight of 50,000 African elephants.
20. The Asiatic lion lives only in western India.
21. At an Indian wedding, the number of guests can reach up to 2000 people.
22.Most people in India live on 2-3 dollars a day.
23.Until 1896, India was the world's only diamond producer.
24.Indian airlines hire only women because they weigh less.
25. Hindus eat only with their hands, without using cutlery.
26. India has very cheap mobile communications.
27. Khari Baoli in Delhi is the largest spice market in the world.
28.Most Big city India - Mumbai.
29.Yoga originated in India about 5000 years ago.
30. There are more than 140 types of traditional Indian desserts.
India is the second most populous country in the world, with rich cultural traditions and the most beautiful women.
A land of contrasts. Beautiful parks and hotels for visiting tourists coexist with the poverty of the local population. Emancipated women strive to make a career, trampling on the patriarchal structure of the family. But despite the fact that modern urban families prefer to live separately from the older generation, traditional family values and traditional family life.
Regardless of caste, the Indian family is very large. It consists of parents, their married sons with their wives and children, unmarried sons and unmarried daughters - sometimes up to sixty people live in the house.
The main purpose in a woman’s life in this country is to become a mother, and raising children is given great attention. Nevertheless, compared to Africa, where everyone carries their babies, India presents a sharp contrast in this regard. On the Internet you can still find a fairly common misconception that Indian women wore their children in saris, but ethnographic research and eyewitness accounts show that this opinion is wrong. In India, it was not customary to carry children in their arms, and saris were not used for this. Children were often placed in hammocks and rocked, thereby putting the children to sleep and calming them down.
However, in some places you can still meet Indian women carrying their babies wrapped in some kind of scarf. At the same time, in the outlying regions of India, babywearing is somewhat more common than in its main part.
Usually, if an Indian woman needs to go somewhere with a child, she carries him in her arms, but does not wrap him in a sari or other fabric like a sling. It is not uncommon to see a heavily pregnant woman having a nice conversation and laughing with her friend, with a 3-4 year old baby sitting on her hip. If a woman gets tired, she passes the child to another family member. So the number of family members in such cases plays a very practical role :). As they say in India: “We do not need any carriers, as long as there are enough relatives. Let the young mother take care of the baby, and the relatives take care of the rest.”
Many travelers, having visited India, say that they saw women carrying their children in slings only in mountainous areas and among the poorest strata population. This is true. In areas where caste differences are still strong, mothers from lower castes carry their children by tying them to themselves with various shawls, saris or simply some piece of material. There is no concept of a special sling/scarf for carrying a child, and usually what comes to hand first is used. In the Himalayas, on the tea plantations of Darjeeling (northern India, Himalayas), you can find Nepalese and Indian women carrying children, not only in saris, shawls and scarves, but also in rather exotic carriers - wicker baskets.
Unfortunately, wearing a sling is not dictated by a desire to be closer to the child, but by a vital necessity. Many women are simply forced to work. Indian women from lower castes work equally with men and at the same time support household and look after the children. Growing up in a patriarchal society, most Indian men consider these to be exclusively feminine activities.
Dressed in bright silk saris, slender and graceful, with their heads held high, jingling colorful bracelets, women descend into mines, crush stones, plow the earth, fill ditches along the roads with shovels, carry basins of cement on their heads, sweep roads, work in the fields and tea plantations.
Women work a lot and very hard. India is truly a country of contrasts: on the streets you can meet men lying down: on the roofs of cars, under lonely trees, on the lawns near baskets. Complete and serene nirvana... And then see the fragile, graceful “girl with a jackhammer.” All these women are mostly married, and here they get married early, at 13-15 years old. The reasons for such a severe women's work two: either the family is very poor, and the woman is forced to work too, or it is a banal “bad luck”: the husband is lazy and irresponsible, and the children need to be fed. And society shifts this part of the problem onto women.
The Indian mentality is sometimes difficult to understand: being a waitress is considered shameful for a woman, but doing hard work physical labor- in the order of things. Manual labor very popular in India. Everywhere where repair work is going on, you can see girls scurrying around wrapped in colorful saris with huge basins of cement mortar on their heads. Tourists often joke about this: “Why do they need bulldozers when they have such women?!”
However, even the poor segments of the population do not carry their children very often. Such living conditions contribute to the fact that the carrying of babies is often transferred to the shoulders of the older generation or the baby’s sisters and brothers.
Strollers as an alternative to arms and slings are also not common. Even the middle and rich classes of Indian women do not use them due to bad roads.
In large southern cities, women are quite independent: they occupy good positions and are well educated. For execution homework they hire servants and hire a nanny to look after the child. It is this special nanny (the "ayah") who usually carries the child in her arms in those families that can afford to support her. Carrying a child in any kind of sling is considered shameful: “A child is not luggage,” Indian women say, so Western types of slings and backpacks are also practically not used in India.
How to wrap a baby in a sari
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Indians are friendly, sincere, cheerful and happy people, despite the extremely harsh living conditions. Sometimes they can be quite intrusive, but do not forget about the big difference between European and Indian culture. There are completely different ideas about personal space, hygiene, etiquette and many other basic things. Robbery of tourists in India is a rare event, but thefts happen everywhere, you need to be vigilant. There are many nations, religions, castes and too many people here.
Unfortunately, travelers more often intersect with representatives of the lower strata of the population. Therefore, it is difficult to get an objective picture of Indian society. Most Indians speak good English, so there is always an opportunity to communicate with people and learn something new.
Practical aspects of travel
India is not an easy country for independent travel. After all the local hardships, traveling to any country in Asia will seem like a cakewalk. This is the most cheap country continent, if you have the desire and skill, traveling around India can cost you $300 per month. True, $450 seems to be a more realistic figure.
Everything you have heard about unsanitary conditions in India is true. A European simply cannot imagine such a level of pollution environment. You can read materials about India, look at photographs, prepare mentally, and even feel ready - nothing will help.
India immediately hits the brain, and the first week will take you to adapt and get used to. The Indian traveler's paths are not covered with rose petals and smell not only of sandalwood. Culture shock guaranteed, the main thing is to cope with it with dignity.
Transport
It is more convenient to travel around the country by train. Indians inherited a well-developed network from the British. railways. In one night for three dollars you can cover 600 km of travel and in the morning you can explore new forts and temples. There are seven classes of trains: from the proletarian general carriage to expensive express trains, equal in cost to airplanes. Travelers more often travel in the sleeper class (almost like a Ukrainian reserved seat, only 3 rows of shelves and linen are not provided, on average $3 per night) or AC3 (about the same, but much cleaner and more comfortable, with bed linen, and without free riders, $ 10 per night). Other classes are significantly more expensive.
Where there are no trains, buses run, and among them there are also buses with specially equipped sleeping places. However, the sleeping cabins are designed for two, so if you are traveling alone, be careful, you may unexpectedly find yourself in bed with a stranger.
Hotels
Rooms in cheap hotels cost from two to eight dollars for a double room. The conditions would make even the Spartans complain. With a big budget, you can stay in decent hotels, but you shouldn’t expect a spectacular difference in the quality of service. In general, in every difficult situation, it’s better to repeat to yourself once again - “This is India, baby.”
When to go
India is a huge country with varied climate zones, and the optimal travel time varies greatly depending on the region. The country has three main seasons: hot season (February - June), monsoon season (June - November) and dry season (November - February).
The ideal time to visit central and southern India is from November to mid-February. But we must take into account that in the north and center of the country it will not be so hot in winter; you should take warm clothes with you. Starting in April, it becomes terribly hot and humid in India, and not everyone can withstand this. But summer - perfect time to visit the Indian Himalayas.
Contrasts of life
Don't think of traveling around India as moving from point A to point B with forced, boring transfers. The road, people, their life, culture, identity is the meaning of the trip. Palaces and forts are just a reason to go somewhere and not sit still. If you want to see the national color, bright colors, a completely different society - India will not disappoint you. This country takes only technology from the Western world. Authenticity, tradition and mentality remain intact.
India is a thick concentrate. Impressions, smells, colors and emotions overwhelm you immediately upon arrival until the end of the trip. Then at home it will be possible to systematize the impressions, sort them into shelves and remember, and during the trip everything merges into a continuous cycle of people, slums, palaces, forts, smells of spices, urine and street food.
In general, everything is not so scary, and India returns everything doubly. Despite the unsanitary conditions and street vendors, the country is fairly safe, the transport system works smoothly, and the tourism industry is surprisingly well developed.