From time immemorial, India has been considered to be a land with a rich cultural heritage. Centuries after centuries, this country has seen rulers like Rajputs, Mughals, English, and Portuguese. Besides, various religions also flourished at different times in this country like Buddhism, Jainism, etc. All these factors have played a role in making an impact on the culture of this country. One can find traces of different cultures in Music, dance, architecture, festivities, languages spoken, traditional beliefs and customs, food, and many more like these. It is the development in these aspects of life that makes the heritage of India one of the most vibrant and exhaustive.

There can not be a better way to understand this than to experience it. Travel to India with one of many cultural tour packages and understand why this heritage has withstood thousands of years and still going strong.

Discover India with cheap flights to India, it is a both beautiful and bamboozling place, where holy cows bask on heavenly beaches next to modern hotels, and ancient temples sit perfectly at home beside shiny offices. Glittering trains pass through rural villages where life hasn’t changed for hundreds of years, and through it, all teem one-sixth of the world’s population. India is vast, varied, and, above all, unforgettably beautiful.

Music

Classical music of India has its roots and beliefs of the people and an amalgamation with other systems has not erased this source. Careful intonation has always been at the core of Indian classical music. The chanting of sacred words and phrases like Om required total precision because these chants were part of what it took to maintain the order of the universe.

Dances

India offers a number of classical dance forms, each of which can be traced to different parts of the country and represents the culture of a certain region or a group of people. The beginning of the contemporary styles of classical dances can be traced to the period 1300-1400 A.D.

The dance forms range from temple dances like Bharatnatyam, Odissi, and mohiniyattam, to kathakali, symbolizing the victory of truth over falsehood. Kathak and Kuchipudi are meant to recite religious and mythological tales to the accompaniment of music, mime, and dance. Manipuri and Dandiya Raas represent the celebration of Radha-Krishna’s togetherness.

Art and Crafts

The talent of the Indian artisans’ is to date visible in the age-old monuments/constructions. The sculptures boast of their creativity and hard work. The numerous sculptures on temple walls are all hewn out of hard rock & last to date. The rock-cut architecture was perfected by the Buddhists and was followed by several Hindu rulers. In Southern India, Pallavas excelled in this art form.

The sculptures or idols in temples are made of granite & the Utsava murtis are made of bronze & panchaloha. Apart from these, there are huge Iyyanar statues & horses that exist in South Indian villages.

Indian Cuisine

The major culinary influences on Indian cuisine resulted from significant historical invasions, including the Greeks, Mughal Portuguese, and British. Today, Rich and diverse Indian cuisine, coupled with the celebrated hospitality of the people is the crowning glory of the opulent Indian culture.

Indian Architecture

Indian architecture is a rich amalgam of various architectural styles, wherein the influences of various regions and dynasties, find due expression. With the Islamic style concentrating only on monuments and the Hindu style being more religious, thematically, Indian architecture, is true, a celebration of the creativity of the unsung artisans who dedicated their lives to bring to life such wondrous pieces of enviable beauty. India boasts of a myriad of architectural delights such as the majestic Taj Mahal, the temples of Southern India, the Jain temples, and the Buddhist monasteries, to name a few.

Indian Fairs and Festivals

India is a rich land that has attracted invaders from Central Europe and Asia who left their imprint on this land, its religions, and its lifestyles over 40 centuries. As a result, today, Indian celebrates more festivals than any other country. Nonetheless, Indians are known to celebrate all the festivals with great fanfare and importance. Festivals in India are determined by the Solar & Lunar positions & they may fall in a different month as specified here.

People and Religion

India is probably the only country with the largest and most diverse mixture of races. All five major racial types – Australoid, Mongoloid, Europoid, Caucasian, and Negroid – find representation among the people of India. India is perhaps the most culturally diverse country in the world.

Indian Languages

India has 17 major languages and 844 different dialects. The Sanskrit of the Aryan settlers has merged with the earlier Dravidian vernaculars to give rise to new languages. Hindi, spoken by about 45 per cent of the population, is the national language. English has also been retained as a language for official communication. Indian literature dates back several millennia to the hymns of the Vedic Aryans.

India is an eternally popular destination and indeed a mini-universe by itself, promising to leave you mesmerized. So come and discover it with us, where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights & sounds of India. With cheap flights to India made easily available from all UK cities like London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, and many others there are great flight deals to India available with Air India, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, and many more. Book your cheap ticket to India with Oceans Travel.