Tag: #indianculture

INDIAN HERITAGE

Indian culture is a multifaceted, colorful tapestry that has evolved over many centuries. It is a culture that has been shaped by philosophy, art, architecture, and religion. India’s culture is renowned for its dynamism, mysticism, and unwavering adherence to tradition. The art forms of Indian culture are among its most remarkable aspects. The variety of Indian art includes everything from beautiful paintings to passionate dances. Hindustani and Carnatic music are two classical styles of Indian music that are renowned for their philosophical and spiritual undertones. In India, people also enjoy doing crafts like pottery, weaving, embroidery, and metallurgy.

Indian literature is another aspect of Indian culture that is deeply ingrained in its history. The Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavad Gita are some of the famous works that have shaped the cultural heritage of India. These works are not just literary masterpieces, but they also hold great religious and philosophical significance.

The architecture of India is equally impressive. From the Taj Mahal to the Red Fort, the Lotus Temple to the Konark Sun Temple, Indian architecture is known for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and spiritual themes. These structures reflect the deep respect that Indian culture has for tradition, as well as the innovative spirit that drives the country forward.

ART FORMS

Indian art forms are as diverse as its people. They are inspired by religion, mythology, nature, and everyday life. Indian art forms are known for their vibrant colors, intricate details, and spirituality. Some of the popular art forms in India include:

Paintings: Indian paintings date back to the prehistoric era, and they are known for their intricate designs, bold colors, and detailed work. Some of the famous painting styles in India include Mughal paintings, Rajasthani paintings, Madhubani paintings, and Warli paintings.

Dance: Dance is an essential part of Indian culture, and it is performed on various occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and religious ceremonies. Some of the popular dance forms in India include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Manipuri.

Music: Indian music is as diverse as its culture, and it is known for its spiritual and philosophical themes. Indian music has two main genres: Hindustani classical music and Carnatic classical music.

Handicrafts: Indian handicrafts are renowned for their intricate designs, colorful patterns, and traditional motifs. Some of the popular handicrafts in India include pottery, weaving, embroidery, and metalwork.

LITERATURE

Indian literature dates to ancient times, and it is characterized by its rich oral tradition. Indian literature is known for its philosophical, spiritual, and mythological themes. Some of the famous literary works in India include:

  1. The Vedas: The Vedas are a collection of hymns, prayers, and rituals that were composed in Sanskrit. They are considered to be the oldest written texts in the world.
  2. The Ramayana: The Ramayana is an epic poem that tells the story of Lord Rama, a Hindu deity. It is considered to be one of the greatest works of Indian literature.
  3. The Mahabharata: The Mahabharata is another epic poem that tells the story of a great war between two families. It is considered to be the longest epic poem in the world.
  4. The Bhagavad Gita: The Bhagavad Gita is a philosophical text that is part of the Mahabharata. It is considered to be one of the most important texts in Hinduism.

ARCHITECTURE

Indian architecture is a reflection of its rich cultural heritage, and it is known for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and spiritual themes. Indian architecture can be divided into two main categories: religious architecture and secular architecture. Some of the famous architectural works in India include:

  1. The Taj Mahal: The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum that was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered to be one of the greatest works of Mughal architecture.
  2. The Red Fort: The Red Fort is a fortress that was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is known for its intricate designs, vibrant colors, and historical significance.
  3. The Lotus Temple: The Lotus Temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship that was built in the shape of a lotus flower. It is known for its unique architecture and spiritual significance.
  4. The Konark Sun Temple: The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century temple that is dedicated to the Hindu deity Surya. It is known for its intricate designs and unique architecture.

Thus, it may be said that Indian culture is a vast and varied fabric that has been stitched over many centuries. It is a culture that values innovation and originality while being firmly steeped in tradition. Indian culture is a monument to the resilient spirit of its people and includes literary works, architectural styles, and festivals.

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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT INDIA

Indian Culture
Indian Culture
  • India never invaded any country in her last 100000 years of history.
  • When many cultures were only nomadic forest dwellers over 5000 years ago, Indians established Harappan culture in Sindhu Valley (Indus Valley Civilization)
Indus Valley Civilization
Indus Valley Civilization
  • The name ‘India’ derived from the River Indus, the valleys around which were the home of the early settlers. The Aryan worshippers referred to the river Indus as the Sindhu.
  • Chess- invented in India.
  • Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus are the studies, which originated in India.
  • The ‘Place Value System’ and the ‘Decimal System’, were developed in India in 100 B.C.
Brihadeswara Temple
Brihadeswara Temple
  • The World’s First Granite Temple is the Brihadeswara Temple at Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The shikhara of the temple is made from a single 80-tonne piece of granite. This magnificent temple was built in just five years, (between 1004 AD and 1009 AD) during the reign of Rajaraja Chola.
  • India has the largest democracy in the world, the 7th largest country in the world, and one of the most ancient civilizations.
  • The game of Snakes & Ladders was created by the 13th-century poet saint Gyandev. It was originally called ‘Mokshapat’. The ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices, that is good deeds take people to heaven and evil to a cycle of re-births.
  • The world’s highest cricket ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh. Built-in 1893 after leveling a hilltop, this cricket pitch is 2444 meters above sea level.
  • India has the largest number of Post Offices in the world.
  • The largest employer in India is the Indian Railways, employing over a million people.
University of Nalanda
University of Nalanda
  • The world’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC. More than 10,500 students from all over the world studied more than 60 subjects. The University of Nalanda built in the 4th century was one of the greatest achievements of ancient India in the field of education.
  • Ayurveda is the earliest school of medicine known to mankind. The Father of Medicine, Charaka, consolidated Ayurveda 2500 years ago.
  • India was one of the richest countries till the time of British rule in the early 17th Century. Christopher Columbus, attracted by India’s wealth, had come looking for a sea route to India when he discovered America by mistake.
  • The Art of Navigation & Navigating was born in the river Sindh over 6000 years ago. 
  • Bhaskaracharya rightly calculated the time taken by the earth to orbit the Sun hundreds of years before the astronomer Smart. According to his calculation, the time taken by the Earth to orbit the Sun was 365.258756484 days.
  • The value of “pi” was first calculated by the Indian Mathematician Budhayana, and he explained the concept of what is known as the Pythagorean Theorem. He discovered this in the 6th century, long before the European mathematicians.
  • Until 1896, India was the only source of diamonds in the world(Source: Gemological Institute of America).
Baily Bridge
Baily Bridge
  • The Baily Bridge is the highest in the world. It is located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers in the Himalayan mountains. 
  • Sushruta is regarded as the Father of Surgery. Over 2600 years ago Sushrata & his team conducted complicated surgeries like cataracts, artificial limbs, cesareans, fractures, urinary stones, plastic surgery, and brain surgeries.
  • The four religions born in India – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, are followed by 25% of the world’s population.
  • Jainism and Buddhism were founded in India in 600 B.C. and 500 B.C. respectively.
  • Islam is India’s and the world’s second-largest religion.
  • Jews and Christians have lived continuously in India since 200 B.C. and 52 A.D. respectively.
  • The largest religious building in the world is Angkor Wat, a Hindu Temple in Cambodia built at the end of the 11th century.
  • Sikhism originated in the Holy city of Amritsar in Punjab. Famous for housing the Golden Temple, the city was founded in 1577.
Varanasi
Varanasi
  • Varanasi, also known as Benaras, was called “the Ancient City” when Lord Buddha visited it in 500 B.C. and is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world today.
  • Martial Arts were first created in India and later spread to Asia by Buddhist missionaries.
  • Yoga has its origins in India and has existed for over 5,000 years.

For further more facts refer to:

https://knowindia.gov.in/my-india-my-pride/interesting-facts-about-india.php