The Diversity of India

India is truly a complex nation -- that's why it is often referred to as a sub-continent. The diversity of India has

posed tremendous integration problems since its formation, yet in the very diversity that her population finds

enormous pride and joy.The following is an introduction to the

diversity of India in terms of geography, religions, races, food and living habits of

her people.

Diversity of Religions• Virtually every major religion has a strong connection with

India (including Christianity -- some people claim Jesus Christ meditated in India in his early years). Buddhism was born in India (not China), so were Sikhism, Jainism, and of course Hinduism.  The Zoroastrians, the Jews (living in India since 600 B.C.), the people of Bahai faith, all are found in India in substantial numbers.

• God is Indian -- India is the most religious country in the world. A profile of India's great religions, and influence of some of the foreign faiths.

• There are also numerous cults in India, each practicing their own ideologies and interpretations of the major religions. 

• See: The Yellamma Cult,  The Tantric Cults, and the Bhakti Movement 

Diversity of Languages

• There is no such thing as the Indian language. By some counts there are over 200 languages in India (almost 1600, if you include dialects), with about twenty of them being very prominent ones. Imagine a nation where the population does not understand their national anthem or the President's address to the nation. That is India for you.

• The Indian currency is printed in 15 languages.• Most forms (like job application, tax forms) in

India are hence printed in three languages -- English, Hindi, and a prominent local language.

• See: Languages of India -- A comprehensive list of languages of India arranged in alphabetical order. Yes, all four hundred of them!

Cultural Diversity

• land of India has given way to a rich potpourri of social habits, festivals, and customs. To appreciate the Indian culture, an introduction to the religious heritage of India is necessary. Please see topics on the Bhakti Movement, Hinduism, Festivals, and other Topics on the Indian Culture.

• India also has a very rich native or tribal culture. See topics on the life of some of the tribes of India at the Tribals of Bastar and Children of the Forest God.

Diversity of dresses• • Perhaps India remains the only country where

unstitched clothing is still popular. The Saree, Lungi, Dhoti, Turbans are all worn this way. It is the way of wearing is where the styles differ.

• Tailored Indian clothing includes Salwar-Kameez,  collarless jackets, Kurtas, and western attires for both men and women.

• See : Indian Attire Through the Centuries , Kamat Saree Sapne -- The history, mystery and magic of the Indian Saree

• Many types of headgear are prevalent in India -- these include rumals, topis, and turbans.

India as a state is divided into four major geographical

regions •

1The Great Himalayan Mountain Ranges

• 2The Indo - Gangetic Plain

•3The Desert Region

4Thepeninsular region of the South

1.The Great Himalayan Mountain Ranges:

• This is one of the most desirable place for trekkers and mountaineers. The regions encompasses the various Himalayan ranges whcih extends along the India's northern and north eastern border in a 2410 km curve. Himalayas are the tallest mountain system in the world.

2.The Indo - Genetic Plain :

• The Indi- Gangetic Plain lies in the Himalyas and the southern peninsula which includes the valley of Bhramputra, the Ganges and the Indus river and their branches. The eternal city of Varanasi; the beautiful Sunderbans; the splendid Taj Mahal and the charming Khajuraho temples fall in this region.

3.The Desert Region :• This region comprises of

the Great Desert and the Little Desert. Rajasthan and Gujurat falls in this place. The region is quite popular for its art and architecture and you can see maginificent forts and palaces here

4.The peninsular region of the South :

• South India or the southern peninsular region is surrounded by mountains. In the north lie the Vindhya and the other mountain ranges that seperate the Deccan from the northern plains.

Diversity Of Climate-1

• India major has three main seasons: Monsoon, summer and winter.

• Monsoon June to October, There are mainly two types of monsoon pattern: the Southwest mountain (June to October) and North east mountain from (October to December).Summers: April to JuneWinters: October to March

Diversity Of Climate-2• India is considered as a sub-continent as

it is geographically quite a large country. Even because of this geographical vastness, different climates are being experienced in different parts of this country. Each region of this country is having a bit of difference in the whether. In this context, it will be a good example to hold that the Southern India is a warm place; however, the Northern India is cold.

The seasons of the country keeps changing and mainly 4 seasons are being experienced here. The four seasons are winter, summer, advancing monsoon and retreating monsoon.

Studying the Indian climate will be easier by dividing it into different regions only. It can be divided as tropical wet, tropical dry, subtropical humid and montane. Even for further ease of research these regions have also been divided into four climatic zones which are known as Alpine, Subtropical, Tropical and Arid.