Culture of India

According to Petsinclude.com, India is an amazing country for many tourists, with its own mentality, culture, way of life and customs. Traditions have been formed here for thousands of years. They were influenced by emperors, colonizers and religion. It was here that Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism originated. Today, the culture of India has its own characteristics depending on the region.

It is noteworthy that about 80% of the country’s population professes Hinduism, and 13% Islam. Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and representatives of other religions also live in the state.

Cultural features in India are reflected in architecture – many temple complexes, palaces and mosques attract millions of tourists. These include Taj Mahal, Lotus Temple, Umaid Bhawan, Akshardham complex, etc.

It is impossible to imagine India without traditional dances and music. Often, in their performances, local artists express not only emotions, but also “ tell ” certain stories related to the customs or events that took place in the country.

You can learn more about the culture of the Indian people by visiting the national celebrations of important dates. One of the most fun and spectacular is Holi. On this day, all participants of the festival pour water over each other, in which bright colors are added.

When going on vacation, it is important to know what tourists cannot do in India. It is considered bad manners to point a finger at another person. To do this, use an outstretched hand. In addition, it is not customary for Indians to demonstrate feelings in public, whether it be passion, love, anger or discontent. When visiting temples, you should take off your shoes. Also, the rules of conduct in India imply respect for cows – a sacred animal. They are not allowed to be insulted, beaten or teased.

India: Cuisine of India

India is a unique and exotic country. The same is true of the local cuisine. And although the main ingredients of most Indian dishes are only rice and spices, the locals know how to surprise tourists. We offer a small list of what you must definitely try in India.

About the culinary traditions of India

Indians treat cooking as a real ritual. The culinary traditions of the country were influenced not only by the religions common here – Hinduism and Islam, but also by immigrants from other countries. For example, bread and airy soufflé began to be prepared here thanks to the French. Sweet pepper was brought from Portugal, and the Indians owe an abundance of dried fruits to the centuries-old Mongolian expansion.

The modern national cuisine of India practically excludes the use of meat products. But there are a lot of legumes, vegetables, herbs, spices. Many traditions vary by region. So, in the north of the state they eat more meat, in the west – seafood, residents of the southeastern part prefer spicy vegetables, fruits and pastries.

Appetizers and main dishes

Those who go to one of the resorts of this colorful country should try the following national dishes of India:

• Dal is a thick soup made from peas or lentils, with the addition of onions, garlic, tomatoes and various spices. Each family may have a slightly different recipe.
• Malay kofta – potato balls with paneer cheese, sprinkled with breadcrumbs and deep fried. The creamy sauce with spices gives them an exotic taste.
• Curry vegetables are a mixture of potatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes and peppers. The curry sauce makes the dish more ” spicy “.
• Biryani – ” Indian pilaf ” is made from basmati rice and meat or seafood with the addition of nuts, cardamom, cumin, cumin and saffron. All ingredients are fried in ghee in a heavy bottomed pan.

When choosing what to eat in India, it is worth remembering that almost all dishes in local establishments are served with rice and flatbread. And the menu does not always indicate this. Therefore, lunch will be very satisfying. In addition, rice helps neutralize the spiciness of other foods.

Desserts and drinks

What to try from food in India for a sweet tooth? There are a lot of options, we offer a list of the most common delicacies:

• Burfi is a fudge made from milk, butter, sugar, sesame seeds and pistachios.
• Jalebi is a popular treat that can even be bought from street vendors. These are strands of dough, deep-fried and sprinkled with sweet syrup.
• Halava is a pudding made from semolina, sugar and milk, with the addition of dried fruits.
• Samosa – fried patties with sweet or savory fillings.

Masala is considered the main Indian drink. This is black tea with milk and, of course, spices. By ordering masala chai in a restaurant, you express your respect for local traditions. And if you have the opportunity to inquire about the recipe for the dish chosen for dinner, do it. Indians greatly honor the culinary traditions of their country and are always happy to share some of the secrets of preparing national delicacies.