The cradle of civilization and one of the fascinating places on the planet, India was best described by French author and Nobel laureate Romain Rolland said “If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India.” Travel through the lengths and breadths of the country and you would uncover unending mysteries and find a new India everywhere. While there are thousands of things that you will only find in India here we list five interesting ones for you.

Mosaic of Culture/Tradition and Religion

Indians love celebrating their identity as a mosaic of different cultures and traditions. The country is home to people practicing more than half a dozen religions and hundreds of sub sects within them. There are 29 states in the country which each having its own linguistic and cultural identity. Travel a few miles and you would experience culture and language change before your eyes. When this modern nation became independent in 1947 most Western scholars predicted its Balkanization but seven decades later the country is one of the most powerful nations in the world.

Worshiping of Animals

A foreigner may be amazed to see animals being worshipped on a trip to India but animals find a special place in Indian culture and its oldest religion Hinduism. According to ancient Indian philosophy humans and animals belong to the same family and hence they should be treated with respect. In ancient Hindu text, most animals have been referred to as Vahan or vehicles of gods and goddesses and are revered by the worshippers. From cow to snakes and from elephants to monkeys Indians worship almost all animals that are native to this land.

Elections As Festivals

Nowhere else in the world are elections have as much of pomp, music, colour and festivity as in India. The largest democracy in the world knows how to celebrate one of its biggest festivals. From catchy slogans to the bursting of crackers, loud noise and colorful posters Indians have added unique flavors to elections. Make a trip to India during Parliamentary elections and you would be immersed in this mad yet entertaining festivity. And this exercise involves more officials (10 million in 2014 General Elections) than the total population nearly 150 countries in the world!

Sports As A Religion

If you thought India had enough religions, well there is one more and it is the game of –‘CRICKET’. What was once introduced to the natives as gentleman’s game during the British raj has entered into the blood stream of every Indian. In a country where there are enough elements to divide the countrymen this game is a unifying factor. And most Indians don’t treat it just as another sport but celebrate wins like their own marriage and mourn over losses for days and weeks.  Cricketers enjoy god like status in the country as they are adored and loved by more than a billion people. And not to forget, every Indian is a self-declared expert on the game!

Dozens of Languages

It is often said if you know three European languages you can be at home anywhere in Europe. The same can’t be said about India where there are 22 official languages including English and Hindi (the most spoken native language). If you thought this was enough hold your breath as there are over 1600 mother tongues in the country with most being spoken by hundreds of thousands of people. This makes it a one-of-its-kind nation in the world. Now it will take some effort to be called a linguist in this country!