Cultural Heritage of India

Cultural Heritage of India

India with its centuries old civilization is perhaps one of the few nations, which has a cultural heritage that is rich, diverse and unique. The richness and diversity of the Indian culture has its roots in its history. The history of India is testimony to the fact that foreign invasions influenced the polity and culture of India. Right from ancient times when Alexander invaded India and brought with him Greek influences till the coming of the British in the 16th century, India was constantly targeted by many invaders.

These invasions from outside made India the melting pot of different faiths and cultures. With these invasions came the art and architecture, different beliefs and customs of the invaders to India. The cultural heritage of India is not limited to the art and architecture that we see today in the form of many architectural wonders that dot many Indian cities but it traverses beyond that. Cultural heritage of India is the embodiment of all things beautiful that make one stand and take notice. For example a music concert in the backdrop of the Taj Mahal or a dance festival at the famous Konark Temple leaves visitors enthralled and spellbound.

This is exactly what one feels when on a heritage tour of India. Be it music, dance, fine arts, cuisine, customs or festivals, the cultural heritage of India touches you in more than one way. Experience the age-old customs and traditions followed by Indians on your cultural heritage tour to India. Enjoy the sounds, sights and taste of India with Heritage in India.

Indian Culture

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From time since immemorial, India has been considered to be a land with rich culture. Centuries after centuries, this country has seen rulers like Rajputs, Moughals, English, Portuguese. Besides, various religions also flourished at different times in this country like Buddhism, Jainism etc. All these factors have played their role in making an impact on the culture of this country.

One can find the 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 most exhaustive.

Customs and beliefs in India

Customs and ceremonies which deal with specific ceremonies for specific occasions; customs appeal because of the grace and beauty they bestow on the routine business of living till death. India is a land of many beliefs and customs. Since birth, the people get influenced and carry on the inherited customs ranging from Namakaran, to house warming Grih Pravesh, to Wedding Vivah. On the religious front, people fast and pray Vrata, Puja, Arti. Even the dead bodies are buried/cremated with all the due honors or Anteyasthi and remembered during the Shradh.

Linguistic Culture

Language, the effective means of verbal communication not just facilitates easy flow of ideas and feelings but also helps to distinguish people of different regions from each other. Eighteen languages are recognised by the Constitution of India and these fall into two major groups: Indic or Indo-Aryan and Dravidian. Additionally, there are over 1600 minor languages and dialects listed in the latest census. Though Hindi is the official national language, English is widely spoken by the masses and is still the official language of the judiciary.

Cultural Fairs & Festivals

The Indian calendar is a yearlong procession of festivals. These are both varied in origin and large in number. There are innumerable national, regional, local, religious, seasonal and social festivities. Owing to the fact that India is the land of gods, goddesses, saints and people who believe in building and maintaining relationships.

Color, gaiety, enthusiasm, feasts and a variety of prayers and rituals characterize all the festivals. Travelers are struck by the scale and multiplicity of the festivities that populate the cultural scene here. If the fireworks of Dussehra symbolize the triumph of good over evil, prayers of Raksha Bandhan are said for a long and happy life of a brother.

Performing Culture of India

Music: Classical music of India has its roots 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