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India in the world Map

Namaste’I honor the place in you in

which the entire universe

dwells.

I honor the place in you which is

of love, of truth, of light, and of

peace.

When you are in that place in

you and I am in that place in

me,

We are one.

Ancient History The history of India begins with evidence of human activity of Homo sapiens as long as 30,000 years ago. The Indus Valley Civilization, which spread and flourished in the north western part of the Indian subcontinent from c. 3300 to 1300 BCE, was the first major civilization in India. This Bronze Age civilization collapsed before the end of the second millennium BCE and was followed by the Iron Age Vedic Civilization, around 1500 BCE which extended over much of the Indo-Gangetic plain and witnessed the rise of major polities with various parts ruled by numerous kingdoms for the next 1,500 years. Also this is the era when Hinduism evolve out of day to day living practice of people. Principle text like Veda's and few other epics of Hinduism has their ultimate origin in this era. This is known as the classical period of Indian history, during which India has sometimes been estimated to have had the largest economy of the ancient and medieval world.During this period, aspects of Indian civilization, administration, culture, and religion (Hinduism and Buddhism) spread to much of Asia.

Bhimbetka rock painting, Madhya Pradesh, India (c. 30,000 years old)

Nalanda University 450 to 1193 CE

Image of domesticated Ox and ancient script found in Harrappa

Silver coins

Modern History Highlights:

•In early medieval age India was sub divided in various kingdoms. (6

century)

•In Early Modern India northern part of India was ruled by Muslim

Rulers who came from Iran Persia and other parts of central Asia.

• India came under British rules by 1845.

•Indian rebellion of 1857

•India become independent in 1947

•On 26th January 1950 Indian Constitution declared India as a

sovereign, secular, democratic republic.

India Today Highlights:

•Largest democracy in the world

•Very diverse still united

•One of fastest growing economy

•Major leader in software – technology

•Qualified workforce hub

Main Cities

New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport [DEL]

Mumbai Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport [BOM]

Bangalore Bengaluru International Airport [BLR]

Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi International Airport [HYD]

Chennai Meenambarkkam International Airport [MAA]

Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport [CCU]

Goa Dabolim Airport [GOI]

Official Airline of India is AIR INDIA

something for every one

Touring options/ themes

• Sight seeing tours• Adventure sports • Architectural journeys • Religious tours • Wild life adventures• Palace on wheels, Deccan Odyssey (heritage trains)• Event Tourism

Golden triangle

This is the most popular package of India, includes Delhi – Capital city of India, Agra - Taj Mahal and major cities Rajasthan. Busy streets and historical monuments of Delhi, Beauty of the Taj and palaces of Rajasthan will keep you busy for more than a week.

Best Season: It can get really hot in Rajasthan in summer. So avoid to visit these places in between March to June.

Golden triangle

•

Jaipur – the pink city

Udaipur- the city of lakes

Jaisalmer- golden city

Blue City Jodhpur

HIMALAYA This tour includes the states ofHimachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jammu Kashmir, Sikkim

also known as paradise for adventure sports. Mountaineering, , Skiing, Skating, Trekking, Water Sports to Aero Sports like Hang Gliding, Paragliding, makes Uttaranchal one of the most attractive destinations for adventure sports not only in India but the world over.

This region is very famous in India as the land of Gods, Charodham the sacred temple pilgrimage for Hindus, is based in this area.

Best season: all around the year is a good season. In the month of march till June (summer) snow activities will have limited options .

HIMACHAL PRADESH & UTTARANCHAL

Ladakh and Khardung La

Central India and Ganges

One can easily club this tour with Golden triangle. Major attractions for this tours are the archaeological

world heritage sights like khajuraho, Ajanta, Allora, Buddhist stupa of Sanchi. Also Bhandhavgar and Tadobo wild life sanctuary, beautiful Ganges river will keep your itinerary occupied.

This tour stretches out till west cost of India, including Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Best season: All around the year

Central India & Ganges

North East India This region includes Sikkim, Assam,

Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, far north east part of India.

People in looks resembles more to Mongolian decent.

This region is full of scenic greenery, snow caped mountains, tea estates, wildlife and hill stations.

Avoid wet season while planning holidays.

Goa

Goa is a beautiful beach holiday destination in India. Warm sunny beaches, sea food and Goa Carnival are the main attractions.

Best Season: All around the year. Goa Carnival is normally around march. Planning this Holiday Around Carnival is lot more fun!!

Goa

South India This region includes Kerala, Karnataka, Tamilnadu,

Andrapradesh, Andaman , Nikobar and Lakshadweep & Maldives Islands. Long Coast line, historical palaces, boat houses and back waters, tasty cuisine, spas and aurvedic therapy centre, tea, coffee plantations will keep you occupied.

South India is a totally different and equally interesting experience to North India. Culture, language, cuisine, festivals are very different than northern parts of India.

Best Season: All Around the year

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Best Season

Over all climate is tropical.

India has very diverse landscape ranging from dessert to Snow peaks and tropical dense forest to beautiful long cost lines....! so best season is all around the year, sometime it depends on specific region n activities you want to do.

Population Current Population of India in 2011 is estimated to be 1.21 billionLiteracy rate: 74 % Religions: Hindu 80 %, Muslims: 13 %, Christians2.3%, Sikhs (1.9%), Buddhists (0.8%), Jains (0.4%), Jews, Zoroastrians

To put this in perspective , we in Australia are about 21 Million .

Language

• The official language is Hindi, though English is wide spoken.

• India has 18 main languages and 1652 recognized dialects. Many of this languages are based on Sanskrit the Indo-European Aryan language or Dravidian spoken before Aryan era. Rest of the languages are based on Urdu, Tibetan etc.

Festivals Festivals

Arts Sculptures and paintings:• Khajuraho (9th to 11th century CE)• Ajanta (200yrs BC till 4th century CE) • Ellora (similar time frame as Ajanta) • Moghal paintings • Taj mahal and many other forts • Traditional arts: Paintings, Cane, Pottery, Wood art, Ivory, silk,

shawls, variety of wool n cloth body paintings are also famous from India.

The skills of dance, dramas and music in Indian

culture can be dated back in 400 BC in guidelines called as Natyashastra, by Bharat Muni.

India has got a rich heritage of Various arts. Music has dominant presence in all festivals, rituals and day to day life.

Few oldest paintings and sculptures of human history are found in India.

Dance

Bharatnatyam

kathak

kathakali

kuchipudi

Bhangra

manipuri

Oddisi

MoviesIndia is the largest producer of Movies in the world, in 2009 Indian movie industry produce 2961 films. People are crazy for cinemas and follows movie stars religiously.

Technology

Optus , Telstra , Citibank and a whole host of other companies have their call centres and BPO’s in India.

India is the biggest R& D hub for Microsoft and Google outside of US.

An Indian company “Tata Motors” makes both the most expensive (Jaguar) and the cheapest cars (Tata Nano).

cricket

Visa Requirements and taxes Every foreign National has to obtain visa before entering India except OCI (overseas Citizen of India) and Person of Indian origin.

Requirements for obtaining Indian Visa:one passport size photograph, passport in original, flight details/ itinerary and the prescribed feePassport valid for more than 6 months.

If you are planning to stay in India for more than 180 days, you are required to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.Failure to register may result in a jail sentence or fine, or preclude departure from India until permission is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.Visa Rules are very strict in India. So plz consult appropriate authorities before you arrive in the country.

Cuisine

Indian cuisine has been influenced by a 5000 year history of various groups and cultures interacting with the subcontinent, leading to the diversity of flavors.Indian food is characterized by the extensive use of various Indian spices, herbs, vegetables and fruit, and is also known for the widespread practice of vegetarianism in Indian society. Along with vegetarian food, seafood n meat is also widely cooked.

Currency Exchange rate: 1AUD = 48.37/- Indian Rupees

IST

Indian Standard Time: GMT + 5.30

India does not operate day-light saving, and do not have different time zones within the country.

Facts to remember: • Credit Cards: accepted in major places. But cash or travellers

cheques are better options. • Tipping is not necessary, but expected in many places. • Pack your bags for a hot n humid holidays. Cloths and

accessories are cheaper, so travel light. • Every variety of food is easily available in India, still it is

preferable to inform your travel agent in advance about your preferences.

• Drinking water is NOT SAFE. Plz drink branded n sealed bottled water.

• Electricity: European standard of 220–240 volts at 50 Hz, which uses plugs C to M.

Some More Facts to Remember!!!•Travel lighter.

•Take care of your luggage.

•Do not carry a lot of cash.

•Do not trust strangers.

•Eat in designated places.

•Taking a guided tour will be a safer option to avoid Cheaters.

•Donations are not necessary, though you want to donate; plz go

through right channels.

•Bargaining is MUST while Shopping.

•Keep away from Hawkers and road side sellers.

Transportation

Accommodation

All sorts of accommodations, including hotels, motels, backpackers hostels are cheaper in India.

Also lot of innovative accommodations like Yoga Ashram, Ayurvedic resorts, meditation centres and Spas are also reaccommodated for unique experience.

Many of old Palaces are now converted into Star hotels. You can surely enjoy a royal treatment in such Hotels.

Accommodation

Bibliography

• www.google.com• http://en.wikipedia.org• http://www.incredibleindia.org/• http://www.indianconsulatesydney.org• http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/

Thank you