Top 12 Mind-Blowing Facts About the "Homeland" of the 8-Year-Old Bride

With a federation consisting of 28 states and 8 union territories as of April 2021, India ranks as the second most populous country globally, following China. Rajasthan is the largest state by area (342,239 km²), followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, with Maharashtra and Bihar following closely. According to the 2011 Census, Uttar Pradesh had a population of 199,812,341 people, spread over 240,928 km². The least populated state in India is Sikkim. As per 2011 census data, India’s total population stood at 1,210,193,422 people. Uttar Pradesh remains the most densely populated state, while Sikkim has the fewest residents. Rajasthan, with an area of 342,239 km², has a population of 68,548,437. Jammu and Kashmir is the largest union territory by area, covering 125,535 km², while Delhi, the capital, is the largest union territory by population, with 16,787,941 people according to the 2011 Census.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tanjore, India, is the first granite temple ever built and stands as a remarkable example of Hindu architectural style. This awe-inspiring temple, which took just five years to complete, is one of the tallest temples in the world. Located in Thanjavur, a hub of Southern India’s architectural and religious heritage, the temple is also known as Brihadeshwara Temple and RajaRajeswari Temple. It is one of the largest temples in India and, along with the Airavatesvara Temple and Ganga Honda Chalappuram, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed 'Great Living Chola Temples'. The Brihadeeswarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010, making it over a thousand years old. The structure stands as a testament to the wealth, artistic expertise, and power of the Chola dynasty. The inscriptions within the temple attribute its design to the renowned architect Kunjara Mallan Raja Perumthachan. The temple is one of the few that houses statues of the Ashta-dikpalas, the guardians of the directions. The Chola frescoes that adorn the temple walls depict Lord Shiva in various poses. The Brihadeeswarar Temple is the world’s first fully granite temple, constructed using an estimated 60,000 tons of granite stone.

The National Capital Region continues to suffer from 'emergency-level' air quality. In fact, on Tuesday morning, pollution levels hit a new seasonal high, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 735, the worst level seen in Delhi so far. This marks the fifth consecutive day that Delhi has reported 'severe' AQI readings. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), PM2.5 levels were extremely high. In New Delhi, over 12 areas recorded AQI levels in the 'emergency' or 'severe' range of 500, including locations such as Dr Karan Singh Shooting Range, Dwarka Sector 8, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Mandir Marg, Mundka, Najafgarh, Okhla Phase-2, Punjabi Bagh, Pusa, Rohini, and Aurobindo Marg. Meanwhile, almost all other major areas in the capital experienced 'severe' AQI, ranging from 401-500. On the other hand, Dwarka was the least polluted area, with an AQI of 248.

India experiences six major climate subtypes, ranging from the arid desert in the west, the frigid highlands and glaciers in the north, to the humid tropical regions supporting rainforests in the southwest and island territories. Many areas see distinct climate variations, making India one of the most climatically diverse countries in the world. The dominant climate types are tropical dry and semi-dry, where the rate of moisture loss through evaporation exceeds that of rainfall. This includes three specific climate types: tropical savanna, arid, and tropical or subtropical savanna. In India, the tropical humid and dry climates are most common. The tropical monsoon climate is particularly dominant across the central inland peninsula, except in the arid rain-shadow regions of the Eastern Western Ghats. Winters and early summers are long and dry, with average temperatures above 18°C. Summers are intensely hot, with temperatures in low-lying areas sometimes exceeding 50°C in May, leading to deadly heatwaves that claim hundreds of lives each year. The monsoon season lasts from June to September, with annual rainfall averaging between 0.75 and 1.5 meters. The Ganges River Plain primarily falls under the tropical humid climate, receiving between 1.5 to 2 meters of rainfall annually in the west, and 2 to 3 meters in the east.

Hindus practice a series of rituals, known as Samskaras, from birth to death, which are believed to purify the body for worship. In traditional Hinduism, hair is linked to undesirable traits from past lives. Therefore, during the Mundan ceremony, a child’s hair is shaved to symbolize liberation from the past and a new beginning for the future. It is also believed that shaving the hair promotes healthy brain and nerve development, while a topknot at the crown of the head is thought to protect memory. Typically, Hindu girls never cut their hair after their first haircut, which usually occurs around 11 months old. This first haircut is particularly important as it is the only one that is done. Some Hindus also perform tonsure rituals for girls. Thousands of Indian women offer their hair as a symbolic gift to Lord Venkateswara (a form of Vishnu) at the temple. Many people vow to the gods, asking for blessings for a child or a prosperous harvest. Once their wishes are granted, they offer their most precious possession—hair—as a gesture of gratitude. Offering hair to the deity symbolizes surrendering one's ego and is a way of thanking the gods for their blessings.

Indian eating traditions vary by region, but one common practice is the thorough washing of hands before eating, especially in rural areas. Typically, people eat with their fingers, and the use of utensils like knives, forks, and spoons is uncommon. Fingers are also used to gauge the temperature of the food and to enhance the flavors. When eating rice, it is mixed with curry and taken in small pinches with the fingers, often using the thumb to bring it to the mouth. For bread, like Roti or Naan, pieces are torn off and folded into a small pocket to scoop up curry. In rural households, it is customary to sit together on a floor mat while eating in casual, comfortable clothing. In restaurants and hotels, however, tables and chairs are typically used. Many middle-class urban homes also follow the tradition of eating on the floor. In some regions, it is customary to eat with one hand, while the other hand remains clean and is used only for tasks like stirring food, serving, or drinking water.

India recognizes a total of 122 major languages and 1599 other languages according to the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India. Hindi is the most widely spoken language, used by about 40% of the population. English, though spoken by a smaller percentage (10%), plays a crucial role in business, making it easier to find jobs, and is the primary medium of instruction in most universities. Both Hindi and English are used by the central government, while individual states have the freedom to choose their official language. India is a land of linguistic diversity. The country's languages belong to two major language families. The Aryan language family dominates, spoken by over 70% of the population, primarily in the northern, western, and central regions. The Dravidian languages are spoken by over 20% of the population, mainly in the southern regions and some parts of the eastern and central areas. Sanskrit, one of the oldest languages in the world, is a classical language in India, with all ancient scriptures and Vedas written in it. It represents the profound traditions and philosophies of India. Sanskrit is a highly complex language with a vast vocabulary and was originally spoken by a large portion of India's population. Hindi is the national language, spoken by over half of India's population as either a first or second language. According to the 2001 census, more than 400 million people speak Hindi as their mother tongue, making it the most spoken language in India and the fourth most spoken language in the world.

A legend tells of the tyrannical king of India, Shahram, and a wise man from his kingdom. The wise man wanted to demonstrate to Shahram the value of every individual in his realm. To do so, he invented a game that represented the kingdom, including the king, the queen, bishops, knights, rooks, and pawns, each with a unique role. The king enjoyed the game and realized it mirrored real life. Consequently, he decreed that everyone in his kingdom should play chess!

In Murray's book, he suggests that the origins of chess trace back to northern India, from where it traveled to Persia and then spread across Asia. In Eastern countries, like India and Persia, chess became a part of the royal education of the aristocracy. Over time, the game evolved into a competitive sport with specific rules and gained widespread popularity among the people. The first chess tournaments began to take place, and the first official World Chess Championship was held in 1886, where Wilhelm Steinitz became the first official World Chess Champion.

Bollywood refers to Hindi-language cinema and is a blend of "Bombay" and "Hollywood." It is closely tied to South Indian cinema and other regional film industries, making India the largest film-producing nation globally in terms of the number of films made. In 2017, Indian cinema produced 1,986 feature films, with Bollywood contributing 364 Hindi films that year. Bollywood accounts for 43% of India's box office revenue. Tamil and Telugu cinema contribute 36%, while other regional cinemas account for 21% of total box office earnings in 2014.

Bollywood is one of the biggest film production hubs in the world. In 2001, the Indian film industry, including Bollywood, sold an estimated 3.6 billion tickets globally, surpassing Hollywood's 2.6 billion tickets. Bollywood films typically use the Hindustani language, which is mutually intelligible with both Hindi and Urdu. The most popular genre in Bollywood since the 1970s is the "masala" film, which blends multiple genres such as action, comedy, romance, and drama.

India's postal service began in the 18th century when Warren Hastings, the Governor-General of British India, established the first public postal service in March 1774 in Kolkata. In 1854, India made history as the first country to issue postage stamps from a postal office in Sind province (then part of British India). The highest post office in the world, Hikkim, is located in India at an altitude of 15,500 feet in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti district. India boasts the largest postal network in the world, with 155,618 post offices and over 566,000 employees, of which 139,067 are in rural areas. The Indian Postal Service has a legacy of over 150 years.

Currently managing over a thousand post offices nationwide, the Indian Postal Service has become the largest postal network globally. Last year, when most businesses moved online due to the government's COVID-19 restrictions, India's red postal vehicles maximized road services by delivering medical supplies, including COVID-19 tests, ventilators, medicine, and N95 masks to states as part of their 'essential services.' To truly appreciate the rich heritage of India's post offices, one must embark on a journey across the country. India is home to some of the oldest and most unique post offices in the world.

Nalanda University is considered a symbol of the new Asian renaissance: a creative space for future generations, a hub for dialogue between civilizations. Located in the town of Rajgir in Bihar, North India, Nalanda is a graduate-level research university supported by the countries participating in the East Asia Summit. Today, Nalanda University has been established under a special act of the Indian Parliament and is designated as an 'institution of national importance.'

Nalanda was founded during the Gupta dynasty. Historical records suggest that it was established by Emperor Kumaragupta, a renowned Gupta ruler. Prajna Harman claims he was the founder of the university, a claim corroborated by a seal found at the ruins of Nalanda. The university was attacked three times by invaders, including the Huns, Gaudas, and Bakhtiyar Khilji. To this day, remnants of the university's structures remain in the ruins. Excavated remains are known to cover an area of approximately 150,000 square meters, and reports suggest that 90% of the structures at Nalanda have yet to be uncovered.

India is home to more than 300,000 active mosques, a number that surpasses most Muslim-majority countries. With the second-largest Muslim population in the world, India is home to many notable mosques such as Jama Masjid, Taj-ul-Masjid, Bara Imambara, Adhai Din ka John Pra Mosque, Nagina Masjid, and Hazratbal Masjid. Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in India, capable of holding up to 25,000 worshippers at once, and is considered the most iconic site for Muslims in India. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1644, it remains a major religious landmark. Taj-ul-Masjid, meaning the crown of all mosques, is one of the tallest mosques in Asia. Constructed between 1844 and 1860 by Nawab Shah Jahan Begum, its marble domes and grand design are stunning. The final touches to the mosque were completed in 1985. Another significant mosque, Adhai Din ka John Pra, was originally a Sanskrit college turned into a mosque in 1198. Its beautiful front wall, with a yellow limestone dome, reflects the architectural styles of Persian mosques, marking a blend of cultures in Indian Islamic architecture.