WEDDING IN INDIA (TAMIL CULTURE)

Tamil marriages are not very showy and extravagant as Tamilians believe in simple living. Tamil people are very particular about their customs and traditions. Tamil weddings are attended by relatives and friends and hence are held on a large scale. There are many wedding rituals which will be carried out before, during and post wedding rituals in the Tamilian marriage. The important Tamil wedding rituals are given below :

BEFORE WEDDING

NICHIYATHARTHAM (ENGAGEMENT)

Nicchiyadhartham is the formal engagement ceremony, where the bride and the groom exchange rings. After this, the reading of Lagna Pathirigai takes place, which is formally announcing the wedding and reading out aloud the wedding invitation, to inform everybody about the formalizing of the alliance.

PANTHA KAAL MUHURTHAM

The wedding rituals begin with Pantha Kaal Muhurtham, wherein the families of the bride and the groom pray to the Lord for an uninterrupted wedding ceremony. After this, the groom is welcomed with the traditional aarti by the bride's side on the day before marriage. He is offered sweets, sprinkled with rose water and even a coconut is broken to ward off any evil. Next is Viratham, which is a small puja organized before marriage.

DURING WEDDING

WEDDING RITUALS

On the day of the wedding, Mangala Snaanam takes place, as per which the bride and the groom take purifying bath. Before the bath, oil and haldi-kumkum are applied to them. After this, the groom heads towards the wedding hall, where he meets the bride.

Then the exchange of garlands takes place between the bride and the groom. This is followed by the Oonjal ritual, wherein the couple is seated on a swing and given milk and banana to eat. Rice balls are used to prevent them from evil eye. This is followed by Kanyadaanam, in which the bride's father gives away his daughter to the groom. After this, Muhurtham ritual takes place wherein the groom ties “Thirumaanggalyam” and puts vermillion to the bride. Subsequently, they take seven rounds and seven vows around the sacred fire called Saptapadi.

POST WEDDING RITUALS

After the wedding, both the families exchange gifts with each other. This is called Sammandhi Mariyathai. Bride leaves with her husband for her marital home after all the ceremonies over. Here, she is welcomed by her new family with the traditional aarathi. In the evening, the Reception party takes place, which is an informal event. The guests meet the newly wed couple and give them blessings. This is followed by sumptuous dinner.




WRITTEN BY - NIVAAHSHNY CALISTA ANN 

ECONOMY IN INDIA

India is the 18th largest export economy in the world and the 50th most complex economy according to the Economic Complexity Index (ECI).

With 1.2 billion people and the world’s fourth-largest economy, India’s recent growth and development has been one of the most significant achievements of our times. Next, over the six and half decades since independence, the country has brought about a landmark agricultural revolution that has transformed the nation from chronic dependence on grain imports into a global agricultural powerhouse that is now a net exporter of food and now, India  ranks 39th among the world’s most competitive economies, up 16 places from last year. It is the biggest leap for any country in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2016-2017.

INDIA’S EXPORT

Exports from India amounted to US$264 billion in 2015, down -12.4% since 2011 and down -16.9% from 2014 to 2015. India’s top 10 exports accounted for 58.1% of the overall value of its global shipments. From spices to textiles, manufacturing industries and more.

Here are India’s top 10 export. That is Gems, precious metals that worth US$38.8 billion (14.7% of total exports), Oil: $30.9 billion (11.7%), Vehicles: $14.1 billion (5.3%), Machines, engines, pumps: $13.2 billion (5%), Pharmaceuticals: $12.5 billion (4.7%), Organic chemicals: $11.2 billion (4.3%), Clothing (not knit or crochet): $9.4 billion (3.5%), Electronic equipment: $7.9 billion (3%), Knit or crochet clothing: $7.8 billion (2.9%), and Cotton: $7.5 billion (2.8%).

WRITTEN BY : SUPAHASTRA 

ETHNIC BACKGROUND OF INDIAN PEOPLE.

India is a fascinating country where people of many different communities and religions live together in unity. Indian population in polygenetic and is an amazing amalgamation of various races and cultures.

It is impossible to find out the exact origin of indian people. The species known as Ramapithecus was found in the Siwalik Foothills of North Western Himalayas. The species believed to be the first in the line of huminids, known as human family lived some 14 million years ago. Researchers have found that a species resembling the Austrapithecus lived in india some 2 million years ago. Even the dscovery leaves an evolutionary gap of as much as 12 million years since Ramapithecus.

There are many diverse ethnic groups among the people of India. Negrito, Proto- Australoids or Austrics, Mongoloids, Mediterranean or Dravidian, Western Brachycephals ans Nordic Aryans are the six main ethnic groups of Indian people.


WRITTEN  BY : KASVINI 

SPORTS IN INDIA

India has always been forefront on matters of sports, though at a slower pace. India has a bright future ahead, since it has a vast pool of raw talent ready to be nurtured. India is home to a diverse population playing many different sports across the country. Cricket is the most popular sport. Football is a popular sport in some of the Indian states. The country has won eight Olympic gold medals in field hockey, another popular game in India. Kabaddi, an indigenous sport is popular in rural India. Several games originated in India including Chess, Snooker and other regional games. India has won medals in Badminton, Kabaddi, Hockey and many other sports and disciplines. Cricket is the most played sport followed by Badminton and Football. Cricket is also the most popular sport in India, the other popular sports being Badminton, Football, Tennis, Hockey, and Kabaddi. 

WRITTEN BY : POOVARASI 

GEOGRAPHY AND POPULATION OF INDIA

India is the seventh largest country in the world in terms of area which it an obvious place to have vast geographical features. It lies on the Indian plate, a nothern portion of the Indo-Australian plate. The Indian landmass is surronded by three different water bodies and is easily regonisable on the world map. India is also famous for its holyriver such as Gangga, Brahmaputra, Indus,Godavari and Cauvery river.

India is also is know the second most populated country in the world. Currently population of people in India is estimated around 1.2 billion. A study also suggests that India would overtake China as the world’s most population nation by 2030. Population in India shows a static increase over the centuries as population was about 100 million in 1600 and remained nearly stationary until the 19th century and It reached 255 million according to the first counting taken in 1881. Studies of India’s population since 1881 have focused on such topics as total population, birth and death rates, geographic distribution, literacy, the rural and urban divide, cities with populations over eight million such as Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta.

WRITTEN BY : KOMATHI

RELIGION IN INDIA

Religion in India is characterised by a variety of religious beliefs and practices. India is the origin of four of the world’s major religion; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Hinduism is generally known as the oldest religion in the world as its roots tracing back to ancient times, over 5000 years ago. 90% of India’s population practices Hinduism and most Hindu shrines and ancient temple are situated in India as it is the birthplace of most Hindu saints. It is also hosts the world largest religious pilgrimage Kumbha Mela where devotes from different paths of life come together to bathe in the holy rivers of India which are Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.  

India is also the birthplace of Buddhism and origin of Buddhism starts from one man, Siddhartha Gautama. Though Gautama Buddha didn’t acknowledge Buddhism as a religion, after his passing the community he created slowly evolved into a religion-like movement and later were spread throughout Asia.

Meanwhile, the origin of Sikhism started with Nanak, the first guru in the 15^th century in Punjab, India.  Sikhism firmly believes in unity and equality of all humankind, engaging in selfless service and determined for social justice for the benefit of all. With nearly 25-28 milions devotes worldwide Sikhism is the ninth-largest religion in the world.

Lastly, Jainism is an ancient religion in India that was founded by Rsabhanatha.  Jainsism is known as philosophy of eternity and   believe their religion to be eternal. Jainism exercises strict vegetarian diet in accordance with the principle of non-violence towards all beings.

WRITTEN BY : JEGATHISWARY 

TOURISM IN INDIA

India is one of the most sought after tourist destination in the world. People across the globe wish to visit India at least once in their lifetime. Although the reason for such a demand are numerous, some of them are its diverse and rich culture, harmony, peace, people, spirituality and religious diversity. A kaleidoscope of traditions, culture and vibrant geographies, India speaks for itself as a soul-stirring journey. From its  dusty snow trenches, frolic coasts, gripping natural green to the mystic ravines of spirituality and clusters of cultural shades defining the raw beauty, India capture the heart of every tourist. Discover the different facets of this multi-coloured country as it shapes our vision at every of its fold. With the country’s tourism branched into several forms, India has a chunk for every kind of a traveller. Some of the places that attracts a huge number of tourist are such as Mysore, Agra, Chennai, Jaipur Hyderabad, Delhi, Ooty and ect.

WRITTEN BY : POOVARASI 

THE HISTORY OF INDIAN FOOD

THE HISTORY OF INDIAN FOOD

Indian Appetizers and Snacks

The majority of Indian appetizers and snacks are based on potatoes, combined with different spices. The Alu Ki Tikki for example, which is one of the oldest snacks recorded by the history of Indian food, is made out of mashed potatoes,coriander and onions. Another famous is the Samosa appetizer, made out of steamed potatoes, peas and vegetables.

We all also now know an approximate recipe to the Bhel Puri .The tasty Indian snack is made out of crispy puris, puffed rice, Indian sevs, chilli powder, potatoes, red onion, chat masala, coriander and lemon or mango juice. It comes in two dish version which are spicy or sweet. The spicy chutney includes garlic cloves, mint leaves, salt and green chilies, while the sweet chutney’s ingredients are cumin seeds, jaggery, sugar, tamarind pulp and boiled dates pulp.

Indian Sweets

The Rasgulla is one of the most popular relished sweetmeats in India, originating from the Eastern part of the country, has an interesting modern history. This dish is produced by the boiling of small pops of casein in sugar syrup has become many people’s favourite.

Another Indian dessert that blends with the Hindu culture is the Payasam (or Kheer as it is called by the Hindi). This dessert has been an essential dish throughout the history of India, being usually found at ceremonies, feasts and celebrations. The best and most popular Payasam dishes are found in the temples of Guruvayoor and Ambalappuzha.

Western India also does a great job on satisfying the sweet tooth of its inhabitants, with one of the most delicious desserts which is the Shrikhand. The Shrikhand is a creamy dessert made out of strained yogurt, from which all water is drained off, leaving the thick yogurt cream by itself. Adding exotic dry fruits like mangos only enhances the Shrikhand’s delightful taste to newer limits. This great dessert is one of Western India’s most popular traditional dishes, since it has ancient roots in the Indian cuisine.

Other important traditional Indian sweets and desserts, Gulab Jamun is a popular Indian dessert made out of fried milk balls in sweet syrup. Mysore Pak is also a delicious dessert made out of ghee, sugar and chick pea flour. Halwa is made out of semolina and sugar, Halwa is one of the most popular Indian desserts that have spread in every corner of the World. Often referred to as Indian ice cream, the Kulfi is made out of boiled milk and a wide variety of mango, kesar or cardamom flavors .Not forgetting the Jalebi which is a common sweet dish from North India, the Jalebi is basically a pretzel-shaped fried batter, which is soaked in syrup and lastly the Jangiri,the South Indian look-alike of the North Indian Jalebi.

WRITTEN BY : AMIRAH BUSYRA 

HISTORICAL PLACES IN INDIA

HISTORICAL PLACES IN INDIA

TAJ MAHAL 

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is undoubtedly India's most famous monument. It looms evocatively from the banks of the Yamuna River. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had it built as a mausoleum for third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. Construction took place over 16 years, from 1632 to 1648.The Taj Mahal is made out of white marble but its color captivatingly appears togradually alter in the changing light of the day.

 FATEHPUR SIKHRI

Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra in Uttar Pradesh, was once the proud but short-lived capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Emperor Akbar founded the city from the twin villages of Fatehpur and Sikri in 1569, as tribute to famous Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. The saint accurately predicted the birth of Emperor Akbar's much longed for son. Not long after Fatehpur Sikri was completed, it unfortunately had to be abandoned by its occupants as the water supply was insufficient.

Nowadays, the city is a deserted ghost town (albeit one that's overrun with beggars and touts) with well-preserved Mughal architecture. Monuments include an imposing entrance gate, one of India's largest mosques, and a palace complex.

                   GATEWAY OF INDIA

Mumbai's most recognizable monument, the Gateway of India, occupies a commanding position overlooking the Arabian Sea at the harbor in Colaba. It was built commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary's to the city in 1911. However, it wasn't completed until 1924.

The Gateway of India subsequently played an significant part in India's history. The last British troops departed through it in 1948, when India obtained Independence.

                                                         KONARK SUN TEMPLE

The 13th century Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the grandest and most well-known sun temple in India. This magnificent temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It was made as a giant chariot for Surya the Sun God, with 12 pairs of wheels pulled by seven horses.

Sadly, the temple met with a mysterious downfall that resulted in the ruination of many important parts, including the towering rear shrine.

Furthermore, when the temple stopped being used for worship in the 18th century, its pillar of Aruna the charioteer was tranfered to the Jagannath Temple in Puri, in order to save it from invaders.

   RAN KI VAV

A surprisingly recent archaeological find in Patan, Gujarat, Rani ki Vav was flooded by the nearby Saraswati River and silted over until the late 1980s. The step well, which is undoubtedly India's most awe-inspiring, dates back to the 11th century during the reign on the Solanki dynasty. Apparently, the widow of ruler Bhimdev I had it built in his memory. The step well was designed as an inverted temple. Its panels are evocatively covered in more than 500 main sculptures and 1,000 minor ones. Incredibly, no stone is left uncarved!

                                                                       OLD GOA

Located 10 kilometers from Panjim, the historic city of Old Goa was the capital of Portuguese India from the 16th century until the 18th century. It had a substantial population of more than 200,000 people but was abandoned due to the plague. The Portuguese relocated to Panjim, which is known for its Latin Quarterfilled with colorful Portuguese homes.

Old Goa was actually founded in the 15th century, before the Portuguese, by rulers of the Bijapur Sultanate.

After the Portuguese captured it, they constructed many churches. The most notable ones standing today are the Basilica of Bom Jesus (which contains the mortal remains of Saint Francis Xavier) Se Cathedral (the seat of the Archbishop of Goa), and the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi.


WRITTEN BY : THINESH