The mainland comprises four regions, namely, the great mountain zone, plains of the Ganga and the Indus, the desert region and the southern Peninsula.

The plains of the Ganga and the Indus, about 2,400 km long and 240 to 320 km broad, are formed by basins of three distinct river systems - the Indus, the Ganga and the Brahmaputra. They are one of the world's greatest stretches of flat alluvium and also one of the most densely populated areas on the earth.

India is a land of often bewildering diversity. It is a jigsaw puzzle of people of every faith and religion, living together to create a unique and colourful mosaic.

As the birthplace of four major religions that exist even today, India is rightfully known as the land of spirituality and philosophy. The most dominant religion in India today is Hinduism with almost 81% of the people being Hindus. One of the truly ancient religions of the world, Hinduism is believed to have developed nearly 5000 years ago.

Around 500 BC two other religions made their mark in India. Buddhism and Jainism and today while these two religions together account for no more than 1.2% of the population, their impact on Indian culture and sensibility is far in excess of that. Between them these three ancient religions - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism - moulded Indian philosophy and thinking. One comparatively new religion in India is Sikhism, which was established in the 15th century. Today about 2% of Indians are Sikhs.

Along with the religions that developed in India, there are followers of non-Indian religions as well. Islam is the chosen faith of a hefty 12% of India's population.

Every part of India offers its own special variety of rich silk and its own individual colours and weaves. From the heavy Kanjeevaram silks of the south, to the soft and the richly brocaded ones of Beneras; the light silks from the east; the golden-hued 'muga' of Assam; "tanchoi" from Surat, the magical tie-and-dye of Rajasthan and Gujarat; and the "ikat" or 'patola' of Orissa.

The markets are practically loaded with good buys. Artifacts in bronze, brass, ivory, marble or wood: from statues, to lamp shades, to chairs, delicate filigree work on ivory and silver, marble inlaid with precious colored stones, enamel work; "kundan" or "mina" jewellery of Rajasthan, silver from Orissa and pearls of Hyderabad. The shopper in a hurry, the government runs the Central Cottage Industries Emporium which has branches in each major city. These are well appointed multi-strayed complexes containing a selection of handicrafts from every corner of the country. Cottage Emporium, as also many other stores in the country, accept all major international credit cards. Each branch has an air freighting section where bulky purchases are delivered right at your doorstep, back home. Likewise, many other stores in India will pack and airfreight your bulky purchases.

This will give a better understanding of the social milieu of India.

• Check with your hotel about shopping hours and closing days before you set out to shop.
• India does not have a culture of large super market and department stores.
• Major cities have government emporiums with fixed prices and quality goods. They may sometimes be a bit more expensive than roadside shops but are reliable.
• Every city has a local bazaar, Bargaining is routine. Compare prices before bargaining for an item. You could start your research at the fixed-price government emporiums.
• Establish goodwill. Never insult the merchant.
• Let the seller (shopkeeper) make the first offer, than start asking for 40% discount on the amount said, than your next offer should be around 35% discount, the seller will probably counter with a 20% discount.

Light-weight durries (floor coverings) are available in numerous styles. The states of Punjab , Haryana, Rajasthan (wollen durries ), Uttar Pradesh (geometrical patterns) and Tamil Nadu (stylized patterns) are important weaving tradition, its designs are based on Persian and central Asian styles.

Kashmir is also known for other types of floor covering, known as the Namdas are made of felted wool and cotton and are embroidered with woolen chain stitches. The hook rug is made with chain stitch embroidery worked with a hook called ahri. Thick jute is embroidered fully so that the base material is not visible. The Gabba is an appliqué done on worn-out wollen blankets. Carpets produced in Agra and Amritsar have fine quality patterns on a red , ivory, green and black background.

Among the many regional specialties, nothing can beat the Rajasthani and Gujarati woodcraft. The fabulous creations in wood, the antique look and the intricate craftsmanship are some of the reasons why the furniture from these two regions of India is always in demand both in India and abroad.

In some parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat colourful painting of furniture is quite common. Traditional designs and motifs are painted in colours, which are again traditional. The items that are generally available in this range are small chairs and tables, bajots and chowkis, stools with string seats, boxes, cabinets, mirror/picture frames, doors and windows.

Like Rajasthan, Gujarati handicrafts are unique in its own ways. The history of Gujarati furniture is related to the Mughals who were great patrons of arts and crafts. The patronage of the Mughals especially for the woodcraft acted as the green signal to Persian inlay craftsmen to carry on their work and settle down in their respective workplaces. Like Rajasthan, Gujarati handicrafts are unique in its own ways. The history of Gujarati furniture is related to the Mughals who were great patrons of arts and crafts. The patronage of the Mughals especially for the woodcraft acted as the green signal to Persian inlay craftsmen to carry on their work and settle down in their respective workplaces.

Indian craft tradition has no parallel in the world, in diversity as well as in technique and use of materials. The craft traditions of India vary from region to region. These crafts not only cater to the day-to-day needs of the people but are also used for decorative and religious purposes.

Though a few towns in the north dominate the trade, just about every Indian state has its own unique traditional crafting techniques and designs. Basically brass is an alloy of two parts copper and one of zinc, but in India the proportions vary. And though in most centers the basic casting process is mechanized, the major craftsmanship still lies in the fine engraving that takes place by hand, the enameling, carving, or rich inlay work with semi-precious stones.

India is the seventh largest and second most populous country in the world. A new spirit of economic freedom is now stirring in the country, bringing sweeping changes in its wake. A series of ambitious economic reforms aimed at deregulating the country and stimulating foreign investment has moved India firmly into the front ranks of the rapidly growing Asia Pacific region and unleashed the latent strengths of a complex and rapidly changing nation.

India's time tested institutions offer foreign investors a transparent environment that guarantees the security of their long-term investments. These include a free and vibrant press, a judiciary which can and does overrule the government, a sophisticated legal and accounting system and a user friendly intellectual infrastructure. India's dynamic and highly competitive private sector has long been the backbone of its economic activity. It accounts for over 75% of its Gross Domestic Product and offers considerable scope for joint ventures and collaborations.

Few countries in the world have such an ancient and diverse culture as India's. Stretching back in an unbroken sweep over 5000 years, India's culture has been enriched by successive waves of migration which were absorbed into the Indian way of life.

It is this variety which is a special hallmark of India. Its physical, religious and racial variety is as immense as its linguistic diversity. Underneath this diversity lies the continuity of Indian civilization and social structure from the very earliest times until the present day

Dance is the primeval expression of joy and wonder in any part of the world, transcending barriers of culture and development. Ancient humans were probably mimicking the movements of birds and animals in an attempt to acquire or depict their unconscious grace and freedom of form and motion. Dance as a structured entity was essentially part of the devotional process. When combined with song and story-telling, dance metamorphosed into theatre. One aspect or the other predominates in theatre and the performing arts as we recognize them today. Two category of dance are :

Many folk dances are performed by ordinary people rather than professional dancers. It is very usual that on special occasions, the villagers will gather and sing and dance, accompanying themselves on a variety of folk instruments. Such special occasions include harvesting, planting, marriages and religious holidays.

Indian music is traced back several millennia, and has been discussed in Sanskrit theoretical treatises (shastras) for around two thousand years. Indian music tends to be the classical traditions of the north and south based on the melodic system of ragas and the rhythmic system of talas.

As regards Indian classical music in general, there are a huge number of modes (ragas). Musicians will elaborate a single mode in detail, largely through improvisation but also based on compositions and formal demands. There are also pieces (called "ragamala" or "ragamalika") in which modulations are employed. Individual pieces are shorter in Carnatic music, so recitals are constructed by selecting items in contrasting ragas.

India is a vast country with such climatic diversity that conditions in the far north have no relation to those in the extreme south. Climate varies greatly, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the cool highlands of Assam, the wettest place on earth. The weather is tropically hot with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from December to February, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Between March and May the weather is extremely hot, dry, dusty and unpleasant. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September. Basically India has three seasons in a year - the hot, the wet and the cool. 

NORTHERN HIMALAYAS 
Indian states of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and hills of Uttarachal, Bengal and Sikkim fall in the Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan regions. In this region, March to mid-July is pleasant; end July to end September is pouring rains and hence is rather uncomfortable to travel. October to February is rather too cold as its snow time and again; in the higher reaches of the Himalayas and Trans Himalayan regions temperature falls way below freezing points.
Required clothing: Lightweights to medium-weights from March to October. Warmer wears for the winter. Weather can change rapidly in mountains and it is therefore important to be suitably equipped.

NORTHERN PLAIN

The states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, the Punjab, Haryana and Bihar can broadly be categorised as falling in Northern Plains region. These plains have rather extreme climatic conditions throughout the year. During summer months, from end-April to mid-July, it is time for proverbial heat and dust. From mid-July to end September it is rainy reason and the climate is humid and hence a little uncomfortable for traveling. From October it starts to get pleasant in North India; by the end of November the climate is a little cold but very much bearable. Only during December and January that cold is rather too much in the mornings and evenings; however, even during this time of the year days are sunny and pleasant.
Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in summer and warmer clothes in winter.

CENTRAL INDIA

The states of Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh form what is Central India. This region, more or less, escapes very worst of summer season. However, monsoons are very heavy here and cover the entire period of July to September. In winter, temperature falls during nights but days are sunny and pleasant.
Required Clothing: Lightweights most of the year with warmer clothes during evenings of winter.

WESTERN INDIA

Maharashtra and Goa may be seen as forming Western India. The period from November to February is most comfortable, although evenings can be a little cold. Here summers can be hot and extremely humid and monsoon months from June to September rather too wet.
Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens most of the year with warmer clothes for winters.

SOUTH WEST INDIA

The states of Kerala and Karnataka are more or less what is South-West India. The most pleasant weather here is from November to March. Monsoon rains from between late June to end September. Summer temperatures are not as high as in Northern India although humidity is extreme.
Required Clothing: Lightweights all year with a little warmer clothes for cooler evenings particularly in winter. 

SOUTH EAST INDIA 

South East India broadly includes the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. This region experiences north-east monsoon between October and December and temperatures and humidity are high all year. Hills of Tamil Nadu can be cold in winter.
Required Clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens. Warmer clothes in winter particularly in hills.