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India is a land of fascinating contrasts, where ancient traditions and rich heritage seamlessly blend with a rapidly growing economy. The country’s customs, shaped by centuries of history, continue to influence modern life while embracing new influences. From vibrant festivals to time-honored rituals, and from thriving industries to deep cultural practices, India offers a journey like no other.

Click through this gallery to discover the diverse elements that make India unique.

▲The country's official name is the Republic of India. There are 28 states in seven federal territories and the capital is New Delhi.

▲The country's population is mainly Hindu. Followers of this religion worship many deities, but the main ones are: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sun god), and Shiva (the god of destruction).

▲This is the largest religious festival in the world, attracting hundreds of millions of people. It takes place every 12 years, rotating between four different locations. In 2025, the festival is being held in the city of Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, with an expected 400 million attendees.

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The Hindu religion traditionally divides people into four castes: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. There are also the Dalits, also known as "untouchables." These are outside the caste system because they are considered to be inferior.

▲The Hindu calendar has six seasons: spring, summer, monsoon, autumn, pre-winter, and winter.

▲India is currently the most populated country in the world, with more than 1.4 billion inhabitants.

▲According to the last Indian census, Hinduism is the most popular religion, accounting for 79.8% of the population. In second place comes Islam, at about 14.2%. Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains collectively represent 6% of the population.

▲India and Pakistan have been in conflict since the independence period around 1940. The two have fought four wars in dispute over the region of Kashmir.

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Mumbai is India's largest metropolis, with more than 22 million inhabitants.

▲Sikhism was founded in the 15th century by Baba Nanak. The practice contains elements of Islam and Hinduism. Sikh men are known for their long beards and for wearing turbans.

▲According to Forbes, by 2050 the country is predicted to be the most populated on Earth, with about 1.6 billion people.

▲The most popular dance of India originated more than 5,000 years ago in the south of India. It influenced and served as the basis for other styles of dance in various regions of the country and through Asia.

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India has one of the most productive film industries in the world, known as Bollywood. The name is a mix of the words Bombay and Hollywood.

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When a person dies in India, their body is cremated and their ashes are thrown into the Ganges river. It's believed that its waters are sacred and purifying.

▲Cows are sacred to Hindus. They believe that the animal is an example of spirituality for sharing much without receiving anything in return.

▲Despite not making even half the profit of Hollywood, Bollywood sells about 3 billion movie tickets a year.

▲According to India's constitution, 744 different tribes are recognized in the country. There are more than 400 official languages and dialects.

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India is part of a group of developing countries called BRICS+, made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Today, India is the fourth largest economy in the world.

▲It's the highest mountain in the country and the third-highest in the world. The 28,169 ft (8,586 m) mountain is located in the Himalayan ridge and bordered by Nepal.

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Indians traditionally eat with their right hands, without the assistance of cutlery.

▲McDonald's quintessential Big Mac burger is made with chicken in India. That's because the majority of the population doesn't eat beef.

▲After China, India is one of the countries with the highest abortion rates of female fetuses. Due to the customary dowry offered by the bride's family, many families choose not to have girls.

▲The country produces about 75% of the world's spices.

▲Despite the impact of modernity, 88.4% of marriages are still arranged, and the couple is expected to be from the same caste.

▲Today, the country stands out in the industrial production of state-of-the-art technology. It is the world's second-largest software producer and is also recognized in the fields of electronics, agro-industry, and biotechnology. By 2027, it is expected to surpass the US, which is currently number one.

▲In the country, there are about 2.5 million zero-rupee notes in circulation. They are used by citizens who do not accept requests for bribery from public officials.

▲The division of society by castes was banned in India in 1947, yet tradition still predominates among Hindus.

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Located in the city of Agra, the temple built between 1630 and 1652 is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is a global symbol of the country.