Posted On 2014-09-24
India is a state of diverse cultures, religions, traditions and beliefs. The country is home to millions of people who exhibit diversity in their thoughts, lifestyles, worship and work but are united in one spirit in the love for their country. A journey through India is a revelation for many and this is one of the main reasons why many foreigners flock to India to explore its myriad colours.
The distinctively distinguishable customs and traditions of India give it a unique hue. From the Himalayas in the North, to the waves of the Indian Ocean in the South, India has a million different colours. The dance, language and food of its 28 eights states and Union Territories differ distinctively from each other.
Gujarat
Food
Gujarati cuisine is predominantly vegetarian due to the influence of Jainism and traditional Hindu values. There are four main regions in Gujarat- North Gujarat, Surti Gujarat, Kachch and Kathiawad- which have their own distinctive styles of cooking. A typical Gujarati thali consists of roti, dal, rice and vegetables. Some dishes are a beautiful blend of sweetness, saltiness and hotness.
Dance
Garba: Garba is a popular form of dance that is performed during the nine-day festival of Navratri. A picture or idol of Goddess Shakti or a lamp is placed in the centre and dancers stand in concentric circles for the performance.
Dandiya Raas: Dandiya Raas was traditionally performed by men to the tune of traditional instruments. Howevere, these days the dance form has evolved and men and women are seen dancing to foot-tapping numbers during the Navratri festival.
Language
Gujarati is the official language of the state. Gujarati is an Indo-Aryan language and according to studies it is the 26th most spoken native language in the world. The language owes its origin to Old Gujarati which gave birth to the modern day Gujarati and Rajasthani languages.
Jammu and Kashmir
Food
The Kashmiri cuisine