In India, you can easily find a post office, even in today’s digital age. Unique to India, you can send mail from a floating post office in Dal Lake, Srinagar. Additionally, you can send a postcard from the world’s highest post office in the charming village of Hikkim in Spiti Valley.
The Hikkim post office is situated at an elevation of 15550 feet, serving as a cultural institution and social hub for the Trans-Himalayan community. India boasts the largest postal network globally, with an average of one post office for every 7,175 people.
India Has a Ban on Captive Dolphins
India takes the concept of dolphin intelligence to another level by considering dolphins as “non-human persons.” The country has laws dedicated to dolphin rights, making it illegal to keep dolphins captive within the country.
Dolphins exhibit advanced cognitive abilities and bear social behaviors and activities that resemble those of humans. The Indian Government has taken significant steps to protect dolphins and their rights.
The Second Largest English-Speaking Country In The World
India ranks as the second largest English-speaking country globally, following the United States. Contrary to popular belief, India is not just an outsourcing destination, but a nation with a significant number of fluent English speakers. English is also one of the official languages in India, particularly prevalent in major Indian cities.
Home to Two of the Rainiest Places on Earth
The state of Meghalaya in India hosts two of the wettest inhabited places on the planet – Mawsynram and Cherrapunji. Mawsynram, the wettest place on Earth, receives an astonishing 11,872 millimeters of rainfall annually.
Cherrapunji, located around 60 kilometers from Mawsynram, also experiences significant rainfall. Both places offer a breathtaking experience of the monsoons in India.
A Human Gathering Visible From Space
The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu festival that dates back over 200 years. This gathering of millions of people at sacred sites across India to atone for misdeeds is so massive that it was visible from space during the 2011 event, attracting over 75 million pilgrims, marking it as the largest human gathering in history.
The Kumbh Mela remains an extraordinary event with immense significance to those who partake in it.
The Incredible Engineering of the Bandra Worli Sealink
The Bandra Worli Sealink in Mumbai is a remarkable bridge that took 2,57,00,000 man-hours to complete. It is an engineering marvel, with its steel wires amounting to the circumference of the Earth and weighing as much as 50,000 African elephants
The bridge stands as a testament to human excellence, attracting visitors as a symbol of remarkable engineering achievement.
Home to the Highest Cricket Ground
Located in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, India, the highest cricket ground in the world stands at an altitude of 2,444 meters. Constructed in 1893, it has become an integral part of the Chail Military School and a paradise for cricket lovers due to its historical significance and breathtaking views.
The Chail Cricket Ground offers a serene setting amidst alpine forests and mist, making it an ideal destination for both cricket enthusiasts and travelers seeking hidden gems.
The Concept of Shampooing Started in India
India traces the origin of shampooing back to its history; thus, we owe the hair-cleansing routine to India.
that has become indispensable to everyone’s lives. Shampoo and the concept of shampooing originated in India. How’s that for a fascinating history into everyday times we take for granted?
The word “shampoo” comes from the Sanskrit “champu,” which means “to massage.” And the original shampoo was meant to do that – gently cleanse and nourish the scalp through massage. Shampoo back then was quality stuff, too. People in India made shampoo with herbs, spices, and other natural ingredients – none of the harmful commercial stuff we use today.
The Surprising Way India Launched Its Space Program
Few places in the world function so visibly on dichotomy the way India does. Modernity vs. tradition, order in chaos, spiritual yet scientific – numerous contrasting forces exist harmoniously in the country. The story of India’s first rocket has a similar narrative.
The rocket – a breakthrough in scientific research and innovation – was transported to the launching station in an unconventional way. It was so small and lightweight that someone carried the rocket on a bicycle to the Thumba Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The origin story of India’s space ambitions is both humble and grand. The first rocket helped pave the way for India’s future as a major player in the global space race.
A Spa for Elephants
Elephants feature prominently in the popular imagination of what India represents. The Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard Rejuvenation Centre in Kerala takes it to an awesome and inspiring new level. This one-of-a-kind spa has an incredible mission – to pamper and rejuvenate these gentle giants. The spa’s design and ambiance cater specifically to elephants, prioritizing the animals’ peace and downtime.
Elephants get relaxing baths and massages – much needed in Kerala’s scorching heat. Delicious meals and carefully selected diets are, of course, a part of the spa package. The Punnathoor Cotta Elephant Yard Rejuvenation Centre is an extension of the Guruvayurappan Hindu Temple, where elephants take center stage in temple processions.
These Hollywood Stars Have Indian Roots
Freddie Mercury and Ben Kingsley are iconic names in the entertainment industry. But we bet most people don’t know that both stars have Indian roots. Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara into a Parsi family in Gujarat, India. Mercury spent most of his childhood in India before moving to England at the age of 17. The singer famously remained connected to his Indian heritage. He was proud of his Parsi roots.
Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji in Yorkshire, England, to a father of Indian descent and a British mother. Although he was born and raised in the UK, Kingsley never lost touch with his roots, thanks to his parents, who made sure of it.
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