The main Hindu Gods as we accept today can be broadly classified as Saiva Gods (Siva, His consort, His sons, His other forms), Vaishnava Gods (Vishnu, His consort, His various avatharams)& Sakthi or Saktha (Forms of Goddess Sakthi).

Classical Indian music can be classified into two distinct categories, the North Indian or Hindustani & the South Indian or Carnatic music. The essential features & basis of both the styles are the same, in the sense that both are spiritualistic in nature. Foreign influences due to invasions by Persians, Arabs,.. are more evident in the Hindustani form.

India can boast of an innumerable number of folk dances, each dance forming a specialty of a particular region or tribe. Each form will have its own specialty & grace, along with a set pattern of costumes & make-up. 

The classical dance forms which have developed, have set rules that have been followed traditionally over the years. from the gracious hand & leg postures & movements, the dancers have to acquire the skill of portraying various emotions faithfully in each expression on their face & each fluid movement of their hand, legs & in fact their whole body. Every part conveys some meaning in their graceful motion.  There are various Dance forms Bharata Natyam, Chhau , Kathak, Kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniattam, Odissi.

Civilisation in India had flourished along the banks of her rivers, off the sea-shores & in semi arid regions. Depending on the locale, materials like wood, mud, bricks, tatches woven of palm & coconut leaves have been used. Huge stones had also been used to create archways, temples etc.

India is the home of one of the Seven Wonders of the world - Taj Mahal. In Indian architecture one can find creations like stambhas , stupas, Jain and Hindu rock cut temples , Mughal,Portugal, architecture mix.

Indian Paintings can be broadly classified as the murals & miniatures. Murals are huge works executed on the walls of solid structures. Classic examples are the paintings in Ajantha & Kailasantaha temple. Miniature paintings are those executed on a very small scale on perishable material such as paper, cloth, etc., Though this style had been perfected by artisans under the various rules, not many remain today. Prime examples are the Rajasthani & Mughal miniatures. Some examples are Ajanta murals, Tanjore Paintings - Tamilnadu, Madhubani Paintings – Bihar , Kalamkari, Pithoro paintings – Gujarat etc.

TRADITIONAL CUSTOMES AND FESTIVALS

Our traditions have been handed down by word of mouth and practice down the generations in India. Today, the use of natural items in food, beauty treatment, medicine is gathering momentum with a lot of herbal products in the market.

INDIAN FESTIVALS

Holi

The festival of Holi, a spring harvesting festival is celebrated over two days after the full moon in early March every year. On the evening of the first day bonfires are lit in public places and the next day people celebrate with festive vibrancies and wild abandon as they throw coloured powder and water at each other. The second day is called Dhuleti or Rangapanchami (Ranga-colour, Panchami=fifth day), from the time when the festival was celebrated over five days. Harvested grains and coconut were offered as oblation to the fire in rejoicing at the fertility of the land.

Diwali or Deepaavali means an Array of Lamps (Deep = Lamp, Vali =Array). This is one of the major festivals in the Hindu calendar. It occurs in October/November, and is spread over four days. Dhanteras (Dhanatrayodashi) is the first day or rather the eve of the day on which the festival begins. Narkachaturdashi which is also known as Kalichoudas or Bali Pratipada is the second day. Laxmi Pujan and New year (Padava) normally occur (depending on the Hindu calendar) simultaneously on the third day and Bhaiya-duj is the last day.

Kumbha Mela

A Kumbha procession defies description - it must be experienced to be known. It is heralded by the conjunction of planets at an auspicious time and place, and it is the convergence of a spiritual energy that has it's own compelling power. The colour and style of the traditional dresses of every region of India inter-mingle here against the backdrop of shades of saffron everywhere.

Summer Festival, Mt.Abu(June)

Organised in the only hill station of Rajasthan, this festival provides ample opportunity for visitors to enjoy themselves in an ambience of folk culture with song, dance and attendant gaiety.

Teej, Jaipur (July-August)

Atraditional festival to mark the advent of the monsoon season which is heralded with great excitement and anticipation. It is essentially a festival for women who delight in applying mehendi to their hands, buying new bangles and other jewellery and celebrating with new clothes.

Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)

On the occasion of the full moon during the month of Kartika, thousands of pilgrims flock to the small town of Pushkar for a ritual bath in the lake. During the preceding four days there is a huge cattle, horse and camel fair that takes place nearby. Bazaars, auctions, music and sports are the major highlights.

Camel Festival, Bikaner(January)

An enchanting desert city that comes alive to music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the Kolagat Mela and cattle fair provides an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances and camel races.

Pongal is celebrated on the first day of the Tamil month, Thai considered to be an auspicious month. The Sun God is worshipped. In rural areas people gather in front of their houses and cook pongal in clay pots. Stoves are made with stones and wood is used as fuel. When the pongal is almost made, everybody shouts in ecstasy pongal o pongal. The overflowed milk is believed to be a sign of a prosperous agricultural season ahead. People visit their friends and relatives. Pongal food and sweets are exchanged among neighbors and relatives. The sugar cane crop ripens at the time of Pongal. Harvested sugarcane is available in markets and kids can be seen walking around everywhere, crunching sugarcane.