India’s culture through its festivals, arts and crafts. This section covers Janmashtami, Guru Purnima, Raksha Bandhan, Kargil Vijay Diwas and the Hemis Festival with its Cham dances, and explains what each occasion means and how it is celebrated today. We also write about Carnatic music for beginners, Bengal terracotta and the revival of classical arts, and look at the economics behind cricket, film, heritage tourism and culinary tourism.
You want to buy genuine Bengal terracotta, perhaps a Bankura horse or a small temple panel, but online listings swing from a few hundred rupees to several thousand with no clear reason why. The craft covers temple carvings, ritual figures, jewellery and home décor, each with its own origin village and price logic. This guide … Read more
Carnatic music stopped me at a street corner in Chennai on my second evening in India, and I have never fully recovered from that moment. What is Carnatic music and where does it come from? Carnatic music is the classical music of South India. It covers the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, … Read more
Janmashtami celebrations pull millions of people into Indian streets every September, and the scale of what happens is almost impossible to describe until you are standing inside it. What the festival actually marks Janmashtami is one of the most important festivals celebrated by Hindus in India, marking the birth of Lord Krishna. Tradition holds that … Read more
Raksha Bandhan gifting is changing, and on 28 August 2026 you will see exactly how: across every Indian city, a new generation of homegrown brands is turning a sacred thread into a full retail moment. What Raksha Bandhan actually is Raksha Bandhan celebrates the love and protection shared between brothers and sisters through the ritual … Read more
Kargil Vijay Diwas hits differently when you are standing at 11,500 feet in Dras, wind in your face, staring up at the exact ridgelines where young soldiers climbed through darkness to take back what was theirs. What the conflict was actually about In the summer of 1999, Pakistani troops and infiltrators crossed the Line of … Read more
Guru Purnima arrives every July on a full moon night, and most visitors to India miss it entirely. No fireworks, no crowded markets, no bright lights visible from a hotel window. Yet in ashrams, temples, music schools, and family homes across the country, something genuinely moving is taking place. Millions of people stop to thank … Read more
Hemis Festival draws thousands of visitors to a stone monastery tucked deep in the Indus valley, and the masked dancers are only the beginning of what waits inside. What the Hemis Festival actually is The Hemis Festival is not only one of Ladakh’s largest Buddhist celebrations but has also become one of the most popular … Read more
The film industry currently positions India as the world’s largest content production market. Moreover, Bollywood produces over 1,800 films each year in a variety of languages and genres. This prolific output creates significant economic opportunities in production, distribution and exhibition. Indeed, the transformation of India’s film industry reflects the nation’s dramatic evolution in entertainment consumption. … Read more
Heritage tourism dominates India’s travel industry generating billions through cultural sites and monuments. Moreover, the nation boasts 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites attracting millions annually. This rich cultural legacy creates unprecedented economic opportunities for communities and businesses. Indeed, India’s heritage tourism potential positions the country as a global cultural destination. Why Does Heritage Tourism Drive … Read more
Culinary tourism emerges as India’s fastest-growing travel segment attracting millions of food enthusiasts. Moreover, regional cuisines and street food experiences drive visitor decisions across the nation. This phenomenon creates substantial economic opportunities for restaurants, hotels, and local communities. Indeed, India’s culinary tourism potential transforms how the world experiences Indian food culture. Why Does Culinary Tourism … Read more
