festivites

India is a country with diverse cultural and religious traditions, and there are numerous festivals and holidays celebrated throughout the year. Here are some of the major festivals in India:

1. Diwali: Also known as the "Festival of Lights," Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in India and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all over the world. The festival signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is usually celebrated in October or November, and people light up their homes with candles and lamps, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional sweets and savories.

2. Holi: Known as the "Festival of Colors," Holi is celebrated in March or April and marks the arrival of spring. People celebrate by throwing colored powder and water at each other, dancing, singing, and feasting on traditional food.

3. Eid al-Fitr: This is a major Islamic festival that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is celebrated by Muslims all over the world, including India, and is usually observed in May or June. People dress up in new clothes, offer prayers in mosques, exchange gifts, and feast on special dishes.

4. Christmas: Although a minority religion in India, Christianity has a significant presence, especially in the southern states. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th every year and is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, decorate Christmas trees, and attend midnight mass.

5. Ganesh Chaturthi: This festival honors the Hindu god Ganesha and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra and parts of South India. It usually falls in August or September and involves the installation of clay idols of Ganesha in homes and public places. The festival culminates with the immersion of idols in rivers or the sea.

6. Durga Puja: This is a major festival in West Bengal, where it is celebrated with great pomp and splendor. It marks the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura and is usually observed in September or October. People set up pandals (temporary structures) to worship the goddess, enjoy traditional food and music, and participate in cultural events.

These are just a few examples of the many festivals and holidays celebrated in India. Each region has its own unique traditions and customs, making India a land of vibrant and diverse celebrations.

seasons

In India, the tourist seasons can be broadly categorized into three:

1. Peak Season (October to March): This is the best time to visit most of India as the weather is pleasant and favorable for sightseeing. The peak season starts from October and lasts till March. During this time, popular tourist destinations like Rajasthan, Kerala, Goa, and Agra witness a huge influx of tourists. It is recommended to book accommodations and travel arrangements in advance during this period.

2. Off Season (April to June): The off-season starts from April and lasts till June when the weather becomes hot and humid in most parts of India. However, hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Darjeeling, and Ooty are popular during this period as they offer relief from the heat. It is recommended to carry light cotton clothing and stay hydrated during this season.

3. Monsoon Season (July to September): The monsoon season starts from July and lasts till September, bringing much-needed relief from the scorching heat. Places like Kerala, Goa, and the Northeastern states receive heavy rainfall during this time, making it difficult to explore the outdoors. However, it is an excellent time to visit wildlife reserves and national parks as the flora and fauna come alive during this period. It is recommended to carry rain gear and avoid traveling during the peak of the monsoon season due to the risk of landslides and floods.

visa

Here are some special visa rules for visiting India as a foreign citizen:

1. Most foreign nationals need to apply for an e-Visa or regular visa before traveling to India.
2. The e-Visa is only available for tourism, business, medical, and short-term study purposes.
3. The regular visa is required for all other purposes, including long-term study, work, and research.
4. Some foreign nationals from select countries can also apply for a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at designated airports in India.
5. Indian visas generally require applicants to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and photographs.
6. Depending on the type of visa and nationality of the applicant, the visa fee can range from $10 to $100 or more.

The exact cost of each process may vary depending on several factors such as the type of visa, the duration of stay, and the country of origin. It is recommended to visit the website of the Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and costs.

souvenirs

1. Textiles: Handloom sarees, shawls, and scarves are popular souvenirs. The price varies depending on the type of fabric and the intricacy of the design. You can buy them in markets or stores across India.

2. Spices: Indian spices like cumin, turmeric, and cardamom are famous for their flavor and health benefits. The price varies based on the spice and quantity. You can find them in markets or spice shops in major cities.

3. Jewelry: India is known for its intricate gold and silver jewelry designs. The price varies depending on the metal, stone, and design. You can buy them in traditional jewelry shops or on online marketplaces.

4. Ayurvedic Products: Ayurvedic skincare and wellness products made from natural ingredients like neem and turmeric are popular souvenirs. The price varies depending on the product and brand. You can find them in Ayurvedic stores or organic markets.

5. Handicrafts: India has a rich tradition of handicrafts such as pottery, woodwork, and brassware. The price varies depending on the item and craftsmanship. You can buy them in government emporiums, craft fairs, and markets.

Prices for these souvenirs can vary greatly depending on where you shop and the quality of the item. It is always best to research the market price before buying anything.

If you have 1 week

Great to hear that you're located in India! Here's a one-week itinerary I suggest for you:

Day 1: Start your trip by visiting the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous monuments in the world. The stunning white marble structure is well-known for its incredible architecture, intricate carvings, and beautiful gardens. You can learn about the history of the Taj Mahal and take some breathtaking photos while you're there.

Day 2: Travel to Jaipur, also known as the "Pink City," and explore the magnificent Amer Fort. This majestic fort overlooks Maota Lake and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. You can take an elephant ride up to the fort or explore on foot. Make sure to check out the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), which is a must-see attraction in the fort.

Day 3: Spend the day exploring the city of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace, which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It houses several museums and galleries showcasing textiles, art, and weaponry. Also, see the Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal, two more famous landmarks in the city.

Day 4: Head to Ranthambore National Park, located in Rajasthan. It's one of the best places in India to spot tigers in their natural habitat. Take a jeep safari in the park and enjoy watching other wildlife like leopards, hyenas, jackals, and many more.

Day 5: Take a train or drive to Udaipur, the "City of Lakes." Start your day by visiting the famous Jagdish Temple, which was built in the 17th century. Also, visit the magnificent City Palace, which is located on the banks of Lake Pichola. Take a boat ride on the lake and admire the stunning views of the city.

Day 6: Spend the day exploring the beautiful countryside around Udaipur. Visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is known for its massive walls that stretch for over 36 kilometers. Also, see the Ranakpur Jain Temple, which was built in the 15th century and is famous for its intricate carvings and architecture.

Day 7: Enjoy your last day in India by visiting the bustling city of Mumbai. Explore the Gateway of India, which is an iconic symbol of the city. Take a stroll along Marine Drive promenade and enjoy the sunset at Juhu Beach. And finally, indulge in some delicious street food and do some last-minute souvenir shopping.

I hope you enjoy this one-week itinerary in India! Each of these places has something unique to offer, and I'm sure they will leave with you some unforgettable memories.

If you have 2 weeks

Oh, India is a wonderful country with so much to offer! Here's a two-week itinerary for you to explore some of the most exciting and beautiful destinations that India has to offer:

Week 1:
- Delhi: Start your trip by exploring India's capital city. Visit the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the Lotus Temple. Don't forget to try the delicious street food at Chandni Chowk and take a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi.
- Agra: No trip to India is complete without seeing the majestic Taj Mahal. Spend a day in Agra exploring this wonder of the world and other historic sites like the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
- Jaipur: Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is home to stunning palaces, forts, and temples. Visit the Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, and City Palace. Shop for local handicrafts at Johari Bazaar and don't miss out on having the famous Rajasthani thali.

Week 2:
- Udaipur: Often referred to as the Venice of the East, Udaipur is a city of lakes and palaces. Take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit landmarks like the City Palace and Jagdish Temple. Spend an evening watching traditional folk dance and music performances.
- Jaisalmer: This desert city is known for its sandstone architecture and camel safaris. Explore the Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, and Gadisar Lake. Take a camel ride into the Thar Desert and camp under the stars.
- Goa: End your trip with some rest and relaxation on the beach. Goa is famous for its beautiful beaches, seafood, and nightlife. Visit Anjuna Beach, Calangute Beach, and the old Portuguese town of Panaji. Don't forget to try some feni, the local alcoholic drink made from cashew fruit.

These are just a few suggestions and India has so much more to offer depending on your interests! From historical sites to natural wonders, bustling cities to calm beaches, India has something for everyone.

Culture

Indian cultural history spans more than 4,500 years. During the Vedic period (c. ), the foundations of Hindu philosophy, mythology, theology and literature were laid, and many beliefs and practices which still exist today, such as dhárma, kárma, yóga, and mokṣa, were established. India is notable for its religious diversity, with Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, and Jainism among the nation's major religions. The predominant religion, Hinduism, has been shaped by various historical schools of thought, including those of the Upanishads, the Yoga Sutras, the Bhakti movement, and by Buddhist philosophy.

India has a very ancient tradition of art, which has exchanged many influences with the rest of Eurasia, especially in the first millennium, when Buddhist art spread with Indian religions to Central, East and South-East Asia, the last also greatly influenced by Hindu art. Thousands of seals from the Indus Valley Civilization of the third millennium BCE have been found, usually carved with animals, but a few with human figures. The "Pashupati" seal, excavated in Mohenjo-daro, Pakistan, in 1928–29, is the best known. After this there is a long period with virtually nothing surviving. Almost all surviving ancient Indian art thereafter is in various forms of religious sculpture in durable materials, or coins. There was probably originally far more in wood, which is lost. In north India Mauryan art is the first imperial movement. In the first millennium CE, Buddhist art spread with Indian religions to Central, East and South-East Asia, the last also greatly influenced by Hindu art. Over the following centuries a distinctly Indian style of sculpting the human figure developed, with less interest in articulating precise anatomy than ancient Greek sculpture but showing smoothly-flowing forms expressing prana ("breath" or life-force). This is often complicated by the need to give figures multiple arms or heads, or represent different genders on the left and right of figures, as with the Ardhanarishvara form of Shiva and Parvati.

Most of the earliest large sculpture is Buddhist, either excavated from Buddhist stupas such as Sanchi, Sarnath and Amaravati, or is rock-cut reliefs at sites such as Ajanta, Karla and Ellora. Hindu and Jain sites appear rather later. In spite of this complex mixture of religious traditions, generally, the prevailing artistic style at any time and place has been shared by the major religious groups, and sculptors probably usually served all communities. Gupta art, at its peak c., is often regarded as a classical period whose influence lingered for many centuries after; it saw a new dominance of Hindu sculpture, as at the Elephanta Caves. Across the north, this became rather stiff and formulaic after c., though rich with finely carved detail in the surrounds of statues. But in the South, under the Pallava and Chola dynasties, sculpture in both stone and bronze had a sustained period of great achievement; the large bronzes with Shiva as Nataraja have become an iconic symbol of India.

Ancient painting has only survived at a few sites, of which the crowded scenes of court life in the Ajanta Caves are by far the most important, but it was evidently highly developed, and is mentioned as a courtly accomplishment in Gupta times. Painted manuscripts of religious texts survive from Eastern India about the 10th century onwards, most of the earliest being Buddhist and later Jain. No doubt the style of these was used in larger paintings. The Persian-derived Deccan painting, starting just before the Mughal miniature, between them give the first large body of secular painting, with an emphasis on portraits, and the recording of princely pleasures and wars. The style spread to Hindu courts, especially among the Rajputs, and developed a variety of styles, with the smaller courts often the most innovative, with figures such as Nihâl Chand and Nainsukh. As a market developed among European residents, it was supplied by Company painting by Indian artists with considerable Western influence. In the 19th century, cheap Kalighat paintings of gods and everyday life, done on paper, were urban folk art from Calcutta, which later saw the Bengal School of Art, reflecting the art colleges founded by the British, the first movement in modern Indian painting.

Much of Indian architecture, including the Taj Mahal, other works of Indo-Islamic Mughal architecture, and South Indian architecture, blends ancient local traditions with imported styles. Vernacular architecture is also regional in its flavours. Vastu shastra, literally "science of construction" or "architecture" and ascribed to Mamuni Mayan, explores how the laws of nature affect human dwellings; it employs precise geometry and directional alignments to reflect perceived cosmic constructs. As applied in Hindu temple architecture, it is influenced by the Shilpa Shastras, a series of foundational texts whose basic mythological form is the Vastu-Purusha mandala, a square that embodied the "absolute". The Taj Mahal, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by orders of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, has been described in the UNESCO World Heritage List as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, developed by the British in the late 19th century, drew on Indo-Islamic architecture.

The earliest literature in India, composed between and, was in the Sanskrit language. Major works of Sanskrit literature include the Rigveda (c. ), the epics: Mahābhārata (c. ) and the Ramayana (c. and later); Abhijñānaśākuntalam (The Recognition of Śakuntalā, and other dramas of Kālidāsa (c. ) and Mahākāvya poetry. In Tamil literature, the Sangam literature (c. ) consisting of 2,381 poems, composed by 473 poets, is the earliest work. From the 14th to the 18th centuries, India's literary traditions went through a period of drastic change because of the emergence of devotional poets like Kabīr, Tulsīdās, and Guru Nānak. This period was characterised by a varied and wide spectrum of thought and expression; as a consequence, medieval Indian literary works differed significantly from classical traditions. In the 19th century, Indian writers took a new interest in social questions and psychological descriptions. In the 20th century, Indian literature was influenced by the works of the Bengali poet, author and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, who was a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Indian music ranges over various traditions and regional styles. Classical music encompasses two genres and their various folk offshoots: the northern Hindustani and the southern Carnatic schools. Regionalised popular forms include filmi and folk music; the syncretic tradition of the bauls is a well-known form of the latter. Indian dance also features diverse folk and classical forms. Among the better-known folk dances are: the bhangra of Punjab, the bihu of Assam, the Jhumair and chhau of Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, garba and dandiya of Gujarat, ghoomar of Rajasthan, and the lavani of Maharashtra. Eight dance forms, many with narrative forms and mythological elements, have been accorded classical dance status by India's National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama. These are: bharatanatyam of the state of Tamil Nadu, kathak of Uttar Pradesh, kathakali and mohiniyattam of Kerala, kuchipudi of Andhra Pradesh, manipuri of Manipur, odissi of Odisha, and the sattriya of Assam.

Theatre in India melds music, dance, and improvised or written dialogue. Often based on Hindu mythology, but also borrowing from medieval romances or social and political events, Indian theatre includes: the bhavai of Gujarat, the jatra of West Bengal, the nautanki and ramlila of North India, tamasha of Maharashtra, burrakatha of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, terukkuttu of Tamil Nadu, and the yakshagana of Karnataka. India has a theatre training institute the National School of Drama (NSD) that is situated at New Delhi It is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of culture, Government of India. The Indian film industry produces the world's most-watched cinema. Established regional cinematic traditions exist in the Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Tamil, and Telugu languages. The Hindi language film industry (Bollywood) is the largest sector representing 43% of box office revenue, followed by the South Indian Telugu and Tamil film industries which represent 36% combined.

Television broadcasting began in India in 1959 as a state-run medium of communication and expanded slowly for more than two decades. The state monopoly on television broadcast ended in the 1990s. Since then, satellite channels have increasingly shaped the popular culture of Indian society. Today, television is the most penetrative media in India; industry estimates indicate that there are over 554 million TV consumers, 462 million with satellite or cable connections compared to other forms of mass media such as the press (350 million), radio (156 million) or internet (37 million).

Traditional Indian society is sometimes defined by social hierarchy. The Indian caste system embodies much of the social stratification and many of the social restrictions found on the Indian subcontinent. Social classes are defined by thousands of endogamous hereditary groups, often termed as jātis, or "castes". India abolished untouchability in 1950 with the adoption of the constitution and has since enacted other anti-discriminatory laws and social welfare initiatives.

Family values are important in the Indian tradition, and multi-generational patrilineal joint families have been the norm in India, though nuclear families are becoming common in urban areas. An overwhelming majority of Indians, with their consent, have their marriages arranged by their parents or other family elders. Marriage is thought to be for life, and the divorce rate is extremely low, with less than one in a thousand marriages ending in divorce. Child marriages are common, especially in rural areas; many women wed before reaching 18, which is their legal marriageable age. Female infanticide in India, and lately female foeticide, have created skewed gender ratios; the number of missing women in the country quadrupled from 15 million to 63 million in the 50-year period ending in 2014, faster than the population growth during the same period, and constituting 20 percent of India's female electorate. According to an Indian government study, an additional 21 million girls are unwanted and do not receive adequate care. Despite a government ban on sex-selective foeticide, the practice remains commonplace in India, the result of a preference for boys in a patriarchal society. The payment of dowry, although illegal, remains widespread across class lines. Deaths resulting from dowry, mostly from bride burning, are on the rise, despite stringent anti-dowry laws.

Many Indian festivals are religious in origin. The best known include: Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Thai Pongal, Holi, Durga Puja, Eid ul-Fitr, Bakr-Id, Christmas, and Vaisakhi.

In the 2011 census, about 73% of the population was literate, with 81% for men and 65% for women. This compares to 1981 when the respective rates were 41%, 53% and 29%. In 1951 the rates were 18%, 27% and 9%. In 1921 the rates 7%, 12% and 2%. In 1891 they were 5%, 9% and 1%, According to Latika Chaudhary, in 1911 there were under three primary schools for every ten villages. Statistically, more caste and religious diversity reduced private spending. Primary schools taught literacy, so local diversity limited its growth.

The education system of India is the world's second-largest. India has over 900 universities, 40,000 colleges and 1.5 million schools. In India's higher education system, a significant number of seats are reserved under affirmative action policies for the historically disadvantaged. In recent decades India's improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to its economic development.

From ancient times until the advent of the modern, the most widely worn traditional dress in India was draped. For women it took the form of a sari, a single piece of cloth many yards long. The sari was traditionally wrapped around the lower body and the shoulder. In its modern form, it is combined with an underskirt, or Indian petticoat, and tucked in the waist band for more secure fastening. It is also commonly worn with an Indian blouse, or choli, which serves as the primary upper-body garment, the sari's end—passing over the shoulder—serving to cover the midriff and obscure the upper body's contours. For men, a similar but shorter length of cloth, the dhoti, has served as a lower-body garment.

The use of stitched clothes became widespread after Muslim rule was established at first by the Delhi sultanate (ca 1300 CE) and then continued by the Mughal Empire (ca 1525 CE). Among the garments introduced during this time and still commonly worn are: the shalwars and pyjamas, both styles of trousers, and the tunics kurta and kameez. In southern India, the traditional draped garments were to see much longer continuous use.

Shalwars are atypically wide at the waist but narrow to a cuffed bottom. They are held up by a drawstring, which causes them to become pleated around the waist. The pants can be wide and baggy, or they can be cut quite narrow, on the bias, in which case they are called churidars. When they are ordinarily wide at the waist and their bottoms are hemmed but not cuffed, they are called pyjamas. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic, its side seams left open below the waist-line. The kurta is traditionally collarless and made of cotton or silk; it is worn plain or with embroidered decoration, such as chikan; and typically falls to either just above or just below the wearer's knees.

In the last 50 years, fashions have changed a great deal in India. Increasingly, in urban northern India, the sari is no longer the apparel of everyday wear, though they remain popular on formal occasions. The traditional shalwar kameez is rarely worn by younger urban women, who favour churidars or jeans. In white-collar office settings, ubiquitous air conditioning allows men to wear sports jackets year-round. For weddings and formal occasions, men in the middle- and upper classes often wear bandgala, or short Nehru jackets, with pants, with the groom and his groomsmen sporting sherwanis and churidars. The dhoti, once the universal garment of Hindu males, the wearing of which in the homespun and handwoven khadi allowed Gandhi to bring Indian nationalism to the millions, is seldom seen in the cities.

The foundation of a typical Indian meal is a cereal cooked in a plain fashion and complemented with flavourful savoury dishes. The cooked cereal could be steamed rice; chapati, a thin unleavened bread made from wheat flour, or occasionally cornmeal, and griddle-cooked dry; the idli, a steamed breakfast cake, or dosa, a griddled pancake, both leavened and made from a batter of rice- and gram meal. The savoury dishes might include lentils, pulses and vegetables commonly spiced with ginger and garlic, but also with a combination of spices that may include coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamon and others as informed by culinary conventions. They might also include poultry, fish, or meat dishes. In some instances, the ingredients might be mixed during the process of cooking.

A platter, or thali, used for eating usually has a central place reserved for the cooked cereal, and peripheral ones for the flavourful accompaniments, which are often served in small bowls. The cereal and its accompaniments are eaten simultaneously rather than a piecemeal manner. This is accomplished by mixing—for example of rice and lentils—or folding, wrapping, scooping or dipping—such as chapati and cooked vegetables or lentils.

India has distinctive vegetarian cuisines, each a feature of the geographical and cultural histories of its adherents. The appearance of ahimsa, or the avoidance of violence toward all forms of life in many religious orders early in Indian history, especially Upanishadic Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, is thought to have contributed to the predominance of vegetarianism among a large segment of India's Hindu population, especially in southern India, Gujarat, the Hindi-speaking belt of north-central India, as well as among Jains. Although meat is eaten widely in India, the proportional consumption of meat in the overall diet is low. Unlike China, which has increased its per capita meat consumption substantially in its years of increased economic growth, in India the strong dietary traditions have contributed to dairy, rather than meat, becoming the preferred form of animal protein consumption.

The most significant import of cooking techniques into India during the last millennium occurred during the Mughal Empire. Dishes such as the pilaf, developed in the Abbasid caliphate, and cooking techniques such as the marinating of meat in yogurt, spread into northern India from regions to its northwest. To the simple yogurt marinade of Persia, onions, garlic, almonds, and spices began to be added in India. Rice was partially cooked and layered alternately with the sauteed meat, the pot sealed tightly, and slow cooked according to another Persian cooking technique, to produce what has today become the Indian biryani, a feature of festive dining in many parts of India. In the food served in Indian restaurants worldwide the diversity of Indian food has been partially concealed by the dominance of Punjabi cuisine. The popularity of tandoori chicken—cooked in the tandoor oven, which had traditionally been used for baking bread in the rural Punjab and the Delhi region, especially among Muslims, but which is originally from Central Asia—dates to the 1950s, and was caused in large part by an entrepreneurial response among people from the Punjab who had been displaced by the 1947 partition of India.

Several traditional indigenous sports such as kabaddi, kho kho, pehlwani and gilli-danda, and also martial arts such as Kalarippayattu and marma adi, remain popular. Chess is commonly held to have originated in India as chaturaṅga; in recent years, there has been a rise in the number of Indian grandmasters. Viswanathan Anand became the Chess World Champion in 2007 and held the status until 2013. Parcheesi is derived from Pachisi, another traditional Indian pastime, which in early modern times was played on a giant marble court by Mughal emperor Akbar the Great.

Cricket is the most popular sport in India. Major domestic competitions include the Indian Premier League, which is the most-watched cricket league in the world and ranks sixth among all sports leagues. Other professional leagues include the Indian Super League (football) and the Pro Kabaddi league.

India has won two ODI Cricket world cups, the 1983 edition and the 2011 edition, as well as becoming the inaugural Twenty20 International Cricket Champions in 2007 and has eight field hockey gold medals in the summer olympics The improved results garnered by the Indian Davis Cup team and other Indian tennis players in the early 2010s have made tennis increasingly popular in the country. India has a comparatively strong presence in shooting sports, and has won several medals at the Olympics, the World Shooting Championships, and the Commonwealth Games. Other sports in which Indians have succeeded internationally include badminton (Saina Nehwal and P. V. Sindhu are two of the top-ranked female badminton players in the world), boxing, and wrestling. Football is popular in West Bengal, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the north-eastern states. India has hosted or co-hosted several international sporting events: the 1951 and 1982 Asian Games; the 1987, 1996, and 2011 Cricket World Cup tournaments; the 2003 Afro-Asian Games; the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy; the 2009 World Badminton Championships; the 2010 Hockey World Cup; the 2010 Commonwealth Games; and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Major international sporting events held annually in India include the Maharashtra Open, the Mumbai Marathon, the Delhi Half Marathon, and the Indian Masters. The first Formula 1 Indian Grand Prix featured in late 2011 but has been discontinued from the F1 season calendar since 2014. India has traditionally been the dominant country at the South Asian Games. An example of this dominance is the basketball competition where the Indian team won three out of four tournaments to date.
* 1=Indian-Hockey-Team-Berlin-1936.jpg (standing second from left), after winning the finals at the 1936 Summer Olympics – their third of six consecutive Olympic golds.]]
* 2=[[File:Sania Mirza during her first round match with Virginie Razzano, Day 2 of Wimbledon 2011.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sania Mirza]] is an Indian professional tennis player, a former world No. 1 in doubles, who has won six Grand Slam titles in her career.}} She is shown here at Wimbledon, 2011.]]
* 3=Kabaddi in Bagepalli Karnataka.jpg, Karnataka]]
* 4= Joueursindienspushkar.jpg, Rajasthan]]
* 5=Street Cricket Batter India.jpg.]]
* 6=Viswanathan Anand 08 14 2005.jpg competes at a chess tournament in 2005. Chess is commonly believed to have originated in India in the 5th century CE.]]
* 7=[[File:XIX Commonwealth Games-2010 Delhi Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal in action against her Barbados opponent during their match in the preliminary round of badminton event, at Sirifort Sports Complex, in New Delhi.jpg|left|thumb|[[Saina Nehwal]] is the only Indian female to have become world number one in badminton]]

India

Agra

Ahmedabad

Allahabad

Amritsar

Bangalore

Bhopal

Chennai

Delhi

Dhanbad

Faridabad

Ghaziabad

Hyderabad

Jaipur

Kanpur

Kolkata

Lucknow

Ludhiana

Meerut

Mumbai

Nagpur

Nashik

Patna

Pune

Rajkot

Ranchi

Srinagar

Surat

Vadodara

Varanasi

Visakhapatnam