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10 Fun facts about India you didn’t know
Explore 10 fun facts about India, from yoga’s birthplace to space achievements. Discover cool, unique, and interesting facts about India before your trip.
India is a country full of surprises, no matter where you look. Its long story, rich traditions, and fantastic culture give you more to explore than the usual. It’s also home to 43 locations recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Leave aside the Grand Taj Mahal, the Indian cuisine, and the Bengal tiger, as there’s more to explore in India.
Whether you think about ancient innovations, religious celebrations, or even modern marvels, our fun facts about India show how unique and influential the country is. Plus, we’ll tell you how to get a reliable mobile connection on your exciting adventure using a travel eSIM!
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1. India is home to the world’s largest democracy
With over 1.4 billion people and a parliamentary system, India is the largest democracy in the world and the most populous country. Every five years, Indian’s population votes in national elections, electing leaders from local constituencies to represent their interests in Parliament.
But democracy in India is far from just numbers. It’s about diversity — India is home to hundreds of languages, religious beliefs, and cultures. The fact that such a massive and varied population participates in these elections is proof of political resilience.
2. Yoga was born in India over 5,000 years ago
Yoga started in India over 5,000 years ago, long before it became a global wellness trend. It was a way of life that connected the mind, body, and spirit.
Millions of people practice yoga nowadays, and India is some kind of spiritual capital in the Western world. June 21st is International Yoga Day. Yoga’s long history makes it one of India’s most influential global contributions, aside from its vibrant culture and Hindu religion.
3. India created the concept of zero
The number zero, a fundamental concept in mathematics, was first developed in India in the 5th century CE by the famous mathematician Aryabhata.
Before that, ancient civilizations had no clear way of representing “nothing.” This revolutionary concept transformed arithmetic, algebra, and computer science.
It’s an interesting bit of India’s science and history that shows how Indian innovation has shaped the modern world.
4. India has a floating post office
Close to the world’s highest mountain range, the only floating post office in Srinagar’s Dal Lake awaits visitors in Northern India.
It was inaugurated in 2011 and works as a functional post office and a tourist attraction. Visitors can send letters and postcards postmarked with a unique “floating” seal. This is one of the fun facts about India, combining tradition, functionality, and novelty.
Another “floating” fun fact about India is that it has more floating wonders. The Ramappa Temple in Telangana is built with “floating bricks” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Manipur, Keibul Lamjao is the world’s only floating national park, set on natural floating islands.
Perhaps you’ll need mobile internet in India to get there, as Google Maps will be your go-to option for addresses during your trip!
5. The Kumbh Mela celebration can be seen from space
The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest religious ceremonies in the world. Held every 12 years at different Indian states along sacred rivers, millions of Indian devotees attend it. During the 2011 event, over 75 million people gathered in Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
The crowd was so vast that satellite images captured the event from space. This spiritual phenomenon is one of the most incredible facts about India and the South Asia region, and an ancient practice of the oldest religion in the world.
6. Chess was invented in India
The popular board game chess, known as Chaturanga, was invented in India during the 6th century. This ancient version of the game spread to Persia, then to the Islamic world, and eventually reached Europe.
India’s contribution to global culture through chess reflects its deep roots in strategy and learning. This is a standout among the unique facts about India for both history and game enthusiasts.
7. The Golden Temple feeds over 100,000 people a day
Located in Amritsar, Punjab, Northern India, the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is not only a sacred site for Sikhs but also home to the world’s largest free kitchen, or langar.
Here, volunteers prepare and serve vegetarian meals to more than 100,000 people every day, no matter their official religion or personal background.
This service, inclusion, and kindness act make the Golden Temple a symbol of compassion and unity — certainly one of India’s heartwarming facts.
Another fun, yet unrelated fact: India is the most vegetarian country in the world.
8. Mawsynram is the wettest place on Earth
Mawsynram holds the Guinness World Record for the highest average annual rainfall in the world. It’s the wettest place on Earth with over 11,871 mm (467.4 inches) of rain annually.
Surrounded by natural beauty, breathtaking green scenery, and waterfalls, Mawsynram is a natural wonder. This is one of those cool facts about India that show visitors the country’s ecological diversity.
9. Over 22 official languages are spoken in India
India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. It is also the largest English-speaking country.
However, the Indian Constitution recognizes 22 official languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and more, which are widely spoken. In addition, there are over 1,600 spoken dialects across the seventh-largest country in the world.
This linguistic diversity makes India a mix of cultures, traditions, and ancient languages. It’s one of the most impressive and interesting facts about India.
Keep this as a travel tip for India when deciding which language to learn before traveling!
10. India launched a spacecraft to Mars on a tight budget
In 2014, India made history by becoming the first Asian nation to reach Mars and the first country in the world to succeed on its first attempt.
The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) cost only $74 million, less than many blockbuster Hollywood films.
This achievement shocked the world and demonstrated India’s growing capabilities in science and technology. It remains one of India’s most inspiring facts and a proud moment in its modern history.
Explore every fun fact about India with Holafly
If you’re interested in exploring India and learning about the facts that make this nation rich in history, innovation, and culture, Holafly is the best connectivity option for your trip.
With the eSIM for India, you can explore the country’s most interesting facts with unlimited data for $9.90/day and places like the iconic Taj Mahal and bustling cities. But if you stay longer, say a week, you’ll pay $5.70/day, or $39.90!
But suppose you’re staying for longer and plan to explore more of what the country has to offer, like exploring the Indian railways and national parks, and other interesting facts about India. In that case, Holafly Connect is a better alternative.
With a monthly subscription of $64.90, you’ll get unlimited data and tethering, helping you save costs during your trip. Plus, up to 5G connectivity, 24/7 customer support, and coverage in over 170 destinations are included in your plan!
Explore this mesmerizing country and stay connected with Holafly to explore more fun facts about India as you go!
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
