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Overview
Be prepared to let your senses be
stimulated by the diverse spices and colourful street life India has to
offer. Marvel at the
magnificent temples and enjoy the many thriving festivals and fairs that are a
substantial part of life in India. From the buzzing cities of Mumbai and
New Delhi and architectural
wonders of the 'Golden Triangle' in the North towards the Himalaya to the
enchanting scenery and countryside of Kerala in the South, and from wild tigers
in national
parks to former British hill stations and tea plantations, India will
definitely leave you with a long-lasting impression. And being just 3-4
hours flight time from Bangkok, you may just go visit the Taj Mahal
during a long weekend.
A bit of History
The Indian
civilization is of the oldest in the world and is believed to date back at least
4,000
years. Araiyan tribes from the northwest moved into Indian territories
about 1500 B.C. and together with the Dravidian settlements
created the classical Indian culture. Arab influences started in the
7th century and Turkish contacts were first introduced in the 12th
century. European
traders started to show up at the beginning of the 16th century. By the
1900,
the United Kingdom had assumed control of practically all of India.
Resistance to colonialism was led by Mohandas Gandhi and
Jawaharlal Nehru. These two men played a major role in obtaining independence in 1947. The
Indian subcontinent was
split into the secular state of India and the smaller Muslim state of
Pakistan. A subsequent war between the two countries in the 1970s saw East
Pakistan becoming the standalone country of Bangladesh. Despite impressive
improvements in economic investment and output, the modern India faces
immense problems
like the simmering dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir, increasing
overpopulation and urbanization, widespread environmental degradation
and extensive poverty both in the cities as well as rural areas.
How to Get There
Air India
and
Thai Airways have direct flights between India and Thailand. Also
Jet Airways
and Kingfisher
Airlines
offer daily flights between Bangkok and major gateways in India.
Cathay Pacific
also offers nonstop flights from Bangkok to Delhi and Mumbai. Since
nonstop flights to India are only 3-4 hours, connecting flights are
usually not worth the trouble.
The Highlights
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Watch the sunrise
at the Taj Mahal, probably the world's most beautiful building |
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Take a cruise on
the romantic backwaters of Kerala |
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See the Himalayan
Mountains while enjoying a cup of tea in Darjeeling |
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Enjoy the latest
Bollywood movie in Mumbai |
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Get spiritual along
the river Ganges in Varanasi |
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Country Profile
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Country Name |
India |
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Capital City |
New Delhi |
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Major Gateways |
New Delhi (DEL)
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Mumbai (BOM) |
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Population |
1,222 million |
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Languages |
Hindi, Tamil, Bengali
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Main Religions |
Hindi |
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Currency
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Indian Rupee (INR) |
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Time Difference with Thailand |
-2.5h |
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Calling Code |
+91 |
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Best Time to Visit |
September - May |
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Visa Requirement for Thai Citizens |
Visa required |
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Travel Time from
Bangkok |
4-5h (nonstop) |
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More info |
www.incredibleindia.org
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Map |
Click here
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National Flag |
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