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India: The Sensuous and the Sacred
India is an abode to several of the world's most prominent civilizations, with social structures, literatures, mathematical systems, philosophies, religions and arts that can be traced back thousands of years, with vast empires far more complex and earlier than anything to be found in the west. One of them flourished almost five thousand years back, "Indus River valley Civilization". The cities of Mohenjodaro and Harappa are known for their lifestyle, art, knowledge of town planning and language. This ancient civilization grew up here surrounded on the north by the world's greatest mountain range 'Himalaya' which, with its extensions to east and west, divides India from the rest of Asia and the world.
This divide was at no time an inseparable one, as at all times settlers and traders have found their way over the high passes into India, while Indians have carried their commerce and culture to the rest of Asia and west into Europe. The Aryans around 15th century BC, entered from the high passes of North and spread through large parts of India bringing with them their culture and religion. The Four Vedas and the important books of Hinduism were amassed in this period.
Around 5th century BC the founder of the Buddhist Religion God Gautam Buddha was born and in the same century Lord Mahavira was also born, who founded the Jain Religion. You will find lots of places, caves and monuments devoted to the religion.
Thereafter, In the 4th century BC, Emperor Ashoka, one of the greatest king of Indian history ruled over India and built various Buddhist monuments. The Ashoka pillar of sarnath with Four Faced Lion, has been adopted by Government of India as its national emblem and you will find the Dharm Chakra of the same pillar on our National Flag. Then followed The Mauryans, Guptas & Cholas Empires and later in 12th century AD Mohammed Ghori from Afganistan, came into India and ruled north of India including Delhi and at this time Islam was introduced into North of India. In the 15th century Guru Nanak laid the foundation of the Sikh religion in North India
Then came the Portuguese, French, Dutch, and British in 17th cenury… But it was the British, who ruled most of India till 1946 and after big struggle, on 15th August’1947 Modern India got its freedom and became the largest democratic country in the world.
But India is not just past glories. Its modern software companies are making deep inroads into Western markets, many villages have their communal satellite dish; India launches its own space rockets and all serviced by the growing middle classes which have become a powerful economic force in India.
But India remains, of all lands, one of extremes and paradox, a land of saints and sages, the primordial expression of humanity's relation with the sacred. Magic, animism, sacred landscape, devotion, ritual and knowledge are all woven into the fabric of modern India.
So, India accommodates to its traveler's preferences- If you want architecture…. it has various temples and monuments. If you want to go in history… there are many forts & palaces depicting glorious past. If you need peace….. it has great Himalaya and beaches it is a place that you have to see and feel.
Route Makers introduces the live dimensions of India, from its sacred sources through its struggles with an ancient culture in transition to its full engagement with the global world.
Come experience India with us!
Some Common Indian Customs and Traditions
Namaskar
Namaskar or Namaste is the most popular form of greeting in India. It is a general salutation that is used to welcome somebody and also for bidding farewell. While doing namaskar, both the palms are placed together and raised below the face to greet a person. It is believed that both the hands symbolise one mind, or the self meeting the self. While the right hand represents higher nature, the left hand denotes worldly or lower nature. Other common forms of greetings by various communities and regions in India are – Sat sri-akal by the Sikhs, Adaab by the Muslims, Vannakkarn by the Tamilians, Juley by the Laddhakis and Tashi Delag by the Sikkimese, amongst others.
Tilak
Tilak is a ritual mark on the forehead. It can be put in many forms as a sign of blessing, greeting or auspiciousness.
The tilak is usually made out of a red vermilion paste (kurnkum) which is a mixture of turmeric, alum, iodine, camphor, etc. It can also be of a sandalwood paste (chandan) blended with musk. The tilak is applied on the spot between the brows which is considered the seat of latent wisdom and mental concentration, and is very important for worship. This is the spot on which yogis meditate to become one with Lord Brahma. It also indicates the point at which the spiritual eye opens. All thoughts and actions are said to be governed by this spot. Putting of the coloured mark symbolizes the quest for the 'opening' of the third eye. All rites and ceremonies of the Hindus begin with a tilak topped with a few grains of rice placed on this spot with the index finger or the thumb. The same custom is followed while welcoming or bidding farewell to guests or relations.
Arati
Is performed as an act of veneration and love. It is often performed as a mark of worship and to seek blessings from God, to welcome the guests, for children on their birthdays, family members on auspicious occasions or to welcome a newly wedded couple. For performing Arati, five small lamps called niranjanas are filled with ghee or oil and arranged in a small tray made of metal. A wick is made out of cotton wool and placed in the lamps. A conch- shell filled with water, auspicious leaves or flowers, incense or lighted camphor are also placed in the tray. The lamps are lit and the tray is rotated in a circular motion in front of the deity or the person to be welcomed. The purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the 'evil eye'.
Garlanding
Flower garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and honour. They are offered to welcome the visitors or in honour to tile Gods and Goddesses. The garlands are generally made with while jasmine and orange marigold flowers.They are weaved in thread tied in the end with a help of a knot.
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