What is India Famous For? 23 Well and Lesser-Known Facts about India

Whether you’re thinking of visiting or are simply curious, you could well be wondering what is India famous for when thinking of the vast, south Asian nation. While some of the things India is famous for may be rather obvious, there is sure to be a specialty of India that you didn’t yet know about.

To name some of the obvious ones, India is known for spicy food, colorful festivals, yoga, arranged marriages, and the Taj Mahal. But besides those answers to the question of what is India known for, there are plenty of other possible responses.

Did you know, for example, what’s special about a cricket ground in Himachal Pradesh? Where to find a floating post office? Or which incredibly valuable commodity was first discovered in India?

If you want to know what India is – and should be – famous for, read on to find out more. From how many official languages the country has to the movie scene and some of the world’s biggest kitchens and schools, here are 21 facts that should place India firmly on the map. Not to mention in your sights.

What is India famous for? 22 Indian things you should know about

India is famous for the Taj Mahal

Think of India – particularly if you haven’t been – and the Taj Mahal might well be the iconic Indian sight that springs to mind. If you ask what is Agra famous for, then the answer is always going to be the Taj Mahal. It was built as a tomb by a grieving widower and is a breathtaking, domed structure on the banks of the river crafted from ivory marble.

India really is multilingual

The answer to what is India most known for is probably not this! But India has a whopping 22 official languages, according to the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution. Languages with official status in India include Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu as well as lesser-known ones like Bodo, Konkani and Manipuri.

India invented yoga

Yoga originated in northern India more than 5,000 years ago. The Indus-Sarasvati civilization was responsible, and Shiva is regarded as the Adiyogi or first yogi. Some old, sacred texts even mention the term. Yoga schools are one of the best things about India, and are very affordable to attend.

India is the birthplace of Ayurveda

Together with Yoga, Ayurveda is one of my favorite things about India and for sure one that makes the country well-known all over the world. The ancient Indian medicine, Ayurveda is actually based on a holistic approach to both to physical and mental health.

It features a large use of herbs, spices, oils, massages, and meditative practices, and forms a whole spirit-body system with Yoga. Even though I live in Italy, I always like to practice Yoga and Ayurveda for overall well-being.

India has more tigers than any other country

Any list of India fun facts for kids would have to include this one! Despite human encroachment, poaching, and habitat destruction, India has more tigers than any other country. According to the WWF, India’s tiger population is stable or increasing. Current estimates are around 3,000.

India is home to the biggest statue on the planet

India is famous for what? Yes, India is indeed home to the Statue of Unity, which is currently the tallest statue in the world. It’s 597 feet (or 182 meters) tall, and can be found in Gujarat. At 93 meters, the Statue of Liberty is only around half as high as this.

India is the world’s most populous democracy

More people live in India than in any other democracy in the world. This has applied since India became independent in 1947.

India produces the most spice

What is India famous for in food? India is the biggest producer of spices on the planet. The country both consumes and exports vast quantities of spices, producing almost 11 tonnes during 2022. Around 75 species are cultivated by Indian farmers.

India has the world’s highest cricket ground

Following British rule, cricket grounds are very popular things in India – and the country hosts the world’s highest. Chali Cricket Ground is positioned at over 2,440 meters above sea level. As you might expect, there are stunning views over the Lesser Himalayas from the ground in Himachal Pradesh.

India has a high number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites

India has 40 UNESCO sites, and thus ranks sixth in the world in terms of numbers. Ask what is Kerala famous for, for example, and the state has well over 10 World Heritage Sites. And that’s on top of the well-known Western Ghats.

India is known for Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi – strictly speaking Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, incidentally – is India’s famous political activist. Gandhi is often spoken of alongside the likes of Nelson Mandela, and led the campaign to free India from British rule. His legacy remains, still inspiring independence and civil rights movements across the world.

India has crazy, chaotic traffic

There’s no two ways about it. India has some of the craziest roads you’ll ever see. All vehicles – from cars, motorbikes, and trucks to rickshaws meander along the thoroughfares with seemingly no regard at all for road rules.

Add to that the creatures that wander along the streets at will and you have a recipe for total chaos. Expect blaring horns everywhere you go: not that it makes any difference whatsoever, as the constant noise simply drowns each individual sound out.

India invented Snakes and Ladders

If the kids ask India is famous for what, tell them one of the world’s favorite board games originated here. Then known as Mokshapat or Moksha Patamu, it’s thought that Snakes and Ladders was played in ancient India as soon as the 2nd century B.C.

India has the world’s biggest school

The City Montessori School in Lucknow is the biggest on the planet. Incredibly, it has well over 1,000 classrooms and more than 55,000 students. This school is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for this reason, even though it might not be what India is best known for.

India is incredibly hospitable

What is India famous for in the world of tourism? India is one of the most hospitable countries on the planet. There’s a saying – ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ – which means that guests are seen as nothing short of God. As you might expect, guests are thus treated in India with the utmost respect.

India is famous for its food

Indian food is renowned the world over. Restaurants serving curry and other Indian specialties can be found all over the globe. There is a tremendous variety of food available across the vast country.

Famous food items of India often contain meat when prepared elsewhere, but within the country, they are often vegetarian. Eating out is one of the biggest pleasures of a visit to India – and not least when the very modest bill comes!

India makes more movies than anywhere else

Though Hollywood is the biggest in terms of revenue and France is the birthplace of cinema, India produces more movies than anywhere else. More cinema tickets are also sold in India than anywhere else. Bollywood movies are, of course, one of the most famous things in India.

India is awash with color

From festivals celebrated in India to household textiles, saris and even the buildings, India is a country that truly celebrates color. Everywhere you go the streets are awash with color, and the clothing donned by local women is never dull. Lots of colorful textiles, clothing, and souvenirs are available there to buy, and don’t forget to barter for the best prices.

The Red Fort in Delhi, the pink city of Jaipur, and the Golden Temple in Punjab are proof that India’s love of color extends way beyond mere fabrics.

India is home to the world’s largest kitchen

The Golden Temple in Amritsar feeds around 50,000 to 60,000 people per day. During religious events, this number can reach around 100,000. While there may be famous food in south India you want to try, nowhere dishes up more sustenance than this temple in the north!

India is fond of arranged marriages

Most married couples in India tied the knot because their union was arranged by their nearest and dearest. According to a 2018 survey cited by the BBC, 93% of Indians agreed that their marriage was arranged. Whatever you make of that, it’s an Indian way of life, and in many cases, the matchmaking even goes on without the couple’s prior knowledge.

India has the world’s wettest place

Cities in India may be famous for their heat, but India is actually home to the world’s wettest location! Mawsynram in Meghalaya and the East Khasi Hills region has an average annual rainfall of almost 12,000 mm.

India is where diamonds were discovered

Though many people associate diamond mining with southern Africa, India is where the glittering gems were first found. According to De Beers, diamonds were found there about 2,500 years ago, between the Godavari and Krishna Rivers in the Golconda region. There sure are some good things to be found in India.

India’s got the world’s biggest postal service

So what is India famous for producing? Well lots of post is one thing: the Indian postal service is the largest on the planet. Handling letters and parcels, the network has almost 157,000 post offices spread across this vast country. There is even a floating post office on Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.