India Perspectives

MEA’s platform projecting India’s story globally, reflecting its vibrant culture, resilient democracy, dyamic economy and the essence of the Incredible India

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Why do cards find their way to the Diwali celebrations?

Rooted in a popular legend of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the tradition has evolved from games of dice to lively rounds of Teen Patti with family and friends. Today, it’s all about shared laughter, friendly competition and the hope of good fortune in the year ahead.

A little tradition, a little luck and a lot of festive cheer!

#DiwaliTraditions #TeenPatti #FestiveTraditions #IndianFestivals #Diwali

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

From the geometric precision of Toda embroidery to the narrative beauty of Chamba Rumal, India’s textile traditions turn needle and thread into an extraordinary art form.

Rooted in regional identities and passed down through generations, these crafts preserve stories of communities, cultural exchange and everyday life, one stitch at a time.

#IndianTextiles #TodaEmbroidery #ChambaRumal #TraditionalTextiles #IndianHandicrafts

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Across Chhattisgarh, the Ramnami community expresses its devotion through a distinctive living tradition, inscribing the name of Lord Ram on their bodies, clothing and homes. Their distinctive scriptural chants, patterned textiles and striking body art reflect a way of life in which faith becomes an everyday expression of identity, art and cultural heritage.

#RamnamiCommunity #Chhattisgarh #IncredibleIndia #IndianCulture #CulturalHeritage

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Tawang Festival brings Monpa culture to life through sacred processions, traditional dances, music and local cuisine. One of its highlights, the Sebang procession, sees monks journey from Tawang Monastery to the festival venue, offering prayers and blessings for the celebrations. A glimpse into the living traditions of the Eastern Himalayas.

#TawangFestival #ArunachalPradesh #MonpaCulture #CulturalHeritage #FestivalsOfIndia

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

A celebration of flowers, community and the vibrant spirit of Telangana. Can you guess the festival?

#Telangana #CulturalHeritage #IndianFestivals #FestivalsOfIndia #IncredibleIndia

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Each stamp carries more than postage, it carries a piece of history. From cultural milestones to national icons, Indian stamps celebrate stories that shaped our country. Designed with detail and preserved with pride, they are keepsakes of moments that matter.

#IndianStamps #IndianPhilately #PostageStamps #StampCollection #StoriesOfIndia

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Meet Rajasthan’s centuries-old string-puppetry tradition where folklore, music and craftsmanship come together. Kathputli is a powerful medium for passing down traditions, sharing social messages and keeping oral storytelling alive. From performances to handcrafted souvenirs, this distinctive art form continues to carry Rajasthan’s cultural heritage into the present.

#Kathputli #RajasthanTourism #RajasthaniCulture #PuppetryTradition #IncredibleIndia

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

From towering effigies of Ravana to vibrant folk traditions, Dussehra takes many forms across India, yet carries a timeless message: the triumph of good over evil.

Across regions, communities and generations, discover how India celebrates the victory of light over darkness, courage over fear and righteousness over wrongdoing.

#HappyDussehra #Dussehra #Vijayadashami #IncredibleIndia #IndianCulture

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Kath kuni is derived from two words ‘kashth or kath' for wood in Sanskrit and ‘kona' for corner. With many typical ancient structures having survived tectonic tremors, the resilience of the kath kuni structures lie in the flexibility of dry masonry and alternate layers of wood beams without any cementing material. The stone plinth rises above the ground level giving strength to the superstructure and also preventing it from snow and ground water.

#KathKuni #KathKuniArchitecture #HimachalPradesh #IndianHeritage #IndiaPerspectives

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Did you know? Durga Puja begins with a banana plant taking centre stage!

On Maha Saptami, the seventh day of Durga Puja, a banana plant, known as Kala Bou, is given a ceremonial bath, dressed in a red-bordered sari and placed beside Lord Ganesha. The ritual is part of Nabapatrika, a bundle of nine plants that symbolise nature’s abundance and are worshipped during the festival.

The age-old ritual also conveys a subtle ecological message: honouring these diverse plants reminds us of the need to protect biodiversity.

#DurgaPuja #MahaSaptami #Nabapatrika #KalaBou #WestBengal

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

What if learning was not confined to textbooks, but unfolded through music, poetry, art and the natural world?

Established in rural West Bengal in 1901 by the renowned poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, Santiniketan was a residential school and centre for art based on ancient Indian traditions and a vision of the unity of humanity transcending religious and cultural boundaries. A ‘world university’ was established at Santiniketan in 1921, recognising the unity of humanity or “Visva Bharati”.

In 2023, UNESCO recognised this distinctive vision as a World Heritage site.

The spirit of Tagore lives on in Santiniketan. The main campus or core area retains the quiet, picturesque, sylvan atmosphere. Classes even to this day are held under the trees.

#Santiniketan #RabindranathTagore #IndiaPerspectives #UNESCOWorldHeritage

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Hint: This textile-based expressive art product is protected under the GI registration act. It is considered a ‘cousin’ of Madhubani Mithila, but is closer to West Bengal’s Kantha work, an ancient, traditional folk embroidery.

#biharcrafts #biharhandicrafts #gitagged #indianembroidery #indiaperspectives

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

The story of the Butter Ball in Mamallapuram (also known as Mahabalipuram), Tamil Nadu, is as captivating as its appearance. This massive granite boulder, precariously perched on a slope, has intrigued visitors for centuries.

#KrishnaButterBall #Mahabalipuram #TamilNaduTourism #IncredibleIndia #IndiaPerspectives

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Long before it became world-famous as Junagarh, this imposing desert stronghold was known as Chintamani, named after the legendary wish-fulfilling jewel. It was renamed Junagarh, or "Old Fort," in the 20th century when the royal family transitioned to the newly constructed Lalgarh Palace nearby.

While its military resistance is legendary, its tactical design was actually anchored in flatland engineering, relying on a massive double rampart wall, 37 watching bastions, and a surrounding 30-foot deep moat to completely deter incoming cavalry forces.

Step past the main gates and you enter an architectural evolution shaped by sixteen successive rulers over three hundred years. The builders seamlessly combined locally quarried Dulmera red sandstone with Gujarati lacquerwork, gold-leaf motifs, and eventually European marble.

Today, Junagarh Fort stands as a living museum of royal heritage and enduring Indian craftsmanship.

#JunagarhFort #Bikaner #RajasthanTourism #IncredibleIndia #IndiaPerspectives

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

A delicate dance of enamel and metal, Minakari transforms everyday objects and exquisite jewellery into vibrant heirlooms steeped in cultural heritage. From ruby reds and emerald greens to turquoise blues, it uses coloured enamels to bring intricate patterns and traditional motifs to life.

#IndiaPerspectives #Minakari #IndianCraftsmanship #ArtOfIndia #IncredibleIndia

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

From the vermilion of temple rituals to the red of bridal saris, from the terracotta of ancient architecture to the vibrant hues of local festivals, red weaves its way through India’s landscapes, traditions and everyday life. A colour of celebration, devotion and identity, it takes on a different meaning in every corner of the country.

#IndiaPerspectives #IncredibleIndia #ColoursOfIndia #IndiaThroughColours #IndiaInRed

[India Perspectives @IndPerspectives]

Before Jodhpur rose to prominence, another historic town served as the seat of the Marwar kingdom. Do you know which town it was? Test your knowledge of Rajasthan’s royal past!

#IndiaPerspectives #RajasthanHistory #MarwarKingdom #RajasthanTourism #RajasthanHeritage