Interesting Facts About India – Over 100 million years ago, India was actually an island. The Himalayan mountains formed around 50 million years ago when India bumped into Asia. India is not just the second most populous country in the world with over a billion diverse people, but it has many amazing facts and achievements. Let’s look into some interesting facts about India that you might not know.
Interesting Facts About India 2025
Here are some fascinating facts about India that everyone should know.
- India Was the First Country to Mine and Produce Diamonds
- Varanasi – One of the Oldest Cities in the World
- The Sacred Status of Cows in India
- Lonar Lake in Maharashtra Formed by a Meteor
- India Has the World’s Largest Vegetarian Population
- Hinduism is the Largest Religion in India
- Roopkund: The Mystery Glacial Lake with Skeletons
- The Gravity-Defying Magnetic Hill
- The World’s Highest Cricket Ground is in India
- India’s First Rocket Was Transported by Bicycle
- World’s Highest Rail Bridge is in India
- India Has Around 300,000 Mosques
- India’s Road Network is the Second Largest in the World
- The Bandra-Worli Sea Link’s Steel Wires Equal Earth’s Circumference
India Was the First Country to Mine and Produce Diamonds
India takes pride in being the first country to mine and produce diamonds. From the 4th century BC, India was the only diamond supplier worldwide for more than 1000 years. Diamond mining mostly happened in the Krishna Nagar Delta’s alluvial deposits. Brazil did not find diamonds until the 18th century. Although India is no longer the world’s top diamond producer since the 1900s, places like Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh), Golconda (Andhra Pradesh), and Panna (Madhya Pradesh) are still popular for diamond mining.Legal Age of Marriage in India
Varanasi – One of the Oldest Cities in the World
Varanasi, also called Kashi or Benaras, is one of the world’s oldest living cities. Located on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh, it is a main centre of Hindu culture, spirituality, poetry, and pilgrimage. The city is older than history, tradition, and even legend, as Mark Twain once said. Varanasi attracts many visitors who watch sadhus and priests performing prayers at the over 100 riverbank ghats. The Manikarnika Ghat is famous for its cremation rituals.
The Sacred Status of Cows in India
India is unique for the respect and worship given to cows. Since ancient times, cows have been part of important Indian traditions from around the 4th century BC. The cow is closely linked to Lord Krishna, who is often shown as a cowherd in stories. Products made from cows like milk, ghee, and curd are highly valued. Many Gaushalas or cow shelters care for and protect cows across India.
Lonar Lake in Maharashtra Formed by a Meteor
Lonar Lake is one of Maharashtra’s hidden gems, about four hours from Aurangabad. It was created nearly 52,000 years ago by a meteor hitting the earth. Visitors should not miss this unique place and the many temples around it.
India Has the World’s Largest Vegetarian Population
India is home to the largest number of vegetarians worldwide. More than 81% of Indian adults avoid meat on certain days mainly because of religious beliefs. Most Buddhists and Jains in India follow strict vegetarian diets. This widespread vegetarianism is even seen in international fast food outlets like KFC and McDonald’s that offer vegetarian menus here.BJP Membership ID Card
Hinduism is the Largest Religion in India
According to the 2011 census, India has the largest Hindu population worldwide, with around 966 million followers. Hinduism started in ancient India over 5000 years ago. Today, over 94% of all Hindus live here. Hinduism is unique and is not just about one god. It believes in Brahma, the creator, among other gods and ideas.
Roopkund: The Mystery Glacial Lake with Skeletons
Roopkund, also called Skeleton Lake, is a high-altitude glacier lake in Uttarakhand, sitting 16,499 feet above sea level. It contains hundreds of ancient skeletons of unknown people. The lake attracts visitors from around the world who want to see this mysterious place. British forest ranger H K Madhwal found a skeleton floating here in 1942. Carbon dating shows these skeletons are over 1200 years old.
The Gravity-Defying Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill near Leh is a fascinating spot where gravity seems to be reversed. Located about 30 km from Leh on the Leh-Kargil highway, vehicles left in neutral gear seem to move uphill on this slope. This strange effect could be due to a strong magnetic field or an optical illusion caused by the surroundings hiding the horizon. The best time to visit is from July to October.
The World’s Highest Cricket Ground is in India
India’s love for cricket is well known, and it has the world’s highest cricket ground. This ground is in Chail, Himachal Pradesh, at 2,144 meters above sea level, as recorded by the Guinness Book.Top 7 Government Business Loan Schemes in India
India’s First Rocket Was Transported by Bicycle
In 1963, ISRO launched its first rocket from Thumba, near present-day Trivandrum. Interestingly, this rocket was carried by a bicycle to its launch pad, which later became the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC).
World’s Highest Rail Bridge is in India
The Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir is the world’s tallest rail bridge. Standing 1,178 feet high, it is almost 35 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower. It arches over the Chenab River.
India Has Around 300,000 Mosques
India has more mosques than any other country, matching its 14.2% Muslim population. Some famous mosques include Taj-Ul-Masjid in Bhopal, Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad, and Jama Masjid in New Delhi.
India’s Road Network is the Second Largest in the World
India’s road network is about 1.9 million miles long, making it the second largest globally after the United States. This huge network makes travelling easier across this big country.
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link’s Steel Wires Equal Earth’s Circumference
A lesser-known fact: the steel wires used in Mumbai’s Bandra-Worli Sea Link are enough to go around the Earth. Each cable can hold up to 900 tonnes, supporting the entire structure that weighs as much as 50,000 African elephants.Top 10 Government Startup Schemes in India