Welcome to India! Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai, India Flickr Creative Commons photo by Humayunn N A Peerzaada Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai, India

Facts about India 7th largest country (land mass) in the world Capital city: New Delhi Population: 1 Billion! The 2nd largest country in the world! World’s largest democracy. Bordered to the north by the world’s highest mountains. Do you know the name of these mountains? Wikitravel Shared Image Repository

India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947. Represents courage Represents peace, unity, truth Represents faith or fertility Symbolizes sky and ocean India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947. Travlinman43 autan Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

The Taj Mahal is considered one of the wonders of the world The Taj Mahal is considered one of the wonders of the world. It stands amid acres of gardens on the banks of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra. The most famous part of the monument is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal with its white marble dome. Wikitravel Shared Image Repository The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. With precious gems and stones pressed into its walls, the Taj Mahal took 22,000 workmen 22 years to complete.

Mahatma Gandhi is considered the “father of modern India.” Gandhi led his country in nonviolent protest against the British rule of India. His work in bringing about peaceful change earned him the title of mahatma, meaning “great soul.”

Indian culture http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Indiandishes.jpg

Kathakali (Malayalam: pronounced [kət̪ʰəkəɭi]) is a highly stylised classical Indian dance-drama noted for its attractive make-up of characters, their elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion. It originated in the country's southern state of Kerala during the 16th century AD, approximately between 1555 and 1605, and has been updated over the years with improved looks, refined gestures and added themes besides more ornate singing and precise drumming Wikipedia commons