Page 8 - India Destination Guide - Alluring Asia

ENVIRONMENT xxx POPULATION Approximately 28,670,677 (2011), growing from just 9 million in 1950. CLIMATE Nepal has a typical monsoonal, two season year. Dry Season: October - May Wet Season: June - September CURRENCY The monetary unbit of Nepal is the Nepali ruppe (R's) which is divided into 100 paisa (p) TIME Nepal is five hours, 45 minutes ahead of GMT. 30 Minutes ahead of Indian Time. India's most holy river, the Ganges, known On the diverse physical environment remains VISAS today as the Ganga, runs across the vital etched the evidence of a succession of political Visas are required for Nepal. heartland of the country and through the powers, religions and cultures going back to mythology of Hinduism. Joined by other holy prehistoric settlements over 500,000 years ago. rivers along its route, its waters are a vital From cave paintings, such as those at source of irrigation. Its path is dotted with Bhimbetka to the grandiose triumphalism of towns and settlements of great sanctity, and it British-built New Delhi, every part of India is a vital economic asset as well as the focus of has astonishing cultural artifacts which bear devotion for hundreds of millions. To the witness to its range and depth of culture and South the great rivers of the peninsula - the historical experience. Sites from every region Narmada, Krishna, Tungabhadra and Kaveri all illustrate the flowering of those cultural to name only the largest - also have a spiritual traditions, whether in remarkable temples - significance to match their current role as from Konark in the East to Palitana in the providers of water and power. West, or from Khajuraho in the North to Madurai in the South - or in the development of rich traditions of music and dance or the abstractions of philosophy. Superimposed on the cities of North India are some of the finest Muslim-inspired building in the world, including Agra's Taj Mahal.