5 Myths about India

The main idea behind traveling across the globe is to discover new cultures, flora and fauna, spend quality holiday time and return with good memories. Prior to traveling, however, people carry traces of myths in their minds which define their traveling. It is sad that many tourists come with a baggage full of myths about India and its inhabitants.

Let’s decode some myths so that stereotypes are not reiterated.

India is a land of snake charmers and mystics

There is nothing exotic about India, at least the way it is thought about as. If you are visiting Rajasthan then probably as a tourist you’d like to go for a camel ride or an elephant ride but then does the term mystic apply anywhere? Do you see snake charmers running behing you with a bag of snakes?

India is a developing country and can thought of as a country which is, like any other developing country, rapidly dealing with globalisation. You would see elephants and Mercedes sharing the same road. We call it simultaneous existence of the new and the unique antiquities. In fact you would see the same woman wearing a traditional ghargra choli during festivals and shirt and trousers at work. Is it called identity crisis? No. It’s a juggle in new times.

India is a land of superstitions

Superstitions cannot be tagged with one particular country. They exist in every part of the world. It is unfortunate that many confuse superstitions with spiritualism.

Spiritual India is overwhelming. What’s the harm if you can reach moksha, if you believe in it, through the help of yogis in India? People go wrong when they try to define other India according to the stereotypes passed on from one generation to another. Come with an open mind and go back with an experience rather than defining your stay even before coming to India.

India is a poor country

India might not have the roads like Manhattan and the rich and poor divide might seem obvious but this doesn’t mean India is a poor country. Like any other developing country we are slowly and steadily paving our way to become a developed country but not at the cost of our culture and tradition. India has already made breakthrough contribution in the various fields such as science and technology but at the same time Indian swear by their culture.

Indian food is spicy and all Indians are vegetarians

India is a land of varied cuisines and each state of India has its own distinct culture which influences their culinary styles. There are some communities which do not eat non vegetarian food either out of love for animals or just because their belief withholds them from doing so. This happens in other parts of the world too. Many voluntarily vow and remain vegetarians. So, where dies the myth arise from?

India is filled with nasty disease-carrying insects

One is prone to infections or diseases due to insects in any part of the world. India alone isn’t a host to various insects. You might get mosquito bites but then there is a quick remedy for it. Carry insect repellents and get yourself vaccinated on time.