INCREDIBLE INDIA

The National Flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of India saffron, white and India green; with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre.  Use: National flag Adopted on: 22 July 1947 Proportion: 3:2 Designed by: Pingali Venkayya Country: India Adopted: 22 July 1947; 69 years ago

India is a vast South Asian country with diverse terrain – from Himalayan peaks to Indian Ocean coastline – and history reaching back 5 millennia. In the north, Mughal Empire landmarks include Delhi’s Red Fort complex and massive Jama Masjid mosque, plus Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal mausoleum. Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges in Varanasi, and Rishikesh is a yoga centre and base for Himalayan trekking. Capital: New Delhi President: Pranab Mukherjee Prime minister: Narendra Modi Population: 1.311 billion (2015) World Bank Currency: Indian rupee Gross domestic product: 2.074 trillion USD (2015) World Bank

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

TAJ MAHAL The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is considered by many as the finest example of Mughal architecture.

Qutab Minar It is the 2nd tallest architecture (73 metres) in India after Fateh Burj in Chappar Chiri at Mohali (100 meters). Located in Delhi, and is made of red sandstone and marble.

India Gate Originally called the All India War Memorial, is a war memorial located astride the Rajpath, on the eastern edge of the 'ceremonial axis' of New Delhi, formerly called Kingsway.

Red Fort It was the residence of the Mughal emperor of India for nearly 200 years, until 1857. It is located in the centre of Delhi and houses a number of museums. 

Meenakshi Amman Temple It is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar.

The Charminar It was built in 1591 CE, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India.

The Palace of Mysore It is a historical palace in the city of Mysore in Karnataka, southern India. It is commonly described as the City of Palaces. It is one of the most tourist attractions in India after the Taj Mahal.

Hawa Mahal It is a palace in Jaipur, India, so named because it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside. 

The Lotus Temple It is located in New Delhi, India, is a Bahá'í House of Worship completed in 1986. It has won numerous architectural awards and been featured in hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles

The Victoria Memorial It is a large marble building in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, which was built between 1906 and 1921. It is dedicated to the memory of Queen Victoria and is now a museum and tourist destination under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture

Gol Gumbaz It is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur. The tomb, located in Bijapur, Karnataka in India, was completed in 1656 by the architect Yaqut of Dabul. 

Sri Harmandir Sahib Sri Darbar Sahib and informally referred to as the "Golden Temple", is the holiest Gurdwara of Sikhism, located in the city of Amritsar, Punjab, India.