A Taste of India

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A Taste of India
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Indias Weather

• Most of India has a tropical climate with three
  main seasons.
• October to March is cool 24-25C and dry.
• April to May is hot 28-31C and dry.
• June to September is hot 27-31C and very wet
  the MONSOON season.
• During the Monsoon season India experiences very
  strong winds and very heavy rainfall.

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Travelling across India

• The landscape of India is very varied.
• In the north there are the mountain ranges of the
  HIMALAYAS. The highest peak in the Himalayas is
  MOUNT EVEREST.
• South of the Himalayas is a huge flat area
  through which the RIVER GANGES flows.
• Southern India is an area of high flat land
  called the Deccan Plateau.

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Hinduism

• Most people in India follow the HINDU religion.
• Hindus believe that Hindu gods and goddesses
  represent the different qualities and powers of
  one supreme God.
• Hindus have many festivals and celebrations, for
  example DIWALI.
• Hindus believe that the place where any rivers
  meet is sacred. Platforms called ghats are built
  to enable pilgrims to bathe more easily in the
  RIVER GANGES.

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Diwali

• For most Hindus, Diwali is the most important
  festival of the year. It takes place at the end
  of October.
• Various traditional stories are remembered at
  Diwali, for example the story of RAMA AND SITA.
• Hindus decorate their homes and temples with rows
  of lights called DIVAS.
• There are big family celebrations with feasts and
  fireworks.
• Elephants have been a symbol of India for many
  centuries and are still ridden in festival
  processions.
• Special patterns called RANGOLIS are drawn on the
  floor with coloured powders. They believe that
  they will bring good luck to the house.

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Cooking and eating in India

• Indian food is colourful and uses many spices.
• Indians eat different meals depending on what is
  grown in the area in which they live, and their
  religion.
• Many Indians are vegetarians. Hindus do not eat
  beef and Muslims do not eat pork.
• Although knives and forks are used in India,
  eating with the fingers of your right hand is
  considered good manners. You are able to feel and
  appreciate the texture of the food.

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Cooking and eating in India

• Daal is the Indian word for pulses, like lentils,
  chickpeas and kidney beans. These pulses are used
  to make a stew-like dish called Daal.
• Ghee is a form of butter used in cooking.
• Saffron is the worlds most expensive spice. It
  is bright yellow and is considered a symbol of
  hospitality.
• Turmeric is a yellow spice used in curries and is
  thought to be lucky.
• Red chillies are very hot! They are used in
  curries.
• Ginger is a root used in curries and is added to
  tea.
• Mango is called the King of Fruits in India and
  is used in Indian ice-cream called Kulfi.

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How much can you remember?