India is a vast country with a lot of diversity spreading throughout the land. A famous Bollywood song’s lyric reads, “East or West India is the best,” but in this case, North or South India which one is the best? Since India is divided into North, South, East, West and Central, this list will focus on the distinct differences to help you choose between North and South India.
If you are planning a trip to this culturally rich country, you need to have a plan. The first dilemma everyone faces is choosing North or South India. This guide compares the upper and lower half of India to make your decision easier.
The Difference between North and South Indian Culture:
The cultural difference between North and South India is vast and can be widely seen in their way of speaking, dressing and eating. Although each part of India is diverse in their own way, the North and South of India have distinct differences. From the way they dress to the languages they speak and even the weather, there are a number of differences.
The North Indian people speak a vast array of languages just like South India but the distinction lies in the origin. The Northern languages were derived from the Aryans while the Southern languages from Dravidians. Many people find the North Indian way of speaking inflectional while the South is considered more agglutinative.
The dressing styles in India also vary depending on where you are, for example in the North you’ll see more women in salwar kameez but in the South most of them are in sarees. In the South, men are found wearing lungis but in the North men prefer kurta-pyjama.
The Weather in North and South India:
This country has three distinct seasons namely, summer, monsoon and winter. However, this peninsular land is just as varied in terms of its weather. While the North experiences extreme climate like snow, the South faces a fair amount of humidity. To choose between North or South India, one must be aware of the weather changes.
If you are set on visiting the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, you have a small window during the summer months of April and May. However, if the South is the place you want to visit, you must know that the temperature remains humid and relatively hot throughout the year. It has its bursts of mellow temperatures during January and February making it the best time to visit India.
North vs. South Indian Cuisine:
Food is an important part of any vacation and the food in North or South India is to die for, quite literally for the ones who struggle to digest the spice. Food is spicy all around India but many say the North Indian food is more of a relief than the South. However, the biggest difference is the North’s staple diet is wheat while the South’s is rice.
The North Indian food is heavily influenced by the Mughals after all those years of ruling. Their food has a mixture of vegetables and meat but cooked on a royal scale with spices and herbs. On the other hand, the South prefers using seafood and vegetables. However, an important thing to remember is whatever you choose North or South India, food of the other can be easily found.
Geographically India may be divided but people from the North live in the South and vice-versa. This means you can find North or South Indian food wherever you might be. The difference being the food is not considered authentic, since the cooking style is influenced by the area it’s been cooked in.
So what’s it going to be Butter Chicken and roti in the North or Dosa and Idli in the South? Honestly speaking both cuisines are delectable and choosing between North or South India based on food is not easy. So, maybe the places will help make things easier. However, before you get excited to pack, book flight tickets to India.
Do these North or South Indian places float your boat?
India’s economy is primarily built on tourism filling this diverse land with innumerable places to tour. From the salt marshes of Rann of Kutch in Rajasthan to the pristine backwaters of Kerala, India has every kind of landscape you can think of. So, here are a few places in North and South India that reflect the vast beauty of this country.
North Indian Places: The North of India is home to the Taj Mahal, a magnificent historic monument which is famous worldwide. There are a number of ancient relics in the North and South of India but North is still rich with the remnants from the Mughal rule. The Himalayas and salt deserts are also famous among tourists traveling to North India.
Rishikesh and Udaipur in the North are two breathtaking places filled with culture and scenic beauty. There are also a number of wildlife sanctuaries filled with rare flora and fauna. North India also houses The Golden Temple in Punjab, the most important Sikh house of worship.
South Indian Places: Now that the North has been covered, it’s time to look at the South Indian places you must visit. The one thing common between the two are the unlimited amount of temples spread across the country. However, South India offers different landscapes and beauty compared to the North.
Kerala is without a doubt the best tourist place with marshy backwaters and progressive nature. While this state is enough for the South to win this battle, here are a few special mentions. Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu is a former French colony that truly takes you back in time. Coorg is a quaint hill station in Karnataka that allows you to be one with nature.
Hoping this comparison has helped you come to a conclusion between North or South India. If you need a bit more convincing check out these weekend gateways in India. Indian Eagle is an online airline booking company that gives you the best offers to book last minute flights and it’s only a click away.
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