India background
The language
The official first language of India is Hindi, but English is accepted as the primary language of business and education. When the 28 states of India were formed in 1956 each state formed its own primary language. The Dravidian family of languages includes approximately 15 languages that are mainly spoken in southern India. In Kerala, Malayalam is spoken, in Karnataka, it's Kannada and in Tamil Nadu, they speak Tamil.
The culture
India is a vast country, rich in cultural and geographical diversity. It's most diverse in terms of religion. Here you can find the holiest shrines of four world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Christianity and Zoroastrianism are also practiced tolerantly.
The climate
The Karnartaka region where we are based has a warm, tropical climate and the most comfortable weather in India. January and February are dry months when it's considered winter with temperatures between 20-25°C. Temperatures can reach 35°C over the summer months leading up to June, when the South-West monsoon quenches the parched soil, bringing much needed sustenance to the crops and dry forests until September. Temperatures cool off in the dry post-monsoon months leading back into winter.
Related links
Lonely Planet's guide to India
Wikipedia information on Southern India
Wikipedia information on the Nilgiris district
Official Indian government tourism website
Official government Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department
