Cricket, the great popular sport
For European malicious tongues, it would be so boring that the British would never have succeeded in exporting it anywhere other than their colonies! India played its first official match against England in 1932. After its second World Cup victory (in 2011), created in 1975, it ranks second in the number of victories behind Australia (5). A semi-finalist at the last edition in 2019, India will host the World Cup in autumn 2023. Cricket is even more enthusiastic in India than soccer is in France - it's a real passion! And, since the 1980s, the sport has also helped to ease relations between India and Pakistan, another highly renowned national team. Some political scientists even speak of "cricket diplomacy".
Field hockey, a national sport
Field field hockey was introduced to India by the British. India played for the first time at the Amsterdam Olympics in 1928. A national sport, field hockey brought India a string of Olympic gold medals (8 gold). Between 1928 and 1956, the country broke all records by winning 6 consecutive gold medals. The last field field hockey World Cup was held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela in January 2023, and India was eliminated in the Round of 16 by New Zealand.
A land of badminton
Badminton is the direct descendant of poona, an Indian racket game played by officers of the British Empire in the 1860s. It is played indoors, on a court 13.40 m long and 5.18 m wide, with lightweight rackets and a shuttlecock. Although the competitions are largely dominated by neighboring China, this Olympic sport has won three medals, one silver and two bronze, for the Indian delegation. India will host the 30th World Championships in 2026.
Kabaddi, an age-old sport
It's a popular team sport in India, but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia, Japan and Iran. Over 4,000 years old, kabaddi is a popular team sport in rural India. It comes from a Hindi word meaning "to hold one's breath", an important action in the sport itself. It's a kind of "dodgeball" between two teams of seven players who compete on a field.
Discovering yoga
The country is steeped in two different philosophies, each encompassing very different currents of practice. There are the stika philosophies, which recognize the authority of the Vedas such as Hinduism, and those that reject them. The aim of yoga teaching is to achieve liberation from the conditioning that generates suffering. The yoga practitioner is called a yogi. There are two distinct forms of yoga: Hatha Yoga and Bhakti Yoga.
Hatha yoga consists in the practice of specific exercises, the aim of which is to strengthen the mastery of body and mind until the liberation of a higher consciousness. Yoga as we know it in the West is a derivative form, often stripped of its spiritual substance.
Bhakti Yoga consists in the adoration and devotional worship of a personal god. Its founder, Basava, rejected the supremacy of Brahmins and the caste system. Its practice is open to all.
Many outdoor activities
Hiking, trekking and mountaineering. From simple strolls to the most demanding treks, there's something for everyone in North India. For animal sightings, there are numerous national parks and nature reserves where you can go on safari, such as (to name but a few) the Sunderbans in West Bengal, the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan or the Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where you can try to catch a glimpse of one of the legendary tigers! Lovers of wide open spaces will also want to head for the Himalayan foothills. With snow-capped peaks as a backdrop, the scenery is spectacular and the possibilities endless, from lakes to monasteries to impenetrable forests. The ideal hiking season is from June to October, with Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh and Sikkim offering the best of both worlds. Mountaineering enthusiasts can also get their gear out in the mountains of these northern states.
Skiing and snowboarding. Snow sports enthusiasts will find ski resorts in Kashmir (the region is unstable), such as Gulmarg, the most popular, and in Himachal Pradesh. Snow cover is optimal from January to March.
Kayaking and rafting. For thrill-seekers! Kayaking and rafting are available on a number of rivers, mainly in Zanskar and Ladakh, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarkand, notably in Rishikesh.
Camel rides. Dromedaries and camels are still widely used in northern India, especially in Rajasthan and Ladakh. You'll come across them regularly on the back roads, pulling heavy carts loaded with stones or fodder. The camel also plays an important role in promoting tourism in the region, and numerous safaris are organized in the Thar Desert. From a few hours in the famous Sam dunes of Jaisalmer to a multi-day excursion around the City of Gold, Jodhpur or Bikaner, there are many opportunities to explore the desert. A two-day experience, including a night under the stars on a sand dune, is a must.
Horseback riding and polo. In North India, horses, once the locals' means of transport, are used for special occasions such as weddings and, of course, for polo, horseback riding and horse racing... Horse riding is particularly popular in Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Ladakh. In Delhi, you'll also find numerous riding clubs in an Indian metropolis that has become the national leader in polo.
Golf. Golf courses are springing up all around the major cities. The Delhi Golf Club, with its 27 holes (18 + 9) among venerable trees and monuments, is one of the most renowned and hosts numerous tournaments.
