Hindu 80% Muslim 14% Christian 2.4%
Sikh 2% Buddhist 0.7% Jain 0.5% Others 0.4%
Per Capita Income
US$ 460 in 2000
CLIMATE
India has three major seasons: winter, summer and monsoon. The winter months from November to March are pleasant with pleasantly sunny days throughout the Indian plains. In the Himalayan regions there would be snowfall during December and January. The summer months from April to June are hot in most parts of the Indian plains. However, the hill resorts provide cool retreats during these months, such as Ooty and Kodaikanal in the south, Pachmarhi in central India, Lonavala and Mount Abu in the West, Darjeeling and Shillong in the east and several such getaways like Manali, Shimla, Mussoorie, Nainital in the north. The southwest monsoon usually breaks about the beginning of June on the west coast, and gradually moves northward in a month. Except for the southeast region India receives its major share of rain between June and September. The southeast areas receive some rain from the northeast monsoon between October and December.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
India has been a popular destination during the winter months as it is climatically the best time to visit entire Indian plains. However, for those seeking to explore the Himalayas the summer months allow one to visit these regions and avoiding the oppressive heat and pouring monsoon rains of the plains.
