India is a country that makes travellers curious almost immediately, not because of its big monuments or guidebook highlights, but because of the everyday details that do not always make sense. Why is food often eaten by hand? Why do lemons and chillies hang outside homes and shops? Why does a simple cup of chai taste different every few kilometres?

These small moments begin to stand out as you move from place to place, inviting questions that do not always come with instant answers. It is in observing these curiosities, from greetings and rituals to customs that seem unusual at first, that you start to uncover the layers of India’s culture and character.

Why does India celebrate everything?