India has a rich history and a diverse mix of cultures, languages, cuisine, and landscapes. From dog temples to gold face masks, we’ve tracked down some of the most bizarre and expensive things unique to the land.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, we all became accustomed to the new normal of wearing masks to protect ourselves and others. While most of us were content with basic cloth or surgical masks, one Pune-based businessman took things to a new level.

India’s rich and diverse cultural heritage is home to the world’s most incredible religious sites. With over two million Hindu temples and 300,000 mosques spread throughout the country, these sacred spaces have become significant places of worship for India’s 1.4 billion people.

India has some of the most spectacular architectural wonders. For example, the Chenab rail bridge is one of the highest railway bridges in the world. Standing tall at 1,178 feet above sea level, this steel and concrete arch bridge is a true spectacle.

Why did the tourist go to the Golden Temple of Amritsar? To see if all that glitters is actually gold. But in all seriousness, the Golden Temple is more than just a stunning display of wealth and beauty. It’s a sacred religious site for Sikhs, a place of pilgrimage and worship that has stood the test of time.

Did you know Channapatna has a temple dedicated to two missing village dogs? That’s right—in 2010, after the dogs disappeared under mysterious circumstances, a deity visited a believer in a dream and directed him to build a temple in their honor. And so, the magnificent Kempamma’s temple was born, a testament to the villagers’ love and devotion for their missing pets.

Elephants are a big part of Indian culture. These majestic creatures are the nation’s poster creatures, from deities to day-to-day life. You’d expect many elephant-related accidents in the region, but that’s not the case.

The Taj Mahal is arguably the most famous structure in India. Unsurprisingly, a clone was built shortly after the original was completed.

Did you know that in Bikaner, Rajasthan, they have a unique way of ringing in the new year? The locals host the International Camel Festival every January, celebrating one of Asia’s most beloved creatures: the camel. At this one-of-a-kind festival, visitors can witness camels’ beauty and majesty as they’re adorned in stunning garb and patterns, truly becoming walking works of art.

Get ready to be impressed by the incredible facial hair of Madhya Pradesh men! These guys are taking mustache growing to the next level. This is all thanks to their police chief, who incentivized his subordinates to follow suit.

Handing down possessions to children is one way to forge a special connection with them. For Maharaja of Rajkot, a custom-made Rolls Royce was the most valuable hand-me-down he could give his grandson. Despite being a precious gift from his grandfather, Maharaja’s grandson decided to sell the luxurious Rolls Royce.

India’s Lucknow city is where you’ll find some of the most impressively designed temples, irresistible street food, and a dessert that will cost you a fortune. The Exotica, which is dry mithai mixed with other ingredients, is the most expensive dessert in the world.

At first glance, one might assume that selling an animal that gives a whopping 2.2 pounds of ghee and 25 liters of milk daily for a high price would be an easy decision. However, for Arvind Jangid, owner of Bheem—the most expensive buffalo in India—bidding farewell to his beloved bovine is not easy. It’s udderly impossible!

Here’s a place some of us would prefer to avoid visiting: The village of Shetpal. The 2600 inhabitants of this village worship and freely mingle with snakes like they are wanted pets.

We appreciate aesthetic beauty and understand why some people go to extremes to attain it. Yet why would anyone want to pay 40 times more than they usually pay for a snack just to eat something coated with gold?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk into a store and find Google selling clothes or WhatsApp hawking fashion accessories? Well, wonder no more! In India, anything is possible, including big tech companies venturing into fashion.

At the start of the Malayalam year, Keralites celebrate Onam., which commemorates Vishnu’s return as the avatar Vamana and honors Mahabali, who returned to earth.

Here’s some good news for those looking for an exclusive and high-end option to make their eyes sparkle! Dr. Chawan from Mumbai’s Shekhar Eye Research Center has created a contact lens revolution. He designed soft lenses made of gold with small diamonds around them.

India’s public transport can be a gamble. First, you may not find enough room to board. If you somehow get in, the odds of finding a seat are low. And, if you get one, the next concern is who’ll sit next to you.

Due to India’s dense population and public conveyance’s insufficient seating, travelers often have to huddle together like sardines. You’ll find people packed so tightly on trains they can’t move. Yet, things are different on buses as some get innovative for cozy comfort.

People often express their love for their prized possessions by giving them a makeover. In India, we see a car undergo a totally expensive transformation. Meet the jewelry car made of gold, an extremely expensive version of the cheapest car in history, the Tata Nano.

When we think of India, three things come to mind: culture, food, and population. Even though India is one of the most populated countries in the world, Ziona Chana’s family still blows our minds.

India is home to the Himalayan mountain range. This range hosts some of the world’s tallest peaks, breathtaking views, and haunting tales. There is a lake named Roopkund, 16,470 feet above sea level, where around 300 skeletons were found.

If you are in Gujarat, you must visit the magnificent step wells. The origin of these wells has yet to be discovered. However, it is widely accepted that they were built around the 6th century. Initially constructed to retrieve water, the well is now a famous tourist attraction.

We trust India to give us some of the world’s most interesting, unusual, and bizarre things ranging from giant wells to golden temples. One such thing we can’t find elsewhere is a gold-encrusted donut.

Mumbai’s skyline is unique and stands out from the rest. This structure belongs to Mukesh Ambani, one of India’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. Antilia, his 400,000-square-foot abode, has 27 floors, each crafted from different materials.

If you thought a regular iPhone was impressive, the limited edition iPhone 5 Black Diamond takes it to the next level. This exclusive device is adorned with 24-carat gold and features a sapphire glass screen, making it a true work of art.

Datta Phuge, an Indian businessman, got the nation talking with his gold shirt. This extravagant item boasts a velvet base embellished with 100,000 sparkling stones and 14,000 flowers of 22-carat gold.

Rats are the last thing one would consider holy. Yet, despite the traditional view of rats being carriers of disease and wreaking havoc, devotees of Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke see them in a completely different light. At this temple, rodents are treated as divine presences.

The ever-captivating Taj Mahal stands as a symbol of love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan to memorialize his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This ivory-white Mughal architecture blends Indian, Persian, and Islamic elements and is admired worldwide.