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India Information

Overview

India is a mystical land of seductive images. Hinduism and its religious rites and red-letter days are woven into the fabric of everyday life. It is also India’s vastness that challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population.

Its intoxicatingly rich history can be traced back to at least 2500BC when the first known civilisation settled along the Indus River.  

There was an influx of Moghuls in the 1520s from Central Asia, who maintained effective control of the north until the mid 18th century. At the end of that century, as the Moghul Empire declined, the British took control of the whole subcontinent, and the whole of India was administered by a single alien power.

The Indian National Congress was formed in 1885, but made little progress on independence until Mahatma Gandhi began the policy of non-cooperation with the British. But the congress itself was split on the issue of Hindus and Muslims. The Muslims, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, claimed a separate homeland and in August 1947 the independent states of India and Pakistan came into being. Since this time, India has been a democratic republic.

Such a rich history has spawned palaces, temples and monuments. The most frequently visited part of India is the Golden Triangle. The unfairly maligned great cities of Mumbai and Kolkata have a bustling, colourful charm, while the holy city of Varanasi or the awe-inspiring temples of Tamil Nadu are worthy objects of pilgrimage. For those who prefer more sybaritic pleasures, tackle the palm-fringed beaches of Goa. And for solitude, India ripples with mountains and hills, from the towering beauty of the Himalayas to pine forests, lakes and babbling streams.

One of the fascinations of India is the juxtaposition of old and new; centuries of history rubbing shoulders with the computer age; and Bengaluru’s (Bangalore’s) ‘Silicon Valley’ is as much a part of the world’s largest democracy as its remotest village.

Top Things To See

 Encounter the two sides of Delhi: New Delhi is a modern city, offering Lutyens’ architecture; ‘Old’ Delhi is several centuries old, with narrow winding streets, temples and bazaars. See the Red Fort, the nearby Jama Masjid (India’s largest mosque) and the Qutab Minar’s soaring tower.

Gaze at the sacred River Ganges. Along its bank is the wondrous city of Varanasi, India’s holiest Hindu location with its ghats which, at dawn, are thronged with pilgrims and holy men performing ritual ablutions and prayers.

Discover the ‘Golden Triangle’. Delhi is its centre. In the southeast lies Agra, and the Taj Mahal. To the southwest, in Rajasthan, is Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’. Visit the Amber Palace and the Palace of the Winds. To the east of the triangle lies Khajuraho with its famous friezes.

Visit the most romantic city in Rajasthan, Udaipur, built around the lovely Lake Pichola and famed for its Lake Palace Hotel, and dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’.

Enjoy the Hill Stations as a retreat from the heat of the plains. Less than 320km (200 miles) to the north of Delhi is Shimla. The hill station for Kolkata is Darjeeling and the hill station for Chennai is Kodaikanal.

Wonder at Kashmir’s flower-spangled meadows, icy mountain peaks and clear rivers. Jammu is the railhead for Srinagar, the ancient Mughal capital. Lake Dal has houseboats where visitors can live surrounded by scenery so beautiful it is known as ‘paradise on earth’.

Escape Indian stereotypes in Mumbai (Bombay), the capital of Maharashtra, a bustling port and the commercial centre of India, with plate-glass skyscrapers and modern industry that jostles alongside bazaars and a hectic streetlife. The city is also the home of the film industry. Welcome to ’Bollywood’.

Enjoy India’s beaches. Mumbai has Juhu and Chowpatti. Goa offers some of the finest beaches and the luxury resort of Aguada. Marina Beach in Chennai is the second largest in the world. The state of Kerala includes the famous beach at Kovalam.

Observe rock-cut temples, such as the Buddhist cave temples at Ajanta, which date back at least 2,000 years. The caves at Ellora depict religious stories and are Hindu, Buddhist and Jain in origin.

Go south to Chennai (Madras), India’s fourth-largest city and capital of Tamil Nadu. It has few tall buildings and enjoys the ambience of a market town rather than a huge city. See Chennai Lighthouse and the city’s many Christian churches.

Go east to Kolkata (Calcutta), capital of West Bengal and India’s largest city, with its colonial buildings in Chowringhee. It is a major business centre with many markets and bazaars. Central Kolkata contains the Maidan, the central parkland.

Orissa state is famous for temples. Bhubaneswar has 500, including the Lingaraja Temple. Puri, one of the four holiest cities, in July stages Rath Yatra, where icons of gods are drawn on massive wooden chariots. Konarak is known for its ‘Black Pagoda’.

Thrill to the wildlife in over 70 national parks, 400 wildlife sanctuaries and 24 tiger reserves. The Indian tiger and the Asiatic elephant are still found in most regions. Among the best known reserves are Bharatpur National Park in Rajasthan and Sundarban National Park in West Bengal.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Top Things To Do

 Listen to the sounds of Indian music, such as the sitar, sarod and the subtle rhythm of the tabla. See the variety of dance forms, each with its own costumes and elaborate language of gestures.

 Experience India’s desert. Jaisalmer, in Rajasthan, holds the Desert Festival in January/February each year. Pushkar in November hosts the fascinating Camel Fair.

 Play golf on the highest golf course in the world, at Gulmarg. From here there are good views of Nanga Parbat, one of the highest mountains in the world. In winter, Gulmarg is transformed into a ski resort, complete with modern gondola (website: www.skihimalaya.com).

 Party in Goa. Although smaller and less authentic than in the heady days of the 1960s, there are still some fabulous full moon parties in Anjuna.

 Whilst in Goa, attend the spectacular Carnival, held on the three days leading up to Ash Wednesday. This colourful festival is jam-packed with bustling fun, as crowds throng to watch the lavish floats pass by, and dance to music that continually rents the air.

 Snorkel in the the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, a lushly forested archipelago that has exotic plant life and a wide variety of corals and tropical fish.

 Take the ‘Toy Train’ from Kolkata to Darjeeling through jungle, tea gardens and pine forests. Darjeeling commands fine views of Kanchenjunga (8,586m/28,169ft), the third-highest mountain in the world. Sherpa Tenzing was born and died here and, appropriately, it is home to the Indian Mountaineering Institute and is also a world-renowned tea-growing centre.

Take part in the Durga puja in Kolkata. One of the biggest Hindu religious festivals in India, it is full of colour and noise and lasts for a whole month - coinciding with the period of Ramadan. 

 Go mountaineering, or trekking. It is especially important in Sikkim. Shimla, in Himachal Pradesh, is the base for treks into Kullu Valley. Kumaon is the base for treks in Uttar Pradesh, while Kodaikanal is the base for treks in Tamil Nadu.

See Contact Addresses for further tourist information.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region. Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in southern India.

Things to know: Bottled water is essential for visitors but make sure the bottles are properly sealed. Most restaurants serve alcohol with meals and most Western-style hotels have licensed bars. Various states impose prohibition and in some big cities certain days are observed as dry days when the sale of liquor is not permitted. Tourists may check with the nearest local tourist office for the prohibition laws/rules prevailing in any given state.

National specialities:
• Dal (crushed lentil soup with various additional vegetables).
• Kulfi (Indian ice cream).
• Gulab Jamuns (flour, yoghurt and ground almonds).
• Jalebi (pancakes in syrup).
• Pan (betel leaf in which are wrapped spices such as aniseed and cardamom).

National drinks:
• Chai (tea) is India’s favourite drink. It will often come ready-brewed with milk and sugar unless ‘tray tea’ is specified.
• Coffee is increasingly popular.
• Nimbu Pani (lemon drink).
• Lassi (iced buttermilk)
• Indian beer (in many varieties).

Tipping: 10 to 15% is usual in restaurants.

Nightlife

India has generally little nightlife as the term is understood in the West, although in major cities a few Western-style shows, clubs and discos are being developed, and Western-style pubs are increasingly common. In most places the main attraction will be cultural shows featuring performances of Indian dance and music. The Indian film industry is the largest in the world, now producing three times as many full-length feature films as the USA. Mumbai (Bombay) and Kolkata (Calcutta) are the country’s two ‘Hollywoods’. Almost every town will have a cinema, and large towns will have many, some of which will show films in English. Music and dancing are an important part of Indian cinema, combining with many other influences to produce a rich variety of film art. Larger cities may have theatres staging productions of English-language plays.

Shopping

Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork and antiques, India is a shopper’s paradise. Bargaining is expected, and the visitor can check for reasonable prices at state-run emporia.

Fabrics: One of India’s main industries is textiles. Of the silks, the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous. Rajasthan cotton with its distinctive ‘tie and dye’ design is usually brilliantly colourful, while Chennai cotton is known for its attractive ‘bleeding’ effect after a few washes. The himroo cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns, may be found throughout the country. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens, particularly shawls.

Carpets: India has one of the world’s largest carpet industries. Each region will have its own speciality, such as the distinctive, brightly coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.

Clothes: Clothes are cheap, and can be quickly tailor-made in some shops. Cloth includes silks, cottons, himroos, brocades and chiffons.

Jewellery: This is traditionally heavy and elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems include diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarines. Hyderabad is a leading pearl centre.

Handicrafts and leatherwork: Each area has its speciality; the range includes bronzes, brasswork (often inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Woven rugs and papier mâché (some decorated in gold leaf) are a characteristic Kashmir product. Inlaid marble and alabaster are specialities of Agra. Rajasthan is known for its colourful fabrics and silks. Leatherwork includes open Indian sandals and slippers.

Woodwork: Sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Chennai (Madras).

Other goods: Pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards and musical instruments.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1700 in most large stores.

Note: There is a veto on the export of antiques, art objects over 100 years old, animal skins and objects made from skins.

Climate

Hot tropical weather with variations from region to region. Coolest weather lasts from December to February, with cool, fresh mornings and evenings and dry, sunny days. Really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between March and May. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer between June and September.

Western Himalayas: Srinagar is best from March to October; July to August can be unpleasant; cold and damp in winter. Shimla is higher and therefore colder in winter. Places like Gulmarg, Manali and Pahalgam are usually under several feet of snow (December to March) and temperatures in Ladakh can be extremely cold. The road to Leh is open from June to October.

Required clothing: Light- to mediumweights are advised from March to October, with warmer wear for winter. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains and therefore it is important to be suitably equipped. Waterproofing is advisable.

Northern Plains: Extreme climate, warm inland from April to mid-June, falling to almost freezing at night in winter between November and February. Summers are hot with monsoons between June and September.

Required clothing: Lightweights in summer with warmer clothes in winter and on cooler evenings. Waterproofing is essential during monsoons.

Central India: Madhya Pradesh State escapes the very worst of the hot season, but monsoons are heavy between July and September. Temperatures fall at night in winter.

Required clothing: Lightweights are worn most of the year with warmer clothes during evenings, particularly in winter. Waterproofed clothing is advised during monsoon rains.

Western India : November to February is most comfortable, although evenings can be fairly cold. Summers can be extremely hot with monsoon rainfall between mid June and mid September.

Required clothing: Lightweights are worn most of the year with warmer clothes for cooler winters, and waterproofing is essential during the monsoon.

Southwest: The most pleasant weather is from November to March. Monsoon rains between late April and July. Summer temperatures not as high as Northern India although humidity is extreme. Cooling breezes on coast. Inland, Mysore and Bijapur have pleasant climates with relatively low rainfall.

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is necessary during the monsoon. Warmer clothes are worn in the winter, particularly in the hills.

Southeast: Tamil Nadu experiences a northeast monsoon between October and December and temperatures and humidity are high all year. Hills can be cold in winter.

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is necessary during the monsoon. Warmer clothes are worn in the winter, particularly in the hills.

Northeast: March to June and September to November are the driest and most pleasant periods. The rest of the year has extremely heavy monsoon rainfall and it is recommended that the area is avoided.

Required clothing: Lightweights. Waterproofing is advisable throughout the year and essential in monsoons, usually from mid June to mid October. Warmer clothes are useful for cooler evenings.

Public Holidays

Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
10 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
26 Jan** Republic Day. 
6 Mar Mahashivratri.
20 Mar Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
18 Apr Mahavir Jayanthi.
20 May Buddha Purnima.
15 Aug** Independence Day.
23-24 Aug Janmashtami.
2 Oct** Mahatma Ghandi’s Birthday.
2 Oct Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan).
6 Oct Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami).
28 Oct Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights).
13 Nov Guru Nanak’s Birthday.
8-9 Dec Idu’l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
29 Dec Muharram (Islamic New Year).

2009 
10 Jan Muharram (Islamic New Year).
26 Jan** Republic Day. 
Feb* Mahashivratri.
Feb/Mar* Mahavir Jayanthi.
9 Mar* Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet). 
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
2 May* Buddha Purnima.
15 Aug** Independence Day.
Sep* Janmashtami.
Sep/Oct* Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami).
20-21 Sep Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan).
2 Oct** Mahatma Ghandi’s Birthday.
18 Oct Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights).
Nov* Guru Nanak’s Birthday.
27-28 Nov Idu’l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

* Dates to be confirmed.

Note

(a) ** Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday are universally observed. Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The above dates are Government of India holidays, when government offices will be closed nationwide. In addition, there are numerous festivals and fairs which are also observed in some states as holidays, the dates of which change from year to year. For more details, contact Incredible India (see Contact Addresses). (b) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. (c) Although not government official holidays, Christmas Day (25 Dec) and New Year’s Day (1 Jan) are widely observed nationally.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Yes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Yes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Yes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Yes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Health care facilities are limited and travellers are strongly advised to take out full comprehensive medical insurance before departing for India. It is advisable to bring specific medicines from the UK. There are state-operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.

On leaving India: Visitors leaving for countries which impose health restrictions on arrivals from India are required to be in possession of a valid certificate of inoculation and vaccination.

Note

* Any person (including infants over six months old) arriving by air or sea from an infected country must obtain a yellow fever certificate (includes passengers who have been transit in a country in the endemic zone).

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Rupee (INR; symbol Rp) = 100 paise. Notes are in denominations of Rp1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of Rp5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 20 and 10 paise. Note: The import of local currency is prohibited. Export of local currency is also prohibited, except for passengers proceeding to Nepal (excluding notes of denominations of Rp100 or higher), Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka (up to Rp20 per person).

Currency Exchange

Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

These are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveller’s cheques which others exchange quite happily.

Currency Restrictions

Restrictions apply.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.

Passport/Visa

British

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Australian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Canadian

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

USA

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Other EU

Passport Required: Yes
Visa Required: Yes
Return Ticket Required: No

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

Visa Note

Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. An additional form must be completed. Passengers are advised to check with the tourist board for up-to-date information before departure.

Types of Visa and Cost

UK nationals: Tourist and Business visa: £30 (multiple-entry; six month); £50 (multiple-entry; one year). Transit: £8 (single/double-entry). US nationals: Tourist and Business visa: US$60 (multiple-entry); US$85 (multiple-entry; one year). Prices for other nationals vary, nationals are advised to contact the embassy to check cost.

Validity

Tourist: six months or one year for multiple entry. Transit: for stays of up to 72 hours within 15 days of date of issue. Business: three or six months, or up to two years for multiple entry.

Applications to:

Embassy or high commission (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses.

Working Days Required

Personal applications can normally be processed the same day. Postal applications take a minimum of 15 working days or longer (in early September to February). Those requiring an additional fee may need a minimum of seven working days and possibly much longer for their visa application to be processed.

Contact Addresses

High Commission of India in the UK

India House, Aldwych, London WC2B 4NA, UK
Tel: (020) 7836 8484 or 7632 3149/52/53 (visa enquiries).
Website: www.hcilondon.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 (visa enquiries); 0915-1730 (visa applications and collections; telephone enquiries).

Indiatourism in the UK

7 Cork Street, London W1S 3LH, UK
Tel: (020) 7437 3677 or 0870 010 2183 (brochure request line).
Website: www.incredibleindia.org

Embassy of India in the USA

Chancery: 2107 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Consulate: 2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 7000 or 9806 (consular section).
Website: www.indianembassy.org

Indiatourism in the USA

Suite 1808, 1270 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, USA
Tel: (212) 586 4901.
Website: www.incredibleindia.org

Travel Advice

Warning

Most visits are trouble-free.

Visitors are advised against all travel to or through rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir (other than Ladakh), and all but essential air travel to Srinagar. There is a high level of conflict and terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir (excluding Ladakh). Jammu City is somewhat safer but attacks still occur.

It is advised against all travel in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan other than travel across the international border at Wagah.

It is advised against all but essential travel to Imphal (by air) and against all travel in the rest of Manipur and Tripura. Kidnapping, banditry and insurgency are rife throughout the north eastern region, particularly in Assam.

Following a threat from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena that British Nationals ’will not be allowed to walk on Mumbai roads’, visitors should avoid all demonstrations in the city until the situation has been clarified. 

There is a high threat of terrorism throughout India. Attacks have targeted public places, including places of worship. They could also target places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. Visitors should be aware that attacks have previously taken place over local holidays, including India’s Republic Day on 26 January.

On 13 December 2007, a train travelling from Dibrugarh to Guwahati was the target of a bomb blast, which resulted in five deaths. A group known as the Adivasi National Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack. On 23 November 2007, there were a series of explosions in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The areas targeted were the local courts in Faizabad, Varanasi and Lucknow. Latest reports state at least 7 fatalities with many more injured. On 14 October 2007, a blast in a multiplex cinema in Ludhiana, Punjab, killed six people and injured at least 30 others. On 30 September 2007, at least six people were killed and over 30 were injured in bombings in the northeastern state of Assam.

Since July 2006, there have been terrorist attacks in major cities including Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad. Visitors should be vigilant in all parts of India.

On 24 November 2007, riots broke out in the city of Guwahti (Assam) and two people were killed. Travellers are advised to monitor the local media carefully whilst in the area. A number of strikes have been called at short notice by different political groups in Darjeeling and the surrounding hills of North Bengal, resulting in severe transport disruption in the region. On strike days it is strongly recommended that visitors avoid any political rallies since violence could occur.

There is a possible threat to tourists in Goa from the local movement against Special Economic zones (SEZs). Visitors in Goa should monitor the media and be vigilant when they are out.

Penalties for trafficking, dealing and using illegal drugs are severe.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

• India Overview
• India Things to See
• India Things to Do
• India Events
• India Climate
• India Public Holidays
• India Health
• India Currency
• India Passport & Visas
• India Contact Addresses
• India Travel Advice