India: Ancient Traditions, New Technology
India is one of the world’s most ancient and diverse countries. With its colonial background and location between Asia and the Middle East, India has long served as a cultural crossroad: a place where East meets West and ancient tradition meets modern innovation. All aspects of the country are complex: religion, race, and even the landscape. It can be both alluring and daunting, even for seasoned travelers. We point you to Web sites that help you explore the India that suits you.
Expand All Guide SectionsIndia Travel Basics
Between the frozen peaks of the Himalayas in the north and the beaches of India’s southern ... read more »
Travel Requirements for India
Beyond the normal rigmarole associated with any trip abroad—such as passports and visas—a number of unique considerations need to be made when traveling to India. In this section, we’ll show you where to find information on local customs, safety, and health to make your trip as worry-free as possible.
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- Indian customs are very different from those in the West. For instance, it’s considered rude to wave to, point at, eat with, or touch someone with your left hand. This left-sided social stigma stems from the fact that much of rural India goes without the luxury of toilet paper. Instead, a combination of the left hand and water is used to clean up, hence the reason for repulsion.
- Cows are considered sacred in India, and they are never harassed, killed, or eaten by Hindus. If you encounter a cow-inspired traffic jam at some point along your journey (chances are you will), just remember to go with the flow and wait for the sacred animal to amble on its way.
- One of the most important things you can do before traveling is get the necessary immunizations and prescriptions. It can be expensive, but if you’ve ever had “Delhi belly,” you know it’s worth doing your best to avoid this digestive ailment.
- Travelers should know that polluted water is a part of life in many areas of India. Unless you drink only bottled water or treat all the tap water you drink, and avoid ice cubes, you’re bound to catch a gastrointestinal bug at some point during your journey.
- As mentioned above, getting sick is expected when traveling in India. However, there are a couple of ways to prepare yourself: purchase many pills for giardia once you get there and keep them on you; eat curd, pomegranates, bananas, and papayas to help flush any bugs from your system and speed the recovery process; and avoid uncooked fruits and vegetables, as well as those with thin skins (cooking food keeps bacteria at bay, and thick rinds catch bacteria so that the fruit inside remains pure).
- Toilet paper is a luxury not found in many mid- to low-range hotels. If you must have it, bring it with you or be prepared to buy it yourself.
- India’s climate has three seasons: winter, summer, and monsoon. The winter months are November to February and are characterized by relatively mild temperatures, making them the most popular months to travel. Summer lasts from April to June, and temperatures can range from hot to scorching hot. The monsoon lasts from about July to October, and features torrential downpours that make traveling very difficult.
- Diwali, or Deepavali, is one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated festivals in all of India. Called the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali symbolizes the triumph of good over evil in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It’s celebrated for five fireworks-filled days and nights, usually in October or November, and coincides with the beginning of the tourist season. Airline tickets are especially expensive right before this festival, but if you can manage the expense, Diwali is a truly memorable experience.
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For information on travel requirements, safety information, and embassies …
The U.S. Department of State
provides Consular Information Sheets for every country, containing all of the safety and entry/exit information you need. The site’s security advisories, updates on areas of the country deemed unstable by the United States, health and medical information, and warnings about crime are must-reads.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi
is a great place to find the latest security information. The U.S. Department of State recommends that you regularly check this site for security advisory updates leading up to your trip. The embassy Web site also has valuable contact information for Americans in India.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Web site supplies all the information a traveler needs when it comes to health risks abroad. The site features recent travel notices, immunization requirements, and advice on what health supplies to bring with you on your trip.
For history and basic facts …
The CIA World Factbook
is the authoritative source for general statistics and facts about India’s geography, population, government, and economy.
The BBC
has a concise profile of the world’s largest democracy and second-most populous country. Highlighting major points in India’s history, the BBC provides succinct biographies of its historic leaders and links to India’s major media outlets.
To learn about local customs, cuisine, and current events …
The MANAS
project, from the University of California at Los Angeles, is a terrifically comprehensive guide to Indian history, religion, culture, and politics. Created and written by UCLA Associate Professor of History Vinay Lal, the site tackles the complexity of Indian society in a way that is wholly fascinating. Take the time to wander through the site’s various sections, and you won’t regret it.
Indianhospitality.com
is a travel site that offers interesting information on Indian heritage and culture. The most useful part of the site is its food section, where the ingredients, techniques, and varieties of India’s eclectic culinary palette are explained in detail.
The Times of India
is the subcontinent’s national daily newspaper. Its Web site is an important tool for keeping up to date on current political and social issues and staying abreast of any developments that may affect your trip. Visiting this site may help you avoid making unwitting social blunders during your stay, as well.
For currency conversion …
OANDA
’s currency converter has the latest exchange rates for currencies from around the globe. Use the fast, easy “Quick Converter” tool to convert your country’s currency to rupees; 164 currencies are included in the conversion tool.
Getting to India
A combination of factors makes overland travel to India difficult, if not impossible. The ... read more »
India Hotels
From the bare bones to the extravagant, India caters to the needs of every kind of traveler. There ... read more »
Getting Around in India
There are a number of ways to get around India. Low-cost domestic airlines are booming on the ... read more »
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