INDIA tourism (December 2023) must visit places, things to do, best time to visit| ExploreBees

Things to Know

Country
India
Continent
asia
Region
SOUTH-ASIA
Capital
New Delhi
Latitude
21.7679° N
Longitude
78.8718° E
Area
3.3 Million sq. km
Population
1.32 BILLION
Timezone
GMT + 05:30
Currency
INR - Indian Rupee
Voltage
230 V, 50 Hz
Plug Type
Type C,D,M
Languages
HINDI, ENGLISH and other 22 REGIONAL Languages
Official Website
Date Format
DD-MM-YYYY
Driving Side
LEFT HAND DRIVE
Calling Code
+91
Internet TLD
.IN
Online Visa

About

India is officially known as the Republic of India. India is a subcontinent which is the seventh largest country in the world with 3,166,414 sq. km and the second-most populous country in the earth, after China with over 1.32 billion people half of the population is under the age of 25. India is the most populous democracy in the world. Over the past decade, the country’s integration into the global economy has been accompanied by economic growth. India has now emerged as a global player.

About

India is a country which is located in South Asia, Sharing a border with Afghanistan and Pakistan to the north-west; China, Bhutan, and Nepal to the north; Myanmar to the east; and Bangladesh to the east of West Bengal. Sri Lanka is separated from India by a narrow channel of sea, formed by Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar. India also has Coastline of 7,516.6 km encompassing the mainland, Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. India is a constitutional republic consisting of 29 states, each with a substantial degree of control over its own affairs; 6 less fully empowered union territories; and the Delhi national capital territory, which includes New Delhi, India’s capital.

India is the country which is surrounded by the Himalayas, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, as we all know that it is rich in its culture, heritage, unique style temples, wildlife, sanctuaries etc. which will attract the tourists large in number. Tourism in India is important for the country's economy and is growing rapidly. The World Travel and Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated ₹15.24 lakh crore (US$210 billion) or 9.4% of India's GDP in 2017 and supported 41.622 million jobs, 8% of its total employment. January 25th is observed as the National Tourism Day in India a day marked by the Indian government to raise awareness on the importance of tourism for the country’s economy. A 2014 study found that India was one of the fastest-growing tourism destinations worldwide. Placed eleventh in the list.

History

India is a land of ancient civilization. India's social, economic, and cultural configurations are the products of a long process of regional expansion. Indian history begins with the birth of the Indus Valley Civilization and the coming of the Aryans. These two phases are usually described as the pre-Vedic and Vedic age. Hinduism arose in the Vedic period

Indus Valley civilization

If we go back to 5000 years. We had a civilization called Indus Valley civilization, on the banks of river Indus and Saraswathi. This is the first planned urban civilization of the world!! It was well known for planned towns, planned houses and very good drainage systems.

Vedic Period (1750–500 BCE)

Gradually Aryans migrated to Indus valley and settled there. Their period is called the Vedic Period.
They wrote Vedas one of the oldest literary work available so far in Sanskrit. 4 Vedas are the backbone of Hindu religion.

Gautama Buddha, Buddhism: (600 BC):

Gautama Buddha founder of Buddhism taught during this period. His teachings were propagated by disciples and they made Buddhism as one of the biggest religions of the world.

Alexander invaded to India in the year 326 BC.

He faced strong resistance from King Porus. Even though Porus was very small king compared to Alexander, fought against Alexander bravely at The Battle of the Hydaspes River. Finally, Alexander won the Battle but this was his last major Battle. After this battle, an army of Alexander was refused to fight against Nanda king Dhana Nanda. Alexander went back without fighting against the strongest king of India at that time!!

Mouryas

The Great king maker Chanakya, was not happy with Nanda dynasty helped Chandragupta mourya to defeat Dhana Nanda who was hated by most of his people. Under the guidance of Chanakya, Chandragupta unified India.
One of the greatest king of Indian history Ashoka is from this dynasty. You can see Ashoka Chakra in the Indian flag. The national emblem of India is taken from Lion Capital of Asoka at Sarnath.

Gupta Empire - Golden Age (320-550 AD)

This period has been called the Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive achievements in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion, and philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture.
Great people like Kalidasa (literature), Aryabhata (math), Varahamihira (astronomer), Vishnu Sharma (the guy who wrote Panchatantra) and Vatsyayana (Kamasutra) are from this period. Also, gold and silver coins were well established. Indian knew the art of rustproof Iron during this period.

Chola Empire (9th–13th century)

One of the greatest empire of south India. They had a very strong naval force. They conquered Burma to Vietnam, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Lakshadweep (Laccadive) islands, Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia and the Pegu islands.

Islamic invaders

India continuously invaded by many invaders. Islamic invaders are one of those. Such invasion started in an early 8th century. However famous invaders are Mahmud of Ghazni who launched seventeen expeditions into India and Muhammad Ghori.
Prithviraj Chauhan who defeated Muhammad Ghori in the year 1191 let him go. Next year Muhammad invaded India and killed Prithviraj. This incident gave entry to Islam rulers in India, they ruled from Delhi called Delhi Sultans.

Delhi Sultans (1206- 1526)

Rule of Delhi sultans for 3 centuries developed an Indo-Islamic culture in India.

Mughal Empire (1526-1857)

They defeated Delhi Sultans in the battle of Panipat and came into power.
As compared to Delhi Sultans, Mughal Empire did not try to intervene in the local societies, but rather balanced and pacified them through new administrative practices and diverse and inclusive ruling elites, leading to more systematic, centralized, and uniform rule.

Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)

This was one of the greatest empires of south India. This era is known for its prosperity, great monuments, literary works in south Indian literature.

Entry of Europeans

It was in the 17th century that the Europeans came to India. This coincided with the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged 'victors'. The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete. It was followed by India's struggle for independence, which we got in the year 1947.

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found ocean route to India in the year 1498. This gave opportunities to Europeans trade in India. They came here for trade and gradually developed their colonies in India.
Portuguese, Dutch, Danes, British and French entered India one after other. Finally, the British beat all others and took control of majority India.

British in India

British Rule in India drained the wealth of India to Britain also Indian art, culture etc. are spoiled for the maximum extent.

Indian Freedom Struggle

In ancient times, people from all over the world were keen to come to India. The Persians followed by the Iranians and Parsis immigrated to India. Then came the Moghuls and they too settled down permanently in India. Chengis Khan, the Mongolian, invaded and looted India many times. Alexander the Great too, came to conquer India but went back after a battle with Porus. He-en Tsang from China came in pursuit of knowledge and to visit the ancient Indian universities of Nalanda and Takshila. Columbus wanted to come to India but instead landed on the shores of America. Vasco da Gama from Portugal came to trade his country's goods in return for Indian spices. The French came and established their colonies in India.

Lastly, the Britishers came and ruled over India for nearly 200 years. After the battle of Plassey in 1757, the British achieved political power in India. And their paramountcy was established during the tenure of Lord Dalhousie, who became the Governor- General in 1848. He annexed Punjab, Peshawar and the Pathan tribes in the north-west of India. And by 1856, the British conquest and its authority were firmly established. And while the British power gained its heights during the middle of the 19th century, the discontent of the local rulers, the peasantry, the intellectuals, common masses as also of the soldiers who became unemployed due to the disbanding of the armies of various states that were annexed by the British, became widespread. This soon broke out into a revolt which assumed the dimensions of the 1857 Mutiny.

The Indian Mutiny of 1857

The conquest of India, which could be said to have begun with the Battle of Plassey (1757), was practically completed by the end of Dalhousie's tenure in 1856. It had been by no means a smooth affair as the simmering discontent of the people manifested itself in many localized revolt during this period. However, the Mutiny of 1857, which began with a revolt of the military soldiers at Meerut, soon became widespread and posed a grave challenge to the British rule. Even though the British succeeded in crushing it within a year, it was certainly a popular revolt in which the Indian rulers, the masses and the militia participated so enthusiastically that it came to be regarded as the First War of Indian Independence.

Introduction of zamindari system by the British, where the peasants were ruined through exorbitant charges made from them by the new class of landlords. The craftsmen were destroyed by the influx of the British manufactured goods. The religion and the caste system which formed the firm foundation of the traditional Indian society was endangered by the British administration. The Indian soldiers, as well as people in the administration, could not rise in the hierarchy as the senior jobs were reserved for the Europeans. Thus, there was all-round discontent and disgust against the British rule, which burst out in a revolt by the 'sepoys' at Meerut whose religious sentiments were offended when they were given new cartridges greased with cow and pig fat, whose covering had to be stripped out by biting with the mouth before using them in rifles. The Hindu as well as the Muslim soldiers, who refused to use such cartridges, were arrested which resulted in a revolt by their fellow soldiers on May 9, 1857.

The rebel forces soon captured Delhi and the revolt spread to a wider area and there was uprising in almost all parts of the country. The most ferocious battles were fought in Delhi, Awadh, Rohilkhand, Bundelkhand, Allahabad, Agra, Meerut and western Bihar. The rebellious forces under the commands of Kanwar Singh in Bihar and Bakht Khan in Delhi gave a stunning blow to the British. In Kanpur, Nana Sahib was proclaimed as the Peshwa and the brave leader Tantya Tope led his troops. Rani Lakshmibai was proclaimed the ruler of Jhansi who led her troops in the heroic battles with the British. The Hindus, the Muslims, the Sikhs and all the other brave sons of India fought shoulder to shoulder to throw out the British. The revolt was controlled by the British within one year, it began from Meerut on 10 May 1857 and ended in Gwalior on 20 June 1858.

End of the East India Company

Consequent to the failure of the Revolt of 1857 rebellion, one also saw the end of the East India Company's rule in India and many important changes took place in the British Government's policy towards India which sought to strengthen the British rule through winning over the Indian princes, the chiefs and the landlords. Queen Victoria's Proclamation of November 1, 1858, declared that thereafter India would be governed by and in the name of the British Monarch through a Secretary of State.

Queen Victoria:

The Governor-General was given the title of Viceroy, which meant the representative of the Monarch. Queen Victoria assumed the title of the Empress of India and thus gave the British Government unlimited powers to intervene in the internal affair of the Indian states. In brief, the British paramountcy over India, including the Indian States, was firmly established. The British gave their support to the loyal princes, zamindar and local chiefs but neglected the educated people and the common masses. They also promoted the other interests like those of the British merchants, industrialists, planters and civil servants. The people of India, as such, did not have any say in running the government or formulation of its policies. Consequently, people's disgust with the British rule kept mounting, which gave rise to the birth of Indian National Movement.

The leadership of the freedom movement passed into the hands of reformists like Raja Rammohan Roy, Bankim Chandra and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. During this time, the binding psychological concept of National Unity was also forged in the fire of the struggle against a common foreign oppressor.

Raja Rammohan Roy (1772-1833)

founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 which aimed at purging the society of all its evil practices. He worked for eradicating evils like sati, child marriage and purdah system, championed widow marriage and women's education and favoured English system of education in India. It was through his effort that sati was declared a legal offence by the British.

Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902)

the disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa established the Ramakrishna Mission at Belur in 1897. He championed the supremacy of Vedantic philosophy. His talk at the Chicago (USA) Conference of World Religions in 1893 made the westerners realize the greatness of Hinduism for the first time.

Formation of Indian National Congress (INC)

The foundations of the Indian National Movement were laid by Suredranath Banerjee with the formation of Indian Association at Calcutta in 1876. The aim of the Association was to represent the views of the educated middle class, inspire the Indian community to take the value of united action. The Indian Association was, in a way, the forerunner of the Indian National Congress, which was founded, with the help of A.O. Hume, a retired British official. The birth of Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885 marked the entry of new educated middle-class into politics and transformed the Indian political horizon. The first session of the Indian National Congress was held in Bombay in December 1885 under the presidentship of Womesh Chandra Banerjee and was attended among others by and Badr-Uddin-Tyabji.

At the turn of the century, the freedom movement reached out to the common unlettered man through the launching of the "Swadeshi Movement" by leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Aurobindo Ghose. The Congress session at Calcutta in 1906, presided by Dadabhai Naoroji, gave a call for the attainment of 'Swaraj' a type of self-government elected by the people within the British Dominion, as it prevailed in Canada and Australia, which were also the parts of the British Empire.

Meanwhile, in 1909, the British Government announced certain reforms in the structure of Government in India which is known as Morley-Minto Reforms. But these reforms came as a disappointment as they did not mark any advance towards the establishment of a representative Government. The provision of a special representation of the Muslim was seen as a threat to the Hindu-Muslim unity on which the strength of the National Movement rested. So, these reforms were vehemently opposed by all the leaders, including the Muslim leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Subsequently, King George V made two announcements in Delhi: firstly, the partition of Bengal, which had been effected in 1905, was annulled and, secondly, it was announced that the capital of India was to be shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

The disgust with the reforms announced in 1909 led to the intensification of the struggle for Swaraj. While, on one side, the activists led by the great leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal waged a virtual war against the British, on the other side, the revolutionaries stepped up their violent activities There was a widespread unrest in the country. To add to the already growing discontent among the people, the Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919, which empowered the Government to put people in jail without trial. This caused widespread indignation, led to massive demonstration and hartals, which the Government repressed with brutal measures like the Jaliawalla Bagh massacre, where thousands of unarmed peaceful people were gunned down on the order of General Dyer.

Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

Jalianwala Bagh massacre of April 13, 1919, was one of the most inhuman acts of the British rulers in India. The people of Punjab gathered on the auspicious day of Baisakhi at Jalianwala Bagh, adjacent to Golden Temple (Amritsar), to lodge their protest peacefully against persecution by the British Indian Government. General Dyer appeared suddenly with his armed police force and fired indiscriminately at innocent empty handed people leaving hundreds of people dead, including women and children.

After the First World War (1914-1918), Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi became the undisputed leader of the Congress. During this struggle, Mahatma Gandhi had developed the novel technique of non-violent agitation, which he called 'Satyagraha', loosely translated as 'moral domination'. Gandhi, himself a devout Hindu, also espoused a total moral philosophy of tolerance, the brotherhood of all religions, non-violence (ahimsa) and of simple living. With this, new leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose also emerged on the scene and advocated the adoption of complete independence as the goal of the National Movement.

The Non-Cooperation Movement

The Non-Cooperation Movement was pitched in under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress from September 1920 to February 1922, marking a new awakening in the Indian Independence Movement. After a series of events including the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, Gandhiji realised that there was no prospect of getting any fair treatment at the hands of British, so he planned to withdraw the nation's co-operation from the British Government, thus launching the Non-Cooperation Movement and thereby marring the administrative set up of the country. This movement was a great success as it got massive encouragement to millions of Indians. This movement almost shook the British authorities.

Simon Commission

The Non-cooperation movement failed. Therefore there was a lull in political activities. The Simon Commission was sent to India in 1927 by the British Government to suggest further reforms in the structure of the Indian Government. The Commission did not include any Indian member and the Government showed no intention of accepting the demand for Swaraj. Therefore, it sparked a wave of protests all over the country and the Congress as well as the Muslim League gave a call to boycott it under the leadership of Lala Lajpat Rai. The crowds were lathi charged and Lala Lajpat Rai, also called Sher-e-Punjab (Lion of Punjab) died of the blows received in an agitation.

Civil Disobedience Movement

Mahatma Gandhi led the Civil Disobedience Movement that was launched in the Congress Session of December 1929. The aim of this movement was a complete disobedience of the orders of the British Government. During this movement, it was decided that India would celebrate 26th January as Independence Day all over the country. On 26th January 1930, meetings were held all over the country and the Congress tricolour was hoisted. The British Government tried to repress the movement and resorted to brutal firing, killing hundreds of people. Thousands were arrested along with Gandhiji and Jawaharlal Nehru. But the movement spread to all the four corners of the country Following this, Round Table Conferences were arranged by the British and Gandhiji attended the second Round Table Conference at London. But nothing came out of the conference and the Civil Disobedience Movement was revived.

During this time, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were arrested on the charges of throwing a bomb in the Central Assembly Hall (which is now Lok Sabha) in Delhi, to demonstrate against the autocratic alien rule. They were hanged to death on March 23, 1931.

Quit India Movement

In August 1942, Gandhiji started the 'Quit India Movement' and decided to launch a mass civil disobedience movement 'Do or Die' call to force the British to leave India. The movement was followed, nonetheless, by large-scale violence directed at railway stations, telegraph offices, government buildings, and other emblems and institutions of colonial rule. There were widespread acts of sabotage, and the government held Gandhi responsible for these acts of violence, suggesting that they were a deliberate act of Congress policy. However, all the prominent leaders were arrested, the Congress was banned and the police and army were brought out to suppress the movement.

Meanwhile, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, who stealthily ran away from the British detention in Calcutta, reached foreign lands and organized the Indian National Army (INA) to overthrow the British from India.

The Second World War broke out in September of 1939 and without consulting the Indian leaders, India was declared a warring state (on behalf of the British) by the Governor General. Subhash Chandra Bose, with the help of Japan, preceded fighting the British forces and not only freed Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the Britishers but also entered the north-eastern border of India. But in 1945 Japan was defeated and Netaji proceeded from Japan through an aeroplane to a place of safety but met with an accident and it was given out that he died in that air-crash itself.

"Give me blood and I shall give you freedom" - was one of the most popular statements made by him, where he urges the people of India to join him in his freedom movement.

Partition of India and Pakistan

At the conclusion of the Second World War, the Labour Party, under Prime Minister Clement Richard Attlee, came to power in Britain. The Labour Party was largely sympathetic towards Indian people for freedom. A Cabinet Mission was sent to India in March 1946, which after a careful study of the Indian political scenario, proposed the formation of an interim Government and convening of a Constituent Assembly comprising members elected by the provincial legislatures and nominees of the Indian states. An interim Government was formed headed by Jawaharlal Nehru. However, the Muslim League refused to participate in the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly and pressed for the separate state for Pakistan. Lord Mountbatten, the Viceroy of India, presented a plan for the division of India into India and Pakistan, and the Indian leaders had no choice but to accept the division, as the Muslim League was adamant. Thus, India became free at the stroke of midnight, on August 14, 1947. (Since then, every year India celebrates its Independence Day on 15th August). Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of free India and continued his term till 1964. Giving voice to the sentiments of the nation, Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru said,

"Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we will redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance... We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again."

Earlier, a Constituent Assembly was formed in July 1946, to frame the Constitution of India and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected its President. The Constitution of India which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution came into force and Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President of India.

Getting There

Flight
Train
Bus
Roadways

How to get to India by Air:

India has 134 airports in total in which At present, 64 airports have Domestic status and 22 others have International status. 32 airports are Defense airports and 16 airports have the Private status. The major international airports in India, which serve traffic from all over the world, are in Delhi-Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA: DEL, ICAO: VIDP), Mumbai-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (IATA: BOM, ICAO: VABB) formerly known as Sahar International Airport, Kolkata-Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (IATA: CCU, ICAO: VECC) , Chennai-Chennai International Airport (IATA: MAA, ICAO: VOMM) , Bangalore-Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL) and Hyderabad-Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (IATA: HYD, ICAO: VOHS). Airports tend to be on the outskirts of cities. Pre-paid taxi services and auto-rickshaws are stationed outside the terminus to get you into the city.

How to get to India by Rail:

Railways do not cut across international borders in this part of the world except the Samjhauta Express means "understanding" that runs between Amritsar (India) and Lahore (Pakistan). But since the running of the train is subject to relations between the two countries it would be prudent to check if the train is running. However, in many cases, it is possible to travel till the border by train.

Indian Railways is the lifeline of the transport system in India, with a huge setup and is a landmark for its people. Around 14,300 trains run every day, which touches around 8000 stations all across the country. Indian Railways carries around 23 million passengers every day and plays a significant role in the development and growth of the economy. It provides the cheapest and most convenient mode of passenger service for long distance and suburban traffic.

Howrah Railway Station is the busiest railway stations in terms of passenger volume per day and its 23 platforms are serving more than a million passengers. Howrah Junction also has the largest number of railway platforms in India and one of the busiest railway platforms too.

How to get to India by Road:

India is well connected by road at least from 19 Foreign Countries You Can Drive to India the countries are Nepal (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Pakistan (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), China (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Kyrgyzstan (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Uzbekistan (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Turkmenistan (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Iran (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Turkey (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Greece (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Italy (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Spain (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), France (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Finland (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Czech Republic (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Malaysia (Allowed to drive on an Indian license), Myanmar (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Bhutan (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Bangladesh (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Thailand (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required), Singapore (not allowed to drive on an Indian license , permit required).

Except for the Lahore-Delhi bus which used to run 4 times a week, but is now erratic, there are no cross-border coach services. It is possible to drive into India with the requisite paperwork in order. Even driving in from Nepal now requires a permit. Permits may be arranged through the Indian embassy in your country.

Getting Around

Flight
Train
Bus
Cruise
Metro
Cable car
Roadways
Car
Bike
Taxi
Bicycle
Walking

Flight, Train, Buses, Car, Metro, cycle-rickshaws, autorickshaws, taxis, boats and urban trains provide transport around India’s cities. You generally have the option of a train or bus, sometimes flight, and occasionally even boat. Costs for public transport vary from town to town. For any transport without a fixed fare, agree on the price before you start your journey and make sure that it covers your luggage and every passenger.

Getting around India by plane

Considering the huge distances involved in getting around the country, and the time it takes to get from A to B, flying is an attractive option, despite the cost – the journey from Delhi to Chennai, for example, takes a mere 2 hours 30 minutes by plane compared to 36 hours on the train. Delays and cancellations can whittle away the time advantage, especially over small distances, but if you’re short of time and plan to cover a lot of ground, flying can be a godsend.

Getting around India by train

Travelling by train is one of India’s classic experiences. The national rail network covers almost the entire country; only a few places (such as the mountainous regions of Sikkim, Ladakh, Uttarakhand and most of Himachal Pradesh) are inaccessible by train. Although the railway system might look like chaos, it does work, and generally better than you might expect. You must first register on the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) ticketing website, which you need an Indian mobile number to do (easy to get in country, not so much from abroad). You can then make reservations via IRCTC or link your account.

Getting around India by Bus

Buses are a good option for short distances, or when there isn’t a train station in the town you plan to visit. Some of them can be very uncomfortable, while others are luxury buses with air-conditioning. It’s important that you ask questions about the bus before you book it, and also ask to see a photo of the bus. Just know that sometimes, the salesman will say anything to get you to buy a ticket, and the bus that pulls up may not be what you’re expecting.

Getting around India by boat

Apart from river ferries, few boat services run in India. The Andaman Islands are connected to Kolkata and Chennai by boat – as well as to each other. Kerala has a regular passenger service with a number of services operating out of Alappuzha and Kollam, including the popular “backwater trip” between the two. The Sundarbans in the delta region to the south of Kolkata is only accessible by boat.

Getting around India by Taxis and Uber

Taxi. Taxis are available for private transportation in cities. Different cities have different types of taxis. In some places, like railway stations and airports, there are prepayment booths that ensure you won’t pay more than the stipulated fare. If you hail a taxi from the street, insist the driver re-starts the meter. Otherwise, it’s best to negotiate and agree to the fare for the trip in advance.

Uber. Uber is available in major Indian cities.

Motorcycle and Bicycle Hire in India

Yet another romanticized view of Indian travel is the long-distance overland motorbike odyssey, with Rajasthan, South India and Ladakh being some of the most popular areas for touring. The preferred motorcycle of choice is the Royal Enfield. Lalli Motorbike Exports in Delhi and Allibhai Premji Tyrewalla in Mumbai are two recommended rental agencies. Motorcycle tours are also very popular.

You will need an International Driving Permit in addition to your home country’s license to rent a motorcycle in India, though this can be an often-overlooked technicality.

Unless you are a glutton for punishment, renting a bicycle in India should be restricted to the most fervent of cyclists.

Hiring a Car and Driver in India

Hiring a car and driver sounds fancy, but it’s a popular and affordable option in India, especially since driving yourself is strongly discouraged due to lack of respect for traffic laws, frequent accidents and absolute chaos on the roads by Western standards.

You’ll need to choose between air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned cars, and vehicles are often the ubiquitous white Hindustan Ambassadors — the definitive Indian car. Flashier cars are available as well (Toyota Innova, Tata Indica, Tata Indigo, etc). Your hotel or any travel agent can help you arrange a car for hire. There are taxi stands in bigger cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

India by Auto-Rickshaw

The traditional Indian auto-rickshaw (a motorized, three-wheeled cabin cycle) is the most ubiquitous form of travel in India, used mainly for getting around cities and sometimes short-haul destinations outside town. The government generally controls fares, but a foreign face is nearly guaranteed to elicit an automatic 200 to 300 per cent fare increase.

Visa

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document in the form of a national passport with a valid visa obtained from an Indian Mission or Post abroad.

All Individual visa seekers are requested to apply for the Indian Visa through Online application link , in order to make an application for getting the Indian visa.

The duly signed physical copy of the application form completed in all respect and submitted successfully, is to be submitted at the concerned Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) or directly to Indian Mission/ Post, on the scheduled date of interview along with the requisite supporting documents. The instructions for filling the form and scheduling the appointment can be seen at Instructions for Regular Visa Application. Important technical information for filling online Indian visa application can be referred at Technical Instructions.

VISA CATEGORIES

Government of India issues the following visas: e-Visa, Business Visa, Conference Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Employment Visa, Emergency Visa, Entry Visa, Journalist Visa, Medical Visa, Missionaries Visa, Permit to re-enter within 2 months, Research Visa, Student Visa, Tourist Visa, Transit Visa,Intern Visa,Film Visa. Please follow the link for details on Visa Provision and supporting documents

VISA PROCESSING TIME

Upon receipt of the Visa Application through Indian Visa Application Center or directly, the Indian Mission/ Post requires a minimum of three working days to process the case and issue a visa depending upon the nationality and excluding special cases.

PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

Online India Visa Application allows the Applicant to upload a digital photograph of self to complete the regular visa application. The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements

1. Formate: JPEG

2. Size

i. Minimum 10 KB

ii. Maximum 300 KB

3. The height and width of the Photo must be equal.

4. The photo should present Full face, front view, eyes open.

5. Center head within the frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of the chin.

6. The background should be plain light coloured or white background.

7. No shadows on the face or on the background.

8. Without Borders.

9. Make sure that photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of the chin. Head should measure 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (25mm to 35mm). Make sure eye height is between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3.

e-Visa Facility is available for nationals of following countries/territories

Albania, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameron Union Republic, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati,Kyrgyzstan , Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger Republic, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal , Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Uganda,Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Eligibility

International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
International Travellers should have a return ticket or onward journey ticket, with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders or Laissez-passer travel document holders.
Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent's/Spouse's Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
Not available to International Travel Document Holders.

The documents required for e-Visa are :

For e-Tourist Visa

Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details

For e-Medical Visa

Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details
Copy of Letter from the Hospital concerned in India on its letterhead

For e-Business Visa

Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details
Copy of Business Card

For e-Business Visa visiting "To deliver lecture/s under Global Initiative for Academic Networks (GIAN)"

Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details
Invitation of the host institute to the foreign faculty
Copy of the sanction order under GIAN issued by the National Coordinating Institute viz. IIT Kharagpur
Copy of the synopsis of the courses to be taken up by the faculty

The digital photograph to be uploaded along with the Visa application should meet the following requirements:

Format - JPEG
Size: Minimum 10 KB: Maximum 1 MB.
The height and width of the Photo must be equal.
Photo should present full face, front view, eyes open and without spectacles
Center head within the frame and present full head from top of hair to bottom of the chin.
The background should be plain light colored or white background.
No shadows on the face or on the background.
Without Borders.
Scanned Bio Page of the passport showing the Photograph and Details.
Format -PDF.
Size: Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 300 KB.
Other documents for Business/Medical Purpose.
Format -PDF.
Size: Minimum 10 KB, Maximum 300 KB.

Things to Pack/Carry

Particular clothes, which can include:

Modest light-weight summer attire, unless you are going into the northern regions during the winter months. This would include:
a couple pair of pants,
shorts if you want (for a man),
three or four simple T-shirts,
A hat for warmth when going into the mountains, and a sunhat for protection from the sun, which you can also get in India. In the winter the days will be warm but the nights can be cool.
A coat or warm sweatshirt. In the winter, or if you are going up into the mountains even in summer, you need to bring a winter coat as well.
Raincoat & umbrella, a necessity in the monsoon season, and the umbrella can help protect you from the sun in the summer.
Additional clothes can include something you may need for visiting temples. Once you get to India, you can also shop around for these. Shorts for women are inappropriate in India in some of the parts. Pants or jeans can also be acceptable in most other places.

Socks. These can help against hot temple stones, especially during the heat of the summer or in the south.
Sandals that can be easily removed, or simple and cool jogging shoes
Sunscreen.
Mosquito repellent.
A small packet of Kleenex.
A small flashlight, especially one that can fit in your purse or shoulder bag, because in the small villages the lights can go out at any time, and it is better to be equipped.
A lite shoulder bag to carry your things while on the bus, and a smaller fanny pack or purse to carry your valuables into the temples or while you shop, especially for women.
Traveler’s checks and enough cash, keep them in separate places. An ATM card is also convenient. There are often more ATM machines than banks who can cash traveler's checks, especially in smaller towns.
Other helpful items include: A. Bottles (for holy soil or water), B. Indian train schedule, C. Guidebook, D. Maps, E. Itinerary of places I’m considering visiting, F. Small notebook for photo notes, etc., G. Journal to write in, H. Extra pair of glasses, I. Combination lock for places where you stay, J. Lock & keys for bag and house, K. Some plastic bags for storage or separating dirty clothes, L. Handkerchief or washcloths, for wiping away the sweat.
An electrical adapter to change voltage for any appliances brought from America to be used in India is also a good idea, like hairdryers, recharging batteries for digital cameras, etc.

Weather

In India, there are different types of seasons in India around the year. The first season started at the beginning of a year is summer, rainy season, early autumn, late autumn, and the last season of the year is winter and spring season. That all seasons in India are an element of climate, i.e. changes in air temperature, an amount of rainfall, variations in the air current, etc.

Summer season: During the three months from March to May.

It is a summer in most of India. The year starts with the summer season. In this season the sun pours down his dazzling and scorching rays. All pools and streams, tank and wells dry up in this season. Sunlight giving so much burn on a face.

In this season the fruits also ripe. It is rich in various varieties of fruits. Mangoes and jackfruit ripen in this season, and we eat this with plenty. The standard temperature recorded in this time in generally 30°C. But at some places in the plateau region the temperature rise to 40°C and in the Himalayan mountain region, it remains near about 20°C.

In the summer season, the day becomes longer than the night. At afternoon the heat becomes unbearable and burnable. There are few to be seen out of doors. Even cows and dogs seek shady shelters. Birds rest in their nests. Roads are almost deserted. The dust storm in the afternoon sometimes reduces the intensity of heat. In mid-summer, there is the great scarcity of water. But this lack of water does not last long.

Rainy season in India: Rainy season is started from the June to September.

There are so many seasons in India, but the rainy season is the very beautiful season in India. Rainy season brings the plenty of water. In this season the rain covers the heavy downpour. It brings so much happiness and joy for farmers. They are always waiting the rainy season with impatience for his agriculture ground. Rain is bringing in the prospect of refreshing showers. Wells and tanks, pools and ponds that were made dry by the summer are now full of water. Dried fields become wet, and paddy and jute grow.

This season the sun remains hidden behind the cloud. It rains torrents, and sometimes it rains continually together. Sometimes in a rainy season rains down so much forcefully and it becomes so harmful for shelter fewer people.

However, Pleasant and unpleasant at the same time for if it fertilizes the land and prepares the soil for tilling and sowing, it also turns the village roads muddy and slippery and makes the village folk suffer from cold and fever. It becomes harmful for village people. Some villages remain submerged at some places and migrating from one , to another village. Excessive rainfall causes difficulty to the people living in huts. The tiny streets also go under water if there is a torrential downpour and the condition of the slum dwellers become worst.

Early autumn

This season brings the ‘mellow fruitfulness, ’ and it is the season of flowers. Everyone are enjoying this season with cheerful mood. In this season sky, is seems clear and white clouds become like patches which look very pleasant. And sky also appears to smile in nice sunlight.

Sometimes there is any shower of rain downs. Water overflowed the fields and rivers, now begins to subside. At night, the moon makes her appearance in the clear blue sky with a sweet smile on her face. Nights now start to be longer than days. Some important festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, Laxmi Puja, Ram Navami, Durga Puja, etc. held during this fun season.

Late autumn

New autumn paddy begins to dew gathers on the blade of grass during the night. And it starts to ripen, and vegetables with grow in abundance.

This late autumn period is also called the season of return Monsoon. Though the rainy season is no longer there, yet, due to the cyclone coming from the Bay of Bengal, occasionally violent storms and rainfall are observed.

Winter season: Winter season started from December to February.

At the end of a late autumn season, the winter season starts. There is a mild cold that heralds the approach of winter. After the hot and rain comes the cold season and it is a great relief for us. The mornings are sometimes freezing, but half an hour’s sunshine is enough to make us feel quite comfortable.

In winter season night becomes so longer than days. The north wind blows over the country. Two things enjoyed as the sweetest of all, namely, sunshine and plenty of delicious food. Fortunately, there is no dearth of the sunshine in our country even in the coldest season.

There are the so many things becomes very cheap rate like vegetables, fruits, and fish are available in plenty. In this season some people become very healthy. Everyone can do work and get the easy digestion.

The people put on warm clothes. But the poor people suffer because they cannot afford to buy warm clothes. Rich people should donate warm clothes to the poor during this season. Students can play a significant role by collecting donations and serving poor people.

Spring season

Spring season is the “king of seasons.” The spring season has neither too hot nor too cold. Nature showers her gifts in plenty during this season. At this advent of spring, the soft sound wind begins to blow. It refreshes our body and mind. The countryside appears to adorned with green leaves and sweet-smiling flowers. Birds sing and bees hum in the flower garden. Trees and creepers covered with beautiful flowers. Bees hum all day long among them. The spring is thus most enjoyable of all seasons.

Best time to Visit

India is the seventh largest country in the world with 3,166,414 sq. km and a coastline of 7,517 km. With a wide diversity in geographical conditions, there is no one answer to the best time to visit India. A good example is this one. It pours buckets in Kerala and Karnataka in the monsoon that starts in June while their neighbor Tamil Nadu has its rainy season in October and November. That’s why first-time travelers to India find it difficult to sift through the tons of information and tips on the web. So it makes sense to break this up by the calendar.

Regions to visit from October to March In India

North India covering Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh. This is the most popular time to visit the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Taj Mahal, and Rajasthan. The temperature range at this time is 5 C – 25 C.

South India covering Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and the gorgeous islands of Lakshwadeep and Andaman Nicobar. Tamil Nadu is an anomaly in South India as it is affected by the North East monsoon also called reverse monsoon. So it gets rains from October to early December. The best time to visit Tamil Nadu is mid-December to March. The temperature range at this time in South India is 20 C - 30 C.

North East India covering Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya. The North East states of India are rapidly gaining popularity as tourist destinations. The temperature range at this time is 4 C – 20 C.

West India covering Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. These three states are very different from each other in terms of scenic beauty and culture except for their weather, which is similar. The temperature range at this time is 15 C - 30 C.

But what if you can't make it in the best season to visit India? Luckily, there are still many choices open to you.

Regions to visit from April to June Hill stations across India, Kashmir

The temperature starts to rise in March. It can be uncomfortably warm in most of India except in the hills from April to mid-June. This is the right time to visit the quaint towns in the hills such as Shimla, Manali, Ooty, Kodaikanal, Coonoor, Munnar and many more. These settlements established by the British as summer retreats are known as “hill stations”, a uniquely colonial term. During April to June, the days are pleasant with mild sunshine and cool evenings. Kashmir is also at its best during this season with flowers in full bloom.

Temperature range is 14 C – 30 C. Regions to visit from June to September.

Ladakh, Himalayas and Valley of Flowers in Uttaranchal

When rains lash most of India, pack your bags to visit Ladakh. Clear skies, sunny weather and beautiful views will be your reward. For trekkers, this is the time to head to the Himalayas and the sensationally beautiful Valley of Flowers, a high altitude flower carpeted Himalayan valley. Temperature range is between 5-28 C so the day will be sunny and the nights cold.

Visiting India for a specific activity rather than exploring a destination is another way of deciding the best time to travel to India.

Wildlife and tiger spotting – April to May

One of the biggest attractions of India is its wildlife and in particular, the tiger. While most travelers usually avoid the hot summer months when temperatures go over 35C, wildlife enthusiasts plan their holidays at this time. When water sources deep within the forest dry up, wildlife is forced to coming to the large waterholes to drink and the chances of spotting the tiger, rhino and even birds are better. You could bookmark this informative article on the best places to spot tigers.

Festivals of India – across the year

Other big attractions for travelers are Indian festivals with their pomp, chaos, colors and rituals. Onam in Kerala, Durga Puja in Bengal, Hornbill festival in Nagaland, Holi and Diwali across North India and Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan are major tourist magnets. Plan much ahead if you want to find good accommodation during these festivals that are spread across the year.

Traveling in the monsoon – June to early August

Ayurveda treatment in Kerala

While most travelers shy away from visiting India in the monsoon, there is one group that times their visit to coincide with the rains in Kerala. Traditional Ayurveda practitioners say that the rainy season is the best time for rejuvenation treatments.

Monsoon holidays in Kerala and Goa

And even if you are not in need of Ayurvedic treatment, why not travel to Kerala or Goa in the monsoon to experience one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural spectacles? Peaceful sightseeing, no crowds, quiet hotels with attentive service and lush green scenery make this the best time for enjoying a holiday at the lowest rates in the year.

What to avoid

From May to July, it is best to avoid most of North India as the temperature can cross 50 C. Most people stay indoors during the day. It cools down at night but can be uncomfortable without air conditioning.

Languages

In total, there at least 454 living languages are spoken daily in India, and the government has recognized 16 official languages! Some of the most widely spoken languages include Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Punjabi, and Sanskrit. Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipur, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Telugu, Urdu.

Hindi: The language is used by the Central Government when communicating within Hindi-speaking areas of India.

English: The language is the subsidiary official language and is used while communicating with the states.

List of official languages of India according to Indian Constitution.

Assamese: spoken mainly in the Indian state of Assam, where it is an official language.
Bengali: spoken mainly in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam (Barak Valley).
Bodo: spoken primarily by the Bodo people of North East India, Nepal and Bengal.
Dogri: spoken chiefly in the region of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and northern Punjab.
Gujarati: spoken mainly in the Indian state of Gujarat, where it is an official language.
Hindi: it is the most spoken language in India. It is widely spoken in the Indian states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
Kannada: spoken mainly in the state of Karnataka.
Kashmiri: spoken primarily in the state of north India of Jammu and Kashmir.
Konkani: the language is mainly spoken in the southwestern coast of India, mainly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa.
Maithili: mainly spoken in Bihar and in a few districts of Nepal.
Malayalam: it spoken mainly in the Indian state of Kerala.
Manipuri: Manipuri or Meitei is primary language spoken in Manipur, in northeastern India.
Marathi: it predominantly is spoken by the Marathi people of Maharashtra.
Nepali: it is the official language of Nepal and is widely spoken there.
Odia: the language is spoken mostly in eastern India, in the state of Odisha.
Punjabi: it is the native language of Punjab.
Sanskrit: Sanskrit, considered as the lingua franca of ancient India, is widely used in parts of India and is taught as a subject in many schools of India.
Santali: the language is mostly spoken by the people in the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, West Bengal.
Sindhi: the language is considered as one of the scheduled languages, officially recognized by the Indian federal government.
Tamil: it is spoken mainly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Telugu: Telugu is the prime language in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Urdu: Urdu is the official languages of these Indian states- Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana.

Tips

Currency: India’s currency is called ‘Rupee’ and it comes in the denominations of Rs 1, Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 2000. One can exchange the currency from the airport but dealers charge some percent of the total amount and on the airport, you don’t have any choice left so you can bargain. So it is better to convert the currency at least before 1 week of traveling from the dealers in your area.
Be ready to pay cash especially in remote areas and not with cards
Only carry the amount of money required for transit and food, keep everything else on your card. (Pro tip: Keep emergency cash in your suitcase/bag concealed within clothes)
Airport Timings: When you are travelling, be on time at the airport. In case of domestic flight reach 2 hours before and in case of international flights arrive 3 hours before at the airport.
Drinking Water: Although there is no scarcity of water in India but when it comes to clean drinking water you have to think twice before use. Always use a mineral water bottle for drinking, flossing and brushing in trains.
Research work: As you are traveling to India for the first time then do some research work about the place before arriving like the attractions of the destinations you will visit. Save your time with the proper information about the closing days of specific monuments, museums, archaeological sites or any Government Institutions.
Book your hotel before coming as on the spot booking will make your journey troublesome sometimes.
Stay healthy: Before trying something new think about hygiene and your diet. Stay healthy to enjoy the fascinating beauty of India. If you are not used to spicy food then while ordering food, tell in advance for lesser spicy preparation. (Even that would be spicy for many non-Indians)
Wear modestly: people stare generally if you are wearing shorts / revealing clothes. Also, at some temples, etc.they don't allow to enter if you are in skirts/ shorts/ mini etc.
Language won't be a problem if you know Hindi & English - while traveling in North & South India respectively. Local language changes from state to state here, in many cases.
While packing, consider which part of India you will be covering. Here there are deserts, snowfalls, beaches, forests and what not! Also consider season during which you are traveling - except for some part of South (where it is almost hot throughout) and for some part of North East (where it always rains); generally we have three different seasons - depending on time of year & part of India you are traveling, you will need different types of clothes.
Opening Hours: Banks: 10am-pm/4m Mon-Fri and 10 am to 1pm/4pm on Sat. Restaurants:8am-10pm. Bars and clubs:Noon-12: 30 pm. Shops:10am- 8pm
Get an Indian phone You can't book trains/buses online without one.
Carry medicines (antibiotics, Digene, ORS, band-aids etc) you will never know what you might pick up through food or water.
Do not use soap bars, they create a goupy mess everywhere and are a pain to dry, carry liquid hand soap and bathing gel instead. (Also carry hand sanitizer)
Keep an extra pair of batteries for your camera and mobile phones for when charging points aren't available.
Keep emergency contacts on speed dial in case of an emergency situation.
Clean up after you eat, perform proper waste and garbage disposal.
If you're using public washrooms make sure to keep it clean.
Get the Google Maps app on your phone.
Don't believe everything the booking agents say.
Walk on the right side of the road Walk against traffic, not with it (left side). Walking with traffic is a little easier but it made me stressed out. The cars and motorcycles will only miss you by a foot or two at most.
Be open-minded. Don’t be afraid to take public transit Trains Buses: Whenever you have the option to take a train, do it. It's relatively punctual, comfortable, and safe.
In India, the roadside local vendors generally sale cut fruits & salads, but you've to use uncut fruits to avoid the contamination.
Try to add curd in your meal for better digestion and use less oily & less spicy food.
if you select summer time to visit India then must use sunscreen, wear sunglasses and drink plenty of liquids to avoid the negative effect of hot and harsh conditions. Coconut water is healthy and the safest option.
For any emergency support, always carry extra copies of your photographs and keep photocopies of your passport and other legal identities with you.
For the local transfers, pre-paid taxi services are a better option because in India there is no rule for fixed fares. So, avoid bargaining and rate card issues and try the better option of pre-paid taxi services.
Avoid carrying a big amount of cash with you. Use ATMs services or other instant banking favorable options where most of the international cards are accepted and you can easily exchange your amount into Indian currency.
Follow the proper VISA formalities, whether you are under Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Student/ Employment Visa, Entry Visa or Transit Visa.