Asia: India

India is the 7th largest country in the world and houses the 2nd biggest population, has the largest democracy and is wonderfully diverse in all aspects. She borders to the North with Nepal and China, to the North-east with Bhutan,Pakistan to the west, the Maldives, Indonesia and Sri Lanka to the South-east and Myanmar to the East. India is completely unique - unlike anywhere else on earth - an experience to visit!

India's Geography consists of major rivers such as Ganga, Sindhu and Yamuna, the tallest world-mountain Himalayas, jungles and deserts, beaches and mountains.
The regions of India are all so incredibly different and beautiful that one needs to travel through them all.
Himalayan North has majestic mountains, many hill stations and religious places. A come-together of the adventurous spiritualist.
The Plains houses the capital of New Delhi, the Yamuna river and much of India's most important history.
Western India is home to the huge film industry of Bollywood and has vast stretches of the Thar Desert, the incredible destinations of colourful Mumbai, Rajasthan, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Goa and other wonderful beaches.
Southern India offers a look into the historical temples and modern cities in Andhra Pradesh plus Karnateka, authentic culture, lush islands and tropical forests and other.
Eastern India is mostly rural region with the large city of Kolkata and temple cities.
North-Eastern India is a tribal area which houses the gorgeous Tea Gardens, 8 states, and stunning natural landscapes.

India's Climate consists of summers, rainy seasons and winters. India's agricultural planning and just about everything else is based on the time and direction specific monsoons. When the Southwest wind brings the widespread rains from June to September, it's called the Southwest Monsoon. The Northeast monsoon form cyclones now and then and hits between October and February, creating the highest world-wide rainfall annually.

India's Culture is of course diverse with a common thread of varied spirituality, religion and tradition.

Travellers to India should visit...

Indian Sacred sites
Taj Mahal in Agra
Golden Temple is a Sikh holy site
Bodh Gaya where Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment.
Ellora/Ajanta, the holy place for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus with rock-cut cave monasteries and temples.
Goa with its beaches and easy lifestyles.
Hampi with incredible ruins
Khajuraho with its erotic sculptures
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai
Lake Palace of Octopussy fame
Indian National Parks
Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Bandipur National Park in Karnataka
Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand
Betla National Park in Jharkhand
Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand
Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Andaman and Nicobar
Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand
Kaziranga National Park in Assam
Gorumara National Park in West Bengal
Kudremukh National Park in Karnataka
Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan
Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu
Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka
Sundarbans National Park in West Bengal
Pirotan Island, Gujurat - a marine national park
Periyar National Park in Kerala
Sariska National Park in Rajasthan
Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh
Indian Wildlife Sanctuaries
Jaldapara in West Bengal
Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka
Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand
Indian Beaches
Asvem beach
Arambol beach
Anjuna beach
Morjim beach
Mandrem beach
Querim beach
Baga beach
Calangute beach
Coco beach
Vagator beach
Agonda beach
Colva beach
Benaulim beach
Bogmalo beach
Velsao beach
Colomb beach
Varca beach
Cavelossim beach
Butterfly beach
Palolem beach
Patnem beach
Rajbag beach


India's Public Holidays:
January 1 — New Year's day.
January 15 — Makara Sankranti.
January 20 — Muharram, Islamic new year.
January 26 — Republic Day.
March 3 — Holi, the festival of color.
March 19 — Ugadi/Gudi Padwa. New year to the Hindu lunar calendar.
March 27 — Ram Navami. Birthday of Lord Rama.
April 6 — Good Friday. Christian festival
April 14 — New Year per Hindu Solar calendar.
May 1 — Martyr's Day / Labour Day.
May 2 — Buddha Purnima, birthday of Buddha.
August 15 — Independence Day - Celebrates independent India.
August 28 — Raksha Bandhan, holiday in Northern India.
September 3 — Krishna Janmashtami/Gokulashtami - Lord Krishna's birthday
September 15 — Vinayaka (Ganesha) Chathurthi - Lord Ganesha's birthday.
October 2 — Gandhi Jayanti - birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
October 14 — Ramzan-Id/Id-ul-Fitr.
October 21 — Dussera/Vijay Dashmi/Durga Pooja/Ayudha Pooja - the worship of deity Durga and performance of pooja.
Diwali LightingNovember 9 — Deepawali (or Diwali) - Festival of lights
December 20 — Eid ul-Azha, Islamic festival.
December 25 — Christmas.

Indian Cuisine varies between regions and sadly the only ‘Indian Food’ our Western restaurants serve is basically Mughlai cuisine, delicious dishes of meat and spices. But India offers so much gastronomically, that you will discover there’s much more to Indian food than what you thought. Authentically, India is mostly vegetarian and typical to its agriculture and other influences.
In North India, the roti and chapatti, paratha and naan, puri and other breads feature regularly. These are eaten with most dishes, which are mostly spicy, and accompanied by yogurt, pickle and chutney.
In Eastern Idia Bengali food includes spicy rice and especially freshwater fish dishes.
In South India, rice and vegetables, especially pulses, form the main dishes and accompanied by onion uttapam and coconut chutney, masala dosa, sambhar and idli.
In Western India you will find your menu mostly vegetarian and dairy-based. Goa and Maharashtra offers plenty of excellent seafood and the Dhokla is a famous snack from the Gujaratis.

Transport in India
Travel India by bus
Find out the routes and details of each specific state's public bus service (usually the "X Road Transport Corporation") upon arrival. They connect intra-state routes and neighbouring states, are cheap and offer multiple classes. There are also express and luxury buses with air-conditioning can be booked for and some have toilets too! Bus tickets can be booked online from www.redBus.in for over 3500 routes.
Travel India by car
To drive on your own in India, on the left of the road, is very brave! You will need an International Driving Permit. It's not advised.
Travel India with hired car driver
Rates are always inclusive of return too, whether you go one-way or not. This option is great for travellers as it's cheap and the driver finds his own food/accommodation for the duration of the trip. The driver knows the country and its safest routes. You travel with your luggage and shopping plus it is quick and flexible. NOTE: it is advised that you can trust your driver, that you write down the license plat number and get back into the RIGHT car after excursions and ignore all outside 'help' to find it.
Travel India by auto-rickshaw
A very common means of transport, the Indian rickshaw with its 3 wheels are ideal for travelling in cities for short distances. Fares are best decided on by the meter and it's advised that the traveller enquire from an Indian local what fare to expect for the desired destination. Ensure your driver knows exactly where you want to go.

India's Visa is required from all travellers except those from Nepal and Bhutan.
India's Currency: Indian rupee
Safety: Pick-pockets and thieves are common due to poverty.
Health: Only Yellow Fever vaccinations are needed if travelling from infected countries. Only drink bottled water and give your body a day or two of acclimatising time. You may benefit from taking probiotics during your stay and thus hopefully avoid 'Delhi Belly'.

The major cities of India are:

Delhi — the capital of India
Bangalore — The garden city
Chennai (formerly Madras) — the main port in Southern India and automobile Capital of India.
Cochin — known for South West India's beaches
Jaipur — the Hindu Rajput culture of medieval Northern India.
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) — the cultural capital of India
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) — the financial capital of India
Shimla — the former summer capital of British India
Varanasi — a sacred Hindu city

The Travel-Informed Team

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