India travel guide

 

India - Taj Mahal

 

Meet IndiaIndia weather reportGetting into IndiaFrom the Indian kitchen From the Indian barCurrency in India Major airports in IndiaDid you know?

 

Meet India

 

Want to go to Paradise? Well, the nearest thing on Earth to it has to be India.

 

No one can deny India is one of the planet’s most diverse and multidimensional countries. The poverty is confronting, the bureaucracy is exasperating, the culture is enchanting and the sheer variety of geographical beauty is mesmerising. The very essence of this magnificent country lies in mystery. Demystifying India is a perpetual work in progress and that is precisely what makes the country so addictive.

 

‘Unity in diversity’ was the slogan India chose to celebrate their fifty years of Independence in 1997. One look at this amazing country will make you realise how true the slogan is. There is so much to see and do here the challenge is where to start.

 

  • The intrepid tourist can wildlife safari to Sunderbans, India’s largest Tiger Reserve and National Park, home to the mighty Bengal Tigers

  • Go trekking to the Valley of Flowers, nestled in the upper reaches of Garhwal, Uttarakhand amidst snow-capped mountains and swarmed with over 500 species of flowers

  • Camel Safari in Rajasthan to experience the vibrant and colourful Thar Desert.  Imagine sleeping on the sand under a star-lit sky

  • Experience the Backwaters of Kerala, known as ‘God's Own Country’

  • Go for a boat ride along the sacred Ganges in Varanasi early morning to see the magical sunrise

  • Visit the waterfalls of Meghalaya in North-east India, untouched and divine

  • Experience the mystical temple town of Hampi and its beautiful sunsets

  • And no trip to India would be complete without a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal in Agra - an architectural splendour built by the Mughuls

 

Yes, India truly is a paradise stretching from the sands of the Thar Desert to the sacred Ganges, from the tropical greenery of Kerala to the frozen ice peaks of the Himalayas. Walking through the multitude of growing Indian cities you are likely to brush shoulders with people from all faiths and cultures. This country is rich in geographical and cultural diversity. And we haven’t even gotten to Bollywood!

 

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India weather report

 

The climate of India is dominated by the Asiatic monsoon, which reverses direction at specific times of the year.

 

From June to October the torrential, rain-bearing monsoon blows from the southwest. India is dependent on the monsoons for the success of its crops.

 

From December to February the light northerly winds bring clear skies and little rain, to the extent that some parts of the country suffer from severe drought conditions. From March to May the climate becomes hotter and hotter and the drought continues. The rains only come when the wind turns again to the southwest.

 

For the latest weather info use the Pampo weather forecast tool. 

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Getting into India

 

If you plan to travel to India, you have to have a valid passport and obtain the appropriate visa before you enter. There are several different types of visas available, differentiated by the purpose of travel and length of stay.

 

Usually, an Indian tourist visa will be granted for up to six months, although longer stays are also possible.  This 'visit visa’ allows the holder entry to the country, but strictly forbids them from engaging in any work.  Indian tourist ‘visit visa’ holders are also not allowed to extend their stay beyond the limits of the visa.

 

India also offers a transit visa.  Essentially this permits applicants to transfer through India for a period of up to 15 days while they are on route to another destination. Again, this visa class is strictly for travel purposes only, and holders cannot engage in any work or extend their stay while on this visa.

 

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From the Indian kitchen

 

Diversity is also found in Indian food. The country has a wide range of traditional dishes from the mild and creamy korma to the hot and spicy vindaloo. Some popular snacks include: pakodas, samosas, pakoras and vadas. Variations of their curry dishes can be found all over the country albeit with significant differences to the recipes and flavours.

 

Some dishes have originated from specific regions. North India traditionally serves chapattis, dals (pulses), vegetables and curd (yoghurt) with meals, along with side dishes of chutney and achars (pickle). The Kashmiri and Moghlai cuisine reflect the strong influence of central Asia. If in Delhi or the Northern part of India, be sure to try the stuffed parathas (Indian bread) and their succulent tandoori chicken. Milk based sweets are a delicacy originating from the North and West and worth trying too.

 

Rice, coconut and fish dishes largely originated in the South and East of India. Whereas, in the desert area of Gujarat and Rajasthan, there is a dramatic lack of fresh vegetables so their meals are bulked out with more dals and achar.

 

Whichever part of India you are travelling to be sure to try some of the local dishes – it is sure to be a lip-smacking experience.

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From the Indian bar

 

Since, drinking alcohol is largely prohibited in India, there are not many Indian alcoholic drinks. The most popular drink is tea, known as chai. Coffee is more popular in South India. Nimbu pani (lemonade), lassi (a smoothie/milkshake type drink made from yogurt), and coconut milk are also popular.

 

Indian Soda drinks are readily available at many roadside stalls. Roadside favourites include Club Soda mixed with salt and lime and Jal jeera, which is water mixed with cumin. These stalls also sell refreshing juices, such as apple and orange juice, as well as mango, guava and sugarcane juices.

 

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Currency in India

 

The currency of India is the Rupee, issued by Reserve Bank of India. The most commonly used symbol for the rupee is Rs. One Rupee consists of 100 paise (coins).

 

Notes in India are issued in the denomination of Rs.5, Rs.10, Rs.20, Rs.50, Rs.100, Rs.500 and Rs.1000.

 

Coins in India are available in denominations of 10 paise, 20 paise, 25 paise, 50 paise, one rupee, two rupees and five rupees. For the latest info on your rates, please use the Pampo exchange rates calculator.

 

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Major airports in India

 

There are 12 international airports in India. These are:

  • Amritsar International Airport  (ATQ)

  • Bangalore International Airport (BLR)

  • Calicut International Airport (CCJ)

  • Chennai International Airport (MAA)

  • Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)

  • Cochin International Airport (COK)

  • Guwahati International Airport (GAU)

  • Hyderabad International Airport (HDD)

  • Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

  • Kolkata - Netaji Subhas Chanra Bose International Airport (CCU)

  • Lucknow - Amausi International Airport (LKO)

  • Thiruvanthapuram International Airport (TRV)  

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Did you know?

  • The name `India’ is derived from the River Indus

  • India has won five Miss World titles and two Miss Universe titles. The famous Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai, was Miss India-World, Miss Asia and Miss World (1994)

  • In 2004, the American actress Julia Roberts said, “Aishwarya Rai is the most beautiful woman in the world”

  • The film Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough was inspired by the life of Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948). This film won eight Academy Awards in the 1980s

  • The Indian film industry makes more films each year than the United States, France and Italy

  • The place value system and the decimal system were developed in 100 BC in India

  • India has the most post offices in the world

  • From 1900 to 1976, field hockey was the national sport in India. The national field hockey team won its seventh gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games

 

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