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India - Further 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.
Area
3,166,414 sq km (1,222,582 sq miles).
Population
1.1 billion (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density
347 per sq km.
Capital
New Delhi. Population: 13.8 million (2001).
Government
Republic since 1947.
Language
The main language is Hindi which is spoken by about 30% of the population;
English is also enshrined in the constitution for a wide range of
official purposes. In addition, 17 regional languages are recognised
by the constitution. These include Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya and
Punjabi which are widely used in the north, and Tamil and Telegu,
which are common in the south. Other regional languages are Kannada,
Malayalam and Marathi. The Muslim population largely speak Urdu.
Religion
About 81% Hindu, 12% Muslim, with Sikh, Christian, Jain, Parsi and
Buddhist minorities.
Time
GMT + 5.5.
Social Conventions
The Indian Hindu greeting is to fold the hands and tilt the head
forward to namaste. Indian women prefer not to shake hands. All
visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious
worship. The majority of Indians remove their footwear when entering
their houses. Because of strict religious and social customs, visitors
must show particular respect when visiting someone's home. Many
Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol.
Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Small gifts are acceptable as tokens
of gratitude for hospitality. Women are expected to dress modestly.
Short skirts and tight or revealing clothing should not be worn,
even on beaches. Businesspeople are not expected to dress formally
except for meetings and social functions.
English-speaking guides are available at fixed charges at all important
tourist centres. Guides speaking French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Russian or Spanish are available in some cities. Consult the nearest
Indiatourism office. Unapproved guides are not permitted to enter
protected monuments. Tourists are advised to ask for guides with
certificates from the Ministry of Tourism or Indiatourism (see Contact
Addresses).
Photography: Formalities mainly concern protected monuments and
the wildlife sanctuaries. Special permission of the Archaeological
Survey of India, New Delhi, is necessary for the use of tripod and
artificial light to photograph monuments. Photography at many places
is allowed on payment of a prescribed fee, which varies. Contact
the nearest Government of India Tourist Office.
Electricity
Usually 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Some areas have a DC supply. Plugs used
are of the round two- and three-pin type.
Head of Government
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since 2004.
Head of State
President APJ Abdul Kalam since 2002.
Culture
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:
o Dal (crushed lentil soup with various additional vegetables).
o Kulfi (Indian ice cream).
o Gulab Jamuns (flour, yoghurt and ground almonds).
o Jalebi (pancakes in syrup).
o Pan (betel leaf in which are wrapped spices such as aniseed and
cardamom).
National drinks:
o Chai (tea) is India's favourite drink. It will often come ready-brewed
with milk and sugar unless 'tray tea' is specified.
o Coffee is increasingly popular.
o Nimbu Pani (lemon drink).
o Lassi (iced buttermilk)
o 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.
Environment
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.
India shares borders to the northwest with Pakistan, to the north
with China, Nepal and Bhutan, and to the east with Bangladesh and
Myanmar. To the west lies the Arabian Sea, to the east the Bay of
Bengal and to the south the Indian Ocean. Sri Lanka lies off the
southeast coast, and the Maldives off the southwest coast. The far
northeastern states and territories are all but separated from the
rest of India by Bangladesh as it extends northwards from the Bay
of Bengal towards Bhutan. The Himalayan mountain range to the north
and the Indus River (west) and Ganges River (east) form a physical
barrier between India and the rest of Asia. The country can be divided
into five regions: Western, Central, Northern (including Kashmir
and Rajasthan), Eastern and Southern.
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.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 1000-1400, Sat 1000-1200.
Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into India by persons over 17
years of age without incurring customs duty:
o 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
o 2l alcoholic liquor or wine.
o 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
o Goods for personal use.
o Travel souvenirs (differing amounts according to nationality and
duration of stay).
o Reasonable quantities of medicines.
Note: (a) Import by non-residents is only permitted if the national
has entered India for a stay of not less than 24 hours and not more
than six months, provided they visit not more than once a month.
(b) Domestic pets (cats, dogs, birds etc) are permitted to be imported
into India as long as they have a health certificate from the country
of origin.
Prohibited Imports
Livestock and pigs and pig meat products, live plants, dangerous
drugs, gold coins, gold and silver bullion.
Traveller's Guide
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months required.
Visas
Required.
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. Passengers are advised to check with
Indiatourism for up-to-date information before departure. The following
states are subject to some restrictions: Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Port Blair, Mizoram, Nagaland
and Mundgod.
Types of Visa and Cost
The following prices are for UK nationals only; prices for other
nationals vary. Tourist: £30 (six months). Business: £30
(six months); £50 (one year); £90 (two years). Transit:
£8 (single/double-entry). Student: £55 (irrespective
of duration).
Note: (a) Non-UK nationals applying in the UK need to pay an additional
£10 (amounts charged may also vary according to nationality
and type of passport held) unless holding proof of at least one-year
residence in the UK. (b) A £1 fee may be required for postal
applications, depending on consulate.
Validity
Tourist: six months 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 may take up to 15 working days or longer (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
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).
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