General Travel Information

Traveling in India will be a more comfortable experience if you keep a these things in mind. Travelers must have a valid passport and a visa to enter India. Visas have to be obtained prior to arrival in India. All the relevant and detailed information can be obtained from the Indian consulate or embassy in your country. Travelers must also provide an International Certificate of Vaccination. Avoid drinking tap water in India as more than 80 percent of diseases in India are related to contaminated water. Drink only distilled water which is readily available these days. A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss, medical problems and other un-forseen problems  from your country. Visitors are generally required to make baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession. They are also required to obtain the currency declaration form on arrival in India. The following duty-free possessions are permissible-clothes and jewelry; cameras and up to five rolls of film; binoculars; a portable musical instrument; a radio or portable tape recorder; a tent and camping equipment; fishing rod; a pair of skis; two tennis rackets; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 95 liters of liquor; and gifts not exceeding a value of Rs. 600 (about $20). There are no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency or travelers' cheques a tourist can bring into India provided he makes a declaration in the Currency Declaration Form given to him on arrival. Any money in the form of travelers' cheques, drafts, bills, cheques, etc., in convertible currencies that tourists wish to convert into Indian currency should be exchanged only through authorized moneychangers and banks. The encashment certificate issued by them is required at the time of reconversion of any unspent money into foreign currency. Exchanging of foreign currency other than banks or authorized moneychangers is an offense under Foreign Exchange Regulations Act 1973.

 Some Facts : You will have to complete immigration/customs formalities at every airport. / At certain airports, you may be asked to identify your baggage before boarding the aircraft. Airport security staff will direct you to the appropriate task. / Kindly ensure that any knives, scissors, sharp implements, canned food and batteries including camera batteries are carried in your in baggage. / Get the security check of your camera and film carried around the X-ray machine. / VCR equipment are allowed at most monuments /  Photography is prohibited in some government buildings, bridges, railway platforms and some monuments. / Do not photograph defense and police personnel in uniform. / Hotels where you stay are the best place to exchange foreign currency as they obtain current exchange rates from the banks with certificate. /  Exchange money through authorized channels only. / Keep the Encashment Certificate in order to reconvert the unused Indian Rupees at the end of the journey. / Always keep a water bottle and water purification tablets. / Ensure your baggage is securely locked. / No refunds are possible against lost tickets so please ensure safe custody of your tickets. / Do not offer alms to the beggars. / Use your best judgement and be circumspect while making any purchases. / Kindly ensure all visa/passport documentation is complete.

Deepavali : It is the Festival of Lights and perhaps the only festival that is celebrated alioover the country without any diversity as well as amongst Indians all over the world. This is an occasion for the young and old, men and women, rich and poor-for every one, irrespective of their religious and economic backgrounds. This festival is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama, his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana, to their kingdom after 14 years of exile.  People also conduct Lakshmi Puja to please the Goddess of Wealth.

Holi : It  marks the advent of spring and people celebrate it joyously with a splash of color. The night before the full moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter. People throw colored water,  balloons filled with coloured water and colour powder at each other and make merry. Singing and dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion. Holi, also known as phag, is a joyous celebration of the rejuvenation of nature and renewed hope of happiness and peaceful coexistence.

Maha Shivaratri : The word Shivratri literally translates into "the night of Shiva.” This is because the ceremonies take place chiefly at night. A daylong fast, a nightlong vigil, and the reverberating rhythm of sacred chants mark the day. This is a festival observed in honor of Lord Shiva. Offerings of bael leaves are made to the Shiva Linga. Bael leaves are very sacred, for it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi resides in them.

Janmashtami : This festival associated with Lord Krishna’s birthday and is a combination of religion and celebration together.  Mathura, the ancient north Indian town, is Krishna’s birthplace, and it is one of the most sacred places in the entire country. People celebrate this festival with fun, frolic, and merry making. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated during the month of August or September depending on the Indian calendar. 

Ganesh Chathurthi : Lord Ganesha, affectionately called Ganapati, is commonly depicted in homes and offices throughout India as a chubby, smiling and a little mischievous God. His devotees scribe to Ganesha the ability to bestow wisdom and wealth upon us humans, thus making him probably the most popular deity in the Hindu pantheon. the entire population celebrates the ten-day festival of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India with great festivities and zest. During the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the image of the God is worshipped and feted in most homes, temples and halls, and on the last day the images are taken in a procession and immersed in water.

Baisakhi :Several Indian festivals are celebrated with the harvest time and Baisakhi is one of them. Baisakhi is celebrated by the people of Punjab with vigor and joy. It is celebrated by different names and with different rituals almost all over India, when the Rabi crop is ready for harvesting. Baisakhi is also the day when the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth over three hundred years ago.

Pushkar Fair : Held  in the month of November, Pushkar fair is the ideal occasion to witness the charisma of Rajasthan in full bloom, men dressed in colorful traditional clothes, women in mirrored skirts and vivid shawls, embroidered clothes, exquisitely designed jewelry, pots and ornaments. This four-day long fair full of fun and a large camel fair in which traders from all over Rajasthan participate to parade, race and trade their camels, horses and cattle give it a fascinating touch. The acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers and fire-eaters will leave you mesmerized with their skilled performances

Desert Festival :  Jaisalmer reverberates with enthusiasm and zeal during the Desert Festival, colorful spectacle of dance and music showcases the rhythmic dances. major attractions include turban-tying competition, Gair dancers and fire-dancers, folk dance, music,  turban tying and Mr. Desert contest, the Camel races, acrobatics, dances and camel polo are sure to leave you spellbound.

Hemis Festival : The courtyard of Hemis- the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, is the stage of the famous Hemis Festival, that celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colourful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight of the festival.