175+ hacks for travelling to India you have to know!
Make the most of your trip to India with this comprehensive list of tips and tricks. Ignore these at your own risk.
Namaste! Firstly, congratulations on your choice of country to visit next. I promise if you do it right, India will change the way you look at life forever. But before we proceed to the actual list, there is something I'd really like you to understand:
Home to over 1.3 billion people speaking in 1,635 languages (yes, you read that right!) spread over 3,287,263 km² in its 29 states and 7 union territories, India is truly vast and easily the most diverse country in the world. No wonder The Economist once went on record as saying that “India is a continent masquerading as a country”. Every major religion in the world is practised here, many originated in this land, its history goes back to the beginning of civilisation.
From deserts to lush-green tropical rainforests, mighty Himalayan mountains to long coastlines, India has it all, and more. Temperatures range as high as 50°C in the Thar desert in Rajasthan to as low as -50°C in the Siachen Glacier. India is also home to 871318 species of fauna (Alfred, 1998) and around 47,000 species of flora. Ethnically, demographically, culturally, geographically and in every other manner fathomable, India is more diverse than you can imagine. While Delhi has a population density of 11,297 per km², this figure is only 17 in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Every region is incredibly unique and vastly different in their practices and customs.
India's mammoth diversity is the reason it is so unfair to India and Indians and often saddens them when Hollywood and the west in general stereotypes India as an exotic land of floating sadhus, veiled women, magic, monkeys, snake charmers, tigers, elephants and cobras. Remember Coldplay's Hymn for the weekend? Yeah, that's been the typical representation for a long while before getting replaced by the present stereotype of being a country of software professionals (read call centre workers) and roads with more cows than traffic.
Understandably, India is too much to take in one go. First timers will therefore, do best to not jam-pack their schedules and risk burning out, but choose carefully and concentrate their tour on one or few regions only. One can always come back. India takes a lifetime to explore. It is an infinite bucket list. Often people limit themselves to visiting a particular region, say the so-called “Golden Triangle”-Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, and become prejudiced in their opinion of India.. While it is a good start, it is a very minuscule fraction of what “Incredible India” (the slogan of India’s ministry of tourism) stands to offer you (think visiting Eiffel Tower and striking off Europe from your list).
For this reason, I have curated a selection of seventy pictures from all over India that will summarise the differences of the country and perhaps help everyone appreciate its diversity.
India in 70 stunning pictures you cannot afford to miss
Too many bloggers/cheap backpackers have blogged about the sub-par conditions of accommodation, food and travel while visiting India. Please understand that often their experience stems from lack of research, knowledge or just trying to get it done all too cheap. In India, as in everywhere else, you decide your level of luxury. You can find accommodation in a hostel for even $2 a night or delve into royal treatment at several properties in Rajasthan for more than $10,000 a night. A train ticket can cost less than a dollar while a week-long tour in the presidential suite of the luxury Maharaja Express will set you back by $26,070. You get the point. The point is I am talking about things I definitely cannot afford (bear with my lame jokes, good stuff ahead). On the whole though, India is definitely on the cheaper side for average middle-class travel. Just don't cut costs at the wrong places.
And now, it’s time to move on to the tips and tricks that you, as a visitor, should keep in mind about India in order to make the best of your trip. Many are exaggerations, but as they say, prevention is better than cure and therefore, best followed. Some are dos, some don’ts and others are things to keep in mind, especially if visiting India for the first time. Scroll down to read the entire list, or pick a category below.
General:
1. Come with an open mind and zero prejudice or fear. Trust me you will be overwhelmed, and in a good way. Just don’t blame me if you get addicted and want to come back every vacation.
2. The pinch of salt: Don’t believe what the media tells you. India is a very safe country. Just don’t be too careless or gullible. Similarly, when dealing with anyone offering a service in lieu of money, remember to be cautious. Getting a paper bill to serve as a contract for a payment made is a good idea, though not everyone provides it.
3. Many a prejudice has also been spread or propagated, I am sorry to say, by the occasional foreign blogger who visited maybe a few cities at most and understands little of Indian culture. Very often many articles slandering India and Indians are written, purely out of commercial interest and just spammed with affiliate links. Please understand India is mostly very safe and friendly. Number of rapes per 100,000 population in 2010 was 27.3 in the USA, 63.5 in Sweden, 17 in the UK (2009), and only 1.8 in India. A poll by an international organisation recently named India as the most dangerous country for women, ahead of countries like Saudi Arabia where a gang rape victim was sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in jail just because she talked to the media about her plight. Surprised? Yes, that's international organisations at their best. India is probably safer than your country.
4. While my site (including this article) also contains the occasional affiliate link, I always encourage the traveller to explore and experience for themselves and will never encourage a hoax to make a few quick bucks. Do comment or contact us here or on Facebook for any assistance required.
5. Plan EVERYTHING in advance and in detail. Irrespective of whether they work out or not, you must be aware of where you are going to, who’s taking you (if at all) and how long it is going to take. The broad details should be set and a little knowledge and caution will definitely help steer clear of scammers. However, do not over-research or go overboard with exploring your options. Trust me, you do not want to lose out on the "element of surprise". Also, there are so many options you will just end up confused or spent even before you land. Knowing when to draw the line is crucial.
6. There is an online solution and/or a start-up for almost everything. Remember to Google whenever you feel stuck and need a quick solution. And their services are cheap, efficient and trustworthy.
7. Paperwork and bureaucracy are the final arguments in India. Get your VISA, permits etc. ready in time, and don’t be afraid to nag the authorities to get your documents cleared in case of delays. Read before you sign.
8. IST (Indian Standard time) is GMT + 5:30 hours. Adjust your watch accordingly. Be careful about your flight timings!
9. The real IST: Indian Stretchable Time: Unless crucial, don’t panic and spoil your mood if your driver turns up ten minutes late. One minute means five or ten. This is how most of India works. We submit our assignments at the last hour. Its part of the “Chalta hai” (Its all cool!) attitude.
10. The country code for India is 91. International calling rates are pretty cheap. Use a telephone booth if your hotel doesn’t have the facility. Ask for STD (fret not, STD stands for Subscriber’s Trunk dialing-allowing you to make inter-state calls), ISD (for international calling) or PCO (public call office). If you can, use Skype or WhatsApp voice calling, but beware that many AT&T users reported being charged for international voice calls made using WhatsApp (which may sound absurd but it appears has happened)! Also, the charge was not for data usage but for calling! The general advice seems to be that you should set your phone to airplane/flight mode, turn on Wi-Fi, make a WhatsApp call and only turn airplane mode off after you've hung up.
11. A ritual you’d do well to master is crossing roads with live traffic. Though, of course, best avoided, try to find someone else doing it and use them for cover if you absolutely HAVE to do it. India is the ultimate test of survival skills, thus said Bear Grylls (yes, I pretend-rhyme). Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
12. In India, driving is on the left, and its best you left it out from your to-do list as well. Unless you have nerves of steel, kindly avoid the wheel (rhyme #2!). Our fighter pilots are great because they grew up negotiating crazy traffic, suicidal pedestrians, honking and abusive cabbies trailing behind (radar-lock!), this-street-is-my-bathroom cows and turbulent bumps from pot-holes, all at the same time.
13. God-forbid you should have to use them, but here: emergency phone numbers- police (100), ambulance (108, 102 or the nearest hospital), medical and fire emergency (101).
14. Internet cafes provide internet access at about ₹20-30 an hour. Your hotel, and most coffee outlet chains would have decent Wi-Fi. Check before booking. Most major railway stations and airports are also equipped with the same, but you will need an Indian mobile phone number to log in to those. Read more on a phone and SIM card that works in India here.
15. Electrical supply is 220/240V and 50Hz. Do carry the appropriate “round pin” electric connectors/adapters. Ideally you may get this BESTEK Universal Travel Adapter . It is cheap, can support multiple gadgets at once, is really sturdy and designed to work in 150+ countries. In India, where voltage fluctuations may occur, this baby is just what you need to protect your expensive gadgets.
16. Have the contact numbers of your country’s embassy/High Commission and Consulates.
17. Say “No, thank you” and walk away from anything you aren’t sure about. Be polite and firm-this is a recurring theme throughout the article because it really is an important skill you should learn. Do not get drawn into unnecessary arguments. India is a hot country anyway; keep your cool at all times. Learn to say the Hindi version of No, thanks: Jee nahi, shukriya.
18. Test your ears for high-decibel receptivity: Don’t be scared if you are woken early in the morning by loudspeakers. It’s common in some cities. Similarly, drivers prefer honking to flash lights. Sometimes all you can do is to bear with them.
19:This one will take you far: Stock up on common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, you know you should avoid it. Example: Four cab drivers quote the fare from place A to B at around ₹500, and a fifth guy quotes ₹150/-. Stay away from such shady deals. PRO TIP: Punch in the places in UBER (if available) and get an approximate fare. Generally an hour’s cab ride should cost around ₹250-400. Insist on travelling by meter and on the printable bill at the end of your journey. This may not be applicable outside the metros.
20.Most things you need on the trip are easily found in India. Consider buying them after you land. Travel light and avoid heavy airline penalties on excess baggage.
21. Monuments and places of historical importance are generally looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India. Entry fees and charges can often vary greatly for Indians and foreigners. Don’t be upset about it.
22. While most of India understands basic English, a little knowledge of Hindi can go a long way in crucial times, rural areas, or fetch a better bargain. Here’s everything you will need to get started.
Geography, Climate and Restrictions:
23. India is typically a hot country, although it can get really cold in some parts during the winters. The primary seasons are Summer (April-June), Monsoon (July-August), retreating monsoon or Autumn (Sep-Nov) and Winter (Dec-Feb).
24. Time your visit depending on the region you are visiting. Summers are hot and monsoons can be messy. Autumn is a decent season to visit most of India, although Ladakh is best visited in the post-summer months. Snow closes down many of the mountain passes in the winter and it takes the summer months for the melting and reopening of the passes and highways. Do not miss Durga Puja in Kolkata (late Sep-Oct).
25. Visiting different areas may also require area-specific preparation. It could include packing beachwear to getting vaccinated if the need is felt. Follow the news for a couple of months leading to your visit. Some areas might have to be left out at the last minute. Rough tide could spoil the beach visit, for example. Or snowfall could block a mountain pass. Have alternates ready. You don’t want to sit idle in your hotel room.
26. A lot (some would say most) of India’s charm lies outside the cities, hence do not be shy to explore the hinterland. Most designated tourist areas are very accessible and promise a fun-filled trip. In fact, you can also drop the traditional tourist cities altogether and go for the calmness of the rural areas. The entire North-East, ruins of Hampi, Kerala backwaters and hill-stations of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are great places to explore.
27. Photography is banned in several places, such as airports and metro (subway) stations. In many monuments and tourist sites, it is either not permitted or there is an extra fee to be paid for carrying a camera. Do take note of the same to avoid any trouble. Videography may be banned exclusively and bloggers should exercise caution. No trip is complete without a bunch of great quality pictures to cherish it by, and share with loved ones. Do spare some time to read my complete camera selection guide. However, if you don't have the time, I would recommend picking up an entry or mid-level DSLR. Without having to lose sleep over all the choices available in the market today, I suggest you go for either the Nikon D3400 or the Canon 800D (also called the EOS Rebel T7i), depending on your budget. If you are going to be shooting a lot more of videos and/or blogging, get the trusty Sony A7 mirrorless camera. I personally have owned and used the Canon 700D (or EOS Rebel T5i) and its newer version, the 800D (T7i), is a much improved variant of an already great camera. You simply cannot go wrong with any of these. Absolute beginners can start with the intelligent automatic modes and move to the fully manual mode by mastering the aperture priority and other modes in between. These amazing cameras handhold the user into taking great professional quality photos, one step at a time.
28. Some areas, especially near the borders or regions with a history of militant activity may be out of bound for you. Even Indians need an ILP (Inner line permit) to visit certain areas, such as north Sikkim. Some places are inaccessible. For foreigners the restrictions are sometimes more. Do not attempt to bypass into any area you are not supposed to be in. Get your PAP (Protected Area Permit) made in advance if you intend to visit any areas which require you to have such permits in order to gain entry.
29. Many areas are accessible only during certain times of the year. Most of the mountain passes of Ladakh are only open once the snow melts (between May-June to Sep-Oct).
30. Photograph but do not intrude into anyone’s privacy.
31. Be careful while taking that selfie from the edge of the waterfall or cliff. Let not your passport become useless.
32.Use multiple memory cards for your camera and back-up often. I personally use a couple of the Sandisk Extreme Pro 64GB Memory Cards which come with a lifetime limited warranty. The Extreme Pro is pretty solid and robust in terms of weather proofing. Read/write speeds are also quite great. However, if you record video, you may want to select the variant with greater storage capacity.
Culture shock:
33. India is a sea of people. People, vehicles and animals intermix. Senses might receive a rush from working overtime. Avoid crowds if needed.
34. Indians love to waste their time only if they get to do it themselves (not really, this might be the vibe coming off though). This means that you know you are in India when the flight has barely landed, the overhead “seatbelt sign” is still on, but the baggage compartments overhead have been opened and people queued up to de-plane already. Bharat mein aapka swagat hai (won’t spoil you by giving translations for this one).
35. India is a land of contradictions and experiences that you shouldn’t attempt to rationalise as much as you should look to savour. It is both the land of superstitions and also the country whose space organisation launched 104 satellites in one go from a single launch vehicle. A majestic elephant passing merrily could cause a minor traffic snarl and people may not mind because they are busy admiring it. People would be offering food and milk to deities at the temple while beggars starve right outside. We have the greatest income disparities in the world. It might appear as a sheer neglect for human life and feel heart-breaking.
36. Everything can seem pretty overwhelming at first. There still is order among the chaos. Savour the experience. Yes, I had to repeat it.
37. The Indian toilet, lovingly called the “squatty potty”, can be your best friend and your worst nightmare. Western style toilets are more common in hotels in urban areas, but do learn to use the Indian one if you have to. Washing is more hygienic, as long as you wash your hands with soap afterwards.
38. Personal space is a concept unknown in India. People’s curiosity is usually indicative of their eager interest in you. Be careful about divulging personal information, including the location of your stay. Make a friend or two, but don’t be over-friendly.
39. Poverty might be readily visible. There is a chance you may come across kids working in tea stalls etc. Retain your composure.
40. India is not very disabled friendly. Most public places and services lack facilities for the differently-abled. However, like Hogwarts, help will always be given to those who need it.
41. Do check out my list of things to do before visiting India. It will help you, among other things, get acquainted with the Indian accent and recognise the widely held stereotypes and why they are not true.
42. The influence of western culture on Indian cities is very evident and urban India dresses and eats in a pretty much similar fashion and watches the same Netflix shows as you. Therefore you might want to start your trip with a city (maybe one frequented by foreign tourists) so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Any of the metros or top-tier cites (say wherever you booked your flight to) is great.
43. The local magician and snake charmer culture is dying (as are many cultural identities that gave India its "exotic" reputation), so do not miss them if you get a chance.
44. Though rare, scenes of animal abuse and lack of awareness about it may present themselves. There’s little you can do except convince yourself. Stay away from a heated confrontation.
45. A lot of things aren’t exactly legal but people get away with it regardless. This includes stuff like feeding animals at a zoo or jumping a red light. Just because some people might be doing it does not make it legal or acceptable though. Watch out and try to follow the rules. When in doubt, feel free to ask rather than end up in embarrassment.
46. Make friends. If you are lucky enough to get invited to a wedding, do not miss the opportunity.
47. A money bill is called a “note” (currently in circulation are notes of these denominations: ₹1 and ₹2 (no longer printed but accepted in markets), ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, ₹2000).
48. In a restaurant at the end of your meal you don’t ask for the “check”, you ask for the “bill”.
Etiquette and communication:
49. Namaste! (Hindi); Vanakkam! (Tamil); Namoskar! (Bengali); Hello! (English, just in case you got lost). Bend that spine a wee bit if greeting elders.
50. Other Hindi phrases: khaana (food), paani (water), chalo (let’s go), aao (come), jao (go), mai (I, me), hum (we, us), haan (yes), nahi (no), achha (good), bura/achha nahi (bad), shukriya/dhanyawaad (thank you). Check this resource out.
51.Be friendly, but not over-friendly.
52. In India, there is a “tradition” called “Atithi Devo Bhava” (Guest is God), although in some places you may feel it exists more in theory than practice. Expect attention and offers for help wherever you go. Most will be genuine, but it is best to politely turn them down unless you are absolutely sure about them or it is something you are going to do in a public place.
53. Always pay, greet and shake hands with the right hand. Using the left hand may be considered inappropriate or rude.
54. Do not, casually or otherwise, touch the opposite gender while conversing. While it may beokay in urban areas, you could still offend someone.
55.Kissing can draw attention. Opposite sexes usually don’t kiss in public, although urban areas and parks may present a different picture.
56. If you are offering food to someone, be aware of their dietary habits and learn whether they are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. If in doubt, don’t. Similarly, don't offer drinks to a teetotaler. It is very rare to feel offended, but someone just might.
57. Before entering a religious place, remember to take care of the basic practices. Remove your shoes and store them at the designated areas (do collect the coupon they give you so that you can claim it later; might have to pay a nominal charge). In other temples and shrines, wearing leather (jackets, belts etc.) or carrying leather accessories (like wallets) may be banned. Use shoe covers before entering the interiors (where the tombs are housed) of the main structure at the Taj Mahal. However, be wary of scammers trying to charge you for wearing any leather or carrying a camera etc. while visiting a place. No official at any place is tasked with personally approaching visitors for any tickets/charges. You are supposed to pay for them at the entrance on your own. Only show your ticket to someone in uniform or carrying an ID (if demanded). If approached for any such charges/fines, ask them where their office is and tell them you will pay at the counter. These are popular scams in Rajasthan and Delhi. Be firm but not argumentative.
58. Remove your shoes before entering people’s homes.
58. It is best to avoid giving anyone anything, whether a beggar or a kid, unless you absolutely feel like you'd be crushed if you didn't. But I’d still recommend not doing it, because for instance, more often that not, the beneficiary may not even get any share of what you donate. That really sick-looking infant in the shrivelled arms of its mother may not even be related to the woman at all (which does not mean that either of them are not impoverished though) and the baby may have been purposefully denied the basics to retain its helplessness and evoke sympathy in passers-by (I have never seen this first hand, but it has happened). Thus it is probably in their best interests that you desist from donating.
60. You may tip at the restaurant if you liked the food and service. Do not tip more than 10% or less than ₹20. Street food vendors are usually not tipped. Pay using your credit card to avoid doubt in this regard because then you will only be billed for the food.
61. In most queues, including those for entry to historical monuments and airport security checks, men and women must go through separate queues. In cases where there is a single queue, women may be given priority.
62. Similarly, (obviously) trial rooms, washrooms, sometimes waiting rooms in railway stations and other places are segregated for women and men. Public transportation such as local trains, metros (subways), buses have seats/coaches earmarked for women and/or senior citizens. Take due note of the same. If any mistake occurs, apologise and shift to one that’s meant for you. It is generally acceptable to occupy a senior citizen’s seat if it is vacant and has no contenders. Be sure to vacate if someone comes along, though.
63. Some Indians have difficulty saying “No” or "I don't know". It might happen that someone you asked for a route, sent you on a wild goose chase just because they weren't sure of the way themselves. Things like that can happen. I agree, it’s a wrong habit, even if they were only trying to be nice to you. Most aren’t like that though. You can always double-check by asking another person.
64. The Indian head bob that can either mean yes, no or come to mama (just kidding!): Learn to decipher what it means or just ask a second person. Yes, it would appear we are poor at communicating but I guess we know how to read it and therefore, do not mind.
65. Afternoon siestas are popular in many parts, though in cities shops may remain open throughout the day. It’s almost like Spanish culture in this regard, and people like to take it a little easy after that heavy lunch.
66. People are quick to accept you if you present yourself in a friendly manner. We are good at that, we have people with all kinds of differences living together harmoniously. Politicians are often notorious for creating and exploiting differences that otherwise do not exist or get noticed. India will reflect back your own attitude at you, almost as if Karma is being served on a platter. Be nice and you will be received like a celebrity. Almost everyone will go out of their way to make sure you have a good time. Try to appreciate the effort even if the result was not commensurate.
67. Prostitution is illegal in India. Socially frowned upon, but the government has no moral objection to someone trying to making a living without hurting anyone, so it does exist. Most workers unfortunately are thus forced to lead miserable lives because there are officially no policies to help them.
68. Betting in sports is illegal in India, as is gambling.
Travel:
69. Travel light (also so you may shop loads). This assumes more importance in India. Delays are not that common, but domestic airlines do charge heavily for luggage beyond limit (usually 15 kgs) by the kg and you can end up spending more than your ticket if you are not careful. PRO TIP: Keep this in mind if you are arriving in India and travelling onward directly.
70. The earlier you book your hotel, the cheaper you usually get it. Same for flights and some trains with the “dynamic fare pricing” system. These include premier trains like Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi Express, Duronto Express.
If interested in travelling by Indian Railways, read on. Else, skip to point 83. Stress is on information you won’t find elsewhere, common things have been left out.
71. Travelling by trains is always recommended. Most trains in India travel through the hinterlands and rural areas. Soak in the lush-green scenery of the farmlands.
72. If you want to travel by train, making prior reservations is a great idea, especially if the journey time is three hours or more. Unreserved coaches (train compartments) are often extremely crowded and cramped. Avoid to the extent possible.
73. Book trains (holiday packages and flights also available) in India directly using the railway’s own IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) website. It accepts all major international cards and is easy to use. You can also enter a choice of berths (such as lower, upper, side lower etc.) which is allotted if available. Use the Tatkal quota for unplanned reservations exactly 24 hours in advance to get confirmed seats by paying a little extra. If the IRCTC website appears confusing, a great alternative is Cleartrip. Download Cleartrip and get upto ₹2,000 cashback on your first train/flight/hotel booking.
74. Various types of seats/berths in different trains include: Second class (unreserved), CC (Chair car), AC Chair car, Executive Chair Car, Sleeper, AC 3 Tier, AC 2 Tier and AC 1st class. Not all types are available in all trains.
75. You can also order for food to be delivered directly to your train seat from the IRCTC website. In some trains, food and catering is taken care of, such as in the trains mentioned in (70). The charges are included in your ticket so no need to pay extra.
76. Always prefer the above three trains if available between the places you have to travel. They are by far among the most punctual and consistent trains. However, it might be difficult to get a confirmed seat if you do not book well in advance, even on foreign/tourist or tatkal quota. Book in another train in such cases.
77. PRO TIP: Bookmark and use this amazing resource to find everything about every Indian train-time table, fares, seat availability, general punctuality, live tracking and everything else. Find the placement of your coach/compartment on the train’s page online and position yourself accordingly on the platform to avoid missing your train, especially if it only stops for a couple of minutes or so.
78. Trains in India are long and everyone’s in a hurry to board or deboard, so don’t stop and ask someone once the train arrives at the platform because they may be in a hurry to oblige you. All compartments of the same class/category are interconnected, so in emergency situations it is perfectly okay to board on, say coach S5 and navigate your way through to say, S9. The only issue is that the pathways are narrow and could be clogged, so it might be a tad uncomfortable doing so with lots of luggage.
79. There are usually two gates on either side of a compartment of a long-distance train (local trains and chair car compartments have more than two). Right beside any one gate a railway official will paste the reservation chart of that particular compartment. Verify your name and seat numbers on the same.
80. Use this PRO TIP to avoid delays: If you have to travel between, say point A to B, find a train whose source (i.e. departing station) is closest to A. If the train actually started its journey say 800 kms or 10 hours before it was scheduled to arrive at A, there is a chance it might be a couple of hours late at A itself. Be smart while choosing the train to travel on. Of course you can also look up the general punctuality of a train using the web resource mentioned in (77). As a thumb rule, if a long distance train has more than one stop for every 100-150 km or 2-3 hrs of travel, it is probably one of the slower and less comfortable ones.
81. The final charting is done three hours before the departure time of a train. RAC status means you have to share a seat with another person. Talk to the TTE (ticket inspector/checker) for a solo seat/berth. He might ask you to pay though. If you pay, you should ask for a receipt. If you are wait-listed, your reservation is automatically cancelled during charting and you will be treated as travelling without ticket if you board the train. So do not get on a train if you are on the waiting list. However, you are eligible for a full refund on your ticket. Check your “PNR” (ticket number) status online or by calling 139.
82. PRO TIP: No one’s coming to tell you your stop’s arriving. It is your responsibility to get off at the correct station. In some trains, there are screens near the doors in AC compartments, but they are rare. If you are sleeping, set an alarm. Do not risk keeping your phone outside while you are napping away merrily. A good idea is to get a cheap yet reliable travel alarm clock that does the job for you. If you find a nearby co-passenger who’s getting down at the same station, that’s great. But do not go about advertising your destination, lest you want to be a target for someone with malicious intent for the rest of your journey (rare, but better to exercise caution).
83. Airport security in India is serious business, and you will do well to not be caught on the wrong side. All electronic items will have to be presented before security and in some occasions be allowed only on hand luggage, so don’t bury them deep inside your other stuff. Be kind and co-operate with the authorities. In some areas, for example where the civilian airport shares the runway with military installations, you may have to go through multiple rounds of security checks. Don’t panic or feel frustrated. It is for your own safety.
84. Be very fluent with the airport rules: what is allowed in hand baggage and what needs to be checked in. You don’t want to have to leave a valuable or a memento behind. Ask the person who screens your luggage immediately after you enter the airport about the same.
85. Avoid booking cabs or taxis from the hotel as their services are usually very expensive. Download and use UBER or OLA-both very efficient services-whenever you can. Watch out for deals that can get you further discounts on rides!
86. Avoid travel agents unless you are confused and book your own tickets all you can. Comment below or contact me for any assistance. There are several forums on the internet with a healthy participation where you can find the answer to almost everything.
87. Redbus is a good service for booking bus services.
88. Say no to free rides and hitchhiking.
89. Do keep your luggage locked at all times. While travelling in trains, use a chain and a lock to secure them. Chances something unfortunate will happen are next to nil. But it will save you unnecessary harassment in the event it does.
90. Have a carrier-unlocked phone and get a local SIM card. All details available here.
91. Keep someone, say your host in India and /or your travel agency informed of your travel plans and locations. Mountaineers should note that avalanches and landslides occur commonly and rescue can take time. Always trek in groups.
92. Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws (battery operated ones, often also called a toto or a tuk-tuk) can ply both in reserved (you be the only passenger for the duration of your journey) or shared (you share the seat with other fellow passengers) modes. Although more expensive, it is recommended you travel only by reserved mode unless your journey is going to be really short. That way, you can travel freely and safely.
Health and medical tourism:
93. Say yes to Travel insurance and no to any health-related worries. Travel Insurance these days are cheap and cover just about anything that can go wrong while you are out there globetrotting. This includes any health issues that could crop up, any tourist activities that could go wrong (God forbid) etc. World Nomads is by far the best overall and hassle-free comprehensive travel insurance provider, recommended by almost every traveller and advisory, including Lonely Planet. Read everything you need to know about travel insurance here.
94. No vaccination is compulsory for visiting India. However, do check your visa guidelines. Consider the Hepatitis A, Typhoid and malaria vaccinations. Dengue fever, cholera and chicken pox are others you could consider.
95.Mosquitoes are a perennial menace in most parts. Use repellent cream (ask for the super-cheap Odomos at the store or come prepared with the Ultrathon insect repellent cream), coils and air sprays. Wear full-sleeves and avoid shorts.
96. Maintain body fluid content. Drink loads of water. If you’re roaming outside all day, hydration should assume critical importance.
97. Do carry hand sanitisers or a bar of soap. Or consider anti-bacterial wipes/gels and handwashes. It is a bad idea to eat with bare hands without cleaning them first. Wash them afterwards, too.
98. Use mild to strong sunscreen. Wear caps and hats. You can also use these extremely handy shemaghs. An umbrella might not be a bad thing.
99. Pollution can be a real pain in some metros and super-crowded areas (which the whole of India might appear but isn’t). Use masks or air filters or anything that helps. Asthma patients or those allergic to dust may want to plan their itineraries carefully.
100. Sunglasses are a must, both to protect against the UV radiation and more importantly, the pollution. I recommend these aviators and wayfarers.
101. Avoid fatigue by staying indoors when the sun is most harsh, around afternoon.
102. If tired or stressed out, skip a day and rest at your hotel. Health comes first.
103. If you have trouble sleeping amidst noise, get some cotton ear plugs.
104. Hit the bed early. Streets and markets start crowding 5am onwards and may mess with your sleep.
105. Medical care is pretty cheap and so are over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. For most common antibiotics, a prescription may not be required at the pharmacy (popularly called the “chemist” or “chemist and druggist”), but don’t self-diagnose. Best is to get some professional advice and tests done, even if you may only have "travellers' tummy".
106. World-class medical facilities are available here at cheap rates. A hip transplant might cost only a fraction of what it does back home.
107. Carry basic first aid. An anti-septic cream (ask any store for Boro Plus or Boroline) and Band-aid is enough. Cuts or scrapes on rusting metal should not be neglected. Get a tetanus shot.
108. Street dogs may not be very kind to new faces in areas where the faces do not change regularly. If someone gets bitten, do seek medical intervention and get them the shots.
109. Rivers in India are considered holy but are sadly highly polluted. Take a dip at your own risk, shower immediately afterward.
110. ORS (Oral rehydration solutions) are excellent for replenishing lost salts from your body. These are cheap, available in every chemist shop and in multiple flavours. Empty one packet into a litre of lukewarm (room temperature will also do) water and sip all you want. Whether you’re dehydrated or totally fit, you can have it as these are not medicines, just electrolyte solutions.
Food and drinks:
111. Avoid drugs in all forms. They are illegal in India, and possession and/or use can get you arrested.
112. Avoid smoking and/or drinking in public. Abide by local laws for the same. For example, alcohol is prohibited in the states of Gujarat and Bihar.
113. You don’t have to avoid street food altogether, but do exercise caution. Ask yourself these: How are the general hygiene standards? Is the food being freshly prepared or stocked? Are customers flocking to him, or is the stall deserted except for flies? Is the food stocked in a closed vessel or out in the open? Does the grease (oil) look like it is changed regularly? What treatment do the plates get after you are done eating?
114. All that food looks inviting and smells tempting, but watch the quantities too.
115. Raw street food (uncooked stuff like fruit salads) is best avoided. Wash and peel fruits before consuming them.
116. ONLY drink packaged mineral water. Some trusted brands are Bisleri, Kinley, Aquafina, Rail Neer (available in railway stations). They typically cost ₹15 per bottle of 1 litre. If your hotel has a water purifier in working condition, it is okay to use it as well.
117. Many Indian stations have been recently equipped with UV and RO water purifiers that sell water at around ₹3 a litre. If you cannot recognise them, stick to your bottled water.
118. Drink Lassi. And tender coconut water (both my personal favourites, so this may be more of a recommendation than a tip).
119. Packaged food, if vegetarian, comes with a small white rectangle with green border and a green dot in the circle. If the colour is red (maroon), the food is non-vegetarian.
120. Try to avoid non-vegetarian street food.
121. India has more vegetarian dishes than you can imagine. Its time to go beyond that Chicken butter masala. Go vegetarian for as long as you want.
122. Food too spicy for you? Say “Mirchi nahi”, “teekha nahi” or “garam masala nahi” while placing your order.
123. Carbonated drinks (Coca Cola, Pepsi, Sprite etc.) are great digestion aids. You may consider those after a spicy meal.
124. Maintain decent standards of hygiene to avoid tummy upsets. Wash your hands before and after meals.
125. Your hotel room may have glasses, cups, kettles and other cutlery for your use. They are generally not cleaned regularly and it might not be a great idea to use them without getting them cleaned first.
126.Need recommendations? Use Zomato to find the best places in town to dine.
127. Need food delivered to you from a restaurant to your place? Download Swiggy.
Shopping and bargaining:
128. Three things to do while shopping: Bargain, bargain and bargain. It is an art of psychological warfare. Master the skill, and let it serve you well. A product’s typical selling price is a third (for an Indian, can go as low as a sixth for a tourist) or less of what’s quoted to you at first. Don’t be easy to loosen the purse strings. Pretend uninterested. Remember that cute crush from high school who didn’t give you attention? Ah, well, who am I kidding? You were the sought-out one. Be that, appear uninterested, and enjoy the discounts rolling in. Typically you can find several shops in a row selling the same stuff. Move on to the next one if needed but don’t get into an argument.
129. Bargain only at street shops and casual stores. Do not bargain on branded items with a marked MRP (Maximum retail price). Under no conditions should you pay more than the MRP.
130. Please don’t haggle with an artisan or a vegetable seller or farmer unless you are sure the prices are high or an Indian has been charged less than you. They are really poor and mostly very decent to be over-charging.
131. Shop for Indian clothing from street-markets or go to any of the numerous brand outlets for better quality at slightly more expensive rates. Max, Trends, FBB are all very popular and economical options.
132. You can even shop online at Amazon India, Flipkart and Myntra for stuff if you’re staying at your place for a while. Your receptionist at the hotel can accept a parcel on your behalf if you ask them to.
133. Citibank, ICICI and HDFC bank ATMs work best with international cards and have highest withdrawal limits. Each transaction would have a limit of 10,000 INR but the daily withdrawal limit usually is what your bank allows back home.
134. Cash is the only payment option in smaller shops, though mobile digital wallets like Paytm can be really handy and are extremely safe and popular. You should definitely give it a thought. Recommended alternatives to Paytm are Google Tez etc.
Avoid scams: More on common sense:
135. Avoid roaming around with bulky travel guides lest you want to draw unwanted attention, including those of scammers. Walk confidently like you own the place. If you have to get rid of someone, it’s okay to say you are a local and know the place. Learn “Mujhe pata hai, shukriya” (I know it, thank you) or “Jee nahi chaiye, shukriya” (I don’t need it, thank you). Do say that even if neither of you is sure what “it” really implies. Be polite but firm. Its fun.
136. Find your hotel/hostel on Google Maps before seeking public transport. Your cabbie might tell you the place does not exist and take you to a different place for the purpose of earning a little commission. Use app cabs (OLA and UBER are both great services) whenever possible.
137. Airports are expensive, no matter what the signboards on the arrival terminal may say. Duty-free can be a trap. Be wary of overcharging at these places.
138. Never buy an entire tour, even for a couple of days, from the local agents unless you are sure about not getting ripped off. Every state has a tourism department from where you can book tours, vehicles etc. If the prices quoted are same as that online, you may proceed with the local operator/agent as their services can be more flexible. However, make sure you are not going to be clubbed with a group for travel, accommodation or sightseeing, unless you explicitly agreed to it.
139. Do ensure you are entering the correct government tourism office when you do, and not some fake office belonging to a scammer. Verify the address. Give them a call and verify. There are multiple other ingenious ways, devise your own, one or the other will work. An unimplemented example (which may not work) is as follows: Usually the same people who handle calls also handle physical enquiries. Once at the office, seek to meet the same guy who talked to you over the phone, insisting you two had already worked something out. Can you find the guy here at the office? Ask him his name, both over phone and in person. Is it the same? Was he surprised you forgot his name and has to tell you all over again? Try telling them part of a small incident or anecdote or detail over the phone, pick up from there and complete the rest at the office in person. If it’s the same person, the narration of the second episode of your story doesn’t need to begin with a recap. These may sound stupidly impractical or 007-ish, but may find use in other situations. The idea was anyway to convey that you should be a little mindful and smart in your dealings. Sometimes that is enough to unsettle the scammer and expose his game.
141. North Indian cities may appear more unclean or polluted than the rest of India. Because it is also more frequented by tourists, there are more scammers in cities like New Delhi and Jaipur than anywhere else. They are hardcore professionals and experts in tourist psychology. You might even fail to realise that you got duped, say of a few rupees in the name of charity. Be extra-cautious at these places about obliging people who approach you at random and give you recommendations. Appear uninterested. Many popular scams can be busted by exercising caution and running a Google search. An experience I read somewhere of a Spanish guy was something along these lines: He was approached about a gov't-run, duty free shopping mall near Connaught Place in New Delhi. He searched online for "Connaught Place duty free" and the first result detailed the scam. He thus busted the guy, who was quick enough to give him the slip in search of a new victim.
142. Divide your cash instead of storing it all together. You might receive a higher price quote if you go about flashing a wad out of your pocket at the store.
143. Entirely avoid buying stuff that seems over-priced. Get an Indian to help with the purchase, they’ll be happy to oblige.
144. Beggars are sometimes not beggars. Those seeking donation for public initiatives are often private entities running pure scams. Be frugal if you must donate. I recommend giving zero donations to anyone, kids included. Sometimes, obliging one can draw many to you.
145. Fakes and counterfeits of branded goods are easy to come by, especially in electronics, sunglasses etc. Street shops mostly sell the later. Authorised retailers that will give you a bill and a warranty card, the former.
146. Buy handloom and handicrafts from government emporiums. They may be a bit pricier, but you can rest assured it’s the real deal.
147. Power tends to corrupt. Need help from the cops? In one out of thousand occasions you may have to grease their palms. But most are honest, and you could get booked for trying to do so. So be careful and use tact. Personally, I have ALWAYS found them ready to help and very nice.
148. There is a possible nexus between the authorities and scammers in some places. I have heard of fake TTEs (railway ticket inspectors) fleecing tourists while the real ones are busy in other parts of the train.
149. If you are getting notes exchanged or shopping with cash, beware of fake notes/counterfeit currency.
150. Scammers usually are after your money; they are quick to give the slip if you act frustrated and mention the cops and will in general never physically hurt you. Do create a commotion if you feel threatened. Sometimes the scammer has a shady local reputation and the public support in your favour will help settle the matter.
151. This can be filed both under scams and safety: India is famous for its spirituality but there are several fake god-men who take undue advantage of innocent people, especially women, joining their ashrams or prayer groups etc. Use reason and do not submit blindly to anything in the name of spirituality.
152. Similarly, a lot of shady NGOs and institutes operate just for earning money from those volunteering for social action in India. Some may have agents back home in your country who will try to influence your judgement. Please choose wisely.
153. Even if you were over-charged or scammed in any way, ask yourself how much did you really lose. Is it really worth fussing and spoiling your mood and trip over? Most probably not.
154. A premium service comes at a cost. Learn to differentiate them from scams.
Safety:
154. Much has been said about India and women’s safety, and while some is true, much is over-exaggerated. Women should indeed, avoid roaming alone at night though, especially in deserted areas.
155. Also, foreigners are very common in most of India and it is not like there’s something sinister in the mind of every person who tries to help you. Just a firm, polite “NO” (or “Nahi, shukriya”) works in most cases. Do raise your voice if you feel uncomfortable. Do not feel embarrassed to create a scene. Often the bad guy will give the slip if a crowd’s attention is drawn, because often a woman’s testimony is enough to get him thrashed within an inch of his life. Also, the laws have been made stringent and now rape can even invite the death penalty. Also, minors can be tried as adults if accused of sex-related crimes.
156. It is not necessary and will only add to your luggage, but if you are still paranoid or are a solo woman traveller, here is a good pepper spray and a stun gun you can carry with you.
157. While India is infamous for crimes against women in the western media, it is little known that India’s gender laws are dangerously skewed. A man can be punished for having an extra-marital affair, while a woman cannot (although the law is hilariously messed up and more complicated than that). A woman’s mere statement is enough grounds for getting a man and even his extended family (including senior citizens and kids) arrested, and without provisions for bail . In fact, often in cases of adultery where a woman was the one cheating, they have got their husbands and in-laws arrested by filing a counter-case, falsely accusing them of cruelty and/or demanding dowry. The Supreme Court is well aware of this misuse of the laws meant to protect women, and went to the extent of calling it “legal terrorism”. However, it is under immense pressure from feminist groups and therefore unable to bring forth reforms.
158. Consensual sex between an unmarried couple can be construed as rape in the judiciary if there is an allegation that a promise of marriage was made by the man. In one case, a trial court sentenced a man to seven years of imprisonment for the same. However, later the high court overturned this decision as the persons involved were consenting adults and the judge observed that “the consent could not be said to be based only on the promise made by P (the accused), but was out of love affair” between the two. The reason for mentioning these seemingly unrelated matters in this post is to make the reader understand that there is a huge gap between what is reported in western media and what really goes on in the country. The purpose is not to "defend" anything (indeed many an Indian female is unable to knock the doors of the justice-delivery mechanism, and for various constraints; societal, personal or otherwise). I hope you realise by now that India indeed, is mostly safe, women do have rights that are legally enforceable and mostly it is nothing as is portrayed.
159. Interestingly, over 50% of the rape cases filed in the city of Delhi over the period of April 2013-July 2014 were found to be false (Delhi Commission of Women). Rape by strangers is a very tiny fraction of the reported cases. What’s more, the Indian law does not recognise sexual harassment of men at the workplace, only that of women. India’s archaic laws are also to blame for the situation today. Also, clearly, Indian men do not deserve the kind of negative image they are often stereotyped into. The pretext for filing a fake case is often an attempt to settle a score, ego, or to coerce the man into giving money On average, suicide rate of males is twice that of females. Even more interesting is the fact that there is no law that allows a woman to be punished for filing a false case. They are let off in such cases with a “warning” and a fine of upto ₹1,000. Men, therefore are also advised to take note and beware.
160. Events like the above have been the subject of many a debate and led to further “alienation” of men and women, whereas they should be in a position to appreciate each other’s sensibilities. Indeed, “Indian culture” traditionally frowns upon free interaction between men and women, and that is largely the reason for the wide gap in being empathetic towards the opposite gender. Nevertheless, men should beware of the existing laws and social etiquettes (which do vary widely, say between religions and areas) while interacting with women. Not that it could get you in trouble, but you also could offend someone.
161. This one especially for women: Dress modestly. The sari might seem too complicated, but do try it once, although it is not recommended to be worn while travelling. Women are encouraged to try kurtis and pair them with leggings (can be substituted with jeans). They are dirt cheap (even upto₹150/$3), especially if street-shopping (do remember to bargain). Accessorise your outfit with a colourful dupatta (scarf/stole). And there you go, looking even more gorgeous!
P.S.: It was sheer embarassing to browse through women's clothing section solo (something I've only done before helping out my sister or a friend), but anything for you, dearest reader! Also, do not buy too many beforehand, you will be flooded with inexpensive choices once you are here.
162. Be careful with your money. Make payments electronically as far as possible and book in advance. Do not carry a lot of cash. ₹ 10,000 (~ $150, which is also the ATM withdrawal limit for a single transaction) will cover all expenses for 4-5 days for one person in India. You cannot carry more than that out of the country as well.
163. Do not carry all your cash in your pocket. Use your wallet to carry small amounts, and carry the rest and your identity cards elsewhere, outside the reach of any pickpocket. You may get the widely popular RFID-blocking hidden neck wallet that sets all your worries to rest so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest. Although pick-pocketing is a rare occurrence, it will give you complete peace of mind and let you focus on and enjoy your trip completely.
164. Avoid wearing too much gold or diamond jewellery.
165. Do not keep valuables in your pockets while sleeping on trains. It is best you lock your belongings in your bag, and secure the bag itself as well by locking it with a chain and a lock. An excellent option is using this combination lock, so that you don’t have to worry about keys. You will find three thick iron coils below each seat specifically to facilitate your doing so. Or, you could use the grill on your top berth, or anything else you like that gets the job done.
166. Lock your belongings inside your bag before moving out of your hotel room. Do not leave valuables strewn around in the room. Additionally, you could lock your hotel room if the mechanism allows you to do so. This lock is really handy for the purpose.
167. PRO TIP: Your hotel should ideally be located neither in a deserted alley with no sunlight or idea of the outside weather nor on the main road where it is too loud to get any sleep. Get a hotel close to the main road and ask for a room facing away from it. Also, if you have to shuttle between two places, say point A and the railway station, choose a hotel either close to the station or place A. That way, you don’t have to pay twice for transportation. Again a hotel close to the local markets can be great for those night-time walks and shopping/dining adventures.
168. If requested for a photograph/selfie, you can either accept or decline. Be polite about it. Should you accept, never allow someone to get so close that they get on your nerves. If someone does so without your consent, please ask them to desist. Indeed, there is an attitude problem with some people in some places. And although their intentions are in no way malicious, lack of sensibility to privacy and personal space largely stem from the manner of upbringing or restrictive societal norms. Things are changing, hopefully fast enough.
169. Do not be all alone and adventurous at night in a place you are not very familiar with or is deserted.
170. Do not share your cab with strangers, more so at night. Under no circumstances should you let the cabbie bring another friend/relative in distress/fellow passenger on-board. If a driver quotes less fare than the others, he might have the intention to pick up other passengers too. Confirm the same before you commence your journey.
171. Solo women travellers can take a picture of the license plate of the vehicle and/or the driver on their mobile phone before getting on. Whether you send it to someone to let them know which cab you are on or not, this act can prove to be an effective deterrence. If the cab was booked through a cab-hailing app such as UBER or OLA, such details are automatically made available.
172. Wear shoes that cover your feet completely. Sandals, floaters and flip flops are okay only if you are not using public transport. Although it might feel hot, I still recommend slip-ons or sandals with complete foot protection for men, and for women; comfortable flats that have your toes covered. These are light and perfect for moving around throughout the day with the least sign of discomfort. With the fast-moving crowds everywhere, getting stomped can be painful.
173. Religion and politics are highly passionate subjects in India. Best is to avoid the topics yourself as well as getting dragged into them during regular conversation. People can be really touchy about it. Even if others bring it up, it is best to hold oneself from engaging in it.
174. Do NOT accept food or drinks from strangers, especially while travelling. Share your water if requested for, but try to avoid doing so yourself.
175. Watch out for over-friendly people.
176. Keep your passport with you safely at all times. Make several photocopies of your passport and visa/e-visa.
177. Party hard in Goa, but stay away from contraband and people selling them.
178. Women should exercise extra caution also while interacting with people from other nations in Goa and elsewhere. Choose your company carefully and you should be safe from most threats. People from multiple nations have settled here and many of the once popular beaches have pretty much gone out of control due to lack of policing and indiscipline (the "hippie" culture is all rather messed up). If spirituality is what you seek, Goa is the wrong place. Stay miles away from fake sadhus (any nationality) or pretend god-men or astrologers or palmists etc. claiming healing powers and offering to cleanse your soul/purify your aura/wash off your sins/any other synonymous phrases. Some of them are sexual predators that will exploit their target into submission so it seems like consensual, but is deceitful.
179. The first step after losing an important document/getting robbed/scammed/losing something is to file an FIR (First Information Report) with the police. Insist on getting one filed.
180. Have scanned copies of your documents on the cloud/email and your mobile/iPad.
181. Certain crimes are punishable by death penalty in India. Just thought you should know.
182. Homosexuality has not yet found wide acceptance. Homophobia may exist with some.
183. Keep an eye on your family members, especially kids and women, at all times. Avoid using crowded public transport if with your children.
184. Spirituality and related concepts form a major part of Indian culture. One of these is the Hindu concept of rebirth and reincarnation of the soul (essentially, the cycle of the samsara or the world, which, crudely stated, includes karma-what you do, you get back, rebirth-the aatman (soul) is indestructible, henceforth whatever is born shall die, whatever is dead shall be reborn; and, moksha-liberation from samsara or the cycle of rebirth). Again, some believe in the fact that some souls, essentially among those unable to attain moksha, linger in the dimension of the living even after they have left their body due to some unfulfilled desire or any other reason, whereas others outright reject the plausibility of existence of spirits.
Whatever your beliefs, some places in India have indeed earned a reputation for inexplicable activities, often disruptive and/or frightening in nature, that have gotten themselves attributed to the paranormal. Some events have subsequently gained a scientific explanation, some discovered to be plain rumours propagated to act as a cover for illegal activities, others hyped for sensationalisation, and yet others trashed altogether. However, some experiences indeed remain beyond human rationalisation and even proved to be dangerous or fatal to those investigating the same (whether they were related or not, we will perhaps never know). For anyone aspiring to visit any such place in India with a reputation for supernatural occurrences, for example the ruins of Kuldhara in Rajasthan (which even got developed as a tourist spot), it is crucial they do their research and have a local contact with them to act as a guide. Do be sure that these adventures are definitely not for the faint-hearted. Additionally be sure to abide by any local laws, customs, traditions and regulations that may apply. Things unexplained are sometimes best left alone, though (my two cents).
Since I introduced you to a few Sanskrit terms already, I want also to share with you, in Roman script, two of my favourite verses from the Bhagavad Gita:
1. Chapter 2, Verse 47:
Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana,
Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani
Translation: You have the right to work only, but never to its fruits.
Let not the fruits of action be your motive, nor let your attachment be to inaction.
2. Chapter 2, Verse 57:
yaḥ sarvatrānabhisnehas tat tat prāpya śhubhāśhubham
nābhinandati na dveṣhṭi tasya prajñā pratiṣhṭhitā
Translation: One, who without attachment in every respect, neither rejoices nor curses obtaining correspondingly good or evil, he is established in perfect knowledge.
Alternately, He who is unattached to everything, and meeting with good and evil neither rejoices nor recoils, his mind is stable. This essence of steady intelligence has also been captured perfectly by poet Rudyard Kipling in his poem "If":
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
MY BEST PRO TIP-the best guide for all journeys: As a tourist I hope you are looking also, as I also believe you should, to understand India rather than superficially rush through the sights and return back home without treating your soul to anything, which most unfortunately, is often the case these days.
In order to understand a lot of the roots, traditions, culture, practices and basic tenets of Hinduism, as well as the present day practices, ground realities and hypocrisies of India, I urge everyone to read the Bhagavad Gita (it has now been translated into almost every major language). Additionally, it will empower you to deal with every trial and tribulation you will ever encounter in life. Forget every motivational speaker, channel or Instagram page you devote your time and resources too, and give it a sincere try, if only for me. If you did so and regretted it, you never have to visit my site again.
Contrary to popular perception, reading the Gita (or any other holy book I believe) is not difficult or irrelevant to our generation at all. Nor is it in any manner a religious book that will ask you to change your faith or belief. It has little to do with Hinduism as it has to do with life. Neither does it have anything to do with God or rituals as it does with It is simply a collection of stories that, if read sincerely, enables the reader to understand the purpose of their life, resolve any dilemma or crisis they might encounter, achieve their fullest potential and "be one with the One". You can read it online (this is one of the best resources I have found) and even hear the recitations (in multiple languages, though the narration appears a bit difficult to follow), all for free. In case you want to get a hard copy, you can get one easily as well.
"When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous."
-Albert Einstein
In addition, many learned guru-jis have adapted to the YouTube culture and the lifestyle of the present day generations by using references from our daily lives, including social media and Bollywood, and simplifying their sermons to the level of a regular conversation with a friend. I often find myself listening to Acharya Gaur Gopal Prabhu. He uses hilarious jokes and classic one-liners like "Love at first sight, divorce at first fight!" and in between his anecdotes, dishes out life-altering wisdom with unmatched oratory skills-the purpose of life is a life of purpose.
I highly recommend you watch him on YouTube.
Aano bhadra krtavo yantu vishwatah (Let noble thoughts come to me from all directions); from the Rig Veda.
That was my list of things to keep in mind while travelling in India, although the last part was more about what I'd like you to take back from India (which I believe is my duty as a host). I guess I started with a travel guide and ended with a guide for the journey we call life. Is anything missing? Got a suggestion or a query to make? How was your experience of travelling in India? Share with us in the comments below!
What to pack before leaving for India?
What else to do to be prepared for your India trip?
A small request: If you liked the above list, please do consider making a donation or buying something from the product links (I get a tiny commission at absolutely no extra cost to you). It encourages and enables me to devote more resources into making this a more complete guide and maybe getting my own domain someday.