India Travel Guide

• • Apply for e-Visa online before travel
• • Keep passport valid for at least 6 months
• • Carry photocopies of important documents

• • Book train tickets in advance
• • Use prepaid taxis at airports
• • Consider domestic flights for long distances

• • Drink only bottled water
• • Eat at hygienic establishments
• • Try local cuisine but start gradually

• • Get a local SIM card
• • Download offline maps
• • Learn basic Hindi phrases

At Religious Sites

• →Remove shoes before entering temples, mosques, gurdwaras, and many historic sites. Carry socks if walking on hot stone
• →Cover your head at Sikh gurdwaras — this applies to all visitors, regardless of gender or religion
• →Dress modestly — avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing at any religious site
• →Ask before photographing worshippers, priests, or inside sanctuaries — flash photography is usually prohibited
• →Walk clockwise around Hindu shrines when following the pradakshina (circumambulation) path
• →Turn off notifications and speak quietly — active prayer is taking place even in tourist-heavy sites

General Social Customs

• →Greet with "Namaste" (palms together) — universally understood and appreciated across India
• →Use your right hand for giving, receiving, and eating — the left hand is considered impure in traditional Indian custom
• →Public displays of affection (beyond holding hands) may attract unwanted attention in smaller towns and conservative areas
• →Bargaining is expected in markets and with auto-rickshaw drivers — but do so with good humour, not aggression
• →Never waste food offered by a host — accepting hospitality is important; declining can cause offence
• →Cows may wander freely in many cities — do not try to move them or disturb them

Photography Etiquette

• →Always ask permission before photographing individual people, especially women and children
• →Many religious communities — particularly in Rajasthan and tribal areas — have strong objections to being photographed
• →Some ASI sites require a camera permit (paid separately) for professional or video equipment
• →Photographing military installations, airports, railway stations, and government buildings is prohibited

Dress Code Guidelines

• →North India: Conservative dress is expected at all religious sites; light cotton clothing is ideal for the heat
• →South India: Temples often require men to remove shirts and wear a dhoti; these are usually available to borrow at the entrance
• →Kashmir: Modest dress is appreciated; women may find a dupatta (scarf) useful for entering shrines
• →Beach areas (Goa, Kerala): Western beachwear is acceptable on beaches but not in towns, restaurants, or market areas

Clothing Essentials

• • Light, breathable cotton or linen clothing
• • Long-sleeved shirt and trousers for temples
• • Scarf or dupatta (versatile for sun, temples, and cold evenings)
• • Comfortable walking shoes with grip
• • Flip-flops (for removing at temples)
• • Light rain jacket if travelling June–September
• • Warm layers for Kashmir and hill stations
• • Socks (for walking on hot stone temple floors)

Health & Hygiene

• • Hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes
• • Water purification tablets (backup option)
• • Diarrhoea medication (Imodium or local equivalent)
• • Broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+)
• • DEET mosquito repellent (30–50%)
• • Personal prescription medications (with a doctor's letter)
• • Oral rehydration salts
• • Basic first aid kit

Documents & Tech

• • Passport (valid 6+ months beyond your return date)
• • Indian e-Visa printout
• • Travel insurance documents (carry a printed copy)
• • Universal power adapter (India uses Type D/C/M)
• • Offline Google Maps downloaded for your regions
• • Local SIM card (buy at airport or from Jio/Airtel shop)
• • Powerbank (useful during long train journeys)
• • Spare passport photos (needed for some permits)