| Some
basic facts about the country Capital : New
Delhi
Area : 3,287,263 sq. km
Land frontier : 15,200 km
In addition to cultural diversity, the
enormous size of India also ensures a great deal of variation in geographical, climatic
and ecological conditions : from the heights of the majestic Himalayas, to the unexplored
to the east windswept beaches in the south and the silent desert in the west.
India offers itself as a fascinating
tourist destination in its cultural and archaeological attractions, its leisure, adventure
and sporting pleasures, its religious shrines, its attractive convention facilities, and
for a host of other reasons. To compile a list of all the places of tourist interest in
this vast and varied land would be a virtually impossible task.
The variety of cultures and religions that
coexist in India have resulted in a large number of festivals some of which are national,
while others are celebrated in a particular region or state.
Handicrafts and arts
India is famous for her handicrafts and
arts. In the days of yore, under the patrorage of kings and queens Indian artisans would
spend years creating paintings, carvings, sculptures in stone and wood, marble inlay work
and intricate filigree work in silver, to name only a few items of art work. The princely
rulers have gone but the crafts are still alive and flourishing. And, it is these
traditional skills that have ensured India's importance as a shopper's paradise.
Most items purchased in India, such as
souvenirs, art objects, jewellery up to a certain value etc. can be exported without any
restrictions.
Restrictions on
export of antiquities, etc.
However, there are restrictions on the
export of antiques.
To verify whether an object falls under
the category of antique, you can contact: New Delhi : Director General,
Antiquities, Archaeological Survey of India, Janpath, New Delhi110 001. OR Archaeological
Survey of India, Delhi Circle, Safdarjung Tomb, New Delhi 110 003.
Mumbai: Superintending
Archaeologist, Antiquities Archaeological Survey of India, Sion Fort, Sion, Mumbai - 400
022.
Calcutta : Superintending
Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Calcutta Circle, M. S. Building, DF Block,
Salt Lake City, Calcutta - 700 064.
Chennai: Superintending
Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle, Fort St. George, Chennai -
600 009.
Bangalore : Superintending
Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle, 5th Floor, F Wing,
Kendriya Sadan, 17th Main Road, Koramangala, Bangalore - 560 034. Bhubaneswar :
Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle, Old
Town, Bhubaneswar - 751 002.
Documentation
Visiting India can be a thrilling
experience, but foreigners need to keep some points in mind.
Visa and Special Permits
Tourist visas are issued either for one
month or for six months. In case of the former, entry into India has to be within one
month from the date of issue. This visa is not available by post. The latter is issued for
six months from the date of issue. Fees for both categories are the same, so it is
advisable for tourists planning to visit neighbouring countries to ask for the latter. It
is preferable for tourists to apply for visa in the country of their residence.
Tourist visas can be extended by three
months at the foreigners' registration office in New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras,
or with the Superintendent of Police at any District Headquarters. Four passport size
photographs are needed for obtaining a visa.
If stay in the country exceeds 180 days,
then tourists are required to get a tax clearance certificate, available at the
foreigners' section of the income tax department in every major city. It is also advisable
to keep bank receipts to show that the money has been changed legally.
Special permits may be required
additionally with the visa to visit certain areas of the country. Areas such as parts of
Sikkim and the north-east frontier states, and northeast of Himachal Pradesh near the
Tibetan border are out of bounds for foreign nationals. In case you need to visit any of
these areas, apply for a permit at least four weeks in advance at the Ministry of Home
Affairs Foreigners' Section , Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.
Special permits are available at all Indian
embassies, consulates and high commissions abroad, including all foreigners' registration
offices, immigration offices at main international airports in India.
Business hours
In the cities, offices are generally open
from about 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on weekdays. Saturdays may be off, half-day or full working
days. Banks are open to the public from 10 am to 2.00 pm normally. Shops open, in theory,
at 9.30 am but often are not really active till an hour or so later. Closing time is
usually 7.00 pm. In some shopping complexes there is also a lunch break for some time
between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Unlike offices, shops do not invariably close on Sundays.
Different areas are closed on different days of the week.
Call for help
Tourists should guard against
pick-pocketing, bag-snatching and eve-teasing. A few simple precautions should be
sufficient to ensure your safety. Always keep a photocopy of your passport and visa safe.
Carry the original with you while travelling around. In case you need to make a report to
the police, obtain a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) and keep it with you.
Foreigners can always get in touch with their Embassy or High Commission in New Delhi, if
they need help.
Travel Tips
To make your trip enjoyable and pleasant
some things need to be kept in mind.
Health
Foreign tourists should be in possession of
their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulations,
if they are originating or transitting through Africa or South America. The validity of
this certificate is for a period of 10 years.
No other vaccination certificate is needed,
but for personal protection, inoculation is recommended for cholera, typhoid, malaria and
hepatitis..
Food and Drink
Buy bottled water from respectable outlets
to guard against stomach upsets.
Indian cuisine is part of the Indian
culture and, as such, it should be sampled. But watch out for the especially spicy dishes.
Be careful that you eat non-vegetarian
dishes only at good restaurants, as the quality can be dubious at the small, cheap
establishments.
There are various dry days in the year,
when liquor cannot be purchased. A few Indian states have complete prohibition.
Tipping
About 10% of the bill is usually acceptable
at hotels and restaurants. However, it is not necessary to tip the cab driver.
Porters are usually tipped at the end of
the stay, though tipping at the beginning may result in a higher standard of service.
Bargaining
In small shops, and in small towns and
cities, bargaining is a standard practice, and is enjoyed by all concerned.
Sightseeing
Dress codes for religious places can
include covering your head, being barefoot etc.
Photography is not always permissible, and
at many places is permitted only at a fee. There is usually a higher fee for video
cameras.
Museums and monuments are usually closed
one day in a week.
Back To Top |
