GENERAL INFORMATION FOR TOURIST VISITING INDIA


Visa
All foreign tourists visiting India must be in possession of a valid passport and visa. An Indian visa is readily available from Indian Consulate in the country of your origin. Visa fees may vary from country to country.
It is recommended to obtain a multiple Entry Tourist Visa since this simplifies the procedure for visiting neighboring countries like Nepal and Sri Lanka. Indians holding foreign passports would also have to obtain an Indian Visa before entering India. 

Requirements for Visa:
1. Original passport valid for at least 6 months
2. Correct visa fee
3. Two passport size photographs.
4. Supporting documents, where necessary
5. Duly completed application form.

Weather
October to March is the best time to visit India. It is true; the winter months (November to February) have bright, sunny days and are pleasant throughout India. Up north, in the capital city of Delhi, the temperature may vary between 4 °C (minimum on the coldest days) and 20 °C. The desert region of Rajasthan also extremely popular in the winter months, follow a similar temperature pattern. This is also the time for winter sports and a white Christmas in the hill states of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttranchal. In Maharashtra south and east India, December and January are pleasantly cool, never very cold.

Fast Facts
Country Name  Republic of India
Area  3,287,000 sq km
Population  968 million
Capital City  New Delhi (pop 10.1 million)
People  72% Indo-Aryan, 25% Dravidian and 3% Mongoloid.
Languages  Hindi and English, plus 15 other languages and more than 700 dialects.
Religion  82% Hindu, 11% Muslim, 2% Buddhist, 2 % Christian, 2% Sikh, and 1% Jain
Government  Constitutional democracy
Currency  Indian rupee (Rs)
Time Zone  Five-and-a-half hours ahead of GMT/UTC
Country Code  91
Electricity  230V to 240V, 50AC; sockets take plugs with three round pins, similar to European sockets.
Health: Tourists coming to India via Africa and South America or any other yellow fever infected area must have yellow fever vaccination certificate. No other vaccination certificate is mandatory though you may like to consult your doctor for inoculation against typhoid, and meningitis. Inoculations for cholera and hepatitis A and anti-malarial pills are recommended. 
Shopping : The Indian craftsman has been perfecting his art for centuries, passing down traditions and techniques from generation to generation. Each region has its own specialties, each town its own local craftsmen, its own particular skills. The result is a consummate blend of ancient skills and modern aesthetics. Silks, spices, Jewellery and many other Indian products have long been famous and widely desired, and merchants would travel thousands of miles, willingly enduring the hardships and privations of the long journey in other to make their purchases.

CARPETS: India has one of the world's largest carpet industries, and many examples of her ancient and beautiful craft can be seen in museums throughout the world. Kashmir has a long history of carpet making, influenced by the Persians. Pure wool and woven and silk carpets are exquisitely made, and can be bought for a fraction of the cost that one would pay in the west. Each region will have its own specialty; such as the distinctive, bright coloured Tibetan rugs, available mainly in Darjeeling.

CLOTHES: Clothes are very cheap to buy, and can be tailor-made in some shops, usually very quickly. Choose from an unmatchable range; silks, cottons, himroos, brocades, chiffons, chignons, touched with streaks of silver and gold thread, set with sequins or semi-precious gems ...

JEWELLERY: Particularly of Rajasthan (Kundan), is traditionally heavy and stunningly elaborate. Indian silverwork is world-famous. Gems can be bought and mounted. Apart from diamonds, other stones include lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, moonstones and aquamarine. Hyderabad is one of the world's leading centres for pearls.

HANDICRAFTS AND LEATHERWORK: Once again, each area will have its own specialty; the vast range includes fine bronzes, brass work (often inlaid with silver), cane work and pottery. Papier Mache is a characteristic Kashmir product, some decorated with gold leaf. Marble and alabaster inlay work, such as chess sets and ornamental plates, are a specialty of Agra. Good leatherwork buys includes open India sandals and slippers.

WOODWORK: Sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, rosewood from Kerala and Madras, Indian walnut from Kashmir. These are often exquisite and make excellent presents.

OTHER BUYS: Foods such as pickles, spices and Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, Orissan playing cards, musical instruments- anything that takes your fancy.

NOTE: It is forbidden to export antiques and art objects over 100 years old, animal skins or objects made from skins.

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