SOCIETY & TRENDS
Participating in a social occasion or visiting a home requires conservative dress codes. Do not shake hands with ladies. Always pick up a thing and eat with your right hand. Take only as much as you can eat, do not leave anything uneaten over the dish.
Do not point your finger at any person. It is taken as a sign of annoyance.
Be careful of cultural and social sensitivities of the regions. There is no single rule for that, the best way is to observe and follow.
The “NAMASTAY” is a local form of greeting. It involves the joining of your palms as during prayer in church – well, not exactly, but it can pass (in church, the two thumbs are crossed, in the Indian “NAMASTAY” , the thumbs join but remain parallel to each other: this is only for information as the difference is not visible to the person in front of you).
If you find the lady is not extending a hand shake, go for the “NAMASTAY” , Even with men, the “NAMASTAY” can be an excellent little
PR gimmick! Follow it up with a “AAP KAISE HAIN” (how are you?) and you have broken the first block of ice if one there was!
If somebody has invited you home for dinner, carry with you a box of sweets or at least a chocolate bar for the kid.
Many Indians are in the habit of shaking their head in the course of conversation or taking instructions. Don't show amusement if you witness this.
Don't photograph women without permission.
Indian weddings are one of the most famous social ceremony liked by western people.
NEPAL
To go Varanasi to Kathmandu ( Nepal):- Often flights are full from Varanasi to Nepal so to find out new possibility I wend to Nepal by road from India.
I already been many times with my car but it was always from Varanasi, this time I start from Jaipur (Rajasthan). It was beautiful trip.
People can go by road to Nepal from Varanasi it’s quite easy.
Varanasi to Sanouli Border (Nepal) via Gorakhpur is around 300km 7hours drive.
To start early morning is recommended to avoid busy traffic hours.
Just after get in Nepal you can sleep in Lumbini or Chitvan National park or if you have enough energy then be continue till Pokhara, just 160 km more through the Himalaya Mountains 4-5hours drive.
This drive between Nepal Border to Pokhara is one of the most beautiful drive on the Himalaya mountains.
Kathmandu is 300km from Nepal border by road.
TERRORISM & DRUGS – UNSAFE AREAS TO TRAVEL
Avoid visiting Kashmir in the extreme north as well as areas in the extreme north-east. Foreigners, especially West Europeans ands Americans, are at risk to hostage-taking by terrorists in those areas. The rest of India is safe haven for everybody.
Never argue strongly with anybody.
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Penalties for possession of narcotic substances can be severe. There is a minimum sentence of six months for possession of small amounts for personal consumption only.
VISA, INSURANCE & OTHER DOCUMENTS
You should keep a photocopy of your passport, Indian visa and flight ticket separate from the originals when travelling.
This will save you much inconvenience and time if your documents are lost or stolen.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusion, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
CUSTOMS & AIRPORT’S AUTHORITY OF INDIA
Indian Customs department at the airport stop one client of mine from Spain, Her name was Lionor Mendoza, because they were carrying some Auer Vedic Medicines ( Herbal), which they bought from one of the Aurveda Message resort from South of India. So if anyone buy such kind of things must ask and be sure if they can carry with them or not to their home.
DREAM PLACES IN INDIA
Majority of the people think that to spend night in a house boat in Karela Back Waters is one of the most memorable moments of their India Travel.
Jaisalmer ( The Thar desert) is considered as one of the most beautiful and peaceful places of India.
"Taj Mahal" at Agra is one of the most visiting place in India.
"Golden Temple" Amritsar is one of the most impressive monuments after "Taj Mahal".
Varanasi (Ganges) is one of the towns which give you most strongest feeling.
Rajasthan, Kerala & Goa are one of the most organized states for tourism.
If you think this above information is really helpful for people please leave your comments........
Thanks and wish you all the best.