About India

Welcome to India....... A land of stupendous dimension-colourful, exotic, traditional, modern.... The destination of the millenium, India meets the expectations of every type of tourist. With her varied topography, picturesque valleys, high mountain peaks and cascading rivers, she never ceases to surprise tourists with her kaleidoscopic attractions. The pomp and pageantry of India's festivals and local fairs are matched by the warmth and hospitality of her people who welcome tourists with open hearts and warm smiles. The shopping scene in India is a journey through centuries- embracing old traditional crafts and artistic skill. A land for recreation, adventure and business, India is an interesting amalgamation of tradition and modernity. Here is a comprehensive information which aims to make your stay in India enjoyable and comfortable.

Visa & Customs:
Indian visas are available from Indian Consular Offices around the world, on payment of visa fee. Applications for multiple and single entry visas are accepted. Indian visas are necessary for all foreigners visiting India. There are several kinds of visas including Entry Visa, Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Long Terms Visa(upto 5 years with multiple entry facilities) etc. are available. Also Collective Landing Permits are available for foreign tourists in groups.

Money:
India's currency is the Rupee, abbreviated as Rs. One Rupee is equal to 100 Paise. Coins are in denominations of 10, 25 & 50 Paise & l, 2 & 5 Rupees. Notes are in denominations of Rs. 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.

Foreign Currency:
It is advisable to carry a mix of cash and travellers cheques to guard against any situation. US Dollars are the easiest currency to change with pounds sterling coming a close second. Other hard currencies such as Yen, French Francs, Deutsche Mark can also be changed in tourist areas and big cities.

Food:
India offers you a wide range of Food Choices. India offers you a large number of vegetarian & non-vegetarian meals. Larger & Medium cities offer a wide range of eatables, whereas in smaller cities you are left with a very few choices. In Large & Medium Cities, you can find all kind of Indian as well as Western choices. In smaller cities, the western food may not be very good & upto your expectations & is always advisable to stick to the basic Indian Food in such cases.

Vegetarian Food is quite common in India & usually comprises Rice, Bread, Dhal (Pulses), Vegetables, Curd, Pickle & other add ons. So many times it also include some sweets. Non- vegetarian Indian Food is also very much popular & is easy to get even in smaller cities. However, it is advisable to ckeck the cleanliness of preparation.

Non- Alcoholic Drinks:
Tea & Coffee: It is one of the favourites of Indians across the country. Be it Railway Station, Airports, Small Restaurants, you will always find people having Tea & Coffee. Tea is relatively more popular in North whereas Coffee is more popular in South.
Water: Water is safe & clorinated in large cities but it is always suggest to carry one bottle of mineral water with yourself. Mineral Water is normally safe to drink & is easily available throughout India.
Soft Drinks: There are also good number of options for Soft Drinks in India. Majors like Coke & Pepsi offer various brands & tastes. Juices &
Other Drinks: Popular juices like Apple & Orange juices are easily availble & a safe alternate to normal water. Coconut Milk is also a popular drink in India.
Alcoholic Drinks:
Alcohol is normally expensive in India. Indian Beers are also very popular as alcoholic drinks and normally being sold for Rs. 25 to 160 depending upon the Restaurant & its facilities. Indian imitation of popular brands are also available but it is advisable to stick to your brand.