India is an ideal country for experienced independent travelersand for beginners. Here you can find all kinds of rest and experiences. Many people start their acquaintance with India from the resort, buying a tour package, so it was with me. However, as the fans of this country say, this is not India at all.
Want to see the real India? Don't be limited to one state, don't be afraid to travel outside tourist spots - this is where real adventures await you! The main danger of traveling in India is that you will most likely want to return there again and again.
India is love for life. India is very versatile. Each of its states is a different world. Deserted beaches, bustling cities, mountains with snow-capped peaks, oriental bazaars, colonial quarters, ancient temples; many cultures and religions have mixed here, making it so special. That is why it is a pleasure to make your own route. The main problem that I face on every trip is how to meet the deadlines and see all the fun!
India is a huge country, each of its states (and there are 29 of them) deserves special attention. No matter how many times I have been in India, there are always places that are simply necessary to visit. So I come back ... On the first trip, it is better to combine the most interesting sights (to your taste), beautiful cities and beach vacation... I will try to help you with this.
Visa and border crossing
It will not be difficult for Russians to obtain an Indian visa. The set of documents required to obtain it is minimal. Today there are 2 types of visas:
- standard,
- electronic.
I have always applied for a regular visa for a period of 6 months. The electronic one appeared not so long ago and has the main disadvantage for me - a short period of validity (30 days). But first things first.
You can apply for a regular visa yourself at the visa center or with the help of numerous intermediary companies who will take over the entire long and sometimes tedious process of registration. It makes no sense for residents of Moscow or St. Petersburg to contact intermediaries, because they have visa centers close by!
- , Liteiny prospect, 22, Office No. 30, 3rd floor. Phone: +74995005529, +74956385654
- , St. Novy Arbat, house 2, floor 4, office No. 412. Phone: +74995005529, +74956385654
A tourist visa can be issued for a period of 1, 3 or 6 months. Most often, visas are issued for 3 or 6 months (their cost is the same). According to the number of entries, tourist visas are divided into single and double (one or two entries), it is this indicator that affects their price.
So, a single visa will cost a tourist 1,800 rubles, and a double visa - 3,800 rubles. To apply for a visa yourself, you need to prepare a number of documents. Compared to the requirements in other countries, such a set of pieces of paper will seem a trifle.
So, you will need:
- A valid foreign country (validity period, as usual, must be more than 6 months from the date of submission of documents) with two blank pages.
- On the website On the website for obtaining Indian visas online, you need to fill out a form on english language, print it on two pages, sign the photo and at the end of the questionnaire.
- Photo 3.5x4.5 on a white background is glued to the application form.
- Printed round trip tickets.
- Hotel booking (if you are traveling for a long time, a simple booking with Booking for the first few days of your stay in India will do).
- A copy of a civil passport (main page and with registration).
- Copy of your international passport.
The visa is issued quite quickly (up to 7 working days, but more often - faster). If a visa is needed urgently, then for an additional payment of about 2000 rubles it will be issued in 1-2 days.
It is much more convenient and easier for those living in the regions to apply for a visa in an intermediary firm. You will be asked to fill out a simple questionnaire in Russian, send a couple of photos, a passport and a copy. For this pleasure you will be ripped off from 3 to 5.5 thousand, depending on the duration of the visa and the number of entries. Add to this the courier fees.
An electronic visa is also often referred to as an arrival visa. As I already wrote, it is given only for 30 days from the date of receipt of the stamp at the airport. This option is perfect for those who fly on a last minute ticket or just for a short time and do not want to bother with paperwork.
You can fill out an e-visa application form. You will also have to upload scans of your documents and photos to the site. You need to pay for a visa in the amount of $ 60 no later than 4 days before arrival in India. There is also a form on the website that allows you to track the status of your visa. By the way, electronic visa issued very quickly - sometimes within one day, on average 2-3 days. When it is ready, you can download and print a PDF document on the official letterhead, in exchange for which you will receive the coveted stamp in your passport at the airport in India.
How to act at the border
While on the plane, caring flight attendants will issue Arrival cards and Declaration Forms to all passengers (migration form and declaration of values). I strongly advise you to fill in both right in your seat and not waste time at the airport. The arrival card is very simple, and this year its size has been reduced. You must indicate your details, flight number, address in India (write the name of your hotel or guesthouse, if nothing else - any name), visa number. In the declaration form, in addition to general data, you will have to write down all the valuables that you carry in India. “Values” are: illegal drugs, gold, meat, fish, dairy products, poisonous substances, seeds and plants, satellite phones, cash more than 25 thousand rupees, currency more than 5 thousand dollars, the total amount of all currencies over 10 thousand dollars. If you have at least one of the listed items with you, you will have to go through the "red corridor" of the customs (the customs control zone into which passengers with baggage to be declared).
Upon arrival at major airports India (or Mumbai) try to quickly get to passport control Is one large room with many counters that receive passengers from all arriving flights. Sometimes the lines are huge! This is especially important for those who are in a hurry for their next flight.
How to get there
By plane
If you are flying for a short time (10-14 days), consider buying a tour package. You can see prices for standard tours 7/11/14 days. It is not at all necessary to live in a hotel, you can find the cheapest offer that will be cheaper than just round-trip tickets. When traveling for more long terms look for tickets for regular flights... It is best to plan your trip to India as early as possible. You will have time not only to coordinate the route, but also to find good tickets... I usually buy them a couple of months before departure, and start monitoring six months before. If you hit the sale, you can find some great inexpensive options. It is convenient to "catch" tickets by good prices in search engines or, for example, in the Trevelask section. Most often, travelers fly to the largest cities in India, which can be an excellent start - Delhi or Mumbai, some fly directly to.
Which airlines fly to India?
- Aeroflot. Moscow - Delhi.
- AirIndia... - Delhi.
- Qatar Airways... - Doha - Delhi ().
- Emirates Airlines. Moscow - - Delhi (and many other cities in India).
- Ethihad airways... - - Delhi.
- AirArabia... Moscow - Delhi.
- Uzbek airlinesand... Moscow (or regions) - - Delhi.
- Flydubai... Moscow (and regions) - - Delhi ().
- Turkish Airlines... Moscow - Delhi ().
- Air Astana... Moscow - Almaty - Delhi.
- Gulf Air. Moscow - Delhi.
Not all possible options are listed here. Many of these airlines are generous with discounts and seasonal sales. Track discounts in April-May.
On average, you can find round-trip tickets from Moscow for 20 thousand rubles, from the regions - from 30.
Tourist regions
To see India in all its diversity, you will have to visit several states. Domestic tourism is well developed in the country, Indians love their homeland and culture and enjoy learning about it. Therefore, in all cities where there are at least some sights, you can find everything you need for a tourist's life.
Tourist regions of India are deserted beaches, ancient forts, palaces of maharajas, national natural parks and much more. The whole country can be divided into North, West, East and South India. In each of the parts, tourism is completely different.
North india
This includes the states: Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh. The climate here is very diverse, if you are traveling in winter, do not forget warm clothes. North India may not be much warmer than Siberia. This part of the country has mountain resorts, Tibetan monasteries, yoga and meditation centers, ancient temples and modern metropolitan areas.
Golden Triangle
Such tourist program most popular with travelers. Who, why and when came up with this route and called it the most interesting - remains a mystery.
It includes three destinations: Delhi, Agra,. Perfect for a novice traveler. The main, in my opinion, plus of this tour is in the proximity of cities, between them you can move by trains, buses or even take a taxi. Travel time will be 4-5 hours. It is convenient to fly to Delhi and start your journey from there. The Golden Triangle is a rich, active excursion program that will allow the tourist to get acquainted with the culture of India. Impressions from ancient beauties will last for a long time!
Varanasi
The most mystical and holy city in India is Varanasi. It is considered one of the oldest cities in the world, also called city \u200b\u200bof the dead... Varanasi is the city of Shiva; according to legend, it was he who founded it 5 thousand years ago. The city stands on the banks of the sacred river Ganges, dying in Varanasi and being cremated on the banks of the Ganges is the greatest honor for a Hindu. The main life of the city runs along the river on ghats - stone steps leading to the water. Here, nightly pujas are performed, there is trade and cremations are held all day. 10 km from the city there is a place where 2500 years ago Buddha gave his first sermon immediately after enlightenment. That is why one should come to Varanasi for spiritual experience and wisdom. There is also a huge selection of courses in yoga, Sanskrit and learning to play traditional musical instruments.
Himachal Pradesh
One of the northernmost states allows tourists to see the majestic Himalayas with their own eyes. The nature of this region is unique. Compared to other hot and dry states, where summer always reigns, you can see smooth transitions here in all seasons. The best time to visit is from April to October. In Himachal Pradesh, you should definitely go trekking, climb a mountain pass, live in a camping and raft down a mountain river. There are also temples and palaces here, but the main thing is nature. The Russian artist Nicholas Roerich was in love with the Himalayas, by the way, for many years he lived in the town of Naggar, and his grave remained here. In the yoga capital of Rishikesh, you can take courses or get a teacher's certificate, as well as master meditation or serve in an ashram. The Dalai Lama's residence is located in Dharamsala. And also on the territory of the state there is a sacred mountain Kailash, the valley of the Kullu gods, the most dangerous in the world. mountain road from Le to and more. Himachal Pradesh will appeal to both crazy extremists and those who like to know themselves.
Rajasthan
I have already mentioned the state capital, many travelers stop at only one city. And completely in vain. The rest of Rajasthan is no less beautiful. The main tourist centers:, Jaisalmer. Come to Rajasthan (the land of maharajas) to admire the majestic palaces, huge forts, listen to street musicians and take pictures of colorful uncles in turbans and with huge mustache. Rajasthan is known to tourists for its four "colored" cities: pink, white, blue, gold Jaisalmer. The country of the Maharjas is so colorful and colorful that it attracts artists and photographers from all over the world. The Rajastans themselves managed to preserve their rich culture: wherever you go, you will be surrounded by traditional music, painting, puppet shows, and national costumes. It's colorful and colorful everyday life state of Rajasthan.
Western india
Consists of the states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, partly - Madhya Pradesh. Here you will find beaches for every taste, excursion program, and rest in the mountains.
Goa
After such a run through the sights, tourists need to warm bones on popular beaches. Like most travelers, my love for India began with this smallest of its states. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come here every year for the famous hippie spirit of freedom, trance parties and affordable drugs. But there are other entertainments here, Goa is different for everyone. There are not so many historical or cultural attractions here, but beaches for every taste! And also good cheap hotels, delicious food, funny and friendly locals. - this is for lazy people and hedonists.
Maharashtra
The state is located next to Goa, so it is very convenient to combine a beach holiday and a little excursion program - you can get a budget by bus in 12 hours. If you are tired of resting your sides in Goa, set aside a couple of days and see the capital of Maharashtra Mumbai, visit the ancient caves of Ellora and Ajanta. You can hide from the heat, which begins in February-March, in the highlands. Of course, you can't call them real mountains. On the territory of the state lies the Western Ghats mountain range. In colonial times, the British set up settlements here - summer cottages. Most scenic spots located in Nashik, Matheran, Chikkhaldara. And don't forget to visit the favorite honeymoon destination of Indian newlyweds - Mahableshwar, India's largest strawberry plantations.
South india
India is clearly divided into north and south in the minds of its citizens. They have different languages, culture, architecture, and more. South India is extremely interesting for tourism. By the way, the beaches here are no worse than the Goans.
Kerala
Keralu is called the land of the gods, the birthplace of Ayurveda and the forge of health. Among our tourists, this state is not as popular as Goa (of course, there is no cheap alcohol in the public domain, and life dies out after 8 pm). But if you want to see incredibly beautiful nature (Kerala is the greenest state that I have seen in India), improve your health or study Ayurveda, do yoga with real Indian masters - come to Kerala.
Tamil Nadu
The southernmost state of India is fundamentally different from all others. Tamil people are proud of their culture and language, most do not know or recognize Hindi. Tourists come here to see the famous temples scattered throughout the state. They are the hallmark of South India - high temple towers, entirely consisting of figures of gods, painted in bright colors. After getting to know the most ancient temples in India and a complete immersion in the South Indian flavor, go to Little Europe - the union territory of Pondicherry, located in Tamil Nadu. Here you will surely forget that you are traveling in India. The former French colony to this day delights tourists with a promenade on a long promenade, the freshest coffee, hot croissants, bike rides and colonial architecture.
Karnataka
The second Goan neighbor can also please beach-goers with a rich excursion program. Even if you have only two weeks of vacation, you can easily get to the ancient capital of the Vijayanagar Empire in 8 hours by car or bus - a town you can read about. Everything there breathes history, and the landscape resembles the surface of alien planets. The main entertainment besides visiting numerous palaces and temples is meeting the sun. There are several places in the town from which to enjoy the sunrise and sunset. In addition to Hampi, in Karnataka you can see the city of palaces Mysore or visit the Indian Silicon Valley.
East India
East India includes the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Sikkim, Assam, Megalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
West Bengal
You can start exploring the state from its capital, Calcutta, one of the most picturesque cities in India. This is the most english city in the country, because it was he who was the capital of British India. If you love colonial architecture, be sure to come to Kolkata. But keep in mind that the old rich architecture creates a strong contrast to contemporary poverty. Has everyone watched the movie "Train to Darjeeling"? This mysterious city is located in West Bengal. If you want to take a break from dusty metropolises - welcome to the mountain resort. See with your own eyes how the famous tea is grown.
Top cities
Each Indian city has its own flavor. In order not to get lost in the huge list of attractions and cities, I offer my personal rating of places where there is always something to do for a tourist.
- . Look at the red double-decker buses in India, Victoria Station, English architecture, stroll along one of the most beautiful embankments in Marina Drive and have a beer at the famous Leopold Cafe (very expensive beer for India).
- . See with your own eyes the ritual of cremation, walk along the age-old ghats, ride a boat along the sacred Ganges. Here you can also learn (or try) Sanskrit or play some Indian pipe.
- Rameshvaram. To be on the edge of the earth in the truest sense of the word. Rameshwaram is located on a small island, which can be reached from the mainland via one of the most dangerous bridges in the world, Pamban. The fact is that the bridge does not have any protective fences, and the rails are only a couple of meters from the water, which gives the impression that the train is literally floating on the water surface. The greatest danger to passengers arises during strong winds and storms. In Rameshwaram itself, you can take a ferry to (only 33 km between the islands).
- . Take a look at the Indian contrast between luxury and poverty in one of the most major cities country. Ride on a tram - they are not available anywhere in India, except for Kolkata, or on a more traditional transport for the city - a cycle rickshaw. To see communist India - walk along the streets of Lenin, Ho Chi Minh, Karl Marx.
- Pondicherry.Here you should definitely eat soft French rolls, wash them down with the most suitable coffee in India and go to the promenade. And also to meditate in the Aurobindo ashram and go to the city of the future Auroville.
For lovers of full immersion in the local reality, there is an opportunity to rent a private apartment - more details.
Islands
India owns many islands, but not all of them are suitable for tourism. Travelers most often go to the Andaman, Nicobar, Laccadive Islands.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The Andamans are located in the Bay of Bengal, 1400 km from the mainland. Best time for visiting - from October to May. There are nature reserves on the islands, this is a closed area, so tourists need to get a permit (permission) to enter. The capital and largest city is Port Blair. This is where you can get an entry permit. It is issued for 30 days, if you do not have a return ticket, then only for 15. If you get to the Andamans by sea, take care of obtaining a permit in advance - at the office in Chennai or Kolkata.
Getting to the paradise islands is very easy - Port Blair has an airport that accepts flights from, Calcutta and Chennai. If you plan to travel from, then the cheapest and easiest way is to change trains in Chennai (you can get to it by train). Another option for extreme sports lovers is to sail by ship from Kolkata or Chennai, but this method is not very popular among our tourists, the journey can take several days.
Ferries of various levels of comfort run between the islands. From entertainment - diving, snorkeling, visiting museums, there are several historical sights. Accommodation on the islands is quite expensive and not very comfortable. There are also problems with transport and the Internet. Holidays in the Andamans will surely appeal to lovers of peace and solitude. Don't expect service and convenience from the islands. In fact, this is the same India, only more wild and insular.
Laccadive islands
These islands are located in the Arabian Sea, 400 km from the state. The best time to visit is from December to May. The group consists of 36 islands, of which only 10 are inhabited, and tourists are allowed only to 3 - Agatti, Kadmat and Bangaram. To visit the islands, you also need a permit, which can be obtained only in advance when issuing an Indian visa by entering the islands into it.
You can get there by air and water. In both cases, you will have to go to Kochi, a city in Kerala. From here planes fly and ships sail to Agatti Island. Plane tickets cost less than $ 100 one way. By sea you can get there in about 20 hours, however, the flight schedule changes all the time depending on weather conditions. Information presented on
The main entertainment is aquatic species sports, diving, snorkeling, fishing. Eco-tourism reigns on the islands, order and cleanliness are carefully monitored. There is no need to talk about the service, because apart from a few hotels and a couple of diving centers, there is nothing here. Everything that a tourist may need (cosmetics, cigarettes, inexpensive alcohol, clothes) is better to bring with you.
Top attractions
It is simply impossible to choose 5-10-100 attractions in India. Even in my personal rating there are many more of them. This country is so generous with vivid impressions that it is very difficult to limit the circle of the most elite. But I will try.
- ... A tiny village in the state of Karnataka, famous for the ruins of the former capital of the Vijayanagar Empire. On the territory of 26 sq. Km. preserved palaces, temples, stables, once great empire... There are also several highly revered active Hindu temples. One of them, the Temple of the Monkeys, is located on a high mountain, almost 600 steps lead to it. In the center of the village itself on the square stands Virupaksha Temple, its huge gopura (the main tower of the temple, it is also the gate) in 48 meters can be seen from anywhere in Hampi.
- Jaisalmer Fort. This city is located near the border with Pakistan in the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer was nicknamed the golden city, it looks especially picturesque at sunrise and sunset, when a huge fort, standing on a hill, is illuminated by the sun's rays. It was built in the 12th century and people still live in it! All tourists also have such an opportunity, because most of the guesthouses are concentrated there. Don't miss your chance to live in a real fort!
- Chand Baori. Scattered throughout India are real architectural wonders - stepped wells. Many of them are several hundred years old. Chand Baori is one of the oldest and largest, this structure resembling an inverted pyramid has 3500 steps. It is located in the city of Abaneri in the state of Rajasthan. These wells used to supply people with water in arid climates, but today they are a favorite destination for travel photographers.
- The Golden Temple. Harmandir Sahib is located in Amritsar and is the main temple for the Sikhs. Thousands of pilgrims visit it every day. The temple stands in the center of a large reservoir, you can walk to it along a long bridge. Sikhism is a very interesting religion, their temples are unlike any other. Once on the territory of Harmandir Sahib, you feel peace and bliss, despite the large crowd of people around. The energy of this place is very strong.
- Meenakshi Temple The temple is located in the city of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the brightest examples of Tamil temple architecture. Meenakshi Temple is surrounded by 14 gopuras - huge towers 40-50 m high, each of which is covered with thousands of multi-colored sculptures. Tamil temples are the brightest and most colorful in India.
- Galta G. The Galta Gee pilgrimage center is located 3 km from Jaipur, on the territory of which Monkey Temple stands. At the top of Galta Peak, there is a small Temple of the Sun that can be seen from almost anywhere in Jaipur. Be sure to visit these attractions at sunset, great views are guaranteed.
- Mysore Palace. Mysore is a city of palaces, but the most impressive of them is Amba Vilas, the former residence of the royal family. The building with huge domes impresses with its size and inner wealth. On weekends and holidays, 96,000 light bulbs are illuminated in the evenings.
- Temples of Khajuraho. The famous Kamasutra temples are located in a small village in the state of Madhya Pradesh. About 20 monuments have survived to this day. The walls of these majestic structures are decorated not only with sculptures depicting lovers in intricate poses. Artists told about the life of gods, rulers, mythical animals and much more. But Khajuraho became famous precisely because of the images of love joys.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Station. A huge operating station (formerly named after Queen Victoria) is located at. Outside, the building is striking in its scope - the station is made in a pretentious Victorian style with neo-Gothic elements. And inside is an ordinary Indian station with a crowd of thousands.
- Adam's bridge. It is also the Rama Bridge, located in Rameshwaram, its origin is shrouded in legends. It is a string of shoals and coral islands between India and Sri Lanka with a length of 48 km. Until the 15th century, the bridge was pedestrian, but then a storm destroyed it. The Indian epic Ramayana tells beautiful story about how the god Rama ordered the construction of a bridge from India to Sri Lanka in order to save his beloved Sita. Live it's just incredible a nice place, a real "end of the earth".
Weather
India's climate is extremely diverse. Thanks to this, you can visit the country at any time of the year - the main thing is to choose the right state. There are three main climatic seasons, which are manifested in one way or another throughout the country:
- November-February - dry season with cool weather, sunny.
- March-June is the hottest period with no precipitation.
- July - October is the rainy season.
India is almost entirely located in the subequatorial zone, the weather depends on the tropical monsoons. Climate varies greatly from state to state. Since India has a huge area, the different distance of the terrain from the ocean and the differences in altitude, temperature and precipitation are very contrasting.
The monsoon climate is most pronounced on the coast of the Arabian Sea - in the zone of the main resorts: and Kerala. The coldest and driest period lasts here from December to February. The temperature during the day averages 25-27 degrees, and at night drops to 18-20. This time is considered the peak tourist season... Cool nights, warm days, relatively calm seas. From March, the heat begins to increase and reaches its peak in May, the temperature rises to 33 degrees, it becomes stuffy both day and night. The wind intensifies, high waves rise on the sea, and the rains begin. In June, the monsoon sets in, the sky is covered with clouds, it rains more often, they will last until September.
On the coast of the Bay of Bengal in the east of the country, monsoons are not so pronounced. The contrast between day and night temperatures is much stronger. So, from December to February, the temperature can range from 12 (minimum) to 29 degrees (maximum). This is the most comfortable time for tourism. Rains are unlikely. In May, the heat increases to 35 degrees and is much harder to tolerate than on the west coast, as humidity rises to 80%. July is the rainiest month.
In the north of India, the climate is more moderate. The coldest period is December-February. The temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees. At night and in some areas during the day it can drop below zero. If you are going to fly to or to the north at this time, be sure to take warm clothes with you. From April to June, the heat lasts, the temperature reaches 40 degrees (in Rajasthan and some other regions it can be up to 50 degrees). Humidity on average is only about 45%. It rains in July and lasts until September.
Officially, the season in tourist places in India begins in October, at this time it is comfortable to travel inland or relax on the beach. The peak season lasts from December to February. Starting in March, tourists smoothly move from the south of the country to the north, where real spring comes. IN mountainous regions You can stay comfortably all summer and early autumn, and then move south again. This is the cycle of tourists in India.
Moving around the country
The transport system in India is quite well developed both between cities and within them. The only thing that is required of a traveler is to forget the word "comfortable" and remember that he is in India!
Between cities
The main advantage of traveling in India is budget. The choice of transport is quite large and the prices are very low!
Here are the approximate prices for all three types of transport on the Goa-Mumbai route:
- Train: sleeper class $ 6.2 (Rs 423), 11 hours on the way.
- Bus: $ 8.8 (Rs 600), 12 hours on the way.
- Airplane: $ 23.7 (Rs 1,600), 1.5 hours on the way.
Inside the city
You can move around the city not only by taxi. We continue to immerse ourselves in Indian life.
Car rental
Many travelers dream of taking a car in India and driving it around the country. Especially often such a desire arises in people who are afraid or cannot drive a scooter and motorcycle. It may seem that a car for rent is an excellent solution, suitable for a large company, providing comfort and safety. Definitely yes. In any other country, but not in India. Here are some reasons why taking a car is inconvenient and difficult:
- If you plan to travel by car from point A to point B, it means that you intend to take and return vehicles in different places. Planning a route will not be easy. For example, the most common option is to travel from Delhi to: a car for rent in a large rental office in the capital is easy to find, but most likely it will not be available at the return point.
- Most of the car rental companies are private and small. You shouldn't expect good service from them. The machine may be in poor technical condition. But the price here is lower than in international rental companies.
- Traffic on the roads of India is fundamentally different from Russia. There are fewer cars here than bikes. And this is understandable - the roads are narrow, crowded, and there are no parking places. On Indian roads, not only cars and bikes are equal participants in traffic, but also pedestrians, cows, rickshaws, carts ... The larger the city, the more crazy the traffic in it.
- When traveling in different states, there may be problems with the police. The numbers of another state are immediately striking - you will be stopped more often, and if you do not have international rights, then you will have to pay a fine at each post.
When renting a vehicle in a private office, you will most likely not be asked for any documents. Maximum passport and driver's license. You can leave a copy to the owner, but never give the original! Bail money should also not be left. If there is any damage to the car or motorcycle, it is better to take photographs in advance so that in the future the owner does not hang other people's jambs on you.
Most tourists prefer to rent a two-wheeled vehicle. It is cheaper, more maneuverable and more practical. If you have an accident on a bike, it will be much cheaper to fix it than a car. From myself, I can advise you to take a car for a trip around one state (maximum - with a visit to neighboring states). For example, take a car in and go along the beaches, stop by a waterfall or c. When renting a car daily, you can take from 15 $ (1000 rupees) per day. You can check the car rental offers.
Communication
Language and communication
I never tire of repeating: India - amazing country! Where else can you find a state where the language of each state is unique? Indians of the north may not understand Indians from the south. State languages India are Hindi and English. But believe me, not all Indians speak or understand at least one of them. There are 447 languages \u200b\u200bin the country, 2 thousand dialects. 22 languages \u200b\u200bare official and are used by various state governments. Newspapers, radio, books - everything is published not only in Hindi or English, but also in the state language. However, the tourist has nothing to fear. In major tourist places, restaurant menus, signs, signs in English. In big cities, many speak English.
10 phrases in hindi
There is no need to specifically learn Hindi before traveling to India: it is used in the north of the country and is not at all useful in the south. Memorize a few Hindi phrases. They will not so much help you out in a difficult situation as they will help you earn respect in the eyes of the local population. Just a couple of expressions will show that you are not an indifferent tourist, but an interested traveler. So you can get a good discount on your purchase.
- Hello! (Goodbye!) \u003d Namaskar! (Namaste!)
- My name is ... \u003d Measure for us ... hi.
- What is your name? \u003d Apka kya us hai?
- Help me please. \u003d Kripaya, mujhe madad digiye.
- How to get to ... \u003d ... So kaise smelly ja sakta hai?
- How much is it? And then? \u003d Is (us) vale ka bhav kya hai?
- Very (too) expensive. \u003d Bara mahaga high.
- Give in. \u003d - Bhav kuch kam kijiye.
- Thanks a lot for everything! \u003d Sab kuch ke lie dhanyavad!
- Sorry \u003d Mafi magta hu.
Features of the mentality
Many who have visited India agree on the local population - Indians are like children. Naive, kind, open, funny, noisy ... it's all about them. What features do Indians have that most amaze foreigners?
Food and drink
Indian cuisine is mostly vegetarian and very spicy. Fish and seafood are abundant only in large seaside resorts (, Kerala). All restaurants are divided into vegetarian and non-vegetarian. In big cities, you can find both. But even hardened meat eaters do not suffer in India on vegetables and fruits. In such heat it is much easier to do without meat than in Russia. In addition, Indian vegetarian cuisine is so varied and rich that there is no need to miss the cutlets.
Spices play a huge role here. It is very difficult to find a mild and not spicy dish. You can repeat to the waiter like a "know spicy" spell, but the chances of bringing something completely without spices are extremely small. The way out is to study the main dishes in advance and choose the least spicy for yourself, eat in places designed for tourists. It is not difficult to find European, so-called “continental” cuisine in India. Pizza, burgers, pasta, steaks are present in any menu of a large restaurant (we are not talking about the Indian outback). In shopping centers on the food court, you can easily find cafes familiar to our stomach. But for lovers of everything authentic, I highly recommend eating in local restaurants and on the street. Yes Yes! People don't die of street food! It is very cheap and really tasty. In an unsightly cafe with dirty furniture a crowd of grimy hard workers is sitting and eagerly devouring something? Urgently go there! The local population eats rice, flat cakes, vegetable and legume gravies. All local fast food is deep-fried. You can have a snack anywhere. From morning until late at night, small teahouses are open, serving the famous masala tea. You can also taste local dishes there. You can have a snack on the street for $ 0.3-0.4 (20-30 rupees), a hearty lunch at a local cafe will cost $ 1.5 (100 rupees), a meal in a tourist area - from $ 4.4 (300 rupees) and to infinity.
Indian cuisine differs depending on the region. In the north, non-vegetarian dishes predominate, more bread products, in the west - fish and seafood, in the south - vegetarian dishes with rice and coconut. Indian sweets deserve special attention. They are served not only in restaurants, but are also sold in abundance in the markets. Try it! The main ingredients of Indian cuisine are rice, legumes, vegetables, dairy products.
Beverages
- Bottled water is sold everywhere and costs 0.3 $ (20 rupees) per liter. In local cafes, a jug of filtered water will be placed in front of you for free. There is also soda water - Soda, it is drunk with lemon, sugar or salt. It is worth a penny.
- The best milk drink is lassi. Served in any cafe and sold in bags in stores. It can be sweet, salty and with the addition of any fruit. The simple sweet lassi most of all resembles our "snowball" drink. Be sure to try it in all its varieties, especially with the mango.
- Masala tea. A national drink that you can talk about forever. Incredibly sweet tea (almost syrup) with milk and spices. The most delicious is sold on the street and costs $ 0.2 (5-10 rupees).
- Freshly squeezed juices. In sheks on the seashore can be very expensive (up to $ 3 (200 rupees). Look for specialized juice centers (there are in any major cities or in tourist areas). Prices for a glass from $ 0.4 (30 rupees). You will get fresh thick juice from any exotic fruit.
- Cane juice. Along the roads you can see cars with bells, which are passed through the press stalks of reeds. The resulting juice is mixed with lemon and sold for $ 0.2 (10 rupees) per glass. A fresh and pleasant drink.
5 dishes worth trying
Shopping
In India, you can buy everything you need, however, it is not worth going there for shopping (as, for example, in or). The benefit depends only on the dollar exchange rate. If you want to buy branded clothing or equipment in India, you can navigate in advance on prices in the online store. All major cities have shopping malls featuring popular European and Indian brands. Street markets sell goods local production at penny prices.
What you need to know about shopping in this country
The main rule of shopping in Indian is bargaining, bargaining and bargaining again. Bargaining is possible everywhere, except in places with fixed prices. Don't be afraid to offer your low price. If the seller doesn't agree to your offer, walk away and think a little about how much you need the product. In 90% of cases, the merchant will catch up with you and agree to give the item cheaper.
Most often they sell a cheap shirportreb on the street. Feel free to offer low cost for it. Do not take a lot of things on your trip, you can buy everything you need on the spot. It's not a pity to attribute such things to one season and safely throw them away, knowing that you have spent a little on a purchase. In any store you will find T-shirts from $ 1.5 (100 rupees), harem pants $ 1.5-2 (100-150 rupees), long skirts from $ 2 (150 rupees), shirts with long and short sleeves - from $ 3 (200 rupees). These clothes are great for hot climates. In the northern regions, warm woolen items are sold: sweaters, jackets, hats, socks. All this is also inexpensive.
If you want branded items, head to the malls. In the season, prices do not differ from Russian ones; you can come off at sales. Discounts are held at the same time as ours - at the end of December and in June-July.
Best Cities for Shopping
If you are looking for traditional shopping with hours of walking shopping centers and McDonald’s lunch breaks, you will surely enjoy cities like Delhi,. Well, if you are a hunter of rare goods, then study the map of India - in each of its regions you can find something special. In the state of Himachal Pradesh in the Kullu Valley, shawls and scarves of excellent quality are made in small weaving factories. Only natural, very warm materials are used. The design of the products is ethnic, but you can find options for Russian everyday wear. Shawls start at $ 50 and there are also many Tibetan shops in the north (they are found all over the country, but in the north the choice and prices are better). There you can find silver jewelry: massive necklaces, bracelets, rings with natural stones. Popular with tourists are singing meditation bowls, incense, various antiques and Tibetan yak wool blankets.
Rent a Car - also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
What associations do you have when you mention a country like India? Surely these are some mystical images, symbols that excite the minds and imagination. By visiting major cities in India, you will definitely get more than just good memories and experiences. After all, here even the most ordinary things are perceived in a new way, let alone exotic. No one can resist her spell.
India
It is a state of South Asia, consisting of 28 states, each of which has its own national characteristics... The seven union territories of India are under central control. The country is located within three strikingly beautiful geographic areas: the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Himalayan mountains and on the Indian subcontinent. The local climate is comfortable at any time of the year, depending on the purpose of the trip, therefore it is popular all year round. So let's take a closer look at the large and truly ancient cities of India.
New Delhi is the capital
It is here that all the main government offices of the country are located. In 1991, the population of New Delhi was 294,000 inhabitants. The city is divided into two parts: Old and New. Old Delhi in ancient times was the capital of the Indian Muslim state, so there are many old forts, monuments, mosques. New Delhi is riddled with long, shady boulevards - a real one. This place is the grave of many empires and the birthplace of the republic, so every visitor feels in the air an incomprehensible and mesmerizing mixture of the new and the old.
Agra
Many cities in India were previously the residences of various empires. Agra, for example, was the capital. Fort Agra has been repeatedly mentioned in literary works, captured on feature films. It was in this city that the monument to "immortal love" - \u200b\u200bTaj Mahal, found its place. This white marble tomb, which looks the same as it did 2.5 centuries ago, is India's tourist emblem and the most extravagant monument to human love. was erected by Emperor Shah Jahan for his second wife, who died in 1631 giving birth to her 14th child.
Jaipur
Taking into account all the cities of India, this one stands out for its pink hue. Most of the buildings in the old part of Jaipur were painted pink by order of the Maharaja Ram Singh, symbolizing hospitality. This was done to meet the Prince of Wales. Among the countless attractions of this city of India, the Palace of the Winds, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Amber Fort can be distinguished.
Mumbai or Bombay
It is the largest metropolis in the country. If we consider all the coastal cities of India, then Mumbai is the youngest of them. It is home to about 15 million people. The main tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe city is called Colaba. Life in this place is in full swing: countless hotels, restaurants and shops. Bombay is the capital of Indian cinema, the commercial and financial center of the country. Arriving here, be sure to contemplate the Gateway of India, the embankment of Marine Drive and the most beautiful station in Asia - Victoria. Have a magical journey!
While the Taj Mahal shines with a majestic marble sheen, the Meenakshi Amman Temple is full of vibrant colors. It is located in the Southeast Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the city of Madurai, which is considered one of the oldest continuously settlements in a world that has been functioning for over two thousand years.
Image Credit Flickr Pabloneco
Photo: Bryce Edwards on Flickr
It is based on something extraordinary - the temple of the Hindu goddess Parvati, the wife of the god Shiva. The entire temple complex is guarded by towers known as gopurs. The tallest of these is the south tower, which was erected in 1559 and is over 170 feet high. And the eastern tower is considered the oldest, founded in 1216, that is, it was built several centuries before Columbus went to discover distant lands.
Jantar Mantar
Photo: Guy Incognito on Flickr
The remarkable complex of structures is similar to the scenery for a planet far from Earth from a sci-fi blockbuster. But in fact, these are instruments developed and used in Jaipur for observing celestial bodies. They were built by order of the Maharaja in the first decades of the 18th century and are still used today.
Photo Credit: McKay Savage on Flickr
Photo: Philip Cope on Flickr
Jai Singh II was born in 1688 and became a Maharaja at the age of eleven, but inherited a kingdom that was on the verge of impoverishment. The kingdom of Amber (later Jaipur) was in a desperate situation, the cavalry numbered less than a thousand people. But by his thirtieth birthday, the ruler built Jantar-Mantar.
Kumbalgarh - Great Wall of India
It is the second largest continuous wall on our planet. Some call it by the name of the fort that it surrounds - Kumbalgarh, and others - the Great Wall of China. Surprisingly, such an outstanding structure is little known outside its region.
Photo: Lamentables on Flickr
Photo: Beth on Flickr
The wall stretches for 36 kilometers. In many pictures, you can mistake it for the Great Wall of China. However, there have been many centuries and cultural differences between them. Work on the creation of Kumbalgarh began only in 1443 - just fifty years before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic to make amazing discoveries on the other side.
Karni Mata Temple
Photo Credit: alschim on Flickr
From the outside, the Hindu temple of Karni Mata, located in the small town of Deshnok in the Indian province of Rajasthan, looks just like any other. But the beautifully and exquisitely decorated shrine with a constant stream of believers contains a surprise for unsuspecting visitors. The temple is inhabited by thousands of rats.
Photo Credit: owenstache on Flickr
Image Credit Flickr User micbaun
Rodents are not random inhabitants of the temple. Parishioners take special care of food for the rats, as they are here in memory of the legendary woman - Karni Mata.
Jodhpur - India's blue city
Photo Credit: bodoluy on Flickr
Hikers traverse the arid landscapes of the Thar Desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan to reach this place. It seems that here the sky fell to the ground and everything became the same color - blue. Jodhpur stretches out before you like blue treasures in the middle of the desert.
Photo: Christopher Walker on Flickr
Photo: Il Fatto on Flickr
According to one version, the population of the Blue City paints their houses in different shades of blue due to the caste system prevailing in India. Brahmanas belong to the highest Indian caste, and the blue color distinguishes their homes from other people.
Leh Palace
Image Credit Flickr Watchsmart
In the early years of the seventeenth century, the king of the Ladakh kingdom, Senge Namgyal, ordered the construction of this huge palace. It is located at the top of the Himalayas in the city of Leh, now the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The building served as the home of a dynasty of rulers until their overthrow and exile in 1834. Since then, the high Leh Palace has been abandoned. However, it rises majestically in this region of India, often referred to as Little Tibet.
Photo: teseum on Flickr
Photo: Matt Werner on Flickr
Presumably, it was modeled on the more famous Potala Palace in neighboring Tibet, which served as the Dalai Lama's residence until 1959, when he left the country. The Leh Palace is smaller than the Potala Palace, but its nine-story structure is still impressive. The upper floors were occupied by King Namgyal, his family and crowds of courtiers. The lower floors housed servants, warehouses and stables.
Living bridges of Meghalaya
Photo: Ashwin Mudigonda on Flickr
Our understanding of India, with a population of over a billion, is often limited to statistical data. However, there are places on this subcontinent that remain virtually inaccessible. The state of Meghalaya in the northeast of the country is replete with subtropical forests. To move around this area, the locals have resorted to an ingenious form of natural engineering - living bridges from the roots.
Photo: Rajkumar1220 on Flickr
Photo: ARshiya Bose on Flickr
With every rain, fording across rivers becomes very dangerous, and this is one of the wettest places on the planet. Persistent rainfall combined with rugged terrain, steep slopes and dense deciduous forests make many areas of Meghalaya impenetrable jungle. But the resourceful and resourceful local people have created a unique system of natural suspension bridges.
Ajanta Caves
Photo Credit: Ashok66 on Flickr
Two thousand two hundred years ago, work began on an extensive series of cave monuments in the Indian state of Maharashtra. For hundreds of years, thirty-one monuments have been carved out of the rocks here. Around AD 1000, the monks gradually left the cave complex and it fell into disrepair. The overgrown dense jungle hid the caves from human eyes.
Photo: Franekn on Flickr
Until the middle of the twentieth century, India was considered a country with a low level of urbanization. Most of its citizens were villagers. Few cities such as Allahabad, Varanasi, Delhi, Patna were the focus ancient culture, which arose at the dawn of civilization. In the 80s of the last century, the country experienced an urban boom. Large cities have sharply stepped over the million mark. New urban agglomerations also appeared. What are the largest cities in India in terms of area or population? We will consider the list of such subjects in this article. Now, let's just say that in terms of the number of citizens, India ranks second in the world. It is second only to China in this indicator.
Dynamics of the growth of the level of urbanization
At the very beginning of the 20th century, there were not even two thousand cities in the vast country. Now their number has more than doubled. In 1991, there were more than 4,700 of them. But not because of the number of cities, India is "breathing down the back of the head" of China. The urban settlements themselves are swelling by leaps and bounds. Large agglomerations are home to two thirds of the country's total population. But back in 1901 only Calcutta could boast of a million inhabitants. But already in 1911, this line was crossed by Bombay (present-day Mumbai). In the middle of the century in India there were already five million people, in 1981 - twelve, and ten years later - twenty-three. The country met the beginning of this century with 34 huge megalopolises, twelve of which had a population of more than two million people. Number cities of India, whose population exceeds 500 thousand, will soon exceed 300. Below we will consider the top 5 largest megacities in the country.
The largest cities in India by population
Mumbai tops the list of the country's greatest megacities. Previously, this city was located on seven small islands in the Arabian Sea. But now the former Bombay is also taking over the vast mainland. The islets have long been welded together by numerous bridges. The rapid growth in population was laid by the construction of a cotton mill by the British in 1851. Then hired workers from the countryside came to the city and settled in it. Now the metropolis in the state of Maharashtra has (according to the 2011 census) 12,478,447 people. The rest of the megalopolises included in the top 5 "largest cities in India" were distributed as follows. The second position is the capital of the country Delhi with a population of eleven million people. Then follow Chennai in Tamil Nadu (8 425 970), Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh province (6 809 970) and Bangalore in Karnataka state (5 570 585). India also has more than fifteen megacities, where there are from one and a half to five million inhabitants.
Mumbai is the most populated city in India
First, seven islands in the Arabian Sea were captured by the Portuguese. This happened in 1534. But already in 1660, they entered the dowry of the Portuguese princess, who married the British king Charles II. The British contributed to the growth of the city in every possible way. All the islands were connected by earthen dams to each other and to the mainland. The historic part of Mumbai is located in the south. There is an old fort and the famous "Gates of India" built in the Indo-Muslim style. The administrative quarters are located at the Malabar Hill. Southern islands by appearance resemble a European metropolis. In the north, the traveler will find slums, narrow streets and a minimum of infrastructure. The mainland and port areas are occupied by industrial enterprises. Together with the surrounding area, the agglomeration is inhabited by about twenty million people. Thus, Mumbai deservedly received the title of the largest city in India.
Delhi
During the colonization of India, the British, as a rule, built a new European part, leaving local residents intricate maze of old streets. It so happened that the large cities of India consist of two halves that are clearly different from each other. In Delhi, this division is especially clear. This city on the banks of the Jamna has been the capital of different states for many centuries. By his very destiny, he was destined to head the independent republic of India. Although in 1911 the population of Delhi together with the suburbs was only 214 thousand people. Now the agglomeration has about fifteen million. Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) is a chaotic development with shops, handicraft workshops, bazaars, Hindu temples and mosques. The main street of this part of the city is Chandi Chowk (Silver). One end of it rests against the famous Lal-Kila (Red Fort). New Delhi was erected south of Old Delhi in 1911 by Edwin Lutyens. It was conceived and implemented as a "garden city". Radial circular avenues radiate out from Cannaut Square. In New Delhi, there is the Rashtra-party Bhavan government quarter.
Kolkata
The name of this city in India, more familiar to Europeans, is Calcutta. The metropolis is located in the Ganges Delta, at the confluence of the Hooghly. The city was formed in 1690 on the site of three villages by an employee of the East India British Company, Job Charnock. Calcutta experienced rapid growth from 1773 to 1911. Then she was the capital of the colony of British India. When Bangladesh was formed in 1947, the industry, previously closely associated with East Bengal, began to curtail. And with the transfer of the capital to Delhi, the growth of Calcutta slowed down altogether. However, it still holds the position of India's second industrial city. Contrasts in the living standards of the population are also most noticeable here. More than half a million people have no roof over their heads.
Chennai
Until recently, the name of this large city in India was different - Madras. It was founded in 1639 by the British as the southernmost fort of the East India Company. The city stretches along the Bay of Bengal for twenty kilometers. Local beach Marina is considered one of the best in the world. Chennai, like Kolkata, is a city of contrasts. Next to the chic skyscrapers, square kilometers of slums huddle whole blocks. About thirty percent of the inhabitants of this metropolis are deprived of any sanitary and hygienic conditions. Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu province. Cars, bicycles, wagons are produced here.
Hyderabad and Bangalore
These major cities in India are not alike. Hyderabad is famous for its centuries-old history. The city has many temples (Hindu, Islamic, Christian), palaces and examples of colonial architecture. It was once the capital of the Nizams - rulers who got rich on the diamond trade. Rumor has it that even their clothes were woven from golden threads and studded with pearls. Hyderabad is a recognized center of Islamic culture in the country. Bangalore is its complete opposite. It was electrified earlier than other large cities in India. And now it houses the centers of science-intensive companies. Because of this, Bangalore got its second name - the Silicon Valley of India. A large flow of tourists traditionally rushes to this city, which is why it is also called the capital of pubs.
