| Travel
And Tours
Arrival & Departure Formalities Information
If the visa, for stay in India, is for more than 180 days,
a Registration Certificate and Residential Permit should be
obtained from the nearest Foreigners' Registration Office
within 15 days of arrival.
Four photographs are also required
for registration. The foreigners registered at Foreigners'
Registration Office are required to report change of their
addresses. All persons including Indian nationals are required
to fill in a Disembarkation Card, at the time of arrival.
All persons, except nationals of Bhutan & Nepal, leaving
by air, road or rail have to fill in an Embarkation Card at
the time of departure.
Every foreigner who is about to depart finally from India
must surrender his Certificate of Registration either to the
Registration Officer of the place where he is registered or
of the place from where he plans to depart or to the Immigration
Officer at the Port/Checkpost of exit from India.
India observes numerous national and religious holidays, in
such cases the commercial places are closed. Most government
and private banks are open weekdays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Quite
a few work extended hours for all services – example
ICICI Bank : 0800 to 2000 hrs.) and on Saturdays 10:00 AM
- 12:00 Noon, they are closed on government holidays.
The
international airport and some luxury hotels have 24-hour
money-changing facilities. The major offices of American Express
that offer check-cashing facilities also have extended hours.
Western-style hotels will also change money for their guests.
Post offices are open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM,Saturdays
from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and are closed on government holidays
and Sundays.
Most museums are closed on Mondays and site museums
(near archaeological monuments) are normally closed on Fridays.
Museums are also closed on government holidays. Business hours
of market places, shops, bazaars vary from place to place.
Customs To Keep In Mind
Visiting a religious monument demands respect.
With all sects, removing shoes is a must before entering a
shrine, though sometimes cloth overshoes are provided for
a small charge. Drinking alcoholic beverages on the premises
or speaking in a raised voice is not permissible.
Some structures
are off-limits to visitors who don't practice the faith. One
should not try to force or bribe to enter such places. Women
should always be properly dressed and should cover their head
before entering a Sikh gurudwara or a mosque. When you enter
a mosque, you are supposed to step right foot first into the
courtyard.
In some Hindu and Jain temples all leather products
inside a shrine like shoes, belts, handbags, camera cases
etc. are prohibited. Many temples also expect visitors to
purify themselves by washing their hands and feet under a
tap or tank available there before entering.
No visitor in
a gurudwara should keep his feet pointing towards the Holy
Book or step over any one sitting in prayer or meditation.
Usually try sitting on the floor of a Hindu or Sikh temple
with cross-legged or with feet tucked beneath is best.
The units of Indian currency are the rupee and the paisa (100
paise is equal to one rupee). Paper money comes in denominations
of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 rupees. Coins are in
denominations of 25, and 50 paise, one rupee, two rupees,
and five rupees.
In India, delicate fabrics do not stand up well to laundering
facilities except at deluxe hotels. Plain cottons or cotton/synthetic
blends are the most practical and the coolest in summer. It's
best to avoid synthetic fabrics that don't 'breathe'. For
protection from the harsh sun a hat with a wide brim is recommended.
When traveling during monsoons, a collapsable umbrella comes
handy.
During the winter months, sweaters and light jackets
are required. For functions carry formal suits for men and
skirts and tops for women. To enter a holy shrine, women should
wear a long skirt or dress or trousers. Travel in a Muslim
community calls for even more discretion. Women should consider
wearing a salwar kameez, or loose pants and long blouse.
Trekkers
and travellers going on any outdoor adventure should bring
a day pack that will hold a sweater, camera, a water bottle.
A good pair of binoculars and sunglasses that block out ultraviolet
rays are advised. Also carry strong sunblock, sewing kit,
premoistened towelettes, pocket knife with can opener,lock
and key for each duffel or bag, high-power impact-resistant
flashlight, spare batteries (unless they're a popular size).
Sports enthusiasts should bring their own tennis or golf balls,
which are expensive in India. Electronic Gadgets For electric-powered
equipment, bring a converter and an adapter. The electrical
current in India is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current
(AC), wall outlets take plugs with two round prongs.
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