India tour offers a diverse spectrum of colourful cities, cultural diversity, religious harmony, beautiful monuments and mouth-watering cuisine. There is a unique way Indians carry these things and should be noted before travelling to India.
From saying Namaste with a head nod to eating with hands, here are seven habits and travel tips you must adopt while travelling to India.
Keep your shoes out.
It is common in India to stay barefoot when indoors. Hence, whenever you visit someone’s home, ensure that you put off your shoes outside. Your hosts may insist on wearing shoes indoors (since you are their guest), but stick to keeping them outside.
Keeping the shoes outside is a norm in Indian households and is a sign of regard for the host. Also, it keeps the house indoors clean.
Namaste with a head nod
‘Namaste’ stands for ‘Hello’ in Hindi, and you will see people saying’ Namaste’ with a slight nod. This gesture of respect for the other is familiar in many Asian countries. Also, note that’ Namaste’ is said only in North Central India, where Hindi is the native language. People greet each other differently in different regions of India.
Wash hands before eating.
Indian cities are generally crowded and dusty. You’ll see lots of people everywhere. Summers are extreme, and you’ll sweat frequently. Hence, make sure that you’re keeping your hands clean at all times for hygienic reasons. Take special note of washing your hands before eating.
Eating with hands
India eats with its hands! It may sound messy, but tourists to the country love it! On your India tour, you’ll come across several Indian dishes which ought to be eaten only with your hands. For instance, the Biryani and Dosa are two iconic Indian dishes that taste better when eaten with hands.
Covered clothing while entering religious places
Most Indians are concerned about their spiritual values and the way people carry themselves at spiritual places and during rituals. It is advisable to wear clothes that cover your hands, legs, and head when entering a spiritual place such as a temple, Gurudwara, or Church. You can also observe other people to see how they are dressed.
Embrace the cultures
India is a vast country with diverse religions, cultures and languages. The beauty lies in the fact that the countries live in harmony and peace with each other, which gives the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family).
When you are in India, observe the beauty of this harmony and embrace the cultures you see here. You will unlikely see such cultural harmony in any other part of the world.
Drink only bottled water.
In India, people drink only bottled water. Do not drink tap water, whether in a hotel or restaurant or on the go. It is unsuitable and untreated, and it may also lead to stomach infections. RO water in restaurants and hotels is drinkable.
Refrain from carrying unnecessary cash with you.
India is now more digital than ever. Hence, you need not carry unnecessary cash with you. Keep sufficient cash only; you can opt for Debit Card, Credit Card and UPI payments for significant transactions. There are also ATM cash points from where you can withdraw cash.
Stay away from strangers seeking attention.
Foreign tourists sometimes get uncommon attention on the Indian streets. However, their intention is not to harm you. You can respond to them, and they’ll smile, too. However, too much attention can feel overwhelming at times. Hence, refrain from entertaining too much and avoid people offering street services.
Conclusion
India travel is a unique experience, and one should take advantage of the opportunity to experience it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that takes you to Wonders of the World like the Taj Mahal, UNESCO Sites, historical forts, beautiful natural landscapes, and more. The habits mentioned above are a must to enjoy your India tour to the maximum.
