India is an eastern country. General economic and geographical characteristics of one of the Asian countries
Goa is one of the smallest states in India: a short distance can be covered by car in just 2-3 hours. On the western side stretches the boundless Arabian Sea. Goa is located in the west of India. Unlike the rest of India, which was a colony of Great Britain for 150 years, Goa, as well as two small territories of Daman and Diu, were colonies of Portugal for 450 years. This explains its European appearance and a large percentage of the Christian population. Goa is often referred to as Little Portugal.
Dominant Religion:
Hindus - 82% of believers, Muslims - 11%, Christians - 2%, Sikhs - 2%, Buddhists - 0.7%, etc. Any discrimination based on religion is punishable by law.Hinduism is the oldest national religion of India. Its origins are usually traced back to the time of the existence of the Proto-Indian (Harappan) civilization, i.e. to II-III millennium BC Consequently, by the turn of the new era, he had already counted more than one millennium of his existence. We, perhaps, will not see such a long and full-blooded existence of religion in any other place on the globe, except for India.
Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism and other religions coexist peacefully in India.
State capital
Delhi is the capital of India, the third largest city (its population is 13.8 million people) and the largest industrial center in the north of the country. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India in the 17th-19th centuries, many mosques, monuments, forts remained from this period. New Delhi was built by the British as the imperial capital of India.Panaji is the capital of Goa and the center of North Goa. Located on the left bank of the Manduri River. From the top of the hill there is a beautiful view of the southern part of the coast. Panaji became the official capital of Goa in 1843. This is a very pleasant town with narrow winding streets and well-preserved old houses, white churches, a modern port. Among its attractions are the Archbishop's Palace, the Adil Shah Palace - the residence of the Viceroy of Portugal until 1759, the Church of St. Sebastian, the temple of Mahalakshmi - the goddess of love.
Official language
commonly used - English. More than half of the population speaks Hindi. The most common languages are: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu. Official languages - 14.Population
About 968 million people (according to some sources - about 1 billion). India is a multinational state - 72% of the population are Indo-Aryan peoples, 25% are Dravidians and up to 3% are representatives of the Mongolian subrace. The most numerous are Hindustanis, Telugu (Andhra), Marathas, Bengalis, Biharis, Tamils, Gujaratis, Kannaras, Malayalis, Punjabis, etc.State structure:
The supreme legislative body is the parliament, which consists of two chambers: the upper - Rajya Sabha (Council of States, 250 seats) and the lower - Lok Sabha (People's Chamber, 545 seats).The head of state is the President (since July 25, 2002 - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam). Elected for five years by an electoral college, which includes deputies of the central parliament and state legislatures. For the same term, a vice-president is elected, who is also the chairman of the upper house of parliament (since August 19, 2002 - Bhairon Singh Shekhawat).
In practice, executive power is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister, who, as a rule, becomes the leader of the parliamentary faction of the party, which enjoys the support of the majority of deputies in the People's Chamber. Since March 19, 1998 - Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Territorial-administrative structure. India's constitution is a union of states. The territorial division of the country was based on the linguistic community of the population. The states have legislatures and local governments.
India consists of 28 states, the National Capital Territory of Delhi and six union territories - administrative units of central subordination, relatively small in size and population.
India is a member of the UN, IMF, World Bank, UNESCO, British Commonwealth of Nations.
Currency unit:
The monetary unit of India - INDIAN RUPIE - there are two versions of the origin of the name: from rupua - processed silver, or rura - cattle, both words are in Sanskrit. International designation - INR. On price tags, Rs is usually written in front of the number. There are 100 paise in one rupee. Coins denominated in paise are called "small" (small). The Indian rupee is a limited convertible currency. The import and export of rupees is prohibited. The exception is passengers traveling to Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. You can exchange currency at the airport, at a bank (passport is required) or at certified exchange offices. When exchanging, you must take a receipt that allows you to make a reverse exchange of money when leaving the country (but not more than 25% of the officially exchanged amount). It is best to import dollars, the currency of other countries is not changed in all banks and at a less favorable rate. Traveler's checks can only be cashed at major banks, with Thomas Cook and American Express checks preferred. Credit cards are of limited circulation only in the capital and large resort areas; in the provinces, it is almost impossible to pay with them (and often in foreign currency).Time
from Moscow in summer + 1 hour 30 minutes, in winter, respectively, + 2 hours 30 minutes.Mode of entry and movement within the country:
you need to apply for an entry visa. Tourist visa to India for Russian citizens: the visa application form must be completed in two copies, preferably on English language. One photo is pasted on each visa application form. A round-trip air ticket or a computer printout for an air reservation is presented. If the applicant is applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months, he must present a certificate from an officially recognized doctor about the absence of antibodies to HIV. (Such a certificate is required when requesting all types of visas for Russian citizens applying for a visa for a stay of more than three months). Each applicant is charged a processing fee in rubles equivalent to 45 US dollars.Registration of citizens who arrived in the country for a short time is not carried out.
Customs control:
It is best to take US dollars or travelers checks to this country. Currency rules in India are quite liberal. Import and export of previously imported foreign currency is not limited, national - is prohibited. Cash in the amount of more than 10 thousand USD, as well as personal computers and laptops are subject to mandatory declaration. Allowed duty-free importation of cigarettes - up to 200 pcs., or cigars - up to 50 pcs., or tobacco - up to 250 gr., alcoholic beverages - up to 0.95 liters, jewelry, food, household items and items - within the limits of personal needs. cameras, musical instruments, household audio and video equipment, typewriters and sports equipment are imported in the amount of not more than one item of each item, souvenirs - in the amount of not more than 500 rupees. It is forbidden to import drugs and narcotic drugs, weapons and ammunition without appropriate permits.The export of tiger skins, wild animals, bird plumage, skins and skin products of rare reptiles, live plants, jewelry worth more than 2,000 rupees, gold and silver bars, antiques and antiquities (more than a hundred years old) is prohibited.
Telephone communications:
It is more profitable to make international calls via automatic communication of private or public telephone companies (STD / ISD, tariffs practically do not differ) or order a conversation through a telephone operator. Telephone booths usually have an electronic display showing the time and cost of the call. You can also call from the hotel, but in this case the rate will be 3 times higher.Mobile telephony in the country is experiencing rapid development. By purchasing a SIM card from local companies (city card - about 1500 rupees, long-distance - from 3500 rupees and above) you can get a direct Indian number. At the same time, roaming of local mobile companies does not cover the entire territory of the country, so some areas are still inaccessible in this regard.
To call India, dial 8 - 10 - 91 - - . Codes of some cities: Ahmedabad - 79, Bangalore - 80, Mumbai (Bombay) - 22, New Delhi - 11, Jaipur - 141, Kolkata (Calcutta) - 33, Kanpur - 512, Lucknow - 522, Chennai (Madras) - 44 , Nagpur - 712, Nasik - 253, Patna - 612, Pune - 212, Surat - 261, Hyderabad - 40, Chandigarh - 172, Shillong - 364.
Embassy and Consulates of India
Embassy of India Consular Section:Moscow, Vorontsovo Pole st., 4 Phone/Fax: (095) 916-23-43
e-mail: [email protected]
St. Petersburg, st. Ryleeva, 35 Phones: (812) 272-17-31, 272-19-88 Fax: (812) 272-24-73
e-mail: [email protected]
Consulate General of India:
Vladivostok, st. Verkhneportovaya, 46, PO box 90308 Phone: (4232) 41-39-20 Fax: 41-39-56, 007-50985-11015
e-mail: [email protected]
Embassy of Russia in India:
Address: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021BPhones: (91-11) 26873799; 26889160; 26873802; 26110640/41/42
Fax: (91-11) 26876823
Email: [email protected]
Opening hours: Monday and Thursday - from 08.00 to 14.00 from 15.30 to 18.30, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - from 08.00 to 14.00
Main resorts and attractions:
Read the articles in the READ MORE section of this page.Mains voltage
230-240 V., frequency 50 Hz., sockets differ from standard European ones, and in different states they are different. Before turning on electrical appliances, it is recommended to consult with service personnel about the network parameters.Useful little things
Sikh temples can only be entered with a covered head; a woman can enter a mosque only with a covered head and shoulders, as well as in long clothes. No leather goods should be brought into temples. According to tradition, some money should be donated to the temple (lowered into the donation box). Photographs are allowed only with the permission of the temple minister. For shooting in nature reserves and national parks, you must pay in agreement with the administration. It is strictly not recommended to photograph representatives of some ethnic groups and castes. All buildings, especially religious buildings, should be bypassed on the left side. Any items of worship should be treated with respect. It is not customary to hug and kiss in public. The traditional greeting looks like folded palms in a greeting. Kisses and the desire to be the first to shake hands are not accepted - many religious taboos can generally prohibit these gestures for the Hindu. Handshakes between men are not forbidden. You can not shake hands with a woman (unless she is the first to extend her hand) or put a hand on the shoulder of the interlocutor. It is not customary to wear long or loose hair. Women's legs should be covered with clothing (but not tight!) At least ankle-deep. The soles of shoes should not be turned towards the interlocutor, this is considered a sign of disrespect. Do not point anywhere with your index finger. In a conversation, try never to raise your voice and not lose your temper, otherwise they will simply not communicate with you. Even if tea is already poured for you, this should not be regarded as an invitation to join the tea party - this should be followed by a clearly expressed invitation. When leaving, empty the bowl and leave it empty on the table. The rule of good manners is allowed to eat with fingers, but only with the right hand. Shoes are removed at the entrance to each temple and before burials, as well as in offices, medical institutions and guests, and often quite far from the destination itself. It is recommended to take cheap socks with you, which you can safely throw away after a visit or excursion. Some establishments may offer specialty slippers. Tipping in restaurants is usually 10-11% of the bill (depending on the level of the establishment). In hotels, the service surcharge is 10% and is usually included in the bill, but usually the maids are left with an additional 2-3 rupees, the porter and porter - from 2 to 5 rupees. Taxi drivers or rickshaws are recommended to leave from 2 to 10 rupees, drivers of sightseeing cars - 300-400 rupees from the whole group.Have a nice holiday!
India- a country that everyone dreams of visiting since childhood, a country of contrasts, where impoverished shacks and palaces of maharajas, beggars on the streets and quite successful businessmen, impenetrable jungles and deserts, a forbidden, but in spite of everything, a functioning system of castes and a modern state system, inherited from the British conquerors, tough Puritans and red-light districts…
Here are the royal Himalayas, the famous Ganges River, tiger reserves, the "golden triangle" many coastal resorts, priceless monuments of bygone eras, in antiquity, competing with Egyptian pyramids- all this attracts a lot of tourists to India.
general information
India is located in the South, mainly on the Hindustan peninsula. Its area is 3.3 million km 2, in terms of size India is in 7th place in the world, the coastline stretches for 7000 km.
From the east, India is washed by the Bay of Bengal, in the south is the Indian Ocean, in the west is the Arabian Sea, in which the Indian and Nicobar Islands are located.
India borders China to the north, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar (formerly Burma) to the east, and Afghanistan and Pakistan to the west.
The mass Russian tourist is usually taken by travel agents to the state, the smallest Indian state on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Once this state was a colony of the Portuguese for a long 450 years, and still retains a European touch. Sometimes Goa is called little Portugal.
The most high point In India, slightly lower than the world's highest Everest, this is Mount Kanchenjunga with a height of 8586 meters, located in the state of Sikkim, not far from Nepal.
The capital of India is New Delhi.
In terms of population - about 14 million people, the capital is in second place in the country, after Mumbai, and is the largest industrial center. Old Delhi is full of mosques, monuments, forts, inherited from the times when it was a Muslim capital, and New Delhi was built by the British as the new capital of all India.
Religion in India.
The main religion in India is Hinduism, which originated in the third millennium BC, Hindus in the country are about 80 percent. They worship a whole pantheon of Gods, which is headed by Vishnu and Shiva. In total, there are 3.5 thousand castes and podcasts in the country, subordinate to each other, headed by brahmins.
Although under the constitution, since 1950, the castes are recognized as equal, the Indians themselves continue to adhere to their customs.
As before, caste can be determined by last name, parents still organize the weddings of their children, who see each other for the first time only during the wedding.
The British, forced to leave in 1947, nevertheless managed to annoy, according to the principle of "divide and conquer", splitting India along religious lines into Pakistan, Bangladesh and, in fact, Hindu India.
However, there are about 90 million Muslims in India, predominantly in Kashmir. Islam is practiced by about 11% of the population, and a small proportion is occupied by Christians, Sikhs and Buddhists.
In the 16-17 centuries, representatives of one of the sects of Hinduism began to profess a religion with a single God and the denial of castes. These were the Sikhs, by far the most concentrated in the Punjab.
Near Varanasi in the deer national park "Sarnath" there is a temple with a golden Buddha, on this place, according to legend, the Buddha first gathered his first followers, to whom he expounded his teachings.
Hinduism is a fairly peaceful religion, and all the rest peacefully coexist with it, and the equality of religions is supported by law.
Official language
There are 14 official languages in India, like nowhere else. Almost half of the population speaks Hindi, the rest - Bengali, Tamil, Urdu and many others. English is widely spoken as India was a British colony for a long time. In practice, Hindi and English are mainly used, and there are currently about 250 dialects in total.
According to the census, there are about 1.3 billion people in India, of which 28% live in cities. The country is multinational, the bulk are Hindustanis, Telugu, Bengalis, Tamils, Biharis, Punjabis, about a quarter of the population are Dravidians.
Public administration:
India is ruled parliament, which consists of 2 chambers: the upper - the Council of States, called the Rajya Sabha and the lower House of the People, called the Lok Sabha.
The head of state is the president elected for a five-year term.
Executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister, nominated by the most influential party of the People's Chamber.
India is divided into states created according to the linguistic community of the people inhabiting them. The states are governed by their own legislative assemblies, the executive function is carried out by local governments.
In total, India has 29 states governed by governors, the capital is allocated as a separate national territory, in addition, there are 6 territories of central subordination.
As the coat of arms, the capital Sapnath of King Ashoka, who founded ancient India, is used. The song “Jana-gana-mana” is used as an anthem, the author is Rabindranath Tagore.
Climate of India
Three seasons can be distinguished in the main territory of the country:
- June-October. The southwest monsoon prevails, it is quite hot and humid.
- November-February. The northeast trade wind prevails, it becomes relatively cool and dry.
- The transition between them is from March to May, at this time it is hot and dry.
It is most comfortable for a tourist to come from October to May.
Time:
It differs from Moscow in summer + 1.5 hours, in winter, respectively, + 2.5 hours.
Money:
Indian rupee, there are 100 pise.
Mains voltage
230-240 volts, frequency 50 Hz., sockets are different from ordinary European ones, besides, they are different in different states. Before connecting your gadgets, you should consult the hotel staff about the power supply parameters.
Visa
To visit the country, a tourist will have to issue.
It is rather difficult to list Indian holidays, because there are about 360 of them. In addition to holidays adopted in one or more states, there are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and even Zoroastrian holidays.
We can mention the state ones celebrated throughout India: Republic Day, celebrated on January 26, with a parade of troops and a procession of elephants, Independence Day, celebrated on August 15 since 1947, when the Indians expelled the colonialists, and October 2 - Birthday of the very revered Mahatma Gandhi.
It is not superfluous to mention Holi, one of the most significant holidays celebrated in February in honor of the end of winter.
The tourist will be interested in the water festival in Kerala, held in January, with the participation of elephants, the Lori peasant festival and the kite festival, held in the same month, the Shivratri Natyanjali national festival, taking place in February-March.
And since the bulk of tourists are concentrated in Goa, they will be pleased with the Shigmo spring festival, celebrated in this state in March.
Useful information for tourists about India, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of India, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in India.
Geography of India
The Republic of India is a state in South Asia, occupying most peninsulas of Hindustan. It borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. It has sea borders with the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Most of the country is occupied by the Deccan highlands, bounded on both sides by the Eastern and Western Ghats, and the entire territory of India is crossed by 7 mountain ranges, among which is the highest mountainous country in the world - the Himalayas. Between the Deccan and the Himalayas, the vast Indo-Gangetic lowland (Jamno-Gangetic plain) stretches in a wide arc, the coasts are also framed by a narrow ribbon of plains.
State
State structure
Federal Republic. Included in the Commonwealth.
The head of state is the president. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (Council of States "Rajya Sabha" and People's Chamber "Lok Sabha"). Executive power is exercised by the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Language
Official language: Hindi, English
Languages other than two state languages: Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Kannara and about 10 more languages used as state languages in various states. In total, more than 1600 languages and dialects are spoken in India.
Religion
Hindus - 80%, Muslims - 14%, Christians - 2.4%, Sikhs - 2%, Buddhists - 0.7%, Jains - 0.5%.
Currency
International name: INR
One Indian rupee is divided into 100 pise.
History of India
Already in the 3rd millennium BC, statehood arose here, in the Indus Valley, and in the 2nd millennium BC, important ethnic changes took place. From the north, in the interfluve of the Indus and the Ganges, tribes of tall, fair-haired Aryans (Aryans) invaded and subjugated the local peoples. In the 1st millennium BC, the Aryans created their own state, one of the princes of which was Gautama (Buddha) - the distributor of a new religion. At the same time, India waged exhausting wars of independence, now with Persia, now with Alexander the Great. With the collapse of the Macedonian state, the Indian kingdom experienced its first flowering. By 236 BC, the great Magadhian Empire was formed, which managed to unite almost the entire territory of the modern states of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. However, already from the second century BC, the formidable empire fell into decay. A significant part of its lands was seized by neighboring states. One of them was the kingdom of the Kushans. After its collapse in the first centuries of our era, the Magadha empire began to gain strength again, which in the 4th-5th centuries already controlled most of the Hindustan peninsula.
Short-term association (since the 6th century) was replaced by feudal fragmentation, which stopped only to XIII century in connection with the emergence of a strong Delhi Sultanate. Its rulers entered into a struggle with Buddhism and began to spread Islam. The sultanate repulsed the raids of the Mongols-Tatars, but could not cope with the separatism of large feudal lords, who ruined the country at the end of the 14th century. The economic backwardness increased, there was no defense capability, and opportunities for new conquests of India opened up. At the end of the 15th century, the first European colonizers appeared on its shores. In the 16th century, almost the entire peninsula became the prey of the Mongol conqueror Babur. In the 17th century, France and Great Britain fought for the possession of South India. In the first half of the 18th century, the power of the Mongol dynasty weakened so much that it could no longer protect the Indian people from other invasions. An attempt by local princes to organize an alliance capable of resisting the conquerors did not bring success.
By the middle of the 19th century, Great Britain had colonized all of India; the liberation uprising of 1857-1859 failed. The dominion of the British crown remained until 1946, when, under the pressure of the Indian public, led by M. Gandhi, she was granted the right of dominion (self-government). At the same time, the first government headed by J. Nehru was formed. The next year (1947) the British finally left India. However, the country could not maintain unity. The sectarian war split it into three states: Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
On January 26, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted a constitution declaring India a parliamentary republic. But at the same time, India remained in the British Commonwealth of Nations.
Being a multinational and multireligious state, India is experiencing strife and confrontation on religious grounds in different parts of the country. However, India has always presented itself as a secular state with a liberal democracy, except for a brief period from 1975 to 1977, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency with limited civil rights.
In the second half of the 20th century, India regularly had problems with neighboring states due to disputes over borders. The dispute with China has not been resolved so far, in 1962 it turned into a short war. India fought Pakistan three times: in 1947, 1965 and 1971. The last conflict between India and Pakistan broke out in 1999 in the state of Kashmir.
Already in the 3rd millennium BC, statehood arose here, in the Indus Valley, and in the 2nd millennium BC, important ethnic changes took place. From the north, in the interfluve of the Indus and the Ganges, tribes of tall, fair-haired Aryans (Aryans) invaded and subjugated the local peoples. In the 1st millennium BC, the Aryans created their own state, one of the princes of which was Gautama (Buddha) - the distributor of a new religion. At the same time, India waged exhausting wars of independence, now with Persia, now with Alexander the Great. With the collapse of the Macedonian state, the Indian kingdom experienced its first flowering. By 236 BC, the great Magadhian Empire was formed, which managed to unite almost the entire territory of the modern states of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. However, already from the second century BC, the formidable empire fell into decay. A significant part of its lands was seized by neighboring states. One of them was the kingdom of the Kushans. After its collapse in the first centuries of our era, the Magadha empire began to gain strength again, which in the 4th-5th centuries already controlled most of the Hindustan peninsula ....
Popular Attractions
Tourism in India
Where to stay
Hotels in India has a standard classification - from five to two categories. In addition, here you can find quite modern and high level service hotels that are not marked with stars. As a rule, such hotels are owned by high-ranking officials or families of the highest Indian caste. In India, you can also find hotels of famous world chains, for example, Marriott, Hyatt.
As for five-star hotels, in India, these are not just beautifully furnished hotels with a high level of service, but real palaces. As a rule, such hotels are located on the coast, in the most popular places among tourists. The hotel has Ayurveda centers, yoga centers, massage services, beauty treatments, as well as numerous entertainment programs.
It is worth considering that hotels of the same category, for example, four stars, can differ significantly from each other. So, if in a hotel in one of the resort areas or located in a wealthy area big city, you will be offered really good service, clean comfortable rooms and special wellness programs, then in other cities of India the stars serve more as decoration of the facade of the hotel building. Therefore, be careful when choosing a place to stay for the night. The same applies to the category of three and two stars. Their owners may have their own concept of service, so it is better to stay in hotels that you have found positive reviews tourists who have already been there.
It is noteworthy that India is famous not only for its coast, but also for its ski resorts. In the mountains you will be offered to stay in one of the small but very cozy hotels. They will offer you good service, cozy interior and, as a bonus, excursions around the area and entertainment in the evenings.
Popular hotels
Tours and attractions in India
India is one of the most interesting Asian countries. This is the motherland ancient civilizations famous for its natural and historical riches. The mixture of different religions, cultures and traditions gives the country a special flavor and unique charm.
Of course, the "pearl" and the most famous landmark of India known to the whole world is the mausoleum-mosque of the Taj Mahal in the city of Agra. This is a magnificent structure of translucent marble, built by order of the Mongol emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his deceased wife. Agra is one of the largest tourist centers India. It is also worth visiting the majestic Fort of Agra (the residence of the Mongol rulers), the palace of Shah Jahan, the Pearl Mosque, the Tomb of Itimad-Ud-Daula, the mausoleum of Chini-ka-Rauza, the Tomb of Akbar the Great in Sikandra (a suburb of Agra), the Rambah Garden and Fatehpur Sikri .
The capital of India, Delhi (or rather, the capital is officially considered New Delhi - Delhi district) - ancient city with a colossal number of temples of all religions, each of which is a real masterpiece of architecture. The most interesting religious buildings are Lotus Temple, Lakshmi Narayan, Akshardham, Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, Qutb Minar, Jama Masjid Mosque, St. James Church and Bahai Temple. Among the main attractions of the city, it is worth highlighting the Gateway of India and the Rajpath ("royal road"), the Rashtrapati Bhavan Palace, the Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Safdarjang's Tomb, Nizamuddin Mausoleum and Lodi Gardens. In Delhi, it is also worth visiting the National Museum, the Tibetan House, the Museum of Crafts, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, the Planetarium, the National Zoo and the unique International Toilet Museum.
A popular tourist destination is the city of Mumbai (Bombay) - the largest and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in India on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Mumbai is the birthplace of Indian cinema and an important Cultural Center country. The most interesting sights are India Gate, Chhatrapati Shivaji Station (former Victoria Terminus), Jama Masjid Mosque, St. Thomas Cathedral, St. Ali, Planetarium, Prince of Wales Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, Victoria Gardens and Elephanta Island.
India is an amazing country, every corner of which is famous for its historical, cultural, architectural and natural attractions. It is impossible to list all the interesting places of this tourist paradise. Among all the variety, you should definitely visit the Golden Temple of Harmandir Sahib in the city of Amritsar, the holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges River, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds and the Amber Fort in Jaipur, Nalanda in the province of Bihar, the Mahabodhi Mandir temple in the vicinity of Kolkata, Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, the Virupaksha Temple in Hampi and the Lake Palace in Udaipur.
The natural reserves and sights of India impress with their splendor - national park Kanha, Valley of Flowers, Dudhsagar Falls in Bhagwan Mahavir Game Reserve, Anshi National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Zuari Game Reserve, Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Eravikulam National Park and of course the stunning beaches of Goa.
Indian Cuisine
Vegetable food is the basis of the nutrition of the peoples of India. Rice, corn, dal, peas, lentils and other legumes, as well as flatbreads made from lower grades of flour (chapati) and vegetables are an integral part of Indian cuisine.
Most of the inhabitants of this country do not eat meat. The exception is Muslims who eat dishes from lamb, goat, poultry. It is strictly forbidden by various religious laws and ancient customs to eat the meat of a cow and, in general, the meat of cattle. Preference is given to fish dishes (especially freshwater), as well as squid, lobster, shrimp and oyster dishes.
For Indian national cuisine characterized by the use of a large amount of garlic and pepper. The most popular condiment in India is curry, which is used in many sauces. They include red and black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nuts, mint, mustard, mayonnaise, parsley, dill, garlic, saffron, onions, tomatoes, etc. Sauces such as spicy anchar sauce, cooked from fruits and vegetables, are also common. spices, red hot masala sauce.
Indians are very fond of pilaf, boiled with legumes, and sometimes with vegetables, with the addition of a small amount of vegetable oil.
An important place in the diet is occupied by fruits: melons, dried and fresh mulberries, apricots, apples, etc.
Tea is very popular in India, which is drunk with hot milk, and milk is served separately. Drinks such as coffee, nimbu panch made from lemon juice and water, kanji made from pickled carrot juice and mustard seed, and mango juice are no less sympathetic.
Meals in India are served on a large, round tray, either copper or stainless steel. Katori are placed on the tray - metal cups for each dish, which are located at the edges of the thali, and in the center of the katori with a mandatory attribute - boiled rice.
Alcoholic beverages in India are not usually served at dinner, and food is usually washed down with cold water, which is poured into metal glasses and must be placed to the left of the hoist.
At every meal, fruits or fruit juices, spices are always put on the table.
Vegetable food is the basis of the nutrition of the peoples of India. Rice, corn, dal, peas, lentils and other legumes, as well as flatbreads made from lower grades of flour (chapati) and vegetables are an integral part of Indian cuisine....
Tips
Leave a tip only in expensive establishments. In hotels and restaurants, a service charge (10%) is often included in the bill. In more modest places, you can leave a few rupees. Doormen - 5-10 rupees. In India, baksheesh is common - an advance payment for services (for example, for baksheesh at the hotel they will find the letter you need, give you the necessary information, etc.).
Visa
Office Hours
Banks are open on weekdays from 10:00 to 14:00, and on Saturday from 10:00 to 12:00.
Souvenirs
In India, high-quality and inexpensive fabrics: silk (in Varanasi), cotton (in Rajasthan, Chenai), wool, brocade, cashmere, chiffon. Carpets are the cheapest and most common commodity in India. It is inexpensive to buy silver jewelry, precious stones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, pearl (in Hyderabad), aquamarine and moonstone.
According to tourists, the best gift from India is excellent Indian tea. And often the highlight is not in the variety - they are all excellent, but in the fact that the tea is packed in elegant satin bags.
The usual ground pepper, turmeric, saffron, cloves, cinnamon, as well as spices unknown to us, which are indispensable for curry preparation, are of excellent quality in India and, by our standards, practically free. Experienced tourists recommend trying a delicacy - cashew nuts fried with Indian pepper. Attention: spices can only be carried in those bags that you check in as baggage.
The medicine
High risk of contracting hepatitis A. Pre-vaccination is highly recommended. Avoid raw water and unpeeled fruits and vegetables.
Emergency Phones
Police - 100, fire brigade - 101, ambulance - 102.
National features of India. Traditions
Tips for women: legs should be covered with clothes, but not tight. It is not customary to hug and kiss in public. Greet by joining the fingers at the level of the forehead. Do not try to be the first to shake hands and even more so to kiss. Go around all the buildings, especially religious buildings, on the left side. If you are served tea, wait until you are invited to a tea party. If you leave, empty the cup and leave it.
Questions and opinions about India
Kerala - Q&A
Question answer
General information
Remark 1
India is one of the oldest countries on our planet. It keeps many mysteries of our earthly civilization. India is the country of ancient farmers, scientists, the land of fairy tales and fabulous riches, the pearl of the former British colonial empire. India was a British colony for $200 years. It gained independence only in $1947$. Her official name- Republic of India.
The life and work of many great people of the past are connected with India. Today India is a country of great contrasts in culture, population, economy. Let's consider the characteristics of the country in more detail.
Geographical position
India is located in South Asia, on the Hindustan Peninsula. It is washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, which belong to the Indian Ocean basin. The territory of India has a diamond shape, elongated from north to south. India is crossed by the southern tropic. In the north, the natural border of India is the Himalayan mountains.
Territory and borders
India occupies an area of $3.3 million $km^2$. From the southwest and southeast, the territory faces the Indian Ocean. In the north - the Indo-Gangetic lowland passes into the Himalayan mountains. The Deccan Plateau is located in the center of the country.
India's neighboring countries are:
- Pakistan,
- Afghanistan,
- China,
- Nepal,
- Butane,
- Myanmar,
- Bangladesh.
Remark 2
The border with Pakistan is one of the sources of international tension in this region. The question of the nationality of the states of Jammu and Kashmir, now occupied by Pakistan, remains unresolved.
The border with Afghanistan is also unfavorable (especially in the region of the state of Punjab), on whose territory the civil war continues. The borders with China and Nepal pass in the difficult conditions of the Himalayan mountains. Therefore, there are difficulties in joint economic activity. In addition, China often acts as an ally of Pakistan in conflicts.
The southern borders of the country (the coast), on the contrary, are very conducive to economic development. India is located in close proximity to the intersection of important trade routes between the countries of Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia on the one hand and the states of Southeast Asia and Australia on the other.
Form of government and state structure
The form of government of India is federal Republic. The head of state is the president. Administratively, the territorial division allocates $25$ for states and $7$ for union territories on the territory of the state. capital state is Delhi (New Delhi).
In terms of economic development, India belongs to the group developing countries. But lately, the country's economy has made important progress in the development of the most modern industries.
Remark 3
Despite international agreements, India (like Pakistan) owns nuclear weapons.
From the history of the country's development
States on the territory of the Hindustan peninsula arose in ancient times. Due to the favorable climate and fertile soils Agriculture ensured the economic development of ancient states. Alexander the Great failed in his attempt to conquer India. In the $XV$ century, Vasco da Gama announced the beginning of European colonization India. Subsequently, the entire south of Asia was captured by Great Britain.
At the beginning of the $XX$ century, the national liberation movement intensified in India. India was granted independence in $1947. But at the same time, the former British colony was divided. Instead of one state, in addition to India, West and East Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan were also formed. The division was carried out on the national and religious basis and caused political clashes and inter-ethnic conflicts. The conflict with Pakistan has not yet been resolved.
Today India is the leader of the non-aligned movement. It is pursuing a peaceful policy aimed at reducing international tension.
INDIA- a country in which there is everything: deserts and jungles, thatched shacks and maharajas' palaces, beggars and respectable businessmen, cruel puritanism and entire red-light districts, a forbidden, but still living caste system and a state structure left over from the British colonizers .
The majestic Himalayas and mysterious Tibet, the sacred river Ganges and the tropical forests of the Western Ghats, dozens of seaside resorts and the Golden Triangle, numerous monuments of past centuries and a huge number of museums - all this makes up the national pride of this country.
General information
India is located in Asia, mostly on the Hindustan Peninsula. The coast of India, whose length is more than 7 thousand km, is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean - the Bay of Bengal from the southeast and the Arabian from the southwest. The territory of India is 3.3 million km ?, according to this indicator, the country ranks seventh in the world.
Time
There is no daylight saving time. Time in India is ahead of Moscow by 1 hour 30 minutes.
Population India is over 1.21 billion people, which is one sixth of the world's population.
India is the most populated country on Earth after China.
Capital of India- New Delhi. The capital of the State of Goa is Panaji.
Major major cities
Bombay, Kolkata
Visa
A visa is required to visit the country.
Administrative division
India is a federal republic of twenty-eight states, six union territories and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. All states and the two union territories (Puducherry and Delhi National Capital Territory) have their own elected government. The remaining five union territories are administered by an administrator appointed by the central authority and are therefore under the direct control of the President of India.
Religion
About 80% of the population are adherents of Hinduism. Muslims make up 14% of the population, Christians - 2.4%, Sikhs - 2%, Buddhists - 0.7%.
More than 900 million Indians (80.5% of the population) practice Hinduism. Other religions with a significant following are Islam (13.4%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.9%), Buddhism (0.8%) and Jainism (0.4%). Religions such as Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Bahai and others are also represented in India.
Among the aboriginal population, which is 8.1%, animism is common.
Climate
In most of India, there are three seasons: hot and humid with the dominance of the southwest monsoon (June - October); relatively cool and dry with a predominance of the northeast trade wind (- February); very hot and dry transitional (March - May).
The best time to visit India is from October to May.
Cities & Resorts
Goa
North GOA
Central GOA
Kerala
Andaman Islands
Rishikesh
shimla
Agra
Varanasi
Delhi
Jaipur
Mumbai
History of India
For the first time, they learned about India when it became part of the Achaemenid state in the 6th century BC. As a satrap province, it existed until the arrival of Alexander the Great. By the way, he is the first "European" who has been here. He was attracted by stories about the fabulous treasures of this country, and after the conquest of Persia, Egypt and Asia Minor, he led his army further east. About his Indian campaign of 326 BC. written many books and materials. However, the Greeks did not last long in India. Strengthened local rulers forced them to return to the mainland. The first Russian traveler to "discover India" was Afanasy Nikitin, who ended up in the Bahmanid state on the west coast in the 15th century AD. He left a unique work "Journey beyond three seas" - sketches about culture, religion and Everyday life Indians. Thus, he dispelled many myths and tales about this region. However, after that, Russia's interest in India did not grow much.
It attracted the Europeans much more: the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and, of course, the British managed to divide the tasty morsel among themselves and organize their spheres of influence. Of course, for the most part, they siphoned off the wealth of the country, but it was thanks to them that India became widely known outside of it. The paradox is this: no country in the world has been subjected to such influence from outside and such interest from others as India. The more people learned about it, the more they dreamed of visiting.
India is also a land of contrasts. Some of the richest people in the world live here, while the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. The city of Bangalore has a Silicon Valley and Indian IT specialists are considered the best in the world, and half of the population cannot even read and write. The beauty of majestic monuments of architecture, such as the Taj Mahal, for example, is adjacent to the dirty streets and unremarkable houses of the district. When you see all this diversity, the question arises: how do they live like that? But, probably, only the Indian himself can give an answer to this, it is not easy for a Westerner to understand him.
Holidays and festivals
The festival season begins with Republic Day in Delhi and takes place each year throughout January. The celebration includes a parade of royal troops and a festive procession with elephants. Holi is one of the most important Hindu festivals and takes place in February in northern India and marks the end of winter.
November is the time for another huge and colorful festival - the Camel Parade in Pushkar. Diwali is the happiest festival of the Hindu calendar and is celebrated for more than five days in November. Confetti, colorful lanterns and fireworks are the main decorations of the holiday, held in honor of many gods.
The number of colorful folk festivals and festivities many times exceeds even the number of national holidays in the country. Every day in some locality The country necessarily hosts some kind of folklore, dance and musical performances, exhibitions, craft and culinary fairs.
The most colorful are the parade in New Delhi on the occasion of Republic Day;
Water Festival and Elephant Festival in Kerala (January);
a whole cascade of festivities during the peasant holiday of Lori (January);
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival (January);
a colorful parade of carnival cars in Madurai and Tamil Nadu (February);
yoga week in Rishikesh and Uttar Pradesh (February);
annual dance festival in Khajuraho (February);
national festival Shivratri Natyanjali (February-March);
spring festival Dulhendi (Pushpadolotsav);
spring festival Shigmo in Goa (March).
Every year on March 16 in the north of India, in the city of Jaipur, the Elephant Festival is held. Nowhere else in the world can you see so many of these giant animals gathered at the same time in one place. All of them are dressed in colorful fabrics and garlands. On the day of the holiday, tourists can see the procession of elephants marching to the music, watch elephant races or see real elephant polo sports competitions.
Documents required for the tour
Your documents for the tour are:
1. Tourist voucher - a document that establishes your right to tourist services and confirms the fact of their provision.
2. Air tickets according to the number of tourists (including children).
3. for medical care in the country of temporary residence (the list of insurance services is indicated in the text of the insurance policy).
4. with an Indian visa obtained in advance.
5. Notarized power of attorney / consent to travel abroad for children under 18 from each parent, if the child is not accompanied by them; birth certificate of the child or its notarized copy.
Consulate
Russian Embassy in Delhi
Phone: (8-10-91-11) 611-06-40(41.42); 687-38-00; fax: 687-68-23;
Email: [email protected]
