Politics and Currency

The Indian rupee is the official currency of India. The modern rupee is subdivided into 100 paise. Banknotes of denominations 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupees and coin of denominations 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paise as well as 1, 2, 5 and 10 rupees are available. One rupee is about 50 US dollars. Tourists are strongly advised to exchange currency and travelers checks only at banks or certified exchange points. The easiest way is to do it right at the airport. Traveler’s checks in Indian currency can be purchased at the State Bank of India.

If you are carrying a sum of U.S. $ 10 000 and above (cash or traveler’s checks), it must be declared when crossing borders.

Visa, Passport, and Customs

Visas are issued at consular department of the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The requirements for Indian visa include the following; original invitation, passport, 2 photographs, 2 copies of the completed questionnaire in English, a return ticket. Visa is issued within 1-2 days and the consular fee is $ 40.

Time

The Clock in India is two and half hours ahead of Moscow time.

Geography

India is a country in the central part of south Asia with a total land area of 3,287,263 square kilometers. India is bounded to the southwest by the Arabian Sea, to the southeast by the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean to the south. India shares borders with Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The Ganges is the longest river originating in India and forms the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The Ganges-Brahmaputra system occupies most of northern, central and eastern India, while the Deccan Plateau occupies most of southern India. Along its western frontier is the Thar Desert, which is the seventh-largest desert in the world.

History

The people of India have had a continuous civilization since 2500 B.C., when the inhabitants of the Indus River valley developed an urban culture based on commerce and sustained by agricultural trade. This civilization declined around 1500 B.C., probably due to ecological changes.

During the second millennium B.C., pastoral, Aryan-speaking tribes migrated from the northwest into the subcontinent. As they settled in the middle Ganges River valley, they adapted to antecedent cultures.

The political map of ancient and medieval India was made up of myriad kingdoms with fluctuating boundaries. In the 4th and 5th centuries A.D., northern India was unified under the Gupta Dynasty. During this period, known as India’s Golden Age, Hindu culture and political administration reached new height.

Islam first came to India in the eighth century, and by the 11th century had firmly established itself in India as a political force; the North Indian dynasties of the Lodhis, Tughlaqs, and numerous others, whose remains are visible in Delhi and scattered elsewhere around North India, were finally succeeded by the Mughal empire, under which India once again achieved a large measure of political unity.

The European presence in India dates to the seventeenth century and it is in the latter part of this century that the Mughal Empire began to disintegrate, paving the way for regional states. In the contest for supremacy, the English emerged ‘victors’, their rule marked by the conquests at the battlefields of Plassey and Buxar.

The Rebellion of 1857-58, which sought to restore Indian supremacy, was crushed; and with the subsequent crowning of Victoria as Empress of India, the incorporation of India into the empire was complete. Successive campaigns had the effect of driving the British out of India in 1947.

Climate

India extends from the soaring Himalayas to the Indian Ocean coast, encompassing half a dozen climatic regions. Generally, the country has a tropical climate, dominated by monsoons, heat and humidity. Tropical hurricanes and cyclones are also part of the general weather outlook in the middle and end of the year, especially on the coast. The tourist season lasts from October to March, and the best time to travel to India is considered to be November and December.

Population

India is the second most populous country in the world with over 1.18 billion people.

Attractions

India is possibly the most thrilling tourist destination of them all. It contains an astounding diversity of people, landscapes, sights and sounds. From lush jungles to sun-bleached deserts, from soaring mountain peaks to golden beaches, India has something to offer all her visitors.

Famous sights such as the Taj Mahal, Amber Palace and old Goa seldom fail to instill a sense of wonder in visitors, while the modern face of India evident in the crowded cities and chaotic traffic are also thrilling. It is the people, however, that live longest in the memory. They are renowned for their warm welcome, engaging conversation and obsessive-compulsive love of bargaining.

Visitors seem to be divided between those on organized tours, seeking to make the most of their time in relative comfort, and backpackers on 9 month visas and flexible agendas. Despite recent incidents in Mumbai, India is one of the safest countries to visit, and it remains one of the best values.

India’s vibrant culture remains distinctive and unique despite years of colonial and western influence. One reason for this is the centrality of religion to Indian life so that wherever you go the sacred and profane exist side by side, in perfect harmony. The key to enjoying India is to have an open mind and an open heart, a good dose of Imodium.

Cuisine

Indian cuisine is characterized by the use of various spices, herbs and other vegetables. There is this saying that Indian food and chilies go hand in hand. Each family of Indian cuisine includes a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. As a result, it varies from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the ethnically-diverse Indian subcontinent.

Banks

Banks generally work on weekdays from 10:00 to 14:00 and Saturday – 10:00 to 12:0. Visitors are advised to carry cash because it only in big banks such as Thomas Cook and American Express that preference is given to checks. Also Credit cards have limited circulation; it’s only in the capital and in major resort areas.

Holidays and Festivals