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Hyderabad
Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh (a state
in India). The city has an estimated population of 6.1
million people making it the 6th most populous
metropolis in India. Hyderabad is known for its rich
history, culture and architecture representing its
unique characteristic of a meeting point for the North
and South India, and its multi-lingual culture.
Hyderabad is one of the most developed cities in the
country and is emerging to be the information technology
(IT) and biotechnology hub of India. Hyderabad and
Secunderabad are twin cities, separated by the Jusain
Sagar, a man made lake during the time of Ibrahim Qutb
Shah in 1562. The Charminar monument, built in the
center of Hyderabad in 1591 is a must see when in
Hyderabad.
Mumbai
Once a fishing village Mumbai (formerly Bombay )
played a formative role in shaping Indias freedom. This
cluster of 7 islands (now joined by reclamation) hosted
the first Indian National Congress and was later the
venue for the 'Quit India' call given by Mahatma Gandhi
in a garden now called the "August Kranti Maidan".
Post-Independence, the last British troops left Indian
soil for England through the ceremonial archway built to
welcome King George and Queen Mary - the Gateway of
India. Today the city is a major port and the country's
premier commercial center, with one of the oldest stock
exchanges in Asia. Visit the Haji Ali mausoleum, the
tomb of a Muslim saint, floating out in the sea and
accessible only during low tide. Or join the faithful in
keeping a novena at the Mount Mary Church in Mahim.
Visit Mani Bhavan, a modest 2-storey museum dedicated to
Gandhi. Some of the finest examples of Gothic
architecture are found here in the Fort-Fountain
district, which includes the Gateway of India, Bombay
High Court, Old Secretariat, Museum, University and
Victoria Terminus.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
Delhi and Agra, India
 The
Taj Mahal, Agra
Poets have tried to illustrate its beauty in words.
Painters have drawn vibrant pictures of it. And
musicians have played to large crowds with the Taj in
the background. Termed as one of the world's seven
wonders, the Taj is a complete show-stealer. Standing
tall and proud in the city of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, it
was built in the memory of the beautiful Arjumand Bano
Begum. It is a massive mausoleum of white marble, built
in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal
emperor Shah Jahan. This universally admired
architectural wonder is the best tribute to the spirit
of love.
The Taj Mahal is ultimately the culmination of two
centuries of evolving designs of the Mughal. The
architect is lost in oblivion of the vast pages of
history written and re-written. The work on the
mausoleum started in 1633 and 20,000 workers labored for
17 years to finish this marvel. It was a joint effort of
skilled architects, stone-carvers, calligraphers, inlay
craftsmen, and masons from Persia and Turkey. Forming a
perfect cube the Taj stands in a landscaped Mughal
garden with two sandstone buildings that add up to the
beauty of the monument while the four minarets at each
corner beautifully frame the tomb. The colored inlay
brings out the sculptural work and relief carvings that
are of floral, calligraphic and geometric designs. The
nearest airport to the Taj is in Delhi. Busses are
available from Delhi to Agra.
India's temples, mosques, synagogues and shrines are
visited by thousands of travelers every year. For a
listing of religious sites in India:
http://www.incredibleindia.org/microsite/pilgrimage/index.htm
 Red
Fort, Agra
Red Fort stands tall as a testimony of the royal and
glorious Mughal era. Spreading over 94 acres of land it
is located on the right bank of the river Yamuna in the
city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh. The tall fortified walls
protect the remains of age-old Moghul architectural. The
fort encompasses many wondrous palaces, capacious
audience halls, and two spectacular mosques. As per
research and other documentation the Red Fort housed
about 5000 buildings that were built in Bengali and
Gujarati style architecture. Now only 30 Mughal
buildings tell the story of the Fort and the Moghul era.
The main attraction luring millions include Jahangir's
Palace, Shah Jahan's Khas Mahal, the Diwan-i-Khas and
the mosques.
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, New Delhi
Busses in Delhi can take you southbound to Qutb Minar.
The ruins in Qutb Minar are from the 12th century. Qutb
Minar are 72.5 metres high (237.8 ft). If youre up to
it, you can climb 399 steps straight up. Qutb-ud-din
Aybak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, tried to outdo
the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan by constructing the
mammoth work of architectural brilliance which was
completed in 1193. It is the earliest extant mosque
built by the Delhi Sultans and a monument signifying
Islam.
 Mumbai,
India
"Bollywood" is the term used to describe the film
industry based in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), which
produces about 150-200 films per year. Bollywood
shouldn't be confused with the cinema of India as a
whole - India has several film industries which produce
movies in various genres and languages. Bollywood films
are Hindi language films characterized by their songs,
lavish dance routines, glamorous stars, and sense of
melodrama.
Gateway of India, Mumbai, India
The Gateway of India is the main attraction of Mumbai
city. It was built to commemorate the visit of King
George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar in 1911.
Mani Bhawan
Mani Bhawan is one of the places to visit in Mumbai.
Presently functioning as a Gandhi memorial, it used to
be the Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It is from
this famous house No. 19, called Mani Bhawan, that
Gandhi was arrested in 1932. This two storied building
houses a reference library with over 2000 books, a photo
feature on the Mahatma's life, some memorabilia, an old
Gandhi charkha and a film and recording archive. A
minimum entry fee is required to get into the Mani
Bhawan
Goa, India
Known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise",
the state of Goa is located on the western coast of
India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The
magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural
splendors of its temples, churches and old houses have
made Goa a favorite with travelers around the world.
Beach, Goa, India
Charminar, Hyderabad, India
INDIA GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Official Country name
Republic of India
Area
3.29 million sq. km. (1.27 million sq. mi.); about
one-third the size of the U.S.
India Population
1.1 billion
Capital City
New Delhi
New Delhi Population
12.8 million
Mumbai Population
16.4 million
Language
Hindi, English, and 16 other official languages.
English is widely spoken throughout India.
Time Zone
New Delhi, India - current day and time
http://www.myworldclock.com/timezones/countries/India
Passport Requirement
U.S. citizens require a passport and visa to enter and
exit India for any purpose. Visitors must obtain visas
at an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad prior to
entering the country as there are no provisions for
visas upon arrival. Those arriving without a visa are
subject to immediate deportation. The U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S.
citizens arrive without visas.
Each visitor should carry photocopies of the face page
of the travelers U.S. passport and the page which
contains the Indian visa in order to facilitate
obtaining new U.S. passports from the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate and exit visas from the Indian government, in
the event of theft or loss of the passport.
For the most current information on entry
requirements, please contact the Embassy of India at
2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008,
telephone (202) 939-9849 or 939-9806 or the Indian
Consulate in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, or
Houston or
http://www.indianembassy.org Outside the
United States, inquiries should be made at the nearest
Indian embassy or consulate. A list of Indian consulates
and embassies can be found at
http://passport.nic.in/missions.htm.
U.S.
Department of State Travel Requirements - India
*Passport and visa required. Tourist visas require 1
application form, 2 photos, proof of sufficient funds,
onward/return ticket, and $150 fee. Visa must be
obtained before arrival. Include prepaid envelope for
return of passport by certified mail. For information
about business visas and other requirements, consult the
Embassy of India, 2536 Massachusetts Ave., NW,
Washington, DC 20008 (202/939-9806/9899) or the nearest
Consulate General: Chicago (312/595-0405), Houston
(713-626-2355), New York (212/774-0600) or San Francisco
(415/668-0683). Internet:
www.indianembassy.org.
Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond
date of intended departure from India should accompany
visa applications.
Applicants holding other than United States passports
should submit proof of long term-stay(at least three
years) / permanent residence (copy of green card) in the
United States to expedite issuance of visa. For
Applicants, who do not normally stay in U.S., references
have to be made to their country of residence for which
an additional $20 fee is applicable and will involve
five to seven days processing time after receipt in the
Consulate. Pakistani, Bangladeshi and SriLankan
nationals who are not permanent residents of U.S.A. have
to apply for visa in the country of their residence.
Application of Chinese nationals permanently resident in
the U.S. may take 1-3 months time to process depending
on the purpose of the visit.
Former Indian nationals who have recently acquired
nationality of other country are required to surrender
their Indian passport to this Consulate for cancellation
at the time of applying for an Indian visa for the first
time on their foreign passport.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to
change at short notice. You are advised to check your
entry requirements with your destination Embassy and
Consular Services:
http://www.indianembassy.org.
Visa Requirement
U.S. citizens require a passport and visa to enter and
exit India for any purpose. Visitors must obtain visas
at an Indian Embassy or Consulate abroad prior to
entering the country as there are no provisions for
visas upon arrival. Those arriving without a visa are
subject to immediate deportation. The U.S. Embassy and
Consulates in India are unable to assist when U.S.
citizens arrive without visas.
Each visitor should carry photocopies of the face page
of the travelers U.S. passport and the page which
contains the Indian visa in order to facilitate
obtaining new U.S. passports from the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate and exit visas from the Indian government, in
the event of theft or loss of the passport.
For the most current information on entry
requirements, please contact the Embassy of India at
2536 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008,
telephone (202) 939-9849 or 939-9806 or the Indian
Consulate in Chicago, New York, San Francisco, or
Houston or
http://www.indianembassy.org. Outside the United
States, inquiries should be made at the nearest Indian
embassy or consulate. A list of Indian consulates and
embassies can be found at
http://passport.nic.in/missions.htm.
Medical Visa valid for 3 entries during a 12 month
period.
Click For more information (PDF)
Tourist Visa valid for 6 months to 10 years for US
nationals only. The stay on each visit should not exceed
six months. For nationals of other countries, tourist
visa is valid from 6 months to 5 years.
Entry Visa - valid for 6 months to 5 years with
multiple entries. This visa allows stay for more than
six months and is available to people of Indian origin
or applicants having abiding reasons to visit India.
The following numbers and emails are provided
for Indian Consular/Passport/Visa queries. Hours are
9:30am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 6:00pm:
Embassy of India, Washington, DC
http://indianembassy.org/newsite/embassyholidays.asp#jurisdiction
(Consular Jurisdiction: Bermuda, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia)
Address: Consulate
General of India, 2536 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC, USA 20008.
Passport: (202) 939 9838 or (202) 939 9862. Email:
passportwashington@indiagov.org
Passport
Lost/Duplicate/Short Validity: (202) 939-9864. Email:
apandey@indiagov.org
Consulate General of India - New York
http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=40
(Consular Jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
Ohio,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgin
Islands)
Address:
Consulate General of India, 3 East 64th Street, New
York, N.Y. 10021. Phone: 212-774-0600,
212-774-0610, 212-774-0662. Fax: 212-570-9581. Email:
passport@indiacgny.org. Other telephone
numbers
are: Miscellaneous service inquiries: 212-774-0606,
Legalization/Attestation of documents:- 212-774-0667.
Consulate General of India - San Francisco
http://www.cgisf.org/
(Consular Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming).
Address:
Consulate General of India, 540 Arguello Boulevard, San
Francisco, CA. 94118 Tel. 415-668-0662,
Fax: 415-668-9764
Instructions
regarding visas
http://www.cgisf.org/visa/visa_services.html
Consulate General of India Chicago
http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/
(Consular Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Wisconsin)
Address:
Consulate General of India, 455 N. Cityfront Plaza
Drive, Suite 850, Chicago, IL 60611.
Phone: (312) 595 0405. Fax:
(312) 595 0416
Visa
Officer direct lines: 312-595-0413 ( Vice Consul ) and
312-595-0414 ( Consul ).
Consulate General of India, Houston
http://www.cgihouston.org/
(Consular Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,
Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
Texas))
Address:
Consulate General of India, Suite 600, 6th floor, 3 Post
Oak Central, 1990 Post Oak Boulevard,
Houston, Texas - 77056, Tel. 713-626-2148, Fax:
713-626-2450
Exchange Rate
Current Exchange Rate Converter
http://www.concierge.com/tools/currency
Cuisine
Food in India is wide ranging in variety, taste and
flavor. Being so diverse geographically, each region has
its own cuisine and style of preparation. Indian
cuisine, renowned for its exotic gravies seems
complicated for any newcomer. The Mughlai cuisine of
North differs sharply from the preparations of the
south. The Wazwan style of Kashmir is luxurious but the
same can be said about Bengal's Macher Jhol, Rajasthan's
Dal Bati, Uttar Pradesh's Kebabs and Punjab's Sarson Ka
Saag and Makki di Roti. In India, recipes are handed
down from generation to generation.
Water
Drink bottled water only.
Transportation
India has Asia's largest and most comprehensive
railroad lines and is one of the largest in the world as
well. The railroads are publicly controlled. Bus
companies are publicly owned and are operated by the
state. Almost 40 percent of the traffic on roads travel
via national highways, which make up about 2 percent of
India's total road length.
In 1991 domestic air service was opened to private
airlines creating competition for the publicly owned
airlines and resulting in increased air service.
Cell Phone
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Cards are available
for travelers in India. The SIM Card must be used in
conjunction with a Digital GSM mobile phone within the
900-MHz range or a Digital PCN mobile phone within the
1800-MHz range.
Telephone/Dialing Information
The international dialing code for India is 91. To
dial New Delhi from USA: 011 91 11+local number. To dial
Mumbai from USA: 011 91 22+local number
Internet Access
Many hotels offer Internet access via modem or WIFI.
Some hotels provide free WIFI Internet access for guests
using their own laptops. Fax services are also
available. Cybercafes are also becoming popular in all
major cities in India.
International Dialing Code
011 + 91 + 40 + Local Number (Calling from United
States to Hyderabad, India)
011 + 91 + 22 + Local Number (Calling from United
States to Mumbai, India)
011 + 91 + 11 + Local Number (Calling from United
States to New Delhi, India)
001 +country code +area code +number (Calling from
India to USA)
Country calling codes -
Click Here
Emergency Contacts
New Delhi : Accident & Trauma Services : 10999 ,
Ambulance : 102, Fire : 101, Police Control Room : 100,
US Embassy : (11) 419-8000
Mumbai: General Emergencies : 1020, Police : 100, Fire
: 101, Ambulance : 397 7324
US Consulate : (22) 363-3611. The U.S. Embassy
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/ in India is located
on Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 (tel.
91-11-2419-8000; fax: 91-11-24190017,
The website
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov. Embassy and consulate
working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. Visa application hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
US Department of State Emergency Services to US
citizens overseas -
Click Here
Government
President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh
According to its Constitution, India is a "sovereign,
socialist, secular, democratic republic." Like the
United States, India has a federal form of government.
However, the central government in India has greater
power in relation to its states, and has adopted a
British-style parliamentary system.
The government exercises its broad administrative
powers in the name of the president, whose duties are
largely ceremonial. A special electoral college elects
the president and vice president indirectly for 5-year
terms. Their terms are staggered, and the vice president
does not automatically become president following the
death or removal from office of the president.
India's independent judicial system began under the
British, and its concepts and procedures resemble those
of Anglo-Saxon countries. The Supreme Court consists of
a chief justice and 25 other justices, all appointed by
the president on the advice of the prime minister.
Climate
Alpine to temperate to subtropical monsoon
- India Climate and Weather
Health
Consult your doctor prior to departure. Travelers can
check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta,
Georgia. A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a
web site at
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx give the most
recent health advisories, immunization recommendations
or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water
safety for regions and countries. A booklet entitled
"Health Information for International Travel" (HHS
publication number CDC-95-8280) is available from the
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402,
tel. (202) 512-1800.
Avian Influenza Update
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsinfluenza.html
People
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.
Although India occupies only 2.4% of the world's land
area, it supports over 15% of the world's population.
Only China has a larger population. Almost 33% of
Indians are younger than 15 years of age. About 70% live
in more than 550,000 villages, and the remainder in more
than 200 towns and cities. Over the thousands of years
of its history, India has been invaded from the Iranian
plateau, Central Asia, Arabia, Afghanistan, and the
West; Indian people and culture have absorbed and
modified these influences to produce a remarkable racial
and cultural synthesis. Religion, caste, and language
are major determinants of social and political
organization in India today. The government has
recognized 18 official languages; Hindi, the national
language, is the most widely spoken, although English is
a national lingua franca.
Literacy Rate
96%
Religion
Hindu 82.41%, Muslim 12%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%,
other groups including Buddhist, Jain, Parsi 2.5%.
Currency
Rupee. Indian banknotes are issued in the following
denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 500 Rupees.
Smaller values are issued as coins, with 1 Rupee = 100 Paisa.
Credit cards are becoming increasingly acceptable in
quality shops, hotels and restaurants. Visa is the
most
useful, followed by MasterCard.
Holidays
January 1 Bakrid
January 26 Republic Day
January 30 Muharram
March 31 Mahavir Jayanti
April 1 Milad-Un-Nabi
May 2 Buddha Purnima
September 3 Labor Day
October 2 Mahatma Gandhis Birthday
October 14 Idul Fitr
October 21 Dussehra
November 9 Diwali
November 24 Guru Nanaks Birthday
December 25 - Christmas
Travel Assistance and Related Links:
American Citizen Registration
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/american_citizen_registration.html
Register online:
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs
Exchange Rate Currency Converter Calculator
http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic
US Department of State Background Notes on India
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3454.htm
CIA World Fact Book India
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/in.html
US Department of State International Travel Public
Announcements
- Click Here
US Bureau of Consular Affairs
For the
latest security information, Americans living and
traveling abroad should regularly
monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs
Internet web site at
http://www.travel.state.gov,
For additional information on international travel
Click Here.
Emergency
information concerning Americans traveling abroad may be
obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747
toll free in the U.S. and Canada or the regular toll
line 1-202-501-4444 for callers outside U.S. and Canada.
US Department of State
International Travel Information
US Department of State
Consular Information Sheet - India
Alpine Holidays N Adventures Mr. Deepak Ganjoo can
assist with your India Tours -
Visit Website
Incredible India Mumbai Information -
http://www.indiatravelog.com/mumbai/
India related links
Ministry of Tourism - India
http://www.incredibleindia.org/
Ministry of Tourism Government of Inida
http://www.tourisminindia.com/indiathedestination/index.htm
India Background Information
LonelyPlanet
National Geographic
India
Wikipedia India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India
Tripadvisor Geographica India
http://www.geographia.com/india/
Travel Images India
http://www.travel-images.com/india.html |
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