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Business Visa Application: Necessary Requirements in India

India is emerging as a vast business sector not just for now but, for the future as well which has ended up it in making a hub for foreign nationals.  This fact truly makes us believe in the growing tourism of India but, that’s not everything they are for, even the business opportunities have started attracting and grabbing the attention of foreign nationals from every corner in the world. In case you are a prestigious businessman planning your next business trip to India, this blog will definitely take you to some of the important facts related to all Indian Visa Application requirements for a Business visa.

Validity of Visa

The first and foremost thing to know about your business visa is its validity as stated by the consulate. Your visa validity is mentioned near the date of expiry on your visa and if your passport expires after 4 years and you request for a 10-year visa, the consulate will first match your validity date with the expiration date. Keeping this in mind, select the appropriate validity of your visa or else, it may cause trouble for you.

Passport

It is mandatory to present your actual signed passport with a copy of your personal information attached to it. Also, you cannot present any invalid documents as passports that are valid for six months beyond the validity of visa are accepted. Carrying at least two blank pages for the visa stamp is highly recommended and it shouldn’t be torn, frayed, or has folded in any way.

Photographs

There is also a special criterion for attaching photograph and, any person who violates the terms may find their application rejected no matter if you are placing an India Visa Application Online.

The photographs should be printed on high-quality photo paper and, taken within the last two-three months prior to the application.

The size should be two inches by two inches against a completely white background.

A full-frontal view should be clear including your head and face with the head in middle and presenting a non-smiling expression on your face.

Wearing headwear and eyeglasses is no way required as long as you are wearing it for any religious purpose.

Your photograph should not present any mark or evidence of staples or adhesive tapes.

Driving License

Attaching a copy of your driving license comes under one of the formalities while you apply for an Indian Business visa. The copy must show your detailed address as specified in the visa application form. Also, it is essential to present an address proof that matches your address marked in the application form.

Certificate of Incorporation

Your business travel to India certainly means you are going to find a growing business opportunity and a company in India has invited you to mark the appearance at the organization. The consulate only needs proof of this which is why presenting the Certificate or Letter of Incorporation from the company that has invited you to India is mandatory.

Business Cover Letter

Just like presenting the inviting company’s proof, you have to also show proof of the company you are working in currently. This makes you present a Business Cover Letter from the company in your country stating the address of the same.

Letter of Invitation

Without presenting the letter of invitation your business travel can completely get ruined. Make note that the company inviting you to their country is responsible for presenting the invitation letter and must complete the following requirements.

Request the identical visa validity as specified on Business Introduction Letter.

Letter of Invitation should be written on company letterhead.

State the local address and contact number of the company.

Should follow the same format in the invitation letter as specified in the sample invitation letter.

Should be signed with the name of the authority.

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What You Should Know When You Apply for an Indian Visa?

The foreign nationals need to apply for a visa before traveling to India. It means that applying for an Indian visa is an essential part of planning any trip to India. The process of applying for an Indian Visa can sometimes be a little confusing and time consuming so, you need to clearly follow the instructions.

There are two main options you need to consider when applying for an Indian visa if you are only visiting India for up to 60 days or two months, you can apply online for an E visa, or if you need longer you’ll have to send your passport to apply for a longer term visa. The beneficial thing about the e-Visa is that you can apply online from anywhere in the world so, if you are traveling you can apply for an Indian visa.

The initial step is to choose the right visa, as there are various types of visa available for foreign nationals. These are beneficial as they provide them the opportunity to travel on the right type of visa and for the right purpose. After that, you need to complete the online Indian Visa Application form. The form seems easy enough and filling all the details is necessary, but a simple mistake can lead to your application being rejected. It means you can lose your application fee, and you must start the process over again which can be time confusing so, it’s best to get it right the first time.

Indian Visa Application:

After filling all the necessary items, start the online process. It may take some time, especially as you might have to answer similar questions a couple of times. It is necessary for every individual to apply for their application independently.

Where & How to Apply for an Indian Visa Online?

The application process for getting an Indian visa is outsourced to private processing agencies in most countries. The citizen needs to submit their application to the relevant agency.

But, when you apply for an Indian Visa, you first need to complete an online application form. It is necessary to carefully check the tips and instructions for completing the Indian Visa Application form to avoid rejection. The applicant needs to print and manually submit the application form to the processing center, either by mail or in person. You need to submit your passport and, it will be returned to you by courier if you elect not to pick it up.

General Information for Visa Application:

The guidelines which an applicant must follow for getting your Indian Visa approved is to be completely honest. Even if you don’t know the right suitable Visa for you, you should be honest with your purpose of visit and other details, then the authorities will help you and, do their best to provide you with the right Visa.

If, in case you are a dual citizen of another country and hold another passport, you will need to list this passport details such as passport number, country, and dates of validity.

It is necessary to follow the instructions as you select each item from the provided drop-down menus. These drop-downs and questions are straightforward even though, repetitive. Many questions including whether any of your parent or grandparent are from Pakistan or your job is related to media, journalism, or the army. So, an affirmative answer to any of these questions might require you to apply for a different visa.

The applicant should be careful while filling the visa information. It is necessary to fill the full name and, applicants are encouraged to fill in FULL NAME at both contact information and applicant’s details. Besides, it is crucially essential that the applicant double check the visa application before confirming to finish India online visa application form.

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Indian Visa Application: Everything an NRI Should Know

Has it been a lot of years when you saw old friends and your relatives? Have you ever thought of returning back to your own country? The place where you can find your old memories back, i.e., India. It really feels like home when you are traveling to India. The culture, traditions, festivals and everything remain the same after years also.

It may be a long time when you have gone abroad for studies or higher studies. People get busy after leaving the country for learning and earning. Eventually, tends to forget the place where they were born and brought up. Then, this is the time to return back to the place where you belong.

There are a lot of things that you should take in consideration when you make up your mind for India. To get an Indian e-visa, there are formalities that you have to complete. There can be any reason for coming back to India. It always welcomes you. But there are certain formal procedures that one has to go through. So, now here is what exactly you need to have knowledge of.

Plan a shift

To plan a shift, there are little challenging things for you to take notice of. The first thing will be your residency status. It may depend on how you can be taxed. It depends on whether your stay India will be for settling permanently or for some days.

On what aspects your residency status is actually decided?

It can be divided into the categories below:

Non-Resident (NR)

Resident and ordinarily resident (ROR)

Resident but not ordinarily a resident (RNOR)

According to these residency statuses, it is decided about your tax imposition depending on your global income. When you come to India, it is necessary that you know that you will have to pay the income tax.

Remember that your residential status changes when the year changes. Hence, for every year the status is different.

You may be puzzled of whether you become a resident or a non-resident. So, to understand this, you must know that it depends on the number of days you stay here in India.

If you stay 182 days or more than that in a financial year, you become a resident.

Or

And if you stay for 60 days or more and a year or more in the last 4 financial years, you become a resident (This does not apply on the citizens of India or person having parents or grandparents of India or the person who has gone for job purpose.)

To know if your residency status is ROR or RNOR, you must know

You have lived here for a minimum of two years from the last 10 financial years.

Or

You have stayed for 730 days or more in the last 7 financial years.

For a ROR, the above two things must be there. And for RNOR, the above conditions must not be true or even any one condition does not follow, then you fall under RNOR.

Ensure your Health policies

If you come from a country where you have all the insurance and health covers, may not work for India. So, before you come for a long-term settlement to India you must look for the companies which would cover your health issues. You may find this hard to digest that coming to your own country is a tough task but this is among the crucial things you should consider before coming to India.

The way you work to get an Indian e visa online, you must do it for your health cover too.

Investment and settlement

One of the requisites, that you consider for a future settlement is buying a property in your name. But one should go after this kind of investment when you have already stayed in India for some years. You may seek a different kind of problems as the market for such property investment is at a higher risk of loss.

So better live in the house on rent, if you are a novice. Before a settlement in India make sure you have allies in your connection in India.

Hence, these are some of the things that Indians living outside the country i.e. NRI, must know when they apply for a tourist visa or an Indian visa online.

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Indian Visa- The Involved Procedure

The prevalence of diverse tourist spots, educational opportunities, business prospects, and medical solutions have significantly increased foreign traffic in India in the last decade. To enter Indian territory it is mandatory for foreign nationals to hold an Indian visa duly approved by the ministry of home affairs. Possession of a valid visa along with an international passport permits the entry and stay in India for a specific period of time.

Although there are some nations citizens of which are not entitled to obtain an Indian visa to travel to India such as Nepal and Bhutan. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are free to move into and out of India for an unlimited duration of time. People holding the citizenship of Maldives can travel to India without a visa but can stay for not more than ninety days only.

People who have the possession of Overseas Indian Citizenship are exempted from the law of Indian visa because Overseas Citizen of India certificate holder is treated as an Indian citizen. However, citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, mainland China, or Pakistan cannot have the possession of Overseas Indian Citizen certificate and to visit India they will need to acquire a visa as a compulsion. Whereas citizens of Japan and South Korea can obtain the visa on the date of arrival in any of the city whether Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, or Hyderabad.

The acquisition of an Indian visa has been made easy in the last decade. Successive amendments in Indian visa policy by the government of India have made the procedure to obtain the visa hassle-free. The selection to go for whether a regular visa or an E-Visa depends on the required duration of stay in India. The e-visa scheme was earlier known as ETA which is short for Electronic Travel Authorization in 2014 but renamed in November 2017.

An e-visa is valid for only sixty days and anyone willing to stay for more than sixty days can apply for a regular visa whose validity extends from six months to five years or to ten years and in some exceptional cases, it can also be valid for 12 months. The traveler can enjoy a double entry on a tourist e-visa and business e-visa and a triple entry on a medical e-visa in a single year. On a conference e-visa, one can stay for not more than thirty days in India and is allowed a single entry in a year. Any foreign national having the possession of regular Indian visa can make multiple entries and exits. The holder of regular visa shall be allowed to stay in the country for not more than ninety days at a time and with a gap of at least two months can revisit the country.

The applicants can apply for Indian visa online through the online e-visa portal. All the necessary instructions are given there regarding the eligibility and required documents. Applicants should apply for an Indian visa by submitting the required documents electronically at least four days prior to the date of arrival but not more than 120days. For obtaining a regular visa, applicants need to fill the printed application form duly attached with all the necessary documents and submit it personally or by post to the designated visa service provider. The application should be submitted at least four days prior to the date of issue.

E-Visa is sent via mail within seventy-two hours after the application is submitted and payment is made. The applicant can get the e-visa printed and carry it while traveling to India along with two photographs and an international passport which holds the validity of at least six months and have two blank pages. Payment should also be paid at least four days prior to the date of arrival and make sure that the unsuccessful attempts do not exceed three as it may lead to the blocking of application id. The waiting period for a regular visa is a little longer, which may extend from two working days to two months because it is sent via post.

Note that, possession of just visa does not allow entry to protected areas. Protected areas are those having security concerns for foreigners, where entry is prohibited for their safety. One can apply for a Protected Area Permit (PAP) while on the tour and before entering the protected area and carry it along with the visa and passport.

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Reasons Why Tourist Love Travelling India

What can be better than visiting India, the land of contrasts? The only reason why India is famous amongst the nationals is the richness in its heritage and the diversity in culture. While you plan your travel to India and apply for Indian visa online, don’t miss a chance of getting a better view of India. From the best places for the hangout to the best foods to eat, try to have a closer look at the life in India and, you will be ready for it. Meanwhile doing this you will end up in a situation feeling what makes India a center of attraction for travelers. To help you get over this here are the reasons why you and every foreigner visiting India would love to be here:

Cultural Variations

When a tourist visits from Goa and plans to visit other regions of the country, they are introduced by the culture clash. Not only the southern and northern part is different, but you will observe great variations in each state. You will see a great variation in class at a point you can see people living in a beautiful palace like homes and other side homeless people without even shelter. So, be prepared to see such things. The differences are huge that it is impossible to compare.

Lip-Smacking Food

The Indian food is served in almost every part of the world. If you like the taste of food served in another country, you tried then come and taste the original Indian food. You will surely observe a great difference in the food you tried in India to the one served in the western world. I can bet that you will love the taste. Dishes choices are so many that there are good chances of getting confused. At the time of traveling suddenly, you will observe heavy aroma coming from restaurants and food stalls which is so attractive that you may end eating them all. Every place you will visit has its own food specialty and taste so good that I even can’t explain.

Beauty of Nature

The natural beauty of India that will refresh your soul and touches your heart. A beauty that will give you inner peace. Starting from the Himalayas to Kerala, you will fall in love again. Wildlife centuries, forest, river, waterfalls, and mountains are so beautiful that is beyond your imagination. Staying a night or spending a day in houseboats will remove all your stress. Experience bike riding in Rishikesh is something adventurous. What I feel is that this type of beauty you should see once in your life.

Pocket-Friendly

Traveling to India is cheap. Also, the fall in rupee value has now made travel cheaper. Just by spending a few nuts you can travel a large part very easily. As little as 100 dollars can cover about monthly charges, good food is served in peanuts. Starting from yoga classes to travel and the food they all are unbelievably cheap. If you are from a rich country this could be one of your cheapest trips ever. Living locally and experiencing street food has made travel so affordable. Visitors get attracted because traveling is so cheap.

Taj Mahal

Mainly people come to visit the see the beauty of Taj Mahal located in Agra. They get so attracted by the fact that it was built by Shah Jahan for his lovable wife Mumtaz. The Mahal is preserved in such a manner that its beauty still attracts so many people. When you visit here, I am sure you will understand the meaning of love. To make your travel complete it is basic to travel to India. The white marble is so beautiful that you can’t take your eyes off. This place is one of the seven worlds of wonders. I ensure you once you get to know the history you can’t stop yourself from making a visit to Agra.

Masala Chai

You will surely observe many tea vendors. Try for once and slowly you will end up having the addiction like drugs. It is so refreshing and easily available that you can’t stop yourself from purchasing. People are crazy for tea that they can’t start there day without it. Trying this for once is basic and I’m sure you will fall in love with it. Apply for Indian visa so to experience the beauty of India.

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What Makes Travelling to India So Different

There is something magical about India which attracts so many foreigners every year. Not only the famous places in India but, also the hospitality, food, positive vibes of religion and traditions keep you interested. Staying with local people and traveling on street roads via public transport, is something worth experiencing while you are on your tour to India. Making memories for a lifetime is sure to leave you in awe, especially the people here. In case you are applying for Indian e-visa online, be ready for some incredible sights coming your way. The listed items below will give you an idea about all the things that make traveling to India a lot more different yet amazing.

Pocket-Friendly Trip

People generally think that they will not be able to get a comfortable stay, rather only pollution and dirt but, that’s not true. It absolutely depends upon you and your budget. The more you will spend, the higher the luxuries you will get. These hotels won’t be going to charge big comparatively. A drop-in rupee value will make your trip cheaper than usual.

Hospitality offered

For Indians, the guest is the second name of God. You might be shocked to hear that, but this is the truth. Surely, you can’t think of hospitality you going to experience. Due to the increasing popularity, you will get many new things to experience. What I suggest you should add this to your bucket list. Staying with local people will give memories and help you built new relations.

Indian Spirituality

India can give you experience that inspires you and refreshes your soul. Many tourists come to learn yoga, meditate and stay in the ashram. You can be one of them. Another experience that you will cherish for your life will be attending evening aarti along with the Ganga river at Rishikesh, Haridwar or Varanasi. This type of purity can’t be seen anywhere else. The sound of aarti will be going to touch directly your heart and give you a strong positive vibe.

Beauty of Architecture

One of the most important things for which attracts so many visitors is monuments, sculptures, and architecture. There are so many monuments spreads across the country that you can’t even cover in one single trip. Starting from white marble of Taj Mahal to Red Fort in Delhi, from the beauty of Udaipur to temples in Kerala. These places are maintained with special care and still their beauty is preserved. All of them have a beautiful history that is unforgettable. Once you will listen to the stories you will surely fall in love.

Food and Spices

In the beginning, you may find difficult to adjust with Indian food but once you get used to it you will become foodie like Indians. India consists of about 29 states and each state has its own specialty in food. You may get shocked but that’s the reality. Starting from north to south India is a place full of foodie people. You really need to taste street food and other regional food offered. Some of them are dosa, puri, cholle bathure, bada pav etc.

Shopping is fun

Every tried bargaining? If no, then you are surely missing out fun. India is full of colours. You will get something new to purchase every state you visit, and this will make you craze for sure. Roam around the streets and get the chance to explore local markets. These markets are full of colourful items that will attract you and end up making a lot of items to purchase. Every region is beautiful in its own way. Try wearing traditional Indian attires that attract you the most. Picking up one would be difficult to choose.

Exploring the Himalayas

Star attracts of the Himalayas is something incredible. Bike rides on hills under a beautiful blanket of stars and river coming along is something dreamy. Try this adventurous ride. Try doing other activities like trekking, river rafting etc in Rishikesh. You will be going to love this beautiful movement. This is something you should never miss. Try having a good time in the Himalayas. As now the government has introduced Indian e-visa which has made getting visa easier. Why wasting time thinking of traveling. Apply for e-visa online and visit as soon as possible.

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Indian Tourist Application to Witness the Magnificent Fusion of Colors

From the mighty Himalayas to the extreme southern end, India is housed with divine creations and colorful places chanting the song of awe-inspiring pulchritude. The rich history of India is making it the most sought-after destination in the world. When it comes to comparing the tourist stats, it finds a place at a top spot in the list of countries with a high number of tourist visitors.

But what makes “India” the place to make a tour of. Let’s take a deeper analysis of it.

Today, be it business purposes or with a motive of visiting a tourist destination, the influx of visitors to different countries have become rampant. In order to make the visit safe and negate all the problems while dealing with the authorities reading unauthorize entry, Visa is the legal document you would definitely need. And when it comes to visiting India, it is no different. You could apply for Indian Visa application online and avail yourself the opportunity to see some of the wonderful places that India is endowed with. Following are some of the places you need to visit upon arriving here.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple: “Treasures found in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple”. Back in 2011, the news read like this. Heard of it? This very temple grabbed the attention of everyone throughout the world. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, this temple is built in intricate Kerala and Tamil style. This temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and built with the purpose of spreading the word for the promotion and development of Vaishnavism. Every day devotees converge here for worship and shower the offerings. Due to the excavation of treasures, this temple was closed for sometimes. Today, as this enigmatic temple remains a mystery to every everyone, there has not been a hiatus in the movement of devotees on daily basis. As India stands as a symbol of spirituality and cultural ethnicity, the visit to such temple, not only by Indians but also people around the world, is not a surprise.

Sarnath: Buddhism or Gautam Buddha, who does not know about him. With just ten miles away from Deer Park in Sarnath, Lord Buddha had his Dharma taught and inculcated with divine knowledge as we know today. Since then, this place has been sacrosanct. Apart from that, Sarnath is also famous for Jainism as well. As this place holds such spiritual significance, it’s a must on the part of the visitors to make a tour of this place. In the present spectrum, the popularity of Buddhism and Jainism is not a recent phenomenon. And with the inflated number of followers of these religions around the world, such stunning place demand a must visit.

Ajmer Sharif Dargah: This shrine was built for the purpose of promoting Islam. The inside hall of this shrine contains the grave of the revered saint Moinuddin Chishti, who is otherwise known as Gharib Nawaz, literally stands as the “Benefactor of Poor”. Today, this place has become a spiritual hub for people looking to attain eternal peace. Apart from that, the Moghul architecture and creative artworks did on the walls of such a place, gravitates many.

Nowadays, the importance of Indian Tourist Visa has gone many strides. With easy Visa approval process and an astounding sixty days expiry period, this is tour would let you have the experience of a lifetime. But before that, there are some requisites you need to fulfill also.

At the end of the day, all you need to do is apply for Indian Visa application online and meet the requirements for expediting the approval process. However, it is necessary on the part of all the foreign nationals to hold valid international travel document in the form of passport along with the approved Visa before making the entry.

As Indian Visa Application has become the legal document for visiting India, upon arriving you will be amazed by the beauty and the fusion of colors it is known to poses.

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Places You Must Visit on a Short Trip to India

India, the seventh largest country in the world, often gets travellers confused between where to go and where not to. With numerous places spread all across India where you can go for chilling, meditating, adventure sports, and revering, it’s pretty hard to select only a bunch of them for your tour.

Even though you can travel to far off places in the south such as Andaman and Nicobar island or to the north-east towards Shillong or Gangtok, there are some places around Delhi which are easier and faster to reach. These include:

1. Taj Mahal, Agra: One of the seven wonders in the world, Taj Mahal is the most famous tourist destination in India. The mausoleum which Shah Jahan built for his wife Mumtaz Mahal epitomises the Mughal architecture and is known around the world as the “Symbol of Love”. Situated in the historical city of Agra, Taj Mahal translates to “Crown of Palaces” in the Persian language. The unexplainable beauty of Taj Mahal attracts around 7 to 8 million users annually. Seeing the glorious monument with the first ray of sunlight is a heavenly experience as the white-marbled structure escalates all your emotions. Completed in 1653, it took almost 17 years in building Taj Mahal, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site. The monument beautifully reflects Mumtaz’ changing moods, as it takes a pinkish hue in the morning, milky white in the evening, and turns golden at night with the showering moonlight.

2. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, in 1799, the Mahal’s original purpose was to keep the women of the royal family hidden whilst they enjoyed the ongoing festivals from the inside. It gets its name ‘Palace of Winds’ due to the 953 windows (Jharokhas) of the Mahal, specially constructed to let in the cool breeze to keep the Palace comfortable in the summer season. What makes Hawa Mahal so interesting is the fact that it is the tallest building in the world without a foundation. The structure of the building resembles the crown of Hindu god Krishna, beautifully showing the artistic brilliance of Rajput architecture. Observe all the five floors of the Mahal, each designed with uniquely decorated chambers. You can also enjoy a stupendous view of the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the ever-busy Siredeori Bazaar.

3. Fatehpur Sikri, Agra: Home to Jodha Bai’s Palace, Jama Mosque, Buland Darwaza, and the tomb of Salim Chisti, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Akbar’s architectural finesse. The UNESCO world heritage site, which was once the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar’s empire, is a famous tourist attraction which provides a perfect blend of religiousness and serenity. When you visit Fatehpur Sikri with an Indian tourist visa, turn to the locals to seek the facts and history associated with the ‘City of Victory’. Make sure to click photographs of the fascinating infrastructure of the city which includes the Anup Talab, Panch Mahal, and the Diwan-i-Khas. As it was the capital of Akbar’s empire for 15 years, it is an ideal place to learn about the traditions and culture of Mughals.

4. Golden Temple, Amritsar: One of the most spiritual places of India, the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine in Sikhism. The religious fervour of this temple is impossible to explain in words. Situated in Amritsar, not far away from Delhi, it is a meditational retreat for travellers seeking tranquility and spirituality. Even after facing several attacks by other ethnic groups, the Golden Temple remains intact and functional thanks to the multiple repairs by the Sikhs, making it even more beautiful with every renovation. The Golden Temple also organizes the largest “langar” in the world every day, feeding approximately 40,000 people daily for free! The astonishing figure rises to 1,00,000 people on religious holidays and weekends. Such an incredible feat is only possible due to the massive donations and the dedication and hard work of the volunteers. All the visitors attending the free “langar” have to sit on the floor which symbolizes the central Sikh doctrine’s principle of the equality of all people irrespective of their caste, status, wealth, and creed. In your visit to the Golden Temple, you can also volunteer for serving food, cleaning utensils and preparing dishes in the langar.

If you intend to stay in India for a longer period, you can also visit other famous significant places such as Goa, Ooty, Puducherry, and many more. So, what are you waiting for? Apply for Indian Visa Online and explore the beautiful country to your heart’s extent!

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Things to Know about Indian e-Visa

People planning to visit India needs a visa from an Indian diplomatic committee unless they come from one of the visa-free countries or a country whose citizens obtain a visa on arrival or an Indian e-Visa online. The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) service became operational for 40 eligible countries, including those which are eligible for visa on arrival. ETA is a kind of visa issued for tourism, visiting friends or family, short duration medical treatment and, business tours. The scheme was renamed to e-Tourist Visa and, then e-Visa with three sub-categories: e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa, and e-Medical Visa.

Although, an application for e-Visa should be given in advance which is valid for 60 calendar days from the date of arrival. On e-Tourist Visa and, e-Business Visa, double entry is available as well as the Triple entry is available for e-Medical Visa. One cannot extend the duration of stay. Also, the fees are divided into four slabs depending on the nationality.

 What is Indian e-Visa?

Indian e-Visa is an electronic authorization to travel to India for the different reasons as per the need of the tourist. It is an official document which allows entry into the country as well as one can also travel within India.

One thing you should also keep in mind that while applying, it is not necessary to submit passport and, other documents. It is an online process and, through Visa Central the applying process becomes easy. The applicants can receive their visas through email only after filling the application form with the necessary information and, details. Once the online card payment is completed, the applicant can get his Visa at the comfort of his home. The e-Visa approval will be issued in advance electronically before your departure for India, at the immigration checkpoint the original visa is placed inside their passport.

In 2014, the Government of India introduced an online tourist Visa with a vision to promote tourism industry. Due to which, travelers no longer have to visit the embassy to get their visa. At present, there are more than 160 countries from which tourists can apply their Visa depending on the motive of their visit. By using the e-Visa program travelers can apply, pay an online fee and, receive their electronic visa online while being staying at home.

Instructions and Requirements for India e-Visa:

The Indian Tourist e-visa allows for two entries into the country. Despite that, it is significant to note the Indian Tourist e-visa can be used a maximum of two times in a year.

Indian Tourist e-visa is valid for one twenty days. If one applies outside the validate days, it provides a unique service that ensures the application goes through on the correct date. The visitor can stay in the country for not more than 60 days. They must carry a copy along with them at the time of travel.

The Indian Tourist e-Visa allows entry through 26 designated Airports and, five designated Seaports. Though, travelers can exit from any of the authorized Check Posts. The visa is also not -extendable.

A passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. Also, the applicants must arrive using the same passport with which they applied for the Tourist e-Visa. The applicant’s passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer. For International Travelers, they must have a return ticket or onward journey ticket.

The E-Visa services involve an online application for which means there is no facility required by any intermediary or an agent. One should not share one’s personal information with any unauthorized website as it may lead to personal date piracy. You can also visit the authorized website of Government of India for any service or clarification.

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Types of Indian Visas You Never Heard Of

India, known for its authentic culture and nature’s delight attracts thousands of tourists from around the world. Coming to India has not been as easy as it is now, the Indian Visas are now easy to get. Last year, the Indian Government made some necessary changes in the kinds of visas offered to the nationals. However, there are still people who never heard of such Visa options the Indian government offered, to them this blog will turn out to be the best. Here are options of Indian Visas outlined together that you might haven’t heard of:

Tourist Visa

The first and foremost type that everybody knows of, is a Tourist Visa. India, being the country of distinct and unique cultures has a lot to offer to the nationals coming from around the world. However, there are times when the tourist visas are given for more than six months but, it all depends upon the nationality of the tourist.

Transit Visa

Transit visas are for short intervals of time granted to people for spending less than 72 hours of time. This type of visa needs a confirmed airline booking to show and is only valid until 3 days for direct transit entry and 15 days from the date of issue.

Entry (X) Visa

This type of Visa can be taken up by the foreigner having Indian origin and, this visa is not subject to the gap of two months. People taking up visas like this cannot work in India. The X-Visa holders don’t require to leave every six months and can get an extension in India.

Medical Visa

This visa is granted for quick treatments like an organ transplant, heart surgery, neurosurgery, joint replacement, plastic surgery or any urgent treatments. The person accompanying the patient is issued with Medical Attendant Visas.

Employment Visa

This kind of Visa is issued to the foreigners who are working in India for any specified term as per the contract or a period of one year. This requires proof of employment like the terms and conditions in the contract.

Research Visa

This visa has a lot of requirements before it gets issued. The research visa takes three long months to get approved from the Department of Education, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Intern Visa

This visa is for nationals pursuing internship program in India. The visa is valid until the internship period gets over and depends on the terms of contract. This kind of visa cannot be converted into Employment Visa or any other types of Visa.

Film Visa

Film Visas are issued to people filming a commercial or a TV show in India. The F-Visa application takes 60 days to get processed and goes around The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The visa’s validity is for one year.

Student Visa

Foreigner students who seek to study in India for long-term courses are issued with Student Visa. Courses like Vedic Culture, Indian System, Yoga Study, Music, and Dance are most of the reasons why people come with a student visa. Necessary documents that are required as proof are the student registration papers. The validity can be extended as per the course plan.

Journalist Visa

This type of visa is for professional photographers and journalists. This type of Visa can be issued by any journalist wanting to meet a person. The duration allowed with the journalist visa is 3 months and comes under one of the toughest Visas to obtain. Even if you want to film an advertisement or a documentary you have to first apply for Journalist visa.

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Bollywood Tours in Mumbai

Bollywood is the bright, musical, over-the-top and so-much-fun world of Indian film. India is a land that is obsessed with film and has been producing movies for over 100 years. It is crucial to your experience of India to watch some of these fabulously dramatic films on the big screen. Even better, go on a Bollywood tour—or better yet, get cast as an extra!

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Mumbai Film City

Home to Bollywood’s Film City, no visit to Mumbai is complete without a tour around the epicenter of the burgeoning Indian film industry. Film City was built by the Maharashtra state government in 1977 to help the Bollywood film industry flourish and seeing as how more than 100 films a year are produced here, it’s Ok to assume the plan was a success. Officially renamed Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari in the year 2001 to commemorate the founder of Indian film Industry, Dadasaheb Phalke, it is still commonly known as Film City.

The sprawling complex covers nearly 350 acres and comes fully equipped with almost 20 indoor studios, as well as outdoor settings for filming. The “city” includes gardens, a courthouse, a lake, temple and church for shooting purposes. There is even a manmade waterfall!

Film City is located in the western Mumbai suburb of Goregaon, near the vicinity of Sanjay Ganhi National Park. Because Mumbai’s Film City isn’t open for public admission, you can only experience this spectacular place on a guided tour or as an extra. In fact, it’s not as hard as you may think to get yourself cast an extra! Here’s a list of some of the best tours on the market, as well as some tips for how to get onto the screen yourself.

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Bollywood Tours

Mumbai Film City Tours: This is the official tour of Film City, offered in conjunction with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. It is a two hour guided bus tour that will take you through various locations in Film City. While the tour advertises getting to see live shootings, it is not guaranteed. It really depends on luck—if you happen to take your tour when an accessible shooting is taking place, you might get a glimpse of some live action. However, you are not allowed to get off the bus, so don’t get your hopes up that you’ll get to flirt with the stars.

There are six tours per day, so you should be able to fit it conveniently into your schedule. They leave at: 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m., 2.30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4.30 p.m and last 2 hours.

Dream Tour: Dream Tour focuses on post-production, going behind the scenes to a dubbing studio and a singing studio. In this interactive tour, you’ll get to dub your favorite Bollywood scene yourself, and sing your favorite Bollywood tune in the fully equipped singing studio. There are three tours per day: 1.00, 3.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.  Each tour lasts 2 hours.

Live Show Tour: The Live Show Tour focuses on transporting tourists to the live shootings of a TV show, so you can see the set in action. You’ll be able to see the actors and cameras working on the set and even have your picture taken with them (assuming they say it’s OK). There are two tours per day: 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m., each lasting two hours.

Cost Saver Combination Tour: If you want the full immersive experience, you can purchase a combination tour. The Cost Saver Combo Tour is a combination of both the Film City Tour and the Dream Tour.

Half Day Bollywood Tour (by request): This is a combination of the Film City Tour and Live Show tour and includes lunch.

Full Day Bollywood Tour (by request): This full day Film City immersion combines all three tours (Film City, Dream Tour, and Live Show), and includes lunch.

Bollywood Tours: Bollywood Tours is one of the best private tour operators. Their full-day Film City and Bollywood Tour also includes a drive past some of the homes of Bollywood stars and a visit to a shooting studio. You’ll even get to see a spectacular, live Bollywood dance show! It also includes the two-hour Film City bus tour mentioned above.

Bollywood Tours also offers combination tours that include both Bollywood and either Dharavi slum or other sightseeing around the city.

The Mumbai Dream Tour: Put on by No Footprints, this foreigner focused tour is especially fun because it incorporates a Bollywood dance workshop! You’ll learn some coordination as you practice India’s celebratory dance moves. This tour also includes a short screening of a Bollywood movie, a visit to a film studio to see a live shoot, and a visit to a sound recording studio.

Film Cities in Other Locations

Mumbai isn’t the only city boasting Bollywood studios. Film cities can also be found in Noida (near Delhi), Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Noida Film City has over 25 acres of indoor sets and is used mostly for making TV serials, news, and current affairs programs. Chennai Film City is home to the Tamil movie industry. The public can enter for a small fee, and there’s an amusement park to keep the kids entertained.

Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City is a huge tourist destination spread over 2,500 acres. It boasts of being the world’s largest production complex and it is also possible to take a special tour here.

See also: A Guide to Tipping in India

How to Be a Bollywood Extra

If you’re not content to be a spectator and long to actually participate in a Bollywood film, you might just get lucky. Foreigners are always in demand to be extras in Bollywood movies. The easiest way to make it happen is to hang around Colaba Causeway in Mumbai, particularly in the area around Leopold’s Cafe, and you’re sure to be approached to be an extra. If that fails, you could try to get in contact with the famous casting agent Imran Giles of Casting Planet at [email protected].

If you do land a spot, expect long hours, lots of waiting and very little pay (maybe $15 for an entire day). However, it will be a fun experience and give you an insider’s view to the filming process.

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What to bring home from India?

Here’s a List of the Best Luxuries to Shop for this Land of Riches

India is a shopper’s paradise, overflowing with riches. Your senses will be filled with fabulous textiles, sparkling jewels, tinkling bells, intricate art work, divine perfumes, and every spice, scent and oil you can dream of. India is truly a land of treasure, and if you take on the mindset of a treasure hunter, you will find great pleasure in searching through piles of dazzling baubles and glittering knick knacks in the ancient bazaars, markets, malls and street stalls.

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Take it slow, and don’t buy everything at first twinkle—there will be a lot of goods twinkling at you. Take your time to get a feel for prices and quality. And remember that Indians love to haggle—don’t be afraid to negotiate price. That said, there are plenty of fixed-price stores and if you really love something, go for it!

Every region has differing specialties, so you’ll enjoy shopping wherever you go. Here are just some of the things to look out for as you travel through India.

Jewels, Gems, Baubles & Trinkets

From chunky baubles on the streets with bright colors to the finer gemstones found in the shops of dealers, you’ll be impressed with the sheer array of jewelry. Indians have a diverse population with many different styles of dress—but it seems they all love to accessorize with marvelous ornaments.

Bangles: Almost every woman in India wears bangles—often matching bangles on either arm, creating a rather pleasing symmetry. You’ll find a variety of bangles, from basic day to day wear to very fashionable styles.

Nose Rings: A traditional ornament worn by many of the women of India, you’ll find more stunning nose rings here than anywhere else in the world. You may just be tempted to get your nose pierced, if it isn’t already, so you can indulge in these flattering adornments.

Earrings: If you love earrings, you will be very happy digging through the ample array of cool, bold and intricate earring styles found all over India.

Jewels: Precious gems such as sapphires, diamonds and rubies abound in India—and for very reasonable prices. Indians love sparkling gems and it is also a nation of gold lovers. You’ll find the best 24 carat gold jewelry in the world.

Semi-Precious Stones: In addition to the finer gems, India also has plenty of stunning semi-precious stones that will be lighter on the pocket, but are still very beautiful. Labradorite, quartz, lapis, garnet, moonstones and more.

Anklets (known as “Payals or Ghungroo”): These are ornamental anklets worn on the feet of Indian women. Often with little bells, they make a nice tinkle as you walk and are a lovely accessory for traditional Indian dance.

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Dresses, Scarves, Vests and Other Wardrobe Fashions

With an abundance of fine materials such as silks, pashminas, yak wool and cottons, Indians also have a love for bright colors and wonderful patterns. You’ll be in a textile paradise as you outfit a new wardrobe for yourself!

Scarves/Shawls: India has every kind of scarf and shawl you can imagine. If you want a heavier scarf for cool nights in the Himalayas, go for one of the large Yak Wool or Angora (rabbit wool) Kullu Shawls that come in cool geometric patterns. You can also find fine silk scarves in bright colors as well as pashmina, which is a super soft kind of wool that comes from goats in the Himalayas.

Saris: The stunning traditional dress worn by many Indian women, saris are a length of material that is draped flatteringly about a woman’s body. They come in a vast array of beautiful colors and patterns—usually silk or cotton.

Salwar Kameez: These are Indian dresses worn by Indian girls and women. You’ll find good quality both in silk and cotton to suit your taste.

Kurta Pajama: You’ll find many Indian men wearing the traditional Kurta Pajama. They are very comfortable to wear and can be used as sleeping dresses.

Vests: Commonly worn by Indian men, there are many, many varieties of vests throughout India with all kinds of cool designs and styles.

Hippie-Ware: India is the unofficial mecca of festival and hippie garb. If this is your thing, you’ll have a great time sifting through converted sari wrap skirts, maxi-dresses and Ali Baba pants.

Leather Goods: Purses, duffles, wallets, belts, vests and whatever other leather luxury you can imagine—heck, even dresses—India has it. You’ll find excellent leather craftsmanship throughout India.

See also: SPENDING WINTER IN GOA

Oils, Herbs, Incenses and Perfumes

India is a paradise of divine aromas, luxuriant oils and spiritual incenses.

Perfumes and Oils: Skin softening and fragrant, India is full of sensual delights like oils and perfumes. Almond oil is popular and affordable. Essential oils and perfumes that combine scents of Sandalwood, Kama Sutra, Patchouli, White Musk, Amber, Myrrh and Rose, you’ll love dabbing yourself with the oils to see which comes out best on your skin. Indulge.

Ayurvedic Remedies and Herbals: Home to Ayurvedic medicine, you can find a great many lovely herbal concoctions. While you can visit a doctor for a specific remedy, you’ll also find hair and skin oils, conditioners, face creams and all sorts of other concoctions made with lovely Ayurvedic herbal recipes.

Spices: With some of the biggest spice markets in the world, it’s fun to purchase some spices so you can take the wonderful, complex flavors of Indian cooking home with you. Saffron is a popular herb to purchase, since it is much more affordable in India than other places in the world.

Tea: India is also famous for their black teas—get some beautiful Assam tea to take home with you for your afternoon cuppas.

Henna: Another plant that is fun to play with is henna, which you’ll find powdered in little packets. Used for painting intricate hand and arm designs, henna is also excellent for nourishing the hair—just be aware that it will give your hair a red tint!

Incense: As you travel through India, you’ll often find yourself in the fragrant smoke of incense. Incense is burned for spiritual reasons, as an offering. You can purchase many different incenses to burn at home—Nag Champa is the most popular.

Handicrafts and Folk Art

Talented craftsmen and a profusion of creativity means you won’t get bored exploring the local handicrafts and folk art throughout the country. Among the handicrafts are very affordable marble, stunning wood carvings and Tibetan paintings in the north that are beautifully painted with incredible detail and color. There are also Hindu statues of every size, so you can take home your favorite god or goddess.

Rugs and Tapestries

Rugs: India has some of the most beautifully designed, handmade oriental rugs—made of pure wool and/or pure silk. They come in all sizes—so if you want it to fit in your bag, you can buy a small one for the side of your bed! You can always have one mailed to you as well.

Tapestries: You’ll see tons of awesome tapestries hanging everywhere—often making up the walls of a restaurant or shop. Tapestries come in all sorts of wonderful colors and feature pictures of things like Trees of life, elephants, lotuses, Bhuddas and various Hinndu gods and goddesses (usually in a nifty geometric patterning).

Knick Knacks

Don’t forget the knick-knacks! India is a treasure chest after all, remember? Enjoy looking through antiques, Indian chess boards, playing cards, ancient coins, and all sorts of odds, ends and glitz. You may just find a treasure you never dreamed of!

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Tips for travelling in India

India is a huge country, not only in size, the 7th largest in the world, but also in population, 1.3 billion, ranking them only a few millions short of China. Those numbers alone can be enough to scare off some travelers, but those willing to take the plunge are rewarded with an unforgettable tour of ancient history, divine cuisine, cheap prices and a landscape that has something for everyone! Notice, we didn’t even mention one of the seven wonders of the world! That’s a glimpse at how much this quickly growing country has to offer visitors of all ages and budgets.

While India should be on everyone’s travel list, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some potential pitfalls and potholes to watch out for. Thankfully, we are well versed in the mind-blowing culture that is India and have put together a list of tips and advice that will help you explore the country whose nicknames for cities include “Land of Black Diamond” and “Golden City of India.” Oh yeah, and don’t forget you need an Indian visa.

Adjust Your Expectations

Many times when people undertake an adventure to a foreign land, they become so excited by the variety of different cities, sights and must do tours that they bite off more than they can chew. Inevitably, that leads to long travel days, innumerable flights, tours, hotels, taxis and markets, all of which become one exhausting blur. When you do finally get home, you feel as if you need another vacation to recover from the one you just took.

India is the quintessential example of that. Remember the country is massive! Unless you are planning on spending months there, it is not physically possible to see it all in a single trip. Enjoy yourself, take an extra two or three days in a city and plan for a couple days with little or no scheduled activities. Trust us; you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the places you do visit, without wearing yourself out. Navigating foreign countries is more stressful than people realize.

Find Some Countryside.

We get it: cities are really cool with hubs of nightlife, historical sights, infectious energy and unlimited options. That is hard to turn down. However, to see the true India, you’ve got to escape the concrete jungles. Leaving the cities behind will not only give you a glimpse into the India of old but it will also give you some breathing space, as the metropolitan areas lack elbow room.

Know What You Want & Plan Accordingly

As we’ve established, India is large and the variety of all there is to see boggles the mind. Therefore, it’s key to choose what interests you most. For some, the bevy of religious sites such as the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Sun Temple in Konark and much much more are ‘can’t miss’. For others, the trekking of Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh and Manali are too much to pass up. Perhaps beaches and coastal party towns are your thing. The point is India has so much to offer; it makes sense to choose what you like and go after it.

Be sure to do your research. Hiking in the summer, when temperatures flirt with triple digits and the humidity is 90% might be a poor choice. The same is true in seeking fun in the sun during monsoon season. Each part of the country has an ideal time of year to visit; take that into account when planning your trip.

Protect Your Belly

While dressing conservatively in a religious country is a good idea, this has nothing to do with that. Living in the United States comes with so many benefits, preparing your stomach for the rigors of the third world is not one of them. Arriving at the airport and grabbing a delicious smelling curry from a street vendor is a recipe for disaster. No one wants to pray to the porcelain god on their vacation.

Don’t drink the tap water. Don’t eat fruits or any food that’s been washed in it. Salad and soups are to be considered suspect unless you’re sure the restaurant has taken proper precautions for the sensitive American stomach. The street food in India is amazing and worth a try, just give your digestive system a few days before diving in head first. Also, be prepared with pills in the chance that your tummy takes a beating.

India is a truly amazing country, worthy of all the hype and excitement within the travel industry. Yet, despite its growing popularity that doesn’t mean you’re taking a weekend trip to Vegas. Do your research, be prepared and use India Visa to square away your vital paperwork.

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Most awesome temples in India

Indіа іѕ аn аrеа of many temples. Thеу vаrу from ѕmаll temples in the ѕtrееtѕ tо large hіѕtоrісаl tеmрlеѕ developed оut оf ѕtоnе. Some аrе рорulаr and аdоrnеd іn ѕіlvеr, whіlе оthеrѕ аrе much mоrе ѕіmрlе. Thеrе аrе еvеn ѕоmе tеmрlеѕ in Indіаn thаt are ѕurrоundеd by ѕеxuаl styles. If уоu сhооѕе tо ѕее a tеmрlе, рlеаѕе keep undеr соnѕіdеrаtіоn rеgаrdlеѕѕ оf the dіmеnѕіоn оr situation, be sure to еlіmіnаtе уоur fооtwеаr bеfоrе соmіng іntо. Please make sure you book your e-visa before visiting India

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Indian Food

INDIAN FOOD

India is a country that for many is out of sight and out of mind, unless we are talking about the food. Even the biggest homebody has at least tried the spice enriched, amalgam of vegetables, curries and marinated meats that is Indian food. However, you’d be mistaken in thinking that because you have tried the India restaurant around the corner, you have a handle on what might be the most diverse cuisine on the planet. If you’re contemplating a trip to India, check out Indian Visa Online for all pertinent visa information.

India food is as varied and multifaceted as the country itself. The surprisingly huge country, seventh largest in the world, is home to mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, even islands. The wide ranging geography has created distinct regions of rich culinary mastery, based on the climate and culture of each region. It is a drastic oversimplification to break the country down into north and south when it comes to grub, because the chow of east and west India hold their own delicious dietary treasures. Nevertheless, it serves to draw a generic distinction between north and south.

North Vs. South

In the north the most famous of Indian food reigns: curry. Alongside India’s sumptuous staple of spices, naan bread, Aloo Ghobi and Samosas are also commonly found. The spice of the north, which may be the second most famous aspect of Indian food, is undoubtedly Garam Masala. For those who are unfamiliar, Garam Masala is a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, peppercorns, cloves, coriander, mace and cumin. While it partially does translate to heat, the spice isn’t necessarily spicy but rather adds a kick of flavor to almost any dish.

Wheat breads like poori, kachori, chapati are the other core part of northern India’s menu. These listed are just a small sampling of the bevy of bread dishes. Peanut, mustard and soybean oils make up the tempering for the majority of their meals. Meat lovers will rejoice at the bounty of kebabs, chicken tikka, butter chicken and more; just don’t expect much beef as cows are held in sacred esteem. That being said, in parts of India, beef can be found. There is also a smattering of fresh water fish to be had. This region of India most closely resembles the Indian food found in western countries, only much better.

In the south, however, rice, stews and lentils are the main dishes, chock full of vegetables, spices and a host of other ingredients. Huli Pudi, known as sambar powder takes precedence over the Garam Masala. Rice dishes such as idli, appam, uttapam and dosa are the staples, which are all fermented batter mixed with rice. These replace the breads of the north. Preferred oils are coconut and sesame. For vegetarians, the south is your nirvana as the dishes are predominately meatless, outside of a wide variety of seafood options pulled from the nearby Malabar Coast.

India Made Easy

For many a trip to India means curry and lots of it. However, one would be dreadfully mistaken to assume that is all this cornucopia of cuisine has to offer. Northern curry is thicker, made with garlic, ginger, tomatoes and onions while the thinner curries of the south are designed to be soaked up by their delectable rice dishes. Regardless of whether you go north, south, east or west amazing food is to be found at all corners of India. However, navigating the menu can be slightly overwhelming at times. To help you out, here’s a cliff notes guide to India’s menus.

Masala: common northern spice mixture

Tikka: cutlets of marinated meat

Curry: some combination of meat, seafood and vegetables in a sauce

Murgh: chicken

Saag: spinach or other types of greens with spices

Aloo: potatoes

Chana: chickpeas

Tandoor: a vertical oven that used for marinating meats and breads. Therefore, anything Tandoori will come from said oven.

If you are planning a trip to India, be sure to get your visa first at India visa online and push your comfort zone by sampling the wide ranging options. A culinary adventure should be as high on your list as the Taj Mahal! The list of must try foods can be overwhelming; there are that many. So to make things easy, here are three of the most popular Indian dishes, narrowed down from about a hundred. Don’t be mad if your favorite isn’t on it.

Rogan Josh:

Rogan Josh is a lamb dish said to be of Persian origin. The meat is prepared in a gravy of yoghurt, garlic, ginger, and carmelized onions, topped with spices and Kashmiri chillies, not overly spicy and down right delicious.

Kosha Mangsho:

A Bengali mutton curry that millions of Indians enjoy for lunch daily. Spices, potatoes, and mutton made to perfection, also goes perfectly with rice.

Biryani:

A key rice dish in India, Biryani can come with all type of meat, seafood or even vegetarian. Think of it as India’s fried rice.

Thankfully, even if you can’t understand a single item on the menu, you’re still more than likely to end up with something delicious. So fire away and let your taste bud party begin!

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Shopping in India

Shopping, the world’s most polarizing activity, never ends regardless of how many stores you’ve hit or how many bags you’ve held. The pursuit of can’t miss deals is one that exasperates some spouses while invigorates others. For many Americans, shopping has become an online endeavor, accomplished from the comfort of your desk with a cup of coffee. However, for many, the sights, sounds and thrills of bouncing shop to shop and haggling with amiable or curmudgeonly shop owners never gets old.

Unfortunately, America’s malls don’t exactly provide the exciting ambiance of a foreign adventure, dodging bustling locals who are conversing in an unfamiliar language. Nor do the prices of Europe trigger the endorphins of a great deal unearthed amongst the masses. Thankfully, there is a part of the world where, not only is the experience of shopping more closely related to an Indiana Jones movie but the prices and quality of the material will have you doing backflips.

That place is India, where the bustling bazaars, markets and emporiums provide the perfect scene for some good ole fashion shopping. Quality jewelry, art, textiles, handicrafts and spices can be found in abundance at amazing prices with ancient historical sites as your background. What more could any shopping enthusiast ask for? Just don’t forget your India visa! Here’s our guide to making the most out of your India shopping extravaganza.

Business Takes No Prisoners

Not every everything will be up for negotiation. For some that may be a blessed relief from the back and forth. Glitzy shopping malls and certain emporiums will have listed prices and that’s that. Most markets, however, will be a battleground of bloody bargaining. Spare your feelings for the proprietor; they are seasoned veterans of the game. You won’t hurt their feelings by asking for something at half the price they initially asked. In fact that’s typically a good starting point. Give yourself an amount you’d like to spend and pay up to 70% of that. Remember: there’s another train coming.

Curb Your Impulse Purchases

Once the world of colorful textiles, shiny jewelry and aromatic spices engulfs you, the urge to buy may overwhelm you, pushing you into a purchasing spree that you might regret shortly after. One thing to remember is there will always be more. Most of the shops carry many of the same items, even in different cities. Therefore, if you’re unable to get the price to an agreeable number, walk away. We promise you: you will have another chance at that same item again, most likely at the price you were looking for. Sometimes you fall in love with an item and you must have it, that’s understandable; just remember there is always another market to explore.

A Little Recon Goes A Long Way

While almost every item is available in most cities, there are certain purchases that would be best made in a specific area. For instance, if you’re looking for tea, Darjeeling is the place to be. Certain cities may specialize in particular items that you’re after. A quick googling, or even better, asking around as you make your way around the country will provide valuable insight into where to get what. For bulky items, it may be best to buy it in whichever city you’re flying out from. Many international flights go through Delhi, which is a shopping paradise, so don’t buy yourself a lamp that you then have to haul around with you until the end of your trip.

What India Has For You

India is a shopper’s Eden. However, it’s not Walmart or Costco where one aisle has hot tubs and in the next it’s diapers. For some items the quality and price are unmatched, anywhere in the world; for others, you may be better off getting that once you’re back home. As we previously mentioned, textiles, jewelry, handicrafts and spices all fall in the former. Other specialties of India are shoes of all fashions and types. Shawls are another Indian forte with the vaunted pashmina, a type of cashmere, as the paragon example. Real pashmina won’t be available at dirt cheap prices. If you’re offered it at too good to be true prices, it’s not real. Other items of quality include: tea, scented products, movies and much more! Plan your shopping excursion to this foreign land today. For your visa needs Indian online visa has your back.

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