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From the Himalayan eternal snow to the southern peninsula, western deserts to the eastern deltas, from the dry heat to the coolness of the Central Plateau and the shady woods at the foot of the hills, the Indian life takes advantage of the geography and weather of this blessed country. India is separated from the rest of Asia by the Himalayas Mountains, the world’s tallest, youngest and largest mountain range. The subcontinent, as it is rightly called, borders three large stretches of water and is immediately recognized on any map of the world.
Capital: New Delhi
Location: Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Myanmar and Pakistan
Main towns: Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Jaipur
Currency: Indian Rupee – INR
Timezone: UTC + 5: 30
Tipping: Tips in India are typically referred to as baksheesh. Think of giving baksheesh as a small act of appreciation for good service. You will be asked for baksheesh in India often but may refuse anytime. Beggars in India often approach with demands of “Baksheesh! Baksheesh!” Someone asking you on the street for baksheesh without providing a service is simply begging.
Some suggestion would be:
-for meals: around 10 percent; 15 percent if someone really went out of their way.
-porters: 20 – 50 rupees per bag carried.
-taxi drivers: round up the fare to nearest multiple of Rs.10.
-airport transfer drivers: 50 rupees for timely service.
-guides and personal drivers: between 100 – 300 rupees per day, depending on service.
-Tipping guides and drivers after tours in India is customary, if they do a good job. A tip of around 200 – 300 rupees per day is considered an excellent tip.
Tipping in Restaurants: Look for “Service Tax” which the government gets and any “Service Charges” that the restaurant gets. These are separate items. You may see that the restaurant has already added 5 or 10 percent to the bill as a service charge; you can adjust your gratuity accordingly. If service was exemplary, consider leaving a cash tip of 5 – 10 percent. If no service charge is present, you can tip around 5 – 10 percent on basic dinners in restaurants. If the bill is quite high (around Rs. 1,000 or more), you can tip a little less. Leaving between 5 – 7 percent will suffice.
Voltage: Network parameters: 230 V / 50 Hz; C, D, M socket is used, you need adapters.
Religion in India is a way of life, an extremely important dimension of spiritual life. Spiritual life is an integral part of the entire Indian tradition. Of the two religions (Hinduism and Buddhism), Hinduism is infinitely more popular, practiced by an overwhelming majority of the population. Here are some spots you shouldn’t miss while in India:
Taj Mahal – it’s a mausoleum located in Agra, built by Emperor Mughal Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is considered a special example of Mughal architecture, with a style combining elements of Persian, Indian and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became part of the UNESCO Universal Heritage, being considered a jewel of Muslim art in India, one of the masterpieces of universal legacy. A marvellous poem, of incredible majesty and unmatched grandeur, the Taj Mahal is unique in the world.
