India Local Customs

 
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Most Viewed Local Customs in India

51.

RELIGION   Goa

RELIGION, Goa

 24 Reviews   It is well known that cows are sacred to Hindus, but knowing this didn’t really prepare me for some of the (to Western eyes) unusual sights we came across. Not only do cows wander freely on town and... 

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52.

LITTLE THINGS TO KNOW   Mumbai

LITTLE THINGS TO KNOW, Mumbai

 18 Reviews  Mumbai's Passport Office, being the only one in the region, caters to the residents from Greater Mumbai, over and above districts of Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Aurangabad and Beed in Maharashtra. Apart... 

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53.

Daily life   Delhi

Daily life, Delhi

 22 Reviews  Indians love their motorbikes... I think is more of them than cars. In the morning whole family (4 ppl) will straddle motorbike to take them to their daly work or school. In the chaos which is Delhi... 

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54.

The People, the flavour   Hyderabad

The People, the flavour, Hyderabad

 5 Reviews  Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas. These lamps, which are traditionally fueled by mustard... 

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55.

MISCELLANEOUS   Goa

MISCELLANEOUS, Goa

 32 Reviews  Raksha bandhan (the bond of protection in Hindi) or Rakhi is a Hindu festival which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a rakhi (a holy thread) around their brothers'... 

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56.

RELIGION   Mumbai

RELIGION, Mumbai

 12 Reviews  Although Bombay has one of the largest concentration of followers of the Jain religion in India, this community constitutes only a small minority of around 4% in the city. Jain temples are scattered... 

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57.

General Informations   Delhi

General Informations, Delhi

 17 Reviews  Playing some music with friends at university... Local bands are often on view at college/ university annual festivals. The season begins towards the end of summer, and goes on for a while. That... 

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58.

While travelling in Hyderabad...   Hyderabad

While travelling in Hyderabad..., Hyderabad

 5 Reviews  Most travellers dont realize that Hyderabad is a very conservative city due to the presence of Islam. I knew that it had deep roots with Islam but I had no idea that certain parts of the city were as... 

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59.

BEACHES   Goa

BEACHES, Goa

 3 Reviews  Fascinating watching the local fishermen at Coco Beach. The effort that is put into fishing appears tremendous. Starting with wading out with the long fishing net to create a loop, then with as many... 

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60.

CULTURE   Mumbai

CULTURE, Mumbai

 18 Reviews  Durga Puja also referred to as Durgotsava is an annual Hindu festival in India that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. It refers to all the six days observed as Mahalaya, Shashthi, Maha... 

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61.

Weddings   Delhi

Weddings, Delhi

 4 Reviews  Well Marriage in India is a very important part of the whole family of the groom and bride. Mostly they live as a Joint Family (Extended Family) and majority of marriages are arranged. So a marriage... 

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62.

ON THE STREETS   Mumbai

ON THE STREETS, Mumbai

 13 Reviews   (Here's an email we received from Bandra, Bombay) Hey! there, It's parade and festival time in the Queen of Suburbs, BANDRA!! We're hving the 3rd edition of the 'Celebrate Bandra' festival which... 

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63.

Birla Temple   Delhi

Birla Temple, Delhi

 1 Review  The Birla Temple (Lakshmi Narayan Temple) : This temple was build by G. D. Birla in 1938. This beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of... 

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64.

MISCELLANEOUS   Mumbai

MISCELLANEOUS, Mumbai

 15 Reviews  Whilst visiting the Haji Ali Mosque in northern Mumbai, I noticed loads of people clambering on top of the rocks that lie at the end of the causeway that connects on the mosque to the mainland. I've... 

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65.

National Museum   Delhi

National Museum, Delhi

 1 Review  National Museum - Located on Janpath, National museum is one of the treasure houses of the our glorious past. The museum has a large collection of excavated items many of which date back to 2nd and... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Diabetes capital of the World

by cochinjew

Indians are always telling you how good they are, and usually they are talking about Individuals rather than groups, but in this aspect they have outshined every one. At a recent International Congress, doctors after doctors from various Institutions in India mourned about the fact that their country has indeed become the Diabetes Capital of India... many aetiologies were offered... change in diet.. ghee...lack of exercise... but no one mentioned the stress under which average individual lives... how rapidly it has risen for urban and rural people, rich and the poor.. it used to be a disease of the rich in india but no more... rich and poor both are subjected to it... they will come with more theories.. let us wait..

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Try the Pan

by DSwede

Pan is available at most road side tobacco stores. Pan is an Indian mixture of beatle nut, spices, seasonings, sometimes honey spread all rolled up in a beatle leaf.The practice is simple, simply put the rolled leaf and its contents to the side of your mouth and slowly chew the wad. The juices and flavors that come out are the desired effect. If the flavor is too strong, it is perfectly acceptable to spit out the juice from time to time so that it does not overpower your tastes. Most locals will swallow the juice from sweet pan and spit the juice from tobacco pan.Pan is more or less common in different regions of India, some people take it a few times a day, others only as a treat a few times a week. It is not expected that you will like it, but many Indians do, so if you want to live like a local, try it at least once.Cost will be ~5 rubies. If you desire, a little chewing tobacco can...

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Deities

by Rupanworld

India is a land of millions of deities, gods and goddesses. People here, in general are very religious and observe rituals very sincerely. Tourists can find temples of various sizes at every street corner and religious ceremonies are very frequent. It is also common to come across the chanting of religious songs and 'mantras' being played on loudspeakers. Tourists might enter the temples but must take off their shoes before. Here is a picture of an Indian deity from one of the various small temples at the lanes of Delhi.

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Paan or Betel leaves

by Rupanworld

'Paan' is a favourite thing with the Indians. It signifies betel nut pieces and other sweet spices folded in a betel leaf. One visiting india will often come across Paan shops and for sure those of the stains from the spitting of the paan juice on walls across cities. Definitely a very bad habit, but eating paan is very much in the indian customs. its generally eaten after meal and is said to help digestion.

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Serving tea

by Rupanworld

This is something that one comes across, if he visits south India or may be even in many other parts of India. Its a unique method of serving tea. Its a pair made from steel consisting of one small glass and a small flat bottom bowl. the glass is placed on the bowl when served and the idea is to provide a method of cooling the drink by pouring on the bowl. So when served very hot tea, which you want to drink less cold, just pour the entire on the bowl, and then to the glass again, and continue doing so till the temparature is perfect for you. nice innovation!!!

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eating ettiquette

by vpas

By and large Indians eat with hands in the sense that they dont usually use spoons,knives and forks.Of course in high end places and also in midrange places you could ask for cutlery.However there are rules and certain ettiquette that would be good to know while using fingers to eat.Use only one hand to eat and not both!The hand with which you eat should not be used to serve dishes.you use the other hand that is clean.Once you put a spoon in your mouth,it should not be used to serve the dish.in the sense that if you have tasted using a spoon do not use the same spoon to serve the dish to others.Do not lick your fingers and then use them to serve from the dish in front of you.use the clean hand only or wash you hands which you might have licked!!It is common in India to order a few dishes and the whole group shares all the dishes.Of course in case you are eating alone,you just order...

Tea for Two?

by musicollector

In the State of Karnataka, if you're offered tea or coffee, drink it! If you refuse, it would be tantamount to an insult. Sure, these very strong beverages often come to you in small glasses, and often too sweet for some palates. But, the people of India, in general, are an extremely friendly lot and it will be your turn to return their hospitality by accepting it.Indians have a cool way of cooling tea! Usually, at restaurants in the State of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, at least, ordered tea arrives scalding hot. An added service for you, that would not be found in Western countries, is for the server to pour it back and forth from glass to glass - when I was a child, watching this, I have marveled at how man has conquered gravity in that not a drop would be spilt! Needless to say, this most amazing spectacle would be followed by the most delicious tea on the planet! It was worth...

The Teachings by The Dalai Lama at McLeod Ganj

by into-thin-air

If you want to go to one of His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s Teachings then all you have to do is see when there is a teaching scheduled, make your way to McLeod Ganj a few days ahead of the date, Go through security, a simple process but it can be time consuming when there are crowds there – hence better done at least 2 or 3 days before the teaching, all you need are 2 passport photos and your passport, the security office is close to Green Hotel in McLeod Ganj.Then you claim your spot at the teaching by placing an old towel or the like with your name on it at the monastery where the teaching is to be held – this is respected too.Then all you need is a vhf radio and ear-piece – there is a simultaneous translation from Tibetan to several languages, English being a popular one – Make sure you claim your spot in the correct zone as you can only pick up transmissions to selected languages in...

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Elephant Festival Jaipur Rajasthan March

by RAJASTHANBYCAR

Annually held in Jaipur, the Elephant Festival is a unique event, which is usually held in the month of March in Rajasthan. The elephants are groomed to perfection and they glitter in gold as they walk in rows before an excited audience. The elephants move gracefully in procession, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. During Holi, the Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians, and onlookers from the entire globe. The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.The elephant-keepers take great care to decorate the elephants by painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. The game of polo forms the highlight of the...

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Pushkar Camel Fair, November

by RAJASTHANBYCAR

November is the time when the famous Pushkar Camel Fair takes place in the beautiful state of Rajasthan in India. The Pushkar Camel Fair is the world's largest camel fair and is a colourful event that lasts for seven days. Pushkar Fair attracts people from all over Rajasthan, as well as tourists from across India and the world, who flock to witness this mega event, and the range of camels and cattle on display. The last day of the fair coincides with the Kartik Purnima, the period of the autumn full moon. Thousands of devotees come to bathe in the holy lake of Pushakr, where mythology has it that Lord Brahma, the Hindu Creator, had performed a Yagna and where a lake had emerged, at the spot where a lotus fell from His hand. Pushkar Camel Festival is a fair that combines worship and trade and even acts a meeting place for arranging marriages. So when one participates in this fair, it...

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Top 3 Hotels in India

Neemrana Fort-Palace  State of Rajasthan

 2 Reviews and 235 Opinions  This is such a lovely place, whether for a couple celebrating their love or for a singleton,... 

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Taj Lands End  Mumbai

 4 Reviews and 521 Opinions  22,000 square feet of meeting space connected by pre-function areas suitable for exhibitions ... 

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Leela  Goa

 5 Reviews and 461 Opinions  hallo was meeting adam pyotr mancic in the surfclub arambol. best friend at this time. every night... 

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Questions and Answers

mosaka profile photo

Q:  Hello folks, I am thinking to travel to India from July 28-Aug 28 2012. It includes both north and south India. I heard about... 

anilpradhanshillong profile photo

A: 1. If you limit your travels to the plains of India during Jul 28-Aug 28, 2012, you'll experience high humidity, heat and quite a few showers. As it is, South India is... 

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