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Travel to India to backpack, study, intern, volunteer, work or live as a digital nomad, expat or emigrant?

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Intro: life and experiences in India

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Backpacking in India?

  • A trip or stay in India is a life experience in a nutshell. India is so intense, so immense and so impressive that you can spend your life relying on the experiences you have had there. It is not without reason that India is one of the most favorite countries to visit for almost every experienced traveler and backpacker
  • Characteristics: easy local contact, long distances, strong weather influences, impressive transport
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Traveling in India?

  • A trip through India is an experience with many festivals, unique people, exceptional food (the thalis), special cultures and a very diverse nature
  • Spotting cities: Bombay, Dharamsala, Kochi-Cochin, Diu, Hampi, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Auroville, Varanasi
  • Nature Spotting: Andaman, Himalaya, Kerala, Ladakh, Sikkim
  • Spotting animals: Bengal tigers, Asian lions, Asian elephants and many monkey species
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Study in India?

  • Studying in India can be a challenge, but also a unique life experience for many
  • Most larger cities have universities and colleges that often work closely with educational institutions abroad
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Internship in India?

  • Cities: internships are more often found in larger cities. In India they are often the chaotic en large cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore, Madras, Jaipur. Some people really like that and there are also many people who cannot last long in a big city.
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Working in India?

  • Jobs: temporary work is not easy to find, although the possibilities are increasing
  • Characteristics: the principle of time is relative, the structure is often hierarchical and bureaucratic, respect for elders and managers, networking is crucial
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Volunteer work in India?

  • Volunteer projects: mainly in the sectors of nature management, social work and education
  • Animal projects: protection of monkeys, dogs, cats
  • Features: short volunteer work of 1 or 2 weeks is also possible
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Working as a digital nomad in India?

  • Favorite cities: Bombay, Diu, Goa, Kochi-Cochin, Trivandrum
  • Features: facilities are not equally good everywhere...but life and experience make up for a lot
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Living in India?

  • Language: generally English, in addition to local languages ​​such as Hindi
  • Characteristics: a different world that can yield you a lot with an open attitude, low living costs, personal relationships if you invest in it, affordable staff, organized and unorganized chaos in traffic, significant differences between rich and poor
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Travel, living and working in India - WorldSupporter Theme
India: country, emigration and travel information

India: country, emigration and travel information

What are the best places to go to in India?

What are the best places to go to in India?

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What are the best places to go to in India?

A trip or stay in India is a life experience in a nutshell. India is so intense, so immense and so impressive that you can definitely remember your experiences there. It is a land of full of contradictions, from hot to cold, from poor to rich, from high to low, you will encounter everything. The colorful festivals, the huge number of people, the overwhelming Himalayas, the long beaches in Kerala or Goa, the variety of vegetarian cuisine, the mystical temples and the sacred cows strolling by in the streets...India is one of the most favorite countries to visit for almost every experienced traveler and backpacker!

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What are the best places to go to India in the North?

  • In the capital Delhi, in Mumbai (Bombay) or in Kolkata (Calcutta) you can fall back on various 'western pleasures', and in the meantime get used to the Indian hustle and bustle, the food and the way of life. These are cities where you can enjoy yourself for a few days.
  • The Himalayan regions of India are among the top destinations in the world. Both the Western part with Leh and Ladakh and the Eastern part with Sikkim and Darjeeling are overwhelming.
  • The Taj Mahal is located in Agra and in Varanasi you have the famous Ghats where the body burnings take place on the Ganges.
  • Dharamsala and Manali in Himachal Pradesh.
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What are the best places to go to India in the South East?

  • In Mamallapuram you can combine a 'beach holiday' with a visit to impressive monuments, the most famous of which is the seaside temple.
  • Tamil Nadu leaves a very different impression than the rest of India: Madurai, the hill stations and Rameswaram.
  • The Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, have truly beautiful white coral beaches with crystal clear water and fish in all colors. There are even tribes that cannot be visited that live virtually isolated from the rest of the world.
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What are the best places to go to India in the South?

  • Travel to the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari, to take a dip where the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet.
  • Goa: In the south of India, 17 hours 'buses' from Bombay. It was once known as the hangout of the Hippie Trail, but nowadays it mainly attracts many travelers who come for the trance parties. Many rent shabby huts for longer periods, making accommodation scarce for a few days. The beaches are spread out and all attract a different crowd, except for the cows and traders!
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What are the best places to go to India in the South West?

  • The caves in Ellora, here are 34 caves including the beautiful Kailash temple.
  • Hampi, a beautiful backpacker village with a combination of old & new temples in the middle of boulders, where most travelers stay longer than planned.
  • Kerala, with the backwaters, the hill stations, the nature parks, the beaches in Kovalam and Varkala. Between Kochi, Allapuzha and Kottayam there is the option to sail on a 'houseboat'. You sail over the backwaters and eventually anchor in the middle and spend the night on the boat. You can also spend a day on the boat! This gives the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscapes and escape from the often crowded and hectic cities in India.
  • Hill stations like Munnar and Ooty offer a cooler place to escape the heat and you can enjoy walking through the tea and spice plantations (keep an eye out for the leeches).
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What are the best places to go to India in the North West?

  • The island of Diu (in Gujarat) is the ideal place to recover from all the Indian hustle and bustle for a week or two.
  • Rajasthan has a range of different highlights: Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Udaipur, Jaipur, Bikaner.
  • Gujarat has a number of hidden highlights including Bhuj.

Read more about living, travel or work in India

 

 

 

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What is the best time to travel in India, and what is the worst time to go?

What is the best time to travel in India, and what is the worst time to go?

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What is the best travel and departure time for India?

  • For the vast majority of India, the best time to travel is during the dry season between November and March.
  • Delhi, Agra, Varanassi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are at their best to visit during this time.
  • The best time to travel to Tamil Nadu and Kerala is between January and March.
  • The Himalayas are best visited in summer, especially August and September.
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What is the climate in India?

  • Due to the many climate differences in the country, it is wise to take this into account when planning your trip. If you are planning a trip to India, be sure to find out what the climate is like in the area you want to visit. In India, the monsoon has a major influence on the climate. There are 7 different climates in India. In general it is warm everywhere, but this varies greatly per region. The coldest period is from late November to March. Between March and June it is very hot and dry in India. The monsoon season is between June and October in most areas.
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What is the climate in Eastern India?

  • Here there are monsoon showers from June to November. From March to May it is very hot in this area.
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What is the climate in North India?

  • North India is warm from April to mid-June. It is very cold in this area in November and February. Summers are hot with monsoon showers between June and September.
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What is the climate in Central India?

  • Central India has a dry climate with great heat. The biggest monsoon showers are between July and September. Temperatures drop at night.
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What is the climate in Western India?

  • From November to February there is a pleasant climate. Summers can become very hot with monsoon showers between mid-June and mid-September.
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What is the climate in Southwest India?

  • Southwest India has a tropical climate influenced by the monsoon. There is a lot of rain here from July to September. Winter here is in January and February. Summer is from March to May. The monsoon period is from June to September and the post-monsoon period is from October to December.
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What is the climate in Southeast India?

  • A northeast monsoon prevails here between October and December. Temperatures are high all year round.
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What is the climate in Northeast India?

  • March to June and September to November are the driest and most pleasant periods. In the other months there is a lot of monsoon rain.
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Worst time to travel in India?

  • It is always very hot in the South, but try to avoid this part of India in May and June as the temperature becomes almost unbearable.
  • Take into account the many festivities in India. These can make it difficult for you to find accommodation.
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How many hours of sunshine in India?

  • Average 8 hours per day.
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What are typical Indian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in India?

What are typical Indian habits, food customs, recipes and philosophies in India?

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Typical Indian habits, food customs, recipes, and philosophies in India?

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What are the customs in India regarding food?

  • Make sure you don't eat with your left hand in the presence of Indians. That's happening. Indians eat with their right hand, the left hand is used to clean the bottom.
  • Indian food is very varied and, especially in the North, vegetarian due to Hinduism.
  • According to Hinduism, the cow is a sacred animal and should therefore not be eaten.
  • Characteristic are the many spice mixes (massalas) that you eat together with rice on coconut leaves. In the north there are mainly biryanis, tandoori and creamy sauces with yoghurt.
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What are the best recipes in India?

  • Thalis: The thalis in the south are served on large steel plates with all kinds of small containers with spice mixtures and vegetables. This is eaten with rice, on a coconut leaf. It is also accompanied by bread (chappatis or naan) and yoghurt (raita).
  • Tandoori: This dish is mainly eaten in the north. It contains tandoori spices, often in combination with ordered chicken.
  • Naan: This is a leavened bread and is suspected in various Indian dishes.
  • Jalebi: Fried dough in syrup.
  • Dosa: Fermented pancake with vegetables, meat and sauces, a typical dish from South India.
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What are the best drinks in India?

  • Lassi, a sweet yogurt drink that is often used to cool spicy food.
  • Chai (tea) is a favorite in India and is spiced differently, often with sugar, ginger and cardamon.
  • Numbi Pani: lime water with sugar and often salt.
  • Kingfisher is the most consumed brand of beer in India.
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What are notable holidays and festivals in India?

  • Carnival: This four-day festival in February is mainly celebrated in Goa.
  • Independence Day: August 15 (1947) India became independent from Great Britain. There are festivities all over the country.
  • Navratri: This is a 9-day Hindu Festival to honor the god Durga. It is celebrated even more exuberantly in Guajarat and Marashtra. (October-September).
  • Naga Panchami: The snake festival. A festival celebrated by the Hindus in which they worship a real cobra or pictures of one.
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What are the notable habits in India?

  • Namaste is a common way to greet, it involves pressing the palms together and bowing slightly. It means "The divine in me honors the divine in you."
  • Eating with your bare hands is prefered for digestion and taste and texture purpose. Eat with your right hand only (you shake hands with your right hand), with your left hand is considered dirty, you wipe your butt with your left hand.
  • It is custom to sit cross-legged on the floor while eating, which increases flexibility and aids digestion.
  • People in India wiggle with their heads, that means what it means.
  • Do not touch heads, that is considered not done.
  • Touching the feet of elders as a sign of respect and receiving blessings is widely practiced.
  • It is customary to remove shoes before entering homes and temples as a sign of respect and cleanliness.
  • Cows are holy and walk around freely everywhere.
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What is the best transport in India, and how to get around?

What is the best transport in India, and how to get around?

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Whether or not to travel by plane in India?

  • Because India is so huge, taking a plane is a good option. It is affordable and can save you a lot of time. A journey that takes 36 hours by train can now be made in 2.5 hours.
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Whether or not to travel by train in India?

  • When you are in India it is certainly interesting to use the train. These are often classic train sets that sometimes even work with a steam locomotive. The train is a very cheap and fun way to get to all corners of the country. Even though train traffic seems like chaos, in the end it is well organized. There are delays, lasting hours, but the trains are running. You usually have to make a reservation. Keep scorching temperatures in mind.
  • There are different 'classes', sometimes as many as 7 different classes per train. It is often pleasant to stay in the 'AC' air-conditioned wagons, you have your own bed, power supply and sometimes even sheets for your bed.
  • Check with the locals to see which train usually runs on time. Some trains are 'always' delayed, for example because they have already been on their way for 20 hours before they arrive at your departure station. It may then be smarter to take an earlier or later train, which may have only departed from a city earlier, and therefore has a smaller chance of delay.
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Whether or not to travel by bus in India?

  • Some places cannot be reached by train in India, so you quickly have to rely on buses. The buses can get you anywhere and are usually faster than the train. The bus has the advantage that you often do not have to book in advance.
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Whether or not to travel by car in India?

  • It is wise to rent a car in India. A car with driver is not expensive and is offered everywhere in the country. Taxi drivers are often also willing to serve as a driver for a day. Especially if you are traveling as a couple or in a group, a car with a driver quickly becomes a nice and affordable way to get from A to B.
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Whether or not to travel by tax in India?

  • When you take a taxi, a driver will often not turn on the meter. In principle, this is normal and you can call the police for this. This is often not necessary and you agree on a reasonable price in advance. Whether or not to travel by train is India

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Whether or not to travel by riskja in India?

  • The  motorized riskja is stil a typical Indian means of transport. Often it is simply called 'car' and in Europe it is known as the 'Tuk-Tuk'. The auto rickshaw is a cheaper alternative to the taxi and is also much more agile in the busy traffic of the big cities in India.
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Whether or not to travel by bicycle rickshaw in India?

  • The bicycle riskja is a cheaper , and of course also slower. When you take a trip on the cycle rickshaw you have the opportunity to take a look around you and enjoy the culture-rich street scene of India.
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Whether or not to travel by bicycle in India?

  • Be sure to rent a bike in India if you get the chance. This makes you very independent and flexible. It is also easy and cheap to buy a bicycle. Once you buy one, make sure you put it inside. It is also possible to transport a bicycle as luggage by bus or train.
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Where to study in India, do an internship, do volunteer work or look for a job in India?

Where to study in India, do an internship, do volunteer work or look for a job in India?

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Why study, do an internship, volunteer or work temporarily in India?

  • Study places and internships are more common in larger cities. In India these are often the chaotic millions/large cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore, Madras, Jaipur. Some people really like that and there are also many people who cannot last long in a big city.
  • because you learn to be flexible with your planning and your sense of time.

What should you pay attention to?

  • the principle of time is relative.
  • that there are hierarchical and bureaucratic working relationships, with respect for elders and managers.
  • hat it is more about who you know, and less about what you have do
Why to live in India, why to emigrate to India or stay for a long time?

Why to live in India, why to emigrate to India or stay for a long time?

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Why should you live in India as an expat, emigrant or working nomad?

  • if you like adventure and the unexpected, you can experience a lot (if you have an open mind).
  • the cost of living if you adapt to the locals is low.
  • locals generally invest in relationships and are open to developing personal relationships.
  • the costs of personnel are affordable.

What should you pay attention to?

  • that you bring your dose of patience.
  • you can deal with chaos and (in larger cities) with traffic.
  • that poverty is significant.
 
How dangerous is India for your safety, health and insurances?

How dangerous is India for your safety, health and insurances?

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How to stay safe and out of trouble in India?

  • There is an increased terrorism threat throughout the country and high risks at the border areas with Pakistan and China. Rebel groups and Naxalites (Maoist groups) are also active in certain provinces, and they occasionally commit attacks and extort money. But, if you avoid these areas, India is a relatively safe country.
  • Demonstrations: Avoid demonstrations, as they can lead to a lot of violence. People are often injured and sometimes killed.
  • Traffic: Most accidents happen in traffic. Always be alert and preferably rent a car with a driver instead of driving yourself.
  • Crime: Avoid remote areas of popular tourist destinations after sunset. There is an increased risk of verbal and sexual violence against women; it is therefore recommended to dress covered.
  • Legislation: The use of soft and hard drugs and narcotics is prohibited in India. Also make sure you don't spit on the street, as this can also result in a fine in some areas.
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What to look out for regarding natural disasters in India?

  • Cyclones may occur on the east coast of India and in some areas there is an increased risk of earthquakes.
  • Floods and landslides can also occur during the monsoon period (from June to October).
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India: blogs en contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle

India: blogs en contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle

Recipes for chapati from all over the world - Bundle
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What to do when in Diu? Borrow the flat pan from the hostel buy some flour and pick a nice spot for a campfire where you make your own chapati! Fair is fair the local indian chapatis were way better, or to speak in Indian terms: Same, same but different. Back in Europe though, these India...

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