India Travel Facts
Thank you for choosing Travel Indochina for your journey into India.The great Indian subcontinent has much to offer travellers. To assist with your travel arrangements we have prepared the following pre-departure information. Please read this carefully before your travel to India and be mindful of some of our suggestions while you are travelling.
WHAT TO EXPECT
First time visitors to India are usually struck by the chaotic and fast-paced nature of daily life. Traffic, over-crowding, noise and colour are often a traveller’s first impressions of India as they arrive in the busy hubs of Delhi or Mumbai. With time, each of these fast-developing and modern cities will share their unique culture. Leaving the cities and heading out into rural area is likely to reveal an entirely different side to India. In fact, a deeper exploration of this incredibly diverse country can divulge an array of scenery from stark desert vistas, majestic mountain ranges, verdant jungle backwaters and endless beaches. It is this wild diversity in terms of both geography, culture and history which draw visitors back to India again and again.
India has now recovered from her turbulent past and whilst rural areas remain much as they have done for centuries, the larger cities such as Mumbai, Delhi and Cochin are modernising at an exceptionally rapid rate. Here it is common to find mobile phones, burgeoning technology industries, a nascent café culture, creature comforts and large shopping malls. By contrast, rural India is a world away from this – it is a rewarding blend of agricultural village life and traditional mores.
Of course, India still offers some confronting and challenging sights for the traveller, but the images of squalor and poverty which have been so associated with the India of last century are these days a small part of a fascinating, complex, welcoming and often stunningly beautiful nation.
The travel industry in India has been well established for several decades now and India boasts some of the world’s finest hotels, as well as offering some good value options. Off the beaten track however, tourism is still in its infancy and a degree of patience and flexibility will be required concerning accommodation, service standards etc. Road travel is comfortable in the more developed and popular areas but can be more basic in others. Flight schedules are usually reliable but do encounter the same operational problems that all airlines face and it is a possibility that flights may cancel outside of our control. The same can be said for India’s rail service, although for the most part it is comfortable and reliable. Travel Indochina and your tour leader or local guide will keep you fully informed of any changes and amendments to the order of sight-seeing. Be aware that if you plan to travel around Indian national holidays (listed in this guide), you may experience more disruptions than usual to your normal itinerary.
RESPONSIBILITY
Information herein was correct at the time of preparation, however the rapid development of tourism in India has the potential to make some of the information in this guide irrelevant. This information is intended as a guide only and Travel Indochina is not responsible for any inaccuracies. This document does not, in any way, alter the booking terms and conditions in our Small Group Journeys brochure. Please contact us with your comments if you find during the course of your travels that the information in this guide is incorrect or out of date.
VISA REQUIREMENTS & DEPARTURE TAXES
To enter India you will require a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry with at least 2 blank pages. A visa will need to be organised prior to your arrival. For this you will require a completed application form with two passport photos) and your passport. Allow 5-10 working days for processing. It is your responsibility to ensure all visa and entry requirements are met prior to arrival in India.
All foreign tourists to India, except nationals of Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, must possess a valid visa. Visas are not issued on arrival. A tourist visa is valid for 3 to 6 months.
Tourist visas allow multiple entry to simplify visits to neighbouring countries. You will be required to fill in a disembarkation card on your way to India at the immigration counter at the entry airport.
ARRIVAL INSTRUCTIONS
Arrival (and departure) transfers are included for all Small Group Journeys. On arrival in India, you will find a representative from Travel Indochina waiting to meet you outside the customs hall. Please look for a sign with your name on it (not a hotel sign). The airport arrival area tends to get crowded with lots of people holding signs, so you may need to look carefully for your transfer. If you cannot find a sign with your name please call the relevant emergency contact numbers which should also be listed on your itinerary - see below.
- Delhi: (+91) 981 000 2813
(+91) 981 084 5407
There are also usually a number of taxi touts outside the customs hall more than willing to take you to your hotel, but be aware that they will usually charge an inflated price and their meter may tick over at a faster rate.
INSURANCE
You must be comprehensively insured as a condition of travelling with Travel Indochina. Insurance should include unlimited coverage for personal accident and medical expenses, full provision for evacuation and a minimum of $25,000USD cover for repatriation expenses, baggage loss, and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday.
We will ask you to confirm your insurance details as part of our travel registration process at the start of your journey. If you do not have appropriate insurance we will insist you obtain insurance. We reserve the right not to provide the services booked with us until insurance is purchased.
Note that travel insurance may be ‘attached’ to your credit card, although usually such cover is effective only if your travel arrangements have been purchased with the card. Insurance cover from credit cards often does not include payment of medical expenses or emergency repatriation. Please check your policy carefully.
Please note that government regulations in Asia do not always require or enforce the possession of hotel, transport supplier and other supplier public liability insurance. Even when this insurance is in place, it can be for very limited cover only. Travel Indochina does its best to work with suppliers who possess public liability insurance, however this is not always possible. Regardless of length of stay and type of service, you must have adequate insurance to cover you in the event you suffer a medical problem while travelling.
A RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL INDOCHINA
Travel Indochina practices a thorough, realistic Responsible Travel Policy. We believe that travel should entail an exchange of knowledge and perspectives, a sharing of wealth, and a genuine appreciation of Asia’s beautiful natural environments. This philosophy underpins the heart and soul of our style of travel. It drives all that we strive to deliver to our travellers, and shapes the contact we have with our supplier colleagues in Asia. We recognise that poorly planned itineraries or poorly informed tourists contribute less to cross-cultural understanding and less to the livelihoods of local people. We also recognise that we work in a developing part of the world. Political and social factors sometimes impede the short term implementation of our responsible travel initiatives, so we do not make blanket, unrealistic statements about the achievability of our goals – doing so would make us ‘irresponsible’. We aspire to short or medium term implementation of our policies where this is realistic and to incremental change where there are constraints of a governmental or cultural nature.
We strongly encourage you to refer to our website and read our Responsible Travel Policy, as well as the Travel Indochina Guide to Responsible Travel (full of pointers which we hope will make for a more informed, more ‘responsible’ holiday).
THE POLITICAL SITUTATION
Since gaining her independence from the British Empire in 1947, the Republic of India has become the world’s largest liberal democracy (in terms of population) and is currently considered one of the world’s most powerful emerging economies.
The Post-Independence era has seen some of India’s most turbulent political times. Despite Gandhi’s fierce opposition, it was decided to split the newly independent India into the Muslim state of Pakistan and the Hindu state of India. The resulting mass migration resulted in unmitigated bloodshed between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
After Gandhi’s assassination in 1948, the Indian political scene was dominated by Jawaharlal Nehru and the powerful Indian National Congress Party. Congress ruled continuously for 30 years after Independence and Nehru remained Prime Minister until his death in 1964. These years also saw upheaval and conflict including the border war with China in 1962 and wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971.
Nehru was succeeded by his daughter, Indira Gandhi (no relation to Mahatma Gandhi) in 1964. An equally iconic but often controversial figure, Mrs Gandhi’s “Emergency” led to the first fall of the Congress in 1977 to the Janata People’s Party. It has been said that Mrs Gandhi represented a serious threat to the democracy on which the nation of India was founded. After the country faced economic problems, Mrs Gandhi was re-elected in 1980, only to face another crisis from Sikh separatists in the Punjab. Her handling of this crisis eventually led to her own assassination in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards.
Mrs Gandhi’s son Rajiv succeeded her as leader of the Congress Party and served as both a Prime Minister and Opposition Leader until his assassination at the hands of supporters of the Tamil Tigers in 1991. Rajiv’s widow, Italian born Sonia Gandhi, is now the President of the party, and Manmohan Singh the Congress Prime Minister, and India’s first Sikh leader.
Singh is a major proponent of India’s economic liberalisation programme and has successfully led the nation through several successive years of impressive growth. India is now considered to be a leading player in the development of I.T. and other fields of modern technology.
Today’s government is ruled through a system of parliamentary and cabinet government both at the centre (New Delhi) and in the states. The Indian Parliament is ruled by a President (currently A P J Abdul Kalam) and is split into two houses, the Lower House (Lok Sabha) and the Upper House (Rajya Sabha). Government is currently ruled by a 20 party alliance, the United Progressive Alliance. This is a Congress-led alliance and this important party still dominates the Indian political scene. The other major party is the Bharatiya Janata Party, a Hindu-influenced party promoting socio-religious values with conservative overtones. Communist parties still govern or sit in opposition in some states, and the state of Kerala was the first in the world to have a popularly elected Communist government.
Whilst poverty is still a threat in rural areas and petty corruption remains problematic in some areas of the economy and bureaucracy, the future of modern India is bright.
MONEY
The currency in India is known as the Indian Rupee (INR). Approximate exchange rates as follows:
- 86 INR equals GBP£1
- 46 INR equals US$1
- 35 INR equals AUD$1
- 29 INR equals NZ$1
- 41 INR equals CAD$1
You are advised to carry a mix of cash and travellers cheques (US$ & GBP£ are preferable outside of the main cities). Traveller cheques can be exchanged at most major hotels. It is a good idea to keep the exchange receipts as you may need these if you want to change the Indian currency back to your local currency at the end of your trip. Credit cards can be used in many of the hotels and in some shops and restaurants in major cities; however they are not widely accepted in more rural areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted in cards. Cash advances can be obtained using these cards at most bank branches using your passport. ATM access is available in the bigger cities but you should not rely on this.
CLIMATE
In general the best time to visit India is during October to April, when temperatures are less hot. Many National Parks close during the summer and monsoon months, as do some hotels.
India is a country with diverse weather patterns which vary greatly from north to south. As a general rule, India is at her best between the months of October and April.
In Delhi, Rajasthan and across the north, days are mostly warm and free of rain during this period. In the months of December and January nights can be very cold, but days typically reach about 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures during the day in April can reach the mid 30s Celsius. These temperatures continue to rise to the mid 40s Celsius until the monsoon comes in June (and lasts until September).
From Mumbai south, the climate is more typically tropical, with daytime temperatures into the low 30s Celsius. Hill stations in the south can be cool at night in December and January. The months between June and September can be hot, with humid monsoonal conditions in most areas. Parts of Southern India can experience showers in November and December, but the months of October to April are still considered the best time to travel to this region.
In the Himalayas, the winter months can be very cold and travel to higher altitudes is not advisable. From April to October the weather is usually pleasantly mild to warm during the day with occasional showers. Nights are cool to cold, especially at high altitudes.
BAGGAGE & CLOTHING
Standard sized bags (preferably soft bags), backpacks or soft cases only are permitted on our journeys. Your baggage should be clearly labelled and kept to a reasonable minimum. Luggage limits on airlines are strictly enforced and space on vehicles and trains is limited. Any flights booked through Travel Indochina (domestic and international) have a luggage limit of 20 kilograms per person. You may be required to carry your own luggage at times where porters are not available – you should be capable of carrying your own bags on and off trains, and up and down stairs. If you are doing lots of shopping during your travels, it may be necessary for you to forward any excess to the city where your tour concludes, or ship purchases directly home. Keeping the amount of luggage you carry in check will ensure your safety and comfort, and the safety and comfort of your fellow travellers. Porterage is not included in the cost of your journey. Please ensure you pay porters around $1USD per person for carrying your luggage. Should you wish to avoid such payments, please carry and take responsibility for your luggage.
Comfortable casual clothes made of cotton are best in tropical and semi tropical climates – packing one set of smart casual clothes is advisable. Laundry services are available throughout the country, although hotel laundry costs can be expensive. We suggest you include:
• Flat walking shoes and sandals
• Hat & sunglasses
• Warm clothing – for evenings in the north from late Nov to early Feb, the cooler hills of Kerala and the South, and particularly for the Himalayan foothills.
• Swimwear
• Money belt
• Raincoat or umbrella
• Basic first aid kit (see below)
• Insect repellent
• Alarm clock
• Small torch
• Swiss Army pocketknife
• Power adapter
• Women’s sanitary products
Please note that airlines insist all sharp items (knives, scissors, nail clippers etc.) are packed in your ‘check-in’ luggage. Lighters, Matchbox and any inflammable liquid items are also prohibited.
ELECTRICITY
The electric current in India operates on 220 volts. Electric plug types come in at least two sizes and vary throughout the country, the rounded two or three pronged plug is most commonly used. You may want to bring a small hair dryer or portable iron. Many but not all of our hotels will have these.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Travellers to India should take precautions as they would elsewhere in Asia. Western medical facilities are available in the major cities. In remote areas of India, medical facilities are basic. Some of the diseases known to exist in India include hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, Japanese encephalitis, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rabies and HIV/AIDS. We recommend you take adequate preventative measures to minimise your risk of exposure to these health risks. You should also consult your doctor with regard to malaria risk. We are a travel company and we are not qualified to provide detailed medical information appropriate to your individual needs. We recommend you consult with your local doctor or a specialist travel medical centre for up to date health information on vaccinations and medicine for your trip at least one month prior to departure.
We suggest you bring a simple medical kit. Your doctor should advise you what to include, but as a minimum we suggest you bring:
• Aspirin or paracetamol (for pain or fever)
• Antihistamines (for allergies and itches)
• Cold and flu tablets
• Something to stop diarrhoea
• Something appropriate for nausea and vomiting
• Rehydration mixture (to prevent dehydration)
• Insect repellant
• Antiseptic and bandages
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Antibiotics (discuss with your doctor)
As part of our travel registration process at the start of any journey with Travel Indochina, you will be asked to declare any serious pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.
SMALL GROUP JOURNEY GRADINGS
Each Small Group Journey in our brochure has a “grading” to assist you in choosing a holiday best suited to your level of health and fitness. A guide to the gradings is as follows:
Easy
These tours avoid the more arduous road travel by flying between major cities. They are suitable for travellers of all ages and levels of fitness. However, an average level of mobility and agility is required as these tours still include some walking in often hot and humid conditions, as well as getting on/off boats and walking up/down flights of stairs. Accommodation is generally comfortable by international standards.
Moderate
These tours involve some long distance overland/overnight travel and can include one or two nights of basic accommodation in more remote areas. The tours are suitable for most travellers of average fitness and mobility with a spirit for “soft” adventure. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
Adventurous
These tours involve some long distance travel and at least 2 nights in very basic accommodation. On these tours there may be nights when clients will sleep out on boats, on trains, in a hilltribe village or in other basic accommodation. A client should be quite fit and be prepared for travelling in remote parts of developing Asia to get the most out of an “adventurous” tour. Clients will be expected on occasions to carry their own luggage for short distances.
Minimum Fitness Levels
It is essential for a good group dynamic on our Small Group Journeys that a less able client does not significantly impact on the enjoyment of the rest of the group during the touring days. We ask you please to consider the above tour gradings and think carefully about the Small Group Journeys most appropriate for your level of health and fitness. As a minimum requirement for our tours graded Easy, you should ask yourselves the following questions:
• Am I able to walk 2-3 kilometres comfortably in hot and humid conditions?
• Am I able to walk up 4 flights of stairs without losing breath?
• Am I able to walk along rough and unstable surfaces?
• Am I able to board small boats, trains etc?
• Am I able to carry my own luggage?
If, upon commencement of a Small Group Journey, our Tour Leader takes the view that a client’s physical capabilities are not to the standard set out in by the above criteria (also stipulated in the “Fitness Form” which is required to be completed upon booking) then, in the interests of the client and fellow travellers, we reserve the right to prevent the client from participating in the tour. In such instances, we will assist with onward travel arrangements. Cancellation penalties will apply. You should therefore ensure that you are physically capable and prepared for undertaking our journeys.
FOOD & WATER
Indian food incorporates a number of styles and each region specialises in its own cuisine. Breakfast is included each day on our tours and is usually a mix of buffet and continental style. In the major cities lunch should cost around INR 300-400 and dinner INR 400-500 - depending on the restaurant. Meals can be significantly cheaper than this, for example in more local restaurants or small rural towns, or higher in some of the upmarket and modern city restaurants. In rural restaurants, food hygiene is not always up to Western standards and it may sometimes be preferable to eat in your hotel. In some more remote areas, your hotel may be the only option outside of very basic local tea houses or dhabas. Your tour leader and/or local guide will be able to offer the best advice on where to eat local specialities, to ensure you get the most out of India’s delicious cuisine. Drinking local tap water is not recommended. Bottled water is cheap and readily available throughout India.
TIPPING POLICY
If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides, drivers and your tour leader, a tip is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, tipping inspires great service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across Travel Indochina destinations. As a general guide on Small Group or Special Group Journeys, please allow 2USD to 3USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide, driver and tour leader. If your tour is private, please allow 3USD to 5USD per day per traveller for each of your local guide and driver. Of course you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length of your trip. Should you be dissatisfied with the services provided by your local guide, driver or tour leader, please let us know.
SAFETY & SECURITY
India is generally a safe country, however petty street crime does occur especially in some cities. In larger cities we recommend you wear as little jewellery as possible and make sure your spending money is kept in a secure place close to your body. We also recommended you take taxis rather than walk at night. Taxis are mostly metered and inexpensive, but make sure the driver activates the meter and is clear on your destination - carry a hotel card so your taxi driver knows where to take you. Only take essentials out with you on the streets. Leave valuables (passport, credit cards, excess cash, jewellery) in hotel safety deposit boxes where available. It would also be advisable to make photocopies of your passport, credit card numbers, and airline tickets, and keep a record of your travellers cheques. These documents should be kept in a safe place separate from the originals. When travelling on trains, clients may wish to take extra precautions with their finances by using money belts.
POST & COMMUNICATION
International mail generally takes 10 to 14 days to reach its destination and prices are a little less than western postal charges. Parcels must be inspected by a customs official at the post office before being sealed and boxes are usually available at the post office. Reverse charge (collect) calls are available in many cities. International phone and fax facilities are widely available however they are expensive. Cost varies from region to region. International direct dial is available from most hotels for additional charges but the service is not always reliable and is usually relatively expensive. It can cost from INR 200 per minute upwards. Cheap international calls can be made from local shops with an STD/PCO/ISD sign outside.
Email services are inexpensive and available in most tourist areas. Hotels often have internet and email services which are convenient but more costly.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Digital photography is easily catered for in key cities in India and most photography shops and internet cafes are able to place digital photos onto a disc for a relatively inexpensive fee. Memory cards are not widely available to buy outside of tourist areas.
Print film, such as Kodak, Konika or Fuji is widely available and costs approximately INR 150 per roll. India has good and fast processing facilities. A roll of 24 exposures can be developed for approximately INR 250 but beware of poor quality or old chemicals, especially in smaller centres. Slide films, APS and Hi8/V8 video cassettes are not widely available outside major cities. The x-ray machines at all airports are film safe.
HOTELS
In the cities, all hotels we use have private western style bathrooms, hot water, air-conditioning, television, IDD telephones, laundry and other facilities. Where possible we will endeavor at passenger’s request to accommodate couples in double rooms. Please note however that on occasions during your journey, this may not be possible and in such instances a twin room will be supplied. Some group tour itineraries involve overnight stops at more isolated towns, where the accommodation is clean but facilities are more simple.
In India, we stay in some charming and atmospheric heritage hotels. However, please note that while all provide comfortable accommodation, room sizes and layout do vary – this is part of their charm and character. We also use tented accommodation in some desert and national park areas, however this is not ‘camping’ in the generally accepted Western sense! These tents are spacious, have electricity, comfortable beds, and a fully equipped private attached Western bathroom.
Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and historic hotels. With this in mind, we designed our range of Deluxe (Essence of Asia) journeys. The emphasis by day is unchanged – small groups and an authentic experience of Asia. At night however, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ambience of these specially selected hotels. Please note that in some cases Deluxe accommodation is not available. In these places we use some of the best hotels available. This will be clearly marked in your itinerary.
Check in and check out times can vary by hotel but most hotels in India require guests to check out by 12 noon and do not allow check in until 2pm. Many hotels may allow an earlier check in or later check out subject to availability on the day. However, if you are arriving early in the morning to a destination or leaving late in the evening you should consider pre-booking a guaranteed early check in/late check out. The additional cost varies from hotel to hotel but is usually between 50-100% of the nightly rate.
TRANSPORT
On the road we generally use late model air-conditioned buses with either 27 or 35 seats - depending on the size of the group. Modern sedan cars or traditional Ambassador cars and Tempo Travellers (minivans) are used for transporting smaller numbers. Some tours include domestic flights. India has a number of regional airlines which operate relatively modern fleets, however schedules are subject to change, flights can be cancelled and this can sometimes result in alterations to your tour programme.
GROUP DYNAMICS
Our small group journeys provide you with a good balance of group activity and personal discovery. Travellers need to be aware of certain personal responsibilities when travelling with a group. Simple things - like being ready at agreed times and keeping to schedule will ensure the smooth running of the programme. Furthermore, the traditions and culture of the country you are visiting should be respected. Correct behaviour includes wearing the appropriate dress when visiting religious sites and refraining from making comments or acting in a manner that would be viewed as unacceptable by your fellow group members or by the local people in the country you are visiting. Please ask your tour leader for further clarification of the issues mentioned above.
TOUR LEADERS & GUIDES
Providing the group tour reaches a minimum of seven passengers a Western tour leader will guide you on your entire journey through India. All of our tour leaders have an in-depth knowledge of India and an enthusiasm for the country that is contagious. Your tour leader is your link with India and is there to ensure the smooth running of the trip. Your tour leader will try – wherever practical - to cater for your individual interests. Local English-speaking guides also accompany you on your tour. They impart local information about history, customs and culture that can only come from living in the area. Generally, we have a different local guide for each city or region we visit. Thus, local guides are usually only with the group for a few days.
LOCAL TIME
India is set to Indian Standard Time:
• 5 ½ hrs ahead of GMT
• 4 ½ hrs behind Australian Eastern Standard Time
• 6 ½ hrs behind New Zealand
• 10 ½ hrs ahead of Canada Eastern Time
• 13 ½ hrs ahead of Canada Pacific Time
• 10 ½ hrs ahead of US Eastern Time
• 13 ½ hrs ahead of US Pacific Time
SHOPPING
Clothing, paintings, leather shoes, carpets, jewellery, textiles, ceramics, marble, antiques and a huge selection of souvenirs are favourite buys for visitors. A few guidelines to follow when shopping:
• Except in department stores, or more expensive boutique style shops, bargaining is the norm. To get the best price you will have to haggle hard.
• Export of certain antiques is not permitted. Make sure you are aware of relevant regulations before purchasing.
• Fake reproductions are common. Make sure you know what you are buying - especially in the case of antiques, jade and gems.
MASSAGE SERVICES
Many countries in Asia are deservedly renowned for their massage techniques and the quality and value for money of these services. Unfortunately, many massage parlours including some in otherwise 'reputable' hotels are also linked to the paid sex industry. We advise you to check carefully before using massage services in major cities in India. Ayurvedic Massage Centres in Southern India and in major hotels are usually very reputable, but Ayurvedic techniques can be quite confronting for first time users so go with a sense of adventure!
LANGUAGE
There are 18 officially recognised Indian languages including Urdu, Tamil, Punjabi and Bengali. Hindi is the most widely spoken and is the official language of India. English is also widely spoken however and is often the language of choice for Indian people themselves, if they do not speak each other’s local languages. Hindi does not use the Roman alphabet and thus most Westerners will have great difficulty trying to understand written Hindi. To help you get the most out of your contact with local people in the northern states where Hindi is widely used, try learning how to say these key phrases:
IMPORTANT DATES AFFECTING TOURING
26th January 2007 – Republic Day
Public holiday. All government, semi-government and private organisations remain closed. Parades are held in major centres and can cause traffic delays.
3rd March 2007 – Holi Festival
This colourful and important Hindu festival is celebrated by throwing coloured water and powder. In crowded venues, it can become a little too exuberant and tourists should exercise caution when joining in with this festival. We do not recommend road travel or sightseeing during the day whilst Holi is being celebrated (from around 8am to 3pm) so this may mean altering your touring itinerary accordingly. Some monuments and religious shrines may also remain closed.
2nd October 2007 – Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday
Public holiday. All government, semi-government and private organisations remain closed.
9th November 2007 – Diwali
A five day festival of light and sweet-giving. It is a public holiday but monuments remain open.
13th November 2007 - Id-Ul-Fitr
This Muslim festival of sacrifice, Id-ul-Zuha (Arabic) or Bakrid in India is celebrated all over the country. Special sweets are prepared and served among family and friends on the occasion. Its a public holiday but monuments remain open. Visiting the mosque may be affected at prayer time.
22nd Dec. 2007 to 02 Jan. 2008 - International New Year period - Public holiday:
Only schools close during this time in India.