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Planning to go to India?

Posted by Mariellen on 11 Sep 2010 | 10 Comments
Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues

Ready, set, go to India

What to pack, what to eat, where to go and more

If you are planning to visit India, I have lots of resources right here on Breathedreamgo. Start by reading the following blogs: Advice for first time travelers, Top 5 Myths about India, Avoiding bed bugs, bacteria and bad guys, Top 5 things I’ve learned after a year of travel in India , Top 10 tips for women traveling in India and my Packing list for India. And don’t miss watching How to use an Indian toilet – it’s a funny and informative video by the great Wilbur Sargunaraj that will teach you a very important, essential skill.

I would also recommend reading about India. I have included a list of 10 books about India that I love, and 10 more books, and a list of spiritual books that I love, some of which are pertinent. Of course, there are loads more I haven’t read or even heard of — so let me know if you come across something good.

For guide books, I recommend the Lonely Planet Guide to India and the Rough Guide to India. In India, books are cheap, and there are lots of great travel and tourism books and guides available. I especially recommend Outlook Traveller, and the “Love” Guides to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur and Bangalore.

If you want to know something of Hindu culture — and India is about 85% Hindu — I would suggest getting acquainted with the Mahabharat, the Ramayana and the Bhagavad Gita. The Mahabharat and the Ramayana are epics (the Mahabharat is the longest poem in history), and I am not suggesting that you read them in entirety. You can get abridged versions, read about them on Wikipedia, watch videos or find versions for children. There are lots of ways.

The Bhagavad Gita is essentially the “bible” of Hinduism. It is short section within the Mahabharat in which Krishna lectures Arjuna as the great battle is about to begin. He sets forth the philosophy of yoga and the basis of Hinduism. It doesn’t take long to read, but it takes a lifetime to fully appreciate and understand.

For a “pop culture” version of the Ramayana, watch Sita Sings the Blues. It may not be considered a traditional retelling, but it’s extremely entertaining and really beautifully crafted. Kudos to Nina Paley — who poured her heartache over her own divorce into artistic endeavour!

Cultural etiquette

Most people understand (I hope) that India is still a traditional society, except perhaps in parts of Mumbai. Even Delhi is comparatively conservative — and once you get out of the big cities, India is almost completely traditional. I am a “when in Rome” traveler, and I wouldn’t dream of disrespecting my host country. I wrote this brief list of Do’s and Dont’s to give you the basics. Far be it for me to tell you what to do … but please think about the repercussions of your actions.

Travel Tips and other resources

Here are some websites that could prove useful, and there are more on  Links page.

Yoga and solo travel

I have spent more than a year in India in the last five years, on four separate trips. I have lived in Delhi, volunteered in the Tibetan community in Dharamsala, studied yoga at:

… and visited these states: National Capital Region (Delhi), Punjab, Haryana, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. I lived with my partner’s family in Delhi; otherwise I mostly traveled alone.

I enjoy traveling alone in India and can recommend it for women without reservation. I have even written about it for Solotravelerblog.com.

If you still have questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact me at mariellen [@] breathedreamgo . com.

10 Comments »

  • Bessie said:

    Thanks for the list! Working toward a yoga trip to India in the next year myself, so this is quite helpful! Wonder if you have a primer of the Bhagavad Gita you recommend?

    # 12 September 2010 at 2:33 am
  • Mariellen (author) said:

    Hi Bessie,

    There are many different versions of the Bhagavad Gita, from many different commentators and translators. I have one written by Mahatma Gandhi, for example. I understand that the best way to learn is from a teacher, one-on-one if possible, in the oral tradition. Or start a discussion group. It’s hard to read straight through without pausing for reflection, guidance and/or discussion.

    # 22 September 2010 at 7:15 pm
  • Lindo Dcosta said:

    hai mariellan,hw r u? its a gud article,i like ur open mind.i am an indian,keralite, did u visited idakkal caves in kerala,wayanad district. it has 3000years of history .old peoples written carved smthing in rock which gives a story to the present.if u want to know more mail me.i will help u.may this help others.thanku

    # 24 April 2011 at 1:41 am
  • Sandy Seale said:

    I am hoping to travel to India next fall with Shelley. Its been my dream for years since falling in love with it & its children thru Shelley’s travels then her book. I love The Miracle Foundation & Caroline Boudreaux. I am so very proud of Shelley, her compassion. & the work she does to make the world a better place…esp, for children. They have a right to the basics of life & an education so they can have a good life.

    # 10 October 2011 at 6:00 pm
  • Mariellen (author) said:

    Thanks for the comment and your donation Sandy! I don’t blame you for being proud of Shelley – what a beautiful person she is. I recommend her book Weight of Silence to people who want to learn about the children of India.

    Perhaps we three can met up in India one day soon. I am convinced Shelley is my soul sister … so that means we are related too!

    # 10 October 2011 at 8:01 pm
  • Johnson K said:

    India is a great county all over the world. Here we can see Historical places, festival , Nature etc..and When you say about Mumbai. Mumbai is one of the most popular city in India. The Mumbai culture is a blend of traditional festivals.IIt has a magical spark within that many peoples from rest of the states of india heads toward it with a dream in their eyes. There is a phrase that people used to say about Mumbai is –“Mumbai never stops”…

    # 4 February 2012 at 6:22 am
  • Vinayakan Aiyer said:

    I am an Indian national and I have traveled around my country quite a bit. Am deeply aware of my history (right from vedas, Gita, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Yoga, Panchatantra, Chanakya neeti, Arthashastra and the list goes on) and the challenges we have faced since independence in 1947. I am very lucky to be born in India and extremely fortunate to have had a solid upbringing.

    Its very easy for a westerner (developed world, caucasian whites in particular), who haven’t seen what poverty is in their countries to lose sight of India’s history and focus only on the poverty here. Books like Shantaram or a movie like Slumdog Millionaire are perfect examples of how one tends to miss the wood for the trees. I have nothing against them, but I just think India needs be shown in a better light to the world.

    In my busy work day, when I am looking for distraction/2 minute vacation, I pick up any random article written in it. I don’t read it because I am planning a travel, but I read it to appreciate your detailing and the fact that you dared to scratch the surface. You went for India’s inner beauty – not an easy thing to do. Its is like a breath of fresh air and your consistent positive tone is what sets it apart.

    I can’t wait for you to take this blog to whole new level and this become the benchmark for travel/online journalism. Do you give autographs online? :) I would be very keen to get one.

    All the best! I will continue to cheer for this site’s success.

    Regards, Vinayakan
    Vinayakan Aiyer recently posted..AccentMy Profile

    # 18 February 2012 at 1:44 pm
  • Mariellen (author) said:

    Hello Johnson, Agree about Mumbai. It is indeed a special place, and has an incredible buzz. It’s the New York of Asia. Or maybe New York is the American version of Mumbai ;-)

    # 18 February 2012 at 5:42 pm
  • Mariellen (author) said:

    Vinayakan, Thanks so much for your comment, I really appreciate it. For some reason, the beauty of India is very obvious to my eyes; it is genuinely what I see. Plus, I have developed an appreciation for the richness and depth of the culture. My yoga training helps, I suppose, both with my positivity and cultural appreciation.

    It’s great to hear from someone who has a classical background and an upbringing steeped in cultural tradition, too. I’m so worried India is going to lose its cultural heritage. Though, in truth, that seems unlikely.

    Thanks again for your comment, one of the best I have ever received. Please stay in contact.

    Mariellen

    # 18 February 2012 at 5:46 pm
  • Madeleine said:

    Such awesome advice here! We really love your blog and have recommended it to our readers as one of our favourite travel blogs here: http://www.girlosophy.com/blog/round-our-favourite-travel-blogs/

    Thanks for the great resource!

    Madeleine from Girlosophy

    # 1 March 2012 at 6:17 am

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