Introduction

If you are planning to visit India, please read this section, and then visit the Links & Resources page for a list of helpful sites, etc.

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.

First things first

Before you go, please read my article on Advice for first time travelers and my Packing list for India. It is truly tried-and-true. 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. I have listed the Lonely Planet Guide to India and I also use 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 a 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: the Gita can be considered the “bible” of Hinduism. It doesn’t take long to read, but it takes a lifetime to fully appreciate and understand.

Sita Sings the Blues

Sita Sings the Blues

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

Read my 10 top tips for women traveling in India. I will add more to this section as time goes on.

Here are some websites that could prove useful:

Check back as I will be regularly adding more info and resources.

All material on this weblog is copyright Mariellen Ward 2009

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