Ari's Planet

Visa

Getting a visa in SEA. India does not issue visas to non-residents in Singapore or Vietnam, but does issue them in Bangkok (~5 days) and Malaysia (one week or longer). There's a visa office in Johor Bahru (tel 07- 2223 325), just over the border from Singapore. I called their office and they said it would take 5 days to receive clearance and 4 days to get the visa after that. During the 5 days I could keep my passport with me, but then I have to leave it with them for the 4 days (which means staying in Malaysia during that time). But then, this verbal information differs from that on the FAQ: "On day 1 submit application forms with 2 colored photo, necessary documents and verification fee of RM40/-. (To show the original passport at the counter). On day 5 submit the passport and requisite fee in between 9.30 AM - 12.00 PM and collect the visa in between 4.30 PM and 5.30 PM on the same day." The office is across the causeway from Singapore. Inn Crowd hostel info on getting to Malaysia, which is a simple bus ride away. Malaysia issues 3-month visas on arrival. The application form shows fees of MYR$152, a processing fee of MYR$40, and a service fee of MYR$8, or MYR$200 total, which at today's exchange rate (20081210) is USD$55, which is about half the price of getting the visa in the US.

Visa link in AU: http://www.hcindia-au.org/consular_main.html visas handled by http://www.vfs-in-au.net . The fees table shows $75 for a 6 month tourist visa. Just because the world loves America so much they add a $40 surcharge for us lucky citizens. There's another $18 service charge that gets tacked on for everyone. The total is $75+$40+$18=$133, which at today's (22/9/08) conversion rate is USD$111. In person you can pay in cash or Visa/MC issued in Australia, which means I get to pay in cash. The hours are 0830-1500 Sydney time M-F. There's an office in Perth, so that's probably where I'll get the visa.

Health

Get a damned rabies vaccine so your trip isn't ruined if a crazy monkey or dog gets too friendly. I was not specifically urged to get the preexposure vaccine and really regret it. Damn. Kills about 30,000 Indians a year!

Avoid visceral leishmaniasis. Wow, this disease is nasty. Kills 60,000 Indians a year, second only to Malaria, and has half of the world's annual cases of which the state of Bihar has 90%. You may end up needing daily injections and a month's stay in a hospital, and that's if you're lucky. The disease is resistant to many of the drugs formerly used to treat it. This article switches to the problems caused by lack of a good public health infrastructure and treatments for the poor, who are most affected and least able to afford treatment. The WHO has further information.

General health info
http://www.mdtravelhealth.com/destinations/asia/india.html

Yoga

Places to learn yoga in India
https://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=458782
http://kym.org/
http://www.yogamovement.com/forum5/read.php?1,2939
For centres in India :
http://www.srcm.org/srcminfo/servlet/CenterTree?ShowChildren=1&NodeId=9

Getting there from Nepal

Fly Kathmandu->Delhi 1hr (http://www.southwest.com.au/~lockley/Nepal_india.htm)
Overland (Indian-Nepali) (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/asia/nepal/transport)
Sunauli-Bhairawa (Varanasi or Delhi)
Birganj-Raxaul Bazaar (Kolkata)
Kakarbhitta-Panitanki (Darjeeling or Sikkim)
Mahendrenagar-Banbass (Delhi, hills of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh)

Places to see

From a friend:

Ajanta caves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajanta_Caves

You will be amazed by these caves....& their paintings. They are well
maintained due to funding from Japan (go figure..)

Dwarka, Gujarat - hindu pilgramage destination in Western tip of India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarka

This is REMOTE and untouched by development, tourists etc. I loved
this place. The temple in Dwarka is right by the water and beautiful.

Alternatively or in addition to Dwarka, I would suggest Jagarnathpuri
in Eastern Tip of India:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple_%28Puri%29

It is also has a pretty Hindu temple that is a pilgramage for Hindus.
The British Raj was not allowed in b/c he was non-hindu and erected a
wall to be able to look over the temple.

Jasilmere, Rajastan OR Ranakpur, Rajastan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaisalmer

Rajastan is the most beautiful state in India and richest in culture.
all its cities are great especially udaipur. But Jaislmere and
Ranakpur have beautiful Jain temples - which are very different from
Hindu temples and they are well kept.

Delhi, India - ok this is my hometown. I love this place...I can give
many more suggestions than this....but here's where I'd suggest first

B'Hai Lotus temple:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1'%C3%AD_House_of_Worship

Lodhi Gardens: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lodhi_Gardens

Chandni Chowk MUST eat at "paranthe Wali Gali" - any rickshas driver
can take you there...they feed you fresh indian paranthe in this
little alleyway: Chandni Chowk is where all of my uncles work in the
Sari business and the center of business in Delhi. You can get there
by the METRO and the MAIN STATION is here - it is supposed to be
beautiful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandni_Chowk

India gate - beautiful area in Delhi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India_Gate

Lal Kila (Red Fort): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Fort

Good south indian food in north india: ;) Sagar Restaurant (Defence
Colony Market)

Good north indian that is in intimate setting : Kasbah (GK part 1, N block)

Want to see modern Indian youth?: Go to Mocha in Greater Kailash
market (which is down the street from my house) and walk around the
market too!.....I grew up in this market pre-western invasion