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TOURIST VISA
Eligibility
A Tourist visa is granted to a foreigner whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, attending a short term yoga program, short duration medical treatment including treatment under Indian systems of medicine etc. and no other purpose/ activity. [Short term yoga program means a yoga program not exceeding 6months duration and not issued with a qualifying certificate/ diploma etc.]
Validity
Validity of a tourist visa will be as specified below:
(i) Multiple entry Tourist Visa may be granted for a period of 10 years to the nationals of USA, Canada and Japan with a stipulation that “continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days and registration not required”.
(ii)In respect of nationals of other countries (except for nationals of 33 countries mentioned below), Multiple entry Tourist Visa may be granted for a period of 5 years as a default option. Grant of 5-year Tourist Visa will be with the stipulation “Continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days and registration not required”. However, in the case of nationals of UK, continuous stay during each visit shall not exceed 180 days.
(iii) In respect of nationals of 30 countries i.e. (1) Iran, (2) Egypt, (3) Libya, (4) Qatar, (5) Iraq, (6) Syria, (7) Sudan, (8) Tunisia, (9) Kuwait, (10)Yemen, (11) Algeria, (12)Bahrain, (13) Turkey, (14) Morocco, (15) Kyrgyzstan, (16) Turkmenistan, (17) Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), (18) Lebanon, (19) Afghanistan, (20) Saudi Arabia, (21) Uganda, (22) Congo, (23) Ethiopia, (24) Nigeria, (25) Belarus, (26) Somalia, (27) South Sudan, (28) Kazakhstan, (29) Uzbekistan and (30) Sri Lanka, duration of visa will be decided by the concerned Indian Missions/ Posts subject to a maximum of 5 years with the stipulation “continous stay during each visit shall not exceed 90 days and registration not required”.
Conditions of Tourist Visa
Tourist Visa shall be non-extendable and non-convertible to any other type of visa except in specific cases. Regarding conversion of Tourist Visa to other categories of visa, please see the general policy guidelines relating to Indian visa on this website.
Repeat visits
There shall be a gap of at least 2 (two) months between two visits to India on a Tourist Visa in respect of nationals of Afghanistan, China, Iraq, Sudan, foreigners of Pakistan origin and Stateless persons. In case any foreign national falling in this categoryand who has not been issued a 5-year Tourist Visa at the discretion of the Mission is required to visit India again within a period of 2 months after his/her last departure due to any exigent situation, such foreign national may be granted a fresh Tourist Visa. The applicant should furnish an undertaking on the following lines:-(a) That the purpose of his/her visit is because of an emergent situation.(b)That he/she is not engaged in Business activities, nor in Employment or pursuing studies/research etc. in India.
Group Tourist Visa
Foreign tourists travelling in groups of not less than four members, under the auspices of a recognized travel agency can be granted Group Tourist visa for group tourism in India. The Group Tourist Visa will be granted only on the online mode under the IVFRT. In order to avail of this facility, the travel agency concerned shall mandatorily fill in the applications online on website www.indianvisaonline.gov.in. The Mission/ Post concerned will issue Group Tourist Visa (T- 2) after necessary checks.
[/vc_message][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Culture & Customes” tab_id=”1567677375109-0b0e2d6d-e517″][vc_message icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-hand-o-right”]Daily life :
- Namaste is a word used for greeting people in India. It is the most common greeting among other greetings. This greeting is marked by the gesture of placing both palms together and raising them below the face.
- Young people bow down and touch the feet of the elders, parents, and teachers. In turn, the elders give blessings by placing their hands on the head of the young people. This is an act of respect.
- Aarati is a circulated lam around a deity or person. It is mainly performed when worshiping God. It is a devotion, love or welcoming act.
- When we enter the room and sacred places, we leave our shoes outside the door. We don’t point out someone or sacred objects with index finger instead we show with the palm of the hand. Showing the sole towards someone or sacred object is considered impolite.
- Tilak is a ritual mark of red or yellow or orange color or sandal powder put in between the eyebrows that signifies the blessing.
- Indian people use both hands together for giving and receiving somethings. This is a sign of the respect towards giver or receiver.
- Traditionally people eat their meal sitting on the wooden floor with their right hand. Before eating the meal, they make a short pray and put small morsel of food on the floor as a symbol of offering to spirit and deities.
- It is considered a good manner in Indian culture to go 15 to 30 minutes late than invited time when people are invited.
- The Indian family always serves the guest first. Culturally we don’t serve oneself. There are always some persons for the service particularly ladies members of the family serve invited person and other members of the family.
- Married ladies always covered their head with their sari or shawl Infront of elder member of their husband’s house.
- Bindi is a mark made with the vermilion powder that women wear on their forehead to show that they are married.
Birth:
In Indian Hindu family, different rites are performed before and after giving a birth of new baby:
- Soon after a couple are married, a prayer called Garbhadana (conception) is recited for fulfillment of one’s parental obligations.
- During a third month of the pregnancy for strong physical growth of fetus, the Punsavana (fetus protection) ceremony is performed.
- During seventh month of pregnancy to satisfy the craving of pregnant one, Simantonnayan ceremony is practiced.
- Once a child is born, Jatakarma is celebrate to welcome the new comer into the family by putting some honey in his mouth and whispering the name of God in the child’s ear.
- Then the ritual of Namakarna (name giving), Karnaveda (ear piercing for both sexs), Niskaramana (the first trip out), Annaprasana (giving first solid food to child), and Mundan (first hair cut) practiced continuously in the duration of some months.
- Often at the age of 11 or 12 for boys the Upanayana (sacred thread) ceremony is performed. The three strands of the sacred thread represent the three vows (to respect the knowledge, the parents and the society).
In Muslim culture of India, after a birth of new baby different rituals are performed:
- As soon as possible after a birth of new baby, it is customary for the father or a respected member of the local community, to whisper the Adhan into the baby’s right ear.
- Before feeding the new born, a respected member of the family often rubs the palate of the child by soft date or honey in the hope of some of his/her positives attributes will be transmitted in the nascent enfant. This practice is known as Tahneek.
- The Taweez is a black piece of string with a small pouch containing a prayer, which is tied around the baby’s wrist or neck believing that protects the baby by ill health.
- Within the few weeks of birth Khatana (circumcision) is performed only for the male child mainly for hygienic purposes, so that when the child matures and begins to offer prayers, there is no danger of his clothes becoming soiled from small amounts of urine held up in the foreskin—an important consideration because soiled clothes nullify prayer.
- Aqiqah (offering of sheep in sacrifice to newborn child as a sign of gratitude to Allah) is performed on the seventh day of the birth and the meat is distribute among the family members and the needy people.
- Traditionally in the seventh day of the birth, scalp hair that has grown in the uterus is raged and an equivalent weight of silver is given to charity.
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Indian crafts include metalwork, wood work, cloth, textiles and fabric, jewelry, terra cotta objects, pottery and objects made from cane and bamboo. Some crafts such as woodwork, painting and stonework are featured as architectural elements and as objects of art. Some of the most elaborate were created under the great Mughal regime in the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Bamboo and Cane Work of North East
Bamboo is one of the most amazing works of the people of the North East, and it also forms a major part of the economy of the people. It requires excellent craftsmanship to make almost everything out of Bamboo and Cane. Magnificent showpieces, mats and household items are being made from Bamboo and Cane, and more importantly, amazing furniture is made from it.
- Banarasi saree
A Banarasi saree is a saree made in Varanasi, an ancient city which is also called Benares (Banaras). The sarees are among the finest sarees in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari, fine silk and opulent embroidery. The sarees are made of finely woven silk and are decorated with intricate design, and, because of these engravings, are relatively heavy. Banarasi sarees are mostly worn by Indian women on important occasions.
- Bandhani
It is also one of the most famous arts in India. Bandhani is a tie and dye method of textile decoration or art that is originated in the Western Part of the country of Gujarat, Rajasthan, parts of Punjab and is popular all over India and the world. Bandhani Saree is also popular. This art form is said to be dated from the Indus Valley Civilization it is found in cave 1 of Ajanta. It uses natural dye, making it colourful.
- Bidriware
It is from Bidar district of Karnataka, and this art form developed during the reign of Bahmani Sultanate. Bidriware is famous for its amazing metalwork. Bidriware is made from a blackened alloy of zinc and copper with thin sheets of pure silver. Bidriware undergoes an eight-stage process for making the crafts. Bidriware also has a Geographical Indication. Bidriware is the most famous craftwork around the world.
- Channapatna Toys
Channapatna Toys originated from Karnataka state. The toys are made using wood, and it is the traditional craft form of India. The origin of this craftwork can be traced back to the reign of Tipu Sultan. It is also one of the most colourful craftwork made up of wood involves the stages of procuring, seasoning, cutting the wood into the desired shapes and then apply colours to the toys. No doubt this is also of the amazing craftwork of India.
- Clipped camel
The clipped camel is unique to Rajasthan. In this, patterns are imprinted on the hide of the camel, taken place during the Pushkar and Nagaur festivals by the Rabari caste.
- Kalamkari
The Srikalahasti style of Kalamkari is very famous in India and the world. Kalamkari is a hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile. It is also one of the most beautiful art and craft of India. Kalamkari is used in everyday dress material of sarees and other garments. The origin of Kalamkari is in the early era when Kalamkari used to depict stories of Hindu Mythology by the painters or singers who used to travel from village to village to tell the stories. In the time it emerges as beautiful artwork.
- Kashmir Rug
Kashmir rug or Kashmir carpets are very famous handicraft of India. It is hand-knitted and original rug of Kashmir that surely require intensive labour, which makes it famous worldwide. It consists of floral design and other motifs. The carpet weaving is a skill that is traditionally passed from one generation to another by the rug weavers of Kashmir. The beautiful rug is sure to be loved by people to have their collection.
- Kathputali
Puppetry and theatre have remained a popular form of entertainment in Rajasthan. Recently, its popularity has reduced with increased interest in film and television amongst rural communities. The Nat Bhat caste produces these marionette style puppets. Facial expressions are painted on a mango wood head and the body is covered in decorative, Rajasthani clothing. The strings loosely bind the arms and torso together to give flexibility for movement. These puppets usually perform in legends and mythology conveying a moral message
- Madhubani
Like the Warli Paintings, Madhubani style of Art also inspires modern-day fashion, and home decor items as many of the dresses and sarees have Madhubani Art. Madhubani Art is originated from the Mithila community living in Bihar, India and some parts of Nepal. Madhubani art has consisted of five distinctive styles that are named as Bharni, Katchni, Tantrik, Godna and Kohbar.
- Pattachitra
Pattachitra is a traditional Art form of India, where mostly the mythological are religious figures are drawn on a piece of cloth. The story mostly depicts the tale from Hindu Mythology. Pattachitra mainly prepared by the artisans known as Chitrakars in their villages where all of the family members are taking part to make it. It is known for its vibrant colouring to apply the technique, and last it is given the lacquer coating.
- Wood work
States of India have a rich tradition of the woodwork. Regions in Punjab are famous for its exquisite wooden furniture. Kashmir is famous for its artefacts made from the walnut trees. The artisans of Chhattisgarh specialise in wooden crafts like masks, doors, window frames and sculptures. Jharkhand is famous for its wooden toys which are always in a pair. The wood carvings of Goa are an aesthetic blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures, and the designs are primarily floral, animal and human figures.
- Zardozi
Zardozi embroidery work involves making elaborate designs, using gold and silver threads along with studded pearls and precious stones. Intricate designs in gold are made of silk, velvet and even tissue materials famous in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Initially, the embroidery was done with pure silver wires and real gold leaves. However, today, craftsmen make use of a combination of copper wire, with a golden or silver polish, and a silk thread. This embroidery work is mainly a speciality of Lucknow, Bhopal.
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| Festivals | Date (Year 2023) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year | 1st January | ||
| Lohri | 14 January | ||
| Pongal, Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti | 15 January | ||
| Republic Day, Basanta Panchmi, Saraswoti Puja | 26 January | ||
| Mahashivratri | 18 February | ||
| Holika Dahan | 7 March | ||
| Holi | 8 March | ||
| Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Gudi Padwa | 22 March | ||
| Cheti Chand | 23 March | ||
| Ram Navami | 30 March | ||
| Chaitra Navaratri Parana | 31 March | ||
| Hanuman Jayanti | 6 April | ||
| Baisakhi | 14 April | ||
| Akshaya Tritiya | 22 April | ||
| Jagannath Rath Yatra | 20 June | ||
| Ashadhi Ekadashi | 29 June | ||
| Guru Purnima | 3 July | ||
| Independence Day | 15 August | ||
| Hariyali Teej | 19August | ||
| Nag Panchami | 21 August | ||
| Onam/ Thiruvonam | 29 August | ||
| Raksha Bandhan | 30 August | ||
| Kajari Teej | 2 September | ||
| Janmashtami | 7 September | ||
| Hartalika Teej | 18 September | ||
| Ganesh Chaturthi | 19 September | ||
| Anant Chaturdashi | 28 September | ||
| Sharad Navratri | 15 October | ||
| Durga Puja Ashtami | 22 October | ||
| Durga Maha Navami Puja | 23 October | ||
| Dusshera, Sharad Navratri Parana | 24 October | ||
| Karva Chauth | 1 November | ||
| Dhanteras | 10 November | ||
| Diwali, Narak Chaturdashi | 12 November | ||
| Govardhan Puja | 14 November | ||
| Bhai Dhoj | 15 November | ||
| Chhath Puja | 19 November | ||
| Christmas | 25 December | ||
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