- India Languages and Greetings
- Religion in India
- India Festivals and Holidays
- Bargaining and Haggling in India
- India Etiquette for Travelers
- How to Dress in India
- Other Essential Tips
- Prepare for Your India Trip
India Languages and Greetings
India is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world, with more than 1,600 languages and dialects. Hindi is the official language and the most commonly spoken, followed closely by English. Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Urdu, and Tamil are also widely spoken.
As English is the second official language, Americans should have no issues communicating with locals in major cities and tourist destinations. If you plan on traveling outside the main tourism areas, however, it’s good to know a few common phrases in Hindi (or the local language) to get by. Not only will this help you get around, but it’s also a gesture of respect.
Here are some basic, beginner phrases in Hindi to start you off:
- Hello – Namaste
- Thank you – Dhanyavaad
- Yes – Han
- No – Nhi
- How are you? – Kaise ho aap?
- My name is… – Mera naam (insert your name here) hai
- How much is this? – Yeh kitane ka hai?
- Where is the bathroom? – Bathroom kha he?
- Let’s go – Chalo
Greetings
If you practice yoga, you may already be familiar with India’s most common greeting: namaste. In order to greet people properly, you bring both hands together at the level of your chest with your fingers pointing up and say “namaste.” Some people also bow their heads.
Signifying respect in Indian culture, namaste is a greeting you can use with all people, regardless of age or social status. If you want to be more formal, such as when you’re greeting elders, spiritual leaders, or teachers, you say “pranam,” accompanied by touching the feet of the person.
For business meetings or informal occasions, it’s also appropriate to shake hands, though some women may not be comfortable with this due to religious or cultural reasons.
Addressing Others
When addressing others in India, you can call men “sir” and women “madam” as a general greeting. If the person is older and you know them, you can also use the terms “uncle” or “aunty.”
Religion in India
Home to one of the oldest belief systems in the world, religion is deeply entrenched in Indian society and culture. It’s a diverse country that way: Many of the biggest world religions can be found here, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism.
Practiced by nearly 80% of the country’s population, Hinduism is the primary religion in India, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Both Hinduism and Buddhism originated from the Indian subcontinent, making them among the oldest religions in the world.
Thanks to its rich religious heritage, India has thousands of temples dedicated to all denominations scattered across the country, ranging from ornate castles to solid rock structures with elaborate stone carvings. Many are thousands of years old, like the Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, which is believed to be the oldest functional temple on Earth.
In addition to temples, followers frequently embark on religious pilgrimages to sacred sites, like the Char Dham Yatra in Hinduism and the Ajmer Sharif in Islam. People also visit holy cities, like Varanasi, considered by Hindus to be the most sacred city in India.
Travelers can discover and connect with India’s major religions by visiting temples or watching pilgrimage ceremonies, as well as taking part in spiritual practices like Ayurveda, meditation, and yoga. But one of the most fun and memorable ways to experience India’s religious heritage is by attending a festival or holiday.
India Festivals and Holidays
With tens of major festivals and hundreds of smaller ones celebrated throughout the year, visiting India during important festivals is one of the best ways to meet locals, learn about cultural traditions and customs, and have a good time. Here are some of the biggest and best-known cultural and religious festivals and holidays that take place in India.
Diwali
Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, Diwali is one of India’s most important festivals. It gets its nickname, the Festival of Lights, due to the lighting of lanterns that symbolize light’s triumph over darkness and good’s victory over bad. Gifts and sweets are also exchanged and enjoyed. Lasting five to six days, Diwali usually takes place between October and November, but the exact dates change according to the Indian calendar.
Holi
Many people want to visit India during Holi because it’s the Festival of Colors and comes with some fantastic photo opportunities. Each March, people take to the streets to throw colored powder and water at each other with singing and Indian dance, turning entire streets and people into vibrant living paintings. This joyful festival celebrates the eternal love between Lord Krishna and Radha in Hindu culture.
Eid al-Fitr
Toward the end of April, Indian Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan with this important festival. After daytime fasting during the sacred month, the end of Ramadan is celebrated with feasts, gifts, and prayer.
Christmas
If you’re looking for a non-wintery Christmas getaway, this Christian holiday is celebrated throughout India with carol singing, gift exchanges, and decorations.
Independence Day
Flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and events mark the annual August 15th celebration of India’s independence from Great Britain.
Bargaining and Haggling in India
For foreign travelers visiting markets and street vendor stalls in India, getting to bargain or haggle over the price of goods can be a fun and unique experience. But there are some protocols to keep in mind to be considered respectful and polite in Indian culture.
- You can usually find the same or similar items at many different stalls, so explore the market to compare prices from different vendors.
- If you’re ready to start negotiating, start off the exchange with a friendly smile and greeting.
- Using Hindi phrases can help create a good rapport between you and the shopkeeper
- Act indifferent and impartial. If you seem really interested in a specific item, the shopkeeper will drive a harder bargain.
- Once the shopkeeper states the price, you can usually counter with an amount that’s half to a third of the quoted price.
- Feel free to walk away if the shopkeeper won’t drop the price enough. With this tactic, they’ll usually go slightly lower on the price.
- Don’t worry if you don’t get the price as low as you want; with the favorable exchange rate, the difference is likely small.
- Enjoy the experience and use what you learned to fine-tune the process at other stalls.
India Etiquette for Travelers
From how to behave at temples to the proper way to eat, these etiquette rules and guidelines will help you better respect Indian tradition and culture.
Temple and Religious Sites Etiquette in Indian Culture
Regardless of religion, India takes its holy sites seriously. When visiting religious sites around the country, follow the rules and these basic etiquette guidelines.
- Look for posted signage highlighting any rules and regulations.
- Dress modestly and respectfully with clothes that cover your shoulders, knees, and chest. Some temples may also require that women wear head coverings.
- Remove your shoes if asked to do so.
- Always ask permission before taking photos, and never try to sneak pictures where it isn’t allowed.
- In Hindu temples, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter.
- Speak softly and avoid making loud noises to be respectful of others using the space.
- Do not touch objects unless it is expressly allowed.
- Make a small donation in thanks.
Dining Etiquette in Indian Culture
From North India to East India to Central India to southern India, eating your way around the country is an adventure in and of itself. Though Indian food varies from region to region, foodies flock here to experience the flavorful, spice-rich dishes, like curries, tandoori meat, and dal lentil soups; savory bread, like roti and naan, and refreshing yogurt-based drinks, like lassi.
India’s strong street-food culture allows you to taste exceptional dishes while on the go, and you’ll find regional and cultural variations between dishes and ingredients all over the country. But there is some dining etiquette to be aware of before diving into Indian cuisine.
- Food is considered sacred in India, so avoid wasting it.
- Eating with your hands is common, but don’t use your left hand to touch or eat food as this is considered unclean.
- When dining with others, wait for the host or the eldest person present to start before you do. Don’t reach across the table, and use utensils if they’re provided.
- Most tap water in India is contaminated or contains bacteria that lead to upset stomachs, so only drink sealed bottled water.
- Tea and coffee are offered to guests in Indian homes.
- Tipping is customary and expected at restaurants, with 10% to 15% being the norm in restaurants
It’s also best to avoid eating beef. In Hindu culture, they’re considered a sacred animal, and while you can eat cow meat in some states, like West Bengal and Kerala, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.
In fact, many travelers temporarily switch to a vegetarian diet during their time in India. This is in part because many dishes and cuisines across India are meatless for religious reasons, but it also keeps you from accidentally offending others.
How to Dress in India
For the most part, India is a hot and humid country. You want to dress for comfort and convenience while also being respectful.
Choose shirts, pants, and dresses made from breathable, lightweight fabrics, such as linen and cotton. If you’re visiting the north during the winter, it can get chilly. In that case, you’ll want some colder-weather clothing, like jackets, hats, scarves, and gloves.
But the most important thing to know about dressing in India is that you should always dress modestly, even when you’re not at religious sites. India is a conservative country, especially when it comes to clothing. This applies to both men and women, but women are held to stricter standards.
No need to break out the colorful silk saris, but women should dress modestly and avoid clothing that’s too revealing or skin-tight. Even though it’s hot, leave the tank tops, shorts, and low-cut tops at home. Women don’t have to wear headscarves in India, but some tem
Other Essential Tips
Here are some other important things to keep in mind during your India travels.
- Personal space: While Indians are respectful of personal space, they have a more relaxed attitude toward it than in some Western countries. You may experience being bumped or jostled in big crowds.
- The caste system: Hierarchy in everything from social to business matters is very important in Indian culture. One of the clearest examples of this is the caste system.
- Elder respect: Indians are extremely respectful of their elders. Be deferential and polite toward elders and address them using proper titles, like aunty or uncle.
- Punctuality: Indians have a more lax attitude toward being on time. Expect meetings or appointments to start late, and be patient and flexible.
- Gift-giving: When visiting someone’s home, bring a small gift, like fruit, flowers, or sweets. This is also appropriate in business settings, like dinners or important meetings.