India is a great place to travel to. However, Indian culture is not quite the same as Western culture, and there are a few important points to note regarding etiquette in India. This ettiquette and culture can be referred to a “bharatiyata” or “of Bharat”. Bharat is the traditional name of India. #1 Greeting Each Other Most Indians are comfortable with a handshake, though a few may prefer a namaste. The meaning of namaste, which is the traditional Indian greeting, is “I bow to the divine in your.” It is performed by joining the palms together in front of the chest. Reciprocate with the same greeting that your business counterpart prefers, whether a handshake or namaste. Indian women may not be comfortable shaking hands with men, though they should have no problem with other women. A western woman can shake hands with other men and this is not considered a faux pas. #2 Dining Etiquette It is not unusual for your Indian friends or colleagues to as you over for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most Indians are comfortable with and may prefer using spoons and forks. However, don’t be alarmed if you see some of them eating with their hands. Also keep in mind that Indian food can be quite spicy, so be sure to clarify the situation while ordering if you prefer little or no spice in your food. If you are the one inviting your counterparts for the meal, be aware that some Indian prefer not to eat on certain days for religious and spiritual reasons. #3 Small Talk and Gifts Indians can be quite casual and chatty, and it is not considered to rude to inquire about one’s family and children. You can do the same, but make sure to do so in a polite manner, avoiding any off-color or edgy jokes. Giving gifts is not mandatory on a first meeting, though it can happen from time to time. Give and receive gifts with both hands. Note that gifts are not usually opened or examined in the presence of the giver, though if the gift is unwrapped, be sure to say a few words on how wonderful it is. #4 Sleeping Over This happens rarely, but in case you are invited to stay over at the house of some friends, or are just spending the night before travelling on. In either case, some Indians sleep on a mat on the floor, though that is increasingly rare nowadays. Also, many Indians believe that it is inauspicious to sleep with the head facing towards the North. The best direction to sleep in is with your head pointing eastwards. Ananya Mathur     https://www.naturalnewsblogs.com/4-ettiquette-tips-remember-india/

India is a land of diverse landscapes, cultures and places, and offers a variety of places to visit for the nature-loving tourist. But the great thing about India is that almost every destination has a multidimensional aspect to it. Your love for nature can go hand-in-hand with your love for indigenous cultures, spirituality or great food! Let’s take a look at a few places every nature-lover should visit in India. Valley of Flowers The Valley of Flowers National Park in the North Indian state of Uttarakhand is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located at an altitude that varies between 10,000 to 20,000 feet in the Himalayas, the valley is covered in snow for most of the year, but from June to September, 300 varieties of alpine flowers spread over the green grass in a lush carpet of color, set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. One of the best parts about trekking to the valley is that the food on offer at the major stop-overs is authentic fare from various regions in North India. The state government’s tourism website has a great travel guide to the valley. Rann of Kutch The Rann of Kutch in the state of Gujarat on India’s western borders is the one of the largest salt deserts in the world, spread over 6000 square miles. But don’t let the “desert” moniker fool you. The place is a paradise for wildlife nuts and birdwatchers, and is visited by flamingos, pelicans and the rare Indian bustard. It is also the last surviving sanctuary of the endangered Indian Wild Ass. The months of December and January are the best time to visit the Rann, and take in the Rann Utsav, a festival which celebrates the culture of this region. The tourism department organizes camel safaris, cultural programs, adventure sports and much more at this time. Kedarnath Temple One of the most important temples for Hindus, the Kedarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located at an altitude of over 10,500 feet in the Himalayas. The temple can be reached after a demanding but not too tough climb of 14 kilometers. Places, in and around Kedarnath, offer a great trekking experience for enthusiasts, the prime attractions being Vasukhi Tal and Chorabari Tal. However, Kedarnath also gives you an opportunity to experience a unique aspect of India, its spiritual culture. The space is visited by many ascetics and mendicants who have taken to the path of brahmacharya or monkhood. India is a major tourist hub and rates for everything from airline tickets to accommodation can be expensive unless planned ahead of time, so book ahead! Corbett National Park Corbett National Park is named after Colonel Jim Corbett, who campaigned for its creation and was a hunter of man-eaters during the early twentieth century. Corbett National Park has one of the highest densities of tigers in India, and you are more likely to catch a sight of these rare, beautiful animals here than anywhere else, except probably Kanha in Central India. About a 10-hour drive [...]