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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
South Africans require a visa to travel to India. South African passport holders are eligible for India’s e-Visa programme. Travellers must hold a valid passport and carry a printed copy of the visa approval email prior to departure. Ensure all information is accurate before submitting your application to avoid complications.
VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
India has a tropical monsoon climate that varies regionally. The north experiences hot summers and cold winters, while the south remains warm year-round. The monsoon season brings heavy rains from June to September.
- Spring (March to May): In most parts of India, this is summer, with hot temperatures, especially in the northern plains and central regions. It can reach 35°C or higher, but hill stations like Shimla or Darjeeling remain cooler and pleasant.
- Summer (June to September): This is the monsoon season, bringing heavy rainfall across much of the country. South-western and north-eastern regions see the heaviest rains, while some areas like Rajasthan remain relatively dry. Travel can be challenging due to flooding and high humidity.
- Autumn (October to November): This is the post-monsoon season, with clear skies and mild temperatures. Southern India experiences its northeast monsoon, while northern and central regions enjoy drier, cooler weather. Festivals like Diwali make this a vibrant time to visit.
- Winter (November to February): Winter is the most pleasant season for most of India. Northern cities like Delhi and Jaipur have cool, dry weather, while southern coastal areas remain warm and sunny. The Himalayas are cold with snow, ideal for winter sports.
- Best Time to Travel: October to March is the ideal period for most regions due to cooler, drier weather. Summer is best suited for hill stations..
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Country: | Republic of India |
| Capital City: | New Delhi |
| International Airports: | – Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad – Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai – Chennai International Airport, Chennai – Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore |
| Area: | 3,300,000 km² |
| Population: | 1,450,935,791 (2024 est.) |
| Time Zone: | Winter: UTC +05:30 Summer: UTC +04:30 |
| Religion: | Hinduism (includes Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism) Islam Christianity |
| Language: | – English: Key for national, political, and commercial communication. – Hindi: Major official language, spoken by 30% of the population. – Other official languages include Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sanskrit, and Hindustani. – Over 700 dialects spoken. |
| Currency: | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Exchange Rate: | Please consult your local bank as rates fluctuate. |
| Credit Card Payment Availability: | Widely accepted. |
| ATM Accessibility: | Available in major cities. Carrying cash is recommended. |
| Dialling Code: | +91 |
TRAVEL TIPS
| Electricity: | Voltage: 220V AC Adapters recommended as socket sizes vary. |
| Water: | Drink only bottled or distilled water. |
| Business Hours: | Offices: 09:30 – 17:00 (Mon-Fri), 09:30 – 13:00 (Sat) Shops: 09:30 – 18:00 (Mon-Sat) Post Offices: 10:00 – 17:00 (Mon-Fri) and Saturday mornings; hours may vary by city. |
| Banking Hours: | Mon – Fri: 10:00 – 14:00 Sat: 10:00 – 12:00 |
| Photography Restrictions: | Commercial filming requires a permit linked to the entry visa. Photography of military installations and certain civil airports is prohibited. |
| Tipping: | Customary to tip waiters, porters, guides, and drivers. Service charges are not included. |
| Vaccination Requirements: | No mandatory vaccinations; consult a medical professional or travel clinic if unsure. |
| Dress Code Restrictions: | – Avoid footwear, shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothes in places of worship (Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Jain). – Women should cover their heads in Sikh shrines and carry a scarf when visiting temples as part of India travel information. – Keep shoulders and legs covered in temples; women should carry a scarf for head coverage if necessary. – Nude and topless bathing is illegal; even in holiday resorts such as Goa. |
| Peculiar Customs to Observe: | – Remove shoes before entering temples, as feet are considered spiritually unclean according to India travel information. – Avoid pointing the soles of your feet at other people, temples, or deities. Sit in a manner that prevents this from happening. – Wash hands before meals; eating with hands is common. – Avoid eating with the left hand, and do not pass gifts, money, or food with the left hand. |
FESTIVALS
- Pongal: January
- Makar Sankranti: January
- Holi: March
- Maha Shivratri: March
- Bihu: April
- Baisakhi: April
- Eid ul-Fitr: June
- Hemis: July
- Rakshabandhan: August
- Janmashtami: August (Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
- Ganesh Chaturthi: September
- Onam: September
- Navratri: September – October
- Diwali: October
- Dussehra: October
- Durga Puja: October
- Gurupurab: November
MAP
“To other countries, I may go as a tourist, but to India, I come as a pilgrim.”
– Martin Luther King Jr.