India's range of climate is immense: while one part of thecountry may be sweltering, another may be covered in snow. In Agra, in central North India, December to February is the coolest time with the driest weather. From February to May, the heat on the plains can reach an unbearable 113 degrees Fahrenheit or above. The monsoon arrives in late May with rain and dust storms. This is the time when local inhabitants try to take refuge in the hills: Kashmir and the Himalayan hill stations are the most favored.
The climate in Agra is best from October to February. Evenings may be chilly in December and January. March and April are hot, May and June are very hot. Rains come in July and August. September is usually humid.
HEALTH:
No vaccinations are necessary for entry into India, unless travelers have been to areas infected with yellow fever. Inoculations against cholera are, however, recommended, as is TABT, which provides protection against typhoid, paratyphoid A and B and tetanus. Visitors may also consider inoculations against polio and hepatitis. Anti-malaria measures are essential. Be aware of rabies: if you are bitten by an animal, head immediately for one of the big cities for the latest rabies antedote. If possible, have an anti-rabies vaccination before you leave home.
The most common affliction in India is an upset stomach caused most often by contaminated water. Avoid uncooked food or food which has been left sitting around to cool. Diarrhoea does not need drugs to cure; dysentery, with blood, pus and fever, most definitely does. Dehydration is dangerous; keep drinking. Take care in the sun, always a wear a hat and sunblock to avoid sunstroke.
CURRENCY:
The rupee (Rs) is the local currency. It is divided into 100 paise (p). Rupees cannot be brought in or taken out of the country. Currency exchange forms are necessary to re-exchange rupees when leaving India. Exchange forms, which prove you have been exchanging foreign currency and not earning rupees illegally, are also needed for the tax exchange certificate. The exchange rate is currently 28.8 rupees to one US$.
US dollars and British pounds are most favored currencies. Travelers' cheques are widely accepted, however, it is best to carry travelers' cheques from different companies as not all can be cashed everywhere. Credit cards are quite widely accepted. Transferring money to India is difficult and can take a long time. Sending money by telex or cable is better than by mail.
VISAS:
Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India. These are usually valid for three months but can be extended - though it takes some time to work through the necessary red tape. Single entry visas must be used within six months. Multiple entry visas must be used for the first time within six months and are valid for 90 days thereafter.
Visa extensions take up to 10 days and can be obtained at the District Police Commissioner's Office or the Foreigners' Registration offices. Take four passport photographs with you. If you stay in India for more than 90 days, you will need a tax clearance certificate to leave; this proves you were not employed while visiting India. Tours to certain places in India, such as Darjeeling, Sikkim and Bhutan require special permits.
Airport tax in India is among the world's highest at Rs300 per person. Passengers leaving for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka only pay Rs150.
WEIGHTS & MEASURES:
India uses the metric system. Gold and other precious metals are, however, sold by the tola - a traditional measure - which equals 11.5 grams. Carats (0.2 grams) are used for weighing gems.
ELECTRICITY:
The electric current is 230-240 volts AC/ 50 cycles.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Indian telephone network is not particularly reliable. "Lightning" or "demand" calls for internal long distance are supposedly the quickest, but are also much more expensive. International calls should not pose too many problems, though from towns like Agra can take a long time to connect.
Telex services are good and less congested than telephone services.
The Times of India, the Hindu and the Indian Express are the best English-language newspapers. There are also the Illustrated Weekly of India, the fortnightly India Today and Sunday. Time and Newsweek are also available in larger centers for international news. As India is among the world's largest publishers of English language books, there is no shortage of the printed word. Costs are way below those of the USA or the UK.
The government controls radio and television, all of which are broadcast widely in English, Hindi and regional languages. The most popular video magazine, which can either be bought or hired from video stores, is called Newstrack; the video contains 90 minutes of news items that are unlikely to be broadcast on television. The government television company is called Doordarshan; it has two channels in major centers including Bombay and Delhi. Satellite television - principally STAR TV from Hong Kong - is now widely available in hotels and in some private homes: bicycle wheels sometimes serve as satellite dishes. All India Radio (AIR) broadcasts throughout India on short wave and medium wave; in Delhi, Madras and Bombay, AIR broadcasts on FM (UHF).
ETIQUETTE:
The term `baksheesh' covers tipping and more. It's not simply to reward good service; quite often, it's just to get any service at all. Tips generally range from RS2 to Rs10, depending on the service rendered. In restaurants, it's customary to tip between 10 and 15 percent of the bill. Where a 10 percent service charge is already added, tipping is optional. Although tipping taxi drivers is not necessary, it is appreciated; 10 percent of the fare is plenty. Railway station porters expect Rs2 per bag. At airports, where the airport authority levies a fee for porters, tipping is not essential although again, it is appreciated.
Women should remember to dress modestly, particularly when visiting religious sights. Dress codes for men are more lenient and shorts are generally accepted. Tropical suits are acceptable for business meetings.
It is essential to remove shoes before entering mosques or other religious sites. Although stockinged feet are usually acceptable, some places may provide overshoes. Taking photographs inside religious monuments is not allowed and considered extremely bad form. Donations are welcome, and there is usually a donations box.
Most restaurants frequented by Western tourists provide cutlery. However, if you are in a private home or a restaurant without utensils, eating by hand Indian-style is customary. Do not offend your host by eating with your left hand, even if you are left handed: this hand is traditionally used for what is termed 'personal cleanliness'.
TRANSPORT:
AIRLINES:
India's national carrier is Air India, while Indian Airlines - unrelated - provides most of the domestic services. Daily internal flights to Agra connect at Delhi.
Airlines that fly to Delhi include:
AEROFLOT
AIR FRANCE
AIR INDIA
ALITALIA
BRITISH AIRWAYS
INDIAN AIRLINES
JAPAN AIRLINES
KLM
LUFTHANSA
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
THAI INTERNATIONAL
RAILWAYS:
The Taj Express runs from Delhi to Agra. The train is air conditioned and leaves from New Delhi Station. It arrives in Agra in just under three hours.
There is a fast train from Jaipur to Agra; the journey takes five hours. Steam trains also run to between Jaipur and Delhi, and Jaipur and Agra. Both are overnight trips.
Train journeys and tickets need to be booked separately and in advance.
BUSES:
Deluxe buses are cheap, clean and fast. Buses run frequently from Delhi to Agra which is a four-and-a-half hour journey. Some hotels also have buses from Delhi to Agra.
Avoid local internal city buses which are overcrowded and uncomfortable.
TOURS:
There is much to see on the way from Delhi to Agra. Kotwan is close to the Uttar Pradesh border. It is here that the ruins of Raja Batsu Singh's palace can be seen on a small hill surrounded by a typical Indian village. Chhata Fort can be found a little further on.
The next stop is Vrindaban, a village sacred to the blue-skinned Krishna. The tiny lanes around the village lead to various temples and gardens, including the Vrindaban Garden where Krishna came to play his flute and dance with the milkmaids. There is also the tree where he hid the milkmaids clothes while they were swimming. Among the temples of interest are Gobind Deo, Banki Behari and Krishna Behari.
The third stop of interest is Mathura, Krishna's birthplace. The Buddhist center of old has given way to a thriving and noisy town. The Mathura Museum's gallery showcases sculptures well worth seeing, including some from the fifth century BC. Other interesting spots to visit are the Tilak Dwar (Holy Gate), the Sati Burj Tower, Vishram Ghat and Vishram Temple.
HOTELS:
THE AGRA HOTEL: General Cariappa Rd, Agra (72330).
Rooms cost US$3 and have good views of the Taj Mahal.
