Tuesday, July 21, 2009

12 Tips : Safe Travelling for Women in India

Understanding and following the unwritten laws of code and conduct of the country you are visiting, makes your travel experience a memorable one. Here are a few pointers, for you to take note of when you decide to travel to India.

  1. Dress Codes: Following a country's dress code isn’t always easy. Think of your safety – and it will help you decide, it is better stick on to the dress code. When in India, avoid tight dresses (tops & bottoms) and sleeveless tops. Wear half sleeved churidars, preferably cottons, to avoid the sweat. If you are uncomfortable with this arrangement, wear a loose top with not-too tight jeans or a long skirt with top.
  2. Try 'group' travel: Instead of being a solo traveler, why not have a friend accompany you? Let “Travel safe,” be your motto!
  3. Learn to bargain: Local shops meant for tourists do not follow a fixed price for the items on sale. They decide the amount, depending on if the customer is from the local region, other part of the country or a foreigner. They mostly charge the twice or thrice the amount from foreign tourists. Bargain with them; tell them you know they are charging too much and start walking back. They will come after you, lessening their price. You can also tell them you will buy the item say, handicraft only if they give you for a particular amount. Alternatively, you can also have a local person with you who know the tricks of the traders, provided he is not in favor of the shopkeepers and help you out.
  4. Choosing mode of travel: For short trips, bus is the cheapest and safe transport mode except when you are traveling with luggage. For long distance, if you have enough time, travel by train, you will enjoy seeing the hidden beauty of India. Train services, however, are not available to all parts of India, like most hill stations. Under such circumstances, choose bus service.
  5. Finding toilets: Public and paid toilet facilities are not so common. Almost every restaurant and some tourist spots have toilets attached to it. Have a cup of tea at a hotel and take this opportunity to use the toilet facility available there. Alternatively, if you are traveling by car and stop for a petrol fill, use the toilet facilities available at most petrol pumps.
  6. Refrain from lonely places: Avoid traveling to lonely places alone and spending time in tourist locales after the sunsets. Even if you are a group of women travelers, avoid lonely places.
  7. Move away from beggars: Never give money to beggars. You will find plenty of them on the streets, bus stands and railways stations. Turn your head and try to look at the opposite side or walk-on, if you are already on the move. Be extra careful, if you have a purse or luggage with you.
  8. The necessary accessories: Carry a torch, a candle and a matchstick. Power variations and stranded without power are common, especially in smaller cities or towns. Also, carry mosquito repellents. You will need them as mosquitoes are in plenty in many cities in India.
  9. Beware of strikes: “Strikes” (locally known as ‘hartals’ or ‘bandh’) are common in all parts of India. Do not travel on such days, even if it means postponing or rescheduling your travel for a day or two. The duration of strikes varies from 12-24 hours. Shops and restaurants do not open on such days. Transportation is often nil. Avoid traveling on the day of strikes.
  10. Hiring Services: You will find pre-paid taxi services at most airports and railway stations. Use this facility. Otherwise, you are sure to end up creating a big hole in your pocket. Under other unavoidable circumstances, hire taxi's only with meter readings and before hiring, make sure they charge you only as per the meter reading. Same rule applies for Autorickshaws (three-wheeler).
  11. Entry to Worship premises: Remove your footwear when visiting a place of worship. Churidars are also not allowed in many temples. You will need to wear a dhoti on top of it or wear a sari, if you know to wear one.
  12. Greet the Indian way: Instead of shaking hands, greet people with “Namaste”, by folding your hands with palms touching each other. And smile generously. People will be friendlier with you, if you follow these two simple unwritten rules.

1 comment:

  1. Resmi. These are all great tips!! More people should know about it!!

    Regarding #11, I am a little curious about it. Regarding dress codes for women, I think Kerala is a bit more strict than other places, especially Tamil Nadu, where I have experience entering temples in salvaar kamiz, and have seen Indian women entering in Jeans now a days in Chennai (just a few months ago).

    The other important thing for foreigners (like me) and even non-Hindus Kerala is a bit more strict than other places in India for entry into Hindu temples. I was barred from Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and heard same about others. I have gone into places bordering Kerala, like Nagercoil. Chennai, Kanchipuram I never had a problem. IN Kanchi some temples will let me into the compound, but not into grabha graha. IN Kerala, I can not even get into the compound. I know places in Orissa are so strict. I have also been in temples in Mumbai, Bangalore, Tirupati...

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