India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it.
Nothing in the country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travellers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime.
The country's glorious diversity means there's an astonishing array of sacred sites, from immaculately kept Jain temples to weathered Buddhist stupas; there's history around every corner, with countless monuments, battle-scarred forts, abandoned cities and ancient ruins all having tales to tell; and there are beaches to satiate the most avid sun worshipper. On a personal level, however, India is going to be exactly what you make of it.India's southern coast and island territories were hit hard by the December 2004 tsunami, resulting in property damage and loss of life. Much of the area has now fully recovered, but travellers are urged to check Lonely Planet's updated tsunami information, including stories and downloads, at Tsunami Updates.
Several Indian regions are prone to flashes of conflict. Spats over the Jammu and Kashmir territory in particular periodically push India and Pakistan to the brink of war. Internally, Jammu and Kashmir (as distinct from Ladakh) have been subject to political violence since the late 1980s and the hundreds of militant groups operating in the state are enough for Lonely Planet to advise traveller caution before deciding which parts of the state to visit. Consular advice should be sought before entering this region.
This advice extends to any area bordering Pakistan in Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat. Although such advice helps in keeping abreast of the latest developments, bear in mind that terrorist attacks can occur without warning.
For some time the Kulu & Parvati Valley region of Himachal Pradesh has had a reputation for foreign tourists going missing and drug-related violence. Police crack-downs on drug plantations and trafficking have made the area safer, but visitors need to take plenty of care. Consular advice should be sought before travel to Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur in north-east India. There are militant groups operating sporadically in some rural areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa. |
