FAQs

Question

What do I need to enter and travel in India

Answer

In addition to the visa, please be sure to complete the Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form, required to enter India. This should be completed at least 72 hours prior to travel. You will provide your vaccination completion information (or submit a negative COVID test result w/in 72 hours of travel). Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration You can complete now and be sure to print out the final document. (Along with all documents listed here, you will want to have a printed copy for presenting when in India). Most airlines will remind you of this requirement prior to boarding as well, and they will review the documents before checking you in. In this form, you must upload either a negative RT-PCR report taken within 72 hours of the start of your trip or a certificate of completion of full primary series COVID-19 vaccination. For all domestic travel (or your return international flight), be aware that you must present a copy of your boarding ticket or your ticket booking with your name clearly listed and the flight date. In order to enter airports in India, you must show proof of your boarding ticket. Items to have before any flight to India or domestic flight: -Passport -Visa -Air Suvidha Self Declaration Form (printed copy) -Vaccination cards (bring the actual cards, not just a photo of them) -Printed copy of your e-visa (unless you have a paper visa in your passport, such as the 10 year visa) -Printed copy of all flight bookings with name and date clearly listed More info on entry and exit requirements: https://in.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/ You will want an outlet converter to use while in India.

Question

Do I need a Visa?

Answer

You will likely require a visa to enter India. You can apply for a tourist e-Visa following the link below. For US citizens, you will likely want to consider one of two options below: 1 - Apply for a 30 day visa. You can do so within 30 days of your entry date. 2- Apply for a 1 yr visa. You can apply for this visa now. It is only ~$15 more than the 30 day visa, ~$43 total. Within 72 hours of submitting the online Visa application, you will receive the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) letter in an email. You will need to bring a printed copy of the ETA. Other options include applying for a 10 year multi-entry visa. If you have payment issues, we suggest utilizing PayPal, as this usually works. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Question

How do I pay for things in India?

Answer

In general, especially at major restaurants and hotels, you should be able to use an international credit card. Be sure to tell them that you are trying to pay with an international card. They need to grab a card reader that works w/ international cards. If you don't advise them, it is possible that they might try to utilize a domestic card reader, and then it wouldn't work. As a backup, always have cash on hand, just in case. Especially for any smaller vendor charges that might not have an international card reader. Items like food and Uber/taxi are cheap in India, so having enough cash available while you are out shouldn't be difficult. Most major banks won't currently have Indian rupees to pre-order. We typically do this through independent vendors for cash exchanges.

Question

What can I expect at an Indian wedding?

Answer

For both events, there will be heavy appetizers and dinner. It is not customary to have a formal sit down dinner with assigned seats and coordinated dining times. In both cases, appetizers will be pushed out from the start of the event. It will be a few hours into the events before the buffet dinner will start (so try not to fill up too much on appetizers or fear you won't be served a dinner!) You will be able to eat dinner where/when you want, once the buffet is open. Punjabi weddings are full of dancing and will have alcohol. So bring your dancing shoes and maybe watch a Bollywood movie or two to practice a few moves. There will be mehndi (henna) available for guests at the Sangeet (Fri night). This is a common part of the wedding rituals. Other attire customs: you can go full on with the bling and accessorizing! Tons of bangles are often used to accessorize, as well as tons of other jewelry (earrings, necklaces).

Question

What should I wear to the wedding?

Answer

In India, the bride will wear red. White is bridal in the US, and it's a color for funerals in India. For these reasons, we'd ask you to stay away from red or white outfits. For both events, Indian attire is encouraged, though not required! We want you to feel comfortable. There will be plenty of options in India, and we will coordinate 1 or 2 shopping stops along w/ the group tours in Chandigarh. There are also plenty of shops nearby the Taj Hotel. Cost will be significantly cheaper if you purchase while in India. For your own comfort, we suggest you have a backup option, even if western, though we strongly believe you can find Indian attire if that's what you'd like to wear. The Sangeet on Friday is at a restaurant, so wear whatever shoes you are comfortable with. For the Reception party on Sunday, it is a lawn party, so please wear shoes accordingly. Women often wear heels, and for the lawn party, you want to be sure you have a heel that does not stick into the grass. We will arrange turbans for the men that wish to wear one at the wedding reception. There will be someone at the hotel to tie the turban for you properly. This is not required, though it is welcomed!

Question

What food can I eat safely?

Answer

Everyone's risk tolerance will be different. We suggest you read up on the CDC website guidelines for food safety while in India. The Taj Hotel is a 5 star hotel, and the 2 wedding event venues are of high quality food safety wise. Alex & Gagan have eaten at all locations prior, though we recommend you be aware of general safety precautions regardless. Your physician should also be able to order you antibiotics (Z-pack) in case you need them. We'd also recommend packing electrolyte packets, safe snacks for when in a pinch, and something soothing for a weak stomach (like saltine crackers). Hopefully you never need any of it, but then you have if you do get sick. Bottled water - Always drink bottled water. Pay attention to the cap to be sure it was not tampered with. Do not drink the tap water. Often nice restaurants and venues will use safe filtered water, even for ice, though if you do not know, do not assume it is filtered. The Taj and wedding venues will use filtered water, though we recommend drinking from bottles when you can. Brushing your teeth - use bottled water when brushing your teeth, not the tap water, which could make you sick. Ice - Generally, stay away from ice in drinks to ensure it is clean water. Eat hot cooked food - In general, to confirm the food is safe, stick to hot, recently cooked foods. If it is raw (veggies) or cold (such as a chutney potentially made w/ unfiltered water), we'd recommend you stay away from eating.

Question

What COVID-19 precautions should I be aware of?

Answer

Currently, India requires US international travelers be vaccinated or submit a negative Covid-19 test prior to travel. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to submit a negative test. For return to the US, currently, the US does not require a negative test. In both cases, we suggest you stay up to date on the travel guidelines from both countries and your air carriers. While there are facilities in India to get a Covid test, we suggest you travel with a couple antigen tests in case you need them. It would be appreciated if you took a test prior to the Fri & Sun events. India does not require that you have international traveler's insurance at this time. Generally, out of pocket is affordable in India, depending on the level and type of care needed. Both wedding events will take place outdoors. Staff will be asked to wear masks. The Sangeet (Fri night) will be ~100 guests and the wedding reception (Sun night) will be ~150 guests. There will be plenty of room to space out as you feel comfortable with at each event.

Question

What health precautions should I take?

Answer

Speak with your physician before you travel to India. Discuss the vaccinations that would be recommended based on your vaccination history. There are standard US vaccinations that typically will have a booster recommended before you travel to India. In addition, your physician should be able to prescribe you a Z-pack (antibiotics) to carry with you in case you get sick. Mosquitos are not a problem in Chandigarh, and especially not at that time of the year. Your physician may recommend malaria medication, though this is not something Alex takes when in Chandigarh. It could be needed depending on the city/region you are traveling to. In general, bug spray is sufficient, and it will not be the season for mosquitos at that time.