FAQs

Question

What should the women wear?

Answer

This is the most common question we get! You can basically wear whatever you want (within reason). Indian outfits are definitely encouraged, but not required. Here's some ideas: # Saree This is a South Indian wedding, and you will see a lot of sarees! This is how google describes a saree "an un-stitched stretch of woven fabric arranged over the body as a robe, with one end attached to the waist, while the other end rests over one shoulder as a stole (shawl), sometimes baring a part of the midriff" If you are interested in wearing one, the main ceremony is probably the best time to do it. It's a small event and you will be pretty stationary for it. Don't worry about how to wear it, we will organize for someone to help you get dressed. It is not the easiest thing to wear, but we really think you will be fine. # Lehenga A lehenga is a floor length skirt and blouse with a veil. # Salwar Kameez Salwar Kameez is a two piece outfit - long tops and flowy pants, with an optional veil. # Kurti Leggings These are probably your most comfy option. It's a combination of a long top and leggings or jeans. These can be as grand or simple as you want. # Indo-Western wear To improve the rewearability factor of the clothes you buy, you could explore this trendy genre. We've seen a lot of fun options in stores recently. # Western Clothing There are no real rules for clothes, please wear whatever you are comfortable with even if it is not Indian. There are no strict instructions for modesty or colors. Just don't do anything too risque - south Indians are fairly modest folk but love to be fashionable, and choose colors over solid black and white outfits - they are usually associated with mourning. # Jewelry Jewelry is highly encouraged! Indian jewelry tends to be big and flashy, and it is possible to get "imitation" jewelry as well for a fraction of the cost. Please note: Indian clothing, especially for the reception, is not required.

Question

What should the men wear?

Answer

There are not as many diverse options for the men as there are for the women, sorry. You could always wear your favorite suit, but if you want to do something Indian, you do have options. # Kurta with Leggings The male version of the Kurti, the Kurta is like a long, flowey shirt. They are typically sized by shoulder lengths. Frankly, this is probably your best option. # Kurta with Dhoti A dhoti is the male equivalent of a saree and might not be the most comfortable to wear and keep on. So you may want to do leggings or jeans instead. # Western Clothing For any of the events, but especially the reception, a suit is perfectly acceptable.

Question

Do I need a visa?

Answer

Yes! All tourists will need a valid passport and an Indian visa. Visas can be acquired online, the process is fairly quick and straightforward. You can apply for a one month, one year or five year visa - we see no reason NOT to get the five year visa. See here for more info: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html Please note, if you need to get/renew your US passport, that will take MUCH longer than getting your Indian Visa - you should get on that immediately!

Question

Do I need any vaccinations?

Answer

It is recommended to be up-to-date on all of your vaccinations, including COVID-19. You may be required to show proof that you have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever, and may also be required to show proof of a negative COVID PCR test. The guidelines tend to flucuate with the times, so definitely keep an eye on things. Additionally, if you are traveling elsewhere in India, there may be further considerations such as Malaria. If in doubt, we defer to the CDC's guidelines: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india

Question

What should I do about flights?

Answer

While everyone has their own preferences with regard to flights, we recommend booking something with the shortest flying time, with a layover outside of India, and having Bangalore as the port of entry into India for simpler immigration. If possible, we recommend you book directly with an airline, as there is at least some recourse in case something goes wrong. It is often difficult to get ahold of someone who will help once a third party is involved. Connecting flights within India can be painful. We also recommend, if possible, arriving late at night to minimize how much you have to sit in Bangalore traffic.

Question

When should I arrive?

Answer

This is entirely up to you! Please take into consideration how long it usually takes you to get over jet lag, if you plan to do any shopping for the wedding in Bangalore, and of course whether you plan to travel in India prior to the wedding. For more inspiration on potential travel destinations, please see the "Things To Do" section of the website. NOTE: Indian Standard Time (IST) will be 13.5 hours ahead of PST. For a more detailed breakdown of the events, please see the "Schedule" section of the website.

Question

What should I do about transportation?

Answer

Traffic in India is absolutely insane. Any Indian will tell you as much. Do NOT, under any circumstance, even consider attempting to drive. Besides the fact that India drives on the left side of the road and most cars have manual transmissions, traffic laws in India are more like "guidelines" or "suggestions." Please, we beg you, leave the driving to the experts! When it comes to getting around in Bangalore, you have several options: # Namma Metro Bangalore has an excellent metro system - it is fast, safe, clean, cheap, and incredibly reliable (can't say the same about any metro system here). For those interested, it has a female-only car at the front. Its immune to traffic, and makes for an excellent way to get across town, especially during rush hour. The primary wedding venue, Shankaraa Foundation, is right by the Doddakallasandra metro station off of the Green line. # Taxi You can hail these the way you would a taxi in New York, plus there are apps like Uber and Ola. Quite frankly, they will likely be cheaper, as anyone who "looks" like a tourist will likely end up paying the "tourist price." They are usually (but not always) a bit more expensive than auto rickshaws. # Auto rickshaw Affectionately known as "autos" (or tuk tuks in Thailand), these are effectively 3-wheeled motorcycles with a bench in the back. They are a lot of fun - we highly recommend taking at least one! Like taxis, you can also book them with apps like Uber and Ola. Like taxis, if you book them directly, you will also pay the "tourist price." Typically, if you're booking either a taxi or an auto, Ola will be cheaper. We definitely recommend downloading the app!

Question

What should I do about communication?

Answer

You'll definitely want your phone and won't want to be tethered to wherever you can get Wifi. If your carrier has prohibitively expensive rates, definitely consider getting a temporary SIM card. They are available pretty much anywhere at very reasonable prices. Additionally, almost everyone in India uses WhatsApp almost exclusively for communication, so you should definitely consider getting the app (if you don't have it already).

Question

What about food and water?

Answer

# Water Tap water in India is not potable - at a minimum, it needs to be filtered. We recommend everyone drink exclusively bottled water as much as possible. We will also have water available at all of the events. # Food Indian food is some of the best in the world! That said, you have to be VERY careful with what you eat, particularly with regards to water, which is typically the easiest way to get food poisoning. The rules are the same that you should follow in any foreign country - drink only bottled water, don't eat raw vegetables, be wary of street food (even though its incredible), and minimize your chutney consumption. Unfortunately, there are decent odds of getting food poisoning, so its best to be prepared - make sure to bring your preferred meds like Imodium. All of the food at the wedding will be safe, as we are contracting trusted venders who will use filtered water through their process. We simply don't know what else you'll get up to and just want to make sure you're aware of the potential risks.

Question

Anything to know about the... err... bathrooms?

Answer

Glad you asked! The traditional "Indian toilet," which requires you to squat over a hole, has largely been phased out in favor of Western toilets. That said, you can still find them outside the major cities or in "hole in the wall" places. When it comes to toilet paper, nearly every Indian home has a bidet. Frankly, they are more sanitary than using toilet paper. Many public restrooms will have a handheld bidet hose, but may not necessarily have toilet paper, particularly outside of the cities or in less upscale establishments. We will have all your favorites at the venues - toilet paper, bidet, hand sanitizer, you name it. We are telling you all of this for your situational awareness and to hopefully minimize your odds of ending up in any... unexpected situations.

Question

What about accommodation, travel, and sightseeing?

Answer

Please see the "Travel" section of the website.

Question

What is the difference between a traditional IRA and a roth ira?

Answer

Both the Traditional and Roth IRA are excellent investment vehicles intended to help you minimize your tax burden and save for retirement. Be aware that they both come with restrictions - for example, you cannot begin to withdraw the funds until you are 59.5 (though there are exceptions). For fiscal year 2024, the contribution limit to both a traditional IRA and a ROTH IRA is $7,000 (or $8,000 if you are over 50 years old). In a nutshell, the difference between the two is whether the contributions are pre or post-tax. A Traditional IRA is pre-tax dollars, i.e. you make the contribution before paying income taxes. For example, if you made $100,000 and maxed your contribution, you would pay income tax on $93,000. However, once you withdraw the money down the line, you would have to pay taxes on it. A Roth IRA is post-tax dollars, where you pay your income tax THEN make your contributions. For example, if you made $100,000 and maxed your contribution, you would pay income tax on the full $100,000. However, when you withdraw the money, you do so tax free! Which type of IRA is the right IRA for you depends on a number of factors. Please do your own research or seek out a financial expert to help determine what is the right decision for you. NOTE: I am not a financial advisor and this does not constitute financial advice. Please do your own research!

Question

What is the meaning of life?

Answer

To give life meaning.