The best way to plunge yourself in Indian culture is to make friends with local women. Indian women are usually friendly even if they don’t talk English( which is rare and probably in remote areas) and are usually hospitable. You can learn a lot from these cultural experience like learn to make your favorite curry or take a traditional Rajasthani dance class in Jodhpur, the famous “blue city”. You can even take art classes in small hidden towns like Pushkar.
Don’t be offended if they seem a little judgey. They may tell you are fat, thin or need to oil your hair… they are usually blunt like that!
If you want to skip the hustle and the loudness, you can pick quitter places like Manali and Kasol, if you like to see the busy streets some of the state capitals like Jaipur, Bombay and Bangalore are some of the places you must visit.
It’s not compulsory to dress within the social norms like a salwar or sari in India. You can wear some comfortable jeans and a t-shirt here. Although, if you happen to be going to remote places, it’s a good idea to keep a kurta handy. Also, a lot of places in India are m=not used to seeing women in shorter clothes, so it would be a good idea to wear them in beaches like Goa or Gokarna. While it’s okay to wear a Sari to weddings and somewhere special to you like the Taj Mahal in Agra, they aren’t for everyday wear on westerners.
Don’t think because you are in India you can’t have luxury experiences that some women crave. There are several restaurants and hotels that provide a royal experience that you’ll probably not find anywhere else. It might be a little heavy on your pockets, but if you can afford it, it’ll be some of the best experiences you’ve had.
But, for the absolute best Indian fare, you need to get it on the street! A 5 rupee chai taste better than anything you’ll find at Café Coffee Day. You can’t just buy one 10 rupee puff in Kerala, you’ll want at least three- they are that good! Be ready to put on a few pounds. Although mostly vegetarian, Indian food is full of cream and butter.
Know more about India by reading about Myths about India!