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Destination library

India country guide

4 questions, each answered from published authorities with the sources listed.

The Brihat Samrat Yantra, a large masonry sundial with a steeply angled gnomon, at the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur — Photo: Arian Zwegers, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 Author Arian Zwegers · CC BY 2.0 File source

When to visit 1

When is the best time to visit India for Jaipur?November through February — the India Meteorological Department's Jaipur figures give December a mean maximum of 76°F (24.4°C) against May's 105°F (40.5°C), and…

Food and drink 1

What local dishes should I try in India, and where should I look for them?Eat by region rather than by dish, and let one protected name anchor the trip — Darjeeling, entered in the European Union's register as a Protected Geographical…

Places and experiences 1

What should a first-time traveler see in India beyond the obvious highlights?Pick one of the 44 World Heritage properties that is not in the Delhi–Agra–Jaipur triangle and build a week around it — Hampi in Karnataka, the Western Ghats, or the…

Trip planning 1

How can I plan a memorable first trip to India without rushing?Allow at least two weeks, choose two regions rather than five, and start the paperwork early — a US citizen's Indian visa is valid for 10 years, but the passport must…

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