TOURIST VISA FOR INDIA / INDIAN TOURIST VISA - SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED

What is a Tourist VISA?

For visiting any country, you need to fulfill some formalities and obligations as set by the Government of the respective country, before you are allowed to enter or visit any country. Apart from a valid passport required to prove your identity and nationality, you need to obtain a permission to enter the country from the respective country offices or their representatives like the high commissions and Embassies. This permission is referred to as VISA, which is usually stamped on the Passports. Some of the countries might require special permissions, in addition of the normal VISA to visit certain parts of it.

VISA is of various types and is categorized on the purpose of your visit; accordingly the permission of duration of stay and movement in country is regulated. A VISA type not only indicates the purpose of your Visit but also specifies the kind of activities you can perform or get involved into the visiting country, duration of stay and the frequency of the visits you are allowed into a country. VISA’s are issued for the purpose of Tourism, Business, Medical Treatment, Transit, Diplomatic Visit, Employment etc.

The most common form of VISA issued is the tourist VISA and Business VISA. We here will stick to Tourist VISA. Tourist VISA is issued to the foreign nationals arriving in the country for the sole purpose of tourism or for visiting friends and relatives and do not intend to be gainfully employed during their visit.

Different countries have different VISA procedures and conditions of issuing a VISA, through which it regulates the kind of individuals, it wishes to allow into their respective countries, but also regulates their purpose, to best serve their local population. India too have set some procedures and guidelines for granting of VISA to India, which is issued on arrival (for individuals of limited countries) or through High Commission & Embassies set up in almost every country of world, where it has diplomatic relations and whose nationals it wishes to allow to visit its country.

VISA for India can be obtained from the nearest Indian High commission or Indian Embassy on application. The time required for processing of VISA for India by Indian High Commission/ Embassy varies from country to country, but usually it requires 4-7 working days from the date of submission of application to process Indian Tourist/Visit VISA. Emergency visit VISA too can be granted in shorter duration depending upon the gravity of situation and need.

What are the eligibility criteria for applying Tourist VISA for India? Or Who can apply for Tourist VISA for India?

ELIGIBILITY FOR INDIAN TOURIST VISA

All Foreign Nationals Can apply for Indian VISA with the Indian High Commission/Embassy of their respective country, provided they are holding a valid passport, with atleast six months (180 days) validity from the day of application and two blank pages in their passport. (Amendment pages are not acceptable or stamping of Indian VISA on the passport).

A tourist VISA for India is issued to the foreign national who does not have a residence or is not gainfully occupied/employed in India and whose sole purpose of visiting India is recreation, sightseeing, casual visit to meet Friends or Relatives. No gainful employment or other activities are allowed on Tourist VISA.

Nationals from Nepal and Bhutan do not require VISA for India, if they are travelling by land or air from their respective countries, neither requires the passport, but they must hold a valid Identification proof confirming their identity, nationality and residence. These nationals, however if are travelling from other countries, do require to have their passport. Nepalese citizen travelling from China will require VISA to enter India.

Nationals of Maldives do not require VISA for entry to India, if they are travelling for the purpose of tourism and their stay in India does not extend for more than 90 days.

What s the duration of validity of Tourist VISA for India? Can I enter and exit any number of times to India on Indian Tourist VISA?

VALIDITY AND TYPE OF INDIAN TOURIST VISA

Single Entry, Double Entry and multiple entries VISA are issued depending on the number of entries you wish to have to India during your tour. The Validity of VISA ranges from 90 days to max 180 days from the date of grant of VISA (validity of VISA is counted from the date on which it is stamped and not from the date of your actual travel to India). The VISA are normally non convertible and non extendable. The issuing authority decides upon the duration for which the VISA is granted.

For double and multiple entries VISA and for the tourist who wish to re-visit India within 60 days of their leaving the county, the following additional conditions are applicable:

• Foreigners who are visiting India and neighbouring countries on a single itinerary/holiday can revisit India within 60 days for up to three entries. The immigration authorities in all Immigration check posts in the country may allow such foreign Nationals arriving in India on Tourist VISA, without the specific authorization from the Indian Missions/ Posts subject to production of Travel itinerary and supporting documents (Ticket bookings and hotel confirmations if any).

• Once a foreign national has completed three entries within 60 days of travel and finally exits from the country, he is not allowed to enter the country again on tourist VISA for atleast two months from the date of final exit.
• Visit within Two months Gap may be permitted by the missions/ Posts only in emergency situations like Death/ Serious illness in the family etc.

  DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHILE SUBMITTING INDIAN TOURIST VISA APPLICATION FORMS

       What are the documents I need to submit for applying Indian Tourist VISA? 

• Passport valid for a minimum of 180 days with at least two blank pages.(Amendment pages are not accepted for the stamping of Indian VISA).
• Duly Filled VISA application form with Signatures on both pages.
• Correct visa fee with two recent Passport size (5 cms x 5 cms) photographs. {The photographs should be colored, with full frontal face (Full head from Top Hairs to the bottom Chin with part of neck, head should not be tilted), eyes open and looking at the front, white background. The photo should display natural body tone, no shadows on the face or background}

  Additional Documents required By Applicant’s holding Bangladeshi Passport Holders/Pakistani passport holders /International passport holders of Pakistani Origin /Spouse:

   For Pakistani Passport holder, International Passport Holder of Pakistani Origin Or spouse/ Children of such People

     If I am a Pakistani National, do I require to submit any additional documents?

• Notarized invitation from relative (s) in India and their proof of identity (Photo ID) (Only for Pakistani Passport Holder)
• Duly filled five sets of Specific Visa application form for Pakistani passport holders with one identical photo on each form.
• Duly filled Additional Information form

    For Bangladeshi Passport holder, International Passport Holder of Bangladeshi Origin Or spouse of such People

• Duly filled Visa Online Visa Application Form for Bangladeshi passport holders (All the columns of the Form are Mandatory and must be completely filled).

• Three sets of Application form.( Bangladeshi Passport Holders)

• Latest one month bank statement. (Afghanistan /Bangladeshi Passport Holders)

   For Sri Lankan & Chinese Passport Holders:

• Duly filled additional form (Colombo Form) for Srilankan passport holders

• Duly filled additional form (Beijing Form) for Chinese passport holders.
• Photocopy of the Surrender Certificate of the Indian Passport OR If travelled to India before, you can provide your Previous Passport with Indian Visa

• Tourist VISA on arrival may be converted to Entry VISA (X Type) for a foreigner, who after arrival in India and during the validity of his Tourist VISA, marries an Indian National. However following conditions must be fulfilled for the same:

Additional documents For Minor Child (Under 16 Years of age)

• A copy of the child’s birth certificate displaying both the parents names.
• Consent letter for travel of child addressed to the High Commissioner/ Ambassador signed by both the parents
• Photocopy of Parent’s passports along with the copy of their current Indian Visa, if already holding
• In case of Divorce, Child Custody Letter from court in respect of the child is required.
• In case of Single Parent, Solicitor’s Letter and Child Benefit letter will be required.
• In case of Minor’s Application/Declaration either of the parents can sign the application form.
• Last three months bank statement.
• Copy of employer's letter OR chartered accountant's certificate (if self-employed) OR unemployment allowance letter / disability allowance letter / benefit letter.

For Media Related Professionals, Police or Armed Forces, Commercial Pilots/Crew Members, Charity/Social Workers and Priest going to India for Tourism:

• Employer letter addressed to the High Commissioner/ Ambassador of India stating the purpose.

• For Media related professionals who are Self Employed need to provide an Undertaking letter stating no Professional related activities would be undertaken during the stay in India.

Tourist VISA on arrival of the foreigners, who fall ill after their entry into India and are declared unfit to travel and require specialized treatment can be converted into Medical VISA. For this they should be eligible for Grant of Medical VISA and a certificate of illness and treatment required should be obtained from Government/ Government recognized hospitals. In Such case the Tourist VISA on Arrival of the accompanying Foreigner can be converted into Medical Attendant VISA, the VISA terminating with the termination of the Medical VISA of the foreigner.

ANY Foreigner can be refused entry to India if :

• He/She is not entering India from the designated Port.
• He/She is not in a possession of Valid Passport and VISA
• He/She is Insane or suffering From Infectious of Loathsome Disease which is harmful to Public Health
• He/She is involved in an extraditable offence (offence for which he can be extradited) o his/her entry is prohibited under the specific order of the Central Government.

DOCUMENTATION/ IMMIGRATION CHECK REQUIRED AFTER REACHING INDIA

Immigration check is carried out for all the passengers at the arrival port in India and includes checking of the Passport, VISA, Disembarkation card, entering foreigner’s particulars in computer, stamping of Passport and retention of disembarkation card.

Do I need to fulfill any formalities after arrival in India, Even if I have got Indian Tourist VISA?

A disembarkation card (arrival Card) need to be filled on arrival furnishing true particulars of name and nationality, age, sex, place of Birth, address or intended address in India, Purpose of visit and proposed length of his stay in India.

Pakistan Nationals other than those holding Diplomatic VISA, are required to present a VISA Application form ( Duplicate Copies) issued by the Indian Mission concerned in addition to the regular tourist VISA at the immigration check post, who then issues a Regular Residential Permit. After that they are required to report at the designated office or concerned Police Station at their place of stay within 24 hrs of the issue of permit, until and unless they are officially exempted from police reporting.

Afghanistan Nationals are issued Temporary Residential Permit at the immigration check post, they then are required to register themselves, within next seven days with the concerned FRRO/ FOR of their place of stay.

For Person whose previous nationality was Indian before acquiring foreign nationality:

Foreigners holding a valid PIO (person of Indian Origin) or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card along with their National Passports are authorized to enter India without obtaining Indian VISA separately.

Important Note: Photocopies of the supporting documents are attached as proof and not the original ones.

Do I need to obtain Indian Tourist VISA prior to Arrival in India? Can I get Indian Tourist VISA on arrival at the Port of Arrival i.e. on arrival at the airport?

VISA ON ARRIVAL

India do provide VISA on arrival facilities for the nationals of following Eleven Countries (kindly note that if the parents ( both paternal or maternal) of resident of any of the following countries are Pakistani Nationals, are born in Pakistan or had been permanent resident of Pakistan, then VISA on arrival will not be issued to them, they need to obtain it from the Indian consulate prior to their arrival in India)

1. Finland 2. Japan 3. Luxembourg 4. New Zealand 5. Singapore

6. Cambodia 7. Vietnam 8. Phillipines 9.Myanmar 10. Indonesia

11. Laos

Visa on arrival in India is for a maximum validity of 30 days and isissued for single entry only. It can be obtained from the Immigration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata Airports. No other entry point or Immigration check post are authorized to issue on arrival VISA for India. If you require VISA for longer duration, you need to obtain it with Indian consulate before arriving to India. Tourist VISA on arrival is not issued to DIPLOMATIC / OFFICIAL Passport holders.

Indian tourist VISA on arrival is issued to only those persons from the above country, who is not a resident of India and neither employed in India, whose sole purpose of visiting India is for recreation, meeting friends and relatives, sightseeing etc. Further the person should have a sound financial standing to support his stay in India (production of return air tickets and availability of enough money to spend and support during their stay in India will be enough to prove it).The person should have a valid passport with minimum six months validity and should not be person non grata i.e not acceptable to the country because of any red corner notices, warning circular, criminal or political cases issued against him.

Can I extend my Duration of stay In India beyond validity of Indian Tourist VISA on Arrival? Or can I get changed my VISA type after Arrival in India?

Similar to the normal VISA, Tourist VISA on arrival in India is non extendable and non convertible, i.e the stay period can neither be extended, nor the type of VISA be changed. However in case of the following exception situations, on approaching the Ministry of Home affairs and on their satisfaction, the Type of VISA can be extended or converted:

• A copy of the Registered Marriage Certificate to be submitted to FRRO( Foreign Resident Registration office) along with the request for the change in VISA type and stay duration to the concerned FRO/ FRRO will then submit the report about their marital status which will inter alia include his/her antecedents, confirmation about their living together and security clearance.

What are the fees I need to pay for obtaining Indian Tourist VISA on Arrival?

A Fee of USD 60 Per Person (Including Children) or equivalent Indian Rupees will be applicable for VISA on arrival in India. Tourist VISA on arrival can be issued to a foreign national, for maximum of two entries in a calendar Year, provided there is a minimum gap of two months between the two subsequent visits.

What Documents I need to carry/ present to get Indian Tourist VISA on Arrival?

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR INDIAN TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL

The following documents are required for VISA on Arrival:

Passport with validity of atleast six months on the day of arrival, 02 Passport size photographs (3.5 cms x 3.5 cms), Photocopy of the passport, Hotel booking voucher if possible and confirmed return air tickets.

If I do not have any kind of VISA for India, can I still Transit or Stay in India for short duration?

TEMPORARY LANDING PERMITS

If you are not having a Valid Indian Tourist VISA on your Passport and you need to land in India, the immigration officer may grant you a Temporary Landing Permit (TLP) which will be valid for your stay of maximum upto 72 hrs. For this, the Immigration officer must be satisfied with the reason/purpose of the stay and the passenger should have a confirmed onward journey within 72 hours of the grant of Temporary Landing Permit. The Immigration officer however will retain your passport in this case. This facility is not available to the nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afganistan, Somalia,Nigeria and Ethiopia.

TEMPORARY LANDING FACILITY

If you are not having a Valid Indian Tourist VISA on your Passport and you need to stay in India, a Temporary Landing Facility (TLF) can be granted to foreigners valid for a period upto 15 days. This is granted only in emergent situation like death/illness in the family on production of bonafide proof and on satisfaction of FRRO/FRO cum District Superintendent of Police. For Further extension of stay in such cases, the foreigner concerned need to contact ad report to Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigner Division, Jaisalmer House, 26 Man Singh Road, New Delhi.

Indian Currency Equivalent to USD 40 is charged for Temporary Landing Permit and Temporary Landing Facility.

Currency Regulation for Visitors/ Tourists Travelling to India

While visiting any country, it is always advisable and beneficial to know the basic laws governing your entrance, stay and exit to and from any country. Apart from the VISA regulations and identity documents required to visit a country, which will ensure your entry to a country, it is also very important to know the regulation with regards to the currency, that can be carried into and out of the country. Not only the quantum but the form in which the money is at your command will not only decide how you live and travel in a country, but will also decide what you can bring and take out of the country.

The regulation governing the bringing in and taking out the currency while travelling to and from India is defined under Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999 and is implemented and regulated by Reserve Bank of India, the controlling bank in India.

It is very important for all visitors, whether tourists, students, businessmen or workers travelling to India to know and follow these regulations, else they might have to face hassle while travelling in India. The Most important and must know regulations are covered here under:

Currency regulations for Foreign/ Non Resident visiting India

- Foreigners or non resident Indians cannot bring with him Indian currency notes or coins, of any denomination, neither they are allowed to take out any Indian Currency notes or Coins. The visitors however can bring traveller cheques in INR with them.

- Foreigners or non resident Indians can bring unlimited foreign currency in India in cash, traveller cheques or bank notes however the following have to be followed :

A. You can carry Foreign currency undeclared if it is less than USD (Unites states Dollars)10,000 or equivalent (sum of currency notes, traveller cheques and bank notes) provided the total of currency note is less than USD (Unites states Dollars) 5000 .

B. In case you bring more than USD 10000 or equivalent ( or more than USD 5000 or equivalent in cash/ currency notes),you need to declare the amount at the immigration counter by filling in a Currency Declaration Form.

C.Foreigners can take back any unspent cash/ money with them, provided that the money is not more than what they have brought with them while arriving in India, and what have been declared by them in Currency Declaration Form.

To ensure that foreigners can take with them any unspent money, they are advised to get the money exchanged only at authorized money changers so that when they need,they can reconvert them to their currency and carry the same with them. They might need to show these certificate while taking the money back with them.

D.Foreigners or non resident Indians can however take the Indian currency while travelling to Nepal or Bhutan from India, provided they have the foreign currency exchange certificate with them confirming that they have got the Indian Currency by legally changing their foreign currency. Kindly note that they can only take currency in the denomination of notes of INR 100 or less. Indian Notes of denomination of INR 500 or INR 2000 are not accepted in Nepal.

For Indian Resident :

They can take outside India (other Than Nepal or Bhutan), currency in Indian Notes not exceeding INR 7500 Per Person

a) They can take outside India (other Than Nepal orBhutan), commemorative coins not exceeding two coins each. ( commemorative Coins are coins issued by Govt of India mint on special occassion or event and expressed in Indian Currency.

b) While coming back from a temporary visit to Outside India (other than Nepal or Bhutan) , they can bring currency notes of Reserve bank of India, not exceeding INR 7500 Per Person.

No Indian resident without the General or special permission of Reserve Bank of India is allowed to bring or take out foreign currency.

Export of foreign exchange and currency notes :-

An authorised person may send out of India foreign currency acquired in normal course of business through the following means :

a) Cheques drawn on foreign currency account maintained in accordance with Foreign Exchange Management (Foreign Currency Accounts by a person resident in India) Regulations, 2000;

b) Foreign exchange obtained by him by drawal from an authorised person in accordance with the provisions of the Act or the rules or regulations or directions made or issued there under

c) currency in the safes of vessels or aircrafts which has been brought into India or which has been taken on board a vessel or aircraft with the permission of the Reserve Bank

Naturoville Dehradun - a new destination in the making

July 16'2011, was a day unlike another day in my recent past, I was travelling to a very new destination after a very long time. The weather was just about perfect, being monsoon season clouds were present in the sky like an ominous sign of good new things to come, it started drizzling lightly till the time we left Delhi. It was a group of travel agent representatives who had assembled with the purpose of exploring this new property - Naturoville Spa Resort,nestled amongst natural surrounding on Dehradun Rishikesh Highway, which strives to become a new destination in itself, the trip obviously sponsored by the hotel itself, as part of its promotion strategy. Free trip to destinations had never excited me much, but the fact that after a long time, I was getting a chance to visit the foothills of Himalayas, that too in monsoon times, have excited me. On the top of it, I was getting a chance to visit Haridwar - The doorstep to the abode of gods.

We started from Delhi at around 0930 hrs in the morning, it was supposed to be a 5.5 hrs trip to Haridwar - about 220 kms from Delhi, from where the hotel is just 20 minutes drive, uphill 20 kms towards Dehradun .The day was beautiful, witnessing the foreplay of sun and clouds, it was perfect for the drive. Driving through the now concrete jungle of Ghaziabad, I was amazed to see the expanse of the city, wondering where the open spaces of this quaint town has gone. I just but could not stop myself to wonder and ponder on the time line when we will get starved to see open green fields and actually have to travel miles to see the same. The time seems not to be too far away. Our first stop was at Meerut, at the famous shop of Jain Shikanji wala, one of the most famous shop of fresh lemon water in Meerut, which over the years have grown into a big restaurant offering mouth water veg delicacies for the travelers. Our organizers picked up some snacks here and along with the same beer bottles, fruit juices and soft drinks. The drinking and merry making session was to begin, taking all of us to the bachelor days, enjoying the bachelor party. I being a strict non drinker, was confined to enjoy my fruit drink and witness the outside world from my seat through the small window.

We kept on driving, and I started to realize that the journey will take longer to than the promised 5.5 hrs, as if I mind the same. The next stop of ours was around lunch time, we had been in the bus for almost 5 hrs now, the traffic situation and the road conditions were pathetic, we were slowly moving. We entered into the beautiful and one of the greenest resort midway motel I have seen, that of Moolchands, 110 kms from Delhi around Muzzaffarnagar. The greenery at the entrance and back lawn, was wonderful, small chilli plants have been beautifully used to decorate the entrance, with small chillies decorating the plants in the hue of red and green,coupled with beautiful flowers, it was a perfect garden to enjoy the beauty of nature. The inside of the restaurant was bustling with people indicating to its popularity. The lunch was ordered and the food was good. The veg Biryani we ordered along with Chilli Paneer was tasty. Service was bit slow, but far better than few of the other motels I have seen.

Moolchands Entrance

It was already 1530 hrs and we have reached only midway. People started to ebb the organizers to speed up the journey and the driver was also pressed for the same. The driver started to rush, to ensure that we reach our hotel,Naturoville Spa Resort in time and we have enough time to explore it. Traffic, due to single lane and under construction was congested and traffic was slow. As we entered Haridwar it started to rain, the weather was turning out to be romantic, but the traffic more harder to negotiate. Late evening we at last reached the beautiful spa resort of Naturoville.Nestled between independent bungalows and overlooking the Himalayan Ranges, this beautiful resort was like an oasis in desert. We checked in at the hotel, which was handled quite smoothly, the resort was more or less empty. The reason can range from being a peak off season for travel to it being new and less publicized resort.

Naturoville Entrance

The rooms at Naturoville were king size with a king size bed, equipped with LCD television with cable connection, mini fridge, Writing Desk and material to write your experiences and thoughts, Electric Tea Coffee maker with ample amount of refills of milk, sugar and coffee. The Bathroom was of decent size with all the necessary amenities, toilteries were good. Enough Bath towels were present and presence of Bathroom Sleeper means the hotel have taken care of all the basic necessities and facilities in the room to bring it to the standard of 4 star resort. We had few moments to freshen up before we were called for the orientation tour of the property. After a brief orientation , we were taken to the cocktail Party in the banquets of the hotel with snacks and drinks being served. The snacks served were interesting combination of paneer dishes with potato and non veg. Situated next to the swimming pool and health club, on first floor, our banquet hall provided us with the option of overlooking the pool from Balcony.

Well tired after a long journey, around 1030 hrs, we decided to have our Dinner, and the taste of first food from the kitchens of the hotel. The restaurant was nestled into the corner, in a separate building from the one which had our rooms. The restaurant can be approached through beautiful pathways, which further lead to the Swimming pool and the health club & gym. The food provided was decent, although a bit less spicy than I would have liked, but being a health resort, I could have understood it. What amazed me is , despite being an Ayurvedic Health resort , the buffet served to us had both non veg and a healthy mix of fatty food including preparations of Indian Cottage Cheese ( Called Paneer). Nevertheless we ate to our hearts content. We followed it up with the stroll around the property and circled the property alongside the road circumventing it. We retired to our room early, as next day we had to be up early, we were supposed to get the experience of Ayurvedic Messages and treatments, I will be having first of my professional massage, although I had experienced home massage several time in my home.

Next morning we woke up early and after taking bath, around 0600 hrs, went to the ayurvedic centre. We strolled around the complex exploring the unlocked ayurvedic massage rooms, jacuzzi, steam bath with spanking new instruments and no one to attend to. This new facility, which is as calm as the lull before the storm was soon going to be busy with the stream of visitors and staff. Nevertheless ,we strolled around the facility and the gardens surroundings. Around 0730 hrs, first of the staff started to trickle in and by 0800, it was busy with the massages being offered to the prospective client seeker i.e travel agent representatives. I too went to meet the Ayurvedic Doctor and he advised an Ayurvedic massage to me. I was going to have first professional ayurvedic massage of my life. I was assigned to a young boy from Kerala, who have been working in this field for couple of years. He started with the gentle massage of hands followed by leg, torso and finally head. As he progressed with his soothin g massage and the soft music in the background, soon relaxed my body and mind and I slipped into slumber. An hour passed, without me realizing the passage of time and the massage was over. I was woken up from the relaxed state of mind, wet in Oil and not wearing anything apart from the traditional langot (cloth to cover Groin area), I was directed to the steam bath, where I had the first steam bath of my life. The inside was humid and hot with steam, I soon started to perspire, by the time I came out, I was wet and my skin was shining. I went for the bath, dressed up and left to the restaurant for the breakfast.

The breakfast was a mix of North Indian, South Indian and continental, with fresh juice and eggs made to order. Eggs being served in an Ayurvedic Resort and Spa was new to me, but it seems that the hotel have identified itself as , not only the pure health resort or treatment center, but a resort good for relaxation and enjoyment, also offering Ayurvedic massages to relax and rejuvenate. It is meant for family, business and leisure tourist alike.

Around 1200 hrs, it was time to say goodbye to the beautiful resort of Naturoville and proceed back to home in Delhi. I was hoping to reach home by 1730 hrs, as I had a movie ticket to watch the evening show, but. that seems to be a distant reality. We left, the descent was smooth, the weather amazingly cool with light drizzle and we soon were in Haridwar, next to Har Ki Pauri. People insisted in stopping there, We have come to Haridwar, how can we go back without taking a dip at Holy Ganges?? someone exclaimed. The bus was stopped and everyone got out, people started to fill their bottles with the Ganges water, to be taken back home as memorabilia. The water was muddy due to the recent rains, but the amazing quality of Ganges water is that it does not turn bad or smell, however long you keep it.It is believed that a dip at the River Ganges at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar washes all your sins, so all we travel agents , who have sinned knowingly and unknowingly took a dip in the Holy water and became pure again. The watching of ritual of bathing and prayers on the river Bank of Ganges, is a sight to watch, culture to experience and will transcend you to a religious mode, even if you are atheist. Well everybody took their share of cans filled with Ganges water, to be delivered to their homes and neighbours, which later will be used by them in their prayers.

The weather again become cloudy and from there on, it was race against time and traffic to reach Delhi, as soon as possible. The driver did a good job, negotiating the traffic and ensuring that we reach Delhi at the earliest. Being a Sunday, the traffic was comparatively less and we soon were in Delhi but not before it was already 2100 hrs that we were in Delhi.

The journey to the new Destination of Naturoville Resort Spa, Dehradun was hence completed, we returned to our homes refreshed from the excursion and ayurvedic massages and light of our sins with bathe in River Ganges.

Our mundane life was to begin again till we get another chance to visit any other destination...