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Customs, eating habits, basic vocabulary... Here are some useful information to prepare for a trip to India or Sri Lanka!
Best practices
To do Eating with fingers is a common practice in India and Sri Lanka. However, only the right hand is used, as the left hand is considered impure. To avoid Touching a monk is forbidden, especially for women. Before taking their picture, it's better to ask for their permission. Capturing images of Buddha or turning your back to them is considered disrespectful.
Unusual
While in Western countries, home meal delivery services are booming, a similar system has been in place for 125 years in Mumbai, India. They are called dabbawalas. They are experienced delivery men who ensure the delivery of lunches to the city's employees. Every day, they collect lunch boxes from 200,000 customers filled with homemade dishes and deliver them on time to their owners. The whole system is based on complete trust. It is an extremely efficient system as only 400 delays or missing orders have been recorded in a year.
Essential vocabulary
The Indian Constitution recognizes 23 official languages. Here are some Hindi words that are understood throughout the country. Hello / Good evening: Namaste Goodbye: Alvida Welcome: Swagat Excuse me: Mujhe maaf kar do Thank you: Dhanyabad / Sukriya Yes / No: Han / Nahi How are you?: Aap kaise hai? Very well: Achha / Tik hai My name is…: Mera name … hai Sri Lanka recognizes three official languages: English, as well as Sinhala and Tamil. Here are some essential words in these two languages. English - Sinhala - Tamil Hello - Ayubowan - Vanakkam Goodbye - Gihin Ennam - Poittu vanga/Poittu varan I am sorry - Sama wenna - Ennai mannikkavum Thank you - Istuh-ti - Nandri Yes / No - Ow / Ne - Om - ama / Illai How are you? - Oya hohinda/Oya saneependa? - Eppadi sukam/Sukama? Good - Hondai - Nalam (fine) / Nallam (good) My name is… - Mage nama... - Ennudaya peyar...
Gourmandise
National dish of Sri Lanka, rice & curry consists of a variety of preparations based on garlic and spices, presented in small bowls. Dahl (lentil puree), ladies fingers (a type of striated and gelatinous bean), sweet potato, Gee Cola (onions, grated coconut, chili, lemon, salt), beans in sauce, banana flowers, papadams (small fried and crispy cakes), freshly grated coconut, and mango chutney accompanied by beef, chicken, fish, or tofu make up this delicious dish, served at any time of the day. In southern India, particularly in the Mumbai region, Pav Bhaji is one of those dishes that are enjoyed "on the go". It consists of a bowl of vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, peas...) simmered in a spicy sauce (fresh coriander, cumin, curry, turmeric, garlic, onion, cloves, cinnamon, red chili) and accompanied by a small brioche bun.
We're talking about it.
2019 marked the 150th anniversary of Gandhi's birth. An opportunity to look back on one of the prides of the Cochin region in India: khadi fabric. More than just a fabric made of cotton, silk, or wool, it is a symbol of the philosophy of the leader of the non-violent struggle against colonization. Mahatma Gandhi had indeed convinced his compatriots to prioritize khadi, handwoven in local villages, using Indian raw materials, rather than buying expensive clothes sold by the British.
Culture
Book "The Village in the Jungle" (1913) by Leonard Wool stands out among the works written during the British colonial era. The narrator's point of view is that of a native, rather than a colonizer. We discover the harsh life of Silindu and his two daughters, in a village isolated in the Sri Lankan jungle, struggling to survive despite the twists of fate and human greed. Music Sri Lankan cellist Rohan de Saram is renowned worldwide for his classical and contemporary interpretations of both Eastern and Western music. Film Winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2015, "Dheepan" by Jacques Audiard takes viewers on the journey of a Tamil Tiger fighter fleeing Sri Lanka to seek asylum in France. The violence of the civil war battles is mirrored by that of certain Parisian suburbs.
The number: 3,702
With an area of 3,702 km2, Goa is the smallest state in India. This former Portuguese colony was annexed by India in 1961.
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If Sri Lanka is often considered as a "teardrop" hanging from nearby India, it remains nonetheless a jewel in its own right in the Indian Ocean. India, on the other hand, reveals itself through authentic experiences and exotic visits. Approaching it from its coasts, both in the west and in the east, is always a delight.
With its Mughal architecture of absolute refinement, a skillful blend of Iranian, Islamic, Ottoman, and Indian influences, the Taj Mahal is an essential stop on a trip to India. This mausoleum, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a hymn to love, a tribute from Emperor Shah Jahan to his late wife, Arjumand Banu Begum. Completed in 1648, it is a truly exquisite jewel beautifully crafted and standing amidst perfectly manicured lawns. An almost unreal vision.
There is no better way to gauge a city's pulse than to wander around its markets, and Mumbai boasts many. Go to the Chor Bazaar to discover a whole range of items: telephones, toasters, gramophones, suitcases, Super 8 cameras, porcelain, statues, shoes, dumbbells, musical instruments, wooden toys, jewellery... With everything from small household appliances to antiques, you could spend hours browsing the stalls looking for the perfect piece. Another market, another feel: Crawford Market is one of the city's most famous. It is held in a Victorian-style building and is where the fabric sellers gather: colour guaranteed. Finally, you will be surprised to come across delivery drivers transporting lunchboxes by bike or with a hand cart. These are the dabbawalas. Each day, 4,000 of them collect home-made little meals from over 100,000 kitchens in the city's suburbs and deliver them to offices. 200,000 lunchboxes are distributed this way daily! The tradition has been established for 125 years.
This is a city where the past is still shaping its many faces. Kochi, the main city in Kerala, is an unmissable stop if you're travelling the west coast of India. Visitors love the diverse cultural influences which can still be seen everywhere in the city today. The big nets by the water? Dipping nets introduced by the Chinese in the 13th century. Places of worship? There is the Paradesi Synagogue: the oldest still operating in the Commonwealth. You can also visit the Church of St Francis, which is deemed the oldest European church in India. The Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and Romans all passed through Kochi at various times back when it was already a major commercial port and the price of pepper was the same as that of gold. The Portuguese (Vasco da Gama landed here 500 years ago), the Dutch and the English also made their mark on the city. Colonial buildings and local cuisine still reflect this melting pot of influences today.
The backwaters refer to the network of canals, rivers, and lakes that connect the coastal and inland regions of southern Cochin, to Allepey (also known as Alappuzha today). Used as transportation routes for goods and crops for centuries, the canals now offer travelers the opportunity to take river cruises ranging from a few hours to two days, on board traditional boats called kettuvallams. These boats are built using natural materials such as bamboo or coconut wood, and their onboard facilities operate on solar energy. Drifting through this tropical setting, sometimes surrounded by vast rice fields and other times by lush vegetation, contributes to the total change of scenery that India provides. Along the waterway, this feeling is enhanced by scenes of daily life along the canals: villagers washing their clothes, buffaloes quenching their thirst...
Goa, a Portuguese colony until 1961, has a unique history that is reflected in its cultural heritage. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, housing the tomb of Saint Francis Xavier, the Cathedral of St. Catherine, the Church of St. Cajetan, the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and the Tower of St. Augustine are true gems of Christian architecture dating back to the 16th century and exceptionally well-preserved. The convents and churches of Goa are also listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But Goa is also synonymous with relaxation on beautiful beaches, stretching along the 100 kilometers of coastline of this small state. Among them, Palolem Beach and Fatrade Beach are particularly worth a visit with their white sand blending into the Arabian Sea.
Away from the tourist circuits, Vaikom is a peaceful small town that offers an authentic approach to Kerala. In fact, it is one of the oldest villages in the region. Surrounded by the famous backwaters, it provides a good insight into local life in this southern part of India. During a visit to Vaikom, travelers are welcomed in a traditional way, can interact with some families, and visit their homes. It is also fascinating to witness daily activities such as the making and decorating of clay pots and vases by the village potter, the weaving of ropes from coconut fiber made from dried coconut shells, or the making of mats from wild pineapple leaves.
Today, Galle is a pleasant seaside town. Its lighthouse and ramparts, its historic center with its small whitewashed alleys, make it a haven of peace. One could almost forget that the city was the main port of the country when the Portuguese established their commercial trading post there and began building fortifications in the early 16th century. With the arrival of the Dutch in 1640, the city further expanded becoming a must-stop on the spice and gemstone trade route. In 1815, the British took control of Ceylon and relocated the seat of power to Colombo. Far from the hustle and bustle of the past and now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Galle has retained the imprint of its colonial past much to the delight of visitors.
Colombo is a reflection of the cults and cultures that have coexisted there for centuries. Buddhist and Hindu temples, churches or mosques, monuments inherited from the colonial era stand side by side in the country's economic capital. Among the city's must-sees, do not miss the Gangaramaya temple, built in the late 19th century, in the middle of Beira Lake. A place of worship frequented by many believers, the temple also attracts curious visitors who come to admire the numerous eclectic objects and offerings accumulated over time, the statues of Buddha or lions, and the golden ornaments. In the middle of the temple, the centennial Bodhi tree holds great importance: it is under such a tree that Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, or bodhi.
Sri Lanka boasts no fewer than eight sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among them, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya, at the heart of the Sri Lankan cultural triangle, bear witness to the country's history and the destinies of its kings. The golden temple of Dambulla, with its golden Buddha and 80 painted caves covering over 2,000 m², was the refuge of King Vattagamani Abhaya in 104 BC. The ancient capital of Sri Lanka in the 11th century, Polonnaruwa reveals a succession of invaluable archaeological remains, including grand temples. It is representative of the extraordinary way in which Buddhism spread throughout the country. Perched 180 meters high on the "Lion Rock," Sigiriya was the fallback capital of King Kassapa at the end of the 5th century. Its ascent and the treasures hidden in its various cavities are exceptional.
Cradle of music and gastronomy in southern India, Chennai has seen a flourishing artistic scene develop, alongside grand places of worship. The ensemble of Mahabalipuram sanctuaries containing thousands of statues from the 7th and 8th centuries is notably classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Shore Temple, an imposing granite structure overlooking the Bay of Bengal and built in honor of Shiva, is also impressive.