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ABOUT INDIA

India is an attack on all of your senses, from the chaotic cities to the spiritual Puga festivals on the banks of the Ganges. A wonderful mix of culture and traditions that is completely different to the western world.  The way to best enjoy India is to absorb it - the warmth of the people, the beauty, the smells, the food, and the wonderful hospitality!

India is an extraordinary country. Religious temples abound in tiny villages and streets throughout India, and the people are some of the most friendly and compassionate around. Your stay is sure to be one of the most heart-warming experiences you'll ever have!

• Friendly yet Formal

• Often hot yet often cool

• Vast yet Beautiful

• Poor and Wealthy

• A land of contrasts!

"I travelled a lot after my placement finished, but I also had plenty of opportunity to sightsee over the weekends - it was fantastic!"

India, officially Known as ‘Republic of India’ (in Hindi known as Bharat or Hindustan), is the seventh largest and second most populous country in the world. India is vast and has a huge population of 1 billion. At times it can feels as if the whole population is in the same place at the same time as you! You will become fascinated with India, its cultures, its people, and the continuous stream of activity going on around you. 

India is bordered on the north by Pakistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan; on the east by Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; on the south by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separates it from India) and the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Arabian Sea and Pakistan. At one point, ‘Lands End’ at Kanyakumari, three seas meet - the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

The sights, sounds, and scenery of India are unique and amazing with grandiose temples, lush paddy fields and stunning beaches. In the north, Shrub-land and desert create a sublime backdrop and a visit to the ‘Golden Triangle’ (Delhi/Agra/Jaipur/Delhi) will take your breathe away. It is divided into 26 states and 6 union territories, and has 17 major languages with 844 dialects, making this country and its people culturally diverse.

Religion plays an important role in the life of the country, and is one of the few countries in the world which have such an ancient and diverse culture. Their arts and crafts are world renowned with sport being one of their favourite past times, and cricket still acting as one of the most popular activities.

IN THE SOUTH you can explore quaint waterways, beautiful sandy beaches, and meander through forests and coconut groves. There are also the famous, awe-inspiring temples at Madurai (where the southern placements are situated) which should not be missed! And for a bit of cool relief, you can catch 'toy trains' to different hill stations such as Kodaikanal, which are dotted around this region.

Madurai or as it is known – the "city of nectar", is the oldest and second largest city within the state of Tamil Nadu. The city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. It is full of cultural diversity - a bustling city with plenty of activities going on. The Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is the centre of attraction for the town; with its mass of religious activities, and its surroundings of tailors and tourist shops to attract the big spenders. If you are after an overwhelming experience, then Madurai is a certainty for this!

Also, on the South- Eastern peninsular, The Maharajah's Palace near Mysore is stunning and a must-see place. The Palace is set in its own walled grounds, about the size of a small town, with a temple in each corner, complete with intricately carved towers. Inside the palace the rooms are beautiful, Moorish and neo-Saracenic, the scale is magnificent. Arched and vaulted with carvings everywhere, and the main reception area, facing south has beautiful painted ceilings and is open to the parade ground outside.

IN THE NORTH you can trek in the foothills of the Himalayas, take boat trips on the Ganges River, stroll through forests and plantations. And you can't miss the Taj Mahal. There is something to suit everyone.

Delhi is culturally beautiful, and above all a historic city. Old Delhi contrasts with the formal New Delhi, whose wide boulevards are mesmerizing. The city is full of energy and colour, and bustles to live with its’ bazaars and Moghul architecture. It is a busy and bustling city, yet still retains a unique charm and elegant nature.

Rajasthan is a dry and rugged environment, but one of the most beautiful settings in the world. With the Aravalli Hills (one of the oldest mountain systems in the world) splitting through the heart of the country, stretching from Mount Abu in the southwest to Kota and Bubdi in the east, it is a wondrous place. The capital of Rajasthan is the excellent and colourful state of Jaipur, founded by Raja Jai Singh II. It is part of the ’Golden triangle’ of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra’, and offers some magnificent buildings, and architecture. The Old City has a very enticing atmosphere, with its bazaars, palaces and havelis.

Download the India Newsletter:

• Issue 1, Jan 2008

Teaching: All types of teaching projects, from English to Music and Drama, Maths to IT. No qualifications required.

 Sports: Coach football to disadvantaged children in Madurai in South India

 Medical Work Experience: Gain experience in one of two hospitals. One handles surgical procedures and the day to day care of the sick and the other helps abandoned children.
 Care for Orphans: You'll assist the carers in a hospital and orphanage in Maduarai. A very worthwhile project.

 YMCA Deaf School Project: An extremely worthwhile project that really offers you the chance to give something back and help a very much neglected section of society in the sub-continent.

 Summer Camp: Transform the Kids school holidays into an enjoyable learning experience at Summer Camp.

Indians are very friendly and hospitable and you'll be overwhelmed with invitations to people's homes and on sightseeing trips (see some ex-volunteers' stories - they're amazing!).

THINGS TO DO IN INDIA:

Typical beach scene in Goa or Kerala, India

Boat trips along the backwaters of Kerala are a must see

Sunset at Chowpatty Beach, Bombay, where Bollywood movie stars relax in the sun.

The river banks at Varanassi, India

India is HUGE! Here is just a selection of our favourite places to visit.

SOUTH INDIA highlights include Goa, Kerala and Hampi

GOA is famous for its expanse of beaches, many of which have been taken over by the package tourism industry. There are still many smaller, quieter and more picturesque beaches towards the south of Goa, where travellers and long term European residents congregate. In these tiny beach resorts, the beaches are almost deserted and you can mix with locals and tourists whilst lazing in the sun. At Palolem beach, you could easily lose track of a fortnight lying in the sun, reading books, and letting the smell of incense float past you. Here you can rent a tiny shack on the edge of the beach for around £2 per night.

KERALA is the home of Ayurveda medicine, an ancient system using essential oils and vigorous massage to aid medical complaints or just for pampering! A one hour massage is an unforgettably relaxing experience. There are many interesting colonial buildings around Kochi and Fort Cochin. Using this as a base, you can explore some of Kerala's backwaters. The backwaters are an intricate network of rivers and smaller tributaries around Kochi. Take a peaceful cruise on a house boat and soak in the laid back atmosphere of village life as you float past. 

HAMPI is an incredible place! Gigantic (and we mean huge) boulders make you feel like you’re in the Flintstones plus a really powerful atmosphere makes Hampi a definite must see.

Western and Eastern Highlights include Bombay and Varanassi

WEST INDIA: BOMBAY (or MUMBAI as it's now referred to), is a huge modern city where India's young and affluent live in contrast to the many thousands of slum dwellers in some of the countries most poverty stricken areas. Bollywood cinema originated in this huge city and has become a major part of life here. The famous Chowpatty beach (pictured) is where you can often see young Bollywood stars relaxing at sunset. The rest of the city is just as chaotic as other parts of India, with overflowing markets, bazaars and lots and lots of people! From Bombay you can visit Elephanta Island, home to ancient temples depicting holy scenes that have been cut away from the rock.   

EAST INDIA: VARANASSI – This ancient city lines the River Ganges and is home to many a famous Baba (wandering Holy Man/Guru). With lots of winding higgledy paths Varanassi has been described as the melting pot of India.

It is an intense Indian experience. You should definitely make the journey. At night the bank of the river comes alive with the chanting, colour and music of the Puja festival. Visitors will be given leaves of food offerings, strange sweets and christened with red forehead markings. You can hire a little boat and a man to row you out onto the river to watch the festival from a quieter distance beneath an awesome moon. Varanassi is famous for is its Burning Ghats.

These are open crematoriums that take place next to the Ganges in full view of everyone. Two of the Ghats burn continuously and you will witness a cremation as it is a normal part of every day life here. Locals believe that a cremation by the Ganges automatically opens Nirvana to the deceased. People travel form far away for this cremation. Tears are not allowed however and due to this women are banned from the service. Death is prevalent here. The Ganges is an incredibly holy place for Indians. They bathe in it and have daily prayer rituals involving splashing the water on their head. It is extremely unhygienic however and westerners that do bathe are likely to become very ill!

There is an intensely sombre yet spiritual vibe here. It is like no other place on earth. If you’re looking for a taste of the bizarre – you don’t get more surreal than Varanassi.

North India Highlights include; Dharamsala, McCleud Gange - 12 hours bus ride north of Delhi. This is where the Dalai Lama lives since he was exiled from Tibet. Sometimes you can hear him talk early in the morning at the temple on the hill. You can learn meditation (or even do a Vipassanna 10 day meditation retreat in a monastery – it’ll change your life!) You can also learn yoga here in a class taking place on the rooftops every morning overlooking the Himalayan Mountains with hawks circling above. This town is absolutely magical and you can spend a long time here. Dharamsala is very Tibetan in atmosphere, people and restaurants.

LIVING IN INDIA:

Generally in India everything is very cheap.  A meal in a local eatery costs less than 50p (honestly!) and there are plenty of superb fresh fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juices, like mango, pineapple and grape.  

Most attractions are ludicrously cheap to get to, particularly via the vast network of buses (full of character), and fast and streamlined express trains which connect the villages. The local passengers will all crowd around you to talk to "the foreigner", and offer you some interesting views on life.

Indian Cuisine is not for the faint hearted! - for most Indians, the hotter the better! Centuries of culture and tradition have led to this country producing some of the finest food in the world. Best eaten local style (with just your hand), the selection of spices, tastes, seasonings and sensations will blow you away!

"Travellers made sure I had plenty of freedom in choosing when I wanted to teach and when to travel. ... I linked up with other Travellers and toured parts of South India. It was brilliant travelling with others and discovering the delights of India together. ... Eating rice, chappattis and curries with your hands takes some practice getting used to!"

Local transport - the Tuk Tuk