Essential Documents and Logistics:

  • Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival with 2 blank pages.

  • Visa/OCI: Printed copy of your approved e-Visa and your e-OCI card (recommend carrying physical OCI booklet as well).

  • E-Arrival Card: To be completed 72 hours prior to arrival, carry a screenshot/ print

  • Bank: Alert your bank of international travel to avoid foreign transaction blocks and review their policies regarding fees for foreign currency transactions.

    • Most places in India accept Visa/Mastercard, some accept American Express

      • Currency: Carry ~$100–$200 USD in crisp, unblemished bills to exchange at the airport for Indian Rupees (INR) for initial tips and small vendors.

    • You may see vendors asking for UPI (Unified Payments Interface) or presenting a QR code

      • This is for those with Indian bank accounts who can directly transfer money to a vendor, ask for card payment (tap or insert/swipe) or pay in cash instead.

  • Flight Tickets: Printed copies (Delhi and other Indian airports often require a printed ticket/PDF to enter the terminal building). Note that once you exit the airport building - re-entry is prohibited.

  • Phone: Set up international roaming or purchase a prepaid physical/e-sim card so you can get online

    • Note - Standard tourist eSIMs are data-only. You won’t be able to make voice calls or send texts and will need to rely on VoIP apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom for calls/ messages.

    • To make calls to USA use county code +1 before entering phone no., to make calls to Indian phone numbers, use country code +91

      • Download Uber App for airport rides and transportation throughout Delhi and major metropolitan areas (or Ola for smaller cities/ alternative prices).

The Necessities

  • Comfortable flight outfits and entertainment for the long journey

    • 1-2 change of clothes, undergarments, headphones (wired, wireless), portable charger, chargers, snacks, drinks in your carry on-bag

  • Average October temperatures for New Delhi = high of ~ 85°F, low of ~ 68°F

    • Pack layers, breathable materials like cotton and linen, light shawls, comfortable clothes for tourism, shopping

    • Pollution may affect sensitive individuals - pack N-95 and surgical masks

  • Accessories: shoes, sandals, jewelry, sunglasses, secure (zipper) purses

    • Remember to bring comfortable sneakers and formal shoes for wedding festivities. Valuables can be stored in hotel safes.

  • Toiletries and sunscreen, bug spray, personal medications

  • Electronics - India uses type D, M, and C plugs. U.S. plugs are Type A and B.

  • Make sure to carry a converter and note for India uses 230 V at 50 Hz and U.S. uses 120 V at 60 Hz.

  • Medications - carry Ibuprofen/ Acetaminophen/ NSAID of your choosing

  • Carry pepto-bismol, immodium (anti-diarrheal)

  • To avoid Delhi Belly stick to these rules:

    1. Only drink bottled water and use for brushing teeth as well

    2. Skip ice and chutneys unless in a 5-star hotel

    3. Eat hot food, avoiding raw vegetables and salads

    4. Avoid street food, stick to formal eateries, chains eateries, malls, hotels etc.

Clothes For Wedding Functions:

  • Haldi (Turmeric Ceremony) & Mehendi (Henna Hand Art) - Thursday October 15 at noon : Wear shades of cream, yellow, and/or orange. Avoid pure white, black or dark colors.

    • Traditional wear for men is usually Kurta pajama and for women is a lightweight suit (kurta - long dress shirt, and pajama - legging like pants underneath)

    • Feel free to wear western clothes in the theme colors like button down shirts, khakhi pants, and dresses.

      • Note: There is a risk of getting turmeric or henna stains on your clothes, be mindful of this!

  • Sangeet (Dance Party): Thursday October 15 at 7 p.m. High-energy, glamorous event with choreographed dances, and singing. Wear darker colors if possible, black is okay, semi-formal wear.

    • Traditional wear for men is a Bandhgala suit with pants or a Nehru jacket over a kurta-pyjama set, women usually wear embellished (embroidery, sequins, etc.) kurta pyjama, sharara, lehenga, sari, or anarkali suits.

    • Western wear would include business casual suit/ sports jackets with button down shirts for men and longer dresses for women.

  • Wedding Ceremony (Shaadi/ Pheras): Friday October 16 at noon. Traditional and respectful. Wear lighter colors (pastels) if possible, avoid wearing pure plain white or pure black.

    • Traditional wear for men includes a sherwani, formal Kurta, or nehru jacket over kurta-pyjama set, women wear sarees, formal kurtas, or lehengas.

    • Western wear would entail chic dresses, skirts, or a blazer with dress pants.

  • Reception: Friday October 16 at 7 p.m. Formal, modern elegant event. No color restrictions, black-tie.

    • Men: Tuxedo, formal western suit, or structured Indo-Western outfit.

    • Women: Modern gown, long dress, lehenga, or saree.

  • If choosing to wear traditional Indian clothes - you can shop for them online in the U.S. from retailers like Manyavar, Kalki Fashion, Meena Bazaar, FabIndia, Lashkaraa, Andaaz fashion, Pernia’s pop up shop, etc.

    • Note: It is usually 25 - 50% cheaper to buy clothes in India from the same/ similar retailers with often free adjustments for length/ fit by an in-house tailor

    • Add in at least one inch to all your measurements when shopping online since traditional Indian wear often uses fabrics like silk and brocade which do not have much stretch.

    • Rely on the ‘ready to ship’ sections when shopping less than 8 weeks in advance for pre-made outfits.