Top travel locations to visit in India and Indian visa tips! Situated on the banks of the River Ganges, Varanasi is sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. In many ways Varanasi epitomizes the very best and worst aspects of India, and it can be a little overwhelming. The scene of pilgrims doing their devotions in the River Ganges at sunrise set against the backdrop of the centuries old temples is probably one of the most impressive sights in the world.

Sarnath is to Buddhists what Varanasi is to Hindus. This city was once the greatest learning centre in India and had also been visited by Chinese travellers Fa-Hien and Huien Tsang. The Deer Park is a major attraction in Sarnath; it is believed it is the place where Buddha visited in 528 BC to preach Dharmachakra or the Wheel of Law (his first major sermon after gaining enlightment). Deer Park is a complex now and the central monument here is Dhamekh Stupa, which is believed to be erected at place, where Buddha delivered his first sermon to five disciples. There is another stupa that catches the attention and it is called Dharmarajika Stupa (built by emperor Ashoka). The complex is dotted with small monasteries and temples. The Bodhi Tree is also planted here in the year 1931. In Sarnath, one can also visit the Archaeological Museum that displays a wonderful collection of Buddhist artifacts. The major attraction here is the Ashokan Lion Capital in polished sandstone.

India’s visa policy is constantly evolving and moving in the direction of increasing self-application and online channel. Visa to India was available only from local Indian Mission or Indian Embassy. This has changed with the pervasiveness of internet, smart phones and modern communication channels. Visa to India for majority of purposes is now available online. If you are planning to visit India, then the most convenient method is to apply online. India has several classes of Visa based on the reason the visitor is coming from, that is, their nationality and the purpose for which the visitor is intending to come. Discover extra details on Indian Visa.

The famous monumental Ellora Caves were built between the 5th and 10th centuries by Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu monks, and make for an excellent excursion from Mumbai, some 300 kilometers to the west. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this remarkable collection of 34 carved monasteries, chapels, and temples-12 of them Buddhist, 17 Hindu, and five belonging to the Jain faith-were built in close proximity to each other, a reflection of the religious tolerance that existed during this period of Indian history. Of the Buddhist monastery caves, highlights include a number of shrines featuring carvings of Buddha and saints dating from the 5th to 7th centuries, as well as the stunning Carpenter’s Cave, considered one of the finest in India. The Hindu caves are much more complex and were carved from the top down, so scaffolding was not necessary. Of these, the best is the Kailasa Temple, an enormous rock-cut temple representing Mount Kailasa and requiring the removal of 200,000 tons of rock.

Is India eVisa a stamp on the passport? Immigration officer will require only your PDF/Email printout and validate that the India eVisa has been issued to the same passport. India eVisa is no longer a stamp on the passport like conventional India Visa but it is an electronic issued copy sent to the applicant by email. In November 2014, Indian Government started the India eVisa / Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and wound up operational for residents of more than 164 qualified nations, including the individuals who are qualified for visa on landing. The rundown was additionally extended to 113 nations in August 2015 ETA is issued for the travel industry, visiting loved ones, brief medical restorative treatment and business visits. The plan was renamed to e-Tourist Visa (eTV) on 15 April 2015. On 1 April 2017 the plan was renamed e-Visa with three subcategories: e-Tourist Visa, e-Business Visa and e-Medical Visa. Find more details at india-visa-gov.in.