How to Reach Baba Budangiri & Get Around

Expect the selfie requests to get tiring

Pure veg restaurants serve no meat/eggs - These establishments cater to strict vegetarians and are usually marked with a green symbol.

Jain food avoids root vegetables and is purely vegetarian

Explore lesser-known caves and temples - Beyond Ajanta and Ellora, countless ancient caves and temples receive few visitors but are equally impressive.

North Indian food is what most foreigners know - Butter chicken, naan, and paneer dishes are Punjabi/North Indian, not representative of the whole country.

Cyclones affect coastal states differently - Odisha and West Bengal face regular cyclones; Kerala experiences different monsoon patterns; Gujarat sees another weather pattern entirely.

Rajasthani food is designed for desert climate - Less water content, more ghee, and longer shelf life characterize Rajasthani cuisine due to historical scarcity.

UPI adoption differs regionally - Nearly universal in Karnataka and Maharashtra, but still limited in some rural areas of Bihar or northeastern states.

Media creates moral panic - Sensationalist news coverage of "obscene behavior" reinforces conservative attitudes.

Sitting together in public spaces is acceptable - Couples can sit together in restaurants, cafes, parks, and public transport without issue.

Regional political parties dominate - DMK/AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, TMC in Bengal. National politics play out differently in each state.

River water disputes create tensions - Cauvery disputes between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu; be aware but don't discuss sensitive interstate conflicts.

Altitude sickness preparations needed - Moving to Ladakh, Sikkim, or Himachal hills requires Diamox and acclimatization time that beach states don't need.

Exchange money at authorized dealers only - Avoid black market money changers who often use sleight of hand tricks to shortchange you.