How to Reach Bekal & Get Around

Don't be overfriendly with service industry workers - it can be misconstrued

Youth unemployment fuels moral policing - Young men with time and frustration sometimes harass couples as an outlet.

Interstate passes for monuments - ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) passes work across states at central government monuments. Buy if visiting many sites.

Mental health resources are state-specific - Better counseling and psychiatric services in metropolitan areas of Maharashtra, Karnataka than in smaller states.

Carry snacks for long journeys - Food quality drops on long-distance buses and trains. Stock up on packaged snacks before interstate travel.

Register with your embassy - Let your country's embassy know you're in India, especially for extended stays or remote travel.

India is extremely conservative about PDA - Even hand-holding can attract stares in many parts of the country, especially outside major metropolitan areas.

Age matters in perception - Older couples face less scrutiny than young couples, who are often assumed to be doing something "wrong" or "immoral."

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

Bargaining culture varies - Aggressive bargaining is normal in Delhi markets but less common in southern states where prices are often more fixed.

Connect cities by airline hubs - Flying Delhi-Mumbai-Goa is often cheaper than Delhi-Goa direct. Use hubs strategically for multi-state trips.