A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

India

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Site-specific notes 11

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

  • No flash photography of the Ajanta murals, and no touching the wall surfaces inside the caves
  • no climbing the caves' sculptures, and no loud noise or eating and drinking inside the Ellora caves
  • no shoes in worship areas, and no face-on photographs of devotees

Agra petha

  • Don't eat or drink inside the Taj Mahal complex (food is not allowed in)

Indian thali

  • Eat and pass things only with your right hand
  • don't share food you've touched
  • don't bring meat into a vegetarian restaurant

Kerala Backwaters

  • Don't throw rubbish into the water from boats
  • at Kathakali and other performances, don't wander about or talk loudly.

Mysore Palace

  • No photography inside the palace (the outside is fine)
  • you must remove your shoes, and in summer the ground is hot, so wear socks.

Khajuraho temples

  • Some carvings are bold, part of a religious art tradition
  • view them respectfully, without frivolous remarks or posing to imitate them.

Golden Temple, Amritsar

  • No smoking, alcohol or meat anywhere in the temple complex
  • don't touch the scripture
  • keep your head covered throughout your visit.

The Ganges at Varanasi

  • The Ganges is badly polluted, so never swim in it or drink the water
  • photography is strictly banned at the cremation ghats
  • don't point at people bathing.

Taj Mahal

  • On Fridays it is open only to Muslims attending prayers and closed to other visitors
  • drones are banned throughout the site
  • don't make noise at religious places.