Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region. Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in southern India. 

Things to know: Bottled water is recommended for visitors but make sure the bottles are properly sealed. Alcohol is mainly served at mid- and upper-range restaurants in the larger towns and cities; in budget eateries, it's usually only found at non-vegetarian restaurants which have a liquor licence. Most upper-end hotels have well-stocked licensed bars. Various states impose prohibition and in some big cities certain days are observed as dry days when the sale of liquor is not permitted. Tourists may check with the nearest local tourist office for the prohibition laws/rules prevailing in any given state. 

National specialities:

• Dhal (curried lentils).
• Kulfi (firm Indian-style ice cream).
• Gulab Jamuns (deep-fried dough balls in sweet syrup). 
• Jalebi (circular-shaped deep-fried batter in sweet syrup).
• Paan (betel nut, with assorted condiments and spices, wrapped in a paan leaf).

National drinks:

• Chai (tea) is India's favourite drink. It will often come ready-brewed with milk and sugar unless ‘tray tea' or ‘separate tea' is specified.
• Coffee has long been popular in the south, but nowadays most large cities and towns have cafes serving cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and more.
• Nimbu Pani (lemon water).
• Lassi (iced yogurt/buttermilk beverage).
• Indian beer (in many varieties, with Kingfisher the most popular brand).Legal Drinking Age: 18-25 (state variations).

Tipping: 10 to 15% is usual in restaurants that impose no service fee; optional where service fee is added to bill.

Apart from some of the major cities, such as Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Bengaluru (Bangalore), India has generally little nightlife as the term is understood in the West. In those cities with a flourishing nightlife, expect to find swanky bars, nightclubs and a vibrant performing arts scene. In most larger towns and tourist centres there are cultural shows featuring regionally-diverse performances of Indian dance and music. 

The Indian film industry is the largest in the world, now producing around three times as many full-length feature films as the USA. Mumbai is India's answer to Hollywood, churning out scores of blockbusters each year, while a number of southern cities such as Chennai (Madras) and Bengaluru are also notable film-producing centres. Almost every town will have a cinema, and large towns will have many, some of which will show films in English. Music and dancing are an integral part of Indian cinema, combining with many other influences to produce a rich variety of unique film art. Larger cities may have theatres staging productions of plays in various vernaculars, including English.

Each region has its own specialities, each town its own local craftspeople and its own particular skills, often passed down the generations. For fabrics, silverware, carpets, leatherwork, gems and antiques, India is a shopper's paradise. Bargaining is the norm at most bazaars, and the visitor can check for reasonable prices at fixed-price, state-run emporia.

Fabrics: One of India's main industries is textiles. Of the silks, the brocades from Varanasi are among the most famous. Rajasthan cotton with its distinctive ‘tie and dye' design is usually brilliantly colourful, while Chennai (Madras) cotton is known for its attractive ‘bleeding' effect after a few washes. The himroo cloth, a mixture of silk and cotton, often decorated with patterns, may be found throughout the country. Kashmir sells beautiful woollens, particularly shawls, which can be easily sourced at shops in most major Indian cities.

Carpets: India has one of the world's largest carpet industries. Each region has its own speciality, such as the distinctive, brightly coloured Tibetan rugs, available in Darjeeling and elsewhere. Exquisite Persian rugs can be found nationally.

Clothes: Clothes are relatively inexpensive, and can be quickly tailor-made in some shops. Cloth includes silks, cottons, georgettes, brocades and chiffons. Larger cities such as Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi and Bengaluru (Bangalore) have fancy boutiques selling domestic and foreign designer labels.

Jewellery: This is traditionally heavy and elaborate although fine, simpler pieces are also in abundance. Indian silverwork is especially world-famous. Gems include diamonds, lapis lazuli, Indian star rubies, star sapphires, emeralds, moonstones and aquamarines. Hyderabad is a leading pearl centre.

Handicrafts and leatherwork: Each area has its speciality; the range includes bronzes, brasswork (sometimes inlaid with silver), canework and pottery. Woven rugs and papier mâché (some decorated in gold leaf) are a characteristic Kashmir product. Inlaid marble and alabaster are specialities of Agra. Rajasthan is particularly known for its colourful fabrics and paintings. Leatherwork includes open Indian sandals and slippers, handbags and wallets.

Woodwork: Found nationally, with especially beautiful sandalwood carvings from Karnataka, walnut wood from Kashmir, and rosewood from Kerala and Chennai.

Other goods: Pickles, spices, Indian tea, perfumes, soap, handmade paper, incense, puppets and musical instruments.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat around 0930-1700 in most large stores; variable hours in bazaars.

Note: There is a veto on the export of antiques, art objects over 100 years old, ivory, animal horns, endangered shells, animal skins and objects made from skins.