Whirl your mind, dazzle your eyes and fall in love with India's extremes

India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - but if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload, then it is one of the most intricate and rewarding dramas unfolding on earth, and you'll quickly develop an abiding passion for it.

Nothing in this country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you. India is a litmus test for many travellers - some are only too happy to leave, while others stay for a lifetime.

Travel Warning: Areas of Conflict - General Security - Stampedes
Several Indian regions are prone to conflict; Jammu and Kashmir (as distinct from Ladakh) are subject to political violence and travellers should seek consular advice before entering any area bordering Pakistan. Similar advice should also be sought before travel to Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Manipur in northeast India. There are militant groups operating sporadically in some rural areas of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Orissa. On July 16, 17 policemen were killed in a landmine blast in Orissa which led to shootings between security forces and Maoist rebels. At the same location in June, rebels blew up a police boat, killing 38.
A stampede at a Hindu temple in Himachal Pradesh has killed 140 people, many of them children attending a religious festival. The incident happened after a rain shelter collapsed on a mountainside trail. It is the third fatal stampede in India this year - travellers should be extremely cautious at large gatherings and festivals.
Foreigners in the western state of Rajasthan should be aware of ethnic conflict in the region. In June, at least 40 people were killed in clashes between security forces and ethnic Gujjar protesters. On June 18, the Gujjar community reached a peace deal with the Rajasthan State government and this is expected to relieve tension, however travellers in both Delhi and Rajasthan should stay alert and avoid getting caught up in any public protests.

severity : High-level alert Travellers should remain alert wherever they travel in India, particularly in big cities and when attending large public gatherings. Deadly bomb attacks have occurred in Mumbai, New Delhi , Jaipur and Hyderabad over the past couple of years, with a series of bombings killing 13 in Uttar Pradesh in November 2007. Political and sectarian tensions occasionally boil over into street violence.

Check out Safe Travel for updated government warnings or the Thorn Tree travel forum for some good advice from travellers.