Are you an American who is looking for a spiritual retreat? Are you planning to visit India to experience a spiritual upliftment? Then, you should waste no time before you apply for an India entry visa. This will help you in getting entry into the country so that you can achieve the upliftment that you are looking for. 

However, there is a lot more to this trip than just filling out the application for an Indian eVisa. Experiencing a spiritual retreat in India requires proper planning. So, make sure you are aware of all sides of this process before you start packing your bags. 

What Will You Need to Enter India?

All countries come with their own set of requirements. These things are kept in place by the government to decide the eligibility of the visitors. Well, the same goes for India. This is why you will need a few things for setting your foot in the country. They are

1. Passport: 

    Traveling to any foreign country involves the use of a valid passport. So, it is quite natural that you will need a passport when you are visiting India. Make sure you have a valid passport that should stay valid for at least 6 months after you leave India. Plus, you should also have at least two blank pages in it for it to get stamped during your entry and exit from the country. 

    2. Visa:

      Well, we have said this even before the first thing that you will need to do in this process is apply for an India entry visa. This is a travel permit that all nationalities need to enter the country. Being an American you will not have to think much about your eligibility as you are part of the 166 eligible countries that can get this visa. To get this visa, you will have to go through a few simple and easy steps. These simple steps for applying for an India entry visa are:

      1. Visit the government or a reputed website and find the visa application form required.
      2. Fill up the visa application form with accurate information. You will just have to make sure that there are no discrepancies in the form. This will help in avoiding any delay.  
      3. Add all the necessary documents like scanned copies of your valid passport, a recent passport-size photograph, and others. Moreover, you should also add a few documents that support your purpose.  
      4. Pay the application fee for the visa through your preferred payment method. 

      These simple steps will be enough to let you have a visa. After this, you will just have to wait for some time to receive the visa approval letter in your provided email ID. Next, you will have to get a few printed copies of the approval letter. It is important to bring this with you to the airport. This will help you avoid any issues during the boarding process. 

      Must-visit Spiritual Places in India

      Being a highly spiritual country, India has a long list of places that you can visit. Some of the places that you visit after applying for an India entry visa are;

      1. Rishikesh:

        Situated in the state of Uttarakhand, this city gained global fame with the help of the famous band “The Beatles”. However, Rishikesh is way more than that. This is one of the best places for anyone who wants to seclude themselves in a place around yoga. There are many situated here around the banks of the Ganga River. The best time to visit this place is between October and March. So, make sure you apply for an Indian entry visa and visit this place. 

        2. Varanasi: 

          Considered one of the oldest cities in the world, Varanasi is filled with many temples. The city is said to be more than 5000 years old and it is filled with the charm of an old yet aesthetic city. Many Americans visit the ghats of Varanasi to witness the beauty of Ganga Aarti(*). If you are planning to visit this place then you should pick a date between October and March. This will help you in experiencing festivals like Diwali and Dev Deepavali which happens 15 days after Diwali. 

          3. Pushkar: 

            Pushkar is a famous place around the world for fairs. This town of Rajasthan may look small but it is filled with many temples and around 52 ghats. If you are planning to come to this place then you should definitely check out the Camel Fair. Plus, you should also attempt to climb the 600 steps reaching the Savitri Temple at least once during your visit, this will give you a chance to experience the spectacular view of the sunset. 

            4. Haridwar:

              This city is considered one of the top 7 sacred cities of India. This is situated in the North of Delhi and it is filled with many ashrams and temples. Most people love to visit this city around the time of the Kumbh Mela to either experience the rich spirituality or witness the customs around that time. Haridwar experiences a pleasant temperature around the year, so you can easily come here at any time after filling out the application for an Indian eVisa. 

              5. Vrindavan:

                This place is famous as the home of one of the most beloved Hindu gods, Krishna. There are many ashrams in these cities for people who do not want to stay in the modern lifestyle of a hotel. If you visit this city around the time of Holi or Krishna Janmashtami then you will surely be able to see the city in its full glory. Some of the must-visit places in Vrindavan are the Mirabai temple and Krishna Balaram Mandir. 

                6. Bodh Gaya: 

                  If you want to experience a good meditation session then Bodh Gaya is definitely a must-visit. This is the same place where Siddhartha Gautama transformed into the Buddha and started walking on the journey of upliftment and enlightenment. Many Buddhists from all around come to this part of Bihar to experience its calm and peaceful environment. So, if you are also planning this place on your spiritual retreat then remember to add it to the list. Make sure you visit the Thai Temple, Japanese Indosan Nipponji Temple, and Mahabodhi Temple.

                  (*)Ganga Aarti is a centuries-old Hindu ritual where people worship the Ganges river. This ceremony is done with bells, fire lamps, bells, and other things.

                  Things to Remember While Planning

                  Planning for a successful spiritual retreat to India can be easy. However, there are a few things that you should remember while taking this trip. Remember to;

                  1. Apply for an India entry visa weeks in advance to avoid delays.
                  2. Pack clothes that are fit for the retreat, preferably head scarves and loose-fitted clothes. 
                  3. Keep your IDs safe so that they cannot be stolen.
                  4. Book hotels and tickets to avoid any issues while traveling. 
                  5. Contact the emergency helpline number on 112, if you face any difficulties or security threats during your visit. 
                  6. Keep a close eye on your luggage or other belongings while traveling in public transport. 

                  Feeling Confident to Visit India for a Successful Spiritual Retreat?

                  Experiencing a successful spiritual retreat in India won’t be tough with the right planning. You should just remember to apply for an India entry visa and plan things in advance. Moreover, you should also remember to bring in copies of all the necessary documents to experience a hassle-free trip. 

                  However, if you still face any issues related to your visa application then you can contact the Helpdesk. On the other hand, you should contact the Indian emergency number (112) for any problems within the country. 

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