Religion
India's religious diversity is a lived, visible reality rather than a textbook fact - Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism and others all have a genuine, longstanding presence, and it's common to find temples, mosques, gurudwaras and churches within walking distance of each other in the same neighborhood.
Visiting a place of worship
A few norms that hold across most traditions:
- Shoes off before entering almost any place of worship - leave them at the door or in provided racks.
- Dress modestly - shoulders and knees covered is the general rule (see Clothing & Attire for more detail).
- Head covering is required for everyone at Sikh gurudwaras regardless of religion or gender; some mosques ask women to cover their hair too. Scarves are usually available at the entrance if you don't bring one.
- Ask before photographing people who are praying, and look for posted signs about photography of idols or the inner sanctum - it's often restricted even when the rest of the site allows cameras.
Sites that restrict entry to non-Hindus
A small number of major Hindu temples don't admit non-Hindus (or, in some cases, foreigners generally) into the temple itself, even though the surrounding complex may be open to everyone. The two most commonly cited are the Jagannath Temple in Puri (Odisha) and the Guruvayur Temple (Kerala) - both strictly Hindus-only for the inner temple. Rules and how strictly they're enforced vary by site and can change, so if a specific temple matters to your itinerary, it's worth checking current entry policy for that exact site rather than assuming either way.
Pilgrimage
Religious pilgrimage is a major part of travel within India itself, not just something visitors observe from outside - the Char Dham circuit in the Himalayas, the Kumbh Mela (one of the largest religious gatherings on Earth, held on a rotating cycle at four river sites), and Varanasi's ghats on the Ganges are all significant living pilgrimage traditions. The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra - a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains alike - is worth a specific note: the site itself is in Tibet (China), not India, so it involves a separate visa/permit process through China rather than an Indian one.