Moving to India and Religion

Posted by shipping India on August 19, 2011 · 1 Comment 

When moving to India with IntlMOVE India, you may want to take time to learn about the most prominent religions practiced in this part of the world. A large percentage of people living in India are associated with a specific religious practice. Religions will affect days off at work, interactions with colleagues and other parts of daily life you will soon learn about. Religion can also play a role in your social life when you move to India. Meals, events, holidays and rituals may affect outings with your new friends.

Four of the world’s major religions can trace their roots back to India. Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism started in India are still practiced there today. The Constitution of India allows the people of India the freedom of religion.

Hinduism in India

Roughly 80 percent of people in India practice Hinduism. This religion dates back 5,000 years which makes it one of the world’s oldest religions. Rituals are a big part of the Hindu religions, so you need to be aware of these and respect the beliefs of Hindus. The rituals vary greatly by regions, cities, individuals and families.

Families are extremely important in India. The celebrations for major life events, such as birth, marriage and death, involve days of ceremonies.

Islam in India

There are also a large percentage of people who practice Islam, which is the largest minority religion in the country. A little more than 13 percent of the country practices Islam. India is home to the third largest Muslim population. When moving to India, you will find some famous Islamic monuments, such as the Taj Mahal and Qutb Minar.

Devout Muslims pray five times per day. These prayer times take place at specific times of the day. If you are living in a region with a large Muslim population, be careful not to schedule meetings or other events during these times to respect their religious beliefs. In India, families travel for these major events, which sometimes last for days.

Other Religions in India

The Buddhist religion was started in India, but only about 0.8 percent of Indians practice it. Christianity is practiced by roughly 2 percent of the Indian population. Jainism, which is seen as a atheist religion, is practiced by 4.2 million people, which accounts for 0.4 percent of India’s population. Sikh, another religion with India roots is, has a following of almost 2 percent of the population of India.  Judaism also has a small following in India.

Food and Religion

There are many sacred animals in India. Roughly one-third of the Indian population is vegetarians. This type of diet is mainly practiced among Hindus. Hindus do not eat beef and Muslims do not eat pork, so you may need to adjust your meat consumption when moving to India.

Overall, you will find the people of India to be very tolerant towards other religions. No matter what religion you practice, you will likely be able to find a religious community with like-minded beliefs in all major urban areas. When you are ready to move to India, visit the IntlMOVE India website for your free international shipping quote to ship your household goods from the U.S. to India.

 

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Moving to India – How Far I Advance Should I Plan for International Shipping?

Posted by shipping India on August 9, 2011 · Leave a Comment 

As soon as you find out you are moving to India, contact IntlMOVE India for a free online quote to plan the shipping of your household goods. Moving overseas takes some planning, but getting started early will help reduce stress as you take the time needed to get everything done.

It is best to get started as early as possible. Contact IntlMOVE India three months before your move. There are times when you need to get the ball rolling with less time to plan. Use this guide to help guide you through the international shipping process.

At Least Four Weeks Prior to Moving to India

The peak moving season takes place during the summer months. Secure your booking with your international shipping company at least four weeks in advance when you are moving to India between May and October. Secure your booking with at least three weeks notice if you are moving to India outside of peak moving season.

Contact your marine insurance company. If you do not have a marine insurance company already in mind, IntlMOVE India can help you find a provider. Prepare a list of all items packed for the insurer. Make sure to value each item at what it would cost to replace it in India, rather than listing a U.S. value.

Ensure you have everything you need, such as visas, vaccinations, documents and paperwork needed when moving to India. A list of documents will be provided by your local consulate or embassy. If you need to renew a passport, you will likely need to make it a rush order.  Make sure you carry all birth and marriage certificates on the plane with you.

Determine which items you will be shipping to India and which items you need to sell, donate or keep in storage. Make a list of all the items you want to carry with you on the plane and keep those separate when the movers arrive to pack your house.

Four weeks out, you will also want to redirect your mail and cancel all club memberships. Contact all credit cards, banks, doctors, friends and anyone else who sends you mail to update them with your new address. Close any accounts you need to close. Talk to your accountant about any tax implications. Obtain an international driving license.

Three Weeks Prior to Move

You may not bring food with you to India. Start eating all of your food, including frozen food, so it does not go to waste. List all unwanted items for sale online or sell them at a yard sale. Donate all remaining items.

The Week of the Move

Confirm your moving date with the international moving company. Call all utility companies and give them a date to shut off your electricity, cable, phone, water, gas and any other utilities. Label everything in your household for the packers. Items should be clearly marked with the words, “Do Not Pack,” if you don’t want them included in your shipment. Pack your suitcases with items you will need over the next couple months. Keep all of your passports, visas, certificates, jewelry and all other items you will be carrying on the plane in a secure place. Keep these items separate from the items that need to be packed.

Get Indian currency, so you have some cash when you arrive. You will likely need to pay for cab fares and other miscellaneous fees with cash. Confirm airline tickets and arrange for a place to stay as soon as you arrive in India.

The Day of the Move

Allow IntlMOVE India to professionally pack all of your household goods to prepare them for the international shipment. Before the moving professionals leave, take one last walk around the house to ensure everything is packed. Review the packing list prepared by the international movers.

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