Dress code - Nepal and India

Hi, I am leaving in about 3 weeks to go to Nepal where i will be volunteering in Pokhara and was just wondering what is appropriate dress? I know not to wear vest tops etc. but how covered up should I be? Are normal T-shirts OK? What about legs? How much of them should be covered?

Also, on another note, can anyone recommend if I need the Japanese Encephylitis injection? I am going to be spending about 10 weeks in Nepal and then over to India, where I won't be likely to go outside of the 'Golden Triangle'.

Thanks

Normal T-shirts and knee length bottoms are okay in most cities of india except if ur visiting some religious places or some interior villages where u have to cover even more...

Dont buy the indian dresses available in Uk, u can get plenty of them in India and at much cheaper rates

Do let me know if u need more info

T-shirts should be fine, perhaps nothing too tight. Generally for the legs I think it's custom to cover the knees so just follow that rule (and for the top, cover the shoulders).

Mind you in Lakeside, Pokhara there will be a lot of tourists who don't follow the rule and just wear whatever - but I'd say this isn't respected as much by the locals. I think to ensure the respect (especially while volunteering) just cover up a bit.

If you follow those rules I don't think you necessarily have to dress Hindu style - that's more about personal preference (although it might be encouraged if you attend any special events) but if you think that's cool then go ahead - I'm sure locals would be impressed.

I'm not sure where you're volunteering but keep in mind that if you're in a small village they may wash in a communal place, where it is necessary for women to still cover up their naughty bits - so in that case you can wash in what you'd bathe in.

Hope you enjoy volunteering as much as I did. If there's any other questions about that in Nepal feel free to ask me. As for the encephylitis thing it might be better to ask some sort of health professional!

Erik

hi , nepal august is hot so t-shirt is ok , but winer will be so cold , if u need anyinformation about nepal please contact me
-REMOVED-

Moderator comment: please see Forum Rules

[ Edit: Link to Forum Rules added. Sorry, no personal details please. ]

Thanks for the help guys, just wanted to make sure I don't offend anyone!

I wear almost constantly basic v neck T, these baggy PJ pants (both knee length and ankle length, you can adust them - they rock) you can buy them here for like 100rup, and a pashmina most of the time. I wore a head scarf a bit in Amritsar and that's about it. I have kept the same dress code through out Himanchal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradash, and Rajasthan. Just watch the people around you is all you pick up on it pretty quick.

[ Edit: Edited on Jun 4, 2008, at 6:23 AM by Ardy ]