Religious ceremony and donation pressure in India

A priest or guide offers a ceremony without clearly stating the cost. Afterwards, you are pressured to make a large donation. Similar pressure can occur at other tourist temples.

A ceremony is offered without a clear price. Someone says you must donate a large amount. You feel rushed or guilty for asking about the cost.

Ask the full cost before agreeing to a ceremony. Decline if the answer is unclear. Walk away if pressured to donate.

Refuse further payment pressure and leave if you feel uncomfortable.

Temples in tourist areas, including Kanchipuram It has been reported in Kanchipuram.

Demands can reach thousands of rupees.

Occasional. Scams and touts are common in India's tourist areas, especially in Delhi and around transport hubs. Common problems include inflated fares, short change, false claims about hotels, fake ticket offices and pressure to buy goods or tours. India is generally safe for foreign visitors who take basic precautions against petty crime and theft.

Yes: poor students and overpriced school books, unsolicited restaurant and street-sales pitches.

Emergency services: call 112 for immediate danger or urgent police, fire or ambulance help. Give your location and speak slowly. Nearest police station: visit in person for non-emergency crimes. For a serious crime, insist on a first information report, or FIR, and obtain a copy. Local police cybercell: make a complaint about internet scams, card skimming or other cybercrime. Bring transaction records and saved messages. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal: use the government portal to report cybercrime. Keep a record of your complaint. Ministry of Tourism helpline: call 1363 or 1800-11-1363 for tourist assistance. The helpline operates 24 hours a day. Bank, card issuer or payment provider: use its official app or contact number to block compromised cards or accounts, flag the fraud and ask about disputed payments. Embassy or consulate: contact your country's embassy or consulate through its official contact details if your passport is stolen or you need consular help. Travel insurer: report the loss promptly. Keep police reports, receipts and evidence of the stolen items or disputed payments. Bengaluru auto-rickshaw complaint service: record the driver's identification number. A BBMP control room contact is listed as +91 80 22975803, but it dates from December 2009. Confirm that it still handles these complaints before relying on it.

National emergency services: police, fire and ambulance: 112, Ministry of Tourism 24-hour tourist assistance: 1363, Ministry of Tourism alternative helpline: 1800-11-1363.