I'm a 53 year old female travelling solo to Delhi, Madras and Mysore in mid-late September. I expect it to be very hot but I'm told that it is very improper for women to wear shorts out and about. I understand that you have to wear long pants to get into temples but are shorts taboo? Thanks, L

Women wearing shorts in public may not be a good idea but it is not banned or taboo. In general, do not show too much of leg. In temples shorts would be considered improper.

You could wear shorts but try to keep them at knee length. Actually as you will be in larger cities I wonder if exposure to shall I say "wordly" fashions has made such sights as women in shorts a common occurence.

I would not consider wearing shorts in India unless I was on the beach.

You can be just as cool in a loose, lightweight skirt and will look much, much more acceptable. Even gauzy long pants will be as cool as shorts.

In addition to fitting in better, a lightweight skirt can be washed in the sink and dry overnight, something to consider as you get awfully dusty in India.

You would not be allowed in mosques wearing shorts, and to me it is a toss up on whether you would be allowed into temples , so you would have to really plan when you would wear them, as many of your days would include trips to one or more (e.g. the Friday Mosque in Delhi). I have never seen anyone turned away from a temple for what they are wearing like you do in Thailand, but there is always that chance; also in Chennai you will be visiting Christian sights (St Thomas) and I am pretty sure shorts will not be welcome there. On days when you are not sightseeing, if you wanted to wear them you could, but I would say that if you are traveling by yourself you will most likely draw more attention and stares than you will want. No one will hassle you and you are perfectly safe, but as a woman traveling alone, shopping alone, and touring alone you will get enough stares and IMO you don't need to add shorts into the mix. (No one does anything alone in India so anyone on their own is considered unusual, and a woman even a bit more so.)

It is very rare to see a women in shorts in India...and if u do..long shorts to the knees or capris (that is what i wore the whole time)..There are some very nice long shorts out these days..Try Old Navy..I have bought quite a few there...

Shorts in ONE place in India...Goa..otherwise wear capris made of cotton or even try buying readymade salwar dresses which are comfy and cottony and keep you quite cool.

docgirl2004, shorts are a no-no in Goa, too. Just because some foreigners flout local cultural sensibilities does not make it alright. True, compared to the rest of India, Goa may be a little more forgiving, but it is my experience that a lot of Westerners draw silly conclusions about Goa and Goans after a week's romp beachside.

I disgaree agtoau. I am of Indian origins and I found Goa to be more lenient with the shorts wearing. Of course we must wear it in certain situations only like the beach or casual beach side pubs restaurants etc. We wont wear shorts to a church or for sightseeing. I think it depends on where in Goa you are going. I think shorts are fine--where appropriate..on the beach only. Maybe you should not assume I am western and romping around goa just because I suggested shorts are fine in certain places in Goa. Its a bit shortsighted. Wanderlust back to your question..you are not going to Goa according to your schedule..so NO shorts are not appropriate.

docgirl2004, I forgot to add - non-Goan Indians are even more misinformed than Westerners about Goa.

To add to my rejoinder - it has served the Indian govt's tourism dept's interests to paint Goa as "different" from the rest of India. It is true that Goa is different - but the points of similarity with the rest of India are far more significant. There has also been an effort to project Goa in the West as a land of "churches" with a predominantly Christian presence. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Indian's view of Goa usually comes from Bollywood movies where Goan Christians are portrayed as drunks swaying to a guitar tune by the beach, and Christan women as 'fast' and 'easy.' When these morons come to Goa and intersect wih reality, a lot of grief ensues.

agtoau..ehh generalized baseless statements like "Non-western tourists blah blah blah" NOT supported by facts but more just your flimsy opinion. are not my idea of good comebacks..try again son.

India has enough of the conservative touch... much of which has lead to ridiculous neo-con views of certain political groups... dont worry India's conservative touch wont be scarred by a couple of middle aged Western grannies trying to stay cool in their shorts on their 5 star Goan beach resort. Leave it them alone..

docgirl2004 - believe what you want. far be it from me to stand in the way of you and your fantasies. What's all this piffle about "neo-con" "conservative" etc? No, don't bother. That was a rheotical question.

Agtaou You shouldnt be pissed at foreigners when your OWN indian government is portraying Goa in a way you dont like. Its not their fault..its your govt's fault. Besides...99% of India is very conservative and shorts are inappropriate...but on certain Goan beaches I think they are fine. Whether you like it or not..your hometown is a beautiful paradise...people dont want to wear 10 yard silk sarees and three piece suits on those gorgeous beaches just because you are uncomfortable with the govt and medias portray of Goa. Give it up.

docgirl2004, please calm down. Take a walk on the beach, if you must. In a bikini, no more.

I think you should calm down...let go of this "ohhh woo is me..my goa is portrayed all wrong blah blah"....mirroring your feelings on me doesnt take away your obvious frustrations. Goa will be considered that way..deal with it.

docgirl2004, please, get off this boring middle-class Indian horse you're riding. I WANT Goa to be welcoming of Westerners. Love oggling those delicious bikini-clad babes myself. Mmm.

agtaoau..whats wrong with you? First you say your Goa is not appropriate place for shorts and now you say women should wear bikinis. Make up your mind dude. Whose middle class?? you? Huh? Where the heck did that come from?You do realize that with each post you contribute to this lousy thread you make yourself sound more incoherent. Make up your mind..you want to recommend bikinis or shorts or not? jeez..