I was looking for some information regarding the application of an Indian visa on the internet and I chanced upon an exhaustive Indian travel forum. It has got the most (specific) information relating to India compared to other travel forums that I have seen.

In one of the forum threads, forumers were discussing the availability and the cleanliness of public toilets in India, and the thread quickly led to forumers sharing their toilet experiences.

It initially started as a few innocent questions:

“Are most of the toilets squat-down holes in the floor? How do you clean your… well… you know? Is there paper or water? If so how do you dry? How do you apply the water? What are toilets like on trains?”

And then a forumer came to the rescue:

“Squat toilets, no toilet paper. If you want to use toilet paper, you’ll have to carry it with you. Please do not put toilet paper into a squat toilet. Squat toilets were not designed for toilet paper and it clogs them. Throw the toilet paper into a trash can if there is one (rare) or carry ziplock baggies with you to deposit the used toilet paper in and throw it away as soon as you find a trash can. There is usually a tap with a bucket by the toilet. You can use that water to clean yourself, then you just air dry. Trains usually have Western toilets which empty straight onto the tracks. Many mid- to upper-range class homes/hotels/hostels have Western toilets, too.”

And another forumer explained the mechanics behind not using toilet paper after going to the toilet:

“Fill the small plastic cup with water from the faucet. With the right hand, pour the water on yourself at about the base of the spine, just above the “hoohah”, whilst cleaning with the fingers of the left hand. Refill the cup if you need more water. As has already been mentioned, wash your hands afterward.”

But of course, somebody also shared a link to Indax, a website that provides a more comprehensive guide to a “tissueless existence”:

“If you do feel adventurous, here are some basic tips. You’ll need about a litre of water. All Indian bathrooms have a little mug and a tap or a bucket of water. When you have finished, reach behind you and between your legs with your LEFT hand and, holding the full mug of water in your RIGHT hand, pour the water slowly into your left hand. You can pour from the front or the back – which ever feels most comfortable. Use the water in your cupped left hand to wash yourself. Repeat as many times as necessary. Air dry. When you are done, wash your hands well with soap.”

You know, the more I read, the more I laughed at the responses and how funny the thread has transpired into. In all honesty, this lack-of-public-toilet issue does put me off a little but at the same time, I am sooo looking forward to my first experience to Incredible India.

So yeah, come what may :D