I am Indian by heritage and I just returned from Kerala, which is the southern-most state in India. For a westerner travelling there, India has plenty of poverty (beggars will approach you in the cities), not sanitary (garbage is thrown into the streets), and the air is polluted.

But if you can get over all that, ignore the beggars, drink only bottled water, stay in a quality hotel (that has TP), you will have an amazing cultural experience at a fraction of the cost. This goes for Kerala and as well as other states in India.

If you are interested in more information, send me an email.

Tom