Well, there are now 2 threads on these instruments. Excelsior has Sitar classes, you can check em out. Ebay tells us they are about the same as guitar prices.
Sitars are pretty expensive. The cheap ones are more decorative than functional. There are a few places in Little india that sell them and a couple of schools there too.
You seen those indian slide guitars? Check out Debashish Bhattacharya
From what I've read the sympathetic strings on those coral stryle ones don't really vibrate sympathetically. The two bridges need to be mechanically coupled.
Use Vpost address and use local credit card. The last time i tried it was messier... but last night it was smooth. Just got an email from them. SHIPPED OUT.