Yes, go ahead and book,nearly everybody books flights etc before they get their visa.
You should get the new E-visa approx £40 each , which will allow you 30 days in India from the date you arrive.
You can apply for this 34 days before you go, at the moment it only takes about 24 hours for confirmation. Are you booking this as a full package?
any questions, fire away there is always someone on here to help you out.
Good luck

Hi yes we are booking a package.. is there any reasons why a visa would be turned down?

Thank you

yes, but mostly if you are of Pakistani or Bangladeshi descent or work in Military Police or Government.
If you are just regular people with a normal job you will be ok.

oh thats good we should be ok in getting one then

What do people do about money, what do you take. Is it right you have to change it at the airport when you arrive?

Thank you

Most people take cash or use ATM, wouldnt change money at the airport you will get a very poor exchange rate.

We found that the hotels gave a very good exchange rate and ATM's caused alot of problems with our party and had to go to several to get one to work and that was with an Indian guide to help them

We would only change money at the airport to pay the taxi(but we usually have some rupee left from previous visit),but as your on a package it will include transfers.
We take cash there are plenty of places to change money and if you ask about there is always someone to tell you where is the best rate,we tend to use the official changes they may be slightly lower rate but we have been caught out before when using tailors that we have considered friends,always count your money in front of whoever you have made the exchange with,and as it is your 1st time work out before you go in how much you should get(there is usually a board outside giving the rate,tends to start lower at start of Day)Hope this doesn't sound negative the Goan people are lovely we are going in Feb. it will be our 14th visit we have made lots of friends over the years Brits and Goans and look forward to meeting up again.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday.