Information
Indian Visa Formalities
- We are given to understand that recently, the powers of granting extension
of visa have been withdrawn from local authorities in Chennai. Therefore,
we have been requested to advise overseas guests of the Mission to depart
before the expiry of the visa granted to them.
- All overseas abhyasis visiting India in connection with spiritual training
in SRCM may please be informed through SahajNet/Constant Remembrance (and
other means) that they should avoid overstay on any ground.They should plan
to leave India well before the expiry of the visa. The validity of the
visa (unless otherwise stated) is reckoned from the date of issue.
- The laws and regulations as applicable to overseas visitors ought to be
respected by all concerned. It is regretted that, in future, the functionaries
of BMA Chennai will not be able to intervene in cases of overstay and requests
for extension of visas.
- When the abhyasis arrive at BMA Chennai and register at the office they
should give details of their passport and visa to the office personnel. If
possible, abhyasis are requested to furnish a photocopy of the first page
of the passport and the page with the visa stamp.
Your passport should be valid 6 months after the return date. Visa is compulsory
and should be procured from the Indian Embassy of your country.
Plane ticket
Many companies come to Chennai through regular flight. Compare the fares.
Don't forget to mention while booking your ticket, if you wish a vegetarian meal (Indian or western).
You can subscribe with your travel agency cancellation insurance.
Ask if you can possibly modify your return date. Some companies will not allow any change.
At the arrival, if your luggage is missing, inform the company. They should give you a certain amount of money to do some shopping waiting for your luggage to land.
Some practical advice:
Money
Your budget may vary if you travel along with Master (who mostly flies).
According to places Master visits, you may have to stay in a hotel.
You can pay most of hotels and shopping with your credit card. You can also use your credit card to get some change via ATM (get informed on the amount of change your bank allows per week while travelling).
You may be offered to change your money through "black market" in the street, it is of course illegal and risky.
Miscellaneous
In your luggage
The luggage weight is limited to 20 kg per person, any extra kg will be taxed.
"Travel Light": the rule applies even more for India where you can buy almost everything, especially light clothes (see in the chapter "Clothes" in "Life at the ashram"). You just need few summer clothes, sandals, a pullover and a shawl. A bed sheet or a cotton shawl will be useful for "rustic" bedding, to protect you from mosquitoes or from the fans!
During winter and monsoon (October to January), bring a few warm clothes and a sleeping bag as nights can be cool.
For your comfort, you can bring with you torch light, pocketknife and earplugs!
Arrival
The taxi is the most convenient way to travel from airport. It is advisable to pay the trip cost at the airport Pre-paid counter (after the customs in the international airport and outside at the national airport). That will avoid arguing with the driver.
If you come through Bombay or Delhi and should change of airport, you can use the shuttle.
As soon as you come or a few days after, you have to confirm your return ticket at the company counter at the airport or at its office in town or even in a travel agency (see in the chapter "Useful phone numbers").
THE LIFE AT THE ASHRAM
All abhyasis must register with the Ashram office at their arrival. Bring your passport / visa details and letter of permission.
Satsanghs are given daily at 6.30 am and 5.00 pm.
On Sundays, satsanghs timings are as follows: 6.30 am / 9.00 am / 4.30 pm.
When Master is in Chennai, there is an extra 10.00 am meditation on weekdays.
Please note, when Master is in the Ashram sitting times may vary - listen to the bell!
Bell:
2 bells, Meditation starts in 15 minutes.
3 bells, at 5.30 am Morning chimes.
At 9.30 pm lights out.
For Lunch (usually at 12.30) and Dinner (usually at 7.30).
Facilities:
Water:
Please conserve water when brushing teeth, washing and taking baths.
Sanitation:
Toilet paper and sanitary products must not be put down the toilets, as they will plug the drainage system. Please use the receptacles provided. Put all garbage in the containers provided around the ashram.
For your health:
Water :
Drink lots of water and consider taking electrolytes (such as Electral, available at the ashram during celebrations or at pharmacies), because you can become easily and quickly dehydrated from sweating in the heat. Only drink sealed bottled mineral water. Avoid drinking cold water and ice, as it may not be filtered. All drinking water at the ashram has been tested and chlorinated but it is advised to foreign abhyasis to stick to mineral water, as our immune system might be not well adjusted to climate and food.
Avoid eating fruit that you do not peel yourself, unless it is washed very carefully.
Doctors:
Doctors are available daily at the ashram between 10.00 and 11.30, 16.30 and 18.00 hrs. A homeopathic doctor is living on the ashram premises and can be meet through office.
Pharmacy:
One pharmacy is located to the left as you go out the main gate and walk almost to the main road. Homeopathic medicines are available at the ashram. During celebrations, most non-prescription over-the-counter medicines are available at the medical counter at the ashram.
Daily life at the ashram:
Food:
The meals are served in the dining hall, 3 bells will ring when it is ready (except for breakfast at 7.30 am).
Bedding :
Mattresses, mosquito nets, sheets and pillows are available for rent at the Bedding Counter near the old dormitories. During celebrations, you can purchase new mattresses and mosquito nets there as well.
Laundry:
During celebrations, in order to conserve water, please avoid doing laundry at the ashram. An outside laundry service is available at a counter at the ashram.
Telephone and fax :
Telephone calls can be made at the STD/ISD booth located outside the main gate and to the right a few hundred feet. A pay phone is located at the ashram office. During celebrations, an STD/ISD booth is available in the ashram premises.
Mail :
Aerogrammes and stamps can be purchased at the Bedding Counter. A mailbox is located just outside the main gate on the left.
Securing Valuables:
It is advisable to keep passports, tickets, money and other valuables in a secure place. A facility will be provided to keep valuables in for a small fee (all dormitories are equipped with personal safe), you will be able to access your valuables at any time. Please take responsibility for your valuables.
Canteen :
The canteen, near the water tower, provides Indian snacks, ice creams, sandwiches, tea, coffee, cool drinks and mineral water all year long. During celebrations, more western style food as pizza, French fries etc. will be served. It is foreseen that amenities such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc. will be also available all year long by the canteen.
Near the ashram are several stores within easy walking distance such as Vitan, a supermarket located out the main gate and left down the road for items not provided at the ashram.
The canteen is open from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm and is closed during meditation.
Dress:
Abhyasis are expected to be appropriately dressed at all times. This means being presentable, clean and comfortable.
For men, bare upper torso is discouraged for all but the manual laborers, when working. Shorts (to the knees) are acceptable.
For women, one should avoid tight clothing, low cut tops (scarves can be worn), bare midriff (except for sari), shorts, see-through material; dresses should be well bellow the knees.
Loose fittings, light cotton clothing, experience proves, is far cooler than lack of clothing.
Etiquette :
- No alcohol or drugs are allowed on the ashram premises. Smoking is prohibited on the ashram grounds.
Please be seated in the meditation hall at least 15 minutes before satsangh. Remain seated until program is finished.
- Chairs are available in the hall, but may not be disturbing to brothers and sisters sitting on the floor.
Please do respect silence in the meditation hall and leave it if you need to speak. Be also quiet when close to abhyasis receiving individual sitting.
- Avoid touching someone with your feet or stretching out your legs when facing somebody and especially during a sitting. If you cannot do otherwise, sit at the rear of the hall.
- During meditation reclining too far back may be avoided. An alert posture (back erect) is to be maintained.
- Make sure that the sandals you take are your own, as many look alike. Consider uniquely marking your shoes to make them easier to spot and reduce mix-ups.
- Turn lights and fans off when not in use.
- Please respect that the Garden of Hearts is a private residence. Master wishes every abhyasi to use the facilities given by the ashram for their stay in Manapakam.
- Master's office, garden and cottage are to be treated as private property. When He wishes to meet abhyasis or give them work or entrance to these places He will say so, either personally or through one of His aides.
Voluntary work:
It is advised by Master, in order to participate to ashram life, to work 3 to 4 hours a day. Many different tasks can be done (washing, cooking, children games, garden work etc.). Tasks are proposed every morning or one can be taken on a regular basis during your stay.
Indoor Games :
The old meditation hall has been renovated and transformed into indoor game space. You will find tennis tables, chess games, carrom board etc.
The games are free of charge for children (above 10 years old). Adults can play for a fee of 5 rupees for half an hour (one can also subscribe for a longer period).
The hall is open during weekdays from 7.30 to 9.00 on the morning, from 4.00 to 6.00 in the afternoon and from 8.00 to 9.00 in the evening.
During weekends and holidays, the hall is open from 7.00 am to 1.00 pm then from 4.00 to 7.00 pm.
Transportation:
If you need to go in town, auto-rickshaws are usually stationed outside the main gate of the ashram. Fix up the price of your trip with the driver before leaving the place and ask for help from your Indian brothers and sisters, please avoid overpaying! If nobody can help, you may ask for the driver to put his meter on and if he refuses you may propose "meter + 5 or 10 rupees" so that he accepts to bring you where you want to.
You can also hire a car with driver. Two taxi companies are run by abhyasis:
- Worthy Travels (contact Martin Worthy through email: worthy@poboxes.com
or tel.: 249 5653).
They have cars and vans available at set fees.
Useful phone numbers:
Ashram
252-1099; 252-0216; Fax: 252-0819
Playgrounds:
Behind the indoor game hall, you will find a playground for children above 5 years old. There are seesaws, toboggans, balance bridges, monkey bars etc.
A little further aside, places have been cleared up to play cricket, basketball, and volleyball.
On the left of Master's cottage, a smaller playground welcomes the younger ones (up to 5 years old) with seesaws and toboggans fit for their age.
The children's corner:
Apart from playground and game hall, children can meet every Sunday morning during meditation around Sister Jacqueline Sellers and another brothers and sisters at the dinning hall. Activities will be proposed to them.
Several projects regarding children activities during weekends and seminars are now planned. When you come to ashram with children, ask if any program is available at that time.
INDIA : USEFUL INFORMATION
Weather:
India is part of tropical and sub tropical zones. During April and may, heat is high and very dry in the north while very humid in Chennai. The monsoon time varies according to areas: from mid June to mid August in North India and from mid October to mid December in South India.
Culture:
Indian culture has its rules that one needs to know and respect.
Sometimes a western behavior can cause embarrassment in India.
Here are few tips to avoid misunderstandings:
Dress properly, usually with long clothes in order not to show legs and shoulders.
Use your right hand when you give or take something, when you touch someone or food. Left hand is usually considered "impure".
Avoid touching someone with you feet or to stretch out your legs in front of somebody.
Your generosity will be often tested. Know that often beggars are part of racket groups, use your discrimination.
The very essential hints for a successful stay at the ashram -i.e. to make it useful by easing Master's spiritual work, is to be respectful of ALL THOSE and ALL THAT are around us and to bring Love into everything.
Here is wishing you a happy stay in the Ashram.
