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First, we are allowing everyone to make his or her own travel arrangements because we want to make sure everyone knows that we are not making any commissions nor is there any financial gain for us if you join us. The only gain will be spiritual. Also, we want everyone to have the opportunity to travel according to you personal standards and budgets. Our only motivation in this invitation is to share access to the temples, and the joy of being able to perform sadhana along with us in these ancient sites.
We will have an Indian cell phone with us from the time we arrive in India. The number is 9766317737. This number will only be available while we are India, but if anyone is lost, or if we get lost, we will have access to communications. Also we will keep a laptop with our website email available, and we will check it daily.
Airline Tickets to and from India
We will be flying by Cathay Pacific on November 1st to Delhi, and returning on November 30th via Hong Kong.
We booked our tickets through Payal at Sai Travels 39737 Paseo Padre Pkwy Suite A3 Fremont CA 94538. Her phone number is 510-657-1724, her fax is 510-651-3898. Her email is saitravel@sbcglobal.net. The fare is $1,340.00 for each round trip ticket at the present time. Fares are likely to change in the future.
Travel from Delhi to Banaras and on to Kolkata
Trains are the best. In November it is not necessary to take an air-conditioned coach, but the fares are not so expensive and it is cleaner and quieter. I believe it should run somewhere between $30 to $50 for each leg; Delhi to Banaras and on to Kolkata.
Also shared taxis should be fairly reasonable for inner city travel.
Confirmed Programs
These are programs confirmed so far:
We will be in Banaras from November 7th - 14th, performing Sundar Kanda at Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir on Nov 10th, and Yajna at Annapurna Temple on the 11th - 13th. There will also be sat sangh every night, although I am not yet sure where.
We will be in Kolkata from November 15th - 20th, and will perform a yajna at the Dakshineshwar Dhyan Mandir on the 16th, at Kali Ghat on the 18th, and a kirtan at Meera Mandir on the 19th.
Delhi Accommodations
The World Buddhist Centre at East of Kailash is well located with a very good recommendation. The place is managed by a Japanese Buddhist Priest - Ven. Gyomyo Nakamura, and is very clean, serene, and the rooms are also very neat. Booking needs to be done in advance and needs to be cleared by the priest.
Charges inclusive of food are: Rs 1,500/- for single room, Rs 2,500/- for double room, Rs 3000/- for triple occupancy room.
Contact details:
- website: www.indiamart.com/worldbuddhistcentre
- email: gyomyonakamura@hotmail.com
- telephone: +9111-26227453 , +919811062211
Other places that are also recommended:
Shri Aurobindo Ashram Delhi Branch is very well located only 4 km from Munirka. The place has regular international guests. Hence it should be clean and up to the mark. They were very strict not to allow me to check the rooms, as the place is an ashram and not a hotel. All rooms are non AC with attached bathroom, minimum donation is Rs 700/- for double occupancy and Rs 500/- for single occupancy. Charges include all meals, which are served in the cafeteria.
Contact details:
- phone: +9111-26567863
- email: aurobindo@vsnl.com
Adyatma Sadhana Kendra is near the Chhatarpur Mandir. It is the only place that has a low cost AC room. AC room: rs 800/- for double occupancy, non AC 600/- for double. Food expense is Rs 70/- per day per person for vegetarian meals.
Contact details:
- phone no: +9111-26802708, +9111-26802671
- email: sadhanakendra@gmail.com
The Iskcon Center in Delhi also has good rooms. AC rooms are for Rs 1,500/- for double occupancy. Food is extra - they have a nice vegetarian restaurant.
Contact details:
- website: www.Iskcon.com
- Contact person: Jaymukunda Das, Director - guest house.
- phone: +9111-26288816, 26235133-37: Extn: 251, 117, 274, 108
- email: jaimukunda.gkg@pamho.net; guest.house.new.delhi@pamho.net
Travel within Delhi
For commuting inside Delhi we suggest this 24-hour radio-cab service. It is safe and reliable, and fair price per kilometer. You can reserve a ride in advance or call them and they will arrive in 15-20 minutes of the call:
011-41414141 or 011-43434343 Mega Cab Service
011-44224422 Meeru Cab rate Rs. 15/- per km
011-44333222 or 011-44404440 Dial a Cab rate Rs. 15/- per km
011-45333333 Quikcab rate Rs. 7.50 per km
Banaras Accommodations
Click here for an aerial map of Banaras. Scroll to the right and you will see the Ganges river and all the famous ghats.
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Seth Anandram Jaipuria Smriti Bhawan
Jaipuria Dharmshala
Godowlia
Varanasi - 221001
Phones: 91-542-2412766, 2412709, 2412674
e-mail: sajbhawan@sify.com.
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Hotel Sri Ram International
Godowlia - Bansphatak Road
Varanasi - 221001
phones: 91-542-2418311, 91-9918409507, 91-9936465556
e-mail: babavishwanath_travel@yahoo.co.in.sg
Contact person: Mr. Manoj
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Sri Venkateswar Lodge
D, 5/64, Dasaswamedh
Varanasi UP 221 001
91-542-392357; 393737
Room rents at both places are Rs 900 for AC and Rs 550 for non AC accommodations. In November non AC may be fine.
Jaipuria is the best option. The other hotel is a new construction and is a decent place. In the case of Jaipuria, they have a very good vegetarian kitchen and very reasonably charged "sattvic" food is available. Both the places need advance reservations with one day rent. An early booking is highly recommended; otherwise getting even a single room is extremely difficult.
They are also allowing cancellations with nominal deduction. Jaipuria will accept cancellations 24 hours in advance and Hotel Sri Ram International 10-15 days in advance.
Kolkatta Accommodations
Dakineshwar
Hotel Debalay is a new hotel with about 19 rooms very near to the Dakineshwar temple. The rooms are neat and clean. The charges are: A/C room Rs 700/- non A/C 400/- There are a limited number of non ac rooms. Phone number 033-25444333.
Yogoda Satsanga Math has 10 rooms, but is restricted to members. Web site. www.yssofgindia.org phone number 033-25645931. contact person Brahamchari Nigamanand ji.
Holynest Hotel right at the main gate. Contact : holynest@yours.com. Phone number 25645138, 25443121, web site : www.sensonmedia.net/companies/holynest.htm
Kolkatta
YMCA at Chowrangee, rates inclusive of breakfast are:double room non ac 900/- , family room non ac (4 persons) rs 1500/- , ac double room rs 1100/- ; ac family room rs 1800/- :plus rs 50/- per person temp. membership fees. contact details 033-22492192, fax 033-22492234 email calcuttaymca@vsnl.net ; Calcutta_ymca@yahoo.com web site www.calcuttaymca.org.
Chowdhurys' Estates Guest House: one of the best guest houses: email chowdhury.gh@rediffmail.com , +919231580965 , 033-22821817/8554/8555/0192.: rates nonac 800/- , ac economy : 1700/- : deluxe ac 1900/-.
Metropolitan Guest House : Rs. 1000/- per day : contact 033-2282-2224/2487 ; +919831481877.
Scriptures that we will use
We will be chanting from the following scriptures at the various centers of pilgrimage:
Chandi Path
Advanced Shiva Puja & Yajna
Annapurna Sahasranam
Sundar Kand
Kali Puja
Rudrashtadhyayi
Visas
American citizens will need Visas. Travisa Outsourcing handles all India visa requests from inside the United States as a private contractor to the Indian Embassy. To visit their web site click here. They have offices in New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston. Visa applications may be submitted in person at their offices or by mail.
Exchange Rates
There are approximately 40 Indian Rupees to 1 American Dollar.
