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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

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.

• Seth Anandram Jaipuria Smriti Bhawan

  Jaipuria Dharmshala

  Godowlia

  Varanasi - 221001

  Phones: 91-542-2412766, 2412709, 2412674

  e-mail: sajbhawan@sify.com.

• 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

• 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.

Visas

American citizens will need Visas.

Exchange Rates

There are approximately 40 Indian Rupees to 1 American Dollar.

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Photo of the week - May 17 - May 23, 2008
(Picture taken April 2008 at Devi Mandir, Napa, CA)

Shree Maa and Her Mother!