Maheshwar Somayag, November 24 to December 10, 2012

1. Hotels in Mumbai and Delhi
2. Currency and legal aspects
3. Cultural considerations
4. What to bring
5. Weather conditions
6. Women in period discipline

1. HOTELS IN MUMBAI AND DELHI

This year, we are streamlining things a little to make the Somayag preparation and running easier for those few who are involved at the organizational level. We have checked out suitable overnight accommodation in Mumbai close to the airport, to assist you in making your travel arrangements. We recommend you book yourselves in to whichever hotel suits your price and facilities (some of which have websites) Each of these hotels will do pick-up from airport and will deliver you to the domestic airport for no extra charge. You need to inform them of your flight number for both arrival and departure and confirm before you leave your country that they are expecting you.
Payment can be made direct by credit card. (The tariffs for a double room ranges from Rs. 1700 to Rs. 3600 (including pick up and some also offer breakfast)

Please view web-sites where available -

Hotels in Mumbai

1) Hotel Aircraft International
web-site www.hotelaircraft.com
e-mail:aircraft@indiatimes.com
(all info on web-site)

2) Hotel Satellite
tel: +91-22-2611 7452/ 2611 0459/ 2610 2639/ Fax: 2617 3695
single room: Rs. 1800
double room: Rs. 2000
triple room: Rs. 2500

3) Hotel Rama Krishna
web-site www.rkhotels.com
e-mail:reservation@rkhotels.com

4) Hotel Jayshree
tel: +91-22-40714000, +91-22-40714000: Fax:61-26154511
e-mail:dalwani.hotels@yahoo.com
single room: Rs. 3240
double room: Rs. 3500
deluxe room: Rs. 3780

5) Hotel Planet
website: www.hotelplanetresidency.com
e-mail: info@hotelplanetresidency.com

Hotels in Delhi

Hotel Star and International Inn
A- 288, National Highway No. 8, Mahipal Pur
near Indiara Gandhi Airport, New Delhi - 110 037, (INDIA)
tel: +(91)- (11)- 26784092, 26784093, 26784094, 26784095 (Hotel Star)
tel: +(91)-(11)-26784665, 26784666, 26784667 (International Inn)
fax: +(91)- (11)- 26784664
e-mail: info@stargroupofhotels.in
website: www.stargroupofhotels.in
room rates: Rs. 1700 – 3500

Note: Some discount can be availed for Hotel Star and International Inn if you mention Mr.
Ajay Popli’s name at the hotel counter and that you are coming through his contact.

If anyone out there would like to share information on some experience with any hotels, we would appreciate it. Please write to us on the
Somayag e-mail address regarding this information.

2. CURRENCY AND LEGAL ASPECTS

Currency -

in India is the Indian Rupee. It is illegal to take Indian Rupees out of India. Therefore you have to change money on arrival at the airport, hotel or money changers. Before you leave India you should again change the remaining Indian Rupees into your own currency as
Rupee has no value outside of India. It is easy to change money in Mumbai or the big cities but very difficult in remote places like Maheshwar. Travelers cheques and bank cards are acceptable. There are ATMs in Mumbai, Delhi, Indore, Mandaleshwar and Maheshwar.
One can withdraw up to Rs. 10 000 daily in this manner. We ecommend this as cash is procured only when required.

Visa -

is required for India.

Travel Insurance -

is advisable before commencing trip.

Medical matters -

There are no statutory vaccinations for India. However, please ask your GP or local travel
clinic for advice on vaccinations for your trip.
Please let us know if you have any allergies.
A first aid kit is a good idea to bring along.

3. CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

India has a strong traditional and religious culture especially in the backward and
rural areas where Maheshwar is situated. As guests we must respect this and respond
sensitively.

Tips on how to show respect

* Clothing should be modest at all times; for ladies, no shorts, clothes should be worn
below the knee, no low cut and tight fitting tops, shoulders should be well covered.
Long skirts and trousers are OK.
When taking a swim in the river Narmada one must be totally covered and avoid see-
through clingy fabrics.

* Please remove shoes when entering yajnya shala, temples or Indian homes.

* Begging is a reality of life in India. It is better to give food than money if you
wish to give.
Regarding tipping, on Maheshwar Goshala we request you not to give tips to the staff. At this stage they do not expect tips, and they interact and do their work in the spirit of service.
We ask you to please help us maintain such nice relationship by not tipping them.

* Certain code of behaviour, between men and women, whether married or not, is
observed strictly in areas, such as Maheshwar. We ask you to please observe this
decorum. The impression of Shree’s devotees remains long after you leave. In the
presence of the many Pandits who will be residing with us, this respect for their
accepted cultural practices is even more important. Even when greeting people after
a long time, please express joy at meeting in a more restrained way, unless in total
privacy. High Government officials are expected to come. They should leave the place
with a good impression of our work here.

* The energy field here is extremely powerful and will probably tend to encourage your “sadhana” (spiritual journey), so if you experience some difficulties during your stay, best would be to try to remain calm, quiet and embrace the opportunity to develop or strengthen patience. Sense of humour is also a great asset to have during your stay. Just as Liz Gilbert—as played by Julia Roberts—experienced some of the realities of India and disciplines of an ashram-like atmosphere, while learning of the joys of the experience, in “Eat, Pray, Love”, so do we encourage you to enjoy this spiritual experience.

4. WHAT TO BRING

Luggage check list -

Passport , copies of passport main pages (containing personal and visa information) and some passport-sized photos.
Running shoes or flat sandals
Pile jacket or similar
Sunhat
Woollen hat
Sunglasses and sun block
Torch and batteries
Alarm clock
Day pack to carry camera and other daily essentials
Toiletries (natural only and bio-degradable please)
Tissue papers/Toilet paper
Blanket or sleeping bag
Shawl

Bedsheet
Towel
Padlock/Combination lock for luggage and door
Bug/mosquito repellent
White cotton garments are recommended when doing the Fires (We will also have
white meditation garments for sale during Somayag)
Camera and film
Money belt
Penknife
Snack foods or speciality items which you prefer to have

If you have percussion instruments or you play a musical instrument, bring it for music
nights.

Medical kit – (recommended)

An analgesic such as Panadol or Ibuprofen
Imodium for diarrhoea
Wound care eg band aids, crepe bandages, antiseptic cream
Malaria tablets (homoeopathic are excellent)
A broad spectrum anti-biotic
Please ask your doctor for advice
A good local GP provides both Ayurvedic and Allopathic treatment if necessary while in
Maheshwar.

Food -

Never drink water from taps or use it to brush teeth. Always use bottled water which
is cheap and easy to obtain. We have Bisleri water available on the land. It is strongly
advised not to eat salads or fruits which you cannot peel outside as they are often
washed in contaminated water.

Please note –

Carry money and passport always on person underneath your clothes/money bags or
give it to Sarvajit for safe keeping.

Do not leave your bags unattended. We cannot afford to be responsible for any losses.

5. WEATHER CONDITIONS

(Nov.-Dec.)
During this season, nights are cool (approx 6-10 degree Celsius) and day time is warm
(approx 25-30 degree Celsius). It may also rain during this month and cold breezes
come from the river. Therefore it is recommended to bring a pair of warm socks,
sleeping bag, sweater or jacket, shawl etc. especially for those accommodated in
tents.

6. WOMEN IN PERIOD

Very important:

Please remember, women on menstrual period should not come to the Somayag or
be present on Goshala land. On FIFTH day of period, women can take full shower, put
on clean clothes not touched during period, and come. Please inform Anne Godfrey
or Karin Heschl should you have any further questions about this. We appreciate the
understanding and respect for this discipline. We have made nice arrangements for
all women in period to stay together in a hotel in Maheshwar. From this hotel, there
is easy access to all the sights of Maheshwar and shopping opportunities. This option

has worked very well in the past, that the women share a common space and have an
opportunity to make close contact with each other. Please note, this applies to women
who are staying on Shree’s land and those who are staying in hotel accommodation
with others in the same room. For new people, this may be little unusual at the
beginning but there will be other women around to help follow this discipline, and in
the end we are sure you will enjoy this new experience. This discipline is essential for
such an event like Somayag.