June 9, 2017

Sai Ram Dear Pilgrimage Attendee,
 
Count down has begun for our Spiritual Homecoming! We are looking forward to being at Prasanthi Nilayam for the National Pilgrimage.

This communication contains lots of detailed information about the pilgrimage.  

·         PILGRIMAGE DATES

·         CHECK-IN

·         DRESS CODE

·         DAILY DARSHAN & GROUP SEATING

·         GRAMA SEVA

·         DAILY SCHEDULE - ADULTS (TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

·         SSE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

·         COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE ASHRAM

·         WEATHER IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM

·         WHAT TO BRING

·         SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

·         GETTING HELP WITHIN THE ASHRAM

·         ATTACHMENTS

PILGRIMAGE DATES

July 6th thru July 10th, 2017
 
The full group must be together for the entire time, beginning with morning Darshan on July 6th till evening Darshan on July 10th. A Welcome/Orientation meeting is planned for July 5^th at 8pm. 

ARRIVAL AND ACCOMMODATION

Please plan to arrive Prasanthi Nilayam by July 5^th evening. For your safety, we do not recommend travel from Bangalore Airport to Prasanthi Nilayam (and back) in the dark. A list of available Taxi Services is provided. The average cost of taxi from Bangalore airport to the ashram is in the range of Rs. 1800 – Rs. 2400.

If you are planning to stay in the ashram, you must enter ashram premises by 6:30 pm. Ashram gates are closed between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am. Accommodation office is closed between 7:30 pm and 6:30 am. Per night room rate is about Rs. 250.
 
If your family has outside accommodations, you can stay outside the ashram, provided you will be in the ashram and with the group for all group activities during the day.
 
Upon arrival, please report at the Online Booking, Check-in Counter at the Accommodation Office (next to the N-9 block, behind North Indian Canteen). View map here. The office is open from 6.30.a.m. IST to 7.30.p.m IST.
 
Families will be accommodated in a room. Those traveling alone will be accommodated with other devotees from the USA based on gender. If you are a room donor, then you will have your own room. You do not need to make advance reservations for rooms inside the ashram. The pilgrimage planning team will block rooms and the accommodation office will have a pilgrimage attendee list.
 
You will need your
- Passport and
- Indian Visa or Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card
 
Non-Indian Passport Holders without OCI / PIO cards will need to submit attached Form C plus two passport size pictures. Please bring these items with you.  
 
We are unable to make arrangements for you to enter the ashram and get accommodation once the ashram gate/accommodation office is closed. 

CHECK-IN

After receiving your accommodation and settling down in your room, please check-in with the Pilgrimage Registration/Help Desk at N7 building. The registration desk will be open from July 5^th. All pilgrimage attendees whether they are staying inside the ashram or outside must check-in with us. During check-in, you will receive

1.    Your Badge (needed for group seating)

2.    Sarees for women older than 16

 Remember to bring USA scarf for each member of your family. There is just one desk for all attendees.

DRESS CODE

Men/Boys: Long white trousers and white collared shirt. No sleeveless vests or shorts. Please bring your own clothing.
Girls up to 16 years: White Salwar suits with a white shawl (dupatta). Please bring your own clothing.
Ladies 16+ years: Uniform saris will be provided during check-in at the Ashram. There are two Sarees in each set. Petticoats (underskirts) and Blouses are not included. Please bring appropriate color blouses and petticoats to go with your sarees.

DAILY DARSHAN & GROUP SEATING

Since unity and discipline are really our greatest offerings to Swami, participation of the entire group in morning and afternoon darshans cannot be emphasized enough. The entire Sai Kulwant Hall area and Mandir (temple), is charged with Swami's vibrations and presence, and His Mahasamadhi infuses us with Divine energy. Therefore, we must make every effort to enter this holiest of shrines as many times as we are blessed to do so.
 
Special seating will be provided by the ashram authorities for our group during each darshan. It is therefore imperative that our group members gather for each darshan in a timely manner at the location provided and jointly proceed for darshan. Unfilled seating or inconsistent attendance will likely result in fewer special arrangements for our group. 

GRAMA SEVA

We have been given the opportunity to serve 12 villages around Puttaparthi (i.e. 'Grama Seva'), on July 10th. Please note that SSE Groups 1-3 children will be not able to take part in this service. Group 4 children can participate. Children and SSE volunteers will go for Darshan and take part in alternate activities around the ashram. Grama Seva volunteers will not attend the morning Darshan in Sai Kulwant Hall on this day and will instead gather at 8:30 am at a location to be announced. Starting at 4:00 am, at a location to be announced, volunteers will also participate in the preparation and packaging of food and supplies to be distributed during Grama Seva. 

DAILY SCHEDULE - ADULTS (TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

 July 5^th
 

  
July 6^th thru July 9^th
 

 
 July 10^th – Grama Seva & Music Program Offering
 

SSE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Please see this link.

COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE ASHRAM

Location and timings can change often and quickly. To stay up to date, please check the notice board outside of building N7 at least 2 times each day. We will not be emailing within the ashram. 

WEATHER IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM

Please expect the days to be hot with sudden, heavy rains. Average highs of 33 degrees Celsius or 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Staying hydrated will be key for good health. Bottled water is available for purchase inside the ashram.

WHAT TO BRING

The accommodation includes one room with 2 cots, 2 mattresses, and 2 pillows with an attached bath. Additional mattresses might be available in the accommodation office. Please bring your own linens, blankets. Rooms do not have AC and bathrooms do not come with tissue/toiletries. The ashram has only a few rooms with hot water geysers and those might be reserved for donor rooms.
 
Each building has a couple of designated individuals who provide laundry service. Generally, they wash the clothes and bring them back the next day. You can also opt to wash your own clothes. There are clothes lines available outside the room for drying them. 

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Personal Toiletries:   
Bath towel/wash cloth      
Shampoo/conditioner
Soap and Lotions
Sunscreen
Toothbrush and toothpaste 
Room Slippers
Clothes detergent     
      
General Items:  
Comfortable Clothing and Shoes
Contact lens case/solution  
Sneakers for outdoor grama seva
Mosquito repellent    
Other essential personal Items    
Personal medications
Umbrella/Rain Ponchos
Hand Fan   
Combination Lock
Printed Song Lyrics (attached to this email)
Hand Sanitizer (Needed during Grama Seva)
 
SSE Items
Water Bottle
Comfortable shoes for outdoor activities
Sun Hat
Sun Block
Books and Other Games  

GETTING HELP WITHIN THE ASHRAM

For Medical Help: Please go to the International Medical Camp between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in N4 (North 4). For after hours, please go to the emergency room of the Sathya Sai General Hospital.
 
For Operations Help: If things are not working in the room, please go to the operations desk located in the N7 building.
 
For additional Ashram information - http://www.srisathyasai.org.in /Pages/AshramInfo/Ashram.htm

ATTACHMENTS

This letter in PDF
Music Program Song Lyrics (print and bring a copy)
Form C
Taxi Information & Rates
 
Please let us know if you have any questions.

In Sai’s Service,  
Pilgrimage Planning Team