USA Pilgrimage Guidelines - Ashram Guidelines for Discipline, Code of Conduct, and Dress Code

Print this page

As members of the Sathya Sai Organization, USA and as messengers of Sai, it is of utmost importance that we maintain discipline and conduct ourselves in a dignified manner.

Ashram Discipline and Code of Conduct

• Above all else, ashram rules need to be strictly adhered to. Appointed by Swami, the role of volunteers (sevadals) is to help keep order, guide visitors, and enforce the rules/code of conduct expected at the ashram. It is important to never contest Sevadals, who are, after all, performing their duty as per Swami’s guidance. Let us respect them by following their instructions to the letter.
• Indian customs and social behavior are commonly observed inside the ashram premises. Men and women are expected not to socialize and visit each other's rooms to indulge in idle talk or gossip inside the ashram and are expected not to engage in physical contact or public expressions of greetings or affection.
• The consumption or possession of tobacco/tobacco products, alcoholic drinks, and non-vegetarian food (including eggs) is prohibited. Gambling inside the premises is forbidden.
• Kindly observe silence in all aspects
• When it is necessary to speak, please speak softly.
• Do not play music loudly. Do not play radios or tape recorders in the residences in a manner that will disturb others.
• Loud singing of bhajans by groups or individuals is not permitted in the open or in residential quarters.
• Devote your time to spiritual activities and your own spiritual disciplines.
• Don't allow any stranger to visit your room/hall, and don't admit others to live there, including the verandah, unless permission has been obtained from the office. Persons staying outside the ashram are not allowed in rooms/halls without authorization.
• Please keep the room/hall clean. Cooking therein is not permitted.
• Kindly use minimum of electricity and water. Close the taps and switch off lights/fans before leaving.
• Please see that no lighted candle or scented sticks are left inside while locking the room.
• Security of your personal belongings is your responsibility. Bolt the door from inside when sleeping in the room. If you are the last person leaving, always lock the door when you go out.
• Please do not try to open any locked portion of any room.
• When you vacate the room/hall, please leave it clean and do not hand over the key to any other person for staying there. Always return the key to the accommodation office.
• Do not dry clothes in verandah or in other common places.
• Put off all lights by 9:00pm. Please do not move after 'lights-out' time. The ashram gates are also closed at 9:00pm.
• Don't pay attention to those who claim close association with Bhagawan or claim to have inner messages or special blessings of Bhagawan.
• Don't associate with strangers or encourage them to develop friendship with you by exchanging addresses, etc.
• You are not required to pay money to anyone anywhere in the ashram except for services like accommodation and food. Beware of cheats and persons collecting funds.
• Please note that donations by foreigners for any purpose, either in cash or in kind, either to individuals or to Organisations (except to specific authorized bodies, such as the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Sri Sathya Sai Medical Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam), are not permitted under the law of the land.
• Take care to preserve the cleanliness of the ashram.
• Taking photos inside Prasanthi Nilayam is prohibited. Please don't bring cameras, tape recorders, transistors, etc., to the mandir.
• Don't rush forward to fall at Bhagawan's feet, and please don't move around and make noise until darshan is over.
• Please make use of the canteens, where food is prepared hygienically by devotees for devotees.
• Please utilise the services of only the authorised porters, washer people, servants, etc., and pay only the prescribed charges.
• Rooms (flats) in Prasanthi Nilayam are not owned by any individual.
• The office reserves the right to allot/deny accommodation to any visitor or visitors and to ask any occupant of any room/hall to vacate without assigning any reason whatsoever.

Dress Code

In order to maintain the sanctity and high level of spiritual vibrations in the ashram, all visitors are expected adhere to a strict dress code reflecting purity and modesty. The purpose of this is to allow all present in the ashram to focus on Swami’s Divine Love, without attracting or distracting others in the ashram. Adherence to this code is ultimately a reflection of our love and respect for Swami, and commitment to maintaining the sanctity of the ashram.

  Men

• For purposes of uniformity, all men will be wearing white shirt, white pants.
• White shirt with collar, T-shirt or tunic/kurtha, with white pants.
• If white pants are difficult to obtain, very light pants (khaki) are recommended as a possible substitute.
• The shirt is usually worn outside the pants (not tucked in)
• You can buy shirts and pants in the shopping center inside the ashram. You can get them made by a tailor in a few days, inexpensively by western standards.
• Shorts are strictly prohibited

  Women

• For purposes of uniformity, women will be wearing the same color each day during the 10 day stay during darshan.
• Three sarees will be provide to all ladies who are registered. The cost of the sarees will be around $42 which will need to pre paid. Further communication will be sent to all devotes from their respective Regions.
• Sarees will be handed over at registration at the ashram when devotees come in.
• The sarees do not come with matching blousepieces or underskirts. The sarees will have the fall stitched on them. Blouses can be made quickly and cheaply in Parthi. Considering the size of the group and the time constraints it may be advisable to carry along some neutral color blouses.
• The following options are not acceptable:
• Shorts or short skirts exposing the legs
• Tight dresses
• See-through clothing
• Sleeveless clothing
• Outfits with exposed midriffs (short tops, or ghagras,with stomach/top inadequately covered)
• Tight fitting pants

  Children

• All girls and boys under the age of 16 years should wear white clothes to symbolize purity.
• The same rules regarding dress code applies to girls as they do to women. (no exposed midriff, etc)

Footwear and accessories

• Handbags and purses may be carried in the ashram, but are not allowed in darshan. It is advisable that ladies carry a very small change purse, which can hold a key and some money, to darshan. For security purposes, anything other than these basic items is not allowed inside the darshan hall. If you have something larger, you may temporarily store it in the cloak room located right outside the entrance to darshan hall.
• Baseball caps and hats of any kind are NOT allowed inside the darshan hall.
• Regular shoes are not needed. Most people wear inexpensive flip-flops or open sandals all the time. Bring them from the US or buy them in the ashram. When you go to darshan, into most offices, and into the Western or North Indian canteens, leave your footwear outside.
• During darshan, there will be thousands of flip-flops piled outside the darshan hall. Consider marking your flip-flops or sandals in somce distinctive in some fashion.