The climate in Puttaparthi can be very hot and humid during the summer months and can range from 30–40 Centigrade (81–108 Fahrenheit).
Here is some additional information on typical weather during June and July:
June: very hot, light rain. 33 (91)
July: hot, sudden heavy rains. 33 (91)
Accommodations will be provided for a minimal fee inside the ashram. All pilgrims will be responsible for paying their own accommodations fee for the duration of their stay within the ashram. Families may stay together in a room. Multiple individuals of the same gender may also stay together. Original Passports have to be presented with proof of US residency to the overseas Accommodations Office, prior to allocation of accommodation.
Unmarried couples will not be allowed to share a room.
The single rooms or dorms (for multiple individuals) provided in the ashram are clean but sparsely furnished, with 2 or more single beds, each with a mattress and pillow. Bring your own sheets and pillow cases. There is also usually a metal table and two chairs. Each room has an attached bathroom, with a western toilet, shower, and sink, with cold running water. Because so many devotees are going, there may be 4 people to a room to accommodate everyone.
Some rooms have a geyser for hot water. There are specific timings during the day when hot water is available. If required, immersion heaters are available at the shopping center inside the ashram. These may be placed in a bucket of cold water to heat water. Some bathrooms have “buckets” and “mugs”. The term “bucket bath“ is affectionately used to refer to the process of filling the bucket and pouring water on yourself with the mug.
Note: Throughout your stay in India, please take extra precaution when using electrical appliances. More details on accommodations are given in Section 4.
A strict code of conduct is expected while in the ashram. Socialization between men and women is strongly discouraged, particularly between unmarried individuals. Visits to each others’ rooms for socialization and fraternization is unacceptable. Public displays of affection between men and women are also considered highly inappropriate, whether married or not. The ashram is highly segregated, with separate entrances and seating areas for men and women in the darshan hall and in the canteens (cafeterias). The shopping center in the ashram is also open at different times for men and women.Women are required to wear a shawl at all times, especially at darshan or if dressed in a sari, the shoulders and front is expected to be covered by the fall of the sari.
Although the tap water in the rooms is safe for bathing and brushing teeth, it is recommended that it not be used for drinking. You can buy cold bottled water at various stands in the ashram for minimal cost. You can refill your own bottle from water-filter stations inside the ashram, including the stations available in the 3 canteens (South Indian, North Indian, Western).
No autos or rickshaws are available inside the ashram, so some walking is inevitable! The ashram, a self-contained community, has all the possible amenities you might need during your stay. Swami has created all this to protect us, so that we do not feel the need to leave the ashram to roam about in the village!
North and South Indian and Western meals are available at respective canteens (cafeterias) within the ashram. The food is extremely affordable and hygienic. Further details are provided in the section on canteen and shopping center timings. It is highly recommended to avoid consuming any food outside the ashram to reduce the possibility of food-related illnesses.
A shopping center inside the ashram sells basic items such as clothing, snacks, basic toiletries, bhajan CDs, DVDS, cleaning supplies, incense, and photos of Swami. Further details are included in the subsections on shopping center timings. Books on Swami are available in a separate book store inside the ashram. Although there are shops outside in the village, it is highly recommended that you stay within the ashram.
There is a telephone facility (STD/ISD) within the ashram, with multiple telephone booths, where you can make international calls, as well as calls within India. The cost per minute is automatically calculated based on call destination, and payment is expected in cash after your phone call. Although there are phone booths outside the ashram where this facility is provided, it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to call from within the ashram, since this service is available to you at no extra profit-oriented cost!
Take this 10day opportunity to keep worldly issues away and to focus inwardly. But if you have to contact someone by email, there are internet stores across the street from the Ganesh gate where you can get on the internet for a reasonable fee.
There is a Western Union outside the ashram, across from the Ganesh gate, where you may buy rupees with your US dollars or convert travelers checks. Other banks are within walking distance from the ashram. There is an ATM outside the ashram in the village, where you can use your ATM card to withdraw rupees directly from your bank account. The conversion rate for that day will apply, and your bank statement will reflect withdrawals in corresponding dollar amounts.
