USA Pilgrimage Guidelines - Travel Logistics

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A. Immunization

The choice to immunize yourself and your family members is your decision to make, after consulting your doctor. You may contact the Consulate General of India, or the Centers for Disease Control, or check their websites to obtain information regarding their immunization recommendations.

B. Flight tickets

You are responsible for booking your own flights to India. Please coordinate with other devotees in your center if you would prefer to fly with others.

C. Travel

• Please verify your dates of travel with your travel agent and ensure that you have your tickets well in advance of your travel date.
• Please ensure that you travel with valid passports and visas.Since visa regulations have changed very recently, it’s very important to read these changes.
  In December 2009, India introduced a new rule that prevents Tourist visa holders from re-visiting India within 2 months after last leaving. That rule has been updated recently to include the following: All Tourist visa holders, including 6 Month visa holders, and Non US citizens holding a Tourist visa are impacted by the new rule. Some exceptions can be made on a case by case basis as decided on by the local Consulates. Exception reasons include sick family members in India.
  More details are available here: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pdf/Tourist_Visa_FAQ.pdf
  http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showHighLightDet.php?h_id=109&key=0
  To apply for a Permit to Reenter India Within 2 Months, please visit the website to start the application process: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/guidelines?id=16
• Please carry a photocopy of your passport, visa, and two passport size photographs.
• Please bring appropriate clothing for travel.
• Please ensure you have planned for food for yourself and family during travel, and particularly during layovers.
• Please call your airline and ensure your ticket is confirmed and that you have communicated your food choice (vegetarian, Asian vegetarian, etc.) to the airline.
• Naturalized US citizens of Indian Origin are requested to carry their cancelled or otherwise Indian passports w/them, besides the US passport w/vaild visa or OCI/PIO cards, as a precautionary measure. This can be presented only if asked by the immigration officials at the port of entry. Swami says, "Always Be Careful", but let's not refer or point out the rules and regulations to an immigration officer at the port of entry.
  
  For new rules regarding the need for surrender certificates for visa processing for Naturalized US Citizens of Indian Origin, please refer to the following link:
  http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/5OtherConsularServices/1CitizenshipRenunciation.html

D. Transportation in India

• Transportation to Puttaparthi is available by bus, train, flight and taxi.
• If a large group needs to arrange a reliable bus, contact the following reliable tourist organization from the USA itself to make sure of the arrangements:
  Sri Sathya Sai Tourists (R), SST Chambers, Sri Sathya Sai Circle, No.151/17/1, 36th Cross, 9th Main, Opp. Jayanagar Telephone Exchange, 5th Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041, Karnataka, India. Tel: +91-80-26641140, 26541140, 41210155, Mobile:98457 11192
  Email: ssst@sathyasaitourist.com, ssst@vsnl.com
  Website: www.sathyasaitourist.com
• Many devotees find it convenient to fly to Bangalore and take a taxi to Puttaparthi. Arrangements can be made by reserving the taxi prior to your arrival in India. The following taxi companies in Bangalore have been used by many devotees. When making your reservation, please mention that you are from the USA group.
• Suleman Taxi Service (Use below email to confirm – mention NE Group USA)
  Hotel Rama, Lavelle Road, Bangalore, Karnataka 560001
  Ph 09845-020-539 Email: Sulemantaxis@yahoo.com
• ABS Travel: Ph # 08555 287014/ cell 09440561668
  Vijay Sai Phone: +91-988 035 0491 Email: abstours@yahoo.com
• Sai Darshan Travels, Suresh Chowdary Lekkala, # 02, Sai Shree arcade 1, Opp: new Sai towers hotel, main road, Puttaparthy
  Tel: 0091:9866-730-633; 0091:9505-577-909 saidarshantravels@hotmail.com, saidarshantravels@gmail.com
• Yousuff Taxi Service, Bangalore. Ph 3336723, cell 0-98450 24181, email yousufftaxi@yahoo.com
• Mr. Ramesh Reddy. cell 011- 91-9440045472
• Shailesh Soni Mobile: +91-9440201554 – Landline: 08555 286292 sonishailesh23@yahoo.com

For taxi-fares, pl. see the table below:

Sai Darshan Travels			ABS Travel			Suleman Taxi
Taxi Model	W/o-AC* (Rs)	AC (Rs)	Taxi Model	W/o -A/C (Rs)	AC (Rs)	Taxi Model	w/o-AC (Rs)	AC (Rs)
Tata Indica	1300	1500		1400	1700	2-seater cars	1500	1800
Tata Indigo	1400	1600				4-seater cars Ford Icon/ Lancer/Tata Indigo Marina		2200
Tata Sumo	1800	2000
Mahindra Scorpio	2200	2400	Scorpio		2500
Toyota Innova	2300	2500	Toyota Innova		3000	6-seater SUV Toyota Innova		3000

* Without Air Conditioned

Coordination and Contact information in India

Coordinators
This information will be made available prior to our departure to India.

Team Leads

• Team leaders will be assigned to each floor of the each block to assist with coordination and dissemination of information.
• On the first meeting in the ashram, you will be informed of who your team leader is. The team leaders will wear a colored badge.
• When in Prasanthi Nilayam, direct all inquiries to your team leader.

For any urgent matters, before you reach or after you leave from Puttaparthi, please contact one of the below people:

• Rohan Balasuriya Cell Phone: 986 693 5863

First Meeting in Prasanthi Nilayam:
June 22 / July 4, evening 8pm in the lawn in front of North Indian Canteen.

E. Scarves

All pilgrims will receive scarves and badges in Prasanthi Nilayam on June 22/July 4. Please be aware that only official pilgrims from the USA will be entitled to scarves.
Family members who will be joining the group in India, who are not from the US, will NOT be eligible for scarves or any group privileges.

F. First Aid

A team of physicians, nurses and medical personnel from our group will be available to administer first aid, answer medical questions, and coordinate medical care that may be required by pilgrims during their stay in the ashram. Details will be announced at the first ashram group meeting.

• The members of the first aid team will be introduced at our first pilgrimage meeting on the evening of June 22/July 4.
• If any medical issues require attention in Prasanthi Nilayam, please contact your team lead first. If the team leader is unavailable, directly inform any member of the first aid team.

G. New Visa guidelines

Since visa regulations have changed in December 2009, it’s very important to read these changes.
Indian Embassy in Washington: http://www.indianembassy.org/newsite/visa.asp

Guidelines: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/guidelines?id=16

FAQ's: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pdf/Tourist_Visa_FAQ.pdf