Visiting Sai Baba for the First Time
India for the first time can be exciting and overwhelming!
Here we will give you an overview of visiting Sai Baba, and some important information to get you well prepared!
Ashrams
Sai Baba has three main ashrams, and occasionally visits other locations in India. Sai Baba's ashrams are located in
- Puttaparthi
- Whitefield, (sometimes called Brindavan), and
- Kodaikanal
Generally, Sai Baba can be found at the Puttaparthi Ashram. This is in South India,
approximately three hours drive from Bangalore.
During the hot summer in Puttaparthi area, Sai Baba is known to depart Puttaparthi
for Bangalore, where there is an ashram located in Whitefield, some 27 kilometres
away on the outskirts of Bangalore.
Occasionally, Sai Baba visits a small ashram located in the hill resort town of
Kodaikanal, which is somewhat further south of Bangalore in the adjoining state
of Tamil Nadu.
Travel to India
Air
There has been no direct air travel to Puttaparthi Airport for over 12 months. The Puttaparthi Airport has recently changed ownership; there may or may not be flights during festivals. Air Deccan and Indian Airlines no longer fly to Puttaparthi.
New Bangalore Airport
The New Bangalore International Airport opened for operation on 11 May 2008. You may click the image above to visit the Bangalore International Airport Website.
This Airport is 34km from the heart of Bangalore city, and is close to Devanahalli. The Airport proper is located on the same road that the Brindavan Ashram is located on; it is 30 minutes away from Whitefield.
You may view some photographs of the new Bangalore International Airport.
The Airport will also be connected by a new Hi-Speed Railway. Construction is expected to take three years. There will be three stations on the new route; BRV, Hebbal and Yelahanka. At present there are two routes planned; one to be a fresh set of tracks adjacent the current Cantonment - Yelahanka railway, with divergence at the NH7 point; the other is a whole new route adjacent NH7 for the entire distance. Proposed fares are Rs 200, 150, 50, respectively. The new railway will be constructed by the Delhi Metro Corporation.
Visas
You must have a valid visa to enter India. A valid visa is only issued for return tickets. Tourist visas are available from your Indian Consulate for a moderate cost and a validity of 6 months. The Indian Consulate checks visas and it takes time, so it is best to allow between 7 to 10 working days in ANY country for visas.
Healthy Suggestions
See your doctor about your health needs. You will most likely need to attend to mosquitos (so consider anti malarial tablets). Most "roll ons" work well with the mosquitos. You would be well advised to discuss Hepatitis and Tetanus with your doctor.
Eat only in clean, recommended places. This means, eat in the Ashram Canteens. Prashanti Nilayam and Brindavanam Ashrams both have canteens dedicated to both Indian and Western food. This is pure, clean, nourishing vegetarian food. Do not drink anything that is not in a sealed bottle, or sealed can. Tap water is for washing the body and clothes only, it does not go into your mouth. Not if you are a foreigner. To rinse your mouth after brushing teeth use your bottled water. Do not travel without a bottle of water by your side. These are cheap and an absolute necessity. Refill bottles only at the water stations in the ashrams, and throw the bottle away after about three or four refills, bacteria will form naturally in any bottle after a period of time.
If you have cracked heels or toes, take precaution and begin a treatment before leaving to seal those cracks up. You will spend quite some time in bare feet in the ashrams, and its always better to have healthy feet.
Clothing
India's climate is warm. Fly in loose comfortable clothing and take a walk around the aircraft after meals and at two or three times to keep the thrombosis at bay.
Prevent Jet Lag. British Airways now offer advice about prevention of jet-lag prior to flying. By answering a few simple questions regarding your recent or planned flights, they can advise you on the best things to do to minimise your jet lag. Visit the British Airways Jet-Lag Advisor page. (opens in a new window)
On arrival at India, have light, cotton clothing to wear. Light shoes or sandals. You can obtain clothes for a very good price both in the ashram and outside the ashram. Thick winter pyjamas are not needed, only light sleepwear. It is better to buy clothing when you arrive in India (as it costs so much less), or ask another devotee to loan you clothes to get you to your first darshan; after that, you can purchase your own and return the loaned clothes. Clothing is available in both ashrams (Puttaparthi has a four story supermarket!) and from the clothing stores outside the ashrams.
Money
If you change money in India, you will receive what is called an Encashment Certificate. To get one of these, you change money at the airport, and produce your passport. When you leave the country, and you want to change the Indian Rupees back to your own currency, you need an encashment certificate to change that money back. You will most likely receive encashment certificates from any forex (foreign exchange) dealer you attend.
A simpler solution is to obtain some rupees before you arrive in India. You can also use ATM's in India and use your credit card in most banks.
Visiting Dharmakshetra in MUMBAI
Dharmakshethra in Bombay is Swami's Mumbai residence. There is limited
accommodation for overseas devotees travelling to Sai Baba ashrams.
You should ring Dharmakshetra once you have your intinerary complete
to obtain a romm, as this place has limited accommodation for travellers, and
is full most of the time.
For further information, please see this page.
