Visiting Sai Baba at Whitefield
The Sai Baba Ashram, Brindavan, at Whitefield
Whitefield is on the outskirts of Bangalore, and is considered a rural area of Bangalore. It is also the home of the Super Specialty Hospital, which is near ITPL, the International Technology Park, where most of the innovative computer companies are located.
View of the Super Specialty Hospital at Whitefield
Overview
Here we will give you an overview of visiting Sai Baba, and some important information to get you well prepared!
The Darshan Hall at Brindavan, after Darshan.
Where and When
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 and the Rayalseema district, where it does not
cool down overly much at night, Sai Baba generally departs Puttaparthi
for Bangalore, where there is an ashram which was formerly the British Governor's
residence. This has since been replaced by a new building called Trayee Brindavan.
Saraswathi Idol at Whitefield, facing student hostel.
Travel to Whitefield
Old Airport
The Old Airport on Airport Road, 9 k from Bangalore, known as HAL Airport closed for operations on 23 May 2008. Bangalore (Devanahalli) Airport opened for commerical operations the same day.
New Airport
The new international airport at Muddenahalli opened during May 2008. The runaway is 10850 feet long. This is on the same road as the Ashram, approximately 35-45 minutes from Whitefield Ashram, and about two hours from the Puttaparthi Ashram. More about this airport below.
Student Hostel at Brindavan Ashram
Travel
Trains stop outside the ashram. The station is called Whitefield. There, you have a 5 minute walk to the ashram.
Bangalore KSTC Buses ply between the city and the ashram. Bus travel takes approximately one hour. Fare is Rs 7/
Taxis are available from the airport to Whitefield.
A New Airport
For International Travellers, a new airport opened on 11 May 2008. This airport is located at Muddenahalli, which is approximately 35 kilometres from Bangalore.
The exit from the new airport is currently the extension of Airport Road, that is to say, the same road that the Whitefield Ashram is located upon. If one were to turn RIGHT upon leaving the new airport, Whitefield would be reached in about 35 minutes, maybe less.
The new airport is approximately 7 kilometres from National Highway 7, (the highway from Bangalore to Puttaparthi), and will cut travelling time to Puttaparthi.
You may view some photographs of the new airport.
New Departure Fees
A User Development Fee of Rs. 1070 will be collected from all outbound international passengers using the Bengaluru International Airport. The User Development Fee is towards the cost for construction and operation of the airport and has been approved by the Ministry of Civil Aviation of India.
Departure on or before June 30, 2008
International Passengers traveling out of Bengaluru International Airport before or on June 30, 2008 will have to make payment of the User Development Fee at the counters provided in the check-in hall or on the first floor before emigration check counters. Passengers should produce the receipt of payment at the time of emigration check.
Payment can be made by cash, debit card or credit card (Visa/Mastercard only). If you are paying by cash you are requested to provide exact change for quicker processing.
Please allow 10 minutes for the transaction during peak hours between 2200 hrs and 0300 hrs. And about 3-5 minutes at all other times.
Departure on or after July 01, 2008
For passengers traveling out of Bengaluru International Airport on or after July 01, 2008, the User Development Fee will be included in your ticket.
Exemptions
Infants under the age of 2 years and Airline Crew on duty are exempted from User Development Fee.
Bangalore Taxi Pickup
To be updated
You can pre-arrange a taxi to meet you at Bangalore airport. The following Taxi Services have been driving Sai Baba's devotees for up to 15 years in taxi service to Whitefield and Puttaparthi
Prince Carriers =============== Bangalore Phone 0091 80 852 5061 Puttaparthi Phone 0091 8555 229946 Fares Bangalore-Whitefield 250 rupees Airport Pickup Bangalore-Puttaparthi 1200 rupees (more for a/c taxi)
MOHAMMAD TAXI SERVICES ====================== Has been taking devotees to Prashanthi for 10 years. Phone 0091-80-8456524 Mobile 0091-98451-74075 Email mohammadtaxiservice at yahoo dot com Airport - Whitefield 250 rupees Whitefield - Puttaparthi 1200 rupees
Noor Khan Taxi Services and Sight Seeing Tours =============================================== Has been taking devotees to Puttaparthi for over 12 years. Contact for availability and fares (fares will be approximately the same as above) Bangalore Phone 0011 91-80-2864402 Mobile Phone 0011 91-98452-50603 email noorkhan1 at yahoo dot com
Rudy Muller Tours and Travel ============================== Rudy and his drivers are well known to many devotees and have been driving devotees for more than 15 years. Contact for availability and fares Bangalore phone 91 - 80 - 2845 3657 email rmuller at rediffmail dot com
Late Arrival At the Airport - What to do ...
Due possible redirection of International Flights, this may well be out of date. It will be updated shortly...
If your flight arrives at night, particularly after midnight, you would be well advised to take one of two options:
Go to the Government Tourist Bureaux easily found, on the way out, after you collect baggage at Bangalore Airport. Tell them you are going to Sathya Sai Baba and they will give you a taxi with a set fare, to a specified hotel, and you will be bedded for the night. THEY WILL KNOW WHERE SWAMI IS, AND WHICH ASHRAM TO DIRECT YOU TO. The Government Travel Bureau can make all these arrangements for you.
Or, You may ask the Government Tourist Bureaux to allocate you a taxi to take you to an accommodation you have already arranged, and travel directly to that Hotel or accommodation at Whitefield. You will pay the taxi driver what is on the slip and there will be no difficulties over fare.
The Reception Office at Gokulum, Whitefield
Accommodation
You can obtain accommodation at the ashram. You may do this by going directly to the ashram accommodation office, called Gokulum, some 500 meters down the road past the entrance to Brindavan Ashram. Go in the entrance and turn left to the accommodation office. They will advise you of available accommodations. It is not costly, and there is also a canteen at that Gokulum residential accommodation.
If you wish to pre-book accommodation - there are many residential places opposite the ashram.
Recommended accommodations are:
SriRanga Guest House ================= Single and double rooms, showers, etc, basic Rate for double room smaller Rs300 larger Rs400 Monthly room rental is available off season Rs 2000 per month Phone 0011 91 80 28452800 email sairanga at yahoo dot com
Patels ====== Single and double rooms, showers, etc, Rates standard 275 ... basic rate goes up from 385 with hot water to 675 for shampoo, soap, toiletries, etc Phone 0011 91 80 28452619 Fax 0011 91 80 28451547
Sai Towers Hotel, Brindavan =========================== Single and double rooms, showers, toiletries,etc Double Rs 800 Phone 91 80 845 5760 Book online http://saitowers.com/hotel/ Airport Taxi pickup available
Sai Renaissance =============== Double Room 900 Double Room A/C 1350 Phone 0011 91 80 2845 6266 Fax 0011 91 80 2845 4422 email info@sairenaissance.com Hotel Taxi available
Whitefield Environment
Whitefield is all flat; there is no need for stairs, steps except at your accommodation. There are ramps for entrance to the darshan hall, on the Ladies side. Wheelchairs can be accommodated.
At Whitefield, the weather can be dry and hot, approx 26-35 by Celsius each day. Mornings can be chilly, occasionally. Light summer clothes only, and light ashram whites are appropriate. Perhaps a shawl for the occasional chilly morning. You can obtain a light shawl opposite the ashram for about 250 rupees. You can obtain white punjab suits and other ashram whites from the shops across the road from the ashram, go one block back from the main road and you will find all the clothing shops. Ladies wear is also available. There is a small ashram shop in front of the Western Canteen, which is only open after the evening darshan, for a limited time.
Occasionally, it will rain at Whitefield. Rain in India is sudden, fast and heavy. Water runs everywhere, and puddles form quick where you ususally walk. A foldable plastic macintosh and a collapsible brolly are suggested.
Ashram Routine
MORNING
In times past, Darshan has been anytime between 7AM and 8AM. Of late, it is observed that morning darshan is the morning bhajans session. This bhajans session generally commences between 9AM and 10AM, but generally sometime after 9am
LADIES:
Queues, if in operation, form on the left side of the ashram gate. (Don't forget the Cloak Room if you have valuables, purses, handbags, etc. - see below)
Go though the security check and go around to the side of the darshan hall. Ladies go directly inside the darshan hall and sit in lines. Ladies lines and tokens are managed the darshan hall.
MEN:
Queue on the footpath outside the ashram wall. The queue ususally begins on the footpath outside around 6.15AM .
There are two cloak rooms, one for cases, umbrellas, etc, and the other for your shoes, thongs, chappals. Leave footwear outside at the cloak room, you will be given a chit. No mobile phones, leave in the cloak-room and get a chit. If you are pulled up at the security check with a mobile phone, you will be asked to take it to the cloak room and obtain a chit.
Tokens are given out early, and lines enter the darshan hall as directed. Students generally take their place immediately before darshan. Bhajans commence when Swami arrives.
Many remain after darshan and meditate. Sundays, there are all-day bhajans in the darshan hall. Talks are given in the Hall beside the darshan hall, on spiritual topics. Bookstore is open after darshan, as is the supermarket, Western Canteen and Tiffin Stall.
Meals, Tiffin
There is a small tiffin stall between the supermarket and bookstore, inside the ashram. It generally opens for chai before darshan, chai and tiffin after darshan, and some snacks may also be obtained here. Normally, it is open during the day and closes sometime after lunch.
There are two canteens at the Whitefield ashram. One is the Western Canteen, which is inside the ashram directly behind the darshan hall. Breakfast is after darshan. Devotees are welcome to volunteer as sevaks in the Western Canteen. Meals are western, non-spicy, and often western deserts are on the menu.
The Gokulum Accomodation has a canteen open 365 days, from breakfast to evening meal. Prices are very low, and south Indian food is served. Obtain meal ticket before entering the canteen.
The Gokulum Canteen at lunchtime...
Afternoon Darshan
Afternoon darshan afternoon bhajans, and commences between 4PM and 5PM. More recently, during February 2006, the afternnon bhajans have commenced at 5PM. Go to the ashram at anytime after 3PM. Ladies go inside the darshan hall and sit in lines. Men's lines are in the extended shade area outside the darshan hall proper. Tokens and lines are arranged.
Spiritual Talks
When Sai Baba gives permission, there are morning talks in the marriage hall (Kalayna Mantap) opposite the darshan hall, nearby the gate to Sai Baba's residential rooms. These talks are normally at 10am and you will see a notice on the gatekeepers hut inside the entrance to the ashram with the time, speaker and topic of the day's talks.
Blood Donation
The Super Specialty Hospital frequently notifies blood groups needed for blood donation. The blood-donation notice is beside the "Thought for the Day" board, which is on the gatekeepers hut.
