Initiator Training FAQs

Arriving: IT begins on Thursday 12th January with a midday meal. We recommend you arrive into Rishikesh on either Wednesday 11th January or morning of the 12th.

Departing: The training ends on Wednesday 12th April. You will be free to depart Rishikesh that afternoon by train or plane.

Travel and extra nights in Delhi and Rishikesh can be arranged through our travel agent Pankaj. His details are below.

Yes you need a tourist visa to visit India. The visa normally lasts for six months from the date issued. It is reasonably straightforward and in the UK it takes about 3-4 days to process. In the US it can take several weeks.

There is also a new “visa on arrival” service. DO NOT use this, as it is only good for a 30-day visa.

Here is the website:
http://www.vfsglobal.com

NOTE: Check your passport has at least 180 days left before it expires (this is required when getting your tourist visa).

India Address:

Parmarth Niketan Ashram
P.O. Swargashram Rishikesh (Himalayas)
Uttarakhand 249304, India
Ph: +91 (0135) 2440088, 2440077, 243430
Fax: +91 (0135) 2440066
Email: parmarth@parmarth.com

Contact Person

Mr Pankaj Mishra
Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd

Mobile: + 91 9811993875
Ph: +91 2833 3220
Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com

You may wish to check with your doctor regarding inoculations and anti-malaria medications.

It is not our personal experience that this is necessary. However, we recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any questions.

You will not need much money for general living expenses while in Rishikesh.

Most meals are included in the cost of your training. Special meals in local restaurants are paid separately by you. You will have some time to enjoy food (and chai!) at the local cafes and restaurants.

You will also need some spending money for clothes shopping, incidentals and buying gifts. Approximate costs are in the range of £100-£200 ($125-$250) for some basic clothes. 
It is possible to get cash from ATMs in Rishikesh and we recommend you change some money in New Delhi Airport.

Also plan on tipping our Ashram hosts and staff at the end of the training.

Approximately £400/$500 should cover you for the entire time.

Don’t bring too much. We’ll be shopping Rishikesh for comfortable and appropriate Indian-style clothing.

It is going to be very cool when we arrive. You should bring plenty of thermal underwear and warm socks. Also hats and light gloves and other clothes to bundle up in.

By the time we depart in April, the temperature will be very pleasant however it can get quite hot in the afternoons (20-35 Celsius/ 68-95 Fahrenheit). You’ll be fine with your India gear. We recommend you bring sunglasses, sunscreen and a sun hat.

Because we are staying in an Ashram, we will be dressing in a traditional and conservative way. For women this means long sleeves, pants and skirts. Guys should opt for the traditional dhoti and kurta (they look like pajamas and are very comfortable). Again this all can be purchased in Rishikesh.

For rounding, you may wish to bring Western yoga gear. This will be fine in your room but not appropriate for around the Ashram.

It will be good to have flip-flops (good for showering and after your swims) and open sandals. Also bring a pair of covered shoes for longer walks and cooler evenings.

For guys it is pretty straightforward – you simply need shorts.

Women should be covered up as much as possible. We recommend you wear your swimsuit underneath and then buy some cheap cotton tops and long pants in Rishikesh that can be worn over the top.

You do not need to bring bedding for the Ashram. Towels will be supplied, however you may wish to bring your own as well. If you forget to bring any of your toiletries there is a wide selection available in the shops.

Accommodation at the ashram is very basic but comfortable. There are western style beds and each room has it’s own bathroom with toilet and shower.

No need, you can buy very reasonably priced mats.

Mr Pankaj Mishra
Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd

Mobile: + 91 9811993875
Ph: +91 2833 3220
Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com

You should have read Maharishi’s translation of the Bhagavad Gita before you arrive.

India uses a European style two-prong plug. Most electronics will function fine with a normal adapter, no transformer is needed. Hair dryers and other small appliances from the US will not work, as they are on a different voltage.

During IT, outside communication should be kept to a minimum.

You can purchase an Indian SIM card at the airport on your arrival. This will allow you to make and receive calls. Short overseas calls are relatively inexpensive.

There is no internet access at the ashram. You can use the data plan on your unlocked smart phone to ‘tether’ your phone to a laptop and connect to the internet as required. Additional data can be purchased on an as-needed basis.

Yes!

Bring a good supply of your favourite pens. You’ll be taking a lot of notes and the quality of writing implements in India is not what you’re accustomed to.

Notebooks needed:

• One high-quality book (Moleskin) for checking notes
• Several notebooks for personal notes, lectures and written work

In your room you’ll find:

• Sheets and blankets
• Two towels
• Hot water bottle
• Hot water kettle
• Puja kit
• One book with unlined pages for Holy Tradition transcription

During the course you will be eating a pure vegetarian (not vegan) diet.

There will be no coffee, nicotine or alcohol consumption for the duration. If you are a regular consumer of any of these, it will be good to reduce and then eliminate your use prior to arriving.

Some black tea/masala chai will be available but not when you are in high rounds.

You will not have personal or family visits during the course.

Other than the daily rounding, you will not be exercising in any way. Some short walks during the day are acceptable.