International Winter Fair 2011 - Frequently Asked Questions

  Here you will find many questions answered. Please go through all questions carefully, and if there are any further queries or your question cannot be found, please email: internationalevents@vvmvp.org.

1. Arrival Queries

2. Course and Payment Queries

3. Ashram Queries

4. Housing Queries

 

 Arrival Queries

All queries related to documents needed, passport, visa, transport, on-the-spot registration, arrival procedures, etc. How do I arrange for transport from the airport?

You can order a pre-paid taxi on arrival at Bengaluru International Airport. As you exit the airport, there will be a sign that says “pre-paid taxi”.

What are Check-in and Check-out times?

Check-in for any course is till 10 pm, one day prior to the course start date. People arriving on late-night flights may also check in when they arrive.

Check out for any course is till 12:30 pm one day after the course ending date.

Do I need to bring any documents before I arrive for Check-in?

 Arrival Documents required:-

 2 C-forms completed and signed

• Print out of course registration form
• Confirmation email containing registration ID number
• Photocopy of passport
• Photocopy of current valid Indian visa

 My visa is in my old passport which passport should I photocopy?

 Kindly photocopy both your old and new passport pages, and the valid visa page.

My passport expired but I have extended its validity. What pages should I photocopy?

Kindly photocopy the passport page with your name, date of birth etc, and the page that indicate the new date of expiry.

I can’t lift heavy things will there be someone to help me with my suitcase when I arrive?

There will be a shuttle services to take you from reception to your room. If additional assistance is needed, the welcome team will provide you with help.

Course and Payment queries

All queries dealing with payment, registration for any course, course contribution queries, etc.

How do I register for a course online?

 Click the “Register button” at the top of the International Winter Fair 2011 webpage. It will take you to the Online registration page 

Or
Go to the left-hand side menu and click ‘Login/Register’ and follow the instructions given accordingly for International Participants.

 Can I register and pay for more than one person at one time for one course?

Yes. Kindly follow the appropriate links to process.

What is the course contribution for each course?

Please see the Details page for all information on course contributions.

I am an Indian Passport Holder but live in another country, how do I determine the amount to pay?

Your course contribution is determined by your country of residence. Kindly choose your country of residence and pay the relative amount.

I am a PIO/PAN cardholder, how do I determine the amount to pay?

Your course contribution is determined by your country of residence. Kindly choose your country of residence and pay the relative amount.

What are the methods of payment?

• Online (Credit / Debit Card Payment)
• In person, on arrival (subject to availability)

Please Note: Online Transactions are the quickest and most secure way to guarantee your place, desired accommodation type for your chosen course. In-person payments are at your discretion. On the spot registrations (after early bird offer) will be USD 10 extra per person

Can I do more than one course during the Winter Fair 2011?

Yes.You can participate in courses back to back. If you would like to do any courses simultaneously, this is at your discretion.

During the time you are required to be in silence as part of your course, please refrain from participating in any other courses at that time. You may participate, before going in or after coming out of silence. Please note: Sahaj Samadhi and Part II (advanced) course are the only courses someone can do simultaneously.

Do I have to pay for each course separately?

Yes. Registration for each course during the given dates is separate, thus payment is separate.

For example:You want to do the advance course first from Jan- 6th- 11th followed by the Blessings course from Jan 12th-14th.
First, login, register and pay for the Advance course. Once you’ve received your email confirmation and registration ID number for the Advanced course, then you can repeat login, registration and payment for the Blessings Course.

Please check that you have selected the correct COURSE and its corresponding DATES when registering and payment.
Please also check all your details, such as name, date of birth, matches to your passport.

What should I pack/prepare for my course?

• Loose, light clothing that is comfortable to move in.
• Clothing that covers your shoulders and ankles, nothing too revealing, please.
• Cheap flip-flops/ slippers
• Mosquito repellent and coil
• Torchlight and batteries
• Handheld Radio (e.g. your mobile phone) and earphones for language translation facilities. Translation facilities may be available for groups with large numbers of people who require translation. Please inform ahead of time. (Radios will be also be available for purchase in ashram).
• Locks and keys for all your suitcases
• Yoga mat (Yoga mats can be purchased in the pine services at Ashram)
• Toiletries: Body wash, Shampoo, toilet paper, clothes washing powder or soap (Toiletries listed and more are also available for purchase at the pine services at Ashram)
• One Shawl or jacket for the cool mornings and evenings
• Towel (thinner the better, to ensure quick drying)
• Notebook and pen to note down knowledge (also available at pine services for purchase at Ashram)
• Relevant chargers
• phone, camera
• Umbrella
• If you require translation, please ensure that someone who is affiliated with the Art of Living orgranisation is there to provide this service for you. Either bring them along and book their accommodation prior with yours, or arrange for another course participant to translate.

If we have registered and paid for the course under one name, but due to unforeseen circumstances, such as the person dropping out, another person would like to replace that registration, what are the formalities?

Unfortunately, all registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Can I just show up and register before the course?

This is at your own discretion, however there is a high likelihood you may be able to join your chosen course, but accommodation at the ashram may not be available.
To avoid disappointments, we highly recommend booking and paying online, as soon as possible.

Are meals included in the course contribution?

 

Yes. Room stay and meals are included in the course contribution. Meal timings are:

• Breakfast 7.30-8.30 am
• Lunch 12:30-1:30 pm
• Dinner 6:30-7:30 pm

Who can I contact for queries about the courses if I’m not in Bangalore?

email: internationalevents@vvmvp.org or courses@vvmvp.org
telephone: +91 80 26080236

Who can I contact for queries about the courses when I am in Bangalore/Ashram?

 

Events desk: (80) 26080236 (located below pine services and Madurya)
Info desk: (80) 28432273/4 (located near VM)

Ashram Queries

All queries dealing with ashram services, venues, timings of satsang, meeting Guruji, etc

I am interested in Ayurvedic treatments, whom can I contact?

Please contact: Sri Sri Ayurveda Panchakarma
Telephone: (91) 80 2843 2991, 3272 1298
Email: info@ssapd.org | www.ssapd.org

What other services are available in Ashram?

pine shops

• Books, Audio tapes and CDs, Videos, etc.
• Snacks, Art of Living clothing, books, toiletries, First-Aid objects, bottled water, etc.

Nadi Pariksha (life style consultancy)

• Ayurvedic Medical Consultation that is conducted by pulse observation.

Madhurya

• Sarees, Churidhars, Salwar Kameez (Punjabi) Sets, etc
• Jewelry
• Indian figurines, books, bags etc

Canteen Vishala

• You can purchase snacks, fruits and juices, etc from 10am - 10 pm

Locker service

• Storage for valuables and important documents (located behind Canteen Vishala)

Shuttle service

• Complimentary pick-ups and drop-offs inside the ashram campus for senior citizens, disabled persons or those less able to walk.

Internet Café

• International and national phone calling facilities
• Printing and scanning facilities
• Internet facilities

Foreign Exchange available at Sumeru travels

• Change your money

ATM

• Canara Bank (located under Madhurya)
• State Bank of India (located near Gate No. 1)

Astrology services (by appointment

• Please visit Vedic Dharma Sansthan (located below Madurya shop)

Ayurvedic Treatments (5 min walking distance from Gate No.3)

• Sri Sri Ayurveda Panchakarma

Beauty Parlours (located near Gate No.1 and in Panchakarma)

• Waxing, manicures, pedicures, hair cutting (for females only)

Ashram Clinic/ Pharmacy (for Allopathic (western) medicine & First Aid)

• Near Gate No. 3
• Emergency Ambulance service from Apollo Hospital Bangalore, also available

Laundry Service

• Near Gate No. 3, in front of Ashram Clinic

Dining Hall (Kitchen)

• - Meals available, as part of your course contribution, are eaten here.

Toilets

• located on the base floor of Vishalakshi Mantap
• located behind Canteen Vishala
• located next to Dining Hall (kitchen) and pine Shop

Are there any rules and customs in the Ashram or on the course that I should be aware of?

• Please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and ankles.
• Hot water for bathing is available from 4-6 am. If you have a button to turn on the Hot Water in your bathroom, please turn it on at least 15 mins before you intend to bathe.
• If your course requires you to be in silence, please refrain from talking, whispering, or communication with anyone in any way to reap full benefits of the course.
• Men and Women do not share accommodation. Men will be housed with other men, and women housed with other women.
• At Yagnashala and Vishalakshi Mantap, men and women sit separately.
• No shoes, food or drink, except for bottled water, is allowed inside Vishalakshi Mantap or Yagnashala
• Vishalakshi Mantap and Yagnashala are quiet zones, please refrain from talking loudly, bringing children inside and having your phone on, as people might be meditating.
• There will be group sadhana (Padmasadhana, Pranayam, Bhastrika and Kriya) every morning during your course, please listen to announcements for timings the night before, at the end of Satsang.
• Rudrapuja will take place every Monday at Yagnashala (subject to change), please listen to announcements for timings the night before, at the end of Satsang.
• Lost and Found is located in the Housing Office
• Please do not wear any expensive footwear
• Please wear your nametags at ALL TIMES for security reasons
• Ladies are requested to tie their hair during any puja.
• Water that is safe to drink can be purchased at the pine shop, or filled in the Kitchen (Dining Hall) or the various taps, which indicate “Drinking Water”
• No alcohol, cigarettes or drugs are allowed in the ashram
• No meat is allowed in ashram (includes chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, prawn, egg, beef, pork, lamb, venison, etc)
• Please avoid eating cut fruit from the stalls on the road in front of the Kitchen (Dining Hall), as we cannot guarantee the cleanliness and hygiene of the stalls.
• Everyone should be in their own rooms at 11 pm
• If you are designated seva, please do it. If you missed group allocation for seva, then please perform seva on your own initiative. (e.g. wiping plates, serving food, cleaning Vishalakshi Mantap)

How can I meet Guruji in person?

Darshan (Guruji mass bless) timings are Tuesdays and Thursdays at approximately 4 pm. Kindly collect tokens at the Secretariat Building next to Vishalakshi Mantap in the morning, on the day.

To meet him more personally, please contact someone in the Secretariat building when you arrive at Ashram. Duration of meetings vary depending on Guruji’s schedule. Please don't be disheartened.

What time and where is satsang?

Monday to Saturday: Usually starts at 7:30 pm, unless otherwise announced.

Sunday: Usually around 4:30 pm, unless otherwise announced.

Satsang Locations

• Vishalakshi Mantap (Meditation Hall)
• Outdoor Amphitheatre (located in front of Vishalakshi Mantap)Yagnashala (located on the downhill slope in front of Housing)

Is there wireless Internet access available for my laptop in the ashram?

You can purchase pre-paid Wireless Internet access, please consult

Housing Queries

All queries dealing with housing, accommodation, for yourself or any additional members, group queries, etc

Are room upgrades available after registering?

This is subject to availability. For housing related queries, please contact housing department directly, either prior by email housing@vvmvp.org, or in person when you arrive.

I would like to extend my stay after the course?

If you need to extend you stay due to a flight departure, please contact housing. If you would like to extend your stay beyond two days after the course finishes, prior confirmation is required from the international desk. You can reach the international desk at internationaldesk@vvmvp.org .

Is it possible for my friends and I to reserve a room together?

This is subject to availability. For housing related queries, please contact Housing Department directly, either prior by email housing@vvmvp.org, or in person when you arrive.

If I want to bring my child and/or nanny, what formalities should I follow?

Unfortunately, there are no babysitting or child-minding facilities available at the Bangalore Ashram. Thus, if the child is old enough to take care of itself or if you want to bring your own nanny for the duration of your course/stay to take care of your child, please contact Housing to reserve accommodation as there might not be rooms available closer to the dates. They will need to have “Ashram Stay Registration Forms” filled out either prior to or on the day of, their arrival.