Devotees visiting the Holy Dhama do so with the hope of utilizing their time to diligently endeavor to attain their most noble aspirations.
In planning your trip to India, there are a few things to consider to ensure the blissful accomplishment of immense spiritual advancement, while maintaining both physical and mental well-being.
Spiritual Considerations
To get the benefits of advanced association, attend mangal arotik, parikramas, and classes.
“One who … takes bath in the waters of the holy places of pilgrimage but never takes advantage of those persons who are in actual knowledge—he is no better than an ass or a cow” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.84.13). [Just a suggestion.]
Srila Prabhupada said, “Going to the Dham is not simply achieved by purchasing a ticket.” In a person’s great enthusiasm to come to the Dham, he or she may overlook some important considerations that allow them to get the most out of their spiritual adventure.
The Dham is not only a place for asking and receiving blessings but to serve. In one of our early visits to Vrindavan, we brought a suitcase filled with rubber gloves because it was arranged that we all clean the streets. By this Dham seva, we experienced an immense surge of heart energy. It was completely wondrous. You, also, could meditate now on what service you could do while you are here, or make inquiries in that regard. Alternately, you could wait to see what possibilities for service present themselves to you when you arrive.
In Nectar of Devotion, Srila Prabhupada recommends offering a donation at each Holy Place we visit. Sometimes devotees forget to do this, but it is very important. In any interchange, energies need to be fully circulated so as to receive blessings. For example, if, while associating with and receiving instruction from a senior Vaisnava, we also serve that Vaisnava, something from his or her heart will enter ours and our bhakti will develop. Similarly, if, while residing in the Dham, we perform service to the Dham and the Deities, we will receive their mercy.
Upon entering the Dham, Akrura, in full ecstasy, rolled in Vraja-raj (Vraja’s holy dust). He was an intimate associate of Krsna and His family member, but he saw the value of the dust of Vrindavan. Not for a moment did he consider himself too advanced to roll in that dust, which has the power to purify the entire creation.
In preparation for your pilgrimage, we recommend that you absorb yourself in the transcendental attributes of Chintamani Dham, so that you arrive with a joyful attitude and auspicious vision. This will help to lessen culture shock and the chance that you will see the Dham as a dusty town.
Chintamani Dham, being made of touchstone, has the power to transform our heart and elevate us spiritually. It is therefore important to approach the Dham in with gravity and the proper honor. There are many books that showcase the specific places within both Mayapura and Vrndavana Dhams that will help you focus your mind on the potency of these places and the blessings they provide.
The Dham has a covering by which it remains hidden (gupta) to the unqualified. It can only be accessed by the mercy of one who is qualified to perceive its real aspect. In this way, Srila Prabhupada has blessed us with entrance into the dham. Reading Upadesamrita, or Nectar of Instruction, for example, and thus considering the Dham through the eyes of scripture, will enhance an appropriate appreciation of the place to which we have been given entrance.
It is said that any devotional service you perform while visiting the Dham is amplified 1000 times, so please use your time and engage your consciousness carefully.
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Once the spiritual aspects are protected and nurtured, we need to focus on certain practical considerations by which we can remain healthy.
Body – To maintain your health while in India, eat carefully, according to your needs, not taking too much or too little. It may help to bring some snacks or any food that works for you, especially if you are not familiar with the dhama.
If you are taking medicine, be sure you have an ample supply.
If you have a breathing issue, please come prepared with a portable personal air filter, as twice a year the fields are burned. Unfortunately, this takes place when most pilgrims are visiting, during the pleasant weather. Bronchitis is common at that time, so please be prepared. Bring Quertin or your favorite herbal bronchial dilator to combat the situation. Use a nasal inhaler. There are also some delightful respiratory oils that lubricate your nasal passages and protect your breathing apparatus. Doing pranayama daily assists your respiratory health and keeps your nasal passages clear.
When the weather is nice, mosquitos thrive, so bring your favorite mosquito repellent and start to take some neem supplements two weeks prior to coming and for the duration of your visit. This will make your blood bitter and unattractive to mosquitos. There are also some external things available to prevent them from biting, like warmed mosquito oil. Some devotees buy the mosquito plug in oils and put their own organic neem or citronella oils in it to diffuse into the atmosphere. There are also some plug-in mosquito zappers and mosquito rackets available. The use of mosquito nets has become a little passe since other devices have become effective, but they are an effective layer of protection.
Many devotees use Grapefruit Seed Extract known as GSE to prevent infections caused by parasites. Also DE Diatomaceous Earth taken daily, along with Bael, is also known to prevent parasite or amoeba problems. If you are drinking fresh juices, you can stir a few drops of food grade hydrogen peroxide into your juice to eliminate foreign bacteria from thriving. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Concerned about Mersa, the super bug resistant to antibiotics? We have had no incidence to date of Mersa, but it is always good to be prepared. You could therefore bring Oregon Grape, Oregano Oil, Collodial silver and Olive Leaf. It has been suggested that these items might control Mersa.
Mind
Focus on your positive realities by taking shelter of devotees more advance than yourself and by studying sastra. Bring reading material and maps.
India has the largest or second largest population in the world, so be prepared for the dynamic cultural experience of being in a crowd.
Money
Please check the exchange rate for your currency and make sure you come with adequate money.
India is in the process of going toward digital cash and ATM debit cards and credit cards are becoming widely accepted. Please bring cards that do not attach foreign transaction charges on your purchases as those costs will limit your use or be charged back to you.
Currently there are limitations to how much you can take out of India’s ATM from foreign banks, so bringing more than one card can get you past this limitation. This doesn’t apply to purchases. The government stipulations are changing since demonetization. If there is any way you can obtain Indian Rupees before coming to India, the maximum amount you are legally allowed to enter the country with is Rs 25,000. This is of February 2017.
Accommodation
The costs of housing and prasadam have risen in the last few years so bring adequate laxmi with you. The higher-end places are cleaner and naturally healthier. It is challenging to be short of funds while travelling.
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Iskcon Vrindavan
Iskcon Vrindavan Temple has a wonderful department called the Welcome Center, which arranges taxis, plane and train travel and changes money for visiting pilgrims. Laxmi Priya is the Director.
The email and phone number is: 011 91 81266 98702, wc.vrindavana@gmail.com
The Iskcon Vrindavan Community Service Center has a facebook group that contains many helpful lists, like guest house lists, restaurant list, a yellow pages of goods and services, list of emergency and regular medical services, maps etc. at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209612779226878/files/
Iskcon Vrindavan has an internet center on the campus, so you can keep in touch with loved ones while you are visiting the Holy Dham.
We hope you have a spiritually dynamic experience in your pilgrimage to the Holy Dham. We look forward to seeing you here.
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