India's topics - tribe.net

Kirtan, it is fun?

NityanandaRam — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 19:54:30 GMT

As Kindred Spirits - Yoga Mala Krishna Murari Kirtan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XtsmM4CotI

As Kindred spirits - Yoga Mala Ram Ram Ram Kirtan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2UaI2D1RfM

and for more action see
New York Rathayatra Kirtan - Acyuta Gopi dasi and Gaura Vani das
http://youtube.com/watch?v=_sJlfi3iWp4

posted in India - 0 replies

any info about Tureya Ashram and Institute

ezgi — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 17:35:25 GMT

Greetings,
I was wondering if anyone one knows anything about Tureya Ashram in Kodeikanal. I am interested in their yoga psychology program. I found it online so I would appreciate any sharing..
thanks
e.

posted in India - 0 replies

Indian Embassy bombing in Kabul

Margot — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:04:09 GMT

Very sad news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7492601.stm

I am surprised this article doesn't mention opposition to the India/US nuclear deal as a possible "message" behind the attacks. Just speculating.

posted in India - 11 replies

india gay pride!

automatthew — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:16:29 GMT

ok this is a little late but we haven't been that active here so i thought i'd say yay in this forum...

the first gay pride parade ever in india happened recently in three different indian cities and was a big success! yay for india!

http://www.google.com/search?q=delhi+gay+pride&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

posted in India - 7 replies

Role Call 2008

shaneanthony — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:23:31 GMT

Role Call 2008

I thought it might be auspicious to drop a post on a New moon when Bhagavan Das is set to drop the Kali jams and bring down the shakti the day after 11.08. Well it’s not Oct. 8th, but still a 108, 1108, twice strong. I’m actually in CO and my profile says India, but haven’t updated it. So who is game for going to India this winter and where are you going in 2008?
I’m going to do a month in Mysore, and probably travels to Vrindavan, Rishikesh, Hardiwar, and maybe Goa in just over 2 months. It’s my 3rd trip there.

posted in India - 18 replies

monsoon question from first-timer

Lazee River — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:10:35 GMT

Hi all! I'd like to hear from anyone who knows about Kerala and its weather. I'm invited on my first trip to India to attend a wedding in Delhi the first week of September. I very much want to travel to Kerala after that (second or third week of September). Is there any way the monsoon could be over in Kerala by then or are we definitely in for a soggy time? One of my traveling companions is from Delhi, but he doesn't know much about southern India.

posted in India - 4 replies

Air India Sale ends Friday

malcha — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:05:22 GMT

According to Sunday's New York Times, Air India is having a "One Price India" sale. The sale ends Friday. They are offering "round-trip tickets from Kennedy or Newark airports in the New York area to Chhatrapti Shivaji Airport in Mumbai and over 40 other destinations in India served by the carrier, set at $549 round trip (for departures Aug 19 to Sept 18), $599 round trip (for departures Aug 1 to 18 and Sept 19 to Oct 31) and $704 (for departures July 14 to 31). To get this rate, travelers must leave New York from Sunday through Thursday and return Monday through Friday. Weekend departures are available for an additional $50. Taxes and fees are not included. Passengers must also travel during monsoon season (roughly July through September) unless they are flying in October." www.airindia.com

posted in India - 0 replies

India: The Place of Sex (NYRB)

Soma — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:40:37 GMT

India: The Place of Sex
By William Dalrymple
Chola: Sacred Bronzes of Southern India
catalog of the 2007 exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, edited by Vidya Dehejia

London: Royal Academy of Arts, 157 pp., $65.00
The Book of Love: The Story of the Kamasutra
by James McConnachie

Metropolitan, 267 pp., $27.50
Kamasutra: A New, Complete English Translation of the Sanskrit Text
by Wendy Doniger and Sudhir Kakar

Oxford University Press, 231 pp., $12.95 (paper)
Kiss of the Yogini: "Tantric Sex" in Its South Asian Contexts
by David Gordon White

University of Chicago Press, 372 pp., $25.00 (paper)

There is nothing new about India being perceived as a place of great and growing wealth: for much of the pre-colonial period, the West was the eager consumer of the spices, silks, and luxuries of the subcontinent, while India was the prosperous supplier. As early as the reign of Nero, there was such a dramatic drain of Western gold to India that Strabo, the Greek geographer and historian, anxiously asks in a letter what can be done to solve the crisis. One South Indian dynasty even sent an embassy to Rome to discuss the problem of the balance of payments.

You can still get a flavor of the intoxicatingly rich and sophisticated classical India that supplied these luxuries at the once-great port of Mamallapuram on the Coromandal coast. Here massive relief sculptures faced onto the port where, according to a seventh-century poet, "ships rode at anchor, bent to the point of breaking, laden as they were with wealth, with big-trunked elephants, and with mountains of gems of nine varieties." The reliefs cover one side of a hill: at the right are two huge elephants, trunks swinging; nearby, warrior heroes and meditating sages stand below flights of gods and goddesses, godlings, nymphs, and tree spirits. There is a breezy lightness of touch at work: a flute is playing, there is dancing, and the heavenly apsara fertility spirits and goddesses are whispering fondly to their consorts.

The man who commissioned the sculptures was King Mahendra, a ruler of the Pallava dynasty who reigned from 590 to 630 AD. (The dynasty itself held power between the sixth and the eighth centuries.) Taking the titles Vicitracitta (The Curious Minded) and Mattavilasa (Drunk with Pleasure), Mahendra was an eclectic poet and playwright and an innovative aesthete and sensualist. He wrote two lost treatises on South Indian painting and music, and several plays—one of which, a cynical and sophisticated satirical farce called The Drunken Courtesan, tells the story of an alcoholic worshiper of Shiva and his courtesan-lover who get into an argument with a tipsy Buddhist monk over a drinking bowl left lying in front of a bar. The farce is still regularly performed in the south today.

[snip]

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/21557

posted in India - 0 replies

Roadside Romeo - Disney Ventures to India

Priyanka — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:21:32 GMT

Hi all,
I was watching a Hindi movie last Saturday and saw this trailer. I am not finding a decent link to post, I don't have much time right now...
but here is a little blurb:
"Indian Animation movie is going mainstream with Yash Raj Banners joining hand with Disney for the movie RoadSide Romeo . Voice for the characters is given by Saif Ali Khan , Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jaffari . Based on promotions it looks like a quality product."
found at:
http://www.newscrux.com/2007/11/03/india-animation-movie-roadside-romeo-review/
k, gotta go, see ya all later...
back to work,
Therese
~*~

posted in India - 2 replies

Srinagar info

Margot — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:20:57 GMT

Hello,

Headed to Srinagar for a long weekend and was just wondering if anybody felt like sharing their experiences there. Not neessarily looking for guest house info (although I welcome it) but more just people's experiences, good and bad! I am really just looking for some light reading ;)

posted in India - 6 replies

Guesthouses in Delhi/Paharganj

lars — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:17 GMT

Hi,

any recommendations? I would go to Hotel Namaskar first, because it was recommended to me, but that was 10 years ago!
I look for cheap, clean, safe & trustworthy...

posted in India - 3 replies

Bombings in Jaipur

lars — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:50:28 GMT

"In the first terrorist attack in many months, seven bombs went off within minutes of each other on Tuesday evening in the crowded lanes of one of India’s main tourist hub, the historic city of Jaipur, with reports of deaths ranging from 50 upwards, with roughly 150 injured, officials said."

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/14/world/asia/14india.html?_r=2&ref=world&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

posted in India - 5 replies

Going for 1st time ...

☼Sunshine☼ — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:51:58 GMT

Hi .... *waves* .... I am planning to go in Jan... w/ a group of friends. We are 4 right now, none of us have been to India .... and we thought it would be great to explore India, some of it by train.... I would love to hear all 'bout your fav. Indian experience... We have not decided which part of India to explore ... We are all spiritual, nature lovers, and Free Spirited .... Peace and Blessings .... (yes, we love poi spinning, music, art .... not too many touristy things, the real deal vs. commercialized version) ....

posted in India - 17 replies

Dj'ing, Dancing, and Creatively Giving in India

sonicbridges — Thu, 08 May 2008 18:41:27 GMT

I'm on the last leg of my 6 mo. round the world trip and will be a month in India. Got in two days ago and Leaving Delhi for Dharmasala tomorrow (anybody want to get together?). And I've been fortunate to play out in Laos and Thailand so far on the trip and would love to at the very least connect with some dance scenes and communities while in India and would love to share my beats with them as well.

I'm sampling and being inspired by the sounds and music I encounter on my travels and fuse it all, through my little travel laptop, into my productions. I'm most interested in the dance tracks, dance scenes, and dance parties that encorporate healing, conscious, or social elements.

But I'll always settle for some great music and vibes to just get the sweat on. It doesn't matter what the party looks or sounds like though, of course, uniquely indian would be cool, whatever that means! (indian music, indian causes, indian location, indian dj's/musicians, expats of india, indian spirit/religious music, indians, indian hippies). And, "yes" I like Bhangra.

Many of my projects sample events of humanitatian interests like music from mine victims in Cambodia or hurricane relief in Fiji. I hope to get these tracks posted when I finish the trip in the coming months to then be posted to download for a donation to these various causes to raise funds and awareness. See here for some idea of what I mean:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sonicbridges/1/1209644760/tpod.html

So if you also know of any particular indian events or causes or cultural experiences I should creatively engage please let me know.

My dj music and even productions are mostly deep techy funky house breaks and lounge tossed about with some world beats and sprinkled with conscious dust. I know there's a healthy psy movements such as Goa and although i appreciate the sound and mind states it's not really my cuppa'. Anything else going on? Or else maybe I need convincing that the psy stuff is REALLY going on!

peace in the middle east,
astro

sonicbridges.com
myspace.com/sonicbridges

posted in India - 5 replies

Cycle question for the women

psygirl66 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 23:54:35 GMT

How many of you have had your cycle go completely psycho while traveling? I was in India durning March for 25 days total and spent half of that bleeding. . . and not at the time I usually would (no I'm not on the pill). The other women in our group had all kinds of weirdness to their cycles also.

posted in India - 8 replies

Leh and altitude

Margot — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:39:24 GMT

We're going to Leh next month (flying in from Delhi) and I('m a bit concerned about altitude sickness. Am considering taking Diamox as a preventative...anyone have any experience with this? I've never been to such a high place before which is why I ask.

Thanks

posted in India - 5 replies

Nadaka - Auroville

Michael — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:38:45 GMT

I've been trying to get hold of the Lotus Trilogy(3 CD's) by Nadaka - he's a guitarist living in Auroville - any ideas?

Thanks, Michael.

posted in India - 6 replies

How to keep photo gear safe during monsoon time?

lars — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:24:52 GMT

Does anybody have experience with that?

I heard silica gel helps...

Anything else I should consider?

posted in India - 0 replies

Anyone in or traveling to New Delhi?

alex — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:10:36 GMT

Hi everyone -- I have a very very special project I'm working on and am looking for someone who is in or will soon be traveling to New Delhi, India. It would probably take up a day of your time, but you'd get to meet some amazing people at an ancient Ashram and be part of a potentially historical project. To sweeten the deal, I'm happy to offer a small amount of money for your kind service. Please email me directly for more details: yeshigyaltsen@gmail.com

padma

posted in India - 1 reply

A Blue Hand

malcha — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:21:24 GMT

I just saw a review in the NY Times of this book by Deborah Baker about Allen Ginsberg and his experiences in India in the 60s that shaped the whole Beat generation and the American counterculture. I haven't read it yet, but plan to. I thought some of you might like to check it out also. It sounds very interesting. It's called "A Blue Hand: The Beats in India". Penguin Press.

posted in India - 3 replies

If you're in Mumbai this weekend...

Margot — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:08:50 GMT

Then head to Aurus tonight (Fri) or Blue Frog tomorrow night (Sat) to check out SF's own Janaka Selekta. These shows mark a significant turning point in India's electronic music scene (it's catching up fast, woohoo!). Hope to see you there :-)

Details are here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16642520125

posted in India - 0 replies

appearence

Katrina — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:02:40 GMT

This is a strange question, but a concern I have about being in India and the appropriate clothing you should wear in respect to the culture. Even though I won´t because I´m white, I´d like to try and blend in as best as possible. I imagine in each area it´s different? Or is the saari good for everywhere?
I have a lot of tattoos on one of my arms, and I didn´t know if it was considered rude or something to have your arms showing. I know that sounds strange, and I know India´s so exotic appreance-wise in many ways, but I also know it´s very conservative. I´m living in S. America right now, and I experience it, at least where I am, being really weird showing my arms much in public, as it is a conservative society. Anyway, just some thoughts! Thanks!

posted in India - 30 replies

MUSIC INFORMATION IN INDIA

Kishore — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:20:10 GMT

HI varanasi sakant mochan temple is goin to organisi a 5 days music concert in temple free entry from 24th to 28 apr.

posted in India - 0 replies

Mumbai

Katrina — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:54:09 GMT

I may be going to Mumbai soon, and I was wondering what people´s thoughts/experiences are there. A vague question, I know. I heard that it´s like the Hollywood of India, true? And of course a profound clash in classes. Let me know :)

posted in India - 1 reply

First India trip highlights

mistressofevil — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:01:24 GMT

I just left India after four months of travel. I was traveling with a circus group doing free performances for kids, so my experience in india was quite unique. Most of the places we visited were far off the tourist circuit. The number one thing i learned in india is how to let go, how to surrender completely and somehow still hold on to yourself, if that makes any sense. i also learned a lot about the strength and determination of people to live, despite less than ideal conditions. I managed to stay healthy throughout my trip, had one head cold in the middle of my trip and caught another just as i was leaving Delhi. I used grapefruit seed extract and also ate curd on a regular basis.
The highlights of places i visited:
Goa - Arambol beach. Super chill and fun traveler hangout, lots of great restaurants. Samsara is a great place to hang out (hehe), the Shakshuka at Dylan's is amazing and the peanut butter balls at cookie walla's are great.
Mysore - Some of the best food i had in India, RRR banana leaf thalis for 25 rupees :) :) cute city, lots of art and music and a really wonderful Parvati temple at the top of a hill.
Khajuraho - Amazing temples, very friendly people and lots of fun kids to hang out with. Dont miss the dakini temple...
Varanasi - such a powerful place. Stay in Assi ghat its more calm, and you can eat at Ashish, the thali is amazing and cheap! Ashish is sooo friendly :) Take a boat ride early in the morning, try a vow of silence ;)
Dharamkot (near Mcloud Ganj) - Tushita meditation center www.tushita.info for intro to buddhism courses. A serene environment, wonderful teachers, very informative with great guided meditations.
Stay in Dharamkot, so many cute guesthouse up in the hills, the hike to Triund is amazing.
Kasol - Great if you want nothing to do except be in nature :) Beautiful river valley.

India has so much to offer i can see why people go back again and again, i will be back for sure!

posted in India - 0 replies

vegetarian articulation

Dwan — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:53:07 GMT

tonight i ordered mutter masala
and i dipped several bites of fantastic butter naan portions in...
i had to hold myself back from doing the happy dance
and just as i approached khanna nirvana
i noticed a big hunk of meat in my masala
flesh
mutton
oh i just wanted to barf

mutter
mutton

potaytoe
potahto
(and aloo)

oh it's a big difference

be sure when you are in india to enunciate
or else you're gonna go carnivore

posted in India - 4 replies

Homosexuality in India Today

bugwitch — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:53:30 GMT

Well, the subject is rather self explanatory. I am fairly sure that people are not allowed to be nearly as open as in (for example) Britain or even here; but has the acceptance level risen at all? I have the film 'Fire' (absolutely love it) and I know there was/is a lot of controversy about it. It was banned in many theatres if not the country. Is there a prevalent culture there?

posted in India - 2 replies

going back home for a couple weeks

likeatiger — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:41:58 GMT

back to delhi, my earthly birthplace and home. no stay is ever long enough so i'm ok with it...

anyone interested in networking while i'm there?

d

posted in India - 0 replies

COME ON SAY IT ..

manish — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 15:52:46 GMT

HOLI HAI !

posted in India - 34 replies

Touristic India: Let Me Explain!

JanetTheGreat — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:15:57 GMT

Hey, All. I'll explain first: I love the off-the-beaten path, adventurous travel, have lived and studied abroad and have certainly had my fair of wonderful and crazy travel experiences. In fact, I've worked as a flight attendant for the past 12 years.

However, I'd like to travel with my 72 year old father to India and see a few highlights -- comfortably. Crazy, huh? = )
He's in good heath, but walks a bit slower because of painful arthritic ankles. I want comfortable and clean hotels, as he is easily impressed with and highly appreciative of a bit of modern luxury and I don't mind paying for it for quite possibly our most wonderful Dad/Daughter vacation ever.

All I know as of yet is that I want to see the Taj Majal with him, and I want to do as much 'homework' about the trip to make it as comfortable, enjoyable, mind-blowing and non-stressful trip for him as possible. I love opening his eyes to new worlds, but I like to do all of the grunt-work of pre-planning so that I can provide for him the most seamless experience possible. I guess I like playing 'travel agent.'

I'm thinking end of April/ beginning of May. Maybe 10 days tops, which includes travel days. We'll be flying standby on whatever airline -- that isn't a problem as I work in the airline industry and can travel for next to nothing. What I'm looking for is 'must see' spots or tips on a 'touristic' trip which would include the Taj Mahal. Any and all recommendations are welcome, either here or in a personal message. Thank you!

posted in India - 10 replies

Gayatri Mantra...

Jitu — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:55:36 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb0L2oHwh5o

Please check out this out and let me know how much u like it

posted in India - 13 replies

MANTRA THE NECTOR

Kishore — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:12:21 GMT

it is not necessary to listen mantra from a guru by physical mouth.i refer vigyan bhairav and mahanirvan tantra where it is elabortated in detail about type of diksha and mantra power transmission in a disciple.for example -chakshusi diksha evoke mantra power just by a graceful look of master on disciple, sparsa diksha evokes energy by touch .One can see all these diksha takes help of one or another senses.Another category mentioned is pratibha jyanana which exposes swatantraya (complete independence) in inner and outer surface of conciousness,Sambhavai diksha takes help of MAHAR TATTAVA and results in direct bodha of mantra that is istta dev darsan (vision of diety of particular mantra) in SOMA mandala( nector or full moon state 16 kala)so here disciple even do not need to complete the purascharan of mantra he just get bodha of mantra.The swapana deeksha include vision of mantra in dream with out physical interaction of master.THERE ARE MANY MORE TO TELL now i would like to draw attention toward SUFISM ,here four sect is famous KADARIYA,CHISTIYA(USE MANTRA IN PHYSICAL STATE) NAQSBANDIAYA(USE MANTRA AT PRANIC AND OVERMENTAL STATE) SOHARVARDIA (USES MANTRA AS A VISION LIKE SURIJAN OR MANTRA DRASTA MUNI EXPLAINED IN VED USE TO DO)..........................so mantra is just like mother and she will not mind if you pull her hand OR climb in lap.........OM SHANTI

posted in India - 0 replies

terror scare in goa??

Dwan — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 07:13:47 GMT

it seems like every season there is some big rumor about a foreign attack on goa during the christmas/NYE week. i've seen armed guards on beaches, etc. Nothing ever comes of it so i usually scoff at the rumors.

however this one could be more substantiated since it's in print.
what do you think of this??

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1164881885910&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Israelis warned not to go to Goa, India
By SIMEON COHEN AND JACOB SLOSBERG
[Print this Article] [EMail this Article] [Subscribe] [SMS Alerts] [JPost Toolbar] [JPost ePaper]

Thousands of Israelis visiting the popular Indian resort of Goa, many of them freshly out of the army, have been urged to return home immediately amid warnings of an al-Qaida terrorist plot.

The security warning for all Israelis traveling in and around Goa was issued on Wednesday by the Foreign Ministry and the Counter-Terrorism Division of the National Security Council. The statement said the warning was based on intelligence information of a specific al-Qaida threat against tourists.

"As part of the existing al-Qaida terror threat in India, there is currently a concrete threat concentrated in the Goa region, where hundreds of travelers, including Israelis, gather for holidays at the end of the year," a ministry statement said.

The statement advised all Israeli citizens to refrain from vacationing in Goa and to avoid crowded tourist sites in the region at least until the end of December.

Noah Saban, 25, an Israeli who spent four months living in Goa, said on Wednesday that this was the peak season for tourists avoiding the cold winter months to bask in the warmth of southern India's beach climate.

"There are a lot of families from Israel and all over the world in Goa, and as soon as [al-Qaida] attacks, they will hurt a lot of people from all over the world, not just Israel," Saban told The Jerusalem Post. "This is a threat not just against Israel, but a threat against the world."

When asked if he thought that Israelis should heed the ministry's call to return to Israel, he responded by saying "the minute we show that we are afraid and run away, we show our weaknesses."

Saban said Israelis living in India travel on a seasonal cycle; they generally spend summers in the north and winters in the south. Thus, many Israelis congregate in Goa in the winter, as it is located on India's southwest coast.

"This is the height of the winter season," he said, attracting the largest number of Israeli tourists visiting the coastal get-away.

Goa's beautiful beaches and nightclubs have consistently been a popular destination for Western and Israeli tourists, especially youngsters who are looking for an escape after completing their military service. Every year, between October and March, nearly 400,000 Western and Israeli tourists travel to the beach town on India's southwestern coast.

Tourism really begins to pick up in November and culminates towards the end of December, during the height of the holiday season, when Goa's beaches are usually brimming with tourists. This renders them an ideal target for terror attacks during the winter months.

The Foreign Ministry's warning comes on the heels of a warning issued several weeks ago by Indian authorities, when word broke that al-Qaida was planning an attack on Goa over the holiday season. Earlier in the month, Indian intelligence reported that two al-Qaida terrorists had carried out practice runs of attacks in Goa.

The concern is that they could potentially return to execute an attack with the assistance of terrorist cells in India. After the warning initially surfaced, the airport in Goa was temporarily closed to prevent a terrorist hijacking; it has since reopened.

Nightclubs in Goa have been under special surveillance and hotel staff have been particularly alert in regards to spotting potential terrorists checking in to their establishments.

The attack is expected to be in a similar vein to the Bali attacks of 2002, in which terrorist operatives bombed a major tourist district of the Indonesian island, killing over 200, many of whom were foreign tourists on vacation.

"Those traveling to Goa in the next few weeks will be under serious threat of al-Qaida terrorist attacks" said the Division of Counter-Terrorism on Wednesday in its advisory.

Although the warning is strongly advised, it is not legally binding. "The Foreign Ministry would like to clarify that from the perspective of Israeli law, there is no travel ban on the aforementioned areas."

Although the Foreign Ministry stated that the decision to visit Goa is up to each individual's better judgment, they also acknowledged that each individual is responsible for their own actions.

The warning came just a week after Labor, Industry and Trade Minister Eli Yishai's four-day visit to India, where he promoted bilateral economic relations and also met with Israelis at Goa.

posted in India - 14 replies

Getting to India: Step one...

monet — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 02:10:50 GMT

Step one is...what?
How do you even begin?
Is there anyone here who, like me, longed to go but held a full time job you were fond of? Did you ditch it so you could go to India?
Do you wait until you are between jobs?
Do you take up a vocation that allows you long excursions?
Are those who go all traveling writers, trust fund babies, or simply low maintenance enough to manage?
How do you support yourself while you are there?
How do you create a budget for the whole thing?
Do you recommend any books that would help, or simply biographical accounts of other's travels in India?

I'm new to the tribe--if this is repetitious, feel free to direct me back to a post that talks about this. I just turned 26 and I thought, ok, maybe it will take 4 years to plan such a trip, so...what a great way to celebrate turning 30, yaknow?

posted in India - 9 replies

Rroma dances performance photos

Simona JOVIC — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:34:35 GMT

Photo album of my rroma dances performance at the International Indian Diaspora Festival in New Delhi, India on January 11, 2008. Photos by Janardhan Pathania.

romsktnet.ning.com/index.ph...slideshow

Simona

posted in India - 0 replies

ex. rate

Katrina — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:52:27 GMT

I don´t yet understand what is the exchange rate from american dollars to indian rupees? Say, 200 rupees-- what is that in dollars? Thanks

posted in India - 8 replies

any psy parties in goa?

romeo901 — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:50:29 GMT

please enlighten me with this request.....\
flyin to goa tomorrow..... stayin in baga for 3 weeks...
appreciate any help
romeo901@yahoo.com
om shanti

posted in India - 5 replies

volunteering io an organic farm

neuromante — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:49:59 GMT

Hello everybody
If you are interested there is a good opportunity
to volunteering in an organic farm in tamil nadu near tiruvannamalai.
The place is wonderful and the food (organic of course)
is really good.

for more information you can contact Sumithra (0)9843898871(mobile)

If everyone is tamil nadu .......don't miss this opportunity!

Ciao

posted in India - 3 replies

shivaratri

Kishore — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:22:50 GMT

Hi all shiva ratri is coming soon .ppl in varanasi are warned not to drink bhang as most of then also contain belladona seeds.Even if you wish to have bhanga get it from govt shop.Do not forget to joing DHRUPADA MUSIC FESTIVAL AT TULSI GHAT.I AM GOING TO STAY THERE FOR 3 DAYS WHOLE NIGHT ...WAOOOO CAN NOT WAIT TILL THEN

posted in India - 0 replies

Rice tractor fight!!!

trancepants — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 15:39:43 GMT

All ways wondered if you could bunny hop a tractor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nv1kqI7WW4

posted in India - 8 replies

clarifying the intent of this tribe

Dwan — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:15:21 GMT

This tribe’s url is: INDIALOVE.tribe.net
And the description is: “Do you love India? Have you been there, live there, want to return, want to go for your first time, are curious about this amazing country filled with beautiful people and spiritual bounty?...then this tribe is for you.”

This is a tribe to celebrate and share our experience as we return from or prepare a journey to or offer insight as a native, etc. on India.
The intent was not to make make it a forum for sweeping generalizations about the people of India, their culture or any other racial group or people of a specific country.
I understand as much as any traveler to India that the dynamics of such huge differences from our familiar culture and society at home can bring forth frustration… I especially have had frustrating moments since I am a single female tall blonde traveler.
I know India can be frustrating. Thus, discussions to overcome the challenges of the differences are welcome...and that includes reasonable venting.
I do not however welcome negativity, particularly when it is a sweeping generalization.
I have deleted the “post traumatic Indian haggling flashback” thread.
Yes, I understand this is censorship.
The thread was immediately offensive to me but I left it up for a while for the sake of discussion. Ultimately however it went on a tangent making negative generalizations about backpackers from specific countries and sassing individuals for their offerings to the discussion…and what is the point?

If you enjoy this sort of conversation, especially in an antagonistic way to rile up those of us who choose to focus on the positive aspects, or at least a productive conversation of frustration…then perhaps this is not the tribe for you.
That is the beauty of tribe. You can go make your own tribe. For example: the “I travel to enforce my beliefs that those of different belief systems, behaviors and cultures than mine SUCK” tribe

So there.
I am currently in India and will, while I can (based on opportunity and connectivity), delete some of the b.s. comments on here.

Namaste,
Dwanjabi the censor

posted in India - 17 replies

Auroville

mamatoto — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 21:42:35 GMT

feedback anyone?

posted in India - 9 replies

Simona Jovic kalbeliya workshop

Simona JOVIC — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:33:01 GMT

Simona Jovic
Authentic dances of the Rroma
www.simonajovic.com

KALBELIYA DANCE WORKSHOP with Simona Jovic
Paris, February 16 and 17, 2008

Saturday : 2pm-6pm (dances of Rajasthan kalbeliya and ghoomar)
Sunday : 2pm-6pm (dances of Rajasthan kalbeliya and ghoomar)

Music and video to sell !

For more information, please send a mail to contact@simonajovic.com

posted in India - 0 replies

Bihar govt to develop country's 'oldest' temple

Anamika — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:26:37 GMT

Referring to the inscriptions found around the temple and different official records, Kunal, who enjoys the rank of a minister of state, said the "temple was constructed in 108 AD and the practice of worship and sacrifice was continuing ever since".

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan182008/national2008011847319.asp?section=updatenews

posted in India - 4 replies

Seeking Kriya Yoga Teaching

Benj_of_Arc — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:16:21 GMT

I'll be traveling to India for the first time in search of learning more about kriya yoga. I'll be traveling from Israel (not israeli), Eilat, in hopes to find other traveler's like me who are also on a spiritural quest to connect with the universe.

Does anyone have experience and/ or any information that could help me on my way?
What kind of diffeculties should I be aware of while looking for a teacher?
What should I avoid?
What should I welcome?

I am arriving in Bombay and will travel as far as my two legs will carry me.

Namaste

posted in India - 5 replies

be in the bombay soon, how should i mumbai?

sean t — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 06:17:42 GMT

i'll be landing in mumbai at the beginning of february after three weeks in thailand.. does anyone have hotel recommendations, travel tips or ideas? i was planning on heading down to goa for a bit as well before heading up north. i have about three months to do whatever feels right before i get to my yoga teacher training near nasik.. i hear it's a good idea to have a hotel booked in bombay beforehand as it can get crowded, and also that one should be arranged to be picked up from the airport... any suggestions?

posted in India - 4 replies

Kerala to Kolkata

Laura — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:40:54 GMT

I am going to have a couple of weeks between PK treatments and starting classes at the end of Jan. I'm in Kerala right now and thinking of Kolkata. Anyone have any info or feedback......

Happy holidays to all.

Much love, Laura

posted in India - 6 replies

goa nightclub review

Dwan — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 07:51:12 GMT

ha ha
i just came across a HILARIOUS review of club paradiso in northern goa:
http://www.goahub.com/entertainment/discos-in-goa/paradiso-disco.html

this one is also mildly amusing one about hilltop:
http://www.goahub.com/entertainment/discos-in-goa/hill-top-disco.html

who wrote those??

posted in India - 3 replies

wes anderson india film !!!!

Dwan — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:15:17 GMT

OH MY GOD!!

Holy crap, I can’t believe it…one of my favorite directors has made a film based in India!!!

Wes Anderson has made “The Darjeeling Limited”
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thedarjeelinglimited/

Yay!
Thanks to listening to NPR today I heard of this film…normally I am so out of it with current events.

Bom!

posted in India - 8 replies

im looking for a cheap way to get to cerala

ariela — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 21:51:46 GMT

anyone know a cheap way to india/

posted in India - 4 replies

accomodation in Mumbai ?

coincidancer — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:31:53 GMT

Namaste !

I will be flying into Mumbai on X-mas day, (!) and am curious if anyone here can reccomend a place to stay?! Reasonably priced and with character ?! Location, location, location...

thanks and happy holidays

posted in India - 0 replies

Hello from Nirvana woman magazineand nirvanastyle.com

NirvanaWoman@gmail.com — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:23:32 GMT

hello
we are a magazine and you are invited to read the online version of print magazine Nirvana Woman Free
here
www.nirvanastyle.com
Read online magazine free at
http://www.nirvanastyle.com/html/online_magazine.php

Join our Fashion and Lifestyle Portal
http://www.nirvanastyle.com/html/signup.php

Let me know how you like it
Also please feel free to add as friends nirvanawoman@gmail.com

posted in India - 0 replies

animation

Dwan — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:42:12 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y5_zJ1xfQs

posted in India - 13 replies

Help for children

Simona JOVIC — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:35:54 GMT

Dear friends,

In a few weeks, i am going to India, where I will be meeting nomad kalbeliya families. This time our Organization would need clothes for children, especially very small children. So please, if you have anything to give, we would be happy to take it to India. I will be in Paris until January 9th, so for those who live in Paris, somebody from the Organization would come to pick up the staff. And for the others, there is a possibility to send it. For those who are already in India, I will be performing in New Delhi (January 10th and 11th) and Orissa (January 12th) before going to Rajasthan (Jan. 14th), so if you wish to help, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can arrange a meeting.

I wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Simona Jovic
President of Humanitary and Cultural Organization "Rroma of the World"
rromaorganization@gmail.com
www.simonajovic.com

posted in India - 0 replies

Amazing Yoga Classes in Kerala!!!!!!

Nitya — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:14:55 GMT

http://www.bhagyodayamyoga.com/home.htm

Girija Maa is an amazing Siddha Yogini, her yoga classes are unforgetable!!!!!

posted in India - 0 replies

Simona JOVIC — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:37:31 GMT

Simona Jovic
Dances and music of the Rroma
Humanitary and Cultural Organization "Rroma of the world"
www.simonajovic.com

Dear all,

This is the last call for all those who would like to join my january's trip to India where we will be learning the kalbeliya dance directly from Kalbeliya musicians and dancers in their nomadic village. The trip will take place between January 14th and 21st. To know more about the kalbeliya (or sapera) dance, you can watch this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjNNK-KUKg0&feature=related

For those who live in Eastern India, I will be performing the "Road of the Rroma" performance (Dances of the Rroma from India, Afghanistan, Egypt, Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, Rumania and Hungary) in Orissa :

* In Orissa on January 12th
* In Bhubaneswar on January 22nd

For all information, please contact the organizers : Bhubaneswar Music Cercle lipipusparbn@yahoo.com

I wanted to thank one more time Adriana, Alheli, Veronica and all the other girls for their warm welcome in Mexico city.

Devlesa,

Simona Jovic
contact@simonajovic.com

UPCOMING EVENTS :

* Orissa - INDIA
January 12th, 2008
Performance

* Rajasthan - INDIA
January 14th to 21st, 2008
Kalbelya music and dance tour

*Bhubaneswar - INDIA
January 22nd, 2008
Performance

* Paris - FRANCE
February 9th and 10th, 2008
Workshops

* Paris- FRANCE
February 16 and 17, 2008
Workshops

* Paris- FRANCE
February 23 and 24, 2008
Workshops

* Vranje - SERBIA
March 2008
Humanitary work
If you wish to help rroma children with clothes, medicins, toys or anything, contact me

* Saint-Pierre - REUNION ISLAND
April 2008 (exact dates will be soon confirmed)
Concert & performance with Rromano Horo group

* Saint-Denis - REUNION ISLAND
April 2008 (the exact dates will be soon confirmed)
Workshop : dances of the Rroma from India, Egypt and Turkey

* Skopje (Suto Orizari) - MACEDONIA
May 1st to 8th, 2008
Music and dance tour in Suto Orizari the biggest rroma comunity in Europe
History, language, music and dance with Macedonian Rroma
Ederlezi celebration

* Zeceprajini - ROMANIA
End of may 2008
Humanitary work
If you wish to help rroma children with clothes, medicins, toys or anything, contact me

posted in India - 0 replies

anoushka shankar show dates in india

Dwan — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:23:04 GMT

from her myspace bulletin:

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is keeping warm and having a beautiful holiday season. I've recently returned to my beloved India and am so happy to be back. Just wanted to write and let people know that my father and I have two special concerts coming up this month.

One is in Pune this Saturday the 15th. It's my debut appearance in Pune so i'm very excited about that. The next is at the Calcutta Club on December 29th as part of their Centenary celebrations.

On a personal level, life has been a little crazy and tumultuous recently, so I wanted to apologise about all the beautiful letters and comments I've not had the chance to reply to personally. As always, I'm deeply thankful.

Happy holidays!
Anoushka

http://www.myspace.com/anoushkashankar

posted in India - 1 reply

chicks slingin drinks in delhi

Dwan — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:50:01 GMT

Supreme Court allows women to serve drinks in Delhi

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Women will be allowed to work as bartenders in New Delhi, India's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, upholding a lower court's decision that an earlier ban was unconstitutional, local TV channels reported.

City authorities had wanted the ban reinstated, arguing that women needed to be protected from the bad behavior of drunken Delhi men.

The Delhi High Court had scrapped the ban in 2006, saying it went against the constitution's principles of equality, the reports said.

Women enjoy equal rights in most professions in India, although women's groups complain of gender discrimination.

The Indian capital is considered unsafe for women and has the highest rate of crime against women in the country. The city is also notorious for drunken brawls and road accidents involving drivers under the influence.

http://today.reuters.com/news/ArticleNews.aspx?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2007-12-07T034735Z_01_N06470568_RTRUKOC_0_US-BARTENDERS.xml

posted in India - 0 replies

air india INTERNATIONAL flight advice sought

Dwan — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:36:37 GMT

i've flown air india on domestic flights
i'm looking for feedback on their overseas flights

i'm looking into flight arrangements and the flights on air india between chicago and india are so far below the other options in fares.
i'm tempted to go for it, esp because the schedule is pretty good as well.
but...
i've been told how awful it is for the multi=hour flights from a few friends

i'd like to get more opinions from the masses...
have you every flown air india overseas?
how recently was it?
how was your experience?

posted in India - 16 replies

Hindu gods get summons from court

Anamika — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:52:13 GMT

A judge in India has summoned two Hindu gods, Ram and Hanuman, to help resolve a property dispute.

Judge Sunil Kumar Singh in the eastern state of Jharkhand has issued adverts in newspapers asking the gods to "appear before the court personally".

The gods have been asked to appear before the court on Tuesday, after the judge said that letters addressed to them had gone unanswered.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7132124.stm

posted in India - 2 replies

India Rail

Laura — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:42:47 GMT

Has anyone negotiated the India Rail website??? I'm arriving in Dehli around the 5th of December and am wanting to make my way South towards Mumbai.

Any insider info????

posted in India - 16 replies

pushkar concert 11/27/07

Dwan — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:07:35 GMT

just spreading the news:

WE ARE EXTREMELY HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT,WE ARE ORGANIZING A VERY UNIQUE CONCERT IN PUSHKAR WITH THE MUSICAL GROUP:

HEEYAM Sufi band of Israel.
(which means in arabic a state of "Supreme Love")
SHY BEN TZUR -ISRAEL
GIL SHIAM-ISRAEL
MOHAMMAD-INDIAN
IQBAL-INDIAN
KUTUB-INDIAN
NAATHULAL-INDIAN(PUSHKAR)
on Tuesday,November 27th of 2007.
venue''THE THIRD EYE RESTAURANT AND NAMASTE HOLIDAY INN,PUSHKAR

TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT KING'S GOOD MUSIC ZONE FROM 20TH OF NOVEMBER'07 AND AT THE VENUE ON THE DAY OF THE CONCERT ONLY.

REQUEST: TO COME IN VERY ATTRACTIVE COSTUMES.

TICKETS @ 300/-RS.
MAY PAY CASH OR BY CREDIT CARD.
FOR FURTHER TICKETING INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS,PLEASE CONTACT
0091-145 2772465,2773387,9414415297
AT
RAVI KANT SHARMA
KING'S GOOD MUSIC ZONE
VARAH GHAT CHHOTI BASTI
PUSHKAR

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO ,YOU ALL THOSE YOU FEEL WOULD BE INTERESTED & FRIENDS TRAVELING TO INDIA!!!

posted in India - 0 replies

How to not get sick in India!

Siva-P — Thu, 23 Feb 2006 21:30:08 GMT

I'd like to start a discussion on how to not get sick in India (or traveling anywhere, truly). My two greatest recommendations are that you get all your vaccinations and don't open your mouth in the shower, brush your teeth with tapwater, or snort it up your nose for all you lovers of the netti pot. I have heard people say that if you take grapefruit seed extract when you eat and drink it will save you from getting sick from bacteria/ micro-organisms. Has anyone done this with success?

posted in India - 72 replies

Dude walking from UK to India with no money

trancepants — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 15:33:52 GMT

wow thats a long walk
http://www.justfortheloveofit.org/index.php

posted in India - 7 replies

guide book?

mistressofevil — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:43:36 GMT

I'm not really a travel by the book kinda girl, but I don't know much about India at this point. Can anyone recommend a good guide book for basic info on travel around India?
thanks

posted in India - 7 replies

Music and dance tour in Rajasthan

Simona JOVIC — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:46:38 GMT

MUSIC AND DANCE TOUR IN RAJASTHAN
In the heart of the nomad village
Kalbelya dance workshop with the rajasthani nomad dancers and musicians

JANUARY 14 TO 21, 2008

It has been a long time now since I've started organizing this trip each year and taking to the heart of Rajasthan to meet this extraordinary cast of nomad musicians, dancers and snake charmers living in the Thar desert. They are nomad, each year I have to find their new camp location and it is always a big joy to find it. As always, it is going to be a several days workshop with these dancers and musicians, as always it is going to be a wonderfull human aventure, a warm welcom in their village (a very bi privilege) and of course a small performance improvised only for us. If you want to go back to the origins of Rroma people and their dances, if you want to discover the authentic "world" of Gulabi Sapera, Suwa Devi Kalbelya, Musafir and others, this is a trip to do!

The number of the participants is limited, but there are still a few places left, so if you decide to join us, this is the moment!

To get more information about this trip or see the picture of the one I organized in january 2007, please visit the "Music and dance tours" of my website : www.simonajovic.com

Simona Jovic
Dances and music of the Rroma
www.simonajovic.com
simonajovic@gmail.com

(The other trip organized : Macedonia in may 2008 for the Hederlezi celebration)

posted in India - 0 replies

India Visas

Double Up — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 18:21:20 GMT

Could anyone tell me how long a tourist stamp is for? Do you ever need to get a more specific visa?
Thanks!

posted in India - 32 replies

Wants to visit "Pushkar Fair" coming in November

param — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:32:56 GMT

My self is Param an IT professional, as well as helping to those who are coming to India.

posted in India - 0 replies

Ganesha' Birthday Sept 15th 2007

Nitya — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:14:39 GMT

Jai Ganesha!!!!

Happy Birthday Ganesha!!!!!!

posted in India - 7 replies

Language Lessons in the Bay Area?

Nene — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 01:17:49 GMT

A friend and I are looking for a beginner's course in Hindi or Urdu in San Francisco or Berkeley if possible. Any ideas on where to go? City College in SF does not offer it.

posted in India - 18 replies

Nose rings

TheHappyNun — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 18:15:15 GMT

Hi again, got a question :)

I remember reading a couple years ago that only married women have nose studs with red stones, does the color matter or is it true?

posted in India - 27 replies

Vaccinations

DonnieMarie — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:18:10 GMT

This will be my first trip to India. Yey! What a blessing :) So I am trying to get clear if A) I really need to get all of these recommended vaccinations such as Hep A & B, Typhoid and so on and B) is it truly necessary to take antibiotics everyday for the 7 1/2 weeks I will be there in order to avoid malaria. I will be mainly in South India traveling through Kerala up to Goa. Any insight or personal experience is greatly appreciated?

posted in India - 13 replies

Win a trip for two to India (not spam!)

mistressofevil — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 18:48:22 GMT

Hello, I am part of the Dreamtime Circus www.dreamtimecircus.org and we are heading to India Oct-March to put on free circus shows across the country. In order to raise funds for the circus costs, we are having a raffle. The grand prize is a trip for two to India (valued at $4100). The raffle is this sunday and you do not need to be present to win. Here are the details:

Howdy Dreamtime Friends,

Yes, this SUNDAY ~ SEPTEMBER 23rd, one lucky Dreamtime Supporter will WIN A TRIP FOR 2 TO INDIA (or substitute the trip for anywhere else in the world)!
Because that's the Grand Prize of the Dreamtime Benefit Raffle and the drawing will take place at the...

DREAMTIME BENEFIT YARD SALE
Sunday ~ September 23rd
8:00am - 4:00pm (Raffle Drawing at 3pm)
1869 McAllister St. San Francisco
(Between Lyon & Baker)

Map: http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result.php?q1=1869+mcallister%2C+san+francisco%2C+ca

Costumes, clothes, CD's, art, electronics, and lots of cool, random stuff!
AND ALL SALES BENEFIT THE DREAMTIME INDIA TOUR! Bringing free circus performances to villages, schools, and refugee communities throughout India from October 2007 through March 2008. So come and buy our stuff!

And, it's not too late to purchase a raffle ticket and have your name be entered in that magical Dreamtime Drawing that could send you and a friend to ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!

Raffle details and tickets are available at ~ www.DreamtimeCircus.org/raffle

SUPPORT the India Tour...
BUY cool stuff for cheap...
WIN a trip worth $4,000...

What more can we say...

The Dreamtime Circus

posted in India - 0 replies

India or Thailand?

geminifairy — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:52:35 GMT

All my travels so far have been in countries I speak the language; everywhere from Canada all the way down to Mexico & Central America. I want to see something completely different, where there's nothing familiar. I know very little about these countries and am feeling it out to see which would fit the best. I'd go between 2 - 6 months starting the end of November or so.

India :: I've heard some intense things about India; how it's not very travel friendly, that it overwhelms your senses too much and exhausts you, too man people haggling you everywhere all the time, everyone trying to rip you off everywhere, it stinks, etc. etc. Is this true? It doesn't sound exciting if it is. What draws me is the spirituality, yoga, the colors, etc.

Thailand :: I've heard the opposite; lots of backpackers, fun, friendly, easy to travel, etc.

* Also, is it possible to get an open return ticket ? If not, how much does it cost to change the return date?

posted in India - 23 replies

Great music &/or Hindi language schools?

junebug — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 05:28:10 GMT

Hello,

anyone know of any good music or hindi schools? I am especially attracted to Varanasi... but i am open..

thank you!
june

posted in India - 3 replies

As an Indian student: Could you imagine to op for a barefoot lifestyle?

Andy — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:41:15 GMT

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair." (Kahlil Gibran)

I’m a German but I’ve left Europe for good, living in India for the past seven years. I’m quite an average guy – except for my trademark: I'm always barefoot, all-year-round, wherever I go, whatever I do! Most of my friends have never seen me wearing shoes… For me, being barefoot isn’t just a fashion statement: It’s a lifestyle, a way to express myself. And of course an amazing sensual experience: I can FEEL the ground! Would you wear gloves all-year-round? Nopes! So: Why shoes? Walking barefoot, I’m far more “in touch”, in touch with nature, with Mother Earth… Energy can flow freely, I’m never disconnected. It’s very refreshing and stimulating, and the ecological impact is far less dramatic (erosion!) if I’m hiking without shoes. Somehow I’m more defensive, less aggressive if barefoot. Walking barefoot isn’t only special but also communicative: Travelling a lot I’ve made friends in many countries, explaining why I’m roaming around barefoot!
Coming to India I realized: Many people are going barefoot, all the time and everywhere, not only in rural areas and villages but also in town! Even if you’re staying in a big city – one of those hot-spots of modernization and westernisation: You’ll be unable to spend ten minutes in the streets without spotting a pair of dusty bare feet! And it seems quite obvious to me that living barefoot isn’t a privileged of the poor, especially in the South, especially in cities like Chennai. But I wonder: What about the educated youth – students, university graduates? Has anyone of you chosen to go barefoot ‘cause it’s more comfortable, healthy and relaxing, ‘cause it’s cool or just fun?

posted in India - 4 replies

Eyeing the Monsoon

Fireweed — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:29:06 GMT

I have ten months before my first trip to India. I have been wanting to go for twenty years. I am 42, a teacher and have been invited to participate in teaching at the train stations at Bhubaneswar. Because I teach here in the states the only opportunity I have to go is in the summer months...Monsoon season. I will arrive the last two weeks of June and return the last week of August. I spend 4 weeks in teaching with other teachers at the platform schools and then have four weeks to go wherever I want. I love Indian music of all kinds, I'm a hiker in the PNW, I live very simply, Vegetarian, I am in good health.
I am looking for advice about Monsoon expectations and then basically good places to go after I am done with service work. I am fit enough for trekking, but not Everest, that's a bit out of reach. As far as know so far I can fly into Delhi and take a train to Orissa...yes? No?
Thanks for any advice
Sarah

posted in India - 6 replies

visas

Elke — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:51:07 GMT

please let me know about how to arrange a maximum length stay in india
i know that the visa is 6 months but can this be extended or can you leave and reenter
please let me know any details that you know
thanks
elke

posted in India - 4 replies

to india in december

Elke — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:06:14 GMT

i am traveling to india in december for the first time - hope to stay at least 6 months and am open to any possibilities
please tell me your favorite places/experiences in the country
also, should i expect trouble if i am entering without a ticket showing that i am leaving?
let me know - this and MUCH more!!
thanks
elke

posted in India - 4 replies

Ayurveda Centers & Communities

Sean — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 08:04:56 GMT

Hello, my fiancee and I are travelling to India soon, and are in search of centers and/or communities where we can continue our Ayurveda studies (we've been studying for a couple years on our own). We've heard Kerala is a good region to study Ayurveda, so are planning on starting our trip there, but we are open to other regions as well. We are particularly interested in studying Ayurvedic herbalism, and we would love to find a place to go through pancha karma treatment for general purification. Anyone have any recommendations and/or experiences? Thanks~

posted in India - 2 replies

Kunnada speakers in Vancouver

taradakini — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 23:44:15 GMT

I am editing a film we made about India street kids through the non-profit Reel Youth (reelyouth.ca) for the Vancouver International Film Festival and I need some help with translations fro Kunnada (sp?) to english.

I am working in the Vancouver area and the translator would get their credits in the film...

if anyone has an ideas or is interested in the project themselves, please let me know.

thanks so much!!

Erica

posted in India - 0 replies

biding time in Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

Dwan — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:44:00 GMT

last year i had a 5 hour layover in mumbai international airport after flying for 24 hours on 3 flights from the USA.
there was nowhere to go to chill out really, other than the waiting area seats.

i'm looking for some ideas because now i may have a 7 hour layover. i visited the official airport website http://www.csia.in which shows many improvements, etc to the airport...but i don't see a waiting lounge for the long term layovers.

i'm seeking tips:

--do you know of any area of the airport or maybe some lounge or (like the railway stations) sleeping quarters for long term layovers? please do tell!

--if i decide to get a room, i cannot afford hyatt regency, Le Royal Meridien or other 5 star facilities. do you know of any recommended hotels/guesthouses in the sahar/andheri neighborhood? bonus if they accept guests after midnight...

posted in India - 4 replies

expatting

Sedusa — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:37:36 GMT

someone has probably already posted about this before, but the current search function on tribe sucks.

so anyway:

how doable is it to expat? IS it doable? when I was in Thailand there were many expats and the visa run thing was pretty standard and well known - and we worked there on our tourist visas under the counter.

now, certainly english teachers are going to be in much less demand in India than in other places in the world, but how hard would it be to find lodging, work, etc.? I'm sure with the wave of hippies in the 60's India is on to foreigners wanting to stay, but is it a possibility? could it be done legally without any specialized job skills? if not is there a workaround like Thailand? will they deport and ban you if you overstay your visa? if you get a 10 year but keep doing visa runs are they going to kick you out if they figure out what you're up to?

I know several people on tribe have lived for extended periods of time in India, how did you do it?

posted in India - 20 replies

Last-minute train tickets

Tue, 24 May 2005 23:21:52 GMT

Hello, all.

I'm traveling through India between June 5 and June 28, and I intend to spend part of the trip travelling by rail.

Unfortunately, it seems that most of the seats on the trains for days I'd like to travel are already sold out. The guidebooks and fora I've read have conflicting advice, so I thought I'd ask here: are there services to help Americans purchase train tickets or Indrail passes?

If not, what are my best options?

Thanks in advance.

posted in India - 13 replies

favorite spots

Rose — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 22:29:38 GMT

traveling to india in the future, recommendations? must see places? whats the scoop?
infinite blessings to you all

posted in India - 18 replies

Make some traveling cash. I need someone to ship me some clothes and other goods.

trancepants — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:12:06 GMT

Just got back from India and was unable to buy some last minute gifts. (I got stuck in the riots of Rajastan and had to bribe my way out; its a long story). I was hoping I could pay someone to ship me some gifts for my friends and family. Hit me up with your email. Thanks so much for your help!

posted in India - 0 replies

Karnataka name changes are official

malcha — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:32:27 GMT

Here are the official new names of 12 cities in Karnataka:

Bangalore is now Bengaluru
Mysore is now Mysuru
Mangalore is now Mangaluru
Gulbarga is now Kalaburgi
Hubli is now Hubballi
Shimoga is now Shivamogga
Chikmagalur is now Chikkamagaluru
Bellary is now Ballary
Bijapur is now Vijapura
Hospet is now Hosapete
Tumkur is now Tumakuru
Kaup is now Kapu

posted in India - 14 replies

~Sehra Writer needed~

paagal — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:34:25 GMT

I'm looking for someone who can write a good Sehra. It will be a while before I'm in India so I was wondering if there's anyone locally who might be able to help.

posted in India - 1 reply

Zoroastrian Towns

Zstar — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:45:18 GMT

Which areas is touring the Parsi culture best?

posted in India - 16 replies

Varanasi wedding

amrta — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:59:05 GMT

Greetings!

My beloved and I are getting married in Varanasi in January 08.
We are in need of a person to help us coordinate the activities, a wedding coordinator as it were.
I assume such a thing would be available as in the states.

Does anyone know anybody or know someone who knows someone that I can contact to help arrange the details (food, flowers, guest accommodations, photographer, etc..)
We have the music handled.

Any ideas or information are greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

posted in India - 5 replies

To not eat meat is good but...

manish — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 16:24:10 GMT

To not eat meat is good:

By subsisting on pure fruit and roots, and by eating food fit for ascetics, one does not gain so great a reward as by entirely avoiding the use of flesh.

--Manu Smriti 5.54

But eating meat is not wrong:

There is no sin in eating meat, in drinking spirituous liquor, and in carnal intercourse, for that is the natural way of created beings, but abstention brings great rewards.

--Manu Smriti 5.56

posted in India - 84 replies

Trip to India

Rick — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 19:46:50 GMT

I am planning a one month trip to India with a friend. I would like to hear from guys there with similar interests to suggest places to visit and things to do. I would also like to make friends with Guys from India with shared interests.

posted in India - 6 replies

lodging and/or rentals?

Nandi — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 19:37:47 GMT

i'm going to be in delhi for about two months (december and january) before i travel up to visit some monastaries in northern india. i am interested in renting a small apartment or finding a place that is affordable for living at that time. does anyone have any suggestions or ideas for how to go about doing that?

posted in India - 0 replies

walmart coming to india

automatthew — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 01:48:48 GMT

i think this is very interesting. i'm wondering how it will change indian urban life. one of the big differences that struck me between america and india are these huge mega-stores where everything you could possibly think of is available. they sort of define us i think, by trying to encompass everything we could want they in a sense define what we do want. we are limited through convenience. not to mention images and assumptions of availability and consumption. whereas in contrast one of the things that most struck me was how specialized all the shops were, selling on particular kind of product etc.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/08/06/business/AS-FIN-COM-India-Wal-Mart.php

posted in India - 8 replies

Taweez

TheHappyNun — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:07:11 GMT

I have a question about these pendants. I've seen them worn by Hindus and Muslims. But do Hindus call them something different? I don't know, it's hard to find information on them. All I know is that Muslims call them Taweez.

Just in case some of you don't know, some are shaped like a square and have little verses from a religious text in them, or can be shaped like a cylinder.

Thanks

posted in India - 5 replies

storing luggage in Delhi?

Crystal — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:31:40 GMT

Does anyone know if there is a hotel that will store luggage for a few weeks in Delhi?

:o)

posted in India - 3 replies

8-18 Himalayan Fest features Kathak dance, Carnatic flute and more

Hannah — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 03:27:01 GMT

Don't miss the 2nd West Marin Himalayan Festival at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center on Saturday August 18th from 11-5pm,

Performances include Vandhana Dance Company will perform North Indian Kathak dance featuring Megan Black who trained under Smt. Kumudini Lakhia, one of the foremost Kathak exponents in India today. Michael Davis, who has been seen on All India Television and at the Center for World Music in Madras, will perform Carnatic bamboo flute, a South Indian tradition accompanied by Douglas Vurek, who studied with South Indian percussion legend Palghat Mani Iyer on mridangam. traditional Tibetan music and dance from the children’s performance group of the Tibetan Association of Northern California who are saving these traditions for the coming generations.

Additional talent:
Seen on ABC’s “Profiles in Excellence” last year Tsering Wangmo, a co-founder of Chaksam-Pa, the world’s premiere musical group preserving Tibetan culture, is one of only 60 masters of the Tibetan performance arts. She was among those selected to study in the Tibetan Music, Dance and Drama Society founded in Dharamsala, India in 1959 by the Dalai Lama in response to China’s occupation of Tibet and use of Tibetan storytelling and operas to spread propaganda. Wangmo has performed around the world and with notables including David Bowie, Laurie Anderson, Ray Davies (the Kinks), Ziggy Marley and Phillip Glass. To view the ABC profile please go to: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8588103701784969838&pr=goog-sl <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8588103701784969838&pr=goog-sl>

Ang Tsherin Sherpa, a renowned third generation Thangka (sacred banners) painter who has shown in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco twice and whose painting “Green Tara” is owned by actor Richard Gere, will provide an all-day demonstration of this sacred art form with hourly art talks. He has had murals commissioned by Monasteries, has been shown and collected internationally and teaches in Marin and other parts of the Bay Area. He and his father Urgen Dorje are working to preserve the tradition of Thangka painting and plan to open a school to train people of all ages and backgrounds in Thangka painting in Nepal, where Dorje is based. Commenting on his work Sherpa says, ”The strict tradition of Thangka painting teaches one how to view oneself as a channel through which all the deities manifest. There’s room for self-expression in Thangka painting but the actual practice is to eliminate the self clinging to ego.” ¬

The visual arts component of the Festival has expanded substantially with the all-day Thangka demonstration as well as a entire gallery devoted to a show by Fairfax-based Nepali contemporary painter, Sunila Bajracharya. Her work has been collected and shown internationally including at the 10th Asia Biennial Bangladesh, 5th International Art Exhibition at Gallery Dikmayer in Berlin, and as part of a special online exhibition of the International Museum of Women. Attendees will be able to meet Bajracharya at the Festival where she will be on hand to answer questions and discuss her work.

Event attendees are welcome to create their own art in the Prayer Flag making activity. There will also be kid-oriented activities and young children's toys available. There are also 3 playgrounds on our campus outside the event area. Authentic meals, snacks and beverages will be available including mouth-watering traditional handmade Tibetan Momos (dumplings) and more food to be announced. The Festival offers the best of Himalayan vendors who have traveled from up to 2 hours away creating an exciting outdoor shopping experience where unique clothing, jewelry, carpets, art, household items, books and more can be found.

After drawing 400 attendees in it¹s inaugural year, the 2nd West Marin Himalayan Festival expects to draw substantially more to enjoy a dynamic outdoor family-friendly festival in the beautiful San Geronimo Valley
setting on this Saturday, August 18th from 11-5pm. Tickets will be: Adults $8-15 sliding scale; Kids 3 and up $5; Families of 4 plus $25. Coproducers: San Geronimo Valley Community Center & the Himalaya Resource Center. Partial proceeds will benefit Himalayan Organizations of the Bay Area. The other portion will support the Community Center’s programs including the emergency food pantry, teen center, and services for families.

The San Geronimo Valley Community Center is located at 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. 9 miles west of San Rafael in Marin. There is extensive parking in the area and the Community Center is a Stage bus stop. Visit www.sgvcc.org <http://www.sgvcc.org> <http://www.sgvcc.org <http://www.sgvcc.org> > or call 415-488-8888 for more information

Directions: From US 101, take the Central San Rafael Exit and turn West onto 3rd Street. Follow 3rd street west through San Rafael and turn Right onto Sir Francis Drake Blvd. Follow Sir Francis Drake Blvd. through the towns of San Anselmo and Fairfax. We are approximately 5 miles west of Fairfax. Pass
the San Geronimo Valley Golf Course and keep going for another 1/4 mile. Turn into the 1st parking lot on your right. (Look out for the Community Center Marquee). (Under 1 hour from SF, Berkeley; Under 40 minutes from Petaluma, Bolinas.)

Closest Lodgings: Valley Inn (415) 488-0105. Camping: Samuel P. Taylor State Park 415-488-9897. From the east, we are en route to Point Reyes National Seashore.

posted in India - 0 replies

Om Ayurveda Village Project

Jitu — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 07:16:04 GMT

"Om Ayurveda Village" project in Kerala. A self sustained 100%pure vegetarian village in an area of approximately 80,000 Sq mt of Virgin Village land on the Banks of a river in Kannur (Northern District of Kerala). An Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants cultivation. Research & development and a study centre on Ayurveda plants. Apart from this , Om village will have 1) An Ayurveda School 2) Very Hygienic and Traditional Treatment centre 3) Yoga / Meditation training and practicing Centre 4) School of Indian Dances and Music 5)School of KalariPayatt 6) A temple to workshop all the Hindu Gods 7) Accommodation in Typical Kerala Architecture (Naalu kettu) 8)Organic Vegetable Farming.
Inviting all people who are interested in Ayurveda, Nature and Indian cultural treasures to be a part of this project. An effort to make a village where health and happiness gets the first preference. We love this earth and wants to see its potential being used well. Lets together make this dream a reality. We need your whole hearted support. Looking forward to hear from you.

posted in India - 1 reply

favorite airlines

Nandi — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:34:59 GMT

i'm planning my four to five month excursion to India for this winter/spring. as i look at airline prices, i'm realizing i'm not familiar with many of the airlines offering reduced rates to Delhi this time of year. (it's interesting how much cheaper it is to fly from LA than SFO.) Anyway, what are some of your favorite airlines? Experiences with China Air? Singapore Airlines? Cathaway? British Airways?

I know this thread comes up a lot, but there is always digression and I'd love opinions about specific airlines and/or travel agents people have used. thanks!

posted in India - 13 replies

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