Laxman Jhula Money Matters Travel Guide

Getting There | Taxis | Room Rates | Doctors | Food Costs

Traveling Plans: Getting There & Around

Please understand that the prices below have been negotiated for Maharaji and ShantiMayi’s sanghas. Also for Maharaji's and ShantiMayi's down-line teachers, their sanghas and any of their friends who wish to experience the wisdom and joy of the Sacha lineage. All other tourists and travelers who come and go from Laxman Jhula may be subject to other prices.

It is convenient to take a taxi directly to or from the airport. The trip can vary from four to eight hours, depending on traffic conditions. It is best to call or email the taxi services listed below. Give them a call, fax or e-mail them to reserve a taxi. Give them your name, date and time of arrival, airlines/flight number and mention that you are coming to see ShantiMayi. Their drivers are usually reliable and careful. It is quite comforting after a long trip to arrive at the airport and find the driver holding a sign with your name on it. He will take you directly to your car, and off you go to experience the road ways of India!

Taxi services

Triveni Tours | Sadhna Tours

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Bhutaram and Triveni Travels has been the preferred choice for most Sangha members for over ten years. He has spent many years serving the Sangha in a reliable and dependable way.

Contact: Contact - Buta Ram (Owner)
                          Harsh (His Son)

Phone No.-
0091-135-2430989-2432989	(Outside India)
0135-2430989-2432989	(From Delhi & Other Cities in India)
2430989-2432989	(From Laxman jhula& Rishikesh)
Cell No.-
0091-09897070396 (Butaram)	(Outside India)
0091-09412056472 (Harsh)
09897070396 (Butaram)	(From Delhi & Other Cities in India)
09412056472 (Harsh)
9897070396 (Butaram)	(From Laxman jhula& Rishikesh)
9412056472 (Harsh)

E-mail: triveni_travels@rediffmail.com

Visit us at- www.triveniindia.com

Travel prices 2008:-

Sector	Charges @ Rs.
To or from Delhi. (one-way)	2100/- Rs.
To or from International Airport (one-way)	2100/- + Airport Parking & Entry
To Deradhun & Back	700/-
To Haridwar (One Way)	400/-
To Haridwar & Back	500/-
To Mousurie & Back	1350/- Full Day
To Vashista Cave & Back	500/-
To Kunjauri & Back	500/-
Rs. 50/- per hour waiting charges.

Travel Services Provided-

Car/Coach Rental for all over India, Airport pickup & drop services, Air Ticketing (Domestic & International), Hotel Reservation (2 Star to 5 Star for Northern Region), Western Union Money Transfer, Authorized Money Changer.

Package Tours:-

For Northern Region (Uttaranchal, Kumaoun, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan)
Special Package to Rajasthan Tour & Golden Triangle Tour.

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SADHNA TOURS

If you wish to travel around India and visit religious shrines, raft the Ganga, trek the beautiful Himalayan terrain or go on Safari, Sadhna Tours, operated by Anil Sharma, offers packaged tours. They arrange hotels, railway and airline ticket reservations as needed.

Telephone: 91-135-2432829, mob. no:9412058629
E-mail: tapobhoomi@rediffmail.com, tapobhoomi@yahoo.co.in
Website: http://www.sadhnaashram.com/

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Please Note - Very Important:

Always hire a registered taxi to enjoy hassle free journey. Private vehicles pretending as official taxis violate the law. Don't be a party to it. Always identify registered taxis by their yellow-black number plate. (Defaulters are liable to impounding of vehicle & a fine of Rs. 10,000/- on checking by Transport Department Officer & every check post.)

Identify the taxi: yellow number plate with black numbers.
Private cars have white number plates with black numbers – DO NOT USE THEM!
You will not be covered by the properly prescribed insurances, including medical insurance, if you are riding in a non-registered vehicle!!!! Always check to see if the vehicle has the proper license plate before starting your journey. If you are riding in a non-registered vehicle and the police stop the car they can, according to the law, impound the vehicle and you can be left standing on the side of the road !!!! Also, as you know this is India, so these yellow license plates can be imitated and replicated illegally. So another clear indication that you are in a proper and legal taxi is if blue pinstripes are painted along both sides of the taxi. These pinstripes are located in the middle section on both sides running horizontally from front to back.

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The Train Trip

If you plan to come or return by train to or from Delhi, the best choice is to travel to or from Haridwar train station. Haridwar is located approximately 50km from Laxman Jhula. You can choose to travel by taxi to or from Laxman Jhula. In this case you can contact the taxi services listed above. You can also travel by bus. There are many buses that travel between Haridwar bus station and Rishikesh bus station daily. The cost by bus is around 30rps. The bus station in Haridwar is located on your right side on the main road, straight out from the main entrance of the Haridwar train station. If you travel by bus from Haridwar to Rishikesh, once you arrive in Rishikesh, you will have to take a taxi or motor rickshaw on to Laxman Jhula, which is located a few km upriver from Rishikesh. If you plan to travel by train anywhere in India visit: www.indianrail.gov.in for further information. You can now purchase train tickets online by credit card and print out your ticket. Below is a very general guideline for express trains.

Express trains
(Additional off-season charges may apply)
The price range depends on class. 1A= Air conditioned sleeper, CC=Air conditioned seat, 2C Non-air conditioned seat

Train	Departs Delhi	Arrives Haridwar	Approximate Price
Shatabdi Express	06.55	11.22	345-840 Rs.
Jan Shatabdi Express (Not on Sundays)	15.25	19.25	110-345 Rs.

Train	Departs Haridwar	Arrives Delhi	Approximate Price
Jan Shatabdi Express	06.23	11.15	110-345 Rs.
Shatabdi Express	18.10	22.45	345-840 Rs.

The train station in Delhi is called New Delhi Train Station. It is located in the Paharganj section of Delhi. If you are buying tickets at the station, they have a location upstairs on the first floor for Westerners to more easily purchase their tickets. However, this office only opens from 08.00. You can also buy tickets from the counter on the ground floor. Beware of anyone trying to divert you to private travel offices, or saying that it’s not possible to buy tickets. Only trust the employees working at the counters! There are many hotels of similar quality and prices located a couple hundred metres from the main entrance of the train station. Be advised that this is a noisy and hustling Indian market area! Things calm down around 10.30 PM.

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Staying in Delhi
For a visit to Delhi , the following hotels have been recommended, although the contact information and prices may have changed!:

Master Paying Accommodations and Guest House
# R-500, New Rajinder Nagar,
New Delhi - 110060 India
E-mail: infor@master-guesthouse.com
Tel: 91-011-28741089 / 91-011-28741914 / 91-011-55479947
website: http://www.master-guesthouse.com
Owners: Avnish and Ushi
GREAT LOCATION!
4 Km. from Connaught Place
5 Km. from New Delhi Railway Station
6 Km. from Indra Gandhi Domestic Airport
10 Km. from Indra Gandhi Int. Airport
This is by far the nicest and most reasonably priced place that I (Mark, USA) have found in Delhi. The rooms are beautifully kept, peaceful, and full of charm. Prices may range from 650rps. to 900rps (subject to change).The owners are happy to help with travel arrangements to and from the airport and train station.

Lower cost ranging 150-300Rs. per night:
Hare Krishna Guest House & Royal Guest House
Both are located in the Pahar Ganj section and are well known by taxi or rickshaw drivers.

Moderate cost 600-1100Rs. per night-
Hotel Indraprastha (formerly the Ashok Yatri)
19 Ashok Road
Telephone: 3344511
Fax: 3368153

700-1500Rs. per night-
Tribhuvan Palace
Chaina Market, Karol Bagh

Telephone: 5814038, 5748860
Fax: 5749587

2 Stars- 800-2000Rs. per night
YMCA Tourist Hostel
Connaught Place/Jai Singh Road
Telephone: 3746668, 3746031

1365-2095Rs. per night
Bajaj Indian Home Stay
8 A/34 W.E.A.
Near Channa Market
Karolbagh, New Delhi
Telephone: 5736509, 5812860 or 5738916
Fax: 5812905, 5789542, 5751536 or5812127
E-mail: PERFECT@GIASDLO1.VSNL.NET.IN
Website: http://www.Indianhomestay.com

3 Stars- approx. 3000Rs. per night
Hotel Ranjit
New Delhi
Telephone: 3231256, Fax: 3233166

4 Stars- approx. 8000Rs. per night
Hotel Diplomat
9 Sardar Patel Marg, New Delhi
Telephone: 3010204, Fax: 3018605
Previouly only 4000Rs. (Let us know if this place is still worth listing)

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Prices for rooms in Laxman Jhula

Important notice:

1) Upon introducing yourself at the Guest House it is important that you tell them that you are here to be with Maharaji, ShantiMayi or any other teachers associated with Sacha Dham Ashram. These rates area all based on a minimum stay of two weeks or more. If your stay is less, you are subject to pay that facility’s normal rates.

2) These rates mostly apply from April 15 to March 15 each year. In some cases “high season” rates may start earlier than March 15. It is best to set the length of stay and room rate upon arrival.

3) All rooms in each price category are subject to the first come (or first reserve) service rule. As this is India , there will be some differences in the location and quality of rooms with in the same price category. Because the prices of these rooms have already been discounted, these differences are not price negotiable.

4) The typical Indian room has pillows, bed sheets, blankets, curtains, table, chair, and if you are lucky a standing clothes closet. Locks are usually provided, but for security reasons it may be best to provide your own. In some cases the room may be freshly painted most often not. In either case, you are not paying western prices so please don’t expect western quality. If you don’t have what you need, kindly ask for it and most often it will be provided.

5) The months of December, January, up to mid-February can be cold in Laxman Jhula. Most facilities have dropped the 25 Rps. per day for room heater charge, unless otherwise indicated below. They have indicated that an acceptable time period to use a heater is no more than 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours during the evening of any given day. Please do not abuse this privilege by leaving them on any longer than this.

The Heater situation can be a potential flashpoint to raise prices for all of us if it is going to be left on, consistently, for long hours of the day and night! Please be vigilant on this. If health reasons dictate longer use, go to the management, tell them your situation, and arrange a daily electrical fee that will make them happy. Thanks for your cooperation!

Also don't forget to turn your hot water heater for the shower off after you use it. This also saves a lot on the facility’s electricity bill. To neglect these two areas may easily contribute to next years rise in room rates for everyone.

6) Paying for your room or for any item involving a considerable amount of money just requires common sense. You, first deliberately count out on the table the amount you owe with complete visibility to the person who is collecting! He in turn will count it within your full view 'on the table', back to you! This way eliminates any problems.

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Guest houses listed below are the larger and more popular ones used by the Sacha Sangha on both sides of Ganga . As more are built and the need arises, more will be listed. There are other smaller and less frequented places to stay. If you wish to go accommodation shopping, good luck! We ask that you don’t support rooms that cost over 250 rps per day.

We ask you to be clear, precise and gently firm upon initially settling the rupee rate for your room, using the price guideline below.

Guest houses and Ashrams located on Sacha Dham's side of the river.

All of these are only a couple of blocks walk from Sacha Dham. These places receive early and all-day sun during winter.

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Nigha Guest house
... is a yearly favourite with ShantiMayi Sangha. This guest house is always well maintained and quite clean. This location overlooks Sacha Dham Ashram. It almost stays at full capacity. The original building of Nigha offers 8 back side rooms and 8 front side rooms. Some of these average size rooms have attached baths with hot water while others receive hot water in buckets. The rooms with separated balconies have attached baths with hot water.

Unless you have special circumstances as explained under Ishan Hotel we ask that you support the rooms under 300 Rs. at this location. Thank you.

There is a two week minimum stay at this location as well as all others listed here to receive the best price!

	less than 2 weeks	two weeks plus
Back side rooms:	230 Rs.	200 Rs.
Front side rooms:	280	250
Rooms with separate balconies:	350	350

Manager: Bhagwan Singh
e-mail: nigharesort@rediffmail.com
phone: 0135-243-4801

 

Omkaranand Ashram

Another perennial favourite of ShantiMayi students. In a time where many so-called ashrams are really guest houses in disguise, to make money, this is certainly no the case at Omkaranand Ashram. It still maintains its ashram serenity, atmosphere and daily functions. Very reasonable in costs. Most rooms have outside bathrooms.

Single room: 100 Rs.
Double room: 150 Rs.

Most rooms have shared bathrooms, some are separate.

Contact person: c.k.Sharma
phone only: 0135-243-1307
mobile: 9412-975-989

 

Rajastan Guest House

Another perenial favorite. Located next to Omkaranand Ashram. Well-maintained and well managed and is usually always full.
Reasonable prices help keep this location to near capacity during high season.

single room... 100 Rs.
double room... 175 Rs.

20 room capacity.

Contact person: Ramu
e-mail: none, phone only
phone: +91 135 243 40 77

 

Shikhar Hotel

Located approximately three-quarters of a kilometer uphill walk from Sacha Dham. Last year was purchased by a respected individual from Delhi . The owners son, Puneet Sharma, is the manager and speaks very good English and seemed eager to provide good service to ShantiMayi students in many ways. Rooms are to be painted and updated with furniture. Three luxury suite rooms are available and costs of these rooms is still undecided, but will be expensive according to local standards.

Single room, inside bathrooms, hot water and heater in wintertime (no extra charge): 100Rs.

Double room, same standard: 200Rs.

Internet and a restaurant with a variety of food choices are available. Laundry washing service available. Because Shikhar is located on the main road leading down to Laxman Jhula circle, there is occasional noise at night from passing rickshaws.

Contact person: Puneet Sharma (and others)
e-mail: hotelshikhar01@yahoo.com or mahavirananda@hotmail.com
phone: 0135-244-2056 or 0135-244-2109

 

Tapovan Guest House

Owned by our good friend Devaraj who serves us his fine food at the German Bakery. Located a good 20 minute hike from Sacha Dham Ashram, up past Tapovan Road . It is a location for the ones who want daily exercise to a very beautiful and quiet spot in the country. Attached Baths with hot water.

All rooms 150 Rs.

Contact Devaraj at German Bakery or
Ph# 2435231, 244-2089
e-mail gangaemporium@hotmail.com

 

Hotel Ishan

Located a close walk to Sacha Dham. it is right on the laxmanjhula turnaround. this location has previously received very good business from Sacha Sangha's and friends. due to it's close proximity to Sacha Dham and restaurant called Oasis. This hotel offers 3 rooms between 100- and 200Rs. The other 9 Rooms are priced between 300-700Rs. Unless you are elderly, phisically impaired, or visiting relatives of Sacha sangha students, or staying in Laxmanjhula for less than two weeks; we ask that you only support the rooms below 300 Rs..

Contact: Chandra
email: please send
phone: 091-0135: 243-1534/ 243-2949

 

Shree Ram Ashram
Located on the road at the back side of Hotel Ishan just past Anand's music store on Ganga side. Very basic and no frills accommodations with small rooms. However, it does possess the best river balcony offered on either side of Ganga ! Two new top floor rooms will be added for the 2008 season.
Well managed with devoted people and a wonderful location on Ganga . 10 rooms.

Price range: 100-200 Rs.

contact person: Narayan
phone: 244-2028/ 244-2287

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Accommodation on the other side of Ganga

Over the bridge and across the river (a delightful 10 minute walk from Sacha Dham). These Guest houses and ashrams are located in the slow-paced Indian village side of Laxman Jhula. A fair number of shops offer life´s amenities not as available on the other side of the river. Receives sun at late morning during winter.

 

Hotel Divya

The most preferred Hotel on this side of Ganga for many reasons. It has a two block walk from Ganga with excellent river views from it's high and large roof. There are five computers available in the Hotel lobby along with a good and reliable but small Hotel restaurant. There is a water filter suitable for Westerners to refill their bottles. The owner has given his approval for all Sacha Sangha people to use it and not just the ones staying in Hotel Divya.

Double room: 200Rs.
Single room (backside rooms): 150 Rs.
Room # 105, 205, 305,401, 402, 404: 250 Rs.
Room # 403: 275Rs.
Family size rooms with kitchen no 208, 308: 295 Rs.

All rooms have attached bathroom with hot water. Restaurant, internet and free storage room available. If you use a room heater for over two days you will be charged 25 Rs. per day from that point until you hand the heater back to the management.

Contact person Ganga Tiwari, manager or Dinesh
Ph#: 243-5988
Fax: 243-4938
email Divyanew@yahoo.com

 

Hotel Surya

Built in 2003 this well run and well maintained Hotel was host to such Sangha notables as Peter, Sahdya, Boomi, Sahmba, and Dahvid, and Spanish Samarpan: Each of them had good things to say about the benefits of Hotel Surya. Located above their very good Italian food restaurant just across from the jeep taxi stand.
This restaurant's wood-fired oven makes the best pizza in Laxman Jhula. Gopal, the manager of the Hotel speaks good English.
Raju and Appu oversee all the Hotel and restaurant operation and can be found almost always downstairs at the restaurant or computer room. The computer room has 11 computers and is open until 10ºº p.m. on most nights. The Hotel roof has very nice views and occasionally hosts our Sangha Dance Parties. Hotel Surya has an Aqua-guard water filter suitable for western usa located just off the restaurant area.

There are a few front rooms for 350 Rs., these are not recommended.

Rooms 103, 110 are large with double beds 250 Rs.
Other rooms: single person 150 Rs.
two persons 200 Rs.

All rooms have attached bath and hot water and free storage.

Contact: Gopal (speaks good English)
e-mail: hotelsurya1@hotmail.com
phone: 243-3211 or 244-0306

 

Om Hotel

A smaller 11 room Hotel located on the main road 250 meters down river from the jeep taxi stand. It is to be completely renovated for the 2006 season with new furniture as well. All rooms have attached baths with hot water.

Double room (downstairs) 150 Rs.
Upstairs Single 150 Rs.
Upstairs Double 200 Rs.
Remaining rooms 150 Rs.
room heater charge 25Rs. per night

Contact person: Anil
e-mail: dharmyatri@rediffmail.com
phone: 0135-243-3272

 

Dharm Yatri Niwas Hotel
45 Rooms

A recently constructed large hotel. Located 50 meters down river from the jeep taxi stand and on the cement pathway to Divya Hotel. A few Sangha people have stayed here in 2005 and 2006 and also had good things to say. The best rooms are 301-314. This location has a good rooftop restaurant with nice views. Free storage.

This is also a clean and well maintained hotel with good management. It also has a water filter suitable for Westerners to refill their empty bottles.

Double 225 Rs.
Single room 175 Rs.
25 Rs. per night for room heater
All rooms have attached bath, hot water and good furniture.

Contact: Rakesh Sharma or Suresh
e-mail: dharmyatri@rediffmail.com (attn: Pappu)
phone: 135-243-3169, 3272, 1781

 

Hotel Gangotri Palace And Hotel Gangotri Plaza

Same building. The left side is hotel gangotri plaza. the right side is hotel gangotri palace. these hotels are located one block back from main road at the back of Dharm Yatri Niwas Hotel. both have added new rooms with balcony views. hot water is avaliable in all the rooms in both hotels.

Gangotri Plaza (Left side) :
rooms 2.floor 150 Rs.
rooms 3.floor 175 Rs.
rooms 4.floor 200 Rs.
total of 22 Rooms, promises aquaguard for 2008 season.
Contact person suresh, phone 135-243-2917

Gangotri Palace (Right side):
rooms 2.story 125 Rs.
rooms 2.story balcony 150 Rs.
rooms 3.story 200 Rs.
Contact person kandari or khisha, phone 135-244-0320

Aquaguard Water Filter is in place and working at this location.

 

Sheela Mohan Place
This is a brand new listing for the 2008 season. This hotel is run by a nice family who has moved from Delhi and is among others introducing a more "upscale " look to the Laxmanjhula area. They have six rooms for rent. They have large beds, bath rooms with bath tubs, front sitting rooms and kitchens. Two rooms are larger for family accomadation. All rooms are priced for 295Rs. per night. If you use the electric hot plates in the kitchen there is a 50Rs. per day extra charge. However if you provide your own gas-stove there is no extra charge. In either case the management asks that you only cook for yourselves and not for your friends.
It is located on the pathway up between the Astrology shop and Gangotri Palace.
Hotel contact person is Neeraj, phone 9758811702, 135-2440201,
Email: neeraj_maini_2004@yahoo.com

Ganga View
Currently unmarked but located on Ganga between Sant Seva asharm and the orange 3story building. next to it Quaint no frills little place for those who are traveling light and more adventurous.
There are six rooms with hot water priced between 150-175 Rs.
Contact person khrishna.

Sant Seva Ashram

This guest house has an ideal location on Ganga and is the largest in the area. Due to previous reports by Sangha members there is some caution to recommend this guest house. There seems to be less management concern for service and well being of its occupants than most other places. The room prices can be unpredictable and erratic. Families with small children have the benefit of a closed-in courtyard for the safety of their little ones. If you wish to stay here we recommend you negotiate the price using the guideline below.

Rooms: 101-107 – 100 Rs.
Rooms: 206,207,208,209,210 - 150 Rs.
Rooms: 211,212,213,214,314,315,316 - 225 Rs.
Rooms: 111,114,115,117 - 200 Rs.
Rooms: 116, 401,402,403 - 250 Rs.
All other rooms are 200 Rs.

No Contact Information Provided

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Water and Environmental Issues

It is in your best health interests that we advise you not to drink water straight from the tap. If you are using this water for personal hygiene, no problem! For drinking, you can buy bottled water sold in the stores. However, once you have purchased a few bottles, we strongly encourage you to refill these bottles with water from the various water filter locations listed below. The filtered water is safe and cost free. This greatly limits the number of empty plastic bottles that, unfortunately, are all too often not recycled.

Another very helpful way we can limit our impact on the fragile environment of Laxman Jhula is to insist on getting paper bags instead of plastic bags for our shopping. Even upon doing this you may still accumulate a fair number of plastic bags. No problem, just save these good bags and upon leaving give them back to your favourite merchant to reuse. Please put effort into using the paper bags before the plastic. All you have to do is look around and you will understand why!!!

WATER FILLING STATIONS

Upon refilling your bottle at these locations be aware to keep the mouth of your bottle a few inches below the tap to avoid germ transfer. The water stations currently available are:

• Sacha Dham Ashram: located in the garage next to the cow barn, close to ShantiMayi’s house. This is the most popular water refilling station and is always well maintained.
• Devaraj Restaurant
• Divya Hotel
• Dharm Yatri Niwas Hotel
• Hotel Gangotri Palace
• Hotel Surya
• Oasis Restaurant

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Tips on Staying Healthy while traveling in Asia here.

NEED A DOCTOR?

Dr. R. K. Bhardwaj M.D. Alopathic Doctor              
288 Haridwar Road Rishikesh. Office # 243-1255........... Mobile 9837051644
Time  Open (Clinic and hospital): 9:00 A. M.  to 2:00 P.M. : 5:30 P.M.  to  8:30 P.M. Closed Sundays.
Very fluent in English. Has medicine on the premises. Can do all types of testing and blood profiles etc….
Initial consultation    100 Rs.
To get there take taxi from taxi stand…just tell them Dr. Bhardwaj and they will know the way!  

Ayurvedic Doctor and Naturopath
Dr Manju Arora
All though there are many in the area. Over the years the Sangha has the best results with this very nice man.
Arora Clinic
Located at the intersection of the road that goes from Turn- around up to Topovan Road
Tel# 2433816……….. Mobile #94129052598
Initial consultation: 100 Rs.
Panch Karma:  500 Rs. per day

Kalptaru
Sudhir and Prachi are knowledgable Ayurvedic practitioners who offer a wide variety of services ranging from Panchkarma to teaching cooking classes to teaching Ayurvedic massage classes. They are currently best known among the Sanga members who visit Laxman Jhula for their exceptional Ayurvedic restaurant.

email:  shekharvrinda@yahoo.com Tel# for Sudhir: 9927067684

website  www.himalaya-centre.com Tel# for Prachi: 9412050626

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Local food costs (approximate)

All package items bought from local stores are at fixed prices.

FINALLY AND MOST IMPORTANT

Our Guru ShantiMayi, on more than one occasion, expressed concerns about the rising costs emerging within the Laxman Jhula area, and the need for each of us to take responsibility. She fully endorses not only my efforts, but also every ones efforts to see that these rising costs remain fair and reasonable for all. You may be occasionally challenged to remain gently firm in accordance with the price guidelines listed above. This is due to the unpredictability of India , the changes within the management of the various guest houses, and the many differences between how the West and East conduct their business! Often times the Indians forget previous negotiated prices and only see this moment for doing business. Ultimately it is up to you as to how you support your Sangha’s concerns, or not. One thing is for sure – each time you settle your room rates for higher than the price guidelines, it gives an incentive for the prices to spiral. It may be helpful to have a copy of these prices with you as a reminder to them when you take a room. Best of luck to you and see you next year!

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