Traveling to the Dhama

Maitreya · 05-15-2001, 05:28 AM

Hare Krishna,

In Sept. I will be making my first trip to India.I will be staying for about six months and don't plan on leaving Vraja on this my first trip.My hope is to receive some fresh inspiration towards Krishna.I need some Bhakti juice as I seem to be dehydrated and dried up in my present situation.

Fortunately I will be traveling with someone who goes every year so the how to get there is no problem.

I have however been receiving contradictory advice on health concerns.Basically vaccinations etc.

Any thoughts on this?

Also I would love hearing of others experiences there.Please tell me of this most wonderous land of Krishna.

Maitreya

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-15-2001, 06:10 AM

As far as vacinations I wouldn't recommend them. I wouldn't expect any serious illness. You may get some minor indigestion from the food, water and climate, but nothing serious.

Maitreya · 05-15-2001, 06:56 AM

jndas,

Even for malaria?I remember Garamuni getting an attack in Hawaii years after he first contracted it.He was down for days.

I also am wondering about accepting prasad.I don't want to offend anyone but it may not be safe for me to just take all that may be offered.What is the etiquette for such situations?

Jai Krishna

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-15-2001, 07:28 AM

I know many people who have come and gone without any problem (except, like I said, maybe indigestion). Personally I wouldn't go for a vacine, but if it makes you feel safer, and if there is no side effect, go ahead.

shvu · 05-15-2001, 09:23 AM

I was under the impression that Malaria is non-existent in India now.

Whether to accept Prasadam or not is a good question. My suggestion is accept it always; if you do not feel like eating/drinking it then don't force yourself. There is no compulsion or offense taken by anyone. Far as I know, Prasadam is usually clean and safe.

Sep-March is mostly winter and so you should have no problems with the weather either.

As for indigestion, I notice that you are in the Berkeley area. If possible, visit one of the many Indian restaurants in and around Sunnyvale [viz., Sneha, Banjara, Pasand, etc]. There are some in Berkeley too. Try some dishes like masaal puri, masaal dose, navratan kurma, etc. That should do the trick

After that you should have no trouble with digestion in India (or anywhere else).

Cheers

[This message has been edited by shvu (edited 05-15-2001).]

Maitreya · 05-15-2001, 03:02 PM

Thanks for your respones.

Vacinnation is probably the big question for me.I have had a mild flu once in past 25 or 30 years and I never get flu shots.

About resteraunts shvu,there are many all around me.Berkeley is so diverse culturally.The problem with all the Indian establishments is that they also serve meat.I won't eat in any place that does, even if they have a nice variety of veggie preps.They will use the same cutting boards and knives etc.Also I don't want them to make profit off me if they are selling slaughtered animals.I am forced to compromise at grocery stores when buying fruits and veggies but what can I do.

I am thinking though the problem is one of organisims entering that my body is not used to rather than cooking styles.I suppose that may be unavoidable, although I will try.

I hope to hear some stories from the pilgrims out there.This is a great idea for a thread.There must be a huge mine of experience from those on these forums.How about you Jagat as well as others?

animesh · 05-16-2001, 02:16 AM

In the company where I am working, people from US and Australia keep coming. They usually get problem because of food. They like the taste of food here so much that they often eat a lot.

Especially if you are visiting South India, then try to avoid oily food.

atma · 05-16-2001, 07:18 AM

Lucky you that you're going to the Holy Dhama! Don't worry too much. I'd seen foreigners that don't even drink charanamrit thinking that they'll get sick because of the water used or don't take bath in the Yamuna thinking that She is polluted. Those are the ones that get sick all the time!
Just don't eat too much. I would be careful with malaria though. There are some good ayurvedic and homeophatic preventive medicines that I hope someone can help with the names. Get your mosquito net and citronella and you'll be more or less OK. The mosquitoes are so smart that wait for some blood in the showers and toilets.
Just relax and get ready for the mercy that is waiting for you.

Atma.

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-16-2001, 07:56 AM

And don't mind the mosquitos too much. Someone has to feed them.

Maitreya · 05-16-2001, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the tips prabhus.Mosquitos.I know citronela works and nets of course.The fact that they wait for lurking in the showers is rather distressing.I didn't know they were that organized and clever.jndas, why do I have to feed them?Is it true they are especially fond of tourist blood?

In Hawaii I noticed that they wouldn't bother me when I was consuming large amounts of brewers yeast.I think it may have been due to the vit b-12.Any experience with b-12 to keep them at bay.Can I get nets and citronela oil in Vrndaban?I would think so.I want to travel as light as possible.

Who will tell some stories of their travels?Adventures and mis-adventures in the Holy Land.Who did you meet there?Been blessed? Been robbed?Tell it all.

MC

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-16-2001, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maitreya:
I didn't know they were that organized and clever.jndas, why do I have to feed them?Is it true they are especially fond of tourist blood?

I think local people are just so used to them they don't notice it unless the number of bites crosses a certain limit per minute. When you come from a place like California, where there are zero mosquitos in the populated cities, you will definitely notice the difference.

Quote:

In Hawaii I noticed that they wouldn't bother me when I was consuming large amounts of brewers yeast.

It is said if you eat fresh neem leaves every day, mosquitos won't bite you. I never got around to testing it though. You would need to start a few onths before your trip to have it work.

Quote:

Can I get nets and citronela oil in Vrndaban?I would think so.I want to travel as light as possible.

Yes, you can get all of that in Vrindavan. Try to bring no luggage at all. Just the emergency stuff. Otherwise your travelling will be less pleasant. You can buy most of what you need in Vrindavan.

Quote:

Who will tell some stories of their travels?Adventures and mis-adventures in the Holy Land.Who did you meet there?Been blessed? Been robbed?Tell it all.

Since you are in Berkeley, why don't you go speak to Kritakarma (I bet you already did). Get some stories from him and post them here for all of us. He can give you a lot of advise on what to see in Vrindavana, since he has lived there for many years.

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-16-2001, 08:02 PM

About luggage, I would strongly suggest you do not bring things like flashlights, mosquito repellant, etc. Just buy it all in Vrindavana. You can buy a good flashlight for $1.25 in Vrindavana, and most of the western mosquito repellant is less effective than the local stuff like "odomos" which is designed for indian environment. But you may want to bring some non-chemical mosquito repellants like citronella oil or tea tree oil. You wont get that here.

Think 10 times before actually bringing an item in your luggage. And if you have a doubt, just ask or send an email. The size of your luggage is going to determine how free you feel when travelling.

JRdd · 05-22-2001, 11:15 PM

I am still bothered at the idea of you not taking steps to prevent malaria, when my daughter almost died of it in Vrindaban. The shots are hard on the organs. There must be a place in Berkeley where you can get the Ayurvedic pills for this.

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-22-2001, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JRdd:
I am still bothered at the idea of you not taking steps to prevent malaria, when my daughter almost died of it in Vrindaban. The shots are hard on the organs. There must be a place in Berkeley where you can get the Ayurvedic pills for this.

If there is an Ayurvedic preventative pill I would recommend it. But the shots? It would depend on one's own preferences for medicine. Personally I wouldn't take them.

Jahnava Nitai Das · 05-24-2001, 09:29 AM

Quote:

...and homeophatic preventive medicines.

Does anyone here believe in homeopathic medicines? It seems to have become popular in India, and a lot of people here seem to believe it works. Personally I don't believe it at all. Perhaps the system may be authentic, but what I see practiced here is not all that believable. Just another easy way to make money by selling water and sugar tablets. Could some people give their own opinions and experiences.

I have taken homeopathic medicines many times (certain people here offer them to me and I don't refuse when they do). But I haven't seen any results at all.

05-24-2001, 02:47 PM

MC:

I took the chloaquine(sp?) prophylaxis in the early 70's on my first trip to India and still caught Malaria. I only have a relapse if I fast for more than one or two days. It is all karma dude -- don't overendeavor to avoid something if it is your fate it is unavoidable, just as death.

At 48 years dead I am still healthier than most twenty years younger, but I attribute that to a diet of Krsna prasadam for three decades and lots of strenuous excercise in kirtans. (Well, lots of skiing on the side also....)