Visa Information for Nepal (as of 05-2012)
Please be advised that free 3-day pilgrim visas to Nepal are no longer available to non-SAARC residents*. 15-day multiple-entry visas can be obtained for $25 US, 30-day visas for $40, and 90-day visas for $100 (US cash only, no rupees), with a passport-size photo. * = South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (members include India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and the Maldives) Rajdhani Vegetarian Restaurant in Connaught Circus (New Delhi) is no longer across from the street from the Khadi Bhavan. It has moved to the outer circle of Connaught Place between Janpath Road and Kasturba Gandhi Marg. Café Olla at 1767 Kantipath in Kathmandu is recommended to be a good place for a food and tea set in a nice garden. It is close to Dharma Shringa's city office where daily meditations are held for Old Students in the tradition of S.N. Goenka. The Fresh Tea and Spice House across the road has a fine selection of teas and spices, and the owners are quite knowledgable and friendly. Gotami Nunnery in Lumbini (across from Dhamma Janani) hosts Yoga classes upon request. The classes are led by Mr. Govinda Sharma Subedi, a local Old Student. You can find him at the restaurant that he runs next door to the nunnery. Korean Temple in Lumbini now rents bicycles to pilgrims and tourists for Rs. 100/day. Amda Ayurvedic Health Care Centre not far the Big Buddha Statue in Bodhgaya A European meditator recommends this health centre as a good place to receive Ayurvedic treatments by an experienced Ayurvedic doctor in case you fall ill during your journey. His staff is also said to provide quality therapeutic massages that can help relieve the tensions from travelling. Hotel Sampurn Inn in New Delhi (Paharganj) 857 Chaniwali St., Main Bazaar, Paharganj Ph: 001 23584600, 9560256560 A Canadian meditator and ex-pat recommends this brand new hotel with restaurant, internet, and clean rooms with or without AC. Be Happy Café in Bodhgaya Be Happy Cafe is a vegetarian pizzeria, coffee house, and bakery owned and operated by Vipassana meditators. The restaurant specializes in pizzas, pastas, salads washed in mineral water, sandwiches on fresh baked brown bread, homemade granola, Lavazza Italian Espresso, and lots of delicious desserts such as chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, carrot cake, and cheesecakes. It offers WIFI and water bottle refills from a UV/RO water purifier. The restaurant is located in front of the Vietnamese Temple in the far corner of the Kalachakra Ground, next to Fujiya Green Restaurant. It is open from September to April . The owners (a Canadian woman and Indian man) also book train and bus tickets as well as arrange for cars to local pilgrimage sites such as Rajgir/Nalanda. They can also help you find short or long-term accommodations. Contact them at behappycafebodhgaya@gmail.com , http://behappycafebodhgaya.weebly.com , +918797118390 Accommodation in Rajgir The Burmese Vihara no longer offers accommodations on a donation basis. However, the newly expanded Thai Vihara now offers clean accommodation and delicious food on a donation basis to both Thai and non-Thai nationals. Book Post There is no longer a special (cheap) rate at the Post Office for books. Reliable travel agent with good vehicles and drivers, contact Jitendra Singh" <travelpointvns@yahoo.com> Accomodations in Lumbini Offered by Local Meditator The Shanti Guest House is located in Mahiliwar is located on the outskirts of Lumbini near the village and offers simple, yet comfortable rooms on a donation basis to meditators. Biraj Singh, the owner, is a long time Dhamma trustee at Dhamma Janani Biraj and is very involved in the local community's health and educational projects. Biraj and his wife also run a tea stall, a delicious home-style vegetarian restaurant, and souvenir stand near the Lumbini Sacred Garden.
Mobile: (00977)-9847322808
Tel: (00977) 71580169
Email: biraj_singhst@yahoo.com.
A recommended place to stay in Vaishali Wat Thai Vaishali
Shanti stupa Rd Distt Vaishali 844128 Bihar, India Tel: 91-6224-229421; Mobile: 91-993-1222114 or 943-1290369. email: watthaivaishali@hotmail.com Recommended Hotel in New Delhi. Read the description below written by a Canadian meditator:
Our luck begins right off the bat with accommodations. Aman Delux, a lower mid level hotel conveniently located in Rajouri Gardens , south west of Rajeev Chowk (Connaught Place). It’s a short two block walk to the Rajouri Gardens Metro Stn; there’s a Fab India across the street, an excellent vegetarian restaurant next door, a large shopping mall half a block away and numerous banking options up and down the street. A pre paid cab (no AC) from the airport was 425 Rs. A selection of rooms runs from Rs 1500 (small room) to Rs 3000 a night. Most of us paid for the Rs 2000 room, which had 2 beds in a room that allowed for some space between beds. All rooms have attached baths. The staff are helpful and very pleasant to deal with. Aman Deluxe, A-30-31, Vishal Enclave, Rajouri Garden, Opposite Vishal Cinema, New Delhi – 110027, Telephone – (+9111) 45702658, 25413980, 25421965, Fax: 25450888. 200 metres from Rajouri Gardens Metro. Check internet for website and online booking. |
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