what to bring

What to Bring

India has become quite modern with many familiar name brand imports, especially in the large cities. Unless you have special prescriptions or herbal formulas, almost everything you need can be refilled or purchased in India.

1. Toiletries, Medicines

Toiletries such as toothpaste, soaps, shampoo, lotions are readily available in most towns, with the exception of dental floss.

a. Eye glasses and contact lenses: It is good to bring an extra pair and keep a copy of your prescription in case they are damaged or lost. Some people also take advantage of lower cost glasses in India and bring prescriptions to India to have duplicates made. Contact solution is available in most cities, but if your travel is mostly through villages and the countryside, they best to bring contact solution.

b. Handy wipes (antiseptic if you wish) are handy for hygienic purposes, especially in cities and while traveling.

c. Toilet paper is slighter stiffer than at home and available in India for about a dollar. Most Indians use water instead of toilet paper.

d. Medicines: Bring personal preferences such as vitamins, sun lotion, bug repellent, pepto bismol, Tylenol, Imodium, laxatives, or whatever medications you use. India has Ayurveda crèmes, shampoos, lotions, etc. Antibiotics are available, but good to bring familiar ones from home. Goldenseal, Echinacea and other herbals are not available. Many people like grapefruit seed extract as a preventative and curative for indigestion. Ginger may help during the flight with jet lag.

2. Bedding

You are required to provide your own bedding at the ashram. Sleeping bags are recommended for warmth as well as for cleanliness. The ashram provides 1 sheet, 1 pillow with case, and 1 bed with a thin mattress pad. You may wish to have an “air mattress” or purchase foam for thicker padding. Some prefer to bring their own sheets and pillow cases as well.

You can also purchase blankets, area rugs and linens in the nearby town.

3. Food and Water

Indian meals are offered at the ashram and explained in more detail In the section on life at the ashram.

a. Food

Many people bring favorites from home If they are staying at the ashram for an extended time. Power bars, Instant oatmeal and electrolyte drink mixes can be handy. Many snack bars, fruits and nuts are available In India, just slightly different tastes than we get back home. Some like to bring favorite dry or liquid seasonings or teas. Herbal teas are generally not available.

b. Water:

Do Not Drink Tap Water. Bottled water is best when traveling, but at the ashram we cannot recycle plastic bottles. We request you use our katadyne system in the dining room or bring your own filtration system. A water bottle holder that can be easily carried is useful. Bottled water is easy to find just about anywhere, but be sure the cap is sealed.

4. Useful Accessories/Miscellaneous Items:

a. Many people like to wear personal air purifiers on the airplane or on buses while traveling, due to the pollution. These are available from travel store catalogues.

b. A lock for your room and while traveling is a good Idea; a slim combination style is best to fit on most types of room locks. It is also good to have locks for your luggage.

c. A pocketknife may be useful, but pack in your checked baggage.

d. You may want to bring some earplugs. Sometimes the people of the nearby town of Shyampur chant all night long on loud speakers, depending on festivals, celebrations, weddings, etc.

e. Photo developing and printing is available in most towns. Kodak and Fuji film is prevalent. With photographing comes the adventure of being asked to take photos. Often villagers expect a polaroid or digital viewing. They don’t always understand this is not possible, so be sensitive to people when taking their photos. Please don’t photograph the bridges, as the Indian government considers this a security risk.

f. Zip-lock plastic bags are handy for storing things.

g. Office Supplies: You may want to bring stationary supplies if you have particular likes–good pens and pencils, scotch tape, marking pens, post-its, scissors, and glue sticks. These items are all available in Haridwar as well. Some Indian stores have beautiful handmade paper and envelopes.

h. Sundry items are available in Delhi, Haridwar and in Rishikesh, such as peanut butter, jams, powdered milk, biscuits, sweets, Indian made ramen soups and noodles, bleach, laundry soap, sewing supplies, propane stoves for cooking and boiling water, and lots more. Remember, lots of what we get back home is Made in India!

i. Flashlight and extra batteries are available in India, but the quality may not be up to your standards. We also request you pack out whatever batteries you use, as these are not recycled in India.

j. Towels can be bought in India and are usually thinner and quicker drying than those from home. You need at least 2 in case rain delays drying.

k. Cleaning Products: The ashram tries to have cleaning (antiseptic) supplies available for bathrooms and sinks. You can easily buy in most towns, however some people like to bring) from home. Though you can make rags from old clothes and buy some cloth for cleaning, some people prefer to bring sponges from home for cleaning floors and sinks.

l. Small washcloths may be handy for traveling and other uses.

m. Hidden money belt for large amounts of money and valuables is a good idea.