Further considerations- Health & safety sample schedules

This is a lengthy retreat and international travel is complex and demanding. It’s important that you evaluate your suitability carefully. The bus ride from Delhi to Shravasti is 11-15 hours. We will offer simple vegetarian meals prepared in kitchens kept to international sanitary standards. Special diets cannot be accomodated. Medical and dental facilities are distant so basic good health and checkups before coming are important. Along with travel medical insurance, you will need to supply the name and contact information for a person who will be willing to handle any emergency travel and support should you need to leave the retreat.

To join the Varsa retreat at Shravasti Temple, you will need to have the most up–to–date Covid–19 vaccinations available in your country. Your vaccination certification may also be checked as you go through customs in India.

Upon arrival at the Temple, you will be tested for Covid–19 using a quick test, and there will be quarantine space available for anyone who tests Covid–positive.  We hope that each attendee is able to bring at least four Covid–19 rapid tests with you. Please let us know if you are unable to obtain your own rapid tests.

The guidelines for international arrivals coming to India have been reviewed & formulated, taking a risk-based approach. The Government of India has amended the protocols for international travellers in the following manner. It has mandated that:

• Effective 1st Jan. 2023 (1000 hours IST), all international passengers arriving/ transiting from high-risk countries must mandatorily self-declare on the Air Suvidha portal.
• A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR report conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey from any of the high-risk countries must also be uploaded onto the Air Suvidha portal.
• The 6 high-risk countries are China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.
• Passengers transiting through high – risk countries, irrespective of their originating country before coming to any Indian Airport, must mandatorily self-declare on the Air Suvidha portal along with their negative RT-PCR certificate (as described above).
• All precautionary measures instituted inside the airplane and at the airport (wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing) must be followed.

2% of passengers per flight will be randomly tested upon arrival at the airport. If they are found to be symptomatic or tested positive, they will be managed as per the standard protocol defined by the COVID-19 latest update. Exemption has been granted to arriving G20 delegates at Indian Airports from 2% random testing for Covid-19.

Delhi

We will provide information about recommended hotel accommodations and bus schedules as they become available.

Shravasti

There are double-occupancy rooms in the monastery adjacent to the Temple. Two people will be assigned to each room. As many are unused to the climate, air conditioning has been built into the facilities. Healthy vegetarian meals will be cooked by a Taiwanese team according to bhiksuni dietary rules. Pure water will be available. We are unable to accommodate additional special needs diets. 

His Holiness Kyabgön Thinle Lhundrup has found sponsors for all the meals during the stay at the Great Shravasti International Buddhist Temple. 

Attendees are responsible for covering their own travel expenses, including visa fees, insurance costs, air transportation, and New Delhi hotel expenses. 

Buses will be provided from designated hotels in New Delhi to transport attendees to Shravasti. Please note that travel to Shravasti from Delhi can take up to an estimated 15 hours. Please arrange your hotel accommodations so that you arrive a full day before we need to travel to Shravasti.

While we cannot guarantee travel funding, we recognize the costs may be out of the reach of some. The organizers are currently seeking sponsorship funds. If you or your community can help fund travel for those who cannot otherwise afford to attend, please reach out to Ven. Khenmo Drolma.

It is helpful to have an estimate for the amount of sponsorship funds we will need. As soon as possible, please provide an estimate of air travel expenses and the amount you can contribute toward it if you are requesting sponsorship.