FAQs
Planning your trip to One World Academy, India
General information Timezone: GMT +5.5
Currency: INR.
Conversion: Find converter here
Voltage: 230V, Converters are needed
Find information about health requirements here
Gratuities: Tips to the waiters, housekeepers, drivers, bell boys, etc. are not mandatory and are at the discretion of the person concerned. If you wish to give a gratuity, for instance to the person handling your luggage, a tip of INR 50 – 200 per person is adequate. More can be given if there are more than 2 pieces of luggage per person. Generally, a tip between 5% and 10% is considered adequate for the services rendered.
Do I need a visa to travel to India? Yes, you will need a standard tourist visa.
The following websites can assist you in obtaining a visa:
United States
Germany
United Kingdom
Asia
Italy
Please take careful note of the processing times and allow yourself plenty of time for your application.
For citizens from Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia, a “Tourist Visa-on-Arrival Scheme” has been created by the government of India. This visa is valid for a maximum of 30 days with one single entry facility available on arrival from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports only. Please note that specific criteria must be fulfilled to qualify for this scheme.
Into which airport should I fly?
Chennai, India (MAA)
You may want to consider arriving in a day or two before the Intensive begins to allow yourself time to relax and refresh after your journey. We can assist you with hotel arrangements in Chennai. Please email: prasad.k@owaindia.com
Gratuities
Tips to the waiters, housekeepers, drivers, bell boys, etc. are not mandatory and are at your discretion. If you wish to give a gratuity, for instance to the person handling your luggage, a tip of INR 50 – 200 per person is adequate. You may wish to give more if you have more than 2 pieces of luggage per person.
Generally, a tip between 5% and 10% is considered adequate for the services rendered.
Arriving at the campus
How do I get from the airport to the campus?One World Academy will arrange for a car service to meet you outside the airport baggage claim and take you to the campus. Your driver will have your name on a placard.
The fee for this service is based on the type of vehicle and related number of passengers. The one-way fee per group as indicated below is:
Up to 2 passengers: India Rupees 3,650
Up to 4 passengers: India Rupees 4,920
5 – 12 passengers: Indian Rupees 5,850
13 – 18 passengers: Indian Rupees 13,650
19 – 24 passengers: Indian Rupees 17,550
25 – 35 passengers: Indian Rupees 19,650
The fee can be paid via credit card at the campus.
The same fees apply to return trips from the campus to the airport.
To use this service, simply forward your travel itinerary to Prasad Karunanidhi (prasad.k@owaindia.com). He will provide you with a confirmation 48 hours prior to your travel to India.
Should you have any difficulty upon arrival in India, please contact Prasad Karunanidhi at + 91 98848 98897.
What time should I arrive at the campus?
We understand that travel schedules vary. Generally, check-in time is 12 noon the day prior to your Intensive start date. Both lunch and dinner will be provided.
Those arriving to the campus after midnight on the night prior to the Intensive start will not be charged for an extra night. Arrival at the campus prior to the day before the Intensive start will result in an extra day’s charge. Check-out time is 12 noon of the final day. Please let us know if you are not able to check-in at the suggested time.
What is the weather like at the campus?
The campus is located in the southern state of Tamil Nadu which has a humid tropical climate. The average temperature in summer (June to September) is 37 °C/99 °F and in winter (November to February) it is 24 °C/75 °F. There is little rain in the winter; however, being on the Bay of Bengal; the region receives a good amount of summer rainfall. Umbrellas will be made available for use at the campus.
Tell me a little about the rooms and the campus’ facilities.
All rooms are double occupancy. (Please note that there is an additional fee of US$800 for a single occupancy request.) Each is beautifully appointed with two double beds, an on-suite bath room, hair dryers, a desk, television, telephones with outgoing facility, and wireless Internet.
There is bottled or filtered water throughout the campus.
There is air conditioning throughout the campus.
There is cellular service provided by Airtel and Vodafone.
There is a small store where participants can purchase OWA logoed clothing, yoga pants, kurta sets, bottled water, nuts and other small items.
Please note: The entire campus is a smoke, alcohol and drug free environment.
Will I need to bring money to the campus?
Whilst at the campus, you may want to have a small amount of cash available for tips, purchases at the shop, laundry service, etc. Please note that there are no ATMs at the campus, however credit cards are accepted to settle transport services and other miscellaneous payments. We strongly recommend exchanging cash at the airport upon your arrival.
It is highly recommended that you carry INR 10,000/- for miscellaneous expenses.
I want to be respectful to the local community. What kind of clothing should I wear?
Out of respect for the Indian culture and the nature of the program, we recommend that you dress comfortably and simply with an emphasis on modesty. Non revealing clothes that cover the shoulders, chest and knees are recommended. Tight, transparent or revealing clothes, such as short skirts, tights and leggings, sleeveless or skimpy tops are likely to distract others and be discordant with the culture of the country. The key is to wear comfortable, loosely-fitted clothes that breathe and are preferably cotton or other natural fibers.
Photography at the Campus
OWA reserves the right to film, record and take photographs at the Campus, including, and not necessarily limited to, the Intensive and to use them for promotional purposes. Participants who prefer that their images are not to be used are asked to identify themselves at registration upon arriving at the Campus.
Whilst photos and videos are permitted outside of the sessions, personal video/audio recording within the sessions is strictly prohibited.
Is there a physician on the campus?
Please note that there is no medical physician at the campus and, as such, you are responsible for your own health care needs, including the administration of your medication and any other medical matters pertaining to your health.
The intensive
How long is the course?
This is a 7 day intensive program. You will stay at the campus for 8 nights in order to have a day to arrive and settle in prior to the program beginning.
What happens each day?
Each day begins at 6:00 am with yoga and ends around 8:15 pm with breaks for meals, morning and afternoon tea and to attend to any personal needs.
Every day you will receive insights leading you to freedom, meditations leading you to freedom, mystical and contemplative processes leading you to freedom, yogic practices leading you to freedom and the gift of the Presence, leading you to freedom.
Who are the teachers?
Freedom in Living is conducted by the senior faculty of One World Academy, Ananda Giri and Samadarshini, assisted by other faculty of the Academy.
The process culminates with the founders of One World Academy, Krishnaji and Preethaji, personally presenting you with a hands-on awakening to the Presence which will enable you to transcend to even greater levels of freedom within.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for the Intensive? You may come to the course as you are, without preparation. However, if you wish to maximize your experience, we recommend the following:
- Practice awareness of your breath for a few minutes every day.
- Reflect truthfully on your relationships, your life style, your state of mind and body.
- Visit our website and practice the One World Meditation every day.
- It is best to eat moderately several days before. We recommend that you do not consume any alcoholic or narcotic substances, excluding physician prescribed medication, for several days before in order to prepare your system for the shifts in consciousness that will occur during your stay.
- Be well rested, receptive and reflective.
We look forward to meeting you in India very soon and can ensure of our total support in your transformation.
OWA's seven day spiritual retreat is guided by the inspiring presence and wisdom of Samadarshini. [more...]