Getting There & Away
Lumbini, Nepal, is located 22 km west of Bhairahawa, which has a domestic airport.
Lumbini is accessible from :
- - Kathmandu by bus via Bhairahawa (8 hours) or by plane (30 min) and then by bus to Lumbini,
- - Delhi (India) by train or plane (see below) via Gorakhpur, and from there by bus to Sonauli and Bhairahawa,
- - Varanasi (India) by train and/or by bus via Gorakphur, Sonauli and Bhairahawa (10 hours).
- - Air Sahara operates new connections by plane : Delhi-Lucknow-Gorakphur and Calcutta-Gorakphur.
We ask meditators to arrive between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Should you arrive in Lumbini after 8:00 pm then kindly spend the night at the Korean Temple or in one of the guesthouses in the adjacent villages. Upon arrival meditators will be assigned a room, go through the registration and orientation process, and listen to the two tape-recorded meditation instructions. Then you can begin with the practice.
Please arrange your departure well in advance of the end of the retreat. If you need a taxi to Kathmandu or Sonauli please inform the retreat manager a few days before your departure from Lumbini. Flights from Bhairahawa to Kathmandu need to be booked several days in advance.
A few hours of sightseeing in Lumbini before you start the retreat or one or two days at the end of your stay are accepted.
It is possible to end ones retreat with a period of volunteer service at the center. This can be helpful for some to facilitate a smooth transition back into worldly life.
For those interested please inquire with the retreat manager before or during your stay.
Flights in India
Air Sahara now operates different interesting domestic flight connections in India : Calcutta-Gorakhpur and Delhi-Lucknow-Gorakhpur. Flights are on Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun.
Traveling Overland from Delhi to Lumbini
By train from New Delhi train station to Gorakhpur, by taxi (or bus) to the Nepal border and then by taxi (or bus) to the meditation center. The trip is about 19 hours. The reverse trip from Panditarama to New Delhi is essentially the same. The only real difference is buying a ticket at the train station in Gorakhpur. At the end of this section is a note about navigating the Gorakhpur train station.
The Lonely Planet India guide has a lot of info in it. As well as their Nepal guide. Prices are from October 2009. Following are some approximate exchange rates.
- - 47 Indian Ruppees (INR) per 1 US Dollar(USD)
- - 75 Nepalese Ruppees(NPR) per 1 USD
- - 1.6 NPR per 1 INR (This is fixed)
Train from New Delhi to Gorakhpur(13 hours): The train leaves from the New Delhi Train Station which is in the Paharganj area of Delhi. There are a lot of tourist hotels in this area. Each is a short walk to the station. There are a number of hotels listed in the Lonely Planet guide. You can purchase the train ticket in the upper floor of the New Delhi Train Station in the ticket office for foreigners. This is cheaper than at your hotel.
The overnight train that I took was:
- - Train number: 2556
- - Train Name: Gorakdam Express
- - Departure time from New Delhi: 20:20
- - Arrival time in Gorakhpur: 10:05 the next morning
There are three other trains per day. This seemed the best since it allows the day to get from Gorakhpur to Lumbini. The prices are (about):
- - First class sleeper: 1876 INR
- - Second class sleeper: 1119 INR
- - Third class sleeper: 823 INR
I think that this train runs seven days a week.
All of these are Air conditioned cars and reasonable by western standards. There are also other cattle class wagons.
Boarding the train was a little tricky. There are probably 30 wagons on the train. I went to the station the night before to see how it worked. The train actually showed up at the platform about 40 minutes before departure time. It left from Platform 7. There is a big board in the main station room showing the departing trains platform (with train number and train name in English). As you go into the station (from the PaharGanj side) the train goes from left to right. So the head of the train is on your right. To get to platform seven you go on an overhead walkway. All of the cars listed above (first, second & third class) were near the front of the train and they were together. The first class wagon had "A. C. FIRST" (as in Air Conditioned) written on the side. All of these cars had "A. C." on them. They are very distinct from the cattle class. Is easy in the summer. All of the other wagons had the windows open and all of these air conditioned wagons had the windows closed. At the door to the wagon as you climb on is a computer printout with all of the passengers names and the berths(Coupe) each is assigned to. The wagon number and the berth (coupe) should also be on your ticket.
From Gorakhpur to Sonauli(The Nepali border) (3 to 5 hours):You will be accosted by touts as you leave the station in Gorakhpur. As you get off the train, look for any westerners who might be headed the same direction.
Figure on an hour to get things sorted in front of the train station.
There are two choices to get to the border. By bus (a good four hours) and by taxi (a good two hours). The bus costs 70 INR or so. The taxi you negotiate. I paid 800 INR for the ride in the taxi. You can also share with others. This reduces the price considerably. You may get a ride for 100 or 200 INR. And with four people crammed into to front seat.
Crossing the border(1 hour):The taxi let me off about one kilometer from the actual border. He said there was a problem with the police. There are plenty of rickshaw drivers trying to get you to the border. The first offered 35 INR to take me the kilometer to the border. I turned that down and started walking. He then offered it for 20 rupees. I accepted.
The rickshaw takes you to within 30 meters of the border. From there it is a mass of humanity you wade through to get across. Just before the actual border (you will see the arch over the road) is the Indian immigration (on the right). You need to fill in a declaration form and they stamp your passport (less than 10 minutes) that you are leaving India.
Cross the border to the Nepalese Immigration(20 meters and also on the right). The two month visa is $30.00 (US Dollars). You need one photo of you. It is better to have some extra photos with you. If you do not have any, they accept a photocopy of your passport photo. You can easily get this about a two minute walk from the Customs Office(during the day). (This is another 10 to 15 minutes).
I also exchanged some dollars for Nepalese Rupees at one of the local places just after Nepalese customs. The rate is lousy but there were not many choices.
My negotiating strategy with Indians and Nepalese became a game. No matter what they first offered I turned it down and told them it was too high. They then would (usually) give a second offer. Sometimes I would not accept it and grab my bags and start walking. They then would usually come back with a better offer. I never hesitate to walk off and let them chase me nor do I hesitate to ask several of them for prices. It is not a problem to turn the offer down, walk 30 steps and then turn around and accept the offer. It is just a game.
Getting to Panditarama from the border (a short hour):Again you negotiate. I took a taxi (really a private car). If you do not have NPR, you can still negotiate a price. I paid 800 NPR for the ride. It is difficult to take a bus. You first need to get a rickshaw to Bhairahawa(half hour). Then find the bus to Lumbini Village(one of the main intersections). I do not know how often the bus service is but it is more than a one hour ride to Lumbini Village. It is best to ride inside the bus. It is entertaining and breathtaking to hang on the side or ride on top like others. But not advisable as a first experience in Nepal.
This takes you to the gate of the Monastic Park. You then pay a rickshaw for the ride across the park. I paid 40 NPR.
Now you will find peace and harmony.
Note on purchasing a train ticket in Gorakhpur to go to New Delhi. There are about five daily trains to Delhi. They leave from early afternoon to late afternoon. Arriving in Delhi between 4AM and 9AM. In the train station, go to window 811 for a ticket. It is for non-Indians. It is also for trains for that day. If there are no seats available, you have to go to the Reservation Centre. To get there, go out the main entrance, accross the big parking lot to the main road. The Reservation Centre is about 500 meters down the road on the right. With all of my luggage, I took a rickshaw for 20 INR. At the Reservation Centre, go to window 811. You will need to fill out a reservation form that you can pickup at any window. Just fill in the basic name, address, etc on it. Ask the ticket agent about the trains with seating available. Fill in the rest(train number, train name, etc.) while standing there. Most trains go to either the New Delhi train station(station code NDLS) or the (old) Delhi train station (station code DLI). The New Delhi station is more central.
Border Crossing - by land - Sonauli
The following information applies only to the Indian-Nepali border crossing in Sonauli and are not exhaustive. Please note that this might have changed by the time you will cross the border.
Border crossing : Lumbini, Nepal, is located 22 km west of Bhairahawa, which has a domestic airport. Bhaiharawa is located 5 km away from the Indian border. Belahiya is a small village situated on the Nepali side, Sonauli is situated on the Indian side.
Money : the main currencies (USD, Euro, Indian Rupees) can be changed on both sides of the border. No commission is applied on the Indian side, a one percent commission is taken on the Nepali side. The usual rate is 100 Indian Rs for 160 Nepali Rs.
Phone calls : international phone calls are cheaper in Sonauli and can be paid in Indian or Nepali rupees.
Internet : internet is available only on the Nepali side - in Belahiya or Baiharawa.
Food : restaurants are present only on the Nepali side.
Shopping : last minute shopping of basic items can be made in Baiharawa before coming to the center.
Visas
Since the political situation in Nepal is quite unstable, we recommend yogis to have a valid Indian visa - even while coming through Kathmandu. The recommended way to enter Nepal is through India.
Foreign meditators are allowed to stay in Nepal with a tourist visa for not more than a cumulative 150 days in one calendar year. On arrival in Nepal(either at the airport or at the Indian border) a 15 day visa can be obtained for $25 US, a 30 day visa for $40 US or a 90 day visa for $100 US. The 90 day visa allows you to practice in Lumbini uninterrupted for this full period.
Additionally, extensions can be obtained from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu for up to 15 days for $30 US and extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single year for $2 US per day.
You could possibly spend a maximum of 300 days in Nepal by arriving in early August of one year and staying until the end of May the following year. Overstaying one's Nepali visa may entail a fine of up to Rs. 50,000 or imprisonment.
Also, if you would arrive in Nepal on October 3 and purchase a 90 day visa ($100 US), then purchase an additional 90 day visa on January 1 at the Indian border crossing of Sonauli ($100 US) (leaving Nepal on March 31) results in six months meditation without a trip to Kathmandu. You would also need an Indian visa for the one night stay (New Years eve) in India, across the border from Sonauli.
A Nepali visa and any further extensions must be paid in US Dollars (USD) or equivalent convertible currency. One passport picture per person is required for each visa and/or extension. Passport photos can be obtained in Lumbini Village quickly and cheaply. But be sure and bring at least one photo for the first time you cross the border to Nepal.
Whenever the political situation in Nepal is unstable it is advisable to enter Nepal coming from India. For further information please contact :
- Department of Immigration
- Bhrikuti Mandap
- Kathmandu
- Tel. : +977 1 4223590
- Fax. : +977 1 4223127
- Office hours: Sunday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00; Saturday 11:00 - 13:00
- E-mail : immigration@mos.gov.np
- Web site : www.immi.gov.np
A Word of Caution
As the political situation in Nepal is quite volatile it is recommended to check for the latest development before undertaking the journey to Nepal. So far Lumbini remains relatively peaceful.
For further information :
- Web site : ekantipur.com
Climate
Lumbini (elevation 100m) has a tropical monsoon climate characterized by a cold season, hot season, monsoon, and transitional periods. The core of the cold season extends from the beginning of December to the end of January with temperatures occasionally dropping to +6°C. Rainfall is minimal and relative humidity may reach 89%. There tends to be a spell of 7 to 10 days of foggy weather in December and another such spell in January. Otherwise sunshine prevails.
The hot season lasts from the beginning of March until June 11. During the peak of the hot season (May) temperatures may rise to +39°C with a low relative humidity and minimal rainfall. Sometimes strong winds blow across Lumbini.
Dept. of Meteorology cites June 12 to September 23 as the period of the annual monsoon in Nepal. The highest rainfall (approximately 300mm/month) is recorded in July and August. The maximum temperature in June (approx. +37°C) gradually comes down to slightly above +30°C during July, August, and September.
Health related issues
Meditators who join the retreat should possess sound physical health as the meditation practice is quite strenuous and health care in Nepal is not highly advanced. A prophylaxis for malaria is not necessary, as Lumbini is free from malaria. Japanese Encephalitis has been reported in the Terai especially during the monsoon but so far no such cases have occurred in Lumbini itself. A vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis is not absolutely necessary. Please do bring the medicine that you may need during the retreat to maintain your health. Pharmacies in Mahilawar and Bhairahawa sell mostly generic medicine. The meditation center will provide very basic medicine for minor health problems. In case of some serious illness the following hospitals and clinics in Bhairahawa are available :
- Universal College of Medical Sciences (teaching hospital)
- Bhim Hospital
- Milan Clinic, Dr. P.K. Gharg
- Lumbini Eye Clinic funded by Lion's Club of Switzerland
- Sri Krishna Netralaya (private eye clinic), Dr. S.P. Dhital
Certain complicated medical conditions may have to be treated in Kathmandu, Gorakhpur (India) or Bangkok (Thailand).
The United States Embassy Website(available to everybody) has medical resource information for the New Delhi region:
For further information :
As well the United States Embassy Website(available to everybody) has medical resource information for Nepal:
For further information :
Drinking water provided by the meditation center is filtered.Accomodation
The center provides dormitory style accommodation for short-term meditators in the main building. Accommodation for long-term meditators is in three triplets and six meditation huts (kammatthana kuti). Six more meditation huts are under construction.. The rooms in the triplets have attached bathrooms. These rooms may have to be shared with other meditators depending on the number of long-term meditators. We try to honor the need for privacy as much as possible. Panditarama provides each meditator with a mattress, bed sheet, pillow and pillowcase, two blankets and a mosquito net for the bed and another mosquito net for the meditation hall. It is recommended to bring a warm sleeping bag for the cold season. The meditation hall is furnished with plenty of cushions and a few benches for sitting meditation. Please bring your own bench if you are in the habit of using one.
Food
Meditators are provided with two meals a day, following the Theravada tradition, namely breakfast and lunch. In addition juice is served daily at 7:00 pm. Food is nutritious, balanced, clean, healthy and mostly lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Breakfast usually consists of various cereals (muesli), fruits, buffalo milk and home baked bread. The main staple for lunch is rice accompanied by a variety of Burmese, Nepali, and international dishes prepared from vegetables and soybean products. Meditators can choose from a variety of hot drinks : coffee, tea, milk, hot chocolate, etc. Meditators with special food needs are advised to supplement their meals by bringing special food items along. Many of the fruits and vegetables served are grown at the meditation center itself.
Cleanliness, Neatness and Quietude
For the Eye of Insight to open, it is essential to have cleanliness, neatness, and quietude.
Ven. Sayadaw U Panditabhivamsa
We ask meditators to be aware of the surrounding nature of the center and to respect and preserve it.
Certain cleaning duties have to be performed by all meditators. Please kindly sign up on the list of Cleaning Duties. Please carry out your duties conscientiously and to the complete satisfaction of your fellow meditators.
Meditators do their own laundry. Please bring your own detergent or laundry soap. Buckets for laundry are available.
Communications
Postal address
- Panditarama Lumbini International Vipassana Meditation Center
- Lumbini Garden, Lumbini
- Rupandehi District
- Nepal
Phone number
- International dialing : + 977 71 580118
- Local dialing : please check out to know what numbers to drop off according to your calling district.
Email : info@panditarama-lumbini.info
Informations for meditators
- Email, STD/ISD (local and international phone access) and postal facilities can be found in Bhairahawa or in Mahilawar or on the Nepali side of the border with India.
- The center allows the use of its telephone for important or emergency calls.
- Ingoing and outgoing postal service is possible to and from the center.
Remarks
- Should you not receive an answer to your email or cannot reach the center by telephone, do not despair. Occasionnaly some mischievious people cut and steal the telephone cable in Lumbini or there is some technical problem with the transmission of emails and so on. Try to send a letter or just come.
In such cases, meditators can still access email and telephone facilities from Bhairahawa, the nearby city.
What to bring
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Do Not Bring
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Remarks
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