suggestions for a first-timer?

introversatile · Dec 16th, 2007, 00:25

Hey all- Ive been reading this forum for a while now and it is getting me very excited about the trip to india i am planning next year! i realize that india is a very busy and crowded place, and though id like to see some of the major cities,i am mostly concerned with the beautiful scenery, being able to relax and spend time alone. does anyone have any suggestions on a specific place in india that would be best for that? i will probably end up taking some rail tours, but to where? i simply have no idea where to focus most of my attention. i would also like to spend a few weeks if possible at an ashram/meditation center. are they spread out throughout the country or mostly in the north/south? any advice helps! thanks
kelly

wonderwomanusa · Dec 16th, 2007, 10:24

There's all sorts of beautiful scenery ... do you want yours in the hills and mountains, or at the beaches?

Without YOU being more specific, your best bet might be to buy or borrow a guidebook and see what interests you the most -- and then ask your questions.

Ashrams? Meditation? What sort?

souljourney · Dec 16th, 2007, 11:31

Hey here's ashrams you may like to visit...

http://www.dlshq.org/

http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

http://www.divyajivan.org/

http://www.sivananda.org/netala/

http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/

These are all Sivananda ashrams in different parts of India..
I find this a great style of yoga, which is not only focused on asana (postures) but is more holistic..
Hope you enjoy

Mickey S · Dec 16th, 2007, 12:15

As wonderwoman says, get a guidebook (even an out-of-date, second-hand one) and read it from cover to cover. Make a note of all the things you'd like to see - both must-sees and nice-to-sees. Plot them on a map. And that will give you an idea of which area of India you should concentrate on - don't make the mistake of trying to see everything on the first trip, because India is just too big to do that.

And then come to this forum to ask all the questions you need to about the places you'd like to see and ways to travel between them. You'll get much more useful replies to specific questions than to general "where do I start?"-type questions.

machadinha · Dec 16th, 2007, 19:15

See also How to get the most out of the Itinerary section.

Reading around this site should also provide plenty inspiration; try the India For Beginners forum just for starters.

Dec 16th, 2007, 00:25	#1
introversatile Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: portland,or Posts: 1	suggestions for a first-timer? Hey all- Ive been reading this forum for a while now and it is getting me very excited about the trip to india i am planning next year! i realize that india is a very busy and crowded place, and though id like to see some of the major cities,i am mostly concerned with the beautiful scenery, being able to relax and spend time alone. does anyone have any suggestions on a specific place in india that would be best for that? i will probably end up taking some rail tours, but to where? i simply have no idea where to focus most of my attention. i would also like to spend a few weeks if possible at an ashram/meditation center. are they spread out throughout the country or mostly in the north/south? any advice helps! thanks kelly

Dec 16th, 2007, 19:15	#5
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 10,561	See also How to get the most out of the Itinerary section. Reading around this site should also provide plenty inspiration; try the India For Beginners forum just for starters. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Dec 16th, 2007, 10:24	#2
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,509	There's all sorts of beautiful scenery ... do you want yours in the hills and mountains, or at the beaches? Without YOU being more specific, your best bet might be to buy or borrow a guidebook and see what interests you the most -- and then ask your questions. Ashrams? Meditation? What sort?

Dec 16th, 2007, 11:31	#3
souljourney Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Byron Bay, Australia Posts: 7	Hey here's ashrams you may like to visit... http://www.dlshq.org/ http://www.divinelifesociety.org/ http://www.divyajivan.org/ http://www.sivananda.org/netala/ http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/ These are all Sivananda ashrams in different parts of India.. I find this a great style of yoga, which is not only focused on asana (postures) but is more holistic.. Hope you enjoy

Dec 16th, 2007, 12:15	#4
Mickey S Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cymru Posts: 1,176	As wonderwoman says, get a guidebook (even an out-of-date, second-hand one) and read it from cover to cover. Make a note of all the things you'd like to see - both must-sees and nice-to-sees. Plot them on a map. And that will give you an idea of which area of India you should concentrate on - don't make the mistake of trying to see everything on the first trip, because India is just too big to do that. And then come to this forum to ask all the questions you need to about the places you'd like to see and ways to travel between them. You'll get much more useful replies to specific questions than to general "where do I start?"-type questions.

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