Day #1 - Logistics

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Getting to Pune, finding accommodation, eating safe food and registering at the Institute are some of the biggest things people worry about and that deters them from making the journey.

So I thought I would begin at the beginning.

I’m not going to rewrite the Pune Guide, although it could do with some updating:)

I will give you some essentials. I will put prices but they are always changing so keep that in mind.

  1. VISA for India. It is as simple as applying online, but where you apply will change how much you pay. I learned the hard way and paid more than double my friend. Visit your countries government travel alert website to make your online E-visa application. For example, https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ and you won’t be overcharged. $59AUD - $124.

  2. Money. I like to get my USD in my home country. However, once you pass through customs there are Money Exchange desks if you need to change $. There are also Automatic Teller Machines you can withdraw Indian Rupiahs. They limit you to 10 000 Rp.

  3. Mobile Phone. Don’t get your SIM at the airport which is right next to the money exchange teller it is much more expensive than getting one at a shop in Pune. Walk or get a 3 wheeler to an Airtel shop. It needs to be a proper shop not a hole in the wall. You need a passport, visa. Ask for a new sim that you will recharge for 28 days ONLY. Cost around 250 Rp. (Shop No 4 & 5, Shivanandan CHS, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Rd, Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030)

  4. Transport from Mumbai to Pune. If you fly into Mumbai there is a fantastic shuttle service that takes you to Pune and is very reasonably priced. I like it because you share a car with others traveling to Pune, so reducing the cars on the road, which is a pretty funny thought when you see how many cars there are in India, but one less car does make a difference especially if everyone were to do it. The shuttle company is Sandis and you can make an email booking sandis@sandis.com. 1200 RP

  5. Accommodation. When you rent an apartment for the month you will not be able to check in until the 1st of the month because tenants will be there until the last day of the month prior. You can find apartments on Airbnb or Facebook groups or recommend by friends. I always like to arrive a couple of days early to get settled before starting classes, so I book into a hotel for those first few days. Chetak, Ambiance, and Ambassador are the three closest and most popular for Iyengar students that I know of.

  6. RIMYI Registration. Open from 9-11am and 4-7pm daily. NOT Sunday. Pandu will be there ready to register you and take payment. $590 USD to attend classes for the month + $100 USD for observing classes for the month. You need to fill in a registration form and have a copy of a passport, a copy of visa, a copy of C form from hotel or landlord and a passport photo. They will give you a timetable of classes you can attend and times you can practice. There is a full timetable laminated on the wall in reception which you can take a photo of so you know which classes to observe.

P.S No matter how small the hotel room, you can still practice.