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Packing List Silent Retreat. It’s not long now before the highlight of the year begins at Madhukar Enlighten Life: the 3-week silent retreat at the foot of Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai in southern India. Here comes a packing list for your travel arrangements to India for the silent retreat.
This was the first retreat I attended myself many years ago, which was in 2004. I really appreciated the country, the people and also the climate. It has been quite a while and by now I have returned there many times. When I think about what I brought with me on my first trip – I could have saved half of it. Of course, I also missed a lot of things. Fortunately, India is not out of the world and many things I could actually buy there. Some things are even much cheaper in India than in Europe. Because India is not only a fascinating country full of colors and smells – it is also cheaper than in Europe. For a packing list for the trip and for the retreat I would have been very grateful at that time. So here is your checklist for the trip.
In a silent retreat, yes, there are very specific conditions that also require very specific preparations. Many people I tell that I will be silent for three weeks can’t even imagine sitting still for a short time. But the silence is not in the suitcase. To pack the right one, it is important to know what the conditions are like there.
But not only that – the needs of individual participants are quite different. Some I have seen arrive with their own set of mattresses. They said they have back pain and can only lie like that. Others, however, arrive with a small backpack that they carried on the plane as hand luggage. Of course, that can only be a man. Because men have it easy in India – they just wear a lunghi – of course only if they want to. This is a white or orange cloth that they wrap around their loins. As a man, all you need is a razor, a towel and a bar of soap – and you’re all set. Of course, this is the minimal version. Therefore, see what fits for you from the list. You certainly don’t need everything, but I like to remind you of the most popular and useful things here.
By the way, recently I had asked this question in the Madhukar Enlighten Life community on Facebook (click):
I am writing a blog article with a packing list for the silent retreat in India. And to make sure it’s not just my experience, I’m asking for your help.What do you absolutely need in your suitcase when you pack for three weeks of silence in Tiru? I know that there are participants who arrive with hand luggage only – and others come with suitcase and hand luggage or even book additional luggage.I would be happy if you write me what has worked for you.What do you tell new participants to be sure to pack? And what does your luggage look like?
And I’ve integrated the answers into the packing list. For example, there was this enthusiastic comment.
“That’s a great question, dear Shivani 😍 and raises feelings of anticipation.”
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Yes exactly – and I just realize that I can feel my and also your anticipation for this retreat as I write these lines. What a concentrated joy. But now for the list:
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To some, these items mean something, they carry them everywhere. To others, they have no meaning.
Almost nothing works on a trip without money. Therefore, remember to activate your credit card or your bank card for abroad. I already had to stand there and not get any money at the ATM. And there you have the answer to where you can get money. There are ATMs – or you can get it from your credit card in the cab companies. The Indian currency is called Rupee and you are not allowed to import or export the currency. So bring only money in your own currency or your cards.
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In Tiruvannamalai, there is almost everything you might need or forget in terms of hygiene items. So get inspired what you prefer to bring with you and what you prefer to get locally beforehand. Besides your personal care products, sunscreen, shaving stuff and of course the toothbrush stuff should be in your bag.
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Yoga in the silent retreat
During the retreat it is summer in India, it is warm. At night it can get quite chilly – even in the morning hours. Warmer clothes are useful even in air-conditioned rooms. You will only need swimwear if you spend a few more days at the sea – we are inland. Think especially of light tops, pants, skirts, dresses and headgear.
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Of course there are pharmacies in India. During the retreat, you may be glad to have a few items from your first-aid kit right at hand. Most important are mosquito repellent, band-aids, diarrhea tablets and anti-blister patches.
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You need first of all a visa, your passport and if you stay longer remember your international driver’s license.
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If you are a backpacker traveling from the airport to Tiru by bus, a large trekking backpack is ideal to put a smaller daypack in. However, if you are picked up by cab, you can comfortably pack everything in your suitcase or a travel bag.
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Comfortable shoes that you can wear for the hike, the pradakshina, or while driving to the ashram are a must. You should also think of bathing slippers or flip flops. Trekking sandals are also not a mistake.
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If you’re sleeping in a dormitory, you’ll be grateful to have your earplugs with you in case of snoring roommates. Also, small padlocks for the door in hotels are always recommended. Sleeping goggles can be helpful on the flight, but are also often given out for free by the airlines. Sewing kit is always good, as well as a small dictionary if you do not speak English. Otherwise, the communication also works with hands and feet. A quick-drying travel towel is also very handy. In the cheap hostels and guesthouses in India you usually have bedding, which consists of a linen sheet. If you prefer to sleep in your own sleeping bag, a hut sleeping bag is usually sufficient.
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Please remember: at the retreat you will turn in all technical equipment. Computers, cell phones and other technical devices will be kept by the retreat organizers – each participant agrees to Digital Detox by registering. During the retreat you do not need to think about technical devices – unless you have been asked to do so because you have a task.
If you are staying longer in India, you will probably need your tech gear that you use at home, i.e. laptop, mp3 player, charging cable, etc. You may also want to share photos with others and take an external hard drive or SD card for that as well.
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🧡🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼🧡🙏🏼🧡
And if you haven’t signed up yet, you can do that here (click).
What is a pradakshina around the Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai?
Travel to India – health advice for participating in a retreat
What is your motivation to be in a 3-week silent retreat in India?
How did you hear about this retreat/event?