Common Questions: Related to WORLD AYYAPPA BHAKATHA SANGAMAM
Please see the information provided on these pages about the Ayyappa Bhakatha Sangamam and Lord Ayyappa Pooja during the convention to help you plan for the two convention days. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the convention committee volunteers at the numbers provided below.
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# What is the address for the Convention site?
Hindu Samaj Mandir
247 West Ramapo Ave. Mahwah, NJ 07430
201-529-1277 | http://hindusamajmandir.org/
# Who can attend?
All Ayyappa devotees are welcome.*
# How do I register?
Please use the registration link at http://worldayyappasevatrust.org link and complete the step by step directions.
# When will the Convention start and when will it end?
The Convention will start on October 12th 2013 Saturday from 7:00 AM to Sunday, October 13th, 2013 03:00 PM. Check-in starts at 12 PM on Saturday October 12th and Check-out time is on Sunday October 13th at 1 pm. Please ensure that the registration and related forms available at the registration desk have been signed when you check in.
# What is the fee for the Convention?
A fee of US $250.00 is charged per family. There are other registration packages available. Please see the registration form by visitingwww.worldayyappasevatrust.org .
This fee covers Lodging, Food and Entertainment programs during the Convention. Children will have a separate session but has to be supervised. The safety and wellbeing of the children is the sole responsibility of the parents. * Rooms will only available to those who have registered for the convention on or before October 6. From October 7 to 12 requires an extra $ 100. Availability is based a First come First served basis.
# When is the registration complete?
Registration is complete after the payment is made.
# Can we arrive on Saturday or later?
No. All Convention participants should report at the Convention center before Saturday 12 PM in order to check-in and participate in Saturday’s activities. If you are unable to arrive due to any unavoidable circumstances you must contact and inform the Reception and Hospitality Committee.
# What are the directions?
Please check the link at Directions to Convention site.
# Whom do I call if I have any problems reaching Convention site?
If you have any problems reaching the Convention site, please contact our volunteers from the Reception and Hospitality Committee.
# Are there any transportation facilities provided by WAST?
Transportation is the participants’ responsibility. However, for the participants coming from out of state we will try to accommodate any reasonable requests. We strongly encourage and solicit help from all participants, such as offering a ride to other participants in their area or en route. If you can help, or need help, please contact us, indicating the number of participants you can accommodate, or, who need to be accommodated. A volunteer will be assigned to co-ordinate such arrangements.
# What should I do when I arrive at the Convention?
Follow the signs to the registration desk for AYYAPPA BHAKATHA SNAGAMAM. Several WAST volunteers will be there at the Convention site from 6 Am on Saturday.
# Can I just attend during the day and skip staying there at night?
Yes, for the one day registrants.
No. We request all participants to enroll as residential Conventioneers.
# What are the different levels of activities?
Pooja / Seminars /Bhajans/Cultural Entertainment programs: Children to adults separately for most of the time
# Who are speakers / artists at the Convention?
Cultural Organizations leaders / Spiritual leaders, experienced volunteers and well-known artists from US and India would be participating in the Convention.
# What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation requests can be sent to the Guruswamy via email.
# What kind of activities would children attend?
There would be separate activities for children, customized and grouped by age. As children less than three years of age may not prefer to stay away from their parents.
# What kind of clothing should I bring?
Though it is fall, be prepared for a sudden drop in temperature and rain. Please check the weather forecasts prior to your departure to the convention.
Here is the dress code for Procession and Convention
Saturday Noon
Ladies - Kerala Hindu Attire - Sari
Men - Mundu/Shirt
Children – Mundu/Shirt & Kerala/Indian Attire for Girls
Saturday Evening
Ladies - Kerala Hindu Attire - Sari
Men - Mundu/Shirt
Sunday Morning
Ladies - Set Sari
Men - Mundu/Shirt
Children – Mundu/Shirt & Kerala/Indian Attire for Girls.
Sunday Afternoon
Party wear
# What is a typical day at Convention?
A tentative schedule will be given separately. However, the finalSchedule will be decided before the start of the Convention & published at the Convention site.
# What should I bring to Convention? What shouldn’t I bring to Convention?
Things to bring:
Toiletry items (Items of personal hygiene)
Personal prescription medicine
warm clothing
Personal alarm clock
Umbrella/raincoat/poncho
Notebooks, Pens/Pencils
Optional:
Any kind of audio recorders
Camera, film
Camcorder
Chargers for any battery operated equipment in use.
Things NOT to bring:
Expensive Jewelry
Valuables
MP3 players
Video Game Systems
Personal appliances are discouraged
AYYAPPA SEVA TRUST is not responsible for any items that are lost on the Convention site.
# Should we pack the bags separately within a family?
The family would be staying together. You may pack bags together for the family.
# What is the code of conduct during the WAST convention?
This is a gathering of Ayyappa devotees from around the world so we expect each family to conduct themselves in a manner that befits Ayyappa Seva Trust’s Standards. We are all volunteers of the WAST and as such we expect everyone to play an equal role in making AYYAPPA BHAKATHA SANGAMAM a wonderful experience.If there is conduct that is detrimental and behavior that is endangering others, the Convention, or the AYYAPPA DEVOTEES, we are not responsible for such actions and may void the registration and if necessary call Security or local law enforcement.
Food, Lodging, Laundry and Communications
# Will there be Laundry facilities?
There may be laundry facilities available in the hotel, which are separately paid services, not included in the Convention fee, but it would be advisable to bring enough clothing for 2 days
Standard rooms with beds, attached bathroom would be available.
# Are there any telecommunication facilities?
There is good cell phone coverage. However, we request people to use their cell phones only for Emergencies and real necessities.
# What kind of food would be available at the Convention?
Vegetarian food will be served at all times. Morning breakfast, lunch, dinner, and evening tea/coffee/Snacks will be provided at the Convention. If you have any personal preferences for cookies/snacks for yourself or your kids, please bring them along with you. You will not have time to go out of the Convention for Shopping. If you have any allergies, please notify them in the Registration form.
# Would there be any first-aid kit available?
There will be a generic medical kit available at the hotel. However, please bring your personal medicines if you have any special needs. There is no doctor on site.
General Information
• Please fill and sign the registration/consent form (one per family) and submit at the
Registration desk during check in.
• Other than during seminar, keep your children under your supervision
• No Pets are allowed & • Ample parking facilities are available.
• Alcohol is prohibited in Convention site. Smoking is discouraged and is not permitted inside .
• Quiet Time/Sleep Time: 11.30 pm – 5am
• Please report any facility issues, accidents, incidents, injuries and illnesses to the RECEPTION &
HOSPITALITY committee.
Feel free to visit to learn more about the Convention site by visiting http://worldayyappasevatrust.org . We hope the above information has been useful to you. If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact any of the volunteers listed below.
