Ashram — Restaurant in Bihar

I understand that things won't get done for free and one has to pay for them. But there should be transparency and honesty in the process. There should be atleast an ounce of devotion more than greediness. People come to Andhra ashram because they feel they can trust their own Telugu people. But this ashram itself is being run by extremely greedy money minded people non Telugu people who just learnt speaking broken Telugu. They care least about we being from Telugu states and are only interested in business.

As soon as we entered the railway station, some person came to us claiming he is an auto driver, got to know we're from Andhra and recommendes us to go to Andhra ashram just for a small price of 20rs/head. He stayed with us for an hour and trying to convince us to go to ashram. He called some auto and sat beside the driver. When we asked why he was not driving, he just said they both share the same auto. Even though we insisted him to take us to temple directly, he took us to the Ashram saying we will definitely not get a Telugu pandit in the temple while ashram will arrange.

As soon as we enter the managing person there shouts, speaks very quickly explaining process and price for pind pradan. He intentionally creates a sense of urgency, not allowing you to think much and agree to his process immediately. We shouted strongly to allow us few minutes to think and only then he left us alone. He said 2200 was the least package which he later agreed to give only for 1600 which was still not okay for us. He then came down to 1100. We finally agreed for a different package for 2100. While all this was happening the so called auto driver who met us initially was standing all along and listening to us which made us understand that he is waiting for his comission! The package price consists of pandit fee along with all the items that need to be given as daan like raagi glass, clothes, silver cow (optional for extra price of godanam is selected) etc. All these items again return back to these people from the pandit in the same way after they are donated to pandit.

After agreeing for the package, we were taken to a so called Telugu pandit who is basically a bihari tobacco chewing pandit who learnt some basic Telugu. He was even reading basic slokas wrong (atleast not the version I heard anywhere in Telugu states). He just completed pind pradan to 5 people when we arrived and we were around 10 families. He made us do the ritual parallely at the same time. When the daan is done we are supposed to put some amount as dakshin and he doesn't accept the daan if the dakshin is less than 300rs. He accepted daan only after he could see more than 300 was kept as dakshin. Hillariously, after that he made us say 3 times that we are happy with what he did and the dakshin we gave was with our own willingness and offered happily.

He literally earned 15x300 = 4500rs just as dakshin and the ashram earned approx 30k in less than half a day.

The whole experience related to this ashram reminded me of the movie Indra. Similar to what was shown in the movie, someone will attract you based on your region and language similarities and then take you to a pandit. They all split the amount later at night between them. Unfortunately I'm only listing the problem but I don't have an alternative recommendation to escape this. Seems like these people are maintaining a monopoly here.

Once we reach into the temple, the pandits do not allow to put the pind on Vishnu padam unless we pay 51rs dakshin to them. Once done another pandit do not perform Puja unless we pay 21rs to him. They literally shout agressively at you to give 50rs.

I don't understand why these pandits have to demand for dakshin in all these temples. Why can't they just put a ticket for 50rs, give a bill and then pay salaries to pandits with that. They literally go crazy and mad for dakshin. I don't see this happening...

Andhra Telangana Ashram(Prepaid), Gaya - A Commercial Disguise

Rating: 2/5

I recently visited the Andhra Telangana Ashram in Gaya, Bihar, expecting a spiritual retreat. However, I was disappointed to find that it's primarily a commercial establishment.

Pros:

Convenient location Multiple language options for pujas 3.pujari available in various languages service

Cons:

Overpriced services Lack of spiritual ambiance Focus on commercialization rather than spiritual guidance Prepaid

Alternative Recommendation:

Instead of visiting the Andhra Telangana Ashram, I recommend going directly to the Vishnupada Temple. The temple offers:

Authentic spiritual experience Direct interaction with knowledgeable pujaris (in various languages) Reasonable pricing for services

Tips:

Avoid the ashram's overpriced packages. Negotiate rates with pujaris at the Vishnupada Temple.

Conclusion:

While the Andhra Telangana Ashram may cater to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana devotees, its commercial nature detracts from the spiritual experience. For a genuine and affordable experience, visit the Vishnupada...

That fellow ashok babu is a big cheat. He will demand money like a rowdy. One short fellow catches you right at railway station and tells that there will not be any room rent. But they will collect a huge amount on pind-pradhan in 3 packages like Rs. 1650,2350 and Rs. 3250.There is nothing to do with this much huge amount.If you say u don't want any service from their purohits, he will shout and ask you to vacate the room immediately. He shouts very loud and utters a word "shanthi".Dont rely that short fellow at railway station. He won't bother after you reach that ashramam. Bathrooms are very dirty and unhygienic. Rooms are in worst condition.Better go for some good hotel and directly go to the temple to perform the puja. I am telling again don't rely on the words of that...