What is the setting of "Mallon The Guru"? What sign comes to Mallon upon entering the village?

Spencer Mallon travels through India with his spiritual leader, Urdang. When they have been granted an audience with a great holy man in Sankwal, something unusual occurs. As they approach the village, a carrion crow falls from the sky, and lands at their feet, dead. The villagers crowd around them, speaking a language they don't understand, and urging them forward.