Pilgrimage to India
Fri., 18 October – Sun., 3 November 2024
Vrindavan – Rudraprayag – Badrinath – Rishikesh
Connect Your Inner Journey to the Motherland of Yoga
With acharyas and swamis of the European Sivananda Yoga Centres
Vrindavan
Spiritual regeneration in a soulful retreat at the devotional heart of India
Rudraprayag
The beauty of Ganga and Himalayas full of vibrant thought currents of generations of seekers
Badrinath
Stairway to Divinity – one of the highest shrines of India, full of austerity and grace
Rishikesh
From where Swami Sivananda spread the message of yoga to the whole world
Swami Sivananda
Swami Vishnudevananda
Depending on your flight arrival, you have two options for the onward journey:
3:00 pm Departure from Shanti Palace Hotel
A 10 minutes’ drive from the airport
Instead of waiting at the airport, or if you want to travel earlier to India.
Special Sivananda room rate is 3,500 INR + tax per night, including breakfast and WIFI.
This cost is not included in the yatra.
Hotel taxi service, luggage room and restaurant are available.
4:00 pm Departure from Delhi Airport
If you do not mind waiting inside the airport. Meeting point is Costa Coffee in the arrival area of Terminal 3
Vrindavan is located 150 km from Delhi; the journey in 12-seater AC tempo traveller buses will take about 4 hours on the Yamuna Expressway, including a tea and snack break.
Jai Singh Ghera is in the old part of Vrindavan, on the banks of the holy Yamuna River. It is the former sadhana (spiritual) residence of King Jai Singh of Jaipur. The ashram was founded by Sri Purushottam Goswami, the father of Sri Venugopal Goswami. The family lineage serves the 500-year-old Goswami Vaishnava tradition of the Sri Radha Raman Temple, one of the oldest temples of Vrindavan, which is close to the Ashram.
The Ashram is a spiritual oasis with exquisite temple gardens where pandits recite the scriptures daily and sadhus chant akhanda kirtan. The top of the ancient palace walls offer picturesque views of the pilgrim road, old royal palaces, and vast fields on the opposite banks of the Yamuna.
The spiritual wealth of Vrindavan’s hundreds of temples permeates the atmosphere.
Bhagavata Saptaha: Listening to the scripture Srimad Bhagavatam connects Jnana (knowledge) with Bhakti (devotion). This ancient text comprises the teachings of all yoga systems of India. Spiritual life is shown in the light of higher feelings of peace, simplicity and love. It includes divine storytelling, poetic spiritual images and deep yogic psychology.
The inspiring words of wisdom are combined with a melodious interpretation of classical mantra chanting (Kirtan). Day by day, the audience is guided on a soulful journey to the meaning and goal of human existence. Accompanied by live vocal and instrumental music with classical raga melodies und rhythms.
The Bhagavata Saptaha will include special traditional elements:
It is a unique and unforgettable spiritual experience to be able to hear these spiritual discourses amidst this palatial setting of Jai Singh Ghera.
Bhagavat Acharya Sri Venugopal Goswami has visited the European Sivananda Centres since 1998. His teachings come from a 500-year-old family tradition, which teaches this classical scripture. Sri Venugopal Goswami studied Sanskrit and Indian philosophy at the Hindu University in Benares. He also studied classical singing under the world-renowned Indian vocalist master Pandit Jasraj.
Increasingly large crowd of pilgrims come to the area surrounding the ashram. Therefore outings are limited only to certain times and places guided by the ashram staff:
| Vrindavan Sunday, 20 October | |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 9:30 am | Satsang: Akhanda Kirtan of sadhus, Jaya Ganesha, reading, Arati |
| 9:30 am | Tea |
| 10:00 – 11:15 am | Asanas and Pranayama class |
| 11:30 am | Brunch |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Orientation meeting, then rest |
| 3:00 pm | Tea and snack |
| 4:00 – 7:00 pm | Bhagavata Saptaha begins |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner |
| 9:00 – 9:30 pm | Meditation and Arati |
| Vrindavan Monday, 21 to Saturday, 26 October | |
|---|---|
| 6:00 am | Satsang: Akhanda Kirtan of sadhus, Jaya Ganesha, reading, Arati One day: Homa (fire ceremony) in the temple garden One day: Yamuna Boat Darshan |
| 7:30 am | Tea |
| 8:00 am | Asanas and Pranayama class |
| 10:00 am | Brunch |
| 11:00 am – 2:00 pm | Outing on two days: Radha Raman Mandir Gopishwara Mandir |
| 12:00 – 1:00 pm | On outing-free days: Lectures: Human Life as a Yatra The importance of Japa The Power of Prayer Joy of Kirtan |
| 2:00 – 3:00 pm | On outing-free days: Possibility to speak with one of the swamis |
| 3:00 pm | Tea and snack |
| 4:00 – 7:00 pm | Bhagavata Saptaha |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner |
| 8:15 – 9:30 pm | One day: Ras Lila Theatre Group |
| 9:00 – 9:30 pm | Meditation and Arati |
There might be changes to the daily schedule on short notice.
Departure from Vrindavan on 27 October at 5 am on 27 seater AC bus, arrival in Rudraprayag in the evening. Lunch break and additional stop for tea and snack.
Monal Resort is a unique venue which is exclusively at our disposal during the Sivananda Yoga Teachers’ Training Courses. During our stay, a TTC will be in progress. We will have satsang, asanas & pranayama classes and meals according to the usual TTC schedule in accordance with the Yatra programme:
At 1 km walking distance over a scenic foot bridge, on the bank of the Ganga is situated the Koteshwar Temple in a cave. There are many idols, which have been formed naturally. It is believed that before going to Kedarnath, Lord Siva meditated here.
From there we will proceed by car to Rudraprayag, an ancient pilgrimage town at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini, which are both tributaries to the Ganga.
The area carries the spiritual thought currents of generations of spiritual seekers who practised deep meditation in this pristine natural surrounding.
According to mythology it is here that Lord Rudra (Siva) taught music to the sage Narada.
A few meters below, right at the confluence of the two rivers, is a small shrine dedicated to Chamunda, the shakti (female) aspect of Lord Siva. All worship in this temple is done by female priests.
Double or triple air-conditioned rooms with Western style bathrooms and balcony with Ganga view. Optional laundry service at extra cost. Spacious yoga hall and the outdoor yoga platforms with Ganga view. Lightly spiced meals with fresh chapatis from the tandoori oven. Dining hall and outdoor dining terrace with Ganga view.
Departure from Monal Resort on 29 October after early brunch by bus. Arrival in Badrinath in the afternoon with a tea and snack break midway.
Badrinath, at 3100 metres, is the most important of the four sources of the Ganga and gets its name from the Holy temple of Badrinath: According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya discovered a black stone image of Lord Badrinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River and installed it. Still today, the puja rites are done by a South Indian Namboodiri priest from Kerala, the homeland of Shankaracharya.
We will visit the Badrinarayan Temple for several darshans. One of the highlights of the yatra will be the extensive early morning puja in the temple.
During the day we will visit Mana, the last village before Tibet, 5 km from Badrinath, with two cave temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha and to Sage Vyasa.
Accommodation and meals at Sarovar Portico Hotel, one of the best hotels available in Badrinath.
Departure from Badrinath on 31 October, after brunch, arrival in Rudraprayag in the afternoon.
The outing to Badrinath includes a curvy drive and up and down change between 900m and 3,300 m of altitude, shifting to a cold climate, arising in Badrinath at 4 am followed by a 1 km walk to the temple. This requires good health and stamina. If there is a possible issue with your physical and especially cardiac fitness, please consult your doctor at home before deciding to go to Badrinath. Alternatively, you can stay these 2 days at Monal Resort and participate in some of the TTC activities.
Diwali is the festival of light, spiritual renewal and oneness with all fellow human beings.
A special programme with Sri Venugopal Goswami and musicians, followed by a traditional Diwali Puja, will mark the concluding evening of the Yatra.
Departure by bus from Monal Resort at 4:30 am.
Visit of the Sivananda Ashram. Swami Sivananda spent almost four decades of intense sadhana (spiritual practice) in this scenic gateway to the Himalayas located on the river Ganga. From here he spread the message of yoga to the whole world.
We will meditate and pray for inner guidance at Ananda Kutir, Master’s cottage by the Ganges, and visit his Mahasamadhi shrine, the sanctuary where his body has been placed.
After lunch we continue the journey to Delhi airport. Arrival by 9 or 10 pm.
Flights to Europe depart between 1 and 4 am.
This includes all spiritual programmes, accommodation and two vegetarian meals a day, all transportation starting from Delhi airport or Shanti Palace Hotel and ending at Delhi airport. Transfer and travel will be by bus, taxi or rikshaw.
Tips, laundry service, mineral water, toilet paper and any other additional services are not included.
Flight: please book your own flight to Delhi
The pilgrimage has been devised as a Sadhana tour to the spiritual sources of yoga in India and will be led by experienced Swamis. The tour requires constant adaptation to local customs, as well as an inner openness and sincere acceptance of the instructions given by the Swamis. Before enrolling, please meet or correspond with any of the Swamis to better understand the spiritual nature of the tour and to get information on clothing, luggage, medical precautions and diet.
Yoga mat, meditation cushion, meditation shawl, flip flops, trainers, writing pad, torch, alarm clock, towel, 1 bed sheet, private toiletry items, detergent for small laundry, money belt. A copy of your visa, passport and plane ticket should be kept separately from your luggage. Please bring payment confirmations for any payments you make before your departure.
Ask your pharmacy for a small kit of medicines appropriate for India. Please consult your family doctor or tropical doctor well in advance of the pilgrimage regarding recommended vaccinations.
Clothing adapted to the traditional lifestyle of India is required: No figure-hugging clothes, no halter tops, shorts or short skirts. At this time of year in North India, it it still warm during the day but cool at night. Please also pack a scarf, cap, warm socks and warm sweater. Bring 2-3 kurtas if you have some.
We suggest you take a 30 days Tourist e-Visa
Please apply only on this website:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Other websites are fraudulent scams that take the payment but do not provide a visa.
We recommend taking out travel cancellation insurance, as well as a travel health insurance for the yatra.
International roaming fees are high. There will be very little access to WIFI.
It is recommended to purchase an Indian SIM card with mobile internet data.
Available only inside the Arrivals area of the Delhi airport.
English with translation into German, French, Spanish. Translation into other languages on request.
For the wireless translation system in Vrindavan and Rudraprayag, please bring a mobile phone headset with 3.5mm male plug.
Mirabai
Phone +43 5356 67404
E-mail: pilgrimage@sivananda.net
The Sivananda Yoga Yatra is organized by:
Sivananda Yoga Retreat House
Bichlach 40
A-6370 Reith near Kitzbühel
Tyrol, Austria
ZVR: 925544605
