Rishikesh
with Haridwar
3–6 February 2011
Join like-minded souls and dive deep in the holy vibrations of this town of yogis, ashrams, and saints. Rishikesh is a delight for the spiritually-minded. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by forest, Rishikesh is divided by the Ganga, which here is rushing and playful before it enters the plains.
Hundreds of ashrams, large and small, surround Rishikesh. Life is centred around the river, as will be our visit. Divine Mother in the form of Ma Ganga will inspire us and be a reminder of the divine flow within. We'll meditate in the homes, ashrams, and caves where Self-realised yogis of the past have lived. We'll visit a present-day spiritual teacher. And there'll be free time to explore your own relationship with this fascinating and powerful place.
Our stay will be at Vanprashta Ashram, a quiet, clean ashram with extensive
grounds and a private ghat on the Ganga. Each morning we’ll energise and
meditate on the ghat. We'll experience the celebrated Ganga arati at Parmarth
Ashram our first evening. On a quiet stretch of river above Rishikesh, we'll
meditate in the cave that was home to Sage Vashishta, then walk to a sandy
beach for a purification ceremony. Downstream is the cave where Swami
Kriyananda spent a month in seclusion.
We'll meditate next to the ashes of Lahiri Mahasaya at the ashram of Swami Keshabananda, and at the Samadhi Mandirs of Anandamoyee Ma and Swami Sivananda. We'll take time out of our busy lives to go deep in meditation, and share an inspiring, transformative time together.
Older children are welcome if they are used to a quiet environment and are supervised by one parent at all times.
Testimonials of former pilgrims:
In the silence of Vashishta’s cave, and in our group meditations, I learned how to really stop—which is what I needed. I never expected I could get so much from this pilgrimage. —P. Puri, Gurgaon
The choices of places to visit and meditate are so right. —V. Baldwin, Seattle, USA
My thought before the retreat was that I'd be alone with strangers. Now I feel we're all one family children of Divine Mother. Thank you, Divine Mother, for this blessing. —R. Yadav, Gurgaon
Tentative Schedule
Thursday 3 February6:50 am
11:25
1:30 pm
4:00
5:30
7:30 |
Dehradun Shatabdi train (No. 12017) leaves New Delhi station
Arrive Haridwar, bus to Vanprashtra Ashram
Lunch at ashram
Sadhana and opening satsang
Evening arati on the Ganga
Dinner – Vanprashta Ashram
|
Friday 4 February
6:30 am
7:00
8:15
9:30
1:30 pm
4:00
5:30
8:00
|
Energisation exercises and asans – Vanprastha Ghat
Chanting and meditation – Vanprastha Ghat
Breakfast
Meet to visit sites associated with Swami Sivananda’s life
Lunch and free time
Depart for Kriya Yoga Ashram
Satsang, meditation, arati with Mataji Vanamali Devi
Dinner – Vanprashta Ashram
|
Saturday 5 February
6:45 am
7:15
8:30
10:00
3:30 pm
5:00
7:00
8:00 |
Energisation exercises and asans – Vanprastha Ghat
Chanting and meditation – Vanprastha Ghat
Breakfast
Departure for Vashistha Guha: meditation, purification ceremony, immersion in Ganga
Relaxed free time by river in nature, packed lunch
Arrive back at Vanprashta – free time
2nd visit to Sivananda's kutir, or meditate at Vanprastha Ghat
Dinner
Kirtan – Vanprashta Ghat
|
Sunday 6 February
6:45 am
7:00
8:15
9:00
12:30 pm
1:45
6:13
10:45 |
Energisation exercises and asans – Vanprastha Ghat
Chanting and meditation – Vanprastha Ghat
Mantras, fire ceremony, offering to Divine Mother
Breakfast
Free time
Lunch
Depart for Swami Keshabananda's ashram, Haridwar
(ashes of Lahiri Mahasaya)
Visit Anandamoyee Ma’s ashram and Samadhi Mandir
Dehradun Shatabdi (No. 12018) departs Haridwar
Train arrives Delhi
|
Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation
We'll stay 3 nights at Vanprashta Ashram in Rishikesh. Rooms contain one double bed and attached bath. Twin (two-bedded) rooms are not available. All meals are served in ashram dining hall or on train, and are included in price. Travel by air-conditioned chair car train round trip New Delhi-Haridwar, and by bus Haridwar-Rishikesh and Rishikesh-Vashishta Guha.
Train Tickets
For those who reserve with deposit before 15 December, we’ll purchase train tickets for you. For those who don’t reserve by that date, you may need to self-purchase your tickets. You may also choose to drive to Rishikesh on your own.
Programme Fees
Single occupancy (private room): Rs. 7,900, including round-trip train.
Single occupancy: Rs. 6,900, without train.
Double occupancy (shared double bed): Rs. 7,400 per person, including train.
Double occupancy: Rs. 6,400 per person, without train. |
Programme fee includes train Delhi-Haridwar-Delhi, group transportation, lodging, 3 meals a day, and tips.
Not included are snacks, water or other beverages, donations at ashrams, personal travel. Above fees are for residents of India only.
Payments
Completed application and deposit of Rs. 3,000 due by 15 December in order to purchase train tickets in time. Your participation is confirmed only when we approve your application and receive your deposit. Balance of fee due by 3 January 2011.
Preparation for Pilgrimage
Weather? What to pack? What to wear? Luggage restrictions?
We'll help you through all these questions and more by e-mail, with letters on preparation and answers to any individual questions.
"The benefit of pilgrimage to holy places is not because of their rich history but for the fact that divine blessings can be experienced when visiting them. Their very soil is impregnated with a higher consciousness." —Swami Kriyananda
Tour Leaders
This pilgrimage will be led
by Keshava and Daya Taylor of
Ananda Sangha India.
