Spiritual India

3-25 October, 2010

• Gangotri, source of the sacred River Ganges
• Rishikesh, the capital of yoga, on the banks of the Ganges
• Cave where Lahiri Mahasaya met Babaji
• Kolkata: Yogananda's childhood home, Sri Yukteswar's hermitage, Babaji's banyan tree
• Ananda's community near Pune
• Stunning Himalaya views
• Ashram of Neem Karoli Baba
• Optional visit to the Taj Mahal

On this trip, we’ll meditate in some of the most powerful spots in India—from the high Himalayas to Kolkata in the east and Pune in the west.

Join us for all or part of this pilgrimage:

22 days, 3-25 October: full pilgrimage
18 days, 3-20 October: Gangotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata
12 days, 13-25 October: Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Babaji’s Cave
26-27 October: 2-day Taj Mahal add-on

Our Destinations

Gangotri

The original source of the river Ganges is located high in the Himalayas (10,000 ft or 3,048 meters) where the nature is spectacular, the air rarefied, and the spiritual vibration tangible.

Gangotri is nestled in a narrow valley at the foot of towering mountains. The river dominates the area and casts a spell on everyone who approaches. The water flows in waterfalls and pools within dramatic rock canyons.

We'll receive blessings at the spot where it's said that Ma Ganga touched earth for the first time. An easy walk, shaded by giant deodars, takes us to a large cave attributed to the Pandavas.

The Ganges is 1st visible where it emerges from Gaumukh Glacier. Over centuries the glacier has receded 6,235 ft (19 km) above Gangotri. We'll devote most of a day walking in the direction of the glacier. Instead of hiking all the way (which would require additional days), pilgrims can walk as long as they feel to, then return.

We'll spend 2 nights in Uttarkashi, also on the Ganges. It contains the powerful Vishwanath Temple, one of 12 Jyotirlinga Shiva shrines. The drive between Rishikesh and Gangotri is spectacular in itself, with views of high mountains, untouched nature, and Gangotri National Park.

For the Gangotri and Babaji's Cave legs of our pilgrimage we will be joined by a group of Ananda's Indian members—making for an enriching cultural sharing.

Rishikesh & Haridwar

Beautifully nestled in the Himalayan foothills, on the banks of the Ganges, Rishikesh is a unique town dedicated to the spiritual search, and filled with ashrams and pilgrims. We'll spend 3 nights in Rishikesh, meditating in the places where Self-realized masters have lived, including an ancient cave by the river. In Haridwar we'll meditate by Lahiri Mahasaya's ashes.

Pune

For the last year, Ananda has been constructing its first rural community in India, on a peaceful hillside. We'll spend a weekend here, seeing 1st-hand the development and future plans, and meeting the residents. This is where Swami Kriyananda lives in India, and we'll spend time with him if he's in residence. We'll stay in the community or at a nearby hotel.

Kolkata

The heart of Autobiography of a Yogi is the city of Kolkata. Immeasurable blessings emanate from the places where Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar lived and meditated. Ananda has been leading pilgrimages to Kolkata for over 20 years, and we share a deep friendship with Yogananda's family and other custodians of these shrines. Our pilgrimage is centered on 2 houses. One is Yogananda's boyhood home at 4 Garpar Road, where he spent his early years of spiritual seeking. Yogananda's family continues to inhabit the home, and we'll meet them. We'll meditate in Yogananda's attic meditation room where he "found God" and had visions of Divine Mother and Krishna. Babaji came to bless Yogananda at the doorway to his bedroom, now reserved for silent meditation.

During Yogananda's 1935-36 stay in Kolkata, he lived at the home of his close friend, Tulsi Bose. Tulsi's daughter lives in this house, and conserves the beds used by Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar, and many relics also of Lahiri Mahasaya and other masters.In Serampore we'll visit Sri Yukteswar's ashram and meditate at the Rai Ghat banyan tree where Babaji appeared. And we'll meet other members of Yogananda's family. We'll visit the Kali temple at Dakshineswar, sanctified by the presence of Sri Ramakrishna for much of his life, and by Yogananda.

See Kolkata slideshow .

Babaji's Cave

The highlight is the beautiful hillside where Lahiri Mahasaya is said to have first met Mahavatar Babaji, as described in Autobiography of a Yogi, and which contains the cave where Lahiri spent a previous incarnation. This quiet area in the foothills of the Himalayas has a strong spiritual vibration and also offers saints, ashrams, and stunning Himalayan views. We hope to visit Swami Paramananda, a joyful 120-year-old saint, and Mauni Ma, a disciple of Neem Karoli Baba. We'll meditate in the Kainchi ashram of Neem Karoli Baba.

See Babaji's Cave slideshow .

Delhi / Gurgaon

This is our home base, where you arrive and depart India, and rest between legs of the pilgrimage. Ananda's ashram in the suburb of Gurgaon provides an oasis, quiet group meditations, and mild home-cooked food. You'll stay in a guesthouse a short walk from the ashram. Delhi and Gurgaon also offer spiritual and historical sites, and great shopping. Our schedule is flexible and can be arranged to your needs.

Schedule

Delhi / Gurgaon

Sunday, 3 October
	We suggest flying into Delhi the evening of 3 (or 4) October We'll meet you and take you to Ananda's ashram (30 minutes)
Monday & Tuesday, 4-5 October

	Getting oriented, overcoming jet lag, sightseeing, shopping in Delhi
Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Rishikesh
Wednesday, 6 October
6:50 am	Depart Delhi by train; breakfast on train
11:25	Arrive Haridwar; travel by jeep to Rishikesh; settle in hotel Possible visit to Vanamali Devi‘s ashram, Kriya Yoga Temple, or Ganges arati
Thursday, 7 October
	Meditation & breakfast
9:00 am	Depart Rishikesh by jeep
3 or 4:00 pm	Arrive Uttarkashi Visit Vishwanath Temple, walk by river
Friday, 8 October
	Meditation & breakfast
9:30 am	Depart Uttarkashi
2 or 3:00 pm	Arrive Gangotri Visit temple; river walk Evening arati at temple
Saturday, 9 October
	Meditation & breakfast Walk on Gaumukh trail above river Free time to explore
Sunday, 10 October
	Meditation & breakfast Walk to Pandavas' Cave
12 or 1:00 pm	Depart Gangotri
5 or 6:00	Arrive Uttarkashi Dinner & gathering at hotel
Monday, 11 October
8 or 9:00 am	Depart Uttarkashi
3 or 4:00 pm	Arrive Rishikesh, check into hotel Free evening by Ganges
Tuesday, 12 October
	Morning meditation in Swami Sivananda's house on the river Vashishta's Guha (Cave), an hour's drive up the river Satsang & evening arati / meditation with Vanamali Devi
Wednesday, 13 October
	Morning meditation on the river Relaxed morning; check out from hotel; drive to Haridwar Visit Swami Keshabanada's ashram (ashes of Lahiri Mahasaya) Visit Ananda Moyee Ma's ashram & her “Samadhi Mandir" (where her body is) Depart by train back to Delhi, arriving late evening
Thursday, 14 October
	Gurgaon / Delhi (multiple options for activities available)

Pune

Friday, 15 October
	Morning flight to Pune (2 hours)
Friday & Saturday, 15-16 October
	Retreat at the Ananda community, including meditations; meals; community tour; spiritual sharing & meetings with community leaders Possible meetings with Swami Kriyananda; volunteer work projects; nature walk; or campfire kirtan
Sunday, 17 October
	Morning meditation and breakfast at the community Late-morning flight to Kolkata, arriving late afternoon

Kolkata

Monday,18 October
	Visit Yogananda's and Tulsi Bose's homes Afternoon visit to Dakshineswar Temple
Tuesday, 19 October
	Drive to Serampore Visit Sri Yukteswar's ashram; Babaji's banyan tree; Rai Ghat Lane Lunch with Yogananda's family in Serampore
Wednesday, 20 October
	Visit Yogananda's & Tulsi Bose's homes; meditate; goodbyes Afternoon flight to Delhi

Delhi

Thursday, 21 October
	Visit Gandhi Smriti, the place where Mahatma Gandhi left his body Outdoor handicrafts fair
10:40 pm	Depart by train for Babaji's Cave

Babaji's Cave

Friday, 22 October
5:20 am	Arrive Kathgodam Drive by bus 1 hour to Naukuchiatal Chanting & meditation at ashram of Mauni Ma, meeting her if she is present Breakfast overlooking lake Proceed to Ranikhet, stopping for meditation at Neem Karoli Baba ashram
4:00-4:30 pm	Check into hotel, which has high Himalaya views Dinner & gathering at hotel
Saturday, 23 October
	Breakfast at hotel
8:30 am	Bus to Babaji's Cave
10:30	Start walking to cave
12:00-3:30 pm	Babaji's Cave, meditation, & free time
5:00 pm	Drive back to Ranikhet
Sunday, 24 October
	Meditation & breakfast at hotel Drive down hill, visiting Swami Paramananda
8:40 pm	Depart Kathgodam by train
Monday, 25 October
4:50 am	Arrive Delhi Free time
Evening	Fly home

OR:

Tuesday, 26 October
6:00 am	Depart by train to Agra (2 hrs) Visit Taj Mahal Lunch at a nice hotel Visit Agra Fort
10:30 pm	Arrive Delhi
Wednesday, 27 October
	Fly home

Accommodations, Meals, Transportation

We'll stay in comfortable but not luxurious 2- or 3-star hotel rooms with attached bath. We'll fly from Delhi to Pune and Kolkata. We'll take an air-conditioned train to Agra and partway to Gangotri, and an overnight sleeper train for Babaji's Cave. Other transportation will be by air-conditioned bus, car, and SUV. Meals are vegetarian, usually mildly spiced and served buffet-style.

Gangotri Details

This unique high-mountain adventure is suitable for all ages and reasonable fitness levels, but is not without minor hardships. Our 2 nights in Gangotri are in a rustic guesthouse, with attached bath and hot water in a bucket, but no room heaters and limited electricity. We'll drive 5 to 6 hours for each of 4 days. The roads are long with many curves, and are not always smooth. Weather is unpredictable in the high mountains, but typically is sunny and warm during day, and cool, though not freezing, at night.

We'll ascend gradually; taking 2 days to reach Gangotri, at 10,000 ft (3,040 meters), thus avoiding most discomfort people might feel. A medical check-up is advisable if you have concerns such as blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or a heart or lung condition. At such an elevation, it's common to feel some shortness of breath. We'll increase our physical activity gradually as we get used to the altitude. Activities are optional; you can have an enjoyable time without extensive walking. We'll offer slow group walks of 1 to 3 hours, but you may walk longer if you wish.

Babaji's Cave Details

This also is a country adventure, but at a much lower elevation (6,000 ft or 2,000 meters), with shorter drives on better roads. To reach the cave requires a walk, 1 to 1 1/2 hours each way for a healthy person, on a path which is rough and steep in places. You can walk as slowly as you wish.

Weather

It's a perfect time to be in India. With the exception of Gangotri, it should be warm and dry without being overly hot.

Flight to India

You'll arrange your own flight; we can make suggestions. Currently, flights from the US West Coast are about $1,400 round-trip.

Pilgrimage Fees

22 days, 3-25 October (full pilgrimage): $3,800 double occupancy, $4,330 single occupancy

18 days, 3-20 October (Gangotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata): $3,400 double, $3,900 single

12 days, 13-25 October (Delhi, Pune, Kolkata, Babaji's Cave): $2,400 double, $2,680 single

26-27 October (2-day Taj Mahal add-on): $300 double, $350 singleFees include all group transportation, airport transfers, lodging, 2 meals a day, and tips.

Fees don't include flight to and from India; most lunches, snacks, and beverages; medical insurance or medical care should you need it; donations to ashrams; and personal hotel expenses.

To Reserve

E-mail pilgrimage@anandaindia.org . We'll send all the information you'll need to prepare for your trip, and answer any questions.

About Ananda Pilgrimages

Ananda Pilgrimages are not so much about sightseeing and doing as about being in a place of high spiritual vibration and learning to relax and open your heart to receive the blessings. Going as a group to meditate in these holy spots reinforces their power and gives us access to places not available to individual travelers. Having someone else take care of logistics means the pilgrim can concentrate on being a pilgrim.

We meditate together in the mornings as well as at each place we visit. We also chant and tell stories. There are social times, like at meals and when traveling, but the flavor of the pilgrimage is inward.

This pilgrimage is led by Keshava and Daya Taylor of Ananda Gurgaon. They'll be assisted full-time by a guide from Discover Tours, the tour operators who have served our pilgrimages for over 20 years.

“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