• Sivananda Yoga
• Yoga postures
• Breathing
• Relaxation
• Diet
• Meditation
• Yoga vacation
• Yoga teacher training
• Advanced Teacher Training
• Sadhana Intensive
• Further training for teachers
• Yoga teacher training in India
• Advanced teacher training in India
• Pilgrimages in India
  • Himalaya Pilgrimage - November 2012
• Ayurveda
• Yoga voluntary service
• Downloads
• Videos
• Audio Archive Project
• Press

Home >>  Pilgrimages in India

Himalaya Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage - March 2012

Delhi – Ranikhet – Rishikesh – Haridvar - Delhi

29 February –17 March 2012

Details >>

Himalaya Pilgrimage - November 2012

Delhi – Haridvar – Rishikesh – Uttarkashi – Delhi

18 November – 1 Dec. 2012

Details >>

Yoga Sadhana at the Source of Ancient Wisdom

The Sivananda Yoga Pilgrimages to India are a rare occasion to tap into the original source of yoga. Visits to ancient temples and holy ashrams provide an an ideal setting for deep meditation and prayer. Since thousands of years the Himalayas, known as Tapabhumi or "Land of Spiritual Practice", have been a place of retreat for yogis to experience the sublime nature of the soul. Even today, their powerful thoughts charge the mental atmosphere of the Himalayas.

In addition to visiting holy sites, the programme will include the daily practice of yoga asanas and meditation. The Swamis and staff of the Sivananda Yoga Centres in Europe will guide the pilgrimages.

Prerequisites for the pilgrimages is prior participation in Sivananda retreats or the Sivananda Yoga Teachers' Training Course as well as a regular yoga practice. Intense travel in the culture and climate of India, with simple accommodations and meals requires that participants come with an open mind and a high degree of adaptability.

See a slideshow of a past North India pilgrimage >>

Himalaya Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage 2012 – Yoga Sadhana at the Source of Ancient Wisdom

Delhi – Ranikhet – Rishikesh – Haridvar – Delhi

29 February –17 March 2012

Yoga Acharyas Swami Durgananda, Swami Sivadasananda, Swami
Kailasananda, Swami Atmaramananda and many other swamis from the
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe will be accompanying you on the Yoga Retreat and sharing this unique event with you.

Brochure (PDF) >>

Yoga Retreat in Ranikhet

Ranikhet is a scenic Himalayan hill resort at an altitude of 1829 meters, 350 km away from Delhi, and also 350 km from Rishikesh.

It is a superb setting surrounded by lush green forests and a majestic panoramic view of Himalayan mountain peaks, including the second highest mountain of India, the Nanda Devi (7816 m).

The area carries the spiritual thought currents of generations of spiritual seekers who practiced deep meditation in these pristine natural surroundings. In more recent times Ma Ananda Mayi Ma and other saints have established hermitages and ashrams near Ranikhet.

Daily satsangs and asana & pranayama classes with many swamis and senior teachers of the Sivananda Yoga Centres amidst this pure and elevating Himalayan setting will make this retreat a very special event.

Swami Vishnudevananda was very devoted to the wisdom and devotional love expressed in the ancient scripture Srimad Bhagavatam. During the final years of his life, Swamiji spent many days listening to the reading of this sacred book, becoming absorbed in deep meditation and often being moved to tears of devotion.
Listening to the recitation of this yoga scripture with Bhagavatacharya Sri Venugopal Goswami, overlooking the majestic Himalaya is a rare spiritual opportunity. Enjoy divine chanting and music in the company of Swamis and senior yoga teachers from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres.

Sri Venugopal Goswami, Bhakti Yoga Acharya from Vrindavan, North India, is a spiritual teacher in a more than 500-year-old family tradition. His father initiated him in the teachings of the Bhakti scriptures in the Radha Raman Temple. Sri Venugopal Goswami spent many years studying under the world-famous Indian vocalist Pandit Jasraj, a master interpreter of classical Hindustani music who has been awarded many international distinctions.

West View Hotel, Ranikhet

Is a charming family hotel on a plateau surrounded by pine and fir forests with a panoramic view ranging from the Bhagirathi peaks in the West to Nanda Kot in the East. The colonial style setting includes heritage buildings dating back to 1918. It offers spacious rooms with 4 beds with private bathroom, lightly spiced yogic vegetarian meals, Ayurveda massage treatments (extra cost). The retreat will take place on the wide hotel lawn in a typical Indian Shamiana festival tent. For further details, please visit www.westviewhotel.com

Swami Sivananda and the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh

Are the spiritual source which has nurtured several generations of yoga practitioners throughout the world. To visit the Ashram is a special blessing for yoga students worldwide.

Highlights include:

• Visit to Mahasamadhi Shrine, Tapas Kutir and Ananda Kutir (private residence)
• Meditations in the Vishvanath Siva Temple, Bhajan Hall and on the banks of the Ganga

We will stay in a Swargashram Guest House on the left bank of the Ganges, where we will have satsang and asana classes and take our meals. Today Rishikesh is sometimes called the “World Capital of Yoga”, with a great variety of smaller and bigger Ashrams on both sides of the Ganga.

One day in Haridwar

Haridwar, one hour from Rishikesh, is regarded as one of the seven holiest places of worship in India. It is one of the locations of the Kumbha Mela, where every 12 years millions of pilgrims congregate to perform ritualistic bathing on the Ghats (banks) of the River Ganges to wash away their sins to attain Moksha (liberation). 

After time for shopping on the famous Haridwar bazaar, we will participate in the famous Ganga Arati at Har ki Pauri (literally, "footsteps of the Lord"), the most sacred ghat of Haridwar.

Wildlife visit at Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park the oldest national park of India and contains 488 different species of plants and is the protected home of the Bengal Tiger. A scenic hotel near Ramnagar will be our halfway stop on our travel to and from Ranikhet.

It is located on the banks of the Kosi river, also called Ram Ganga, which is one of the largest tributaries of the Ganga. On 1 March, we will have a morning wildlife excursion by jeep into the park. www.hoteltigercampcorbett.com

Lunch at Nainital Lake

On the journey from Ranikhet to Corbett on March 11 we will stop for a few hours at the beautiful Nainital mountain lake for lunch.

Delhi

• Satsang at the Sivananda Centre
• Sightseeing tour: includes visits to Hanuman Temple, Bahai Lotus Temple, Sikh Golden Temple
• Time for shopping at Connaught Place

Swami Durgananda, Yoga Acharya, is a seniormost disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda and has been building up the European Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres for over 30 years under the guidance of her teacher.

Swami Sivadasananda is a Yoga Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Europe. He is known for his inspiring and relaxed teaching methods in asanas and pranayama. Swami Sivadasananda is in charge of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Geneva, Spain and South America.

Swami Kailasananda is a Yoga Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in England and France. She is a scholar of Sanskrit and a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda.

Swami Atmaramananda, a long-time student of Swami Vishnudevananda, Yoga Acharya and director of Sivananda Centres Berlin and Vilnius. With many years of yoga experience in India, he will be leading this Himalaya pilgrimage.

There may be occasional changes to the schedule depending on the circumstances.

Prerequisites for the pilgrimage

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 Acharyas or Swamis to better understand the spiritual nature of the tour and to get information on clothing, luggage, medical precautions and diet.

Application and payment

Minimum donation: € 1580.

This includes all spiritual programmes, accommodation and two vegetarian meals a day, ground transportation to and from Delhi. Transfer and travel will be by bus, taxi or rikshaw.
Tips, laundry service, and any other additional services are not included.

Applications will be valid with a down payment of 500 €.
The balance of 1080 € is to be paid at the latest 4 weeks before the pilgrimage begins.

Please book your own flight to Delhi. 

Before enrolling, please meet or correspond with any of the Acharyas or Swamis to better understand the spiritual nature of the tour and to get information on clothing, luggage, medical precautions and diet:

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, Putney
51 Felsham Road Putney London SW15 1AZ Tel. +44 208 780 0160, e-mail: london(at)sivananda.net

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Zentrum, Vienna
Prinz-Eugen Strasse 18, 1040 Vienna, Austria. Tel. +43 15863453, e-mail vienna(at)sivananda.net

Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Retreat House Reith
Bichlach 40, A-6370 Reith, Tyrol, Austria Tel. +43 5356 67 404, e-mail: tyrol(at)sivananda.net

Application

Application form (PDF) >>
Please complete the application form, attach a photo, and if possible scan and e-mail it to pilgrimage(at)sivananda.net

Otherwise post or fax it to:

Swami Gokulananda, Sivananda Yoga Zentrum Berlin, Schmiljanstr. 24, 12161 Berlin, Germany. Fax: +49 30 85 99 97 97, Tel. +49 30 85 99 97 98, e-mail pilgrimage(at)sivananda.net

Application form (interactive PDF – current version of Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader required) >>
Please send the application form and a digital photo in an e-mail to pilgrimage(at)sivananda.net

Payment

Payment by bank transfer from outside Austria:
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Retreat House
IBAN: AT04 4377 0000 7003 3749
BIC: VBOEATWWKUF
Bank address:
Volksbank Kufstein
Dorf 200, 6351 Scheffau, Austria

Payment by bank transfer from within Austria:
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Retreat House
Sort code (BLZ): 43770  Acct no.: 7003 3749

Travel information

Visa

• Make sure to allow sufficient time for obtaining a tourist visa for India.
• The visa application form can be downloaded from your local Indian embassy’s website.
• Your passport must have a validity of at least six months at the time of applying for a visa.

Arrival

Flight to Delhi:

Please book your own flight to Delhi. The day of departure should be 28 February, and you should arrive either on the evening of 28 February or early morning of 29 February.
Suggested travel agent: The Flight Centre. Tel: ++44 (0)20 8780 9411

Drive to Ramnagar on 29 February:

Two hotels in Delhi (Shanti Palace and Lohias) will serve as meeting points. Both hotels are about a 10 minutes’ drive from the airport. Please make your own arrangements at the hotel of your choice by e-mail.

On 29 February, a chartered bus will take the pilgrims from Delhi to Ramnagar. The bus departs from Hotel Shanti Palace at 9 am.

Please be at Hotel Shanti Palace no later than 9 am.

Depending on your arrival time in New Delhi, it may be necessary to spend a night in a hotel. You can book a room by e-mail. For more information on the hotels >>

Departure

Return flight

17 March is the last day of the pilgrimage. Please book your return flight for no earlier than late evening of 17 March (after 10 pm) or early morning of 18 March.

What to bring

Yoga mat, meditation cushion, flip flops, trainers, writing pad, torch, alarm clock, towel, 1 bed sheet, private toiletry items, soap, clothesline, detergent, 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.

Pharmaceuticals

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

Clothing adapted to the traditional life style of India is required: No figure-hugging clothes, no halter tops, shorts or short skirts.

At this time of year in North India, it gets warm during the day but cool at night.
Please also pack a scarf, cap, warm socks and sweaters.