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Home >>  Pilgrimages in India

Himalaya Pilgrimage

Delhi – Haridvar – Rishikesh – Uttarkashi – Delhi 4 – 17 November 2012 Pilgrimage 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 >>

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The group of pilgrims from Europe and South America departed New Delhi by bus on February 29

The first stop was the Tiger Camp Hotel on the outskirts of the Corbett National Park, home to the Bengal tiger

An early morning safari into the park. Besides deer and working elephants, sightings included antelope, jackals, monkeys, wild elephants and lots of tiger prints!

The Bhagavata Saptaha began the day after arrival at the West View Hotel in Ranikhet, Himalayas (ca. 1,900 meters above sea level)

The Bhagavata Saptaha began everyday with a procession from the temple to the glass house where the event was held

With musicians leading the way, a statue of baby Krishna would be carried reverently to the glass house...

...and installed on an altar next to the stage where Bhakti Yoga Acharya Sri Venugopal Goswami read from the holy scripture Srimad Bhagavatam

Here, Mount Govardana (the mountain Lord Krishna lifted to protect the villagers from a flood of rainwaters) is symbolically honoured with a Puja

Holi, the festival of colors, was celebrated with flower petals and powder

A group picture with Sri Venuogopal Goswami on the last day of the Bhagavata Saptaha

Early morning Satsang with Swami Sivadasananda in the glass house

Asana class with Swami Atmaramananda

Picture of the Spanish-speaking group with Swami Premananada from the center in Buenos Aires

A visit to the nearby Durga temple

A homa or fire ceremony was performed for the pilgrims

An onlooker

A day excursion to the thousand-year-old Baijnath Temple complex

Yatris standing in front of the main shrine for Lord Siva

At the Baijnath Temple complex

On the day of departure from Ranikhet, the pilgrims visited the Haidakhan Babaji ashram

The ashram offered a splendid view of the Himalayas

For lunch the group stopped in Nainital, the so-called "Switzerland of India"

A day excursion to Haridvar

The main Ganges bathing ghat, Har Ki Pauri

Waiting for nightfall when the famous Ganga Arati begins

Ganga Arati

The pilgrims spent four nights in Rishikesh, home to Swami Sivananda's ashram, the Divine Life Society

Rishikesh

The pilgrims' luggage is transported by hand cart to the hotel

Asana class and Satsang with Swami Vasudevananda at the hotel

A visit to the Tapas Kutir in Rishikesh, where Swami Sivananda performed intense spiritual practice

A swami at the Tapas Kutir handed out issues of the Divine Life Society magazine to the pilgrims

Group picture at the Tapas Kutir

Relaxing on the banks of the Ganges

The highlights of the stay in Rishikesh were the visits to the Divine Life Society

Bhajan Hall

Siva puja at the Vishwanath Temple

Question and answer session with Swami Padmanabhananda, a senior swami at the ashram

Group picture with Swami Padmanabhananda

In the Mahasamadhi Shrine of Swami Sivananda

Kirtan chanting at the Swami Sivananda's Kutir (private residence)

Visit inside Swami Sivananda's Kutir

Arati at Swami Sivananda's Kutir