Home >> Pilgrimages in India >> Himalaya Pilgrimage - November 2012
Himalaya Pilgrimage 2012 – Yoga Sadhana at the Source of Ancient Wisdom
Delhi - Haridvar - Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Delhi
4 – 17 November 2012
With Swami Atmaramananda and other Swamis and staff of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
Itinerary
| 4 November | Drive from Delhi to Haridvar |
| 5 and 6 November | Haridvar |
| 7 November | To Rishikesh |
| 7-9 November | Stay in Rishikesh |
| 10 November | Bus journey to Uttarkashi |
| 11-14 November | Yoga sadhana in Uttarkashi |
| 15 November | Travel to Haridvar |
| 16 November | Bus journey to Delhi |
| 17 November | Satsang at Sivananda Yoga Centre in Delhi; sight-seeing |
| 18 November | Early morning or previous evening: departure to Europe |
Haridvar
Haridvar literally means “Gateway to God” and is regarded as one of the most sacred places in India. Millions of pilgrims take a holy dip in the Ganga in order to wash away impurities and attain Moksha (final liberation).
Highlights include:
- Arati at the main Ganga Ghat Har Ki Puri
- Visit to the famous Daksh Prajapati Siva Temple
- Visit to the Mahasamadhi Shrine of Ananda Mayi Ma
Rishikesh
Swami Sivananda is the spiritual source which has nurtured several generations of Yoga practitioners throughout the world. To visit his 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
- Excursion into the foothills of the Himalayas
Yoga retreat in Uttarkashi
This scenic Himalayan township is situated on the banks of the Ganga and has been a place of spiritual Sadhana for centuries. We will stay at the Sivananda Kutir Ashram founded by Swami Vishnudevananda in 1992.
Highlights include:
- Sadhana in the Himalayas
- Meditation at Swamiji’s Jala Samadhi rock on the Ganga
- Nature walks
- Visit to Vishwanath Siva Temple and a Homa (fire ritual) at the Ashram
- Satsang at Ashram of Swami Chaitanyananda
Delhi
- Satsang at the Sivananda Centre
- Sightseeing tour: includes visits to Hanuman Temple, Bahai Lotus Temple, Sikh Golden Temple
- Shopping at Connaught Place
Prerequisites for the pilgrimage
The pilgrimage is intended as a form of Sadhana (spiritual practice) and will be led by experienced Swamis. The tour requires constant adaptation to local customs, as well as openness and sincere acceptance of the instructions given by the Swamis. Before applying, please meet or correspond with any of the European 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: approx. € 1,190. Donations includes all spiritual programs, accommodation, two vegetarian meals a day, ground transportation to and from Delhi. Transfers and travel will be via bus, taxi or rikshaw. Tips, laundry service and any other additional services are not included.
Applications will be valid with a down payment of 790 €.
The balance of 400 € is to be paid in cash in RUPEES upon arrival in Haridvar.
Please book your own flight to Delhi.
Prices valid until 30 September 2012
Application form (PDF) >>
Please complete the application form and return it to us by fax or post.
Application form (interactive PDF – current version of Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader required) >>
Application through Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Retreat House
Bank transfer from outside Austria:
IBAN: AT04 4377 0000 7003 3749
BIC: VBOEATWWKUF
Bank address:
Volksbank Kufstein
Dorf 200, 6351 Scheffau, Austria
Bank transfer from within Austria:
Bank code (BLZ): 43770 Acct no.: 7003 3749
Please contact pilgrimage(at)sivananda.net or one of the European Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres:
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 Centre, Berlin
Schmiljanstr. 24, D-12161 Berlin Tel. +49 30 85 99 97 98, e-mail: berlin(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
Travel information
Visa
- Make sure to allow sufficient time for obtaining a 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 3 November, and you should arrive either on the evening of 3 November or early morning of 4 November.
Suggested travel agent: The Flight Centre. Tel: ++44 (0)20 8780 9411
Drive to Haridvar on 4 November:
For participants of the pilgrimage two hotels in Delhi 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 4 November, a chartered bus will take the pilgrims from Delhi to Haridvar. The bus departs at 9 am.
Please be at one of the hotels 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 November is the last day of the pilgrimage. Please book your return flight for no earlier than late evening of 17 November (after 10 pm) or early morning of 18 November.
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.
