Sacred
India Tour - October, 2012
Sacred India Tour October 18, 2012
Tuesday, October 18 – Departure from the USA
Wednesday, October 19 – Arrive at
New Delhi, 10:35 PM
We will rest after our long flight and depart for Rishikesh
the next morning
Thursday, October 20 Travel from Delhi to
Rishikesh by private car (6 hrs)
Rishikesh is a great place to start our Sacred India Tour.
It will be a time to reflect on your life journey; to embrace
the present moment and discover the infinite potential of
the Self. We will have daily yoga, pranayama, meditations,
kirtan and hours of time to explore sacred ashram and temples.
Rishikesh situated on the banks of the holy Ganges River is
a place of devotion. A holy place where saintly persons come
together to love, serve and remember the Divine. We are staying
at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the Bank of the Ganges River.
October 21 - 26
While in Rishkesh we will be receiving several days of Ayurvedic
Panchakarma Treatments. These treatments remove deep toxins
from the body, create peace in the mind and support rejuvenation
and vibrant health.
Other activities in Rishikesh
- Walking tour and evening arati (sacred ritual) at the
Ganges
- Yoga and meditation
- Ganges River White Water Rafting
- Afternoon: free-time for shopping
- Evening arati at the Ganges River
- Vasistha Muni’s meditation caves
- Early morning bath in Haridwara at Harki-puri
Neem Karoli Baba- Hanuman Mandira
Swami Sivananda’s Ashram
Established in 1932 by the great Indian Sage Swami Shivananda,
the ashram is located on the banks of the holy river Ganges
at the foothills of the Himalayan ranges.
The Sacred Meditation Cave of Vasishta
Muni
Parmarth Niketan on the Bank
of the Ganges, evening Ganga Puja.
Harki Pauri- Haridwar
It is believed that it is precise spot where the Ganges leaves
the mountains and enters the plains. Har ki pauri is also
the area where thousands of pilgrims converge and the festivities
commence during the Kumbha Mela, which takes place every twelve
years,
Morning meditation at the River Ganga
Note: Harki puri is believed to be the sacred
place where Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, two great Hindu Gods,
appeared in the Vedic era. A dip in the holy water of the
ghat is said to relieve a person of all his bad karma. The
place is surrounded by some ancient and some newly built temples.
Note: Haridwara is the “Gateway to
the Himalayas.” Haridwara’s name has a very significant
meaning. The word dwara means doorway and Hari is a name for
God that means “He who takes away our misery.”
So Haridwara means the “Doorway leading to God.”
In ancient times pilgrims would go to the Himalaya’s,
passing through Haridwara on their way.
Wednesday, October 26 - Drive to Delhi (6 hrs)
Thursday, October 27 - Drive to Vrndavana (3 hrs)
12:30pm: Lunch (afternoon free time to rest, read or journal)
4 pm: shopping at Loi Bazaar (small village shops - great
for purchasing cloth, devotional clothing, beads, incense
and oils).
We will then visit ancient temples in Vrndavana
and attend an evening Kesi Ghat worship ceremony and boat
ride on the sacred Yamuna River.
October 28 – 31 – (Thursday through Sunday)
We are visiting Vrndavana during the festive devotional month
of Kartika; the village of Vrndavana celebrates this month
with great celebration in all of the temples.
Vrndavana Parikrama: 5:30 AM (Parikrama is a
walking meditation around the Holy Places of Vrndavana)
Evening lunar month of Kartika, celebration
offering candles at the Krishna Balarama Mandira
Neem Karoli Baba’s Ashram
Radha Kunda, Govardhana
Shopping in Loi Bazaar
Early morning tour around Vrndavan
Sacred Temple of Madan Mohan - 14th
Century
Our Guest House in Vrndavana, MVT
courtyard
Departure - Monday afternoon or Tuesday early morning
Drive to Delhi and spend the night at a hotel
Shopping at Connaught place and Parganj market
Lunch or dinner at the Hotel Alka (best vegetarian
restaurant in India)
My favorite vegetarian restaurant
in Delhi at the Hotel Alka
Travel Tips
- Only drink filtered bottled water.
- Keep personal belongings and food secured while monkeys
are nearby.
- Always be aware of potential pick-pocketing in crowded
areas.
- A money belt or pouch that is secured to the body is recommended.
- Don’t eat if you’re not hungry. Most illness
starts with indigestion.
- Remove shoes before entering Temples & be careful
where you leave them.
- Tour guides may make adjustments to the schedule when
necessary.
Please see Richard if you need any assistance.
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