India - Yoga and Meditation

Guaranteed Tour to India + Indian Visa as a Gift / Minimum 2 People

 

Sightseeing:

Delhi - India Gate, Presidential Palace, Lotus Temple, and Qutub Minar.

Rishikesh - Yoga and Meditation, attendance at the Aarti ceremony.

 

Yoga and Meditation are both science and art, influencing the acceptance, understanding, and improvement of each level of our existence: physical, mental, moral, and spiritual.

Yoga and Meditation are embodiments of Pure Consciousness. They are inseparable. Both are paths to knowledge and wisdom. We invite you to walk this path together. We are ready to open the door to the amazing world of mantras, asanas, pranayama, and show you the place of power... where truth is born!

 

Rishikesh - the world capital of Yoga. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges and surrounded by mountains covered with jungles, this city absorbs everything best. The fresh mountain air brings new knowledge and discoveries, and the waters of the Ganges wash away all troubles and problems. It is here, in this amazing place, seemingly specially created for self-discovery, that numerous ashrams are located, where thousands of pilgrims come annually to understand the meaning of life, unlock their potential, and open up to the world.

Since ancient times, yogis, rishis, and sadhus have come here to practice yoga and meditate in this quiet place. Since then, Rishikesh has been called the land of sages.

Every year in March, a yoga festival takes place here for a week, gathering a huge number of pilgrims from all over the world.

It is believed that meditation and yoga in Rishikesh, along with bathing in the Ganges, contribute to "Moksha" - liberation from the cycle of samsara and the cessation of the cycle of rebirths.

In addition to spiritual development in Rishikesh, you can engage in physical activities. All conditions are created here for lovers of an active lifestyle, including rafting, hiking, trekking, bungee jumping, and many other sports.

Moreover, after yoga and meditation, you can visit Ayurvedic procedures or consult an astrologer.

 

Yoga Niketan Ashram is one of the most popular in Rishikesh. It stands on a hill above the sacred Ganges and offers yoga courses popular with both Indians and foreigners. The teachers speak English. The founder of the Ashram is considered to be Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahans - a great master of Raja Yoga and Honorary President of the International Yoga Association under the patronage of UNESCO. His art inspired the Japanese millionaire Mr. Kimura to create 30 schools operating in Japan under the name Yoga Niketan. In addition, the Yoga Niketan school operates in the Netherlands, and there are also several similar schools in India.

 

Swamiji

Swami Yogeshwaranand Paramahans is one of the greatest yogis of the 20th century. He lived an extremely ascetic life in the foothills of the Himalayas and from an early age sought his destiny. Leaving home like Buddha at the age of 12 in search of knowledge and self-realization, he renounced worldly pleasures, studied Sanskrit, the arts, and the knowledge of ancient rishis, and went through a series of ascetic practices and trials until he met one of his gurus. This guru was Paramananda Avadhut, who passed on to him many teachings, including the art of samadhi. Later, in a cave near Gangotri, the yogi Avadhut Swami Atmanand ji, who returned from Tibet, taught him samprajnata samadhi. Engaging in yoga and meditating diligently, he attained divine knowledge and devoted the rest of his earthly path to transmitting his experience. On April 23, 1985, at the age of 99, he merged with Brahman.

His books still cause a stir in the scientific world and immense interest among those seeking a way to merge with God and understand themselves!

 

Activities

The teaching in the Ashram is based on the principles of Patanjali yoga - the eightfold path of yoga described by Maharishi Patanjali in the "Yoga Sutras". This is a practice of self-realization based on working with consciousness and inner energy. In the practice of any of the stages, the main attention is paid to working with energy channels (nadis) and centers (chakras). This direction is considered classical and is used as a "map of the starry sky" - a guide to the unexplored world in which the yoga practitioner plunges on the path to liberation from conditioned perception.

The main activity of the Ashram is to provide recommendations for the practice of the eightfold path of Patanjali yoga. It includes physical, mental, and spiritual training.

Admission to the courses is open to everyone regardless of religion, class, or nationality.

In their free time, when there are no classes, all pilgrims of the Ashram can attend the evening Aarti ceremony, which takes place on the ghat near the temple of Radha-Krishna, or meditate in the yoga and contemplation hall.

Pilgrims come to the Ashram from all over the world. The language of communication is English.

 

Services

Sadhan Hall - the main hall for meditation, accommodating more than 100 people. The large area of the room, air conditioning, cooler, and floor cushions create comfortable conditions for meditation. Sessions are held here in the morning before the yoga class and in the evening before dinner.

Yoga Hall - a hall for practicing yoga. It is open almost around the clock and is intended for performing asanas and practicing pranayama. Also, several times a week, Kriya Yoga is practiced here. Yoga Hall is equipped with all the conditions for comfortable classes. All classes are led by experienced masters working under the guidance of a spiritual mentor - Acharya.

The Ashram library is equipped with spiritual literature published in different languages. Be sure to browse through the colorful edition "The First Step to Higher Yoga", which is an illustrated catalog featuring over 300 asanas.

 

Kitchen

The Ashram prepares simple and nutritious vegetarian food, which is practically not seasoned with spices. The menu includes various porridges, rice, vegetables, Indian bread - chapati, yogurts, and always fresh seasonal fruits.

 

Transfer

The Ashram organizes transfers from the airport, railway station, and nearby places for its pilgrims.

 

Daily Schedule

5:00 - wake up
5:30 - 6:30 - morning meditation
07:00 - 08:00 - yoga
08:30 - breakfast
09:00 - 11:00 - free time or library sessions
12:00 - lunch
14:00 - 15:15 - free time or library sessions
15:15 - 16:00 - lectures, seminars - satsang (communication with teachers)
16:00 - evening tea
17:00 - 18:15 - yoga
18:30 - 19:30 - meditation
20:00 - dinner
21:00 - 21:30 - chanting mantras, bhajans (on Fridays and Mondays)
Sunday - day off

 

Yoga Tour Program in Rishikesh:

Day 1*. Saturday. Departure to Delhi (International/domestic flight).

Arrival in Delhi on a regular flight of one of the international airlines. After completing the formalities and traditional welcome "Swagat," our representative will transfer you to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

*Note: Hotel confirmation starts from 12:00 PM on Saturday, and the program begins on Sunday.

 

Day 2. Sunday. Delhi, city tour, and transfer to Rishikesh via Haridwar.

In the morning after breakfast, you will embark on a half-day tour of Delhi, during which you will see the India Gate monument, reminiscent of the famous Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and marvel at the grandeur of the Presidential Palace - the official residence of the country's president. You will also visit the famous Lotus Temple - an ideal place for meditation and finding inner peace and harmony, whose doors are open to followers of all faiths, and the world's tallest brick minaret, Qutub Minar, which is the center of a complex of historical monuments from different eras.

After the tour, you will head to the Delhi railway station, where you will board a train to Haridwar, where you will arrive around 7:30 PM. Upon arrival in Haridwar, you will be transferred to the Yoga Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh. The journey takes about an hour. Upon arrival, accommodation at the Ashram.

 

Day 3. Monday. Rishikesh.

Breakfast at the Ashram.
Morning session: Introduction to yoga and its philosophy.
Evening session: Basic asanas and warm-up exercises.

 

Day 4 - Day 11. Tuesday - Tuesday. Stay at the Ashram.

Following the daily schedule: yoga, meditations, lectures, discussions with teachers.

 

Day 12. Wednesday. Rishikesh - Haridwar (20 km) - Delhi (transfer by train/18:15-22:45)

Free day in Rishikesh. In the evening, transfer to Haridwar and board the train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to the airport for your international flight. Thus concludes your spiritual journey. The tour ends, and we await transfer to the international airport for your flight. (Accommodation in a hotel is not provided).

 

Day 13. Thursday. Departure from Delhi (International flight)

• Price is per person in a DBL room.
• Price for SGL - €1259.
• Additional night's stay in Delhi (Option):
• Single Room - €90.
• DBL/Twin Room - €95.
• Additional dinner at the hotel - €18.
• Additional transfer - €35 per car for up to 2 people / €45 per car for up to 4 people.

 

The price includes:

• 11 nights' accommodation as per the program.
• Full board at the Ashram.
• Breakfast in Delhi.
• Air-conditioned transport as per the program.
• Russian-speaking escort guide (only for the program in Delhi).
• Yoga and meditation program at the ashram.
• Entrance tickets to architectural monuments.
• All taxes and fees.
• Group transfer on arrival from Saturday 12:00 PM to Sunday 07:00 AM. If the client arrives at a different time, it is necessary to book an individual transfer.
• Group transfer on the day of the excursion to the airport or to a hotel near the airport (if the client has booked an additional night's stay in Delhi).

 

The price does not include:

• Airfare. We will find the most convenient and cost-effective option.
• Personal expenses.
• Transport on days without a program.
• Tips for guides and drivers.
• Medical insurance.

 

*** Visa to India is provided as a gift.

Rules of conduct at the Ashram:

• Pilgrims staying at the Ashram must observe its rules, as well as self-discipline and etiquette norms.
• All pilgrims must participate in the Aarti ceremony - a puja dedicated to the goddess of the Ganges River with the offering of fire. The colorful ceremony takes place at sunset on the ghat near the Radha-Krishna temple.
• All pilgrims (men and women) must dress modestly and modestly, thus showing their respectful attitude towards the Ashram's traditions. Shorts, sleeveless shirts, tight and open clothing are not allowed.
• Pilgrims are allowed to stay in the Ashram for a maximum of 15 days during their first visit. This period can only be extended with the permission of the management.
  If the Ashram administration asks guests to leave, they must vacate immediately.
  Inviting outsiders into their rooms is not allowed at the Ashram.
• If guests leave the Ashram for up to 3 days, they must inform the administration and leave the keys for storage. If guests leave the Ashram for more than 3 days, they must vacate the room. Locking rooms without informing the administration is prohibited, otherwise, the rooms will be forcibly opened.
• Residents must keep their rooms tidy and clean.
• Plucking flowers and littering on the Ashram premises are prohibited.
• Playing cards, listening to the radio/stereo, playing a player loudly with headphones, and watching TV are not allowed at the Ashram.
• Pets are not allowed.
• Smoking, alcohol, consumption of non-vegetarian food, including eggs, and the use of garlic and onions are also not allowed at the Ashram.
• Tips are not welcomed at the Ashram. Donations are accepted in the office and are directed to its needs as well as to the needs of the poor and orphans.
• When leaving a donation, you can specify what exactly you want it to be used for (food for the poor, school development, orphanages, hospitals, environmental programs, Ashram development, etc.).

 

Additional excursions:

* Haridwar Excursion - one of the 7 sacred cities of Hinduism, situated on the banks of the Ganges River. In Hindi, the name of the city means "Gateway to God." The main deity in the city is the river itself. It is worshipped, revered, and for thousands of years, pilgrims have come here to bathe in its crystal-clear waters. Haridwar is the land of sages, where knowledge leading to enlightenment can be attained.

During the Haridwar tour, you will visit Shantikunj Ashram - more resembling a small town, the glass temple Pavan Dham located atop the Mansa Devi temple, as well as the temples of Chandi Devi and Daksha. Cost of the excursion: US$ 50 per person.

 

* Mussoorie Excursion

Mussoorie is a popular Indian hill station located in the foothills of the Himalayas. It was founded by the British in 1823. Here, remnants of buildings from British India can still be found - churches, libraries, hotels, and summer residences. However, the main attractions of the city are still natural, and during the excursion, you will definitely see them.

- Lal Tibba ("Red Hill") is the highest point in Mussoorie (2400 m above sea level). From here, on a clear day, you can use a telescope to view the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas. Here, quite literally, you can stroll among the clouds and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, marveling at the world from a bird's-eye view.

- The most popular attraction in Mussoorie is Gun Hill, which rises right in the middle of the city. On a clear day, from the hill, you can see the Himalayan peaks, and the city panorama is also quite picturesque. In addition, the ascent to the hill is already an exciting journey. You can reach here by cable car, paying 75 rupees for a round trip. The best time to climb is an hour before sunset.

- Municipal Garden, also known as the Mussoorie Botanical Garden, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in India. It was laid out on the estate belonging to the famous Scottish geologist and paleontologist - Dr. Hugh Falconer, whose interest in botany manifested itself precisely in Mussoorie.

- Kempty Waterfall. In the vicinity of Mussoorie, there are many waterfalls, but the largest, most popular, and beautiful is considered to be Kempty Waterfall. Many years ago, English nobility held tea parties here, and since then, it has attracted numerous tourists who often organize picnics here, enjoying the beautiful landscapes. Cost of the excursion: US$ 50 per person.

 

*Half-Day Rafting Adventure "White Water Rafting"

This thrilling and extreme journey will allow you to experience an adrenaline rush while battling the turbulent waters of the Ganges River, and then, after passing the rapids, you can admire the beauty of the local landscapes. The rafting begins at Shivpuri and continues to Rishikesh. The rapids here are rightfully considered very interesting. There are quite a few of them, so the adventure will definitely be unforgettable. After passing the rapids, you can leisurely float past ashrams and temples, observing life along the banks of the sacred Ganges. Cost of the excursion: US$ 50 per person.

 

 

The company reserves the right to change hotels according to their compliance with standards in case the specified hotels run out of rooms. The standard check-in time at hotels is 1:00 PM, and check-out time is 12:00 PM. The travel times are indicative and may vary depending on traffic.