An 8 days and 7 nights divinel adventure.
About Vrindavan
Vrindavan, nestled on the banks of the Yamuna River, holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism, especially for "Bhakti" Yogis. It is believed to be the place where Krishna spent his childhood and youth, performing his divine "leelas" (pastimes) along with Radha - the empress of the Universe as the power of unconditional love.
The entire land of Vrindavan is considered sacred, with every tree, every grain of sand, and every breeze imbued with divine energy. Visiting Vrindavan offers a unique opportunity to deepen one's spiritual practice through yoga and bhakti. The atmosphere is charged with devotion, inspiring practitioners to connect with their inner selves and cultivate a loving relationship with the divine. The Bhagavad Gita (18.65), a revered Hindu scripture, states:
मन्मना भव मद्भक्तो मद्याजी मां नमस्कुरु | मामेवैष्यसि सत्यं ते प्रतिजाने प्रियोऽसि मे ||man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru | mām evaiṣyasi satyaṁ te pratijāne priyo 'si me ||Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this truly, for you are very dear to Me.
About Prayagrag and the Kumbha Mela
The Kumbha Mela is a blessed event. It is the largest gathering of Yogis and Sadhus in the world. Even though millions of people attend the Kumbha - it is still only by Divine invitation that one can make it to the Kumbha. It is even rarer to be there with a Guru. Attending a pilgrimage with a Guru transforms the seeker from being a mere tourist into a participant in the spiritual process that happens continuously at sacred places. The Guru tunes the spiritual energies present during the Kumbha so that they can reach you amidst the noise and chaos of the huge crowds gathered at the Kumbha. The Guru also prepares your aura to be able to receive the high spiritual energies that only a few Yogis have access to.
It is said that a special planetary alignment occurs during the Kumbha Mela which empowers the water of the Ganges river such that by bathing in it, one is freed from the vicious earthly cycle of birth and death. Once having bathed in the confluence of holy rivers during the Kumbha, the seeker faces no or minimal pain during death and is liberated to either the higher realms of heaven or attains moksha upon death.
The normal Kumbh Mela is held every three years, the Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is held every six years at Haridwar and Prayagraj while the Purna (complete) Kumbh mela takes place every twelve years, at four places Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik, based on planetary movements. The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Prayag after 144 years (after 12 'Purna Kumbh Melas'). The Mela we are headed to is the Ardha Kumbha Mela in Prayagraj that takes place every six years.
Prayagraj has been one of the ancient pilgrimage centers of India, and it represents the confluence of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga, near the city of Prayagraj in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Prayag is revered in the hymns of the Rig Veda. Prayag is referred to as Tri-veni Sangam ("the confluence of the three rivers or veins") - where it is believed that the subterranean river Saraswati also meets the river Ganga along with the river Yamuna.
Legend has it that at the time of the great deluge which submerges the earth at the end of each aeon, Prayag remains intact and that Vishnu resides here as a Yoga Murty, on a banyan leaf in the form of a child. Vishnu is referred to as "Veni Mahadeva", and Shiva is believed to be personified here as the immortal banyan tree or the "Akshaya Vata Vriksham".
Prayag is also associated with the legend of the celestial nectar of immortality - "amrutam". A variation of the legend has it that Jupiter, the guru of the Devas, picked up the pot of the celestial nectar as it emerged from the milky ocean and made off with it, to prevent the demons from having access to it. The enraged demons chased him. In the course of the chase, the pot Kumbha overflowed, and the nectar fell into four different places on earth, corresponding to Prayag, Nasik, Ujjain and Haridwar. Bathing at the confluence of the three rivers - Triveni Sangam is considered special in the Hindu month of Magha.
Brace for seeing millions of people at one place and all the challenges that come along with it; pilgrimages require effort and endurance.
Be at the greatest gathering of Yogis with Guru Shailesh at Kumbha Mela, Prayagraj and Varanasi, India on a specially planned itinerary.
Day |
Itinerary |
Accommodation |
Saturday, Feb 8 |
Delhi to Vrindavan by car ( 7 am IST start) |
Hotel |
Sunday, Feb 9 |
Vrindavan - Temple Visits |
Hotel |
Monday, Feb 10 |
Vrindavan - Temple Visits |
Hotel |
Tuesday, Feb 11 |
Vrindavan - Delhi - Prayagraj by car and train/plane |
Luxury Tent |
Wednesday, Feb 12 |
Prayagraj - Holy dip and roam around |
Luxury Tent |
Thursday, Feb 13 |
Prayag Raj - Holy Dip and roam around |
Luxury Tent |
Friday, Feb 14 |
Prayagraj - Varanasi by car Attend evening Arti and visit Kashi Vishwanath temple |
Hotel |
Saturday, Feb 15 |
Varanasi - Delhi |
Retreat ends at Delhi airport by 7 pm IST (barring any flight delays) |
Retreat Cost Includes:-
- Domestic flights and other transportation aligned with the retreat itinerary
- Accommodation
- All meals (simple vegetarian meals)
- Temple visits
- Guides (with decent English)
Exclusions:-
- International flights
- Any special temple ceremonies
- Travel insurance
- Any additional expenses due to sickness etc. during the retreat
- Tips
Attendees from India can make payment of ₹243,000.00 to the following account:-
DIVINE HOLISTIC CENTER PRIVATE LIMITED
Current Account No |
DBS IFSC code |
India - SWIFT Code: |
101251801356 |
DBSS0IN0811 |
DBSSINBB |