North Indian Pilgrimage

to the Sources of Ancient Wisdom

October 30th to November 17th, 2008

Vrindavan – Agra – Jaipur – Varanasi (Benares) – Delhi

with Swamis and staff of the European Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres

Itinerary

Oct 30 to Nov 8, 2008

Bhagavata Saptaha at Jai Singh Ghera Ashram, Vrindavan

Seven days of spiritual discourse and music by the banks of the river Yamuna

with Bhakti Yoga Acharya Sri Venugopal Goswamiji Maharaj

Our beloved teacher Sri Swami Vishnudevananda was very devoted to the wisdom and the devotional love expressed in the Srimad Bhagavata (ancient scripture).

During the final years of his life, Swami Vishnudevananda spent many hours and days listening to the reading of this sacred book, becoming absorbed in deep meditation, as well as in spontaneous outpouring of devotional tears.

The Sadhana tour follows the magnetic attraction of the Srimad Bhagavata and is dedicated to the memory of Swami Vishnudevanandas pilgrimages in India.

Sri Venugopal Goswami, Bhakti Yoga Acharya from Vrindavan, North India, is a spiritual teacher in a family tradition of more than 500 years, originated by the great Saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. His father initiated him into the teachings of the classical Bhakti scriptures in the Radha Raman Temple. For many years, Sri Venugopal Goswami studied under the world famous Indian vocalist Pandit Jasraj, an award-winning leading exponent of classical Hindustani music. During the sadhana week in Vrindavan, the Bhagavata Saptaha in Sri Venugopal Goswami's Ashram will be a special spiritual highlight.

Jai Sing Ghera Ashram, the venue of the Bhagavata recitation is the former sadhana (spiritual) residence of King Jai Singh of Jaipur. Today it is an Ashram of the over 500 years old Goswami-Vaishnava-tradition of the Sri Radha Raman Temple, one of the oldest temples of Vrindavan, which is in close proximity of the Ashram.

Jai Singh Ghera lies directly on the banks of the holy Yamuna river. The Ashram is next to bathing gaths and several temples. Nearby you can see pilgrims, colourful boats, sadhus and villagers.

The Ashram is a spiritual oasis with a well kept lawn and exquisite temple gardens where pandits recite the scriptures daily. The ancient palace walls offer picturesque views of the pilgrim road, old royal palaces, and vast fields on the opposite banks of the river.

Guest rooms with fan and attached bathroom are found on top of a large auditorium built in the classical Rajastan style. Asana classes will be taught on roof terraces overlooking the houses of Vrindavan. The large open air Mandapam regularly hosts seven-day scriptural recitals.

Bhakti Yoga Master Sri Venugopal Goswami grew up in this Ashram, which is entirely dedicated to the teachings of the ancient yogic scripture Srimad Bhagavata. It is a unique experience to be able to hear a Bhagavata Saptaha recital in English amidst this palatial setting.

The spiritual wealth of Vrindavan's hundreds of temples permeates the atmosphere. Ashram staff will be there to guide us and to explain about the most important places.

A special attraction is the Ras Lila Dance Theatre, in which young boys enact the ancient teachings of the divine stories of Lord Krishna coupled with folk humour and live music.

Vrindavan is located 150 km from Delhi and can be reached in 2 hours on Highway NH2, one of the most modern roads of India. Agra and the Taj Mahal are just 30 km away.

Nov 8 to Nov 17, 2008

North Indian Pilgrimage continued:
Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi (Benares) - Delhi

Temples, Ashrams and Ancient Cities with Swami Atmaramananda

JAIPUR, known as the pink city, was founded by its Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727. It was the first city built according to the science of Vastu. The palace of the Maharaja which we will visit, stands as witness of the past splendour and exquisite Rajasthan culture. Early in the morning, at Brahmamuhurta, we will attendthe Arati, along with countless Krishna devotees, at the Govind Dev temple. The temple is the home of an original Krishna Murthi which was once transported away from Vrindavan because of the menace of Mogul invasion. There will also be time to shop at the old Rajasthan market displaying many fine Rajasthan artifacts and clothes.

The city of AGRA is the second center of interest of the well-visited touristic golden triangle: Delhi-Jaipur-Agra.We will try to catch the most stunning view of the world attraction Taj Mahal at sun set. We will also visit the majestic Red Fort reminiscent of the past glories of the Mogul reign in North India.

After a night train ride, we will reach VARANASI (Benares), the highlight of the pilgrimage. Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world. It is also considered to be one of the most sacred cities in India. It is a great pilgrimage place. We will be staying near the sacred river Ganges in a small pension and will be hosted for our Satsangs and Asana classes in the Ananda Mayi Ashram with a beautiful view over Ganga. A great attraction of Varanasi are its numerous Ghats (stairs giving onto the river where the Sadhus do their ablutions and prayers). An evening boat ride will take us along all the major Ghats and will end at sunset at the Dasaswamedh Ghat for the splendid Ganga Arati. Varanasi is also known as Kashi (the city of Lord Siva). Its most famous temple, the Kashi Vishwanath temple, is closed to foreign visitors but there will the opportunity to visit many other famous temples: the Durga Kund temple is an old Durga temple, the Tulsimanas temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and expounds the complete Ramayana text on its walls, the Shankat Molchand temple contains shrines with Murthis of Ram, Sita and Hanuman and resonates with the Mantras of the devotees. Varanasi is a well-known center of learning (Philosophy, Sanskrit etc). The famous Benares Hindu University stands as a symbol of this ancient knowledge. The tour of the university will include a visit at the famous museum Bharat Kala Bhavan. A small excursion to Sarnath, a few kilometres from Varanasi will take us to the famous Deer Park where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. We will meditate inthe temple erected on that site.

The last leg of the pilgrimage will be spent in DELHI. Activities include: Satsang at the Sivananda Yoga Center, Ayurvedic massages, Darshan at the Hanuman temple. Shopping possibilities include the state emporiums - which sell the finest handicrafts from all over India - spiritual book shops as well as music shops.

Swami Kailasananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in England and France. She is a scholar in Sanskrit and and a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda.

Swami Sivadasananda

is a Yoga-Acharya and director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres in Geneva, Spain and South America. He is known for his relaxed and skillfull training methods in asanas and pranayama.

Swami Atmaramananda

is the director of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Berlin and is a long-time disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda; he is very familiar with the North Indian Culture.

Practical information

Prerequisites for the Pilgrimage

The Sadhana Tour will be led by Swamis in view to experience some of the spiritual sources of Yoga in India. This requires constant adaptation to local customs, as well as an inner openness and sincere acceptance of the instructions given by the Swamis. Before enrolling to the pilgrimage please meet or telephone with any of the European Acharyas or Swamis, to bring up any question you may have and to understand the spiritual nature of the tour. Specific information regarding clothing, luggage restrictions, and medical prevention and diet will be given at that time.

Minimum donations

1190 €

Inclusive of all spiritual programs, simple accommodation and two vegetarian meals daily and stay in Vrindavan. Transfers and travel within India will be by train, minibus or taxi.

Rates valid until 31 of august 2008

How to register

Application

Please contact one of the Sivananda Yoga Centres in Europe:
London: Tel. +44 208 780 0160, e-mail: london@sivananda.net
Paris: Tel. +33 1 40 26 77 49, e-mail: paris@sivananda.net
Geneva: Tel. +41 22 328 03 28, e-mail: geneva@sivananda.net
Madrid: Tel. +34 91 361 5150, e-mail: madrid@sivananda.net
Reith: Tel. +43 5356 67 404, e-mail: tyrol@sivananda.net
Berlin: Tel. +49 30 85 99 97 98, e-mail: berlin@sivananda.net
Munich: Tel. +49 89 52 44 76, e-mail: munich@sivananda.net
Vienna: Tel. +43 1 586 3453, e-mail: vienna@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.

Passport must be valid at least 6 months.

Air Travel to Delhi:

Please make your own bookings.

Please book your flight to New Delhi for Wednesday, October 29th.

You should arrive in Delhi either on the evening of October 29th, or the morning of November 30th.

Suggested travel agent: The Flight Centre. Tel: ++44 (0)20 8780 9411

Return flight

Since November 17th is the last day of the pilgrimage, please book your return flight no earlier than November 17th, late evening or November 18th early hours of the morning

How to go to Vrindavan on October 30th

On October 30th a chartered bus will bring the participants of the pilgrimage from Delhi to the Vrindavan Ashram. The bus will depart at 9 am.

Two hotels in Delhi will serve as meeting points. Both hotels are located only 10 minutes from the International Airport.
Please choose which hotel you prefer and make your booking by email. Please indicate on the application form for the yogi bus from which hotel you would like to be picked up.

PLEASE NOTE: a written confirmation of your booking is absolutely necessary.
Please give very clearly your name, type of accommodation, date and time of arrival and of departure, pick up from airport if needed.
For both hotesl you can choose to share your room with another course participant. This is a good way to get a cheaper price.

Hotel Shanti Palace
A-67, Mahipalpur Extention-1
National Highway-8
Near Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi 110 037
Mobile: +91/ 9810110607
Phone: +91/11 26781271 76
Fax: +91/11 26789400 26785740
Hotline: +91/11 3061 7300
Email: info@shantipalace.com
www.shantipalace.com

The special price for our students is called Corporate tariff for "Sivananda Yoga Centers"
Single room: 5040 INR/ 93 € per night
Double room: 6188 INR / 113 € (3094 INR/ 56,50 € per person) per night
Extra bed: 550 INR / 10 € per night
Breakfast is included.
Pickup charges from International Airport:
550 INR / 9,50 € by Amb./Indigo (small car)
900 INR/ 15 € by Qualis (for 5 people)
For booking send email to: info@shantipalace.com
The payment is done at the hotel itself

Hotel Lohias
A-53, Mahipalpur Extn. National Highway No-8
Near Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi 110 037
Phone: +91 11 26 78 95 91 or /92 or /93
www.nivalink.com/lohias/index.html
Double room (super deluxe): 2240 INR / 42 € (21 € per person) per night
Double room (classic room): 3763 INR / 70 € (35 € per person) per night
Extra bed: 224 INR / 4 € per night
Meals are extra.
There is no special price for Sivananda Center.
Pick up from the airport: 360 INR / 7 €
Booking contact: Ms Sonu
sonu@nivalink.com
cc: sonunivalink@gmail.com
Advanced payment is required: www.nivalink.com/payment3.html

What to bring:

Yoga mat, meditation cushion, flip flops, trainers, writing pad, torch, alarm clock, towels, 1 bed sheet, private toilet articles, soap, clothes line, detergent, money belt.

A copy of your visa, passport and air ticket should be kept separately from your luggage. Please bring receipts for payments made towards the course with you.

The Ashram in Vrindavan offers a laundry service.

Pharmaceuticals

Please ask your pharmacy for a small kit of medicines appropriate for India

Immunisation is not required. You can be inoculated against tetanus and hepatitis A. Consult your doctor.

Clothing

Loose clothing adapted to the traditional life style of India is required. No halter tops, shorts or skirts.