BACK TO THE MOTHERLAND…

The home of yoga, mystics, mantras, sadhus, samosas, Ayurveda, and most of all: devotion and LOVE! Without a guide it’s easy to get lost in the craziness of modern India. To decipher the mystery, Vedaji will be that mentor to introduce you to spiritual India. Vedaji grew up in India where he studied as monk from age 5-22.  He has over 40 years of experience in the Bhakti Yoga tradition and is passionate about revealing the magic of this ancient spiritual culture with modern day seekers.

We will begin this pilgrimage by visiting the beautiful and pristine Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV).  Located 90 km outside of Mumbai, the award-winning eco-village is a 70-acre, sustainable farming community and retreat center, created and directed monks in the Bhakti Yoga tradition. When you visit the Eco-Village, you will experience a community that is a successful fusion between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern sustainability science.  Throughout our time here we will explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, and participate in the many activities offered including ayurvedic cooking classes, various temple programs, and lots and lots of kirtan.

After a few days at the GEV, we will travel to Rishikesh where we will have early morning yoga/meditation sangas overlooking Mother Ganga.  During the days, we’ll visit various holy sites and engage in seva!

The trip concludes in Govardhan and Vrindavan, one of the holiest cities of India and the place of Radha and Krishna’s most intimate pastimes.  In Vrindavan we will serve the widows of Radha Kunda as well as visit various temples and holy sites. 

This pilgrimage will penetrate the deepest, darkest caves within our mind and heart.  After a thorough analysis of how they are affecting our ability to have a full experience in this world, we will visit sacred energy vortexes where we are able to offer all this toxicity from our existence, leaving it behind, and experiencing freedom and spiritual joy. 

Though perhaps the most important component of this pilgrimage will be coming together to serve others.  As such, we will be in a meditative state of consciousness, recognizing our constitutional nature to be of service to others in this world.  And it is through this service that we are able to lose and dissolve our false identities, finding our spiritual, constitutional nature.  This seva is the deepest exchange of spiritual energies between living souls and the supreme soul.  It is through this seva we can easily be teleported to the highest realm of spiritual experience, also known as prema bhakti. 

SELF INVESTMENT

INDIA PILGRIMAGE: $2,100 USD (includes a $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your spot; this trip will sell out!) 

The FEES include: 

• Airport pickup & drop off

• All internal travel by domestic flights/bus etc.

• 3 meals a day

• Hotel/Lodging

• Entrance to all sites and activities except as noted

• All yoga sessions and classes given by Vedaji

The Fees do NOT include:

• International airfare

• Spending money (can be as much or as little as you like. Most places accept credit cards)

• Your visa or passport.

• A tip is appreciated for our guides if you liked their help; not mandatory.

ABOUT THESE PILGRIMAGES

These trips are are pilgrimages and as such, not designed to be a "vacation", but rather a yogic learning experience. Of course, you will see many places and be guided in your travels, but the focus is on spiritual growth and not just sightseeing.  

India and is a “developing” countries. Please do not expect ANYTHING to be up to American or European standards. Students sit on the floor (if you need a chair due to health issues it can be arranged) and live simply.  Many of the teachers and guest lecturers wear traditional Vaisnava dress (dhotis/robes/saris).  We will visit temples, including Hare Krishna temples & ashrams.  The pilgrimage includes Kirtan (group singing of traditional Sanskrit mantras) as well as japa (individual chanting of mantras on meditation beads). Travel in India can involve some austerity, but our teachers and assistants are all seasoned veterans of many pilgrimages and extensive travels.  All reasonable measures will be taken to provide and care for students.

We request guests to follow a codes of behavior compatible with a yogic pilgrimage.  This includes eating exclusively vegetarian or vegan. No meat, fish or eggs. No illicit sexual activities on this trip. Consumption of alcohol and non-prescribed drugs is not permitted.  We reserve the right to ask anyone to leave the trip at any stage and without any refund for breaching this code of conduct. 

Students will see many sights in exotic locations, but the primary purpose of the trip is not sightseeing.  We will practice asana, japa meditation, do a lot of Kirtan, tell the stories of ancient India, chant mantras and otherwise explore the ancient yogic traditions.  This training and journey has been designed to be a magical, transformative, and life-changing experience!