We will practice hatha yoga and meditate with teachers on the banks of the sacred Ganga, learn about colorful Indian culture and traditions, the basics of Ayurveda and participate in traditional fire ceremonies. The retreat is a valuable opportunity to let go of everything for a while and open up to a new and unique experience, to get to know the real you. We will meet good friends for a liberating practice. For 10 days we will work on body and spirit under the gentle guidance of Mittra and Elena and ask them exciting questions.
Journey Highlights
Daily Hatha Yoga
Morning and evening yoga sessions — asanas, alignment, breathing practices, meditation, yoga nidra, and sound healing with experienced teachers
Kunjapuri Temple Sunrise
Sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple ("Place of the Heart"), a Shakti Pithi — a place of special power with panoramic views of Rishikesh and the surrounding area
Vashishta Cave Meditation
Visit the sacred cave on the quiet bank of the Ganga where Sage Vasishtha, who possessed divine power and wisdom, lived and meditated
Tungnath Mountain Trek
Drive to the mountains to visit Tungnath temple at 3,680 meters — the highest Shiva temple and part of the Panch Kedar pilgrimage route
Beatles Ashram
Visit Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram, where the Beatles came to study Transcendental Meditation — a place where the special atmosphere and spirit of the teacher is still felt
Fire Ceremonies & Ganga Aarati
Participate in traditional fire ceremonies for creating intention (sankalpa) and witness the famous Ganga Aarati at Parmath Niketan on the banks of the river
11-Day Itinerary
Program can be alternate accordingly. Approximate daily schedule: 6:30–8:00 Morning practice | 8:00–9:00 Breakfast at the hotel | 10:00–16:30 Joint walks / excursions / free time / massage | 16:30–18:00 Evening practice (hatha yoga / yoga nidra / sound healing) | 18:00–19:30 Dinner | 19:30–21:00 Satsang / general circle to discuss experiences.
Arrival in Rishikesh
Arrival during the day, rest, practice at will. In the evening general circle, acquaintance, evening practice.
Fire Ceremony & Rishikesh Exploration
Morning yoga practice, fire ceremony for creating intention (sankalpa) and walk around Rishikesh, evening practice. We will visit the famous Lakshman Jhula and Ram Jhula bridges, climb the Trayambakeshwar temple, which offers a great view of the Ganga. Going up from floor to floor of the temple you can get acquainted with the main pantheon of Indian deities. We will visit the Parmath Niketan, which hosts the famous Ganga Aarati, the Ganga worship ceremony. We will walk through the shopping streets, beautiful promenades and drop into cozy cafes and meditate and swim on the quiet sandy beaches by the Ganga.
Kunjapuri Temple Sunrise
Sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple ("Place of the Heart"), practice meeting the Sun. These are places of special power — Shakti Pithi. The legend of Sati and Shiva is associated with them, which we will definitely discuss at these places. It is also a good vantage point from where you can get a great view of Rishikesh and the surrounding area. In the afternoon free time, bathing in Ganga. Evening practice, at sunset — Ganga Arati (fire ceremony of Ganga worship) at one of the Ganga ghats.
Vashishta Cave
Morning practice. After practice visit to Vashishta cave. The cave is located on the quiet bank of the Ganga, away from populated areas, so visiting it is very auspicious for meditative contemplation and finding peace of mind. Sage Vasishtha, who possessed divine power and wisdom, lived and meditated in this place. We will visit the cave, meditate together and take ablution in the Ganges if desired. Evening practice. Rest.
Mountain Excursion — Tungnath & Devprayag
Drive to the mountains with a visit to Tungnath temple and (optionally) Mt. Chandrashila. Located at an altitude of 3,680 meters, this is the highest Shiva temple and is a part of the important Panch Kedar pilgrimage route. After a short climb, you will be able to witness the majestic Himalayas and have a transcendent experience of connecting with this place! The experience of climbing is always a special coping practice that opens up the possibility of looking at the world and your life from above — literally and figuratively. On the way we will stop by Devprayag and the Dhari Devi temple. Devprayag is a small town about two hours drive from Rishikesh where the Bhagirathi and Alakananda rivers merge to form the beginning of the Ganga. It is an energetically powerful place and pilgrims come here to perform ablutions. The temple of Dhari Devi, the patroness of the state of Uttarakhand and especially of the pilgrims following the Char Dham (Four Sanctuaries) route. Optionally, depending on time — trek to Deoria Tal.
Rest Day
Morning and evening practice. Free time and rest.
Beatles Ashram
Morning and evening practice. Visit to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram (Beatles ashram). There is a unique place near Rishikesh, the Maharishi Ashram. It is also known as the ashram of the Beatles, who came here in the 60s to study Transcendental Meditation. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is a renowned teacher who gave the world the tradition of Transcendental Meditation and the opportunity for in-depth training in applied Vedic sciences. The special atmosphere and spirit of the teacher is still felt in this place.
Closing Ceremony
Morning and evening practice, free time in the afternoon. In the evening fire ceremony, dinner and general circle.
Departure
Morning practice. Rest, shopping. Departure or continuation of the program.
What's Included
Accommodation
- 10 nights in a cozy riverside hotel
- Comfortable rooms near the descent to the Ganges
- Well-equipped yoga room with picturesque valley view
Meals
- Organic vegetarian breakfast daily
Yoga & Wellness
- All yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions
- Yoga nidra and sound healing
- Basics of Ayurveda
- Evening satsang and general circle
- Fire ceremonies
Excursions & Activities
- Kunjapuri Temple sunrise excursion
- Vashishta Cave meditation visit
- Mountain trek to Tungnath temple (3,680m)
- Devprayag and Dhari Devi temple
- Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)
- Ganga Aarati ceremony
- All local transportation
Your Facilitators
About the Practice
You will have one or two yoga sessions per day according to our activities. Depending on timing it can be awakening hatha yoga practice in a gentle way: asanas, alignment, breathing practices, meditations (in the morning) or relaxation and restoration, yoga nidra and other practices.
The practice is suitable for all levels of experience: beginners will receive detailed instructions in performing asanas, and experienced practitioners will be able to deepen their practice. There are no strict rules and regulations — each seeker can try what he/she likes or not try anything, but only observe. Being here in itself creates an opportunity for contemplation and active immersion in practice, purification of mind and body, searching for that very contact... the connection of body, soul and spirit.
What to Bring
- Comfortable yoga clothing (modest, covering shoulders and knees)
- Warm layers for early morning and mountain excursions
- Comfortable hiking shoes for Tungnath trek
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Modest clothing for temple visits
- Small backpack for day trips
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Reusable water bottle
- Open heart and curious mind
Why Rishikesh?
The ancient city of Rishikesh is the "yoga capital of the world", one of the main tourist and pilgrimage centers of northern India, where people come from all over the world to study yoga and spiritual knowledge. Rishikesh has many ashrams, some of which are recognized worldwide as centers of philosophical studies, yoga and other ancient traditions.
The city is 250 kilometers from Delhi. It is easily accessible by car, bus or airplane. A favorite destination for spiritual seekers and yoga students, although the city has become very touristy in recent years, it retains its unique atmosphere.
Once here, one marvels at the chaos and peace at the same time, the craziness of the Indian streets and the zen on the banks of the Ganga. Here the Ganga descends to the plain from the Himalayan mountains, creating a unique atmosphere of purity, softness and beauty. These places remember the spirit of the holy sages who practiced in these places. Pilgrimage routes to high mountain shrines start from here, and Rishikesh is the starting point, a kind of gateway to a more sublime experience.