Himalayan Adventure &
Babaji’s Cave Pilgrimage
Saints, Sages, and Shrines of the Scenic Himalayas

11 September – 2 October 2010
(group flight: 10 September – 2 October)

This is an extraordinary pilgrimage to India’s holiest sites, with visits to saints and sadhus who live in these remote places: Babaji’s cave at Almora, Naukchiatal, Kausani, the Valley of Flowers, Hemkunt, Badrinath (sacred to Lord Badrinarayan) and concluding in Rishikesh, the gateway to the Himalayas. It requires physical conditioning which allows one to walk easily at altitudes of 2,000-3,400 meters, and a keen sense of adventure and devotion. Ananda has been offering this inspiring, well-organized, and lovingly guided pilgrimage to India for many years, and you are cordially invited!

This pilgrimage offers an extraordinary variety of spiritual experiences, and includes a fascinating itinerary of holy places in beautiful natural settings, from the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh to the Himalayan mountains, forests and jungles in the Almora and Kumaon hill areas. Starting in Delhi, the pilgrims then go to the lower Himalayas, which include beautiful lakes and forests at altitudes of around 2,000 meters. Access to these areas is by bus, and in some cases by foot, with walks of between 1⁄2 hour and 1 1⁄2 hours. All walks that we do are at the pace and rhythm which is comfortable for each individual.

The itinerary includes visits to the ashrams and shrines of past and present saints, including the cave where the immortal guru, Babaji, gave Kriya Yoga initiation for the first time in the modern age to his disciple Lahiri Mahasaya.

Program

Naukchiatal

Naukchiatal is a picturesque emerald lake at an altitude of 1,800 meters (about 4,500 feet), and is one of the nine famous lakes of the Kumaon region of India. It is a peaceful setting with a charming town.

There are numerous saints and ashrams in this area, including:

• Saint Francis Baba, who for the past thirty years has lived in a small ashram on a mountain top near Bhimtal. He lives in perfect harmony with nature and the animals, and tigers come to visit him.
• Mauni Ma, a direct disciple of Neem Karoli Baba, who has been in silence for 30 years. Her ashram is dedicated to her guru and also to Hanuman. We will meditate here, with the hope of having darshan with Ma if she is there.

Swami Paramananda

• 118-year-old Swami Paramananda, a dynamic sadhu, was formerly a doctor in Calcutta who renounced his worldly duties to dedicate his life to the spiritual search. He met Lahiri Mahasaya when he was a child. We hope to have darshan with him, chanting and meditation, with the chance to ask him questions. Previous trips to this wonderful saint has left everyone uplifted. This Swami also recounts to us his personal contact with Babaji.

Almora

On the way from Naukchiatal to the Almora district we will stop to meditate at another Neem Karoli Baba ashram and at various temples.

Kausani and Babaji’s Cave

From Almora we proceed to Kausani, where we will stay in the ideally-located Suman Royal Resort, with a panoramic view of the Himalayas from all rooms and terraces.

One day is dedicated to Babaji’s cave, an experience which includes a beautiful walk of about one hour. This is where Babaji gave the first Kriya initiation in modern times to Lahiri Mahasaya, who then went on to teach it to thousands in Benares.

The next day is dedicated to visiting Sadhana Giri, a young, dynamic sadhu who lives in an ancient meditation site visited by saints and sages for thousands of years, where he leads a solitary life of yoga and meditation practice. This valley ashram is located next to a beautiful waterfall, which was also where Lahiri Mahasaya meditated.

View of the Himalayas from Suman Royal Resort

Valley of Flowers National Park

We will go to the famous Valley of Flowers and enjoy the special beauty of the snow-capped peaks (including Nilgiri Parbat, 6474m), glaciers, streams, waterfalls and flowers of this valley.

This national park, nestled high in West Himalaya, is an outstandingly beautiful high-altitude Himalayan valley that has been acknowledged as such by renowned mountaineers and botanists in literature for over a century and in Hindu mythology in the Ramayana and Mahabharata for much longer. Its gentle landscape, breathtakingly beautiful meadows of alpine flowers and ease of access complement the rugged, mountain wilderness for which the inner basin of Nanda Devi National Park is renowned. Although most flowers have already bloomed by this time, it is still a very beautiful area with glaciers, streams and mountains.

We will walk up (or travel by mule for those who prefer) to the holy lake of Hemkunt, sacred to a great saint of the Sikh tradition. Here for thousands of years, the world renowned Rishis and Yogis have been engaged in meditation and spiritual practices of different types, which has saturated the atmosphere of this region with an unusual holiness, which influences a visitor in many ways. It is believed that meditation and prayer done in these hills is more effective. Everyone can feel and experience the blessings of this place of purity if he opens his heart.

Badrinath (3,100 meters)

Badrinath is the holiest shrine and pilgrimage place in all of India. Located at 3100 meters on the banks of the Alaknanda River, it was established by Swami Shankaracharya in the seventh century. The shrine is dedicated to Badrinarayan, a form of Vishnu, whom many devotees consider to be Babaji. The statue in the temple was found in the river by Shankaracharya.

We will hike to the spectacular falls of Vasudev, hike into the Neelkanth Valley, visit the sacred temple of Badrinath, meditate at the caves of Veda Vyasa and Ganesha, who brought the epic Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita to the world.

We will also have time to visit the Tibetan colony of Mana and enjoy the holy city of Badrinath, including visits to the swamis and babas who live in this holy valley.

We will be at an altitude of about 3000-3400 m (9500-11000 ft) and have spectacular views of the snow covered mountains and green valleys of the Himalayas. One can experience a profound silence in this beautiful valley.

Rishikesh

Located at the foot of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges river, Rishikesh is blessed with the holy atmosphere of many ashrams, saints and sadhus.

We will meditate along the Ganges and in various ashrams and holy places.

One of the highlights will be a visit to Vanamali Devi, a devotional woman sage, living in her picturesque ashram above the Ganges.

There will be an opportunity to meditate in Swami Sivananda’s kutir and on the ghat where spent many hours each morning in meditation, and visit his tomb at the Divine Life Society.

There will be free time for walking, shopping and meditating on your own.

After this the group will return to Delhi for the return flights on October 2.

Information, Fees, and Reservations

Weather

In the Himalayas, the best time to visit is after the monsoons, from mid-September to the end of October, when it begins to snow. Even during this ideal time the weather can be uncertain, changing between sunny days with temperatures that can reach 17-18 degrees Celsius, with late afternoons that could bring showers, and night temperatures ranging from 0-10 degrees. Appropriate clothing must be brought. A more detailed description will be sent to you when your reservation is confirmed.

Accommodations

All of our hotels have been personally inspected by Arjuna and our Indian guides. They have hot and cold running water. Those in Badrinath and Rishikesh are beautiful 4-star hotels, while the others are more simple pensions, especially in the Valley of Flowers.

Food

Because these pilgrimage places are considered amongst the most holy sites for Hindus, fish, meat and alcoholic beverages are not available. In the 4-star hotels, Western and Eastern dishes are served. If you have special dietary requirements, be in touch with us for further advice.

Itinerary

Because the weather and road conditions in the mountainous areas are constantly changing, it might be necessary for us to adjust our itinerary accordingly. In previous trips we have encountered delays due to landslides and other conditions which force us to change the itinerary, staying perhaps longer in some areas and less time in others. This pilgrimage requires mental flexibility and the capacity to adjust to changing conditions.

Guides and Trasportation

There will be several Ananda guides on this pilgrimage (Arjuna, Jayadev and others) as well as our two long-time Indian guides (Bijay and Mahavir). In addition, local mountain experts will accompany the group in some areas.

Languages spoken will be English and Italian.

Transportation will be by private bus and train.

Physical Condition

This pilgrimages requires physical endurance for walking distances at high altitudes, from 2000-3400 meters (one excursion goes up for a day to 4300m at Hemkunt). Each person should check with their physician to make sure that their physical conditioning is adequate to meet these challenges. There are no emergency medical facilities in any of these areas. Each person is able to walk at his own enjoyable pace during the hikes, and there are also mules for some of the higher walks available; however, physical conditioning is required and proper shoes and clothing are a necessity.

Short pilgrimage option

If you can’t stay for the whole pilgrimage, other options are possible; please contact us.

Participation Fees

Double occupancy, without flight: approximately € 1,695.00 per person

Single-room supplement (limited number available): approximately € 450.00

Payments: 50% down payment due before 15 August, rest by 30 August.

These fees are a close approximation, based on the information we have on hand (€1 = Rs 61). Due to possible fluctuations in the exchange rate and the cost of oil, which affect costs of flights and other transportation as well as hotel accommodations, some of these fees might change slightly.

If you choose a double room, but do not have a roommate, it might be possible to find one within the group. If that is not possible, or if you decide during the trip to have a single room, you will be responsible for the single room supplement.

If you prefer to fly with the group from Rome with Qatar Air (departure from Rome on September 10 at 12:25, from Milano at 11:55, arrival in Dohar at 18:45, departure Dohar 21:05, arrival in Delhi 03:15 next day, arrival back in Rome or Milan on October 2 at 13:50), please let us know and we are happy to book your flight. The cost is approximately €600.00.

If this flight is not convenient for you, you can book your flight through your own travel agent. In that case you should arrive the day before and sleep one night in Delhi. We can arrange to find a hotel for you near the airport.

Included in the Program Fee

• food and lodging, two meals per day, (breakfast and dinner), guided spiritual practices
• all ground transportation
• medical insurance (limited)
• bottled water
• tips for porters
• Ananda and Indian guides

Not Included in the Program Fee

• Flight to Delhi (unless booked with us, see details above)
• Indian visa costs
• Extra meals and beverages
• Donations to ashrams, sadhus, charitable organizations
• Tips for special service from Indian guides, drivers, etc.
• Personal trips with taxi, rickshaws, etc.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, internet, etc.

For travel contract conditions and bank transfers: Please contact us.

Passport

Make sure that your passport is valid until the middle of April 2011. If it expires before this time, you should have it renewed before you request your visa.

Visa

The easiest way to obtain a visa is to find a travel agency which offers this service. Otherwise, you need to go to the India Embassy or Consulate closest to your home.

Application and Questionnaire

Technical organization:
VACANTIONER VIAGGI SNC;

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Tel. 075/8742241, fax. 075/8741806.
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For information and reservations:
info@ananda.it   Tel: +39 0742-81.36.20   Fax: +39 0742-81.35.36

Ananda is located in the tranquil hills of Umbria, Italy on “Strada Statale 444” between Assisi and Gualdo Tadino. It is the largest retreat center in Europe for Yogananda’s teachings.

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