India 2025-Finding the God Within

Explore Varanasi and Experience Maha Kumbha Mela

 

 January 20 thru 30, 2025

 

VARANASI, HOME OF THE GODS

 

VARANASI

is the heart of India, where the traditions, festivals, and rites of living, worshipping, and dying are practiced today as they were 4000 years ago. The Vedas, the Upanishads, and Sanskrit are taught in major universities, and yoga and meditation are everywhere.

 

THE CITY OF LIGHT

We will explore some of the many temples of Kashi—‘The City of Light’—the rituals and traditions that are a feast for the senses and a call for each of us to ‘wake up’ to the rich possibilities of a life centered in Consciousness. In our time together, we will see how this beauty, power, pageantry, and devotion are merely an outward manifestation of our own inner Truth.

 

We will visit the temple of Shiva, the presiding deity of Varanasi, as well as temples to Hanuman, Durga, Kali, and many others, all of whom represent the perfected qualities of humanity within each of us.

 

TOURING

More than that, our touring will include:

    • Sunrise boat rides on the Ganges, the living goddess of India
    • The Ghats—the broad steps that line the banks of the Ganges where places of daily bathing and worship border on the burning ghats. These are the center of daily life for all living on the Ganges.
    • Sarnath/Deer Park, the place of Buddha’s first sermon
    • Bodh Gaya, birthplace of Prince Rama, hero of the Ramayana
    • The silk-weaving district and markets

 

 

MAHA KUMBH MELA

From Varanasi we will travel north on the Ganges to Maha Kumbh Mela, the most ancient religious gathering known to man.

This is a festival, a ‘fair,’ open to all, that occurs once every three years at one of the four holiest places in India. At the Kumbh, the holy men and women of India gather for discourse and celebration and are joined by members of society from all classes, from royalty to  renunciates.

Every 12 years is the Maha or ‘Great’ assembly at the holiest Tirtha (holy place) the confluence of the three holy rivers—the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. It is said that bathing in this place of flowing together grants one liberation, freedom from the karma of all lifetimes.

Kumbh Mela is a gathering of millions, all who hold the same intention—to experience the Divine in the present moment. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

(It’s challenging to describe to you the experience of bliss we had there in 2013. The closest I can come perhaps is ‘an intoxication of light.’ I look forward to a new experience of the same with any of you who have read this far. Jeff Kober)

Join us!

 

 

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS

Arriving in New Delhi, you will be met at the airport and brought to our modern hotel where we will have an evening settling in and enjoying a delicious meal together. The following day, we are off to Varanasi and Kumbha Mela. All travel and accommodations in India, breakfast and dinner each day, are included. (At Kumbh Mela three meals each day will be provided.)

Travel to and from India is not included, and you will need additional spending money for meals, shopping, tips, and fees to enter temples.

(For those who wish to make the journey, but do not wish to attend Kumbha Mela, we are making other plans for the last four days of our journey. If you wish to join Adele for this alternative adventure, please let us know in the sign-up.)

If you’ve never been to India, this is a fantastic way to be introduced to the culture and the country. If you have been before, we will be making a deeper dive into the Veda and the many and wonderful ways it has expressed itself through the centuries, and how we, too, can bring spirituality and the desire to know God more fully to our daily lives.

 

PREREQUISITE

This retreat is open to those who have learned Vedic Meditation from a qualified teacher. (If you have not yet learned Vedic Meditation you can make arrangements to receive a mantra and the teaching in India.)

 

RETREAT FEE

Private Room – $4,400

Shared Room – $3,500

– Option to pay in installments over five months-

Once you arrive at New Delhi airport, transport, accommodation, and some meals for the retreat are included. Flights to and from New Delhi aren’t included. You’ll need additional spending money for meals, shopping, tips, and fees to enter temples.

 

To sign up for retreat, fill out this form

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some common questions about our retreat in India.

If you need more information, contact us: Send email

India 2025 FAQS

Arriving in India

The retreat begins on Monday January 20th with an evening meal in Delhi.

Flights arriving on Monday January 20th

You can arrive any time during the day on the 20th. We will pick you up from New Delhi airport and take you to our hotel. You will be able to check-in anytime on that day.

We’ll be staying in Delhi that night of Monday January 20th—this is included in your retreat fee. (Shared or private room depending on which package you’ve selected.)

Flights arriving before Monday January 20th

You may wish to spend one or more extra nights in Delhi before the retreat begins. You’ll be able to stay in the same hotel that we’ll be in for the Sunday night, or you may wish to stay somewhere else and meet us there on Sunday.

Our travel agent in India can help you arrange either option. You will need to pay for this option separately.

On Tuesday January 21st we will fly to Varanasi and be taken to our hotel and begin our exploration of this fascinating city by attending evening aarti on the Ganges.

All domestic travel arrangements and costs are included in your retreat fee.

Departing India

The retreat ends on Thursday January 30th where after breakfast we will travel by car from Kumbha Mela to Varanasi Airport and transfer to Delhi International Airport for your flight back to home.

Many choose to stay on Thursday night at an airport hotel in Delhi to relax, regroup and fly out the next day. Our travel agent in India can arrange this for you (we have several hotels we recommend). You’ll need to pay for this separately.

Additional sight-seeing after the retreat

Our travel agent also can arrange an add-on package for you to visit Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and Delhi after the retreat. If you’re interested in this option, please email us.

Yes, you need a tourist visa to visit India.

You need to apply for an “eTourist-visa”, using this link: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in

It is reasonably straightforward to complete. It should take about 3-4 days to process.

IMPORTANT: Check your passport has at least 180 days left before it expires (this is required when getting your tourist visa).

What length of visa should I apply for?

If you’re applying for an eTourist-visa, we recommend applying for a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa. The cost difference is minimal and you may well wish to return!

India Reference and Address:

Mr Pankaj Mishra

Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd.

Office No. 306, DDA Local Shopping Complex, C Block, Vikaspuri

New Delhi  110018, India

Ph: + 91 9811993875

Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com

Select tourism

As of the time of this writing, there are no requirements for vaccination or negative tests to travel to India.

We recommend checking the latest advice before you travel in case of last minute changes:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Though in our experience this has not been necessary, you may wish to consult your physician regarding recommended inoculations and anti-malarial medications.

There may be mosquitoes when we’re there, so we recommend bringing a mosquito repellent.

  • Clothing.
    • For comfortable and culturally appropriate Indian-style clothing when we first arrive, approximate costs are in the range of $100-$125 for some basic clothes. (Of course this will be more or less depending on your own taste and budget.)
  • Food.
    • Two meals each day are included in the cost of your retreat (three meals each day at Kumbh Mela). You will want to budget for lunch and chai which are not covered in your retreat fee.—perhaps $20-$30 per day. (and chai!) at local cafes and restaurants.
  • Temple Fees and Special Ceremonies.
    • We will be visiting many temples and perhaps a few Vedic ceremonies. These fees will be organized by our guides, will be paid by us individually.
  • Cash & spending.
    • You’ll pay for most things in cash. There are some Western-style shops able to take credit cards.
  • There are several ATM’s available.
  • Our travel agent will also be able to exchange money at a good rate for you when you arrive.
  • We recommend you withdraw 3,000INR from an ATM in New Delhi Airport so you have some spending money when you first arrive. Alternatively  change a small amount of money in the airport ($40--$50), but be aware the exchange rates will be much higher in the airport than with our travel agent .

 

If you plan to buy local, you won’t need to bring more than a few changes with you, as we’ll be shopping for comfortable and culturally appropriate Indian-style clothing when we arrive.

What we’ll be wearing.
We will make this more clear when you arrive. Here’s an outline:

  • We will be visiting many holy places and will be sensitive to not showing too much bare flesh in public. Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed in temple areas for men or women.
  • For women, this generally means long sleeves, loose trousers, and a type of dress known as a kurta. They come in all colors, shapes and sizes and are very comfortable. They are also inexpensive.
  • For men, some will opt for the traditional dhoti and kurta (they look like pajamas and are very comfortable).
  • It can get very cold in Varanasi in winter—as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night, but can be in the 70s during the day. Scarves and shawls will be available to buy in Varanasi (or can be purchased in Delhi if you arrive with enough time to shop), and are highly recommended. A light down jacket is a good space-saving option to bring.
  • Layers! Layers! Layers!

 

Additional clothes & accessories to pack:

Warm under-layers, e.g. long-sleeved top, vests.

A jacket for cooler evenings.

Shawl for cooler evenings and morning meditation. There will be lovely pashminas/ meditation blankets for sale in in Varanasi.

Footwear to pack:

Open sandals/ slide-on shoes for day-to-day walking around and for temple visits are easy to take off and put back on.

Flip flops are good for showering and wearing in your room.

Covered shoes (e.g. sneakers) for cooler evenings/ longer walks.

You will want a walk-around bag for water, accessories, etc. Cloth shoulder bags are available to purchase quite cheaply.

Our travel agent, Pankaj Mishra, will be offering an add-on tour at the end of the retreat to visit Jaipur, the Taj Mahal and explore Delhi. If you’re interested in this or other travel options, please contact Pankaj here:

Mr Pankaj Mishra

Director, Heartman Travel Services Pvt. Ltd

Mobile: + 91 9811993875

Email: heartmantravels@gmail.com