Grace of the Ganga

Integrate the experience of Maha Sri Yaga through a devotion-filled journey to some of North India’s most sacred sites. We’ll seek Rama’s inner strength through Hanuman’s devotion in Chitrakoot, while also paying homage to sages Atri and Anasuya; bask in the Ganga’s grace in Prayagraj; immerse ourselves in the Divine Mother’s vibrant shakti in Vindhyachal; and culminate with a traditional pilgrimage through and around Varanasi. This 7 night add-on will surely enhance your experience of Maha Sri Yaga and prepare you to carry the fruits of its practice into the world.

Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot is the famous location where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent 14 years in exile during the Ramayana. It’s best known for its shrines: Kamadgiri, where pilgrims make a parikrama around the hill where Rama and Sita lived; Hanuman Dara, where Hanuman found solace and rejuvenation after returning from battle in Sri Lanka; Gupta Godavari, caves set in a rocky hillside where Rama and Lakshmana spent time during exile; And Sati Anasuya, where Sages Anasuya and Atri (parents of Dattatreya) lived in the jungles along the beautiful sacred river Mandakini.

Prayagraj

Prayagraj is famous as the confluence (sangam) of the sacred Ganga and Yamuna rivers, where Brahma is said to have performed the first yajna (group practice) on earth, and as the site of the Kumbha Mela, a grand spiritual gathering centered around yagna (group practice) which occurs every 12 years coinciding with a highly auspicious astrological alignment of constellations. Situated 2 kilometers downstream from Sangam, amongst lush tree groves and gardens along the banks of the Ganges, is Himalayan Institute Prayagraj. Spend three nights here, meditating in our sacred grove, where masters have practiced sadhana for centuries, and take day trips to special shrines around the city, including sangam.

Vindhyachal

Situated between Prayagraj and Varanasi, Vindhyachal is a land of shakti sadhana and renowned tantric shrine of numerous aspects of the Divine Mother. Documented in ancient texts such as Markandeya Purana and Durga Saptashati, it is home to over a dozen significant sacred sites. We’ll make a point to visit at least three of them that have unique connections to Swami Rama and Panditji while en route to Varanasi.

Varanasi

Enjoy a 3-day power pilgrimage through one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world, Varanasi. We’ll focus our time in Varanasi on ancient pilgrimage sites such as Kardameshwar and Kapileshwar, part of the traditional Panch-Koshi yatra around Varanasi; Markandeya Mahadev, dedicated to the seer of the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra; Kashi Viswanath, the most prized temple in Varanasi; Vishalakshi, a lesser known, but highly potent shrine of Sri Vidya, and more! Of course, we can’t go to Varanasi without enjoying a sunrise over the Ganga or an evening aarti as well!

Ransom Hare