Our Winter 2024 India pilgrimage is an invitation for you to step outside your current context of life, enter into another world of spiritual wonder, and redefine the foundation on which you find personal purpose and meaning.
Info Session
Click the button below to schedule a FREE 15 minute information session with Kishor for this pilgrimage!
WINTER INDIA PILGRIMAGE 2024
led by Dhanya Rico, Bali Rico & Kishor Chandra
dates – january 20 – february 3
location – Govardhana eco village / Mumbai / Chennai / Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Tirupati
price –
- $3500 *shared accommodation*
*for any questions please write to us at info@bhakticenter.org
Overview
Life continues to test, press and squeeze us. It is a testament to our spiritual endurance to continuously seek our center and reground ourselves. For centuries, India has invoked the deep yearnings of the soul for truth, connection and devotion. Going on pilgrimage provides a unique opportunity to dive deep into an ancient spiritual culture that can reawaken our sense of inner fulfillment.
As pilgrims, we approach our journey in a mood of opening our minds and hearts with humility so that genuine transformation can take place in our lives. You will be in the company of supportive fellow travelers and form friendships that often last a lifetime.
Throughout our journey, we will sing sacred songs in Kirtan, hear and discuss teachings from yoga texts, take part in regular asana practice, and share wholesome meals together. From ancient temples and breathtaking landscapes to colorful palaces and simple-hearted yogis imbued with spiritual wisdom and love, we can enter into a world beyond anything we’ve ever experienced.
What’s included
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14 days and nights of accommodation and transportation
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Mumbai’s Flower Festival
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Morning mantra meditation, reading and Discussion of Gita (India’s most revered sacred text)
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Yoga & meditation classes
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Histories and incredible stories of the Vedic culture (made applicable to today’s times)
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2-3 Delicious love-filled vegetarian meals each day
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Life-long friendships
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Seva (Opportunities to serve the local people)
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Parikrama (Pilgrimages through and around temples and holy places)
What’s not included
- Airfare and transportation to India
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, etc.
- Visa fee
- Tips for driver / guide
- Ayurvedic Treatments (optional)
Schedule
After 5 days, we will head back to Mumbai for the famous Flower Festival! Thousands and thousands of colorful flower petals showering the deities at the beautiful Radha Gopinath Temple! Later we will experience the real India in the mood of celebration with God in the center.
Continuing down to Chennai, a bustling city on the Bay of Bengal, we will arrive at the gateway to South India! Chennai will serve as a central hub for day trips. Day trips include outings to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram, two ancient cities with stunning representations of typical South Indian temples. We will also have time to explore and relax on the beaches of Chennai and Mahabalipuram.
Lastly we will spend a few days in the sacred town of Tirupati, one of the most visited places of worship in the world! Including visits to the main Venkateswara Temple (also called Balaji temple) as well as other holy sites. Here we will hear stories from sadhus, do lots of kirtan (!), and partake in pilgrimage around the sacred town.
Itinerary
Registration
If you are interested in joining us, please register on Momence and make your $1000 non-refundable deposit which secures your spot.
Please note there is a non-refundable deposit required to hold your spot for the Winter 2024 India Pilgrimage. By paying the $1,000 deposit, you know that you are holding your spot for our 2024 India retreat, that it is non-refundable, and that a second payment of $1,400 will be due by October 18th, 2023. The remaining balance is due by December 5th, 2023. You will be sent a retreat policies document to review and sign once your deposit is made.
Please contact us BEFORE booking your flights. We will give you specific flight details as well as visa information.
Cancellation Policy
- There will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness.
- Any monies paid to the retreat are non-transferrable.
If you cancel your reservation:
- 61 days or more prior to the start of the retreat, you receive 50% of the money you have put down after the deposit (the deposit is non-refundable).
- 31-60 days prior to the start of the retreat, you receive: 20% of the money you have put down after the deposit (the deposit is non-refundable).
- 0-30 days prior to the start of the yoga retreat, no refunds are given.
- To cancel, you must send an email stating that you wish to do so to info@bhakticenter.org.
Counselor, musician and teacher, Dhanya Rico is a lifelong practitioner of Bhakti yoga. She was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. Dhanya holds a Master’s degree in Counselor Education, and holds a Specialist’s degree in Couples and Family therapy. She is passionate about developing therapeutic tools that incorporate Bhakti principles and practices as means of reconnecting with our essential nature. She is also a singer/songwriter and kirtan artist who has traveled the world sharing spiritual music, performing her original compositions as well as collaborating with the renowned Kirtan group, Mayapuris.
Bali Rico is a lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, author and academic. Born in the U.S. to Colombian parents, he and younger brother Kish spent their formative years living in ashrams in the sacred land of Mayapur, West Bengal, learning the traditions and music of ancient India. Bali’s mridanga playing is fiery, funky and precise, helping to create the Mayapuris signature sound. As a hip-hop lyricist, Bali’s flow mirrors the intricate rhythm of a born percussionist, with thoughtful prose full of insight, philosophy and personal reflection. His recent hip-hop releases bring together his eclectic musical influences and unique artistic talent.
