Journey by the Ganges
20th Sep - 04th Oct 2022
Join us for an inner and outer adventure of a lifetime. Travel to the source of the river which for ages has been the source of all life-knowledge for common man and sages alike.
To develop as human beings, we need to study ourselves & "Journey by the Ganges" is about self-exploration. Our adaptability to an ever-changing world grows when we experience our earth with a child-like urge to learn. Here, we are holding the hand of the river Ganges to understand the flow of life as we move up to the source and see how she serves one of the oldest civilizations.
As we observe the throbbing cultural centres along the river banks, the inherent oneness of humanity will dawn upon us. Regardless of our colour, gender, country, or other segregating human labels, our need for happiness remains the same. To realize that we are all connected and dependent on each other as human beings is a compelling observation - setting us free from narrow selfish considerations and making us actual earthlings.
The purpose of this retreat is to bring body and mind into balance. If there is a harmonious flow of energy through the body, it improves general wellbeing. The retreat will help you live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life and raise awareness through Yoga and meditation. The friendly and relaxed manner of the retreat makes everyone feel at home, and even those who are new to Yoga will feel comfortable.
Essential aspects of the retreat will include Yoga-Meditation, Walking Meditation, Hiking / Trekking, informal conversations on mysticism and experiencing various cultural, social and religious events of India.
Journey Highlights
Kolkata
Kolkata formerly Calcutta, city, capital of West Bengal state, and former capital (1772–1911) of British India. It is one of India’s largest cities and is centred on the east bank of the Hugli (Hooghly) River, once the main channel of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 96 miles (154 km) upstream from the head of the Bay of Bengal; The city’s former name, Calcutta, is an Anglicized version of the Bengali name Kalikata. According to some, Kalikata is derived from the Bengali word Kalikshetra, meaning “Ground of (the goddess) Kali.”
Durga Puja is an annual festival celebrated most notably in Kolkata and amongst the Bengali diaspora. UNESCO inscribed this in 2021 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In the months preceding the festival, small artisanal workshops sculpt images of Durga and her family using unfired clay pulled from the Ganga River and we will visit these workshops in the by lanes of the City of Joy on the first day of our journey (Sep 20th). Celebrations begin on Sasthi, the sixth day of Durga Puja and we arrive back, just-in-time at Kolkata to participate in form and spirit. The festival is characterized by large-scale installations and pavilions in urban areas, as well as by traditional Bengali drumming and veneration of the goddess. During the event, the divides of class, religion and ethnicities collapse as crowds of spectators walk around to admire the installations.
Varanasi
Varanasi, also called Banaras, or Kashi, city, is located on the left bank of the Ganges (Ganga) River and is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, having the finest river frontage in India, with miles of ghats, or steps, for religious bathing; an array of shrines, temples, and palaces rises tier on tier from the water’s edge. The inner streets of the city are narrow, winding, and impassable for motor traffic; devout Hindus hope to walk that road and visit the city once in a lifetime and, if possible, to die there in old age. The site receives more than a million pilgrims each year.
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It was one of the first major urban settlements in the middle Ganges valley. By the 2nd millennium, BCE Varanasi was a seat of Vedic religion and philosophy and was also a commercial and industrial centre famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. It was the capital of the kingdom of Kashi during the time of the Buddha (6th century BCE), who gave his first sermon nearby at Sarnath.
Haridwar
Haridwar, lies along the Ganges (Ganga) River, at the boundary between the Indo-Gangetic Plain (south) and the Himalayan foothills (north) and is also one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus and is a major pilgrimage centre. Its present name means “Door to Hari”; Hari is one of the names of Vishnu, a principal deity of Hinduism. Haridwar’s chief object of pilgrimage is Har-ki-pauri—the bathing ghat, or steps, along the river—which has what believers consider to be a footprint of Vishnu impressed into a stone. Large numbers of pilgrims gather there annually at the beginning of the Hindu solar year in April; the Kumbh Mela (a Hindu religious festival) is held every 12th year in Haridwar.
Rishikesh
Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and with the pristine Ganga flowing through it, the ancient town of Rishikesh is one of the major tourist and pilgrimage hubs in northern India, where people from across the world arrive in search of peace. Rishikesh is commonly referred to as the ‘yoga capital of the world’ and rightly so. The destination is abuzz with visitors, who come here to learn yoga and meditation. Rishikesh is also a town of quaint cafes, which offer local and international cuisines and are mostly packed with tourists. Rishikesh is also a town of quaint cafes, which offer local and international cuisines and are mostly packed with tourists. There are several legends associated with Rishikesh. It is said Rishikesh finds a mention in the ancient text Skanda Purana, and in the epic Ramayana. It is said Lord Rama, along with his brothers, came to Rishikesh to do penance after killing Ravana.
Gangotri
Gangotri is a celebrated place of Hindu pilgrimage in Uttarakhand state in northern India. It is located near Shivaling Peak in the Himalayas, at the base of the Gangotri glacier and astride the Bhagirathi River, one of the two chief headstreams of the Ganges. Gangotri contains a small temple with images representing Ganga, Bhagirathi, and various other figures of mythology.
Bhujwasa
Basic map showing Gangotri-Gomukh
Bhojbasa is a picturesque spot on the rough terrains, arranged at a height of 3,775 mts above ocean level. Bhojbasa can be reached by a 14 kms trek that begins from Gangotri. The trek experiences tough territories alongside the Bhagirathi River. Bhojwasa is the last and the only point of accommodation on the trek to the sacred Gaumukh Glacier. It is arranged 4 kms before Gaumukh Glacier, the source or origin of the Ganges. This lovely place offers captivating perspectives of the Bhagirathi crests (6,856 mts). The Bhagirathi sisters hold the Gangotri ice sheet.
Gaumukh - Source of River Ganga
One of the holiest lands in Uttarakhand, Gaumukh, or Gomukh, is the source of the holy Bhagirathi River. It is located 18km from Gangotri and is the second-largest glacier in India. One of the most popular and rewarding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas, Gangotri - Gaumukh not only gives you the opportunity to camp at the foot of lofty Himalayan peak but it also involves coming face to face with the massive Gaumukh Glacier, the origin of Ganga River and is also thronged by devotees for its serenity and pious mythological history. Around the snout, nature presents a wild topography. There are boulders scattered here and there with some pieces of broken snow, along with the hard clayey snow of the glacier.
Accommodations & Meals
Meals served will be vegetarian, ranging from basic to sumptuous as available. Kindly remember the journey will take us to places with modern infrastructure and places with only the most essential camping facilities available.
Customization: e.g. one may choose to stay back at Gangotri in case you want to avoid the trekking part of the journey; if it's a family travelling and you have a specific request, we can work out as much as possible within the available framework;
The simplicity of food and stay brings out the group camaraderie and the bountiful nature. Beyond the material convenience, there are spiritual treasures that will inundate our beings.
The participants are encouraged to refrain from Smoking & Drinking during the retreat.
about the mystic coaches
Sudhir, Founder - Mystic Yoga
The entire journey will be led by Sudhir (Founder, Mystic Yoga). He has spent 6 years as a monastic in the ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda and learnt Yoga philosophy and Raja Yoga meditation system. He is in love with the River Ganges and totally in awe of the majestic Himalayas and was born and brought up in Kolkata where the unparalleled Durga Puja celebrations take place each year. Sudhir will also be conducting guided meditation sessions throughout the journey and sharing insights about the places, the rituals, the confluences, and sharing the evolutionary story of Yoga and Meditation.
Chirashree and Abhishek, both being experienced and accomplished Yoga Gurus will also join in the journey at some places and offer sessions in Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Kundalini Yoga. Both being the curator of Mystic Yoga Café and the soul food it offers, with spontaneous passion will talk about diet and its impact on the overall health and wellbeing and explain the subtle nuances of wide-ranging culinary delights in various parts of India.
Queries/Clarifications
For any queries or clarification or to show interest in the above retreat, fill out the form below, and one of us will contact you at the earliest.
retreat registration
For retreat registration and fee details, contact Sudhir at +91-9163365029/sudhir@mysticmanagers.com.
Personalized Retreat, Treks & Pilgrimages in India
If you alone or with friends and family will like to undergo a residential training program in Yoga or Meditation or Yoga-Meditation combined for physical or psychic healing, de-addiction or de-cluttering of your mind and spiritual awakening may get in touch via WhatsApp or Email. 91-9163365029 / sudhir@mysticmanagers.com