Getting Real

Yatra and Navaratri - A month long pilgrimage in Himalaya and Divine Mother festival 18/3 – 16/4 2012 by Bo Wahlström

A pilgrimage is a journey of discoveries in the exterior as well as the interior world. Throughout history people have been travelling to extraordinary places with magnificent nature, religious memory spots and sanctuaries, encompassed by mythologies which are still speaking its symbolic language as a living cultural expression, even to this day. Himalaya is often called the roof of the world. The newly created state Uttaranchal consists of the two mountain ranges Kumaon and Gharwal. These areas are full of pilgrim places, temples, energy spots and legends about them. The people who live here believe Himalaya is the abode of God and that they are the neighbours. Every seeker that comes here to get spiritual uplift confirms their belief. Many yogis and spiritual masters have been residing here. Mahatma Gandhi also wrote about his visits here and praised what he saw and experienced.

It is impossible to come here without being affected, no matter our belief or philosophical viewpoint. During this journey you will get the opportunity to mirror yourself in the deepest roots of another culture. It is not about adopting another religion or a new belief but rather facing and experiencing people, nature and culture. A Yatra also means to sometimes get outside our ordinary comfort zone, which is as challenging as beneficial. These wonderful mountains influence our senses and raise our capacity to overview and to be present in our lives. They also offer great opportunities for meditation. There will of course be many possibilities for physical exercise even if we are not going on any “trekking”.

From New Delhi we take a train directly to Haldwani by the foot of the mountains. Vi arrive late in the evening and spend two nights here to gather ourselves, rest from our journey and maybe do some needed shopping before our way up in the mountains.

Our first stop is Haidakhan Ashram, which is beautifully located on the mountain side at about 800 meters, far away from city life and traffic jam, and with the clear river below. An ashram is a spiritual community and this one was founded by Shri Babaji during the time he was active here 1970-84. He was really not interested in founding a new religion or sect but very concerned to ignite the spiritual as well as the genuine human nature in those whose were seeking him, and continuously spoke about selfless service to humanity as a medicine for our suffering world. That has attracted people from many different beliefs to visit this place.

During our stay in Haidakhan we will participate in and experience the Navaratri festival, celebrated in praise of the Divine Mother, starting at new moon. People from all over the world come to this place to pray, do Vedic rituals, perform fire ceremonies, do chanting and seek contact and blessings from the feminine aspect of God. For the western mind this is an unusual focus but the presence and inspiration created during the festival can not be described. It has to be experienced in person.

After Haidakhan we will travel higher up in the mountains and visit Chilianaula and Kausani. From here we can see the white mountains at a distance. Temperature is slightly cooler and the surroundings are amazing and full of memorable places with their own special energy.

Chilianaula rests on the mountain ridge at almost 2000 meter, close to the little town Raniketh. Here we have a temple, hospital, and Ayurveda clinic side by side. During the four days we stay here we have possibilities to get consultations and medicine from an Ayrvedic doctor and also to get some treatments.

Kausani (often called Switzerland of India) is just half a day’s trip away but on another mountain. The location makes it possible to see sunset as well as sunrise from here. Gandhi wrote one of his books here and thought that maybe Kausani was the most beautiful place in India. There is still a boarding school here, operating in his spirit. Several pilgrim places are close by and there are great paths for walking in the nature or along the tea plantations.

After spending a few days up here we drive down to Rudraprayag located were the two rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini come together. The natural scenery is adorable and we stay a couple of nights just to absorb the influence and magnificence of this place. Merging rivers has a special impact in Indian spiritual tradition.

From Rudraprayag we travel down to the foot of the mountains, right where the river Ganges spreads out into the plains. The holy river comes from its source up in the Gaumukh glacier on the border to China, flows down and is welcomed by the twin cities Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Rishikesh became famous in the sixties when Beatles came here to learn meditation. Earlier it was a place with only temples, ashrams and spiritual centres. Nowadays many westerners are coming and thus many hotels and restaurants have been established, as well as centres offering yoga classes or lectures.

During our stay we can take part in anything that is happening here or just take some time to integrate. This is also good place to take bath in Ganges. It is still clean from its way down the mountains and refreshing for both body and soul, according millions of people.

We also visit Haridwar with the spectacular temples and bathing gats around the river. Haridwar is considered to be one of India’s seven most holy places and there is still a ban against consumption of alcohol and meat. Here we can also see the grandiose evening ceremonies at the famous Hairi Ki Pairi bathing gath.

From here we take a train back to New Delhi were we will have a couple of days of sightseeing and shopping before flying back home.

But it is not the same home as before. After a pilgrimage daily life is viewed in a different perspective and the daily challenges of life are taken on with the inspiration and insights of the self that the traveller in the inner and outer reality receives as a gift !!!

ITINERARY:

Day 1 Fly to New Delhi. Arrive latest on 18:th March. 

Day 2 Train to Haldwani.

Day 3 Day for resting and local visits.

Day 4 Travel to Haidakhan. Checking in at ashram.

Day 5-13 Participating in Navaratri festival.

Day 14-16 Journey to Chilianaula. Checking in at guesthouse. Possibilities for Ayurveda consultations and treatments.

Day 17 Travel to Kausani. Checking in at hotel.

Day 18-20 Walking, resting and local visits.

Day 21 Travel to Rudraprayag.

Day 22 Meditation and local visits.

Day 23 Travel to Rishikesh. Check in at hotel.

Day 24-26 Local visits, meetings and excursions. Visiting Haridwar.

Day 27 Journey to New Delhi by train.

Day 28-29 Sightseeing and shopping. Farewell dinner.

Day 30 Fly home. Book your flight earliest on 16:th April.

PRICE INFORMATION:

6000 SEK(Swedish Crowns). Included is my guidance in the inner and outer reality, train tickets and water purification drops. 

Another 1000 Euro (at today’s rate in nov-2011) are paid in India for covering domestic travel, food & lodging.

SIGNING UP & PAYING:

Sign up by transferring 2500 SEK (not refundable) to: 

Bo Wahlström,
account no: 530126-0039.
Bank Nordea,
Box 365,
761 24 Norrtälje,
Sweden.

SWIFT no: NDEASESS.
IBAN no: SE313 000 000 000 530126 0039

Another 3500 SEK is transferred before 20 January. (Transferring costs are at your own expense so to save some expense you can choose to pay the full amount at once).

GUIDE:

Bo Wahlström. I have arranged journeys to India since 20 years and have looked deep into Indian culture and philosophy. I have also 30 years experience of personaldevelopment.

FOR MORE INFO:

Call me on +46-70-2184838 or

mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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