New Delhi Add-On Trip

February 26th – March 5th, 2008

Swami Kriyananda giving a talk in New Delhi

We are happy to offer you a guided visit to Northern India and to our Ananda Center.

After the physical and mental rejuvenation in Kerala, you’ll be ready to absorb the spiritual wisdom of India. In this second part of our trip, we’ll be visiting spiritual sites and attuning ourselves to the great depth of the Indian Spirit. 

Description of extended stay:

The New Delhi add-on trip will take place February 26th – March 5th, 2008. We will fly to New Delhi at the end of our retreat in Kerala on February 26, 2008. We’ll stay in Gurgaon, a suburb of New Delhi. The trip will include the Kriyaban retreat, three day-trips and one half-day trip.

The Taj Mahal at Agra

On Wednesday, February 27, we will visit the Akshardham monument. It is a breath-taking architectural structure built without steel and consists of 234 ornately carved pillars, 9 ornate domes, and 20,000 statues.

Palace adjoined to the Taj Mahal

The monument is a fusion of pink stone and pure white marble. Akshardham was created by Pramukh Swami Maharaj in fulfillment to the wish of his guru, Brahmaswarup Yogiji Maharaj. It took 300 million man hours rendered by 11,000 volunteers, sadhus, and artisans to create this beautiful monument.

Later that day we will visit two local Indian markets with beautiful crafted items, silk scarves, tablecloths, etc.

The morning of February 28, we’ll go to the Indian Metropolitan Mall and visit Ananda’s store, called The Wishing Tree.

Dilli Haat Marketplace

You will participate in the Kriyaban Retreat at the Ananda Center, in New Delhi (a weekend dedicated to the practices of meditation and the science of Kriya Yoga, brought to the West by Paramhansa Yogananda), The Kriyaban Retreat will start on Thursday afternoon, February 28 and will end on Sunday after lunch, on March 2. It will include classes with Swami Kriyananda, workshops led by Ananda ministers, and inspirational evenings of music and presentations.

After the Kriyaban Retreat, early Monday morning we’ll take a 3 – 4 hour train ride to Agra, where we will see the renowned Taj Mahal and other palaces.

Ghandi Statue at Ghandi Smritti memorial

On Tuesday, we’ll visit the Gandhi memorial, the place where Gandhi spend the last years of his life and where he died. There is an inspiring museum and a shrine dedicated to Gandhi.

Chattarpur Temple

Mohandas "Mahatma" (great soul) Gandhi (1869-1948) was an Indian politician and spiritual leader who led the nationalist movement from 1919 to 1947. He created the non-violent movement, and led India to freedom  from England.

After that, if time permits, we will visit the Chattapur Temple.

We will be leaving on Tuesday night, March 4th to fly back to the US, arriving in San Francisco on Wednesday morning, March 5.

Ananda monks chanting

Included in your package

  • Flight from Kerala to Delhi
  • 7 nights stay in a hotel
  • 3 vegetarian meals a day
  • Kriyaban Retreat fees
  • 3 day-trips
  • Bottled water
  • Group Airport transportations

Costs

Private room $1800
Shared room $1650

Not included in your package

  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, internet cafe, etc.
  • Tips for personal services
  • If you travel on your own, you will need to cover extra costs of private transportation

Babaji Cave and Mahsamadhi Retreat

After the Kriyaban Retreat, on March 3 – 7, our Ananda New Delhi staff will lead a pilgrimage to Babaji’s cave in the Ranikhet area in the Himalayas.

If you want to extend your stay and participate in this pilgrimage, and / or the Mahasamadhi Retreat (March 7 – 9, 2008), you will need to contact Keshava Taylor from our Ananda Ashram in India for more information, prices and reservations.

Keshava’s e-mail is: keshava@anandaindia.org