“The benefit of pilgrimage to holy places is not because of their rich history, but for the fact that divine blessings can be experienced when visiting them. Their very soil is impregnated with a higher consciousness.”
—Swami Kriyananda, founder of Ananda
Decades ago, Swami Kriyananda spoke of his dream for Ananda Village to become a place of pilgrimage.
Truly, his dream is a reality. The sacred places are everywhere in this Village—at Crystal Hermitage, the Meditation Retreat, Lahiri Shrine, Lotus Lake and in the living peace of Nature everywhere.
During these 4 days, you will experience the deep spiritual vibrations of all the sacred places at Ananda Village and the Meditation Retreat. We will visit the many Shrines as pilgrims, seeking to attune ourselves to God and Gurus more deeply. We will have ample time to meditate in each holy place to feel the presence of our Masters. We will fill our time between meditations as we do on others of our worldwide pilgrimages: with chanting, reading from Autobiography of a Yogi, and practicing the presence of God.
Unlike pilgrimages to busy cities like Jerusalem and Calcutta, you will be immersed in the peace of Ananda Village throughout. We will have guided, inspirational activities (such as walking meditations) and group meditation, chanting, and spiritual discussion, as well as time for you simply to be alone. It will be in some ways like a "boosted seclusion."
This 4-day pilgrimage can be a preparation for the Kriyaban weekend that follows, or it can stand alone to prepare you to live the rest of your life more deeply in God.
During our pilgrimage, we will meditate at:
- The Moksha Mandir – where Swamiji’s body rests – a place of extraordinary, expansive calmness and bliss
- Swami Kriyananda’s meditation room – the divine power there is life-changing
- Crystal Hermitage Chapel – Swami Kriyananda asked that we meditate here before coming to events at Crystal Hermitage. Pilgrims describe the feeling here as divinely sweet.
- Shrine of the Masters – with its sacred relics of Yogananda, Sri Yukteswar, Lahiri Mahasaya, Ananda Mayee Ma, Master’s mother, and Swami Kriyananda.
- Crystal Hermitage Dome
- Ananda Meditation Retreat Temple: When Swamiji first walked the Meditation Retreat grounds before Ananda had begun, he felt that our Masters had already blessed this land. The Temple site has been a place of sacred meditation for the Ananda Community for nearly 50 years.
- You can enjoy Swamiji's first meditation room in his original dome home at the Meditation Retreat
- The serene healing gardens and “power spots” at Ananda Meditation Retreat
- Babaji’s Cave at Ananda Meditation Retreat
- Lahiri Mandir
- We will also enjoy some guided activities to help us attune to Nature’s divine presence.
From Anandi: "Bharat and I have been on pilgrimage to the holy places in India, Assisi (Italy), Los Angeles (Yogananda's shrines), and the Holy Land. Each experience lives on in my consciousness to be brought to mind when I need fresh inspiration. I have had the feeling on pilgrimage that, because we've taken the time to be wholly present with God, the experience of His presence is able to reach ever more deeply into the recesses of our consciousness. We sincerely hope you will join us for these profoundly touching 4 days."
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Nayaswami Diksha
A popular Expanding Light teacher since 1997, Diksha McCord is the Director of the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training program in person and the Ananda Meditation Teacher Training Online. Nayaswami Diksha, a native Israeli who came to the U.S. in 1990, is a powerful and dynamic woman who has shared yoga postures and yogic teachings across the United States, in Canada and Europe. What is a Nayaswami?
See all programs, articles, and full bio of Nayaswami Diksha.
No dates scheduled for Kriya Yoga Pilgrimage: Attuning to Joy at this time.
Prices are all-inclusive and cover accommodations, meals, classes or activities, and course materials.
Kriya Yoga Pilgrimage: Attuning to Joy starts the afternoon of the first date listed and ends with lunch on the last date listed. Check-in is anytime between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. at our Front Desk. Your room will be available by 3:00 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. The first gathering of your group is after dinner.
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You can add extra personal retreat days before and/or after your program. Check availability and costs for the days and accommodations that you require.
Kriya Yoga Pilgrimage: Attuning to Joy starts the afternoon of the first date listed. It’s ideal to arrive before 4 pm, if you are able to. That way, you can join in the afternoon session of yoga and meditation, which begins at 4:45 pm. Dinner is at 6:30. The first real gathering of your group is at 7:30 pm. If you need to arrive here after 5 pm, that’s fine, but it helps us if you let us know at 800-346-5350. We can also put aside a dinner for you if you need to arrive after 7 pm. The program ends with lunch on the last date. Please see our Daily Schedule.
See Transportation and Directions whether you are coming by plane, car, bus or train. Our Frequent Questions page answers many of the questions you might have about How to Go on Retreat.
