YAATRA 2018
Date: 12th – 21st July 2018 (10 Days/ 9 nights )
Venue: North India
Price:
Price includes:
RETREAT DETAILS
Yaatra 2018 will be a 10 day /9 night programme. Below you will find some general travel information, dress code for males and females as well as certain taboos when visiting temples and India in general.
The YAATRA will begin and end in NEW DELHI. The closest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
Note : As we will be travelling to various remote places in Northern India, it is highly recommended and advisable that you obtain Travel Insurance.
DAY ONE – 12th July 2018
Arrival in New Delhi
Hotel: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
Address: Asset No 02, GMR Hospitality District, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Phone: +91 11 4608 0808
DAY TWO to DAY FOUR 13th JULY – 15th JULY 2018
HARIDWAR - Gateway to Gods
An ancient city on the banks of the Ganges, Haridwar has been an important Hindu pilgrimage center since time immemorial.
DAY TWO – 13th JULY 2018
DAY THREE – 14th JULY 2018
BILKESHAWAR MAHADEV TEMPLE is devoted to Lord Shiva and his Consort.
According to hindu religious text the temple is the place where Devi Parvati worshiped Shiva, and when Shiva appeared she asked him to accept her as his wife. Meaning of Bilkeshwar is ‘god of bilva’. Bel-patra or bilva is ‘leaf of bel’. Bel is mentioned as sacred and auspicious tree in Puranas. Every part of bel tree is believed to have medicinal qualities.
Bel leaf is trifoliate signifying three eyes of Shiva, trikaal, past, present, future and represents trinity Bhramha, Vishnu, Mahesh. Belpatra is one of the most important ingredients which are used for the worship of Lord Shiva. In the middle of the courtyard is the main temple of Shiva, in the form of Linga. The temple of Maa Parvati, where she meditated for Lord Shiva.
CHANDI DEVI TEMPLE - The temple is one of the most ancient temples of India. Thousands who is believed to fulfill their wishes. The temple is a must visit for the pilgrims going to Haridwar.
GANGA AARTI at HAR KI PAURI
Ganga Aarti means worshiping the gangga. At sunset, priests perform the Ganga Aarti here, when lights are set on the water to drift downstream. A large number of people gather on both the banks of river Ganges to sing its praises. The priests hold large fire bowls in their hands, the gongs in the temples at the Ghat start ringing and the chants flowing out of lips fill the air. People float earthen Diyas, with burning flickers and flowers in them as a symbol of hope and wishes .The golden hues of floral diyas reflected in the river Ganges presents a spectacular view.
DAY FOUR to DAY EIGHT 15TH – 19th JULY 2018
Rishikesh
Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, it is known as the 'Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’. The holy city of Rishikesh, in the base of the Himalayas, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for local Hindus.
DAY FOUR - 15TH JULY 2018
On the Way we will visit Sapt Rishi Ashram or Sapt Sarovar.
Sapt Rishi Ashram or Sapt Sarovar - Maintaining an old-world charm, this ashram is the Sanskrit learning point. Sapt Rishi Ashram is so named, as it was the place where seven sages, namely Kashyapa, Vashisht, Gautam, Jamadagi, Vishwamitra, Bhardwaja and Atri once meditated. The ashram is at a short distance from the bank of the River Ganga and is also quite a picturesque place. It is also believed that Pandavas while going to Himalaya crossed this place as well.
This walking tour will take you to experience the real charm of Rishikesh and learn more about the culture and religion. As Rishikesh is a small town, walking is the best way to visit many important destinations. First you will visit Lakshman Jhula (iron rope suspension bridge on the river ganga) followed by Lakshman Jhula Market, River Ganga, Ram Jhula (iron rope suspension bridge similar to lakshman jhul) and other ashrams and temples.
TRIVENI GHAT
Triveni Ghats in Rishikesh has a special place in the hearts of devotees. Loosely translated, Triveni means merging of three. The name is eponymous with the spot as it is considered the merging point of three sacred rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river. It is believed that by taking a dip in the holy river at the Triveni Ghat, one can wash away all their sins.
GANGA AARTI
Earthen and dough lamps floating on riverbanks, sacred hymns reverberating in the ears, large flames in lanterns inspiring awe and reverence, the sun taking the final bow for the day as it descends into the Ganga river – a site that is as invigorating as it is soothing. Spiritually inclined or not, attending the Ganga aarti at Rishikesh is a memory that is etched in the hearts of the onlookers for a lifetime.
A magnificent show of faith, the Ganga aarti is the Hindu ritual where prayers are offered to Goddess Ganga through hymn chanting and fire lit lanterns. As the sun sets, priests start chanting sacred hymns while rotating huge oil lamps burning bright with large flames. The devotees can be seen putting earthen lamps wrapped in leaves in the holy river. Mirroring the night sky littered with sparkling stars, the entire bank is lit up with earthen lamps, where somewhere in the background music can be heard playing as the priests and devotees sing Sanskrit hymns in praise of their dear Goddess, in a mellifluous chorus.
DAY FIVE - 16TH JULY 2018
Vashishta Gufa Cave, situated on the banks of the Ganga River. This is the cave where great Sage Vashishta said to have meditated. He was also among the seven great sages (Saptarishis) and the guru of Lord Ram. According to Hindu mythology, after the death of his children, Sage Vashishta, decided to commit suicide in River Ganga, but was refused by Goddess Ganga. Arundhati, Vashishta's wife, liked the location and decided to stay here. Sage Vashishta meditated here for long time in a cave. The cave is a natural formation of 60 feet deep that has a Shiva Linga inclined vertically into the cave opening.
DAY SIX - 17TH JULY 2018
Devprayag
Panch Prayag - Meet The Five Confluences of Spirituality
Panch Prayag are five confluences (junction of rivers), which are regarded as major centers for pilgrims where they can perform their purification ceremony and offer prayers.
The five holy places of Panch Prayag include:
Devprayag : where river Alaknanda meets river Bhagirathi
Rudraprayag : where river Alaknanda meets river Mandakini
Karnaprayag : where river Alaknanda meets river Pinder
Nandprayag : where river Alaknanda meets river Nandakini
Vishnuprayag : where river Alaknanda meets river Dhauli Ganga
Out of the five confluences, Devprayag is believed to be the most pious. It is the point where the Bhagirathi that rises at Gaumukh and the Alaknanda, which originates from from the Satopanth glaciers located on the eastern side of Chaukhamba Peak, merge to form the Ganga. Devprayag forms the birth place of river Ganga.The many legendary kings who did penance here were, Lord Rama - to atone for his sin of killing the demon-king Ravana, a Brahmin.
DAY SEVEN - 18TH JULY 2018
Neelkanth Mahadev Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nilkanth, an aspect of Shiva. The temple is situated at a height of 1330 meters. The temple is one of the most revered holy shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage site. It is surrounded by dense forests and is adjacent to the mountain ranges of Nar-Narayan.
According to Hindu mythology, the place where the Neelkanth Mahadev Temple currently stands is the sacred location where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that originated from the sea when Devas(Gods) and Asuras (Demons) churned the ocean in order to obtain Amrita. This poison that emanated during the Samudramanthan (churning of ocean) made his throat blue in color. Thus, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, literally meaning The Blue Throated One.
DAY EIGHT – 19TH JULY 2018
Rishikesh – Dehradun – Delhi
Nizamuddin Dargah is the dargah (shrine/mausoleum) of one of the Sufi saints, Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya (1238 - 1325 CE). Situated in the Nizamuddin West area of Delhi, the dargah is visited by thousands of pilgrims every week.The site is also known for its evening qawwali (devotional music sessions). The descendants of Nizamuddin Auliya look after the whole management of dargah Sharif.
DAY NINE- 20TH JULY 2018
Gadodia Spice Market & Local Bazaar
The biggest wholesale spice market in Asia. Spices are what connect India to the West, and it's been in business since the 17th century! However, Gadodia Market (which is on the south side of Khari Baoli and is where many of the spice shops are) was built in the 1920s by a wealthy local merchant. You'll get to see huge sacks of spices being transported and sold.
DAY TEN – 21ST JULY 2018
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
VISA
FLYING TO INDIA
FIRST OPTION
IF YOU ARE FLYING FROM KUALA LUMPUR, You can use the airlines below if you are spending a few days in Kuala Lumpur before leaving for the YAATRA. You will fly to Indira Gandhi Airport New Delhi, India
KLIA
Budget Airlines - Malindo Air, AirAsia X
Regular Airlines - Malaysian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways
The flying time is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) to New Delhi
SECOND OPTION
IF YOU ARE FLYING DIRECTLY TO INDIA FROM YOUR HOME COUNTRY
For those who are flying in direct to India from your home countries, kindly take a flight directly to New Delhi, landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport
GOING HOME
YAATRA ENDS ON 21st July in New Delhi
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport
It takes about 40 minutes to reach the Indira Gandhi Airport, New Delhi from the hotel. Please give yourself enough time.
For those who are flying back on the next day – 22nd July 2018
Kindly make your own hotel reservations and transportation arrangement with the hotel at your leisure.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR WOMEN
Please take note that temples and samadhi shrines are sacred places in the Hindu culture and therefore women who are going through their moontime are not allowed to enter the temple premise.
REGISTERING FOR YAATRA 2018
FORM & AGREEMENT - Kindly ensure that you fill up & submit this Registration Form & Agreement below in order to confirm your place for the Retreat.
https://zazen.wufoo.com/forms/z15l0qk90dk6utz/
Please note that the form MUST BE submitted (online) before any payment is made even if you have already informed us earlier of your participation. If any payment is made before the submission of Registration Form above, your payment will not be processed but will be returned to you less any bank charges incurred.
COURSE FEE
The course fee below :-
12th JULY – 21ST JULY 2018
a) MYR 11,130.00 full board based on twin sharing .
b) Single occupancy is only available in Delhi, please contact Niranjana for further details.
Price includes:
The fee excludes temple entrance fees and archanai fees. prayer lights and flowers as well as all pooja arrangements in the temple which will be minimal and airport transfer.
In order to enable us to book the Internal Flight, all registered participants are to submit the first page copy of your passport via email to niranjana@dhyanvimal.com on or before 10th JUNE 2018
For those who would like to confirm your participation, please make a deposit to ensure your place is booked with the hotels. Please send us a minimum of 80% of the course fee latest by 25TH MAY 2018.
Full payment should be made by 20th June 2018.
Payment can be deposited into the following account via telegraphic transfer.
Zazen Worldwide Sdn Bhd |
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Account No: 5127 5452 5740 |
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Bank Information: |
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MAYBANK BERHAD |
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B01 & B02, SUNWAY GIZA MALL |
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2, JALAN PJU 5/14, KOTA DAMANSARA |
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47810 PETALING JAYA |
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SELANGOR, MALAYSIA. |
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Bank Tel No: +603 6140 6451 |
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Swift Code: MBBEMYKL |
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Office Address: |
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Zazen Worldwide Sdn Bhd |
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Address: No 28-2, Jalan PJU 5/15 |
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Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara |
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47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia Tel : 603-61577746 |
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Kindly fax or email the bank in slips to me at +603-6156-3781 (fax) or niranjana@dhyanvimal.com. Receipts will be issued upon clearance of payment.
We look forward to hosting and welcoming you.
Warm regards,
Niranjana.
