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Spiritual Retreat in Himalayas
with Swami Santhiprasad
June 18 - July 5, 2013
Last date for booking: April 30, 2013
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| About this Spiritual Retreat with Swami Santhiprasad |
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You are most welcome to join Swami
on his spiritual retreat in Himalayas. This is an opportunity for serious spiritual seekers to come in contact with the spiritual life and wisdom of India with Santhi, Swami Santhiprasad as your own, personal spiritual guide. Santhi's Himalayan retreat is a great opportunity to explore the grandeur of the Himalayas as well as one’s own inner self.
Besides the magnificent nature there will be meditations, yoga asana and pranayama as well as many opportunities for deep spiritual discussions and talks with Santhi, Swami Santhiprasad.
We will meet in Delhi and from there go to Rishikesh where the retreat starts at the banks of River Ganga. "The Ganges, above all, is the river of India which has held India’s heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history. The story of the Ganges, from her source to the sea, from old times to new, is the story of India’s civilization and culture, of the rise and fall of empires, of great and proud cities, of adventures of man." This spiritual retreat and tour program is planned along the banks of Ganga, in a way tracing its routs too.
Thousands of visitors come to Gangotri each year, from every part of the world. Gangotri is situated at a height of more than 10,000 feet in Uttarkashi district, is one of the four shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri commonly called Chardham. The shrine, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, is closed from November to April every year as the area remains snow-bound during the winters.
Bhagirathi a tributary of Ganga joins the Alaknanda river at Devaprayag, also in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, to form the mighty river Ganga. The Ganga then flows through the Himalayan valleys and emerges into the north Indian plain at the town of Haridwar.
During this spiritual retreat participants will be traveling to the different routes from Jamunotri to Gangotri and Kedarnath to Badrinath, all places are located at the banks either of Ganga or its main tributaries, Mandakini Alaka Nanda etc.
Participants will be guided in classical systems of meditation during the tour. There will be instructors and tour guides guiding and taking care of the retreat. The presence and lectures of Swami Santhiprasad will be inspiring to the participants.
We start the program with a purifying bath, sankalpa snan, in the holy waters of the Ganges River under the guidance of Swami Santhiprasad. There after participants will be initiated into meditation and will stay in Rishikesh for two days to acclimatize with the Indian weather.
During this time there will be meditation sessions besides talks on Swara Yoga, Raja Yoga and Kundalini Yoga.
During the stay in Rishikesh the group will visit and meditate in the following places:
Ramjhula - two kilo meters on the outskirts of the city of Rishikesh, towards the mountain side, is the serene abode of Indian spirituality called Ramjhula where innumerable big and small ashrams are situated on either sides of Ganges.
Laksmanjhula - not more than an hour walking from Ramjhula through the banks of the Ganges we will reach to Laksmanjhula. There are innumerable ashrams big and small, spread over the banks of the Ganges. Here one can feel the sound of the rolling waters of the Ganges harmonizing with the spiritual vibration of an ancient tradition.
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| Places in Himalayas we will visit |
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The group will travel and trek to
Gangotri - it takes 12-14 hours by car to reach Gangotri. The altitude is 3200 meters. In ancient times Gangotri was considered the source of Ganges. Nowadays, because of the withdrawal of the Gangotri glacier, one has to trek 19 km further through the Gangotri National park a protected area to reach the source. The group will halt at Gangotri and visit some ancient places and do meditations and spiritual practices for two days.
Jamunotri - the source of the holy river Jamuna. It is situated at an altitude of 3400 meters above sea level. We will trek 7 km from Janakichatti crossing lofty mountains to reach Jamunotri. Here we find a hot spring to take a relaxing bath in. The group will return the same day to the base camp.
Badrinath - it takes 16 hours by car to reach Badrinath from Gangotri. Badari is situated between Nara and the Narayana mountains on the banks of Alakananda, one of the tributaries of the Ganges. The altitude of Badrinath is 3130 meters. The Badrinath temple was constructed 1200 years ago by Master Sankara, the proponent of the Advaitha Philosophy. The hot spring in front of the temple is a boon to the pilgrims in the freezing cold. One of the seven great saints Bhrugu, lived in Bhrugu Gufa and Vyasa, the compiler of the Vedas (the Indian scriptures), lived in Vyasa Gufa. Both are caves situated in Badrinath. Vyas Gupha is situated in Mana, the last Indian village from where one can go to legendary places such as Swargarohini etc beyond which is China. It is here in this cave Vyas had compiled the Indian scriptures called Vedas.
Jyothirmatt - is an ancient town on the way to Badrinath. Master Sankara had his enlightenment and established his first Ashram here.
Kedarnath - The ancient Siva Temple is here and very beautifully located. Travelers have to trek 14 km to reach Kedarnath. The trip to Kedarnath through the high Himalayan mountain tracts is tiring and inspiring. As there is no facilities to stay in Kedarnath the group will have to trek back to Gouri Kundu, the base camp, the same day itself and that makes the day a hard trekking day. In Gouri Kundu you will find a hot spring where the group will have relaxing bath. The group will visit the age old Gouri Temple where Gouri meditated for the blessings of Lord Shiva.
Vasishta Gupha – on the way back from Badrinath to Rishikesh the group will visit Vasishta Gupha where the ancient sage Vasishta lived and meditated thousands of years ago and the Ashram of Purushothamanandaji, a well known saint of the last century. The group will meditate in this sacred cave.
Sri Neelakant - is associated with the legend of drinking poison by Lord Shiva which is vomited out by the serpent during the churning of the ocean of milk to find ambrosia. The Shiva Temple here was constructed as a memorial of this legend.
Haridwar - is the doorway to ancient pilgrim centres in the Himalayas and a place of ashrams and temples. Before concluding the trip the group will visit The Manasa Devi Temple at the hilltop in Haridwar. At sunset the group will partake in the Gangagi celebrations. It is amazing to see thousands of oil lamps with flowers offered by the pilgrims glittering and floating in the waves of the Ganges at sunset as a great offering for accomplishing their desires.
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| P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N: |
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Date: June 18 to July 5, 2013
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Last date for booking: April 30, 2013
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| Price: Euro 2000
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The price includes food, lodgings and conveyance along the mentioned route.
Your own transport to India is not included.
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Lodging:
The accommodations are relatively basic in middle class hotels during the tour especially during treks and village stays.
A double room will be shared by two people. During special circumstances such as landslides and closing of routes by Road Authorities etc. more than two persons may be asked to share a room.
Participants always share a room with a person of the same sex unless they came together as a couple.
It is important to be compassionate to your roommate. A group member that disturbs a roommate can during the ongoing tour be referred to a single room against additional payment of the difference in rent.
Participants are not allowed to go according to their own choice and find out their own accommodation. |
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Food:
Tea, coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, evening tea.
Choice of continental or Indian dishes according to availability.
Food will be strictly vegetarian.
People who are following special diet or problems with food need to fix their food by themselves. No reduction of price or concession will be given in such cases.
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Language:
All teachings will be in English. |
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Assembly:
The group will assemble in Swargashram in Rishikesh at 5 pm on 18th June, 2011.
Participants arriving at Delhi prior to 18th have to stay by their own in Delhi.
The School will only be happy to help the participant to arrange accommodation on payment in Delhi.
On 18th morning at 8 am the group will assemble at Delhi to proceed to Rishikesh.
The place of meeting at Delhi will be communicated to you 10 days before starting of the journey.
The journey to upper Himalayas will be in cars or minibuses.
All expenses regarding accommodation, food and transport will be borne by the school from Rishikesh onwards. |
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Weather:
Read more about the Indian weather in North India during this time of the year.
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| T O U R I S T V I S A I S R E Q U I R E D |
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Participants coming from other countries than India should obtain their
TOURIST VISA
from Indian Embassies of your corresponding countries. Your passport must be valid at least for 6 months.
Visit the link below and you will find more information.
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| I N C L U D E D I N T H E F E E: |
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The following will be included in the fees besides the tour and teachings:
- Food and accommodation during the tour.
- Tour leading during the whole tour from the day of first gathering onwards till dispersal.
- Transport from the 1st day of gathering in Rishikesh till dispersal except charges of conveyance for personal needs.
- All formal fees for trekking Literature and maps of places visiting.
- Common Guide and porters during the trekking
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| N O T I N C L U D E D I N T H E F E E: |
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not included in the fee:
- International flight ticket to/from India
- Visa charges
- Conveyance charges from Delhi to Rishikesh for those who come late after the appointed date and time.
- People with food problems can't be provided with special food as it may be not available.
- Entry fees to national parks, museums etc are in general not included.
- Expenses for excursions made on your own initiative won’t be refunded.
- Tips during the trip.
- Arranging Visa and extension of dates of Visa are not included.
- Medical care except first aid is not included.
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| C U S T O M S A N D M A N N E R S: |
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Remember that you are a guest in India during your stay. It is important to pay attention to local customs and traditions and show reverence and respect. Follow the guides in religious areas. When in doubt, please consult your tour leader.
Remember that this tour is not going to be as in your home but if you have an open mind you will certainly feel more than at home.
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| C L O T H I N G: |
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Participants should have winter clothing and sleeping bags for upper Himalayas.
Comfortable clothing that can suit the life style of India. please don't wear shorts, short skirts and halter tops.
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| P A C K L I S T F O R H I M A L A Y A S: |
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- cap
- light weight rain coat
- umbrella
- woolen socks
- woolen gloves
- rubber soled trekking shoes
- heavy woolen pullover/ jacket
- sleeping bags for minus degrees
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small torch with cells
- alarm clock
- toilet articles
- soap
- needle, thread and buttons
- pen knife
- writing pad
- camera
- films
- cells
- dark glasses
- personal medical kit
- yoga mat (possible to buy in Rishikesh)
- money belt
- a copy of your Tourist Visa
- a copy of your passport
- a copy of your air ticket
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| B O O K I N G H I M A L A Y A S: |
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You SIGN-UP for our 18 days Spiritual Retreat with Swami Santhiprasad in Himalayas by sending an e-mail to: 
Please don´t book any air tickets before we have confirmed your booking.
When we have confirmed your booking we will also send you our payment instructions.
Last date for booking: April 30, 2013
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| C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N: |
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Don´t hesitate to contact us by phone or e-mail if you would
like more information.
cell (+46) 723 503 131
cell (+91) 989 531 8323
You are most welcome to participate in our spiritual Yoga programs
at School of Santhi Yoga School in India and Europe! |
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| S W A M I S A N T H I P R A S A D: |
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I
have committed myself
to be available always for
all of you and share what I have understood during the
course of journey of my life, both in the Indian spiritual
Yoga traditions and beyond, as a seeker if it is of help for you.
What we need in this world is few individuals who could commit
themselves to explore their own inner world! It is really difficult
to find few of them. However, I commit myself to be available
always! |
Love
Swami Santhiprasad
Spiritual leader • Yoga Master • Yoga Guru
School of Santhi Yoga School, Kerala, South India
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Please make your reservation in time!
Consider the time it will take
to get a Tourist Visa!
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18 D A Y S P I R I T U A L R E T R E A T
