INDIA PILGRIMAGE
Mas Vidal, Vamadeva (David Frawley) and Shambhavi Chopra
22 February to 12 March 2008

A spiritual journey to the sacred hills of the yogis took place in February and March, 2008, visiting great shrines, caves, temples, the Ganges river, and practicing rituals of the vedas in the vibration of the holy land. Delhi, Agra, Rishikesh, Mathura, Varanasi and more. Guests learnt so much on this trip and experienced the essence of the most ancient spiritual culture in the world. The tour was led by Mas Vidal and a part of the tour included teachings with Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva) and Shambhavi Chopra.

The intimate group of about 12 people’s journeyed through the holy regions and temple sites of India, dedicating time for meditation, chanting and breathing exercise daily. Moments of silence and reflection allowed the guests to take perspective from being in the vibrations of such an ancient and spiritual culture. The pilgrimage was lead by Mas educating the group about the eternal traditions that have sustained the dharma in this land for thousands of years. Attention was brought to the subtle underlying themes visible in the culture that are a direct reflection of a land of devotion. Spirituality is the pulse that Indian lives by and the one our group will hopefully connect to. A journey of this magnitude brought light and transformation for those seeking a deeper understanding and purpose in their life.

This amazing trip was limited to 14 persons!

Friday, 22-Feb. Departed the USA this evening.

Saturday, 23-Feb. Arrived late this evening into Delhi. Spiritual Journeys Inc representative met the group as they exited Delhi’s international airport and went directly to our hotel.

Sunday, 24-Feb. Spent the whole day sightseeing Delhi.

Monday, 25-Feb. After an early breakfast, departed by road for Rishikesh, watching the daily life of villages and villagers of Northern India. Stopped on the way for lunch and arrived at the fabulous Ganges Retreat, up on the Himalayas on the bank of the Mother Ganga for the Ganges Retreat. Participated at the Ganges Retreat at the Glass House on the Ganga, a Neemrana Hotels property till 29 February.

Friday, 29-Feb to Sunday, 2-Mar. Came down to the town of Rishikesh and meet the sages who currently reside there, seeking them in thier ashrams, talking to them and being with them.

Monday, 3-Mar. After a leisurely breakfast, departed by road for Mathura.

Tuesday, 4-Mar. Spent the day in Mathura visiting temples in this, one of the oldest cities in the world, and then drove to Agra.

Wednesday, 5-Mar. Visited the Taj Mahal at dawn, as the sun rises and the sun rays shimmer on the white marble, returning to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, departed for Orcha first by train to Jhansi and then by road.

Thursday, 6-Mar. Woke up and mediated at the banks of the Betwa, within the tranquility of the hotel compund. Spent the day in this magnificent and historic small town.

Friday, 7-Mar. After meditating at the Betwa, drove to Khajuraho, and spent the rest of the afternoon visiting temples in Khjuraho.

Saturday, 8-Mar. Spent the morning at the temples in Khajuraho, and then took the afternoon flight to Varanasi.

Sunday, 9-Mar. At dawn, went on a boat ride on the River Ganga. Returned to the hotel for our breakfast, and then on to Sarnath. Returned to the city for lunch and then took the evening overnight train to Delhi, arriving the next morning.

Monday, 10-Mar. Arriving at Delhi this morning, spent the rest of the day sightseeing.

Tuesday, 11-Mar. Spent the day sightseeing. In the evening, transfered to the International airport to connect to our flight to the USA departing either late tonight or early on Wednesday 12 March.

Wednesday, 12-Mar. Arrived the USA this afternoon.

Registration was limited to 14 people. The 2009 tour is being planned.

Teachers:

Mas Vidal is the Spiritual Director of Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda, a center dedicated to the practice, education and lifestyle of the great Vedic sciences of Yoga & Ayurveda. He teaches group classes and workshops internationally and as an Ayurvedic Practitioner maintains an active clinical practice. He is the creator of Veda Yoga an original approach based on authentic Yogic and Ayurvedic principles. Dancing Shiva is the home of Veda Yoga the first center in the west to offer a complete practice aimed at achieving a balance of the Ayurvedic science of tri-dosha. He is a Kriyaban disciple of Paramahansa Yogananda, (the father of Yoga in the west) and has been in the field of yogic healing for about fourteen years. He studied Yoga and Ayurveda directly with Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri) of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in the gurukul tradition.

Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva) and Shambhavi Chopra will share their experience of the Ganga, Shiva and Shakti, and the Yoga and Ayurveda teachings. This will be the first such retreat they will be teaching.

Dr. Frawley is a world renowned author and teacher on Yoga, Ayurveda, and Vedic Astrology. He is currently director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies and conducts programs worldwide. Dr. Frawley will also be a keynote speaker at the International Yoga and Ayurveda Conference (February 21 – 25), and the International Yoga Conference (March 1 – 7) at Paramarth Niketan in Rishikesh.

 

Shambhavi Chopra is the author of Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within, a best selling book in India on Tantra and the worship of the Goddess. She has visited the great Himalayan holy places and knows how to contact their energies and bring them to life for others to experience. She has just released her new book on her personal experiences with the great Goddess Kali: Yogic Secrets of the Dark Goddess: Lightning Dance of Supreme Shakti.

The program will also feature a specially trained traditional Pandit to perform the pujas and Vedic rituals. Other special guests and colleagues of Mas Vidal, Vamadeva and Shambhavi will attend the program.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: E-mail: Deepak Singh, Spiritual Journeys, Inc., 25 Hazelbrook Lane, Wayland, MA 01778, USA. Ph: 508-358-4267, or fax: 508-358-8148.