Visit India with Satwinder Kaur
The Journey of Your Soul
India, 1 to 16 November, 2008

Transform yourself and deepen your spiritual practice with daily Kundalini Yoga in this magical land. The very land is steeped in spirituality, where many ancient practices were developed and perfected over 5,000 years ago. Simply walking the land can leave a profound and lasting imprint on your soul. To transform your life requires such a journey which will change the way you view yourself and the world.

Take a spiritual journey to the sacred hills of the yogis. Visit great shrines, places of worship, the Ganges river, and practice the rituals in the vibration of the holy land; Rishikesh (the Yoga capital of the world). Old and New Delhi, Dharamsala, the government in exile of the people of Tibet; Taj Mahal in Agra; A unique opportunity to celebrate Guru Nanak’s 539th birthday at Amritsar! You will learn so much on this trip and experience the essence of the most ancient spiritual culture in the world. The BBC has listed Agra and Amritsar as two of the top ten sites to visit in the world.

As our intimate group journeys through the holy regions and temple sites of India, we will dedicate time for Kundalini Yoga and meditation daily. We will also allow for moments of silence and reflection as we take perspective from being in the vibrations of such an ancient and spiritual culture. The trip will be lead by Satwinder Kaur who is a native of this culture, and is a Kundalini Yoga Teacher.

The fee includes comfortable lodging, sacred ceremonies, daily breakfast, and English-speaking guides throughout the trip. Besides visiting the great religious and cultural sites, and walking in the footsteps of the Masters, the tour also provides time to shop in the bazaars and partake in local customs and ceremonies.

Satwinder Kaur will be your tour leader.

Save $ 300 by registering early!!

Itinerary

1 November, departure. Depart Canada and the Americas. Overnight: On board your air plane.

2 November, arrival. Depart Europe. Arrive Delhi. Late arrival in Delhi, you are met at the airport then transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Delhi.

3 November, Delhi. Light sightseeing before lunch. Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to meditate in the Gurdwara ("House of the Teacher" or temple) and experience the true power of Naad Yoga, the science of Sound. Have a holy dip in the sarovar. Drive past Safdarjang’s (moghul emperor) Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (built 1193 A.D.), a 73 m high striking medieval tower of victory of the Persian World. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar, which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Visit the Lotus Temple – one of the Bahai Faith house of worship, a unique place for meditation and prayers for relaxation of mind and body. Overnight: Delhi.

4 November, Agra. Depart for Agra by train departing at dawn. Full day of sightseeing in Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal at dusk, and see the sun’s rays pilfer through the delicate marble. The Taj Mahal is perhaps the greatest love story ever told. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, in wild extravagance, Shahjehan built her this memorial. 20,000 men labored for over 17 years to build this wealth of white marble and precious stone. Visit Agra Fort - behind its forbidding red sandstone battlements lie palaces that tell the story of the Mogul Empire. Moti Masjid, the pearl mosque built by Shahjehan, and the Jasmine Tower. The most impressive part of the Fort are the Dewan-e-Am, where the Emperor sat on his throne to dispense to his subjects, and the Dewan-e-Khas where he received foreign dignitaries. Visit the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri - an epic poem in red sandstone, built by Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569 and deserted 14 years later because its water supply failed. Its glorious courtyards and palaces conjure up dreams of the mysterious past. Buland Darwaza, the victory gate looms 134 feet high. The Imperial Jami Masjid, the tomb of Shaik Salim Chisti who predicted the birth of Akbar’s son Jehangir. The Panch Mahal, a strange building which resembles a Buddhist Temple, a cloistered courtyard which was the Hall of Public Audience, and the Pachchisi paved with black and white where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as figurines. Overnight: Agra.

5 November, Rishikesh. Wake up at leisure, and depart Agra for Rishikesh by train departing at mid-morning. Arrive Haridwar at night and then and drive to Rishikesh. Overnight: Rishikesh.

6 November, Rishikesh. Rishikesh is considered a sacred destination where meditating here leads to salvation. The riverside is dotted by the ashrams of Sadhus and the temples of sages. We will meet the sages who currently reside there, seeking them in their ashrams, talking to them and being with them. Overnight: Rishikesh.

7 November, Rishikesh. Spend day with Yogi Vishva and Chetna, more information: www.anandprakashashram.com. Overnight: Rishikesh.

8 November, Rishikesh. Spend the day at Rishikesh, then leave Rishikesh in the late afternoon by road for Roorkee, a journey of 2 hours and board train departing at night for an overnight journey to Pathankot. Overnight on board train.

9 November, Dharamsala. Arrive Pathankot at dawn and drive to Dharamshala (approx 3 hrs). Arrive and check-in at hotel. Yoga and meditation in this serene hill station, lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range. The Station is well wooded with oak and conifer trees and the snow-capped mountains unfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamsala than at any other hill resort and it is quite possible to trek up to it after an early morning start. Since 1960, when it became the temporary headquarters of the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala has risen to International repute as "The Little Lhasa in India". The high altitude, cool and favorable weather has contributed towards the creation of a Tibetan Environment. More than 3000 Tibetans have made Dharamsala their temporary home, living mostly in Mcleod Ganj. Overnight: Dharamsala.

10 November, Dharamsala. Spend the day at leisure in Dharamshala. Overnight: Dharamsala.

11 November, Dharamsala. After breakfast, drive to Amritsar (6 hrs). Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the Fourth Guru of the Sikhs Amritsar is the most spiritual city for the Sikhs centered around the breathtaking Golden Temple. Remainder of day at leisure. Overnight: Amristar.

12 November, Amristar. The name, Amritsar, means “Pool of Nectar”, referring to the sacred tank of water that surrounds the Golden Temple. The site of the Golden Temple was a low-lying jungle with a small spring fed pond where the tank is today. Surrounded by a few villages, this was a trade route of caravans between India and Afghanistan. Legends of miracles proclaiming the magical powers of this water abound.

Pre-dawn meditation in the ambrosial hours at the Golden Temple – one of the most elevating experiences in your life! Let the sound current heal your worries, pain and stress. Perform the traditional dip in the holy water and wash away your karma. Bow your head at this healing shrine and become your true self. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then visit the Jallianwala Bagh, where, during the British rule in India, General Dyer shot to death 379 (by British estimates, more than a 1,000 by others) unarmed men, women and children, one of the dark clouds of the British Empire. The park walls still bear bullet marks of the tragedy. Visit other sites including the Miri Piri Academy, Durgiana Temple and Gurudwara Baba Deep Singh. Experience the great Indian shopping negotiation skills in the numerous bazaars of Amritsar. After lunch, a 1-hour drive to the India/Pakistan Wagah Border and witness a colorful changing of the guard change ceremony at sunset. Proceed to Golden Temple main complex Akal Takath (Sikh Parliament) and witness sacred ceremonies where the Granth Sahib is returned in the evening. Traditional Punjabi dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Amritsar.

13 November, Amritsar. Celebrate the day as a very special celebration for Guru Nanak’s 539th birthday celebration at the Golden Temple. Overnight: Amritsar.

14 November, Amritsar. Sightseeing in Amritsar in the morning, then depart by road for Chandigarh in the afternoon, a journey of 4 hours. Overnight: Chandigarh.

15 November, Anandpur Sahib. Depart Chandigarh by road after an early breakfast for Anandpur Sahib, a journey of 1 1/2 hours. After langar at the Gurudwara, we drive directly to Delhi’s international airport (a journey time of 5-6 hours) arriving at about 8:00 PM. Since Delhi airport authorities require you to arrive at the airport three hours prior to your departure, please make sure that your flight is AFTER 11:00 PM on Nov 15. Overnight: On board your air plane.

16 November, arrive. Arrive Europe this morning and Canada and the Americas this afternoon.

We hope that you will join us for the experience of a lifetime that is India.

Cost: From US $ 2,422.00. Private room, an extra US $ 395.00. Excludes international air fare to and from Delhi.

COST INCLUDES
· Breakfast daily,
· English speaking guides,
· Overnight train journey in II-Class air-conditioned coach – (these are lie-flat berths, and sheets, blanket and pillow for the journey will be provided),
· Listed in-country travel,
· Hotel and government taxes,
· Entrances fee for entry into monuments as per the itinerary, and,
· The services of a SJI representative at all airport and hotel transfers.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
· Beverages, mineral water, alcohol, laundry, telephone calls; or other items of personal nature,
· Tips and gratuities to driver, guide, porters, bellboys and waiters at restaurants,
· Still camera or video camera fees at the various monuments and museums,
· Any meals except specifically mentioned,
· Services not specifically stated in the itinerary,
· Personal or travel insurance,
· International air to and from Delhi,
· Visa fees and departure taxes,
· Increases in government fees, and,
· Any services not listed,

Notes: VISAS ARE REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO INDIA

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