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About Margalo Ashley-Farrand (Satyabhama)
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satyabhama@
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India Pilgrimage 2012
22 DAYS in India, South India to the Himalayas
May 4 to May 27, 2012
(revised 10-18-2011)
Tour information and Itinerary
Contact: satyabhama@sanskritmantra.com
Click here to download a printable PDF of itinerary
Message from Satyabhama
This sacred journey to India is a continuous visit to holy places. If we are fortunate, we will meet with Jagadgurus, Mahatmas, sages and saints, who will give us their blessing.
To gain the most from our visit to India, don't think of it as just another vacation. It is not that. It can be life transforming, if approached in the right spirit. One featured highlight of this spiritual pilgrimage is a visit to several Goddess temples. Namadeva Acharya often said, “There will be arduous bus rides mixed with tremendous blessings. Be cheerful and you will have the experience of a lifetime.” Other highlights include the Shankaracharyas at Kanchi Peetham and Vishwa Shanti Ashram, home of Satguru Rama Mata, our living guru, and the group puja to the 30-foot tall murti (spiritually awakened icon) there of Vijaya Vittala (Panduranga), who represents the 10th and final avatar. We will also visit the only Brahma temple in India at Pushkar, and the nearby Saraswati temple, and later we will visit to the highly charged Babaji's cave of SRF, and several fire ceremonies in the Himalayas.
Since we will be visiting as many holy spots as possible in a short period of time, the accommodations may vary. Most days, we will be staying in four-star hotels. Other days, we may be staying in more spartan surroundings in the Himalayas. This is not a vacation but a spiritual odyssey. Be flexible, and accommodating, and you will have a wonderful time. Finally, travel light. The common saying is "less luggage, more comfort." You will want to buy things during free time in Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi and other places, so you will be glad you left some space in your suitcase for your purchases. Kirit and I are delighted you will be with us on this great spiritual adventure.
Prem & Shanti,
Satyabhama
Itinerary
May 4, 2012- New York to Chennai
Meet at New York/JFK Airport on Friday, May 4th in time for flight to Chennai.
Airline: Jet Airways
Flight No.: 9W-225
Depart: 6:10 pm EST
Arrive: Saturday, May 5th at 23:30 hrs.
WELCOME TO INDIA – One Nation, countless destinations. A land of rich heritage that’s ancient. The mystique of India, its history of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments all add to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This is the wonder that is India, come, enjoy and experience it.
Reception upon arrival at the International airport and transfer to Hotel Pride (Deluxe). Accommodation is reserved from the previous night to ensure immediate occupancy upon arrival.
Overnight at the Hotel.
May 6, Sunday - Chennai
Chennai - India's fourth largest city, Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai was the site of the East India company's first settlement founded in 1639 on land given by the Raja of Chandragiri, the last representative of the Vijaynagar rulers of Hampi. The East India Company was an English trading establishment and thus was the forerunner to the British Empire which, came into political prominence towards the end of the 17th Century. Chennai is basically a conglomerate of overgrown villages, and being a major port, today it is also known as the gateway to the South.
The tour begins from the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, an ancient Shiva-Parvati Temple, constructed in pure Dravidian style. It is a large temple with many shrines to deities, including Ganesha, Nandi, Saturn and separately the 9 Planets murthis. We will also shop for murtis at the Brass Shop near the Temple.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Chennai. The Sri Parathasarathy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, built in 8th century during the reign of the Pallavas.
Dinner & overnight at Hotel.
May 7, Monday - Chennai
After breakfast, excursion to Kanchipuram to meet (if available) Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati (head Shankaracharya) or Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswati, of Kanchi Math. Both of them met with us in 2007 and 2009 and some December trips in between.
His Holiness, Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati is sometimes available before the puja. At 10:30 am, we will attend the daily Shiva Puja done by Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswati, using a 2500-old lingham and a crystal Sri Chakra Meru, which belonged to Adi (the Original) Shankarya.
Lunch in Kanchipuram.
After the puja, we will go to Vedal to see the Photo Gallery of Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati Swamigal, the late 68th Shankaracharya, and also of Sri Sri Jayendra Saraswati and Sri Sri Vijayendra Saraswati. There we will also see information on the entire lineage of Shankaracharyas to date. Nearby is a display of animated tableaux of the great stories of the Bhavatham, including the lives of Rama and Krishna, Adi Shankara, and saints. We will also visit the library at the Sri Chanrashekharenddra University of the Math which is preserving the scriptures written on palm leaves in Sanskrit and various local languages. They are being preserved very scrupulously and also scanned into the library website for use by scholars around the world. It was amazing to see and touch them in December 2008 and 2010!
Return to Chennai.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 8, Tuesday - Chennai-Bangalore
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for:
Leave: Chennai at 10:10 am, Jet Airways Flight 9W-2351
Arrive: Bangalore at 10:55 am
Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel Pride (Deluxe).
Bangalore: India's "garden city." As capital of the state of Karnataka, Bangalore is a delightful mix of the traditional and modern. Housing many fascinating legacies of richly carved temples, imposing mosques and trappings of a royal past. Bangalore today is a major industrial and commercial center and is also well known for being the "Silicon Valley" of India because of the concentration of major IT companies here.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon shopping and visit to the spectacular Hanuman Temple with a 25-foot tall black marble relief of Hanuman. There are also large murthis of Ganesha, Lakshmi and Rama. There is also a room where there are many portraits of rishis, gurus and saints, including Saint Namadeva. Our tour Manager Kirit Pandya will chant his beautiful rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa. Visit to the Bangalore Ramakrishna Center.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 9, Wednesday - Bangalore
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit to Vishwa Shanti Ashram outside Bangalore. Here everyone will have the rare opportunity to offer puja to a 30-foot murthi of Vijaya Vittala (the victorious avatar of Panduranga). There are also beautiful temples on the grounds for Durga, Shiva, Hanuman and others. In the NW side of the campus is a huge Bhagavad Gita Temple with the entire Gita carved on granite plates in four languages around the hall. There is a 35-foot tall murthi of the universal form of Maha Vishnu, a temple to Gayatri with a large murthi, and in front of the temples is a huge white stone chariot and six horses carrying Krishna and Arjuna.
Lunch at the Ashram, served in Satguru Rama Mata’s home. It is likely that she will be there with us this trip, she told us.
Dinner and Overnight at the Hotel.
May 10, Thursday - Bangalore-Mumbai-Jaipur
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE GODDESS/DEVI PILGRIMAGE
After lunch, visit the Rajarajeshwari Temple in Kenchenahalli, south of Bangalore. Sri Sivaratnapuri Swamiji built this temple dedicated to the Goddess Rajeshwari in 1960. He chose Kenchenahalli for the temple and the ashram because there are Puranic legends about the place relating that Sage Attreya and his devout wife Anusuya (parents of Dattatreya) are believed to have lived there. The eye-catching temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, has five Rajagopuras. However, the main attraction is the six-feet tall, inspring stone image of Divine Mother Sri Raja Rajeshwari, also worshipped as Mother Sri Jnanakshi. At the entrance of the temple complex, is a powerful Sri Chakra Temple that is not to be missed.
More information: Rajarajeshwari Temple.
Lunch at the hotel.
Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for:
Leave: Bangalore at 4:25 pm by Jet Airways 9W-418
Arrive in Mumbai at 6:15 pm
Take connecting flight to Jaipur at 6:35pm by 9W-2053
Arrive in Jaipur at 8:10 pm.
Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel Pride (Deluxe).
Dinner & overnight at the hotel.
May 11, Friday - Jaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel.
After Breakfast, drive from Jaipur to Pushkar (150 kms/3.5 hrs) to visit the Brahma temple, the Gayatri Saraswati Temple, Pushkar Lake and local bazaars.
Jagatpita Brahma Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at Pushkar in the Indian state of Rajasthan, close to the sacred Pushkar Lake, to which its legend has an indelible link. The temple is one of very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu creator-god, Brahma, in India and remains the most prominent among them.
Pushkar is said to have over 500 temples (80 are large and the rest are small); of these many are old that were destroyed or desecrated by Muslim depredations during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's rule (1658–1707) but were re-built subsequently; of these the most important is the Brahma temple. Though the current structure dates to the 14th century, the original temple is believed to be 2000 years old. The temple is described to have been built by sage Vishwamitra after Brahma's yagna. It is also believed that Brahma himself chose the location for his temple. The 8th century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara renovated this temple, while the current medieval structure dates to Maharaja Jawat Raj of Ratlam, who made additions and repairs, though the original temple design is retained. Pushkar is often described in the scriptures as the only Brahma temple in the world, owing to the curse of Savitri, but also as the "King of the sacred places of the Hindus". Although now the Pushkar temple does not remain the only Brahma temple, it is still one of very few existing temples dedicated to Brahma in India and the most prominent one dedicated to Brahma. The International Business Times has identified Pushkar Lake and the Brahma temple as one of the ten most religious places in the world and one of the five sacred pilgrimage places for the Hindus, in India.
More info on the Pushkar temple and the surrounding area:
Wikipedia article
kamakoti.org article
Lunch in Pushkar.
Return to Jaipur.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 12, Saturday - Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning: Visit Durga Temple at the Amber Fort
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Afternoon proceed for a city tour to visit the unique Jantar Mantar, which is a magnificent stone observatory built by Raja Jai Singh I 1728 and drive past the Hawa Mahal, an intriguing “Palace of Winds.” This was really a façade built in 1799 to allow royal ladies to view the city from the window. Later, visit the opulent City Palace, a former royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mugal styles, housing a museum displaying miniature paintings, costumes and armory. (All monuments in Jaipur will close at 4:30 pm.)
Tour & visit place to buy marble murthis. Evening visit the Birla Temple.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 13, Sunday - Jaipur-Mumbai-Kolkata
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for:
Leave Jaipur at 8:10 am by 9W-2374
Arrive Mumbai at 9:45 am.
Lunch.
Flight to Kolkata at 1:10 pm, arriving at 3:34 pm.
Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel Hindustan International.
Kolkata (Calcutta) – The capital of West Bengal, is situated along the banks of the Hooghly river. Calcutta’s, 300 years history traces to the landing of Robert Clive on the banks of the Hooghly. Calcutta now called “Kolkata” was the first headquarters of the East India Company – the British trading establishment which later formed the foothold of the British Empire in this country. Kolkata as an important historical trading port attracted several communities and one can still see the influence of the Chinese, Jewish and Armenian communities.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 14, Monday - Kolkata
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day visit Belur Math and Dakshineshwar Temple. (Lunch carried from hotel.).
Belur Math houses the world-famous temple built by Swami Vivekananda in 1938 and is also the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission. The great edifice lies 3 km south of the river Hooghly, a center of attraction for all the tourists throughout the year.
Bhawatarini temple at Dakshineshwar is in the outskirts of the city. The temple of Goddess Bhavatarini is the temple where Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Guru of Swami Vivekananda, worshipped the Goddess Kali.
Dakshineshwar Temple - The main attraction of the temple is that the Ganga (Hooghly river) flows beside the temple. The 12-spired temple with its enormous courtyard is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage and it was here that the famous religious thinker Ramakrishna Paramahamsa achieved his spiritual vision and preached the unity of all religions. He was a worshipper at this temple and he used to live in the temple premises. His room is open to the visitor.
More info: Dakshineshwar temple
Visit several goddess temples: mainly, the Kali temple at Kali Ghat in Kolkata. The temple in Kalighat is believed to be one of the 51 peethas, where the tongue of the Goddess Sati had fallen.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 15, Tuesday - Kolkata-Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Mother Teresa Ashram, The Missionaries of Charity, founded in 1950 in Kolkata.
Lunch at the hotel.
Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for:
Leave: Kolkata at 5:35 pm by 9W-913
Arrive: Delhi at 7:50 pm
Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Hotel Park.
Delhi – Capital of modern India. Many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its soil over the last 3000 years. The legacy still survives in many monuments from the 13th Century mausoleum of the Lodi Kings to the buildings of British India’s imperial past, like Parliament House and the Presidential Estate.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 16, Wednesday - Delhi-Agra-Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Leave by motor coach to Agra. Visit the Taj Mahal. It is an extravagant marble monument of love, built by Shah Jahan in 1653 as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build. Continue your tour to the Agra Fort, the original red sandstone fort built by Moghul Emperor Akbar in 1565. The Fort's maze of courtyards, marble mosque and lavish private chambers reflect the grandeur of the Mughal Empire.
Lunch in Agra.
Afternoon visit the local bazaars.
Return to Delhi.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 17, Thursday - Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to railway station in time for:
Leave Delhi at 6:50 am by Shatabdi Express
Arrive at Haridwar at 11:20 am
Reception on arrival at the railway station and drive to Rishikesh (32 kms/1 hr.)
On arrival, check-in at Hotel Ganga Kinare.
Lunch at the Hotel
Attend arati at Divine Life Society, floating lights and offerings on the river
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 18, Friday - Rishikesh
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day visit Laxman Jhoola, temples and ashrams. In the evening witness aarti ceremony at the ghats and also visit The Divine Life Society, the Ashram of the great Swami Sivananda whose disciples Satchidananda, and Vishnudevanada started some of the first hatha yoga centers (Integral Yoga Institute and Sivanada Yoga Centers) in the United States. At The Divine Life Society Ashram in Rishikesh, the Maha Mantra (Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mantra) has been going on 24/7 since the 1950s.
Visit to Gayatri Pariwar, Shanti Kunj.
Lunch, dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 19, Saturday - Rishikesh-Rudraprayag
Breakfast at the hotel.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
After breakfast, drive from Rishikesh to Rudraprayag (156kms/6 hrs). Enroute, visit Vashistha's Cave, where Sage Vashistha and his wife Arundhati meditated. The mountainous stretch of the route begins from Rishikesh at the bank of the sacred Ganges (Ganga) River and follows its course up to Devprayag, where the rivers Bhagirathi from Gangotri and Alaknanda from Badrinath join to form the Ganga. The road, then running along Alaknanda, zig-zags its way to Rudraprayag. We will stop at Devprayag to immerse Namadeva Acharya's ashes at the meeting of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. We will perform intense prayer here for Namadeva Acharya.
On arrival, we will check in at Hotel Monal Resort.
Evening satsang and/or mantra chanting with Satyabhama.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 20, Sunday - Rudraprayag-Auli
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast head for Auli (153kms/6 hours), a spectacular drive along the river Alakhnanda, dense forest and views of snowcapped mountains. Lunch in a local restaurant.
On arrival check-in Hotel Cliff Top Auli Resort.
Evening: 1,000 Names of Gayatri Fire Ceremony led by Satyabhama.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
May 21, Monday - Auli
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning free to explore the area.
Lunch at the hotel.
Afternoon: 1,000 Names of Lalitha Fire Ceremony led by Satyabhama.
Evening: 1,000 Names of Ganesha Fire Ceremony.
Meals and overnight at the hotel.
May 22, Tuesday - Auli-Ranikhet
After breakfast drive to Ranikhet via Karanprayag (280 kms/9 hrs—all day travel). Lunch at a local restaurant.
Ranikhet is a small hill station set in the Kumaon hills. It offers tourists a panoramic view of the mighty Himalayan peaks. The environs of Ranikhet are sylvan, peaceful and attractive. Ranikhet is a cantonment town and is known for its ancient temples.
On arrival check-in at the Hotel Woodsville Resort.
Evening Planetary Puja or Fire Ceremony, depending on hotel facilities, led by Satyabhama.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 23, Wednesday - Ranikhet
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, full day visit to Babaji's Cave. This is where Babaji fulfilled the final desire of Lahiri Mahasaya and bestowed the highest blessings upon him. We will have the great blessing of being able to meditate and chant in this holy cave. Packed lunch from the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
May 24, Thursday - Ranikhet-Kathgodam-Delhi
Breakfast and lunch at the hotel. Morning free.
Afternoon, drive from Ranikhet to Khatgodam (6 hrs) for overnight train to Delhi.
Dinner in a local restaurant enroute.
Leave Khatgodam at 8:40 pm by Ranikhet Express. Overnight on board the train.
May 25, Friday - Delhi
Arrive Delhi at 4:10 am.
Reception on arrival and transfer to Hotel Park. Check in time is at NOON.
Breakfast on arrival. Full day free to relax, shop, etc.
Visit to Lakshmi-Narayana Temple.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
May 26, Saturday - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel.
Visit Gandhi Memorial (where he lived and was assassinated.)
Lunch at the hotel.
Visit Baha’i Temple and other temples.
Arati at the Lakshmi-Narayana Temple.
Dinner at the hotel.
After dinner, depart for the airport at about 12:30 am.
May 27, Sunday - New Delhi to New York
Airline: Jet Airways
Depart: 2:35 am
Flight No: 9W230 to Brussels
Depart Brussels Flight No: 9W226
Arrive at JFK in NYC: 12:30 am.
*** Trip Cost: *** $5995
See below for details on deposits, etc.
Single room supplement will be available at $1700
*** Deposits: ***
Send $100 now to hold your place, along with your ID information for booking (Legal name, birthdate) and Passport number (must be valid for six months from date of travel) to Kirit Pandya, indiapilgrimage@hotmail.com! See below for mailing information.
January 1, 2012 - Non-refundable booking deposit of $400 per passenger due by January 1, 2012 to be credited to tour price along with names as per Passport (must be valid for six months from the date of travel) must be made as soon as the booking is confirmed. With check for booking, on registration form we need all passport information (number, date and place of issue and expiration date) and Indian visa information (number, date and place of issue, expiration date.) Also needed is date of birth and all contact information.
March 15th, 2012 - Payment in full must be made by March 15th, 2012. Please make your check to India Pilgrimage and mail to:
Kirit Pandya
India Pilgrimage
22245 Thorofare Road
Grosse Ile, Michigan 48138
Tel. (734) 301-3212
Cell. (248) 982-7399
You may email him at IndiaPilgrimage@hotmail.com
*** Discounts: ***
Book by December 1, 2011 — 3½ mos. prior to full payment due date of March 15, 2012 — and receive an additional 1% discount on your land price. (Discounts apply to check payments only.)
*** Cancellation fees: ***
(except if otherwise stated in quote)
More than 30 days from departure - 25% of the tour cost.
20 to 15 days from departure - 50% of tour cost.
14 to 01 days from departure - 75% of tour cost
No Show - 100% of tour cost.
*** Tour includes: ***
- First class Hotels, except for 2 nice Indian hotels in the Himalayas, all with private bath/shower
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner daily
- Freedom of Choice dining- Full buffets at hotels
- Assistance by tour representatives at airports and hotels
- Local English speaking guides for sightseeing tours
- Baggage handling and porterage
- Internal India trains and airfare
- Round trip air from NYC on Jet Airways
- Accommodation on a twin share basis
- All meals
- Airport/railway station transfers in India
- Sightseeing and excursions by air-conditioned vehicles, with English speaking local guides
- Local taxes and service charges on the above
- Applicable fuel surcharges and airport taxes for international flights on Jet Airways
Beverages are not provided as part of the tour arrangements, and items of a personal nature such as laundry, room services, telephone, medicines, medical assistance, etc.