Discovering the Sacred in India: Itinerary
We scratch the gritty surface of Delhi (2 nights) for a brief moment. The first morning finds us wandering the bazaars where shop owners entice us with silver, incense and bangles and skilled artists paint intricate designs on our hands with henna. Next we visit the chic boutiques of New Delhi, complete with a reprieve of iced coffee in a swanky café.
You can’t visit India without a visit to the Taj Mahal! We’ll wander the grounds of the ultimate testament to love, mingling with the many Indians who come to view this wonder of the world. It is everything one would imagine and more.
Tucked behind a barren mountain is the sacred town of Pushkar (3 nights). Sitting on the cool marble of the rows of sacred ghats we witness the procession of Hindu pilgrims as they make their way to the sacred water. The holy lake is surrounded by hundreds of white washed buildings, one of the world’s few Brahmin temples and a mélange of desert tribes people, middle class Delhi families, sacred cows and playful temple monkeys.
In Amritsar (2 nights), we are dazzled by the Sikhs holiest shrine, the Golden temple. Sitting crossed-legged in a vast hall we share a meal with curious pilgrims. In the evening, we join cheering crowds at a border (India and Pakistan) bravado, a theatrical border closing ceremony that harmoniously displays the pride of both countries.
Rugged peaks of the mighty Himalaya surround Mcleod Ganj (or Dharamsala), the home of the Dali Lama (4 nights). While eating momos purchased from turquoise-laden Tibetan women, we wander around the bustling town — spinning prayer wheels, walking on wooded trails and witnessing the animated debates of Tibetan monks.
Our last stop is the spiritual center of Rishikesh (6 nights). Walk with pilgrims to the sacred waters of the Ganges and dare to dip into its cold waters to cleanse your karma. Sleep at the wonderfully tranquil ashram that holds nightly aarti fire ceremonies before a towering statue of Lord Shiva. Raft the rapids through canyons of untouched mountains. Find a quiet place along the ghats and watch the rituals of the ascetic saddhus who quietly roam the banks of this holy river. Walk the streets and breathe the pranic air where yoga was born and raised.
Upcoming Dates:
TBA
"Beth, the most amazing thing about this trip was watching you in action. Setting the stage for the magic we would experience. And magic it was, around every corner."
~Bob Ferry, Oct. 2009