Ananda Sangha 3-day Retreat in Rishikesh
"Worshipping God as Divine Mother"

Join us in this rare opportunity to share 3 days with Ananda acharyas and other like-minded souls to relax and rejuvenate on the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh. In this 3-day retreat, Divine Mother in the form of Mother Ganga will serve as an inspiration and reminder of the inner river within our own spines. We’ll take time away from outer life to dip into the pure waters of God's grace within. Using tools of the Kriya Yoga path, you'll be guided through essential steps to spiritual awakening:

Purification *  Surrender *  Receptivity *   Energisation *  Expansion into greater joy

We’ve chosen Vanaprashta Ashram as the location of our retreat because of its quiet location right on the Ganges. It’s close to the celebrated evening arati at Parmath Ashram, which we’ll experience together our 1st evening. On a quiet stretch of the river above Rishikesh, we’ll meditate in the cave that was the home to Sage Vashishta.

Just downstream is the cave where Swami Kriyananda spent a month in seclusion. We’ll have a powerful purification ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.

We’ll meditate next to the ashes of Lahiri Mahasaya at the ashram of Swami Keshabananda. We’ll take time out of our busy lives to deepen our spiritual practices, and share an inspiring, transformative time—together.

The retreat will be led by Haridas and Roma Blake and Keshava and Daya Taylor of Ananda Sangha.

Proposed Schedule

Friday, 17 October

6:50 am	Leave New Delhi Station (Dehradun Shatabdi train)
11:25	Arrive Haridwar; taxis to ashram
1:00 pm	Lunch at ashram
3:30	Opening satsang & sadhana
6:30	Evening arati on the Ganges
8:00	Dinner

Saturday, 18 October

6:00 am	Asanas
6:45	Energisation exercises
7:00	Chanting & meditation on ghat on the Ganges
9:00	Breakfast
10:30	Morning Session: Worshipping God as Divine Mother
12:45 pm	Lunch
2:00–5:30	Visit to Vashista Guha; purification ceremony; dip in the Ganges
7:15	Dinner
8:15	Kirtan on Ganges

Sunday, 19 October

6:00 am	Asanas
6:45	Energisation exercises
7:00	Chanting & meditation on the Ganges
8:30	Mantras; fire ceremony; Arati of the Elements on the Ganges
9:00	Breakfast
10:30	Deepening spiritual practices; "bringing it home with you"
12:30 pm	Lunch & free time
3:30	Depart for Swami Keshabananda's ashram in Haridwar
6:13	Leave Haridwar Station (Dehradun Shatabdi train)
10:45	Arrive New Delhi Station

Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation

This 3-day retreat will be held at Vanaprashta Ashram in Rishikesh. Travel by a/c chair car train round trip New Delhi-Haridwar. Qualis or bus from Haridwar to Rishikesh, and from Rishikesh to Vashishta Guha.

All meals will be served in the dining hall at Vanaprastha Ashram or on train, and are included in price. Not included are personal snacks, water or other beverages; medical care should you need it; donations at ashrams; personal travel.

Retreat fees listed below are for residents of India only.

Train Tickets

For those who reserve with deposit before 10 September, we will purchase your train ticket for you. For those who don’t reserve by then, please self-purchase your train ticket. We’ll take Train No. 2017, Dehradun Shatabdi, from New Delhi Train Station at 6:50 am, arriving at Haridwar at 11:25 am on 17 October. The return train will be No. 2018, Dehradun Shatabdi, leaving Haridwar Station at 6:13 pm, arriving at New Delhi station at 10:45 on 19 October.

For those coming from Gurgaon, we can arrange group transportation to and from Ananda’s ashram (price not included). All others will need to find their own transportation to and from New Delhi Station. You may also choose to drive to Rishikesh on your own.

Application and Payments

The costs of the retreat are as follows:

Single room: with round-trip train ticket, Rs. 7,900;
without, Rs. 6,800.

Double room: with round-trip train ticket, Rs. 5,400;
without, Rs. 4,300.

The completed application form and deposit of Rs. 1,000 are due by 10 September for those wanting to be part of the group train ticket purchase. If you reserve after that, please purchase your own train ticket.

Please e-mail your application, or mail both your application and Rs. 1,000 deposit, to Ananda Rishikesh Retreat, Ananda Sangha, B–10/8, DLF Phase I, Gurgaon (HR) 122002. Payment by cheque or bank draft is payable to “Ananda Sangha”, or in person by cash. The balance of the fee is due by 17 September. In case of cancellation, Rs. 500 of fee is non-refundable. Cancellation close to date of departure may incur additional costs.

Limited Space

Your reservation will be secured upon receipt of your deposit. Space on the retreat will be filled in the order in which deposits are received. Applications will be accepted until the pilgrimage is full, at which time we will establish a waiting list. Full payment is due by 17 September.

Contact phones: 98990 14209; 98992 67698; (0124) 405-9550
Contact e-mail: daya@anandaindia.org

Rishikesh fall 2008 retreat, application and questionnaire