Mahavatar Babaji’s Cave, Ranikhet
Saturday to Tuesday, 6-9 April, 2024
The highlight of this trip is the beautiful hillside where Lahiri Mahasaya is said to have first met Mahavatar Babaji in the autumn of 1861, which contains the cave where Lahiri spent a previous incarnation. Babaji gave Lahiri Kriya Yoga initiation on this spot, thus launching its spread around the world. We’ll spend most of a day together on this hillside, taking turns meditating in the cave itself.
This quiet area of Kumaon has a strong spiritual vibration and also offers saints, ashrams, and stunning Himalayan views. We’ll visit the Kainchi Ashram, with the tangible vibrations of Neem Karoli Baba. We’ll chant and share spiritual stories on our bus trips. We’ll spend three nights near Ranikhet at a secluded resort with high mountain views. The pilgrimage will be led by Chika, Hari, Shivendra, and Sachi from Ananda Sangha Delhi.
Please apply as soon as possible, as we expect this trip to fill up quickly.
Schedule
Saturday, 6 April
| 6:20 am | NDLS – Kathgodam Shatabdi departs New Delhi Railway Station |
| 11:55 am | The train arrives at Kathgodam. Proceed to Ranikhet, stop at Kainchi at Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram. |
| 6:00 pm | Check into the hotel and have Dinner. |
Sunday, 7 April
This retreat day at our resort includes meditation, yoga, presentations, guided introspection, group sharing, and nature awareness. It provides rest from travel and spiritual preparation for our visit to Babaji’s cave.
Monday, 8 April
| Breakfast | |
| 8:00 am | Bus to Babaji’s cave |
| 10:00 am | Start walking to the cave |
| 11:30 – 3:00 pm | Babaji’s cave, meditation, and silence |
| 4:30 pm | Drive back to Ranikhet Dinner at hotel |
Tuesday, 9 April
| Morning meditation at the hotel, followed by breakfast. | |
| Drive back to Kathgodam; lunch | |
| 3:20 pm | Kathgodam-NDLS Shatabdi leaves Kathgodam |
| 8:55 pm | Train arrives at New Delhi Station |
Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation
Train transportation Delhi-Kathgodam-Delhi will be by chair-car Shatabdi. All other transportation will be by 27-passenger buses. We’ll stay at a country resort near Ranikhet, with high mountain views. Breakfast and dinner are included. Those from other cities can arrive in Delhi on Friday, 5 April, and leave on Wednesday, 10 April.
Physical Fitness for this Trip IMPORTANT
The central activity will be visiting Babaji’s cave, at an elevation of about 2000 metres. This requires a walk, which takes 45–60 minutes each way for a healthy person. Those who need it can take a Jeep for the first part of this walk. However, everyone must climb the last part, which might be 30 minutes uphill for a very fit person. This is an established, rough path of dirt and rock. It can be quite steep in some places, at an angle of up to 40 degrees. In some places, there are rough steps formed by large rocks. The steps are at uneven heights, some perhaps a foot high. It is definitely a hike or climb, not a casual stroll. If someone is a slow walker or gets winded easily, it is no problem. You can take this path as slowly as you wish. The climb would not be possible for someone who cannot easily climb stairs or walk on uneven ground.
Programme Fees
Shared occupancy (two twin beds or a double bed) including train: Rs. 28,000 per person.
Single occupancy, including train: Rs. 38,000 per person.
The programme fee includes the train Delhi-Kathgodam-Delhi, all group transportation, lodging, breakfast & dinner for all four days, lunch on Sunday and Tuesday, and hotel tips. Not included in the fee are two lunches on Saturday and Monday, snacks, and beverages; medical insurance or medical care should you need it; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses. You may also wish to contribute a tip for our guide. The pilgrimage begins at New Delhi train station on 6 April and ends at New Delhi train station on 9 April.
Payments
A completed application form and payment are both needed to confirm your space. The to-and-fro journey from Delhi to Kathgodam will be by Shatabdi train. We need the names of the pilgrims to book the train tickets, so we encourage you to apply for the pilgrimage as early as possible. We also ask for full payment for the pilgrimage as soon as we approve your application.
“Truly life-changing, like no other trip I’ve ever taken. This pilgrimage surpassed my expectations in terms of blessed fellowship, destinations, accommodations, activities, food—everything.” — P.H., North Carolina
“Since the pilgrimage, I’ve felt a new lightness of being—a new lease on life, spiritually. Meditation is easier and more enjoyable. Time flies when I meditate. When I hear a chant, I find myself immersed completely in it—I feel I could sing all day!” — J. T., New Delhi
“Meditating in ancient caves is fantastic and really helps deepen the meditation practice. Now, I’m looking forward to the next pilgrimage!”
— S.G., Gurgaon
Glimpses from the past pilgrimage.
