Pilgrimage to Mahavatar Babaji's Cave
Saturday, 14 November - Tuesday, 17 November, 2026
The registrations for this trip will be open soon.
Below is a sample itinerary along with tentative costs. Joy to you!
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, and 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 chant and share spiritual stories on our bus trips. We’ll stay at a country resort near Dwarahat, surrounded by acres of green forest. Teachers of Ananda Sangha Delhi will lead the pilgrimage.
Please apply as soon as possible, as we expect this trip to fill up quickly.
Glimpses from Previous Trips
Our Schedule
| Saturday, 14 November | |
| 04.45 am | Gather at Ananda Sangha, N-100, Panchsheel Park. |
| 05.00 am | Set off by bus on the joyful pilgrimage to Dwarahat! Far from an ordinary trip, this 10-hour journey will be filled with inspiring stories from the Autobiography of a Yogi, devotional chants, and Swami's joyful music. With refreshing scenic breaks to stretch and soak in the fresh air, every mile will be alive with devotion. You’ll be able to buy a hearty breakfast along the road. For lunch, we can snack on the bus as the winding mountain vistas unfold. Bring your own snack, or you can buy one when the bus stops briefly for a washroom break. |
| 6:00 pm | Check into the hotel at Dwarahat and have dinner. |
| Sunday, 15 November | |
| 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, 16 November | |
| 7:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00 am | Bus to Babaji’s cave |
| 9:00 am | Start walking to the cave |
| 10:00 am - 3:00 pm | Babaji’s cave, meditation, and silence |
| 4:30 pm | Drive back to Dwarahat |
| 7:30 pm | Dinner at hotel |
| Tuesday, 17 November | |
| 7:00 am | Start our return journey. We will have a packed breakfast on the bus and an early lunch stop at Kathgodam. |
| 07.00 pm | Reach Ananda Sangha, Panchsheel Park. |
Accommodation, Meals and Transportation
The transportation will be by a 27-passenger bus. We’ll stay at a country resort near Dwarahat, with high mountain views. Breakfast and dinner are included. Those from other cities can arrive in Delhi on Friday, 13 November, and leave on Wednesday, 18 November 2026.
(View from our resort)
Physical Fitness for this Trip IMPORTANT
The central activity will be visiting Babaji’s cave, at an elevation of about 2000 metres. Everyone must climb a trail 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 places, at an angle of up to 40 degrees.
In 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 (double bed or two twin beds): Rs. 25,300 per person.
Single occupancy: Rs. 33,000 per person.
The program fee includes group transportation, lodging, and hotel tips. The fee does not include snacks and beverages; medical insurance or medical care, if needed; donations at ashrams; or personal hotel expenses. The table below lists the meals that are included in the program fee.
| Sat, 14 Nov | Sun, 15 Nov | Mon, 16 Nov | Tues, 17 Nov | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | At a Motel (Buy on your own) | Included | Included | Packed Breakfast Included |
| Lunch | Snack on the bus (Buy on your own) | Included | Packed Lunch Included | Included |
| Dinner | Included | Included | Included | At a Motel (Buy on your own) |
You may also wish to contribute a tip for our guide. The pilgrimage begins at Ananda Sangha, N-100, Panchsheel Park, Delhi, on 14 November and ends at Ananda Sangha, N-100, Panchsheel Park on 17 November. All travel is by bus.
Application and Payments
A completed application form and payment are both needed to confirm your space. We encourage you to apply for the pilgrimage as early as possible. We also ask for full payment as soon as we approve your application.
Space is Limited
Your place on the pilgrimage will be confirmed once your application is accepted and payment is received. Spaces are reserved in the order of payments received. Should the retreat become fully booked, we will maintain a waiting list and joyfully welcome you if a space becomes available.
How to Apply
- Click the “Register Now” button below. Fill out and ‘send’ the application.
- We approve your application, and then invite you by email to make the payment. Carefully monitor your inbox. You have up to 15 days to pay. Payment can be made online, by cheque, or in Delhi by cash.
- We can confirm your space only after we approve your application and receive payment.
- Spaces are limited.
- In case of cancellation, ₹ 3000 of the fee is non-refundable. Cancellation close to the date of departure may incur additional costs.
Liability:
I understand that the pilgrimage leaders from Ananda Sangha Trust are acting as the tour coordinators only. They are not responsible for any inconvenience or errors caused by our service providers, such as airlines, Indian railways, the resort, and other tour guides, traffic delays, etc. They are not responsible for any loss of personal property, injury, or accidents during the pilgrimage.
I have read and understand the terms and conditions stated.