Pilgrimage and Retreat in Sri Yukteswar’s Puri

Friday to Sunday, 28 February to 2 March 2025 (For Ananda Chennai)

Swami Sri Yukteswar, the guru of Paramhansa Yogananda, left his body in 1936 at his hermitage in Puri. Sri Yukteswar would shift from Serampore to this seaside hermitage in the summer, and Yogananda spent many months here at the feet of his guru. After Sri Yukteswar’s mahasamadhi, Yogananda and other disciples buried their guru, still in the lotus posture, in the hermitage garden. We’ll meditate at the powerful Samadhi Mandir over the spot where his body is buried in the sands.

The ashram of Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal, a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, contains a portion of Lahiri’s ashes. We’ll also spend time at the peaceful ashram and Samadhi of Sri Totapuri, the guru of Sri Ramakrishna.

We’ll enjoy meditation on the beach at sunrise and sunset, we’ll visit the famous Sun Temple in Konark, and you can visit the enormous sacred 12th-century Jagannath temple.

Puri has been a pilgrimage destination and the home of saints since ancient times. Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu spent many years here. Puri is also the site of Govardhan Math, one of the Char Dham, the four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankaracharya.

Our hotel, Hans Coco Palms, is beautifully situated right on the Bay of Bengal, with a sea view from most rooms. It’s just a short distance from Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage. There will be ample free time to relax and enjoy the hotel, beach, and ocean bathing. Puri’s very high spiritual vibration, the sea air and natural beauty, and our beach location, make our stay restful and recharging to body, mind, and soul. The weather will be pleasantly warm. This pilgrimage will be guided by leaders of Ananda Sangha Chennai, and Keshava from Ananda Delhi.

Ananda Pilgrimages are not so much about sightseeing and doing, as about being—being in a place of high spiritual vibration and learning to relax and open your heart to receive the blessings. Meditating as a group in these holy spots reinforces their power. On pilgrimage, we meditate together in the mornings, and at each place, we visit. The flavour of the pilgrimage is inward—one of communion and meditation.

Our Schedule

Friday, 28 February
Air India Express IX-1611 departs Chennai at about 7:45 am
Arrive Bhubaneshwar about 9:30 am
Bus together to Puri
Check into hotel, brunch, opening gathering, rest
Visit and meditate at Sri Totapuri’s ashram
Dinner at hotel
Saturday, 1 March
Energization, gentle yoga asanas, and meditation on the beach
Breakfast at hotel
Meditate at Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Visit the ashram of Bhupendranath Sanyal, a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya
Lunch at your own expense
Optional visit to Jagannath Temple
Optional sunset meditation
Dinner at hotel
Sunday, 2 March
Energization, gentle yoga asanas, and meditation on the beach
Check out
Breakfast at hotel
Meditate at Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Satsang at hotel
Bus travels to Konark to have lunch and visit the Sun Temple
Bus continues to airport
IndiGo 6E-145 departs Bhubaneswar at 8:10 pm
Arrive Chennai at 9:55 pm

Transportation

Our pilgrimage sites are reached on foot, by autorickshaw, and by jeep. We’ll travel by bus together from and to Bhubaneswar airport, in time for the above flights. 

Programme Fees

Double occupancy: Rs. 29,000 per person.

Single occupancy (private room): Rs. 39,500

If you wish double occupancy accommodation and you don’t know another pilgrim, you’ll be assigned a roommate if possible. Rooms with one bed have sea views. Twin rooms (with 2 beds) have a private patio instead.

The programme fee includes group ground transportation; lodging; breakfast and dinner each day, plus 2 out of 3 lunches; and hotel tips. Not included in the fee are flights to and from Bhubaneswar; one lunch, snacks, and beverages; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses.

Payments 

A completed application form and payment are both needed to confirm your space. We ask for full payment for the pilgrimage as soon as we approve your application.

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