Pilgrimage and Retreat
in Sri Yukteswar’s Puri
We do not currently have this pilgrimage scheduled. Costs and schedule to be determined. Below is a sample pilgrimage.
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, and you can visit the enormous 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 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 led by Keshava and Daya, and other teachers of Ananda Sangha 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.
Watch our slideshow
Proposed Schedule
Thursday, 16 February
Fly into Bhubaneswar on your own, arriving by 1:00 pm
Bus together to Puri once all morning flights have arrived
Stop for lunch on the way
Check into our Puri hotel
Free time
Walk on the beach at sunset, meditation, opening gathering
Dinner at hotel
Friday, 17 February
Energization, stretching, 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
Optional visit to Jagannath Temple
Optional sunset meditation
Dinner at hotel
Saturday, 18 February
Energization, stretching, and meditation on the beach
Breakfast at hotel
Visit Govardhan Peeth and meditate at the ashram of Sri Totapuri
Guided nature awareness on the beach, sunset meditation
Dinner at hotel
Sunday, 19 February
Energization, stretching, and meditation on the beach
Breakfast at hotel
Meditate at Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Closing satsang and snacks
Bus departs for evening flights, visit the temple in Bhubaneswar on the way
Transportation and Meals
Our pilgrimage sites are reached on foot, by autorickshaw, and by jeep. Breakfasts, dinners and two lunches are included.
How to reach Puri
You would arrange your own flights. A bus would provide transport between the airport and the hotel once all morning flights have arrived, by 1:00 pm. If you arrive in Bhubaneswar or Puri at a different time, you would reach our Puri hotel on your own, arriving morning or early afternoon, on 16 February. On 19 February, a bus will go to Bhubaneswar airport in time for flights departing at 18:30 or later. Trains also reach directly to Puri.
Programme Fees
Double occupancy: Rs. 27,000 per person.
Single occupancy (private room): Rs. 35,000
If you wish for double occupancy accommodation and you don’t know another pilgrim, you’ll be assigned a roommate if possible. Rooms have sea views—except twin rooms (with 2 beds) which do not.
The programme fee includes group transportation within Puri; lodging; 2 meals a day, plus 2 out of 4 lunches; and hotel tips. Not included in the fee are transportation Bhubaneswar-Puri at a time other than the above flights; two lunches, snacks, and beverages; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses such as room service or laundry.