Pilgrimage & Retreat in Puri
with Keshava & Daya
7-10 December 2017
This pilgrimage and retreat is proposed for Ananda Delhi NCR core members. We’ll enjoy discourses, silence and introspection, meditation on the beach at sunrise, and kirtan at sunset. A perfect chance to go deeply into our spiritual practices, with inspiring company, in a beautiful location.
We’ll also visit the incomparable spiritual destinations: Swami Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage in Puri is where he left his body in 1936. Sri Yukteswar would shift from Serampore to this seaside hermitage in the summer, and Yogananda spent many months here at his feet. After Sri Yukteswar’s mahasamadhi, Yoganandaji and other disciples buried their guru, still in the lotus posture, in the Puri hermitage garden. We’ll meditate each day at the powerful Samadhi Mandir over the spot where his body is buried in the sands.
The ashram of Sri Bhupendranath Sanyal, disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya, contains Lahiri’s ashes. We’ll meditate at the peaceful ashram and Samadhi of Sri Totapuri, guru of Sri Ramakrishna, and at Anandamoyee Ma’s ashram. You can visit the 12th century Jagannath temple. We’ll stay at Jamindar’s Palace Hotel, directly on the beach on the Bay of Bengal, and a short walk to Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage. We have booked ocean-facing rooms.
Proposed Schedule
Thursday, 7 December
We suggest IndiGo 5013 flight, dep Delhi 9:15am, arr Bhubaneswar 11:45am.
Arrive Jamindar’s Palace, check in
Optional afternoon visit to Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Dinner and satsang at hotel
Energization and meditation on beach
Breakfast at hotel
Morning gathering with discourse and introspection exercises
Lunch & rest
Tea and questions or visit to Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Sunset kirtan on beach
Dinner at hotel
Friday, 8 December
Energization and meditation on beach
Breakfast at hotel
Morning gathering with discourse and introspection exercises
Lunch & rest
Tea and questions or visit to Sri Yukteswar’s hermitage
Yoga and meditation on beach
Dinner at hotel
Saturday, 9 December
Energization and meditation on beach
Breakfast at hotel
Meditate at ashrams of Bhupendranath Sanyal, & Sri Totapuri
or Jagannath temple, Sri Yukteswar’s, or free time
Lunch at your own expense
Meditate at ashrams of Bhupendranath Sanyal, & Sri Totapuri
or Jagannath temple, Sri Yukteswar’s, or free time
Dinner, satsang, and individual blessing at hotel
Sunday, 10 December
Energization and meditation on beach
Breakfast at hotel
Depart Puri
We suggest IndiGo 646 flight, dep Bhubaneswar 4:30pm, arr Delhi 7:00pm.
Accommodations, Meals, and Transportation
Our hotel is the 3-star Jamindar’s Palace, located right on the Puri beach. Our rooms, as much as possible, have balconies and face the sea directly. Most rooms have only one large bed. Those wishing two beds can be accommodated with additional mattress on the floor.
Some meditations will be on chairs and towels on the beach.
Our pilgrimage sites are reached on foot, by autorickshaw, and by bus.
Breakfasts and dinners are included.
How to reach Puri
You would reach our hotel, Jamindar’s Palace, on your own, arriving morning or early afternoon of 7 December. A pre-paid taxi from Bhubaneswar airport may be Rs. 1300-1500, and takes just over an hour. Pilgrims on the same flight can share transportation from airport.
You would leave Puri anytime on 10 December.
Programme Fees
Double occupancy: Rs. 22,000 per person.
Single occupancy (private room): Rs. 29,200
If you wish double occupancy accommodation and you don’t know another pilgrim, you’ll be assigned a roommate if possible. See bed restriction above.
The pilgrimage begins at our hotel in Puri after lunch on 7 December, and ends at the hotel after breakfast on 10 December.
The programme fee includes group transportation within Puri; lodging; 2 meals a day; and hotel tips. Not included in the fee are transportation to and from Puri; lunches, snacks, and beverages; donations at ashrams; and personal hotel expenses such as room service.
Payments
Payments by online transfer, by cheque or bank draft payable to “Ananda Sangha Delhi”, or in person in Delhi by cash. You can pay in full at once, or make a first payment of Rs. 5000. Balance of fee due 1 November. Your participation is confirmed only when we approve your application and receive first payment. In case of cancellation, Rs. 1,000 is non-refundable. Cancellation close to date of departure may incur additional costs.