Supreme Swan

2012 YSS Pilgrimage Itinerary

FEB 12TH through MARCH 15TH

NEW DELHI - Feb 12th

Each fall pilgrimage begins in Delhi and upon arrival we immediately transfer to the Y. S.S. Noida Ashram.  Here we spend the next couple of days participating in ashram activities and using this beautiful location as our base as we visit several of Delhi's most important spiritual centers and historic sites, such as; Akshardham Temple, Gandhi Memorial and the beautiful Sikh Temple.  We will spend some time in Delhi shopping in local shops to prepare for our journey.

PURI- Feb. 13th, 14th

We will take a flight to the city of Bhuvaneshwar.  There are many temples and caves in this ancient town.   Then we will take a scenic drive through rice fields and palm trees, all the way to Puri.  Upon arrival, we will check into a beautiful seaside resort, located on the sands of the Bay of Benghal.  This luxury hotel has a large swimming pool and lawn area for relaxation and a wonderful spa facility for massage and pedicures.  This is great place to be pampered and relax.  After breakfast, we will take rickshaws to the seaside ashram of our Param Guru Swami Sri Yukteshwar.  Here we will bathe in Sri Yukteshwar's holy  vibration.  Here we can meditate in the samadhi mandir holding the body of Sri Yukteshwar. Guruji and Sri Yukteshwar spent many days together at this ashram. 

The city is considered one the holiest cities in India.  For this is the site of the famous Jaganath Temple.   Many saints have lived in this ancient city, including our Lord Jesus Christ during his missing years.  According to Daya Mataji, Jesus lived in this temple and she felt that Christ's presence still permeates this sacred place.   Puri is a great place for relaxation and rejuvenation.  Each day we will have group meditations and energization.  There are open air markets on the beach each evening for those who would like to experience the local culture.

KOLKATA (Calcutta) / DAKSHINESWAR / SERAMPORE - Feb 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th

Upon arrival we will be immediately transferred to the Y.S.S. Dakshineshwar Ashram.  The following morning, after breakfast and group meditation, we will take a short walk to the famous Kali Temple mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi.  Outside the inner temple of Kali, Guruji, while sitting in the hot sun, had a vision of Ma Kali.  Ramakrishna lived here for many years.  We will have an opportunity to meditate in the great saint's bedroom.

Each and every day is filled with great joy as we visit all of Master's places mentioned in the A of Y.  We will take a scenic boat ride on the Ganges to Serampore.  Upon our arrival, we will walk to Rai Ghat Lane where Babaji appeared to Sri Yukteshwarji.   A short walk up this lane leads us to Sri Yukteshwar's ashram and family home.  Next, we will walk about two blocks to visit Ananda Lok.  This is the where Guruji lived in his uncle's home while attending Serampore College.  We will meet the family and meditate in Guruji's room.  We will then return to the ashram for evening meditation and dinner. 

Our next day is filled with unbelievable joy as we visit Guruji's boyhood home at 4 Gurpar Rd.  We will have the opoportunity to meditate in Guruji's attic room, where he first found God.  The group will listen to stories told by family members and have the opportunity to purchase pictures from the their photo album.  After our visit, we will walk around the block to Guruji's first meditation hall.  Here Mukunda danced in ecstasy. 

Next we will visit the Levitating Saints home and ashram mentioned in the A of Y.  Later we will visit Mother Tereasa's home and ashram.  Here Mother's body is enshrined and we will have the joy of visiting a beautiful museum dedicated this great soul's life.   If time permits, we will also visit 50 Amhearst Way where Master Mahashaya lived. 

BANARES   (VARANASI) - Feb 19th, 20th 21st and 22nd

Banares or 'The City of Shiva' is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.   The city receives its name from the ancient scriptures.  They tell how the holy river Ganga came to Earth with such force that Shiva had to catch it in his hair to slow it down before the earth was destroyed.

Our beautiful hotel is located directly on the banks of the river.  Here we will dine on our rooftop restaurant overlooking the holy city.  Daily meditations and chanting will begin and end our days in Varanasi.  We are blessed this year for our second day in this holy city will be Shivaratri the Hindu celebration of Lord Shiva.  The city will be filled with Yogis and Sadhus for this sacred day. 

At sunrise of the following day, we will take a boat ride up the Ganges to take our morning dip.  When asked, many devotees say that this is one of the most memorable days of the pilgrimage.  The silence is broken by the sounds of priests ringing bells and the blowing of conch shells.  The air is filled with the smell of incense wafting through the air, as the many worshipers perform their morning prayers.  After our bath, we will meditate and chant as the sun rises over the river.  We will then return to the hotel for breakfast and prepare for our visit to Lahiri Mahashaya's home.

The next day we will visit Sarnath.  After enlightenment, the Lord Buddha came to Sarnath to give his first sermon.  In the afternoon will be free to enjoy this ancient city or visit the many famous ashrams and temples.  During our stay, we will take a short ride to the beautiful Shiva Temple at the Hindu University. 

 The next day will be free to shop and explore the city and at later that evening, will have a beautiful Classical Indian concert under the stars by an Indian master of Sarod and his sons on tabla and sitar.  (If performers are available)

Y.S.S RANCHI ASHRAM - Feb 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th

We will spend the next four days and nights in Master's beautiful Ranchi Ashram.  Each day will be filled with group energization, meditations and satsangas with the Y.S.S. monastics. 

HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH - Feb 27th, 28th and Mar. 1st

Haridwar and Rishikesh are located at the base of the Himalayan hills.  Haridwar means the 'door to the Lord'.  Each year thousands of Hindus begin their Himalayan pilgrimage in these two cities.  Both of these ancient cities are renowned for their many temples and ashrams.  You will see many swamis and sadhus during our stay. 

Our accommodations are the very best in the city of Rishikesh.  Located right on the banks of the holy Ganga, you will be able to look out your window and see the people bathing in the river and performing their daily pujas (rituals of worship). 

We will visit Anandamoyee Ma's ashrams in Haridwar and in Dheradhun.  The Haridwar ashram is where her earthly form has been enshrined and the Dheradhun ashram is the location where she had her mahasamadhi.  There is so much to do and see in Rishikesh that we will be spending three or four days.  On the way to or from camp we will visit 'Vashishta Muni's Cave (the Guru of Sri Ram).  This cave is said to be over 9,000 years old.   To meditate in this holy place is one of the most wonderful experiences of the tour. 

One evening we will attend the evening arati along the Ganga or just view it from our hotel room.  The arati is held each night at the Parmarth Niketan Ashram.  Each night many Rishi Kumars (which is a name given to orphans that have become young monks) offer their chants and devotion to the sacred River.    It has been held every evening for many decades. 

Rishikesh is a destination where devotees can have plenty of free time for shopping and relaxation.  The town has many clothing and jewelry shops.  For those interested in practicing yoga, the local ashrams are filled with daily classes.   

GANGA RIVIERA BEACH CAMP- Mar 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th

We are so blessed to spend several days each year at this most beautiful river beach camp called the 'Ganga Riviera'.  This lovely camp is secluded but has all the amenities to make our stay comfortable and restorative.  The camp is great for just kicking back and being pampered.  The camp has hot and cold showers and western toilets.  The white sand beaches and rock cliffs make this one of the most beautiful places on the river.  The devotees can river raft, kayak, swim or take hikes through the hills and visit a nearby village.

Of course each day, we will have group meditations and chanting on the white beaches and at night enjoy a campfire or sip a cup of chai under the stars.

Y.S.S. DWARAHAT ASHRAM & (BABAJI'S CAVE) - Mar 6th, 7th 8th and 9th 

We will drive through the Himalayan foothills to Y.S.S. Dwarahat Ashram.  Enjoying the tranquility of this sacred area, we have daily group meditations and classes with the our monastics.  The area has beautiful walking paths for those who enjoy walks in nature.

This year we will celebrate Guruji's and Sri Yukteshwar's Mahasamadhi's celebration at the ashram.  On the 8th, we wil celebrate the Indian holiday of HOLI. 

  We will be spending three or four days in the ashram and on the second full day we will take our pilgrimage to Mahavatar Babaji's Cave.  This is considered to be the place where our sacred path began over 150 years ago.  While walking through the Drona Giri hills, Lahiri Mahashaya met his beloved Babaji.  Many  devotees can attest to high spiritual vibrations of this area. 

CORBETT NATIONAL PARK -Mar 10th and 11th

Corbett park is a National Wild Animal Preserve located about eight hours east of Delhi by auto or an easy overnight train ride to Kathgodam train station which is a short drive to the Preserve.  Kathgodam is the place where Daya Mata had her vision of Babaji.  We usually spend two nights in this beautiful, peaceful location, just to relax and melt into India.    We will be staying at the beautiful Tarangi Resort.  This is an amazing place with exquisite riverside accommodations.  Swim in the Kosi River or in the lovely resort pool, attend yoga classes or just relax with a soothing professional massage and other body treatments offered by the hotel.

In the afternoon, we can take a jeep or elephant ride into the surrounding jungle, looking for the elusive Bengal tiger or just enjoy the spectacular forest. Of course each day, we will have morning and evening group meditations and chanting.

In the morning of the second day we will take jeeps into the main preserve where we will enjoy viewing some of the fauna and flora of India.  On previous safaris we have viewed large sambar deer, peacocks, wild boar, pythons, monitor lizards, crocodiles, wild elephants, a king cobra and an occasional tiger.

THE TAJ MAHAL & VRINDAVAN - Mar. 13th and 14th

Each year we visit the beautiful Taj Mahal 'the Monument of Love'.  We rise at sunrise to see the light of the morning reflect off the white marble and change colors as the sun rises higher in the sky.  We will walk amongst the beautiful gardens and reflection pools that surround the Taj, before we return to the hotel for a scrumptious breakfast.

Brindaban or Vrindavan is the boyhood home of Lord Krishna who lived 5000 years ago.  This town along the Jamuna River is about a two hour drive from the Taj Mahal.  Today we will visit the jail cell where baby Krishna was born in town of Matura and visit lovely Krishna temples.

DELHI- Mar. 15th

Day free for shopping and relaxation before evening transfer to International Airport.