Kumbha Mela Retreat with Shyam Das & Mark Whitwell

Join SHYAM DAS & MARK WHITWELL for a 14-day sacred pilgrimage and Yoga retreat to Haridwar and Rishikesh, India, during the auspicious Kumbha Mela. This is an especially potent time and place for spiritual practice when truth seekers from all over the world will gather by the Sacred Ganga to bathe in her powerful and purifying waters.

The Kumbha Mela festival originates from the story of the churning of the ocean by the Gods and Demons to extract its elixir, the Amrit or water of Life. They both desired immortality, which only the water of life could bestow. First they extracted 12 precious objects, then the divine medicine man, Dhanwantari, emerged from the ocean with a pot or Kumbha of amrit, or nectar. During a quarrel over the Amrit, some drops of the elixir fell on the earth, where these drops landed became the four sacred sites of Kumbha Mela.

The Mela in Hardhwar this year, goes from mid January to mid April 2010

During our 10 day retreat to Rishikesh and Hardhwar, one of the 4 holy cities along the Ganges where a Kumbha Mela takes place every 12 years we will bathe in the Holy River Ganga herself on the most auspicious day April 14, 2010. This is the most holy and astrological day of the entire 4 months celebration and we will march to the bathing ghat at a specific time, something very, very few westerners have ever done.

Each day will begin with a 1.5 hour Yoga Class with Mark Whitwell and other special guest teachers. The afternoons will be spent at the Mela meeting wild Holy Men and Women and taking in the Bhav, the Evenings will culminate with discourses by Shyam Das, kirtan and special darshan with Swami Nityannada, lineage holder of Baba Muktanananda.

All levels are welcome and encouraged to come.

Attending all practice sessions is highly recommended to receive the full benefit of this ecstatic and auspicious time of transformation.

Accommodation

The retreat price is inclusive of accommodation and board at the newly build Hotel Narayana, 2 meals a day, all travel within India and all Yoga, Kirtan and Meditation sessions. All rooms have two double beds and a full bathroom with marble tubs. We will have exclusive use of the Yoga Hall.

You are only required to book your international flights to and from Delhi.

Delicious and wholesome vegetarian meals will be prepared and served daily by the excellent vegetarian chefs at Hotel Narayana. We will be shuttled to and from the Mela by a private bus that will be at our disposal for the entire 10 days.

Your US$ 500.00 deposit is non-refundable after 15th January 2010, however in case of cancellation of the retreat (for any reason) full refunds will be given.

Retreat Schedule - Kumbha Mela, April 2010

April 10th - 24th 2010

April 10th: Arrive in Delhi  – (1 night in Hotel)
April 11th:  Train to Haridwar then bus to Rishikesh, or bus directly from Delhi
April 12th:  Day 1 - Intro/Yoga/Breakfast/Rest/Neighborhood-intro to customs. Walk to Ganges, for prayer ceremony and light bathe.

April 13th:  Day 2 - Visiting Temples and Private Dharshan around Rishikesh, with well-known Gurus and Teachers.

April 14th: Day 3 - Auspicious Bathing day

April 15th: Day 4 -  Same morning program with afternoon visit to Vishista Gupta

April 16th: Day 5 - Same morning program. Afternoon first visit to Kumba Mela

April 17th: Day 6 - Same

April 18th: Day 7 - Same
April 19th: Day 8 - Same

April 20th: Day 9 - Same

April 21st: Day 10 - Same

April 22nd: Day 11 - 

April 23rd: Back to Delhi in morning

April 24th: 2010 - Return flights back home

Please remember this is a rough sample itinerary subject to change. Please check with us before booking your flights.

Haridwar

Haridwar is one of the 4 holy cities along the Ganges where a Kumbha Mela takes place every 12 years. Haridwar is a beautiful city located at the foothills of the Himalayas around 210 kms from Delhi. Haridwar, the gateway to the four pilgrimages in the Uttarakhand region, is located on the foothills of the Shivaliks. There are over 400 ashrams in the area of Haridwar- Risikesh-it is like stepping into a totally different world. Haridwar is among 7 sacred cities of India.

Haridwar or Hardwar has been given many names in the prehistoric times. Haridwar has a literal meaning that is the "gateway to the abode of Gods". Lush green forests and small ponds adorn the scenic beauty of this holy land.

Packing list

• Loose cotton clothing
• Long flowing skirts, pants, shirts, blouses, tunic/pajama type outfits are good in the heat. Shopping is easy in India for such clothing. It is respectful to cover your legs and shoulders when out in the towns/temples. (ie. Shorts are not great)
• Comfortable shoes – sandals.
• Cotton scarf. (It will be hot during the days in April, cooler in the evenings)
• Yoga Clothing for daily yoga classes.
• A towel – the towels in India are thin.
• Toilet Paper –if you want an extra soft roll. Our accommodations will all have full bathrooms with all amenities.
• Hand Sanitizer, Hand Wipes are valuable.
• Tea bags
• The tea in India – called ‘chai’ is basically black tea, sugar and milk… occasionally ginger and cardamom are added. If you’d like to have other options – other than the requisite bottled water, bring some of your favorite tea bags.
• Camera, soft hat, rain Poncho (we might be able to take a side trip to the actual source of the Ganges if the road is opened)
• In case you’re wondering ‘what time is it in India?’
  http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock

What to Bring

Travel guide:

The Lonely Planet India is a great read to prepare you for India. See esp. Haridwar, Rishikesh and Delhi.

Visa:

Requires one passport picture and $50. Generally takes one day –
Tourist Visa lasts for 6 months, + valid passport.

NYC:

Consulate General of India,

3 East 64th Street,

New York,

New York 10021.

Tel. (212) 774-0600, (212) 774-0610,

Fax (212) 570-9581,

E-mail: http://www.indiacgny.org/

some Consulates now outsource visas =
http://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/get-a-visa.html

SF: http://www.cgisf.org/

Useful Dietary Supplements:

Para Guard– herbal supplement to keep parasites away- you start taking these one month before, during your time in India and most important at least one month after you come back.

Bottle of Grapefruit seed extract: (removes harmful bacteria etc) available from most health food stores.

Probiotics – try to get the ones that do not need to be kept in the refrigerator. (Jarrow’s-probiotics help to replenish healthy bacteria) Available from Health Food Stores.

Generally if you eat safely prepared cooked food, fruits that you peel yourself, and drink bottled water it is OK. Bringing a few of your favorite energy bars as snacks is a good idea.

Any powdered mixed green mix from a health food store to mix with water or juice, as dark leafy greens are hard to come by in India as well as a good multi vitamin.

Vaccinations:

Hep A, Tetananus (required). Hep B, + Malaria (are optional)

Travel Insurance:

(recommended) Obtainable from your airline or Lonely Planet.

Money:

It is good to have US dollars to change, the airport on arrival has a good exchange rate. There are ATM machines in the major towns. Visa/MasterCard are accepted in the larger stores.
http://www.xe.com/ucc/ currency converter

Phone/Internet:

There are many phone booths available to make calls/reverse charges on calls. There are Internet cafes in most towns…and you will be able to receive calls at our Hotel.

Mosquito repellent –Sun Screen –Flashlight– Camera – the voltage is different in India, if you have rechargeable devices bring a multi-use adaptor.

Travel mat - our experience is that mats get very dusty and dirty in India, so an inexpensive lightweight travel mat is perfect and perhaps will be left in India when we leave!)

Bring bandana for face covering from dust. Bring your more durable bags, shoes, etc – nothing that can ‘ruin’ easily. We will have laundry service available at hotel, send out in am and usually back the same evening or next day. Lightweight cotton easy-to-wash clothing is recommended.

Essential – to pack lightly. Bring what you can carry comfortably, with a little space to bring home some Indian Shawls/gifts.