Are you hoping to find some inner peace, or at least some stillness, in your busy lives? There is a certain irony in seeking such calm amidst the perceived chaos that can be India, but in fact, this incredible country is known for its spirituality. This spiritual tours in India will nourish both body and soul, and Northern India will draw you in with its ancient temples and sacred rivers. Traditions as old as time will invite you to reflect, reconnect, and look for answers to age-old questions. This retreat tour will blend spiritual exploration with cultural experiences.
You will start your tour in the capital city of Delhi, a melting pot of ancient, spiritual traditions and modernity.
You will travel to the city of Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Experience visiting the amazing Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple. This has to be seen to be believed, a vast temple that lights up in fluorescent, changing colours as darkness falls. You can witness an ‘aarti’, which is a devotional ceremony that involves waving lights (such as candles) in front of the gods/deities, usually accompanied by chanting. Hindus believe that this is a way of showing love and respect for their gods. You will stay in a local guesthouse, serving delicious vegetarian meals.
Next, you will explore Vrindavan, another holy city of great significance, as Hindus believe that Lord Krishna spent his childhood here. Vrindavan alone has up to 5,500 temples dedicated to Krishna and his chief consort, Radha. You will visit the Banke Bihari Temple and ISKCON. ISKCON bases its teachings on those of Bhaktisiddhanta. He rejected caste as a birthright and taught that it was what came from the heart that truly mattered. Unlike traditional Hinduism, this means that caste is not fixed at birth, and you can move into a different caste. You may join in a happy ‘kirtan’, a meditation or collective prayer, sometimes using musical instruments, and walk part of the pilgrimage path of Govardhan Parikrama. This pilgrimage marks when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the nearby residents from the wrath of the god, Indra. The full pilgrimage is 21 kilometres long, so you can choose to do as little or as much as you can manage!
Travel on to Jaipur, the Pink City, and visit the famous Galta Ji, or Monkey Temple. This temple is set in the Aravalli Hills that overlook the city and is an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site. The large population of monkeys is a huge feature of this temple, so beware of your phones, or you may have to barter with food to get them back from these cheeky temple dwellers! In the evening, you can enjoy a delicious Rajasthani thali (selection of dishes) in a historic haveli (a traditional townhouse, mansion, or manor house, often of architectural or historical interest). In Jaipur itself, you can visit the stunning white marble Birla Mandir, one of the main temples in this gorgeous city. Experience the City Palace (still the home of the royal family of Jaipur), the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), the Albert Museum, and Patrika Gate for cultural enrichment in this architectural wonder of a city. In the evening, join in a puja (worship or devotional ceremony), involving offering prayers, mantras, and offerings to the gods, often at a shrine or in a temple. Puja is also undertaken in shrines within homes.
The next stop is the spiritual town of Pushkar, with ghats leading to the holy Pushkar Lake. You will visit the renowned and historic Brahma Temple and experience an evening aarti by the water before returning to your hotel or retreat for a peaceful and relaxing evening. The next day will start with sunrise yoga and meditation by the lake, an invigorating yet gentle wake-up for the body and mind. Have a leisurely breakfast before transferring on to Jaipur or Delhi for the next part of your journey, hopefully feeling inner calm and peace.
This retreat is for those seeking something a little deeper than the usual tourist trail. You will experience the rituals so beloved to Hinduism, hands-on workshops, and conversations that will enrich your mind and heart. It might not give you all the answers, but it will help you to explore those important questions that we all ask ourselves but seldom have time to really think about.
Want to make this tour even more special by going during Diwali (the Festival of Lights) or Holi (the Spring Festival of Colours)? Chai Rose Travels can, of course, tailor your experience to include these joyful and magical festivals. You can also add an Ayurvedic spa, private yoga sessions, or one-on-one spiritual guidance. Whatever you want to do to relax, talk to us and we will make it happen!
