Join us on this truly once-in-a-lifetime sacred pilgrimage to Mother India. Immerse in the ancient culture of yogis, mystics and masters and experience the very living pulse of love of God, ecstasy and transcendental joy.
Here's what attendees are saying about past pilgrimages:
"There truly are no words to describe the magic, the REALITY... I found on this pilgrimage. And if words were enough, John, I'd simply thank you. But they're not. And one day I'll be able to properly thank you for changing my life."
- Gina B., NY
"So grateful to have experienced the pilgrimage to India with John! Sacred, humbling, life changing, it deepened my practice more than I ever imagined. A life experience that I will treasure in my heart forever."
-Susan T., Kentucky
"Journeying to India was truly the trip of a lifetime... Throughout a thoughtfully planned itinerary, John shepherded our group with great care and compassion, always fostering a cohesive group vibe while honoring each individual. It was a privilege and honor to be a part of this pilgrimage and I hope that I am fortunate enough to return to the embrace of mama India again someday."
-a 2016 pilgrim
SACRED INDIA PILGRIMAGE 2024: NORTH INDIA BHAKTI IMMERSION
RISHIKESH & HARIDWAR
March 14 - March 23, 2024
with 4 Night Vrindavan Option (March 23 - March 27)
With John Smrtic
JD, Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga Teacher
9 Night Yatra:
Visit Devprayag, where Mother Ganga takes Her name
Visit the spiritual vortex Vashishta's Cave
Visit Shakti Peeths (very special Goddess temples)
Bathe in sacred Mother Ganga
Partake in Ganga Aarti
Visit Anandamayi Ma's samadhi shrine & Neem Karoli Baba Ashram
& so much more!
MOTHER INDIA AWAITS! This pilgrimage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse into the living, breathing pulse of yoga. Make no mistake, this pilgrimage is about devotion and Self-realization and we will dive deep into the nectarean ocean of sacred association, scripture, temples, the Holy Name and kirtan. We will explore the sacred rivers, temples, stories and traditions around them as we visit some of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in the world. Daily yoga asana and meditation practice will provide the foundation and backdrop from which we will launch a deep, soul-full investigation and adventure of Mother India, particularly, in mystical love of God (bhakti yoga).
John Smrtic leads this exploration to the source, creating the opportunity to directly experience the transcendental joy of a thriving ancient culture. We journey as pilgrims, not tourists, to cultivate and deepen our own spiritual practices and understanding of the roots and purpose of this living tradition of yoga. We will dive deep, joyfully, into the rivers of Self-realization at the sacred place where yoga took root and still thrives, alongside the Ganges River. It is not a casual exploration nor is it a yoga retreat or vacation per se. It is, though, a great adventure, and we will laugh, explore, lift the veil, eat incredible food and immerse in a culture incredibly different, and sometimes strikingly so, from what we experience daily in the West. John and his assitant, a scholar, monk and bhakti yogi, Prem Gauranga das, take particular care to craft an itinerary conducive to pilgrimage and exploration, including time for rest, reflection and integration, in a safe and well-guided group environment, tending to all the details so that attendees can be purely in the flow, knowing they are cared for with great love. We will visit temples and places of worship, spiritual vortices, where the transcendental spiritual world touches Earth Mother, and places santificed by hundreds and in many cases, thousands of years, of unceasing puja and devotion.
Over the years of offering these pilgrimages, John has also put together a series of highly informative, detailed letters for prospective pilgrims and those who sign up. With great attention to detail to make this experience as smooth and pleasureable at every step of the journey, the letters assist with obtaining a Visa, packing and travel insight and suggestions, suggested readings, and just about anything else we can think of to take the guess work out of this adventure. We acknowledge and admire the great work and commitment that goes into making a decision to go on Indian pligrimage and it is our goal to be there in support and guidance every step of the way.
This year, we offer a visit to Vrindavan as an additional 4 night option for those who would like to continue the journey. Vrindavan is the crown jewel of bhakti yoga - the abode of transcendental love, and is what Mecca and Jerusalem are in other traditions, here, for followers and lovers of the Divine Couple, Radha Krishna. This part of the pilgrimage focuses exclusively on Radha Krishna bhakti, meeting saints, swamis and sadhus of the rarest kind, steeped in this particular expression of love of God, and being enlightened by love of God. Vrindavan is the place where Radha and Krishna had there Earthly pastimes some 3000+ years ago, and it is said that the lila is still taking place, to be seen by the eyes of the Heart, if we approach and enter the Dham (sacred place) with this burning devotion and faith. We will visit many temples, sacred lakes and some of the most mystical spots in all of the creation to, in hopes, get a taste of the nectar of Prema, divine love.
ITINERARY: (subject to change)
March 14: Arrive Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport - DEL)
March 15: Travel to Rishikesh
March 16 - 19: Explore Rishikesh
March 20: Travel to Haridwar
March 20 - 22: Explore Haridwar
March 23: Evening Departure from Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport - DEL)
*with Vrindavan Option*
March 23: Travel to Vrindavan
March 24: Celebrate the auspicious occasion of Gaura Purnima in Vrindavan
March 25: Celebrate Holi in Vrindavan
March 26: Visit Govardhan Hill and Radha Kund in Vrindavan
March 27: Evening Departure from Delhi (Indira Ganhi International Airport DEL)
The schedule will include asana classes and meditations with John most days
INVESTMENT:
-$2,950 for 9 incredible nights (10 days) of Self-discovery, devotion and adventure
-$3,995 for 13 nights (14 days) including the Vrindavan option
- Payment in full due by 2/15/24 (unless otherwise arranged)
- A non-refundable/non-transferrable deposit of $500.00 required to reserve your spot
-Rooms are based on double occupancy
-Very limited number Single Occupancy rooms available for additional fee. Inquire if interested.
**We are limiting registration to keep the experience intimate. We anticipate the pilgrimage to book up extremely quickly so we encourage you to make your deposit as soon as possible. It is ONLY receipt of the deposit that will guarantee your spot.**
INCLUDES:
-All internal travel including flight from New Delhi to Dehradun, trains, private buses, etc.
-All lodging (double occupancy hotel accommodations)
-All meals (3 veg/vegan meals per day)
-Bhakti Groove Yoga, meditation & satsang with John Smrtic most days
-All asana classes, lectures, satsangs, kirtans, temple visits, admissions
-A lifetime of precious insight, adventure and memories
NOT INCLUDED:
-Flight to and from India arriving 3/14 & departing 3/23 or 3/27
-Passport/Visa application
-Spending money
-Travel insurance
-Additional nights accommodations before or after the pilgrimage*
-Occasional inexpensive rickshaw rides and taxis as needed and for your own accommodation/exploration
*note: we can help you arrange such accommodations
TO REGISTER:
-Contact John immediately at: alloneyoga@gmail.com
-Non-refundable/non-transferable deposit of $500 to reserve a spot by check, Venmo or Paypal *You will be responsible for the transaction fee on all Paypal payments.
-If you are sure you are coming but don't have the full deposit amount, contact me ASAP to work it out :)
*Please note, there is intentionally not a deposit link here ~ A welcome letter will be sent upon inquiry detailing the purpose and nature of the pilgrimage. It is important that everyone interested in attending or inquiring reads and is on board with the vibration of the experience and of the collective energy of the group experience*
INQUIRIES & FURTHER DETAILS:
- Please contact John at: alloneyoga@gmail.com if you are interested in joining this life changing pilgrimage and/or if you would like additional information. John will send a letter at that point explaining in greater detail, generally what to expect, more detailed itinerary, hotel accommodation, etc. See * immediately above.
~~~ all images by John Smrtic (c) 2024 ~~~
HARIDWAR & RISHIKESH
NESTLED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALYAS AND KNOWN AS THE "YOGA CAPITAL OF THE WORLD," YOGIS AND MYSTICS FROM TIME IMMEMORIAL HAVE VISITED AND BLESSED THESE SACRED CITIES OF PILGRIMAGE. HARIDWAR AND RISHIKESH ARE 25 KILOMETERS APART AND WERE RECENTLY NAMED "TWIN NATIONAL HERITAGE CITIES." MOTHER GANGA BEGINS HER JOURNEY IN THIS REGION AND A DROP OF AMRITA FROM THE CHURNING OF THE COSMIC OCEAN IS SAID TO HAVE FALLEN INTO HER WATERS HERE.
VRINDAVAN
THE SACRED PLAYGROUND OF SRI KRISHNA, SRI RADHA AND THE GOPIS
Vrindavan is a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. It is the site of an ancient forest where the Lord Krishna spent His childhood days. Vrindavan is considerecd to be one of the most sacred, magical pilgrimage sites in the entire material creation. The town has hundreds of temples dedicated to the worship of Radha Krishna and kirtan and mantra echo through the air. The dust of this town is considered sacred and countless mystics, Babajis, Matajis, and sadhus reside here.
JAYA RADHE
JAYA KRISHNA
JAYA VRINDAVAN DHAM!!