Visit sivananda.org/india for complete information on courses and programs at our ashrams and centres throughout India.
Himalayan Treks and Other Programs
The ashram organises guided treks in the Himalayan Mountains such as Gangotri, Gomukh, Valley of Flowers and Char Dham.
| Trek | Dates | Donation |
|---|---|---|
| Gomukh trek | May 19th - 22nd 2008 | US$100 |
| Vishnu Peak trek | To be confirmed | US$100 |
| Valley of Flowers trek | August 5th - 11th | US$400 |
| Char Dham Yatra | August 31st - September 11th 2008 | US$800 |
As with all courses prior booking is required. How to Register.
The treks require a minimum number of people, therefore treks maybe cancelled at short notice.
Gomukh trek
Gomukh means cow's mouth; the shape of the ice formation is like a cow's mouth. Here the sacred Ganga appears from below the glacier as the Bhagirathi river. Located at an altitude of 4200 metres and 18 kms from Gangotri. The trek is gradual with stunning views and purifying Himalayan mountain air. The most part of the walk is relatively easy on a well defined path, where ponies can be hired. The last few kilometres is a difficult walk through rough terrain, in this part of the journey ponies are not available.
Vishnu Peak
Trekkers will be part of the group carrying holy written mantras to the 'Om Namo Narayanaya Bank' started by Swami Vishnudevananda to promote world peace. The summit of Vishnu peak is reached by climbing over rough terrain.
Valley of Flowers trek
The Valley of Flowers is an outstandingly beautiful Himalayan valley, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and covered with some 500 species of flowers. Its landscape, breath-taking views of alpine flowers and ease of access complement the rugged, mountain wilderness for which the inner basin of Nanda Devi National Park is renowned.
| Day 1 | Drive to Joshimath, night stay |
| Day 2 | Drive to Govind Ghat, trek to Ghangariya |
| Day 3 | Trek to Valley of Flowers, trek back to Ghangariya |
| Day 4 | Drive to Bhadrinath |
| Day 5 | Darshan at Bhadrinath Temple |
| Day 6 | Drive to Nandaprayag, night stay |
| Day 7 | Drive back to Netala, night stay |
Char Dham Yatra
Visiting the four most important pilgrimage places; Yamunotri, Gangotari, Kedernath and Badrinath collectively called "Char Dham" of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna.
Gangotri, (Ganga' + 'Uttari' which means descended) is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.
Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages where a form of the Lord Shiva is venerated as one of the twelve jyotirlingam (linga of light).
Badrinath, the seat of the god Vishnu in his aspect of Badrinarayana, is the most important of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage.
| Day 1 | Arrival at Sivananda Kutir, night stay |
| Day 2 | Drive to Pool Chatti, trek to Janaki Chatti |
| Day 3 | Trek to Yamunotri, night stay |
| Day 4 | Trek back to Phool Chatti, drive back to Netala |
| Day 5 | Drive to Gangotri, night stay |
| Day 6 | Drive back to Netala, night stay |
| Day 7 | Drive to Gouri Kund,night stay |
| Day 8 | Trek to Kedarnath, night stay |
| Day 9 | Trek back to Gouri Kund, drive to Chopta, night stay |
| Day 10 | Drive to Badrinath, night stay |
| Day 11 | Drive to Nandaprayag, night stay |
| Day 12 | Drive back to Netala, night stay |
Special Programs/Bhandara's
Special programs are celebrated with a Bhandara. This is where we invite all swamis, sadhu's (wandering monks) and local villagers to the ashram and serve them with a meal.
| Swami Sivajyoti's Samadhi Day | May 31st |
| Swami Sivananda's Mahasamadhi Day | July 14th |
| Swami Akhandananda's Samadhi Day | TBC |
| Swami Sivananda's Birthday Celebration | September 8th |
| Swami Vishnudevananda's Mahasamadhi Day | November 9th |
| Swami Vishnudevananda's Birthday Celebration | December 31st |
