India Yatra 2024
The Journey Within
30 October - 10 November 2024
Rishikesh, Devprayag, Varanasi, Kerala
The Journey Within
A trip to India can be life-changing. It’s wild, exhilarating, opening and most and foremost, transforming. You have the chance to re-align, re-centre and retreat in a space that will show you wonder, appreciation and a true sense of belonging. Mama India welcomes you with open arms if you are ready to welcome her into your heart.
This journey is everything and at the same time nothing you could ever imagine. Your participation requires to let go of all mental constructs, believes and assumptions of how the world “should” be in order to receive the medicine of a pilgrimage: surrender to the unknown and trust in the eternal flow of grace.
We will be travelling to Rishikesh: the world’s Yoga capital; to Devprayag: where the Ganges River originates from, to Varanasi: the place of death and rebirth and to Kerala: home of Ayurveda
This is a journey to the roots of Yogic wisdom. You will sit by the holy river Ganga and say your prayers, be part of sacred ceremonies, get blessed by vedic priests. You will see magnificent temples, hike in the Himalayas and eat outstanding Indian food. You will practice daily Meditations, do fire ceremonies by the river and practice Yoga with my Gurujis. You will deepen your understanding of Yoga as an holistic Art of Living that guides the way to an embodied life.
Mama India will teach you how to live your life as a prayer.
Get ready for a journey that will change your life. This is not a Yoga retreat but a pilgrimage to the heart. It demands openness to dive deep & look beyond. It involves overcoming challenges, and cultivating patience and compassion. A little closer to our natural way of being, one breath at a time.
With so much love and excitement,
xxx Alexia
Once in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.
About the places
Rishikesh, Haridwar & Ganga
Rishikesh is known to be the capital of Yoga. Home of the Rishis (Saints). In no other place in the world you will find so many Ashrams (sacred centers of knowledge, wisdom, devotion & service) and opportunities to deepen your holistic Yoga practice. Haridwar is one of the most important pilgrimage places in India and is the centre of deep spirituality and ancient teachings. You will connect with the roots of Yoga by feeling these transformational places, taking barefoot steps on the sacred soil and bathing in the holy river Ganga. We will also visit my teacher Maa Gyaan in her home and enjoy a Satsang by the Ganga. This is an initation into the Yogic path as it is and always has been: A holistic science of life that is gracefully blessed by the art of the divine.
Devprayag
A beautiful showcase of traditions, myths and mysticism, Devprayag is the place where the holy rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet, merge into one and take the name Ganga, making it a unique pilgrimage. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dasharath (from the epic Ramayana) performed penance here. The main temple of the town is Raghunathji Temple and is dedicated to Lord Rama. The Ganges is the most revered river in the world and traveling to its source will also also allow you to travel to your inner source. Be prepared for magic.
Varanasi
Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. It is called the spiritual capital of India and it is a portal. Hindu people journey to Varanasi when they are dying in the hope to find salvation. They believe they can break out of the cycle of death and rebirth. It is said that being cremated in Varanasi will allow one to attain Moksha, or liberation. Varanasi is a deeply transforming place that makes you realize that death is the biggest invitation to embrace the fullness of life.
Kerala
Kerala is a pristine and serene state in South India that is known for its beaches, hill stations, backwaters, bird and wild life as well as the home of Ayurveda, India’s most ancient natural healing modality. We will be staying at a beachfront Retreat centre enjoying daily meditations and nourishing Yoga classes and will go on magical backwater boat trips to end our Yatra on a high note.
*you will also have the option to extend the Yatra with a 5 Day Ayurveda & Healing package at a world renowned beachfront Ayurveda Retreat Centre.
Pilgrims are poets that create by taking journeys.
-Richard Niebuhr
Itinerary
Day 1/ Rishikesh. Welcome Circle at 18:00 & Opening Ritual.
Day 2/ Rishikesh
Day 3/ Devprayag
Day 4/ Rishikesh
Day 5/ Dehra Dun- Varanasi (Domestic Flight)
Day 6/ Varanasi
Day 7/ Varanasi
Day 8/ Varanasi
Day 9/ Varanasi - Kerala (Domestic Flight to Trivandrum)
Day 10/ Kerala
Day 11/ Kerala
Day 12/ Kerala. Departure Day.
optional Day 12- 16/ Kerala: 5 Ayurveda & Healing Days including daily doctors consultations, daily 2 hour treatments, Yoga & Meditation classes, Ayurvedic full board/ 3 meals a day in a luxury Ayurveda Retreat Centre by the ocean
“The idea of going on a spirtual journey is really part of the DNA of India itself.”
-Diana Eck
Self- Investment :
from €2900*
*Early Bird until 31 May 2024 ⎮ €3080 regular
Included:
Full program according to itinerary
Accommodation in 4**** or 5***** (heritage) hotels and Retreat Centres
Ashram visits, Satsangs with Gurujis & Swamis, Arati, Pujas, Ceremonies
Local travel guide, city tours, all entrances
2 Domestic flights: Dehra Dun- Varanasi and Varanasi- Trivandrum
All transfers during the pilgrimage
All meals except lunches while traveling
Yoga and Meditation program with yogalexia
An experience you will never forget and that will deeply transform you
5% off your Pilgrimage investment will be donated to my Charity Project Narichaya in rural India, where we are building a learning centre for underprivileged women.
**this Pilgrimage is organized in cooperation with Spiritual India Tours & Agency.
Not included:
International flights, some temple donations
I do not at all understand the mystery of Grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.
-Anne Lamott
Meet your India Guide & Teacher
Alexia Daksha Damini
Alexia has been traveling to India since 2008. She calls India her spiritual home and returns on a yearly base to study with her teachers, to take groups on life-changing pilgrimages and to connect with the sacredness of the land. For Alexia, India opens a door to mysteries: “The Motherland astonishes, surprises, awakens and changes you forever. She gives you a glimpse of what’s possible. And once you have had a little taste, you won’t let go and will seek to keep deepening the connection with what you have discovered.”
Alexia’s pilgrimages are unique and never the same. She makes sure you experience India off-the-beaten track by taking you to secret Himalayan caves and her favorite hidden spots by the sacred Ganga river; she organises Satsangs with local Swamis and makes you look behind the veil by teaching how to travel as a pilgrim rather than a tourist. Her pilgrimages are an expression of her love for the Motherland, be assured that you too will find love in India.
A fairytale journey that you will remember for a lifetime.
Testimonials
(EN)
“India is different. It’s a different world with uncountable faces. For me, as it was my first time in India, visiting this new world was also a journey to myself. I was going there without any expectations, without any fear of the unknown, because I had enough trust in Alexia and her way of organizing this goddess yoga retreat. But this journey was more than a casual yoga retreat, with Alexia as a yoga teacher you always have the choice of how deep you’re diving into new experiences. She guides you threw a unique path, full of amazing landscapes, original villages and the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen. At the same time she gives you enough space, to dive into this new world and soak in every single moment as much as you need it. The way Alexia is organizing yoga retreats can challenge you and can take you more deeper into your yoga practice, on and especially off the mat.”
— Bianca Lokway, Austria
(DE)
“Unvergessliche Zeiten in Indien. Yogaunterricht, Workshop, Retreat und Pilgerreise- Alles genossen und schwerstens empfehlbar. Jederzeit wieder, koste es was es wolle.”
— Patrizia Frenzl & Manfred Marklo, Austria
(DE)
“Die Pilgerreise nach Indien 2020 war einfach unglaublich!
Ich bin sehr dankbar dass wir Alexia begleiten durften. Die Reise war durchwegs super geplant. Wir haben viel gesehen und erlebt und uns trotzdem niemals überfordert oder gestresst gefüllt. Alexia hat die Gabe alles in Balance zu halten und ein gutes Gespür für die Menschen die mit ihr Reisen. Ebenso hat sie ein tolles Händchen für die Leute mit denen sie arbeitet. Wir haben uns gut geführt aber niemals in Gefahr gefühlt. Durch Alexias Wissen um das Land und die Kultur bekamen wir einen tollen Einblick in das Leben Indiens und dies eben auch abseits des normalen Tourismus Touren!
Was mich die Reise mit Alexia gelehrt hat? Ganz bedingungslos und mit offenem Herzen durchs Leben zu gehen! Ohne Erwartungen und voller Vertrauen, mich ganz und gar von Ihr durch eine fremde Kultur führen zulassen und am Ende ganz unverhofft bekam ich von dieser Reise mehr zurück als ich es mir je erträumen konnte. Vielen Dank!
-Katharina Schneider, Austria
FAQs
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Yes! Our pilgrimage route takes us mostly to spiritual places that are often off the beaten tourist track. These places are well maintained and safe. We are also always making sure we are staying in clean hotels and take plenty of safety measurements.
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You can apply online for your e-tourist Visa to India via this link:
https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
You can apply for this Visa anytime after you have signed up for the pilgrimage. You will receive an email with an ETA that says “VISA GRANTED”. The ETA is an confirmation, however, you will only receive the VISA STAMP upon entry at immigration.
Alternatively, you may also apply for a regular paper Visa at your local embassy.
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Yatra is a sanskrit word and means “spiritual journey” or pilgrimage. I have called my India journeys Yatras because they are fundamentally different to Retreats. We are traveling a lot, visiting sacred sites, temples and spiritual homes. We will do daily spiritual practices and hold our energy and intentions high. This is not a trip to relax, but a deep encounter with yourself and a country that has ancient roots of wisdom and will empower you to see beyond the veils.
It requires you to be open, accepting, loving and welcoming. It might take you to your limits, yet only to discover that your mind is your only limit. India helps us expand and grow. Be open and you shall receive.
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Our Yatra begins in Rishikesh and ends in Kerala.
You may book your flight into Delhi or Dehra Dun and out of Kochi International Airport or simply book a return ticket to and from Delhi International Airport and book your domestic flight from Trivandrum to Delhi separately.
If you arrive in Delhi we can organize a pick up from the International Airport and take you directly to Rishikesh. The travel time will be approximately 4-5 hours.
If you arrive in Dehra Dun domestic airport, the travel time to Rishikesh will be about 45 minutes.
The Yatra finishes in Kerala. Book your flight out of Trivandrum International Airport.
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While India is quite colorful and open when it comes to dress code, there are certain standards to follow especially when visiting temples and sacred sites.
Make sure to pack clothes that are not black in color, long sleeves (below shoulders) and lose pants or skirts (below knees). You can also use shawl to wrap around your waist, head or shoulders when you enter a temple site.
If you do not have clothes that suit this trip, do not worry, come in comfortable outfits and i will take you to the markets on day one. You can get India clothes for a cheap price at the local markets and they will serve you for many India trips to come :)