SRF Yogis India Tour (20 Days and 19 Nights)
There will not be any excursions during the day, allowing for a peaceful stay at the ashram.
Drive to New Delhi Airport for a flight to Ranchi. Upon arrival in Ranchi, you will stay at the ashram of YSS. Established in 1917 as a school for boys focused on teaching how to live, the institution later transformed into an ashram dedicated to spreading the teachings of Kriya Yoga. The living room of Paramhansa Yogananda, the Litichi Tree, and the Smriti Temple are significant locations within the ashram premises associated with the life of Yogananda. These sites are open throughout the day for private meditations.
Later, drive to Serampore (15 km, 45 minutes), home to Swami Shri Yukteswar's ashram. Explore the Smriti Temple on the ashram grounds and Anandaloka, once the residence of Shri Yogananda's uncle and now a YSS meditation center. Visit the Roy Ghat, where Babaji appeared to meet Shri Yukteswar. Return to the ashram in Dakshineshwar after lunch.
Embark on the much-awaited visit to Satyaloka, the ancestral house of the Lahiri Family, which houses the ashes of Shri Lahiri Mahasaya. Pass by Lahiri Mahasaya's residence, paying homage from outside as the house is not open to visitors. Next, proceed to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha began preaching after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya. Explore the ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery, a Buddhist temple, and the archaeological museum. In the early evening, enjoy a memorable boat ride on the Ganges at the ghats. Conclude the day with dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will board a flight to New Delhi. Upon arrival, check-in at a hotel for an overnight stay.
Early morning, board a train to Kathgodam (5.5 hours). Upon arrival, drive to Ranikhet (75 km, 2.5 hours). Check-in at a hotel in Ranikhet. Perched at an elevation of 1800 meters, Ranikhet is a quaint town maintained by a regiment of the Indian Army. The fresh, cool air carrying the scent of Pine, the silence of the mountains stirred by the chirping of Himalayan birds, the thick green cover of Pine and Oak trees, and the majestic views of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges rejuvenate mind and body.
Lahiri Mahasaya, an accountant in the Military Engineering Department, was transferred to Ranikhet in 1861. His office in Ranikhet served as a temporary shelter while the British Army set up a post there. During his time in Ranikhet, Lahiri Mahasaya embarked on a transformative journey. He walked from Ranikhet to Kukuchhina through mountain trails, where he met his immortal Guru, Shri Babaji, and was initiated into the ancient system of Kriya Yoga inside a cave now known as Babaji Cave.
No excursions are planned for the day. Relax and unwind in the serene surroundings of Ranikhet, and feel free to plan your own activities.
Drive to Kukuchhina (55 km, 2 hours) where Babaji's cave is situated. From the base of the mountain, the trek to the cave would take around 45 minutes. At the spot where Babaji had materialized a golden palace, stands a small temple (Smriti Temple) dedicated to Babaji, constructed by YSS. After visiting the cave and the Smriti Temple, you will head back to the hotel in Ranikhet.
Drive to Kathgodam Railways Station (75 km, 2.5 hours) for a train to New Delhi. Upon arrival in New Delhi, you will check-in at a hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Visit to the Qutub Minar – one of the tallest minarets in the world. Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. The height of the Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters, and there are 379 steps to reach its top.
You will then explore the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, followed by a visit to India Gate.The National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, designed by Charles Correa, displays over 33,000 traditional Indian handicrafts, including textiles, woodwork, and tribal art. It features a village complex with artisans demonstrating crafts and hosts regular exhibitions to promote contemporary craft practices.
India Gate, a 42-meter-high war memorial, commemorates 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in World War I. It houses the Amar Jawan Jyoti, an eternal flame, and is a vibrant public space. Designed by Edwin Lutyens, it was completed in 1931.You will then return to the hotel, with the evening at leisure.
After breakfast, drive to Agra (230 km, 4 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. Post lunch, visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of white marble, built by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 16 years to complete the work on the main structure. Artisans from all over India, Central Asia, and Iran were involved in constructing this masterpiece. The Taj Mahal is renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Agra Fort, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site like the Taj Mahal, has a rich history. Originally a brick structure built by a Hindu king, it was later enhanced and fortified by the Mughal emperor Akbar and his son Shah Jahan. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to New Delhi International Airport for your onward journey, marking the conclusion of your tour. We trust your time with us was fulfilling, leaving you with lasting memories and a refreshed outlook.
