Embark on a Sacred Journey
This pilgrimage is a powerful spiritual journey, carefully designed with decades of experience visiting extraordinary sites made holy by Paramhansa Yogananda and the saints and masters described in his Autobiography of a Yogi.
Hosted by Ananda India and co-led with Ananda Washington and Portland, this pilgrimage will bestow many sacred blessings and priceless memories of a lifetime.
“If you go to places where masters have lived, the vibrations there will quicken your realization. That is the value of pilgrimages to holy places. The masters’ divine vibrations are still there, just as strong as when they were physically present. Those who are in tune will feel that presence. But first, one has to meditate and prepare himself.”
—Paramhansa Yogananda
Explore the Holy Sites of India
Delhi
Our home base in Delhi will be the Ananda Center, warmly staffed by devoted disciples of Yoganandaji. Here, we’ll start each day with morning meditation, share meals, and bask in the loving energy nurtured by the Ananda Delhi community.
Explore the vibrant Dilli Haat marketplace on a guided shopping excursion, showcasing crafted treasures from across India. Discover unique souvenirs, experience local culture, and revel in the city’s dynamic spirit, all while anchored in the serene atmosphere of our Ananda Center.
Varanasi
Puri
Immerse yourself in Puri’s profound spiritual energy, stunning natural beauty, and relaxing atmosphere. Meditate in the sacred Mandir where Sri Yukteswar’s body is buried, and visit the revered Jagannath Temple and other holy sites. Our hotel, beautifully situated on the Bay of Bengal, offers breathtaking sea views from most rooms and is just a short distance from Sri Yukteswar’s serene hermitage.
Kolkata
Experience the sacred energy of Kolkata, where Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Yukteswar lived and meditated. Visit Yogananda’s Boyhood Home (4 Garpar Road), now a shrine lovingly maintained by his family. Ananda has led pilgrimages to Kolkata for 40 years, fostering a deep friendship with Yogananda’s family and shrine custodians. Together we’ll:
- Meditate in the attic room where Yogananda experienced Samadhi
- Visit the room where Babaji blessed Yogananda
- Enjoy lunch with Yogananda’s family
- Explore the living room where Sri Yukteswar visited Yogananda’s father
We’ll also visit the Tulsi Bose Shrine, a 5-minute walk away, where Yogananda found solace in meditation, started his first school, and began teaching organized meditation.
This sacred site has been blessed by numerous saints, including Swami Vivekananda, Anandamoyi Ma, and Swami Kriyananda. Feel the lasting presence of these spiritual luminaries.
Ranikhet (Babaji’s Cave Trip Option)
This extraordinary leg of the trip takes us to the beautiful foothill region where Lahiri Mahasaya is said to have first met Mahavatar Babaji in the autumn of 1861, which contains the cave where Lahiri spent a previous incarnation. Babaji gave Lahiri Kriya Yoga initiation on this spot, thus launching its spread around the world. We’ll spend most of a day together on this hillside, taking turns meditating in the cave itself.
The other holy site we’ll visit in this region is Dunagiri Mountain, also sanctified by the presence of Babaji and Lahiri Mahashaya. The Durga temple here is situated atop a mountain which is said to have fallen from the arms of Hanuman when flying to the aid of Lakshman as told in the ancient Ramayana epic.
About the Pilgrimage Leaders
Badri Matlock and Murali Venkatrao are Ananda lightbearers and leaders who have served for many years teaching, leading groups and traveling to holy places.
Badri has traveled extensively to these and other pilgrimage sites throughout India, most recently in 2023. His passion for the spiritual traditions of India was ignited in 2007, and since then his dedicated practice of yoga, meditation, and chanting in the tradition of Paramhansa Yogananda has been the main focus of life. As an experienced teacher and leader, Badri is filled with joy to share this extraordinary opportunity for life-changing pilgrimage with devotees from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Murali was born and brought up in India. He has traveled extensively in the Himalayas, Tibet, and many holy sites in India. He has been a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda since 2002, and serves at Ananda Washington. Murali loves to share the spiritual heritage of India, which is both universal and personal, and can be experienced dynamically in the ancient pilgrimage spots. He is also an experienced Yoga and Meditation teacher.
Costs and Registration
Cost
Pilgrimage Pricing (Oct 22 – Nov 9)
Double occupancy: $5,350
Single occupancy: $1,200 additional, if available
Babaji’s cave extension (Nov 9 – 14)
Double occupancy: $1,150
Single occupancy: $270 additional, if available
Deposit: $1,000
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel by March 30, 2025, your payment will be refunded, less a $500 cancellation fee. If we have purchased your flight, lodging, meals and ground transportation, any applicable cancellation fees will also be subtracted from your refund. After June 30, 2025 sorry but no refunds are possible. We will continue taking reservations, as long as space is available.
Price Includes:
- The cost of all hotel lodgings
- All breakfasts, most lunches and dinners
- The cost of all ground transportation
- All programs, meditations & tours
- All taxes on the above items
Price does not include:
- Flights to/from India, Passport or visa fees
- Any meals not included during the pilgrimage
- Any baggage fees or extra baggage fees
- Any extras (meals, gifts, etc.)
- Any donations or tips you may wish to leave at the shrines, churches, restaurants, and for porters etc. We usually take a collection at each shrine to give. This is a tradition from India.
- Personal items, laundry, phone, or any other charges beyond the group’s prepaid hotel rates.