JOURNEY to Mysore, Varanasi, Priyag, India

The Journey To The Source is a pilgrimage designed for a spiritual transformation. The following is a description of our recent trip.

Beginning in warm South India, in the city of Mysore, the Journey will start with a visit to Chaumundi-a Durga Temple. The goddess Durga is known for having slaughtered Maheshasur (a saboteur). By visiting this temple, one celebrates the diminishing ego.

On many days, after dawn sadhana, we will visit an ancient temple or spend some time with a sadhu (spiritual practitioner), a Sanyasi (holy person) or a yogi. We also plan to visit the historic palace of a Maharaja famous for its exquisite decoration in turquoise and gold. The daily program will include sound and meditation classes with Sri Shyamji and InnerTuning® yoga with Alisa Bhatnagar.

On January 20 we will fly to the holiest city in India, Varanasi. We will go to an ancient and energetically powerful Hanumanji Temple to release fears and gain strength. There will be walks along the holy river Ganga (Ganges). We will also visit different mathas (ashrams) and have darshan (graced audience) with holy men and women. Observation of the dawn sadhana is a common sight on the banks of the Ganga.

Joining the sadhus as they offer aarti (an ancient ritual with devotional chanting) at dawn or dusk will be a valuable and moving experience. There will be an opportunity to light a ghee lamp, place it in a flower boat and let it float into the Ganga. When this is accompanied with a true intention, personal transformation occurs.

In this ancient city, where Lord Shiv resides, we will visit the Vishvanath Temple which is dedicated to him. It contains the most important of the 12 Jyotir Lingas in India. It is said that these 12 Lingas appeared as a result of the sadhana (spiritual practices) of great sadhus. When the lingas first appeared they were filled with light (jyotir). They continue to stimulate the sixth chakra of all who visit them.

We depart Varanasi for Priyag where three rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati meet (Sangham). Each twelve-year cycle includes the Maha (great) Kumbh Mela at Prayag. It is attended by millions of people and is the largest gathering of pilgrims in the world.
The Kumbh Mela is astronomically calculated to occur in the month of Magh (Jan/Feb) when the position of the Sun is in Capricorn, the Moon is also in Capricorn and Jupiter is in Taurus. Participation in this pilgrimage has maximum spiritual merit and may be a transformative experience.

The observance of Kumbh Mela is based upon the following legend: Thousands of years ago, in the Vedic period, gods and demons made a temporary agreement to work together churning amrita (the nectar of immortality) from the Ksheer Sagara (primordial ocean of milk) and to share the nectar equally. However, when the Kumbh (urn) containing the amrita appeared, the demons ran away with it and were chased by the gods. For twelve days and twelve nights (equivalent to twelve human years) the gods and demons fought in the sky for possession of this pot of amrita. It is said that, during the battle, drops of amrita fell at four places; one of them is Prayag, where the three rivers meet.

Participants are charged with extraordinary energy when they participate in this fair and see saints in their various and sundry conveyances-elephants, horses, palanquins, chariots, cars and camels-transmitting waves of powerful shakti (energy) to all the people. This is an awe-inspiring and most auspicious event. Devotees are overwhelmed by the palpable spiritual vibrations that pervade the entire atmosphere.

	past event: Journey To The Source - India A 3-week pilgrimage from South to the North of India, led by Sri Shyamji visiting temples, caves, holy men, extraordinary sights and sounds TIME: January 9-28, 2007 LOCATION: Mysore, Varanasi, Priyag, India