Description
“Each pilgrimage you are going through a curtain of light where all your batteries which are inside of you, get energised“ – Paramahamsa Vishwananda
The Divine Mother is the creatrix and true essence of all that we can see, feel, hear or touch. She is the essence of all of creation, including us as human beings, our Divine Mother. She is the creative power of Sriman Narayana, and as such creates, maintains and annihilates any number of universes by her sweet will. She resides in each person as the Kundalini Shakti. Once awakened, She illumines a person and gives them divine consciousness. All sadhana ultimately aims at this divine Shakti rising, bringing us to the Lord’s feet.We also call it “bhakti” that awakens. Through Her grace we can get a feeling of this bhakti and how she is opening up the door so we can get a glimpse of the Lord – or even more.
The Bhagavad Gita says that the material world works under the direction of the goddess Durgā, the material energy of the Lord. Divine Mother acts under the direction of Sriman Narayana. Thats why the Goddess is extremely powerful. She can create, maintain and annihilate any number of universes by her sweet will as she acts under the direction of Sriman Narayana Himself.
Lord Kṛṣṇa blessed Māyādevī by saying: In different places on the surface of the earth, people will give you different names, such as Durgā, Bhadrakālī, Vijayā, Vaiṣṇavī, Kumudā, Caṇḍikā, Kṛṣṇā, Mādhavī, Kanyakā, Māyā, Nārāyaṇī, Īśānī, Śāradā and Ambikā. (Śrimad Bhagavatam 10.2.11-12)
Highlights of this pilgrimage:
– Train ride from Delhi to Katra
– Climbing to Vaishno Devi Temple by foot (or Pony)
– Vajreshwari Devi Temple
– Jwalamukhi Devi Temple (where Divine Mother resides in the form of flames)
– Celebration of Vasant Panchami (Saraswati Festival) on the 14th February
– Visiting famous Sikh Temple in Anandpur Sahib
– Visiting the temple where Guruji received his Giridhari Krishna
– Visiting places where the Pandavas spent time in exile
– Visiting the battlefield where the Bhagavad Gita took place: Kurukshetra
– and many more temples of Divine Mother
Details
Event dates: February 11 to February 19, 2024
Applications close: December 1, 2023 12:00 am
Notifications will be sent: December 8, 2023
Full payment is due: December 18, 2023
Teacher
Swami Vishwasharadananda
“If you haven’t seen God, stay in the sangha, this will become your strength, to be in the company of devotees. Start listening to the glories of God, go on pilgrimages. More the love of God will be growing.” – Swami Sharada quoting Swami Vishwananda as in the Bhakti Talks in the USASwami Vishwasharadaananda studied languages, culture, history and economics of South Asia. During his studies, he became interested in both Christianity and Hinduism. The teachings of Jesus and Krishna are similar, both speak of unconditional Love.
This deep interest in God led him to Paramahamsa Sri Swami Vishwananda, whom he now represents in Latvia. His lifestyle includes serving people, teaching them how to follow the path of devotion to the Divine through daily prayer, Atma Kriya Yoga, sacred rituals, living in modern society and spiritual community.
Paartha
Paartha has met his Guru, Paramahamsa Vishwananda, in 1998. He lived many years in close proximity of Guruji and was blessed with many experiences. Over these years, he also developed a deep relationship with Devi, and has been worshipping Her for many years. He has been on the 9-Goddesses pilgrimage before with Guruji, and would like others also to experience the grace of the Divine Mother on this journey.Paartha is married and has three children. He is member of the intl management Board of Bhakti Marga.
Anuprabha
Anuprabha is with Guruji for around 20 years and went to some eventful pilgrimages with Him, the most eventful is still the one towards herself.Since it is her passion and also her profession to travel, she invites you to embark together on a wonderful pilgrimage to meet Devi, our Divine Mother. She was able to do this travel in 2018 with Guruji.
Her home is Shree Peetha Nilaya where she happily lives and serves.
Included in the price
- 8 nights stay (double occupancy) in 3-5 star hotels
- Seminar facilitation by Swami Sharada, Paartha and Anuprabha
- Daily vegetarian meals and water
- Transportation to the different pilgrimage locations
- A full range of sangha activities
Not included in the price
- Transportation to and from India
- Transportation to and from the port of entry to the pilgrimage location
- Beverages
- Tips
- Insurances (see below for details)
Registration procedure
- Before booking, please confirm that you are able to travel to India
- Please only register for this event if you are able to pay the full fee by 18 December 2023
- After you register, your Terms & Conditions application will be reviewed for final selection of participants. (See below for further details)
- You will be notified of the status of your application via email
- If you are accepted into the retreat, you will receive an e-mail with payment instructions
- Your space can only be confirmed after we receive the full payment
- Full payment is due no later than 18 December 2023
Health & Safety
All travelers are responsible for their own health and safety during this pilgrimage.
- Health insurance is mandatory
- You must be in good physical and mental health.
- This retreat is not appropriate for physically impaired, disabled, or pregnant travellers.
- Travel health care and accident insurance
- Travel cancellation insurance (highly recommended due to Covid)
Program
“Each pilgrimage that you do, you are purifying yourself, you are eliminating lots of unwanted karma“. – Paramahamsa Vishwananda
When Guruji was a young boy, He received a book named “Call of the Nine Goddesses”. For many, many years, he wanted to undertake this journey Himself, and finally, in 2014, He undertook the pilgrimage for the first time with a group of pilgrims. At the time, Swami Sharada and Paartha joined him. A few years later, in 2018, He went there again, this time Anuprabha was part of the group. Since all three of them enjoyed this special journey, they decided to themselves take a group of pilgrims to these special places, stretching from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh to Punjab.Participants
The participants will be taken on a journey to the Divine Mother where pearls of Guruji’s youth will be shared with them that very few bhaktas can know and share firsthand.
Anyone who is physically fit and can go on a longer hike is invited to learn his message from Guruji’s closest disciples and soak up stories that have the power to change their own lives.
There will be a sense of family among like-minded people and the welcoming atmosphere will allow us to contribute and inspire one another. The love of God that all devotees carry within will make this journey an unforgettable experience.
Location & Accommodation
On this pilgrimage, we will visit powerful shakti peeths, places where Divine Mother manifested Herself as different Goddesses. By visiting Her abodes, where She is strongly present, we are able to deepen our connection to Her inside of us, bringing Her presence into our homes and lives.
