Beloved CommunityAs it happens, in October 2024, we will be taking a small group on pilgrimage to Kerala, India. While we are there we will explore the beautiful culture and nature of India, we will deepen and expand our personal spiritual inquiry and understanding, and we will celebrate Navrati, the 9 Nights of the Goddess. What greater pilgrimage can there be?
Kerala is a tropical destination known for palm tree lined beaches, backwater canals, houseboats, and tea plantations. Inland there are Western Ghats, and mountains, coffee and spice plantations, as well as abundant wildlife sanctuaries. National parks are a vibrant feature of the region and are home to elephants, langur monkeys, and tigers. Kerala, specifically Amritapuri, is the birthplace of the living saint, Amma, and the site of Her ashram as well as the Kali Bhavatarini Temple. Also close by is the Karikkakom Chamundi Devi Temple, located on the banks of the Parvati Puthanaar (River), one of the oldest surviving temples in Kerala and one where the Goddess is worshiped as the Trigunatmika - the one who possesses the three guna, sattva rajas, and tamas. There will be several such temple visits on this journey and a great deal of time to sit and commune with divinity. There is no doubt that pilgrimage to this sacred region of India will fulfill our hearts calling to merge with the energies of the Divine Mother during Her sacred season. Join me, together with co-facilitators Jyoti Ma Devi and Devi Ketrow, for spiritual teachings, meditation, kirtan, and cultural immersion in Kerala. Our fabulous retreat support coordinator, Jaya, will also be on hand and is at the ashram ready to answer your questions 484-509-5073. Come see and experience Kerala, India in ways that will grow you, teach you, and offer you an intimate view of India's spiritual heritage. With Love & Peace, Swamini Shraddhananda Saraswati |
About Our JourneyWhile we are in Kerala, we will have the opportunity to visit several sacred, cultural, and natural sites including:
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The program includes:
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The program does not include:
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Where we will stay
Thiruvananthapuram, also called Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala. Built on seven hills, this evergreen city of South India is an ideal retreat area. Quaint yet urban, it is famous for many things including one of the richest temples of South India called the Padmanabhaswamy Temple. And the name of the city is named after the Swamy – Thiru-Anantha-Puram or the City of Lord Anantha. The city of Thiruvananthapuram is bustling with urban life, while the outer areas hold some of the most beautiful and natural areas of Kerala, India, and the world.
We will stay at Somatheeram Ayurveda Village in Thiruvananthapuram. It is a serene Ayurvedic center located on the coastline, nestled in the renowned greenery of Kerala. This award-winning location offers comfortable, clean spacious rooms, on site dining, an authentic space for spiritual inquiry and practice, an environment in which to relax, connect with nature, and therapeutic services that boast the expertise and specialization of the best of Ayurvedic hospitals in India.
Please note: Ayurvedic therapies are not part of the retreat, but will be available at an additional cost.
Somatheeram hosts world-class amenities and breath-taking sceneries. Retreats to this location are typically much more expensive. We have worked hard to bring you to the best of Kerala India at an very reasonable price.
This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the radiant culture of south India, bask in the beauty of the Arabian Sea coastline, explore the backwaters, hill stations, plantations, temples, markets, beaches, and so much more...
We will stay at Somatheeram Ayurveda Village in Thiruvananthapuram. It is a serene Ayurvedic center located on the coastline, nestled in the renowned greenery of Kerala. This award-winning location offers comfortable, clean spacious rooms, on site dining, an authentic space for spiritual inquiry and practice, an environment in which to relax, connect with nature, and therapeutic services that boast the expertise and specialization of the best of Ayurvedic hospitals in India.
Please note: Ayurvedic therapies are not part of the retreat, but will be available at an additional cost.
Somatheeram hosts world-class amenities and breath-taking sceneries. Retreats to this location are typically much more expensive. We have worked hard to bring you to the best of Kerala India at an very reasonable price.
This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the radiant culture of south India, bask in the beauty of the Arabian Sea coastline, explore the backwaters, hill stations, plantations, temples, markets, beaches, and so much more...
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Reserve your spot below
KERALA DATES: October 5th-14th, 2024
PILGRIMAGE RETREAT COST is PER PERSON
(cost does not include airfare, suggested flight information will be provided upon registration):
Standard room - shared - you will be assigned a roommate: $3100
Cottage room - shared - you will be assigned a roommate: $3300
Standard room - Private - enjoy a sweet quiet space all your own! $3700
Cottage room - Private - an adorable one room cottage all to yourself! $4000
There are 5 Standard rooms and 9 Cottage rooms available.
**PLEASE NOTE: There are only 1 Standard room & 2 Cottage rooms remaining.
Pay in full or make a $500 deposit to reserve your spot.
If you are making a deposit:
PILGRIMAGE RETREAT COST is PER PERSON
(cost does not include airfare, suggested flight information will be provided upon registration):
Standard room - shared - you will be assigned a roommate: $3100
Cottage room - shared - you will be assigned a roommate: $3300
Standard room - Private - enjoy a sweet quiet space all your own! $3700
Cottage room - Private - an adorable one room cottage all to yourself! $4000
There are 5 Standard rooms and 9 Cottage rooms available.
**PLEASE NOTE: There are only 1 Standard room & 2 Cottage rooms remaining.
Pay in full or make a $500 deposit to reserve your spot.
If you are making a deposit:
- you will receive an open invoice from Paypal for your balance.
- all balances must be paid in full by September 1, 2024.
- please send us an email noting your room preference.
- specific rooms are available on a first registered basis.
Payment Link
Airlines Information
Please purchase airline tickets according to the suggested flights, so to make travel and transfer easier. Suggested flights and additional travel information will be provided after registration. Students should plan to arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Airport (airport code TRV) on October 5th and depart from Thiruvananthapuram on October 14th.
Payment Plan
Students choosing the $500 deposit option will receive an open invoice from our PayPal for the balance of their retreat tuition. You can make payments to that invoice with either a PayPal Account, or with debit/credit card. It is the students responsibility to ensure all payments are complete by September 1st 2024.
Cancellation Policy
- A $500 cancellation fee will be applied for cancellations occurring before September 1, 2024
- A $1000 cancellation fee will be applied for cancellation occurring from September 1 through September 30, 2024.
- There are no refunds for cancellations occurring October 1, 2024 or after.
- Any refunds take up to 30 days to process.
Disclaimers
- All students are required to complete and sign health waivers and disclaimers.
- All students are responsible for obtaining their own visa
- All students are responsible to know and comply with any covid protocols. Please note that if you have a layover, even if you do not leave the airport, you must be aware of that country's covid requirements and comply with same. Please note that a CDC card indicating you have had a Covid vaccination is not adequate in most parts of Europe. We will provide more information on covid protocols upon registration.
- All students are responsible to know and comply with any and all health advisories active in the region during our stay.
- Students are responsible for any exchange fees
- Any change or upgrade to accommodations/transportation/meals made by the student are the financial responsibility of the student and are not included in retreat tuition
- Kula Kamala Foundation, its employees, volunteers, and teachers, are not responsible for illnesses, flight interruptions, cancellations, or detours.
Retreat Reviews
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"I had the honor of attending a retreat to Varanasi, India with the Kula Kamala Foundation in October 2023. I hardly have the words to describe how inspiring, fulfilling and incredibly soul satisfying this journey was. The absolute best part was how fabulous our leaders were: Swaminiji, Jyoti, and Jaya. For months leading up to the retreat they were providing information, answering questions and helping us all prepare. They went above and beyond to make sure all of us travelers were ready and all of our needs were met. There wasn't a moment when I felt unsafe, unprepared, or not taken care of in any way. For such a long journey away from home, for almost two weeks, this was so important and did not go unnoticed. The schedule was packed full of amazing sights and experiences for us to have, yet the flexibility to pass on anything when needed was offered and supported. We did have unexpected situations arise and everything was handled in a calm and professional manner, with the utmost sensitivity to all of us. I can honestly say I cannot imagine a better trip. I believe anyone who has the opportunity to travel with this ashram would be wise to take it!"
~ Stephanie ~ Varanasi 2023 |
"Traveling to India for the first time to be guided and share so many special moments with Swaminiji, our tour guide Monuji & the kula Kamala ashram will forever be held in my heart. The itinerary was crafted with thoughtfulness, reverence, and flexibility to share authentically, India. This is journey – not a vacation. The India Retreat with the Kula Kamala Ashram has humbled and challenged yet supported by sangha, in all ways with grace." ~ Aranyani Aslynn ❤ ~ Varanasi 2023
"The first time I traveled to India, I knew I needed to go with a group or organization of people that I trusted, and who had been to the places we were going. There's a short list of people and organizations that I would trust to lead me through parts of India I've never been, and Swaminiji Sharadananda Saraswati and Kula Kamala are at the top of this list. India is an impossible country and culture to plan for all contingencies, but they tried there best to make sure everyone's needs were accommodated." ~ Shambhu Anand, Kripalvananda Yoga Institute Board Historian ~ Varanasi 2023
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"Varanasi was a powerful, life-changing experience from the moment we arrived until my last day in the 5000+ year old holy city. It was a trip of contrasts and transformative in ways I was not expecting. The intensity of the Aartis, overwhelming feelings at Manikarnika ghat, and confronting my own physical limitations - vs. - the beauty and serenity of the Ganga at sunrise, the calming temples, the peace at night walking home from Aarti. The pilgrimage was well organized with a menu of excursion choices each day. Swaminiji and the trip leaders were well informed, and extended themselves in every way to make sure my trip was as safe and comfortable as possible. I felt very supported and fulfilled-- we experienced everything Varanasi had to offer. The group as a whole was fantastic to travel with, sharing experiences and photos and encouraging one another to fully appreciate both the beautiful people and landscape, as well as the reality of deep poverty. Faith holding all of us and the entire city together. Though the trip did not turn out as I expected, the lessons of Varanasi are clear, and the karmic work ahead of me is critical to self-realization." ~ Annette ~ Varanasi 2023