You will be welcomed at New Delhi International Airport by our tour leader. Drive to the ashram of Yogoda Satsanga Society (YSS) in Noida for stay. Built in the year 2010, Noida ashram of YSS is the newest among the four ashrams of YSS in India. There will not be any excursion during the day.

After breakfast, visit to the magnificent Akshardham Temple. Akshardham Temple is a modern day architectural masterpiece. Through well conceived exhibitions, the temple management enlightens the visitors about the ancient cultural & spiritual heritage of India. Return to YSS Ashram for stay.

Drive to the airport for a flight to Ranchi. In Ranchi, you will stay at the ashram of YSS. YSS Ashram in Ranchi was established in the year 1917 by Paramahansa Shri Yogananda. The ashram then served as a “How-to-Live” school for boys. Since then, it has become the most important center for the activities of YSS in India.

The living room of Shri Yogananda and the Litchi Tree under which he would conduct classes, are two of the most sacred spaces in the ashram. The Smriti Temple, which is made of white marble, has grown to the stature of an iconic monument. It is built at the spot where Shri Yogananda had the first glimpses of his mission. Spread over 25 acres, the ashram is laden with varieties of trees & flowers, and offers a perfect ambience for deeper meditation & contemplation.

Peaceful stay at the ashram.

Peaceful stay at the ashram.

Drive to Ranchi Airport for a flight to the City of Joy – Kolkata. In Kolkata, drive to Dakshineshwar, where you will stay at the ashram of YSS. YSS Ashram in Kolkata is located on the banks of the holy river Ganges. Later in the day, visit to the house of Bhaduri Mahashaya – the Levitating Saint. It will be followed by a visit to 4 Garpar Road childhood residence of Shri Yogananda. To step inside the house of Shri Yogananda is an experience of a lifetime for every devotee of YSS/SRF. Return to the ashram in Dakshineshwar for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit to the famous temple of Shri Dakshineshwar Kali. Shri Dakshineshwar Kali Temple was founded in the year 1855 by a rich businesswoman of Kolkata – Shri Rani Rashmoni. She was a pious lady, who was known for her philanthropic work. The living quarters of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa is located within the temple premises. He served as the head priest of the temple for many years. Goddess Kali would often appear in her physical form to meet her dear devotee Ramakrishna.

Drive to Serampore (15 km, 45 minutes), where Swami Shri Yukteswar had an ashram. Visit to the Smriti Temple erected on his ashram grounds. Situated near the ashram, Anandaloka is the erstwhile house of Shri Yogananda’s uncle. During his college days, Shri Yogananda used to stay in this house, which has been converted into a meditation center of YSS. Visit to Roy Ghat where Babaji had appeared to meet Shri Yukteswar. Post lunch, return to the ashram in Dakshineshwar. Dinner and overnight stay at the ashram.

Visit to Mothers House which is the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity. Saint Teresa, who is popularly known as Mother Teresa, had lived here for most of her life, and was eventually put to rest here. The visitors can pay homage at her tomb and see the articles used by her. You will then visit the magnificent Queen Victoria Memorial. As the name suggests, it was built in the memory of Queen Victoria, who was the empress of British India during the period of 1876-1901. Made of white marble, the monument is an impressive masterpiece of British architecture.

Arrival at campus of Rabindra Bharati University to explore the house of famous poet and Nobel laureate Shri Rabindranath Tagore. The university campus houses Ranindra Bharati Museum, which has impressive collection of articles associated with the Tagore family. These include paintings, poems, handwritten notes and other miscellaneous items.

Later in the evening, visit to Belur Math, which is the international headquarters of Sri Ramakrishna Mission. Located on the banks of the Ganges, the math was established in 1938. It is spread over 40 acres and have shrines dedicated to Shri Ramakrishna, his consort Shri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda. The dome of Shri Ramakrishna Temple incorporates motifs of various religions, symbolizing harmony of the religions. Return to YSS Ashram for dinner and overnight stay.

Drive to Kolkata airport for a flight to Varanasi in the afternoon. Short rest at the hotel after check-in. Later in the evening, visit to Dashaswamedh Ghat to witness the Ganga Aarti. The Ganga Aarti is a ritualistic worship of the holy river Ganges, which is performed with pomp and vigor. Return to the hotel for dinner and stay.

Much awaited visit to Satyaloka – the ancestral house of the Lahiri Family. Satyaloka enshrines the ashes of Shri Lahiri Mahasaya. The way to Satyaloka goes past the house of Lahiri Mahasaya, where he had lived for most of his life. The house remains closed for visitors, so one has to pay homage from outside. You will then visit the ashram of Shri Anandamayi Ma. During her numerous visits to Varanasi, Ma would stay at this place. It used to be the residence of a devotee and was converted into an ashram much later. This peaceful ashram is located on the banks of the Ganges.

You will then proceed to Sarnath. After attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Lord Buddha reached Sarnath and started preaching. Ruins of an ancient Buddhist monastery, a Buddhist temple and the archeological museum are the places you will explore in Sarnath. Return to the hotel in Varanasi.

Early in the morning, you will proceed to the ghats for a memorable boat-ride over the Ganges. Halt at Panchganga Ghat to visit the shrine of Shri Trailanga Swami and the ancient Bindu Madhav Temple.
Shri Trailanga Swami was spiritually so advanced that people of Varanasi considered him to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The anecdotes of his miraculous feats are mentioned in the Autobiography of a Yogi. The ancient Bindu Madhav Temple is the most prominent temple of Shri Vishnu in Varanasi.

After breakfast, visit to Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple of Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India. The Jyotirlingas are special places of worship of Lord Shiva. The temple of Shri Kashi Vishwanath is the very identity of Varanasi, and the epicenter of all its religious activities. You will then fly to New Delhi. Dinner and stay at a hotel in the heart of Delhi.

After breakfast, visit to India Gate, an arch built in the memory of all the Indian solider who laid down their lives in World War I. This 42 meters high monument was dedicated to the nation in 1931. Catching a glimpse of president’s house, you will then head for Birla House where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. A museum inside the building complex shares detailed information about his life and his contributions towards the freedom struggle of India.

Visit to famous Sikh shrine, Shri Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. The shrine is associated with the life of eighth Sikh Guru Shri Harkrishan. A museum inside the shrine complex shares in-depth history of Sikhism in India through paintings.

Post lunch, visit to the Qutub Minar, one of the tallest minarets in the world. It is believed that Qutub-ud-din Aibak, who was the first Muslim conqueror of Delhi, laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar in 1192 AD. The Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters high and there are 379 steps to reach its top.
Plenty of time in the evening to explore the shopping area of Connaught Place. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning flight to Pantnagar. Upon arrival, drive to Ranikhet (110 km, 3 hours), where you will check-in at a hotel for stay. Perched at an elevation of 1800 meters, Ranikhet is a quaint town maintained by a regiment of Indian Army. Arriving from a densely populated New Delhi, the ambience of Ranikhet would be a treat. Fresh, cool air carrying smell of Pine raisins, silence of the mountains intermittently stirred by the chirping of the Himalayan birds, thick green cover of Pine and Oak trees and the majestic views of the snowclad Himalayan ranges – these offerings of Ranikhet rejuvenates mind and body.

Lahiri Mahasaya, who used to serve as an accountant in the Military Engineering Department, was transferred to Ranikhet in 1861. His office in Ranikhet was a temporary shelter as the British Army was in the process of setting up a post here. It was from Ranikhet, he walked all the way up to Kukuchhina through mountain trails. In Kukucchina, he met his immortal Guru Shri Babaji and was initiated by him into the ancient Hatha Yoga system of Kriya Yoga. The initiation took place inside a cave which is known as Babaji’ cave thereafter.

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. The spot where Babaji had materialized a golden palace, a small temple of Babaji stands erected. The temple was constructed by YSS. After visit to the cave and the Smriti Temple, return to the base of the mountain to proceed to Dunagiri.

In Dunagiri, there is an ancient temple of Goddess Shri Vaishnavi atop a hill. There are 300 steps to the top of the hill, where the temple is located. From the temple premises, one can behold the panoramic view of the nearby mountains and valleys. Drive back to hotel in Ranikhet.

Peaceful stay in Ranikhet. There will not be any excursion during the day. Meditation, practice of Yoga Asana, reading books, or a long-walk in the woods, these are some of the activities you may plan for.

After breakfast, drive to the beautiful town of Nainital (60 km, 2 hours). In Nainital, a visit to the ancient Naina Devi Temple will be followed by a boat-ride on picturesque Naini Lake. Drive to New Delhi (270 km, 6 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, drive to Vrindavan (160 km, 3 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. Later in the day, visit to Nidhivan, Shri Banke Bihari Temple and Shri Krishna Balaram Temple managed by ISKCON.
It was the town of Vrindavan, where Shri Krishna was raised in a community of cowherds. Nidhivan is where Shri Krishna would spend time with his cowherd companions and dance in divine ecstasy (Raasleela). As per the legends, Shri Krishna and his cowherd companions appear every night in Nidhivan, and they do the Raasleela. Keeping with this belief, nobody enters Nidhivan after sunset. This is to allow the necessary privacy to Shri Krishna and his cowherd companions.

Shri Krishna Balaram Temple is a modern temple with impressive architecture.
Saint Shri Haridas was an ardent devotee of Shri Krishna. Pleased by his devotion, Shri Krishna along with Shri Radha, appeared to meet Shri Haridas. Once they disappeared, an idol with submerged power of Shri Krishna and Shri Radha, appeared in the palms of Shri Haridas. Shri Banke Bihari Temple enshrines the same black idol of Shri Krishna. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit to the ancient shrine of Katyayani Peeth. It is one of the 51 Special Temples associated with the worship of Goddess Sati. The temple is located inside the ashram of Swami Keshabananda, who was a disciple of Lahiri Mahasaya. Shri Yogananda visited this ashram of Swami Keshabananda during his visit to India in 1935.

Drive to Agra (90 km, 1.5 hours) where you will check-in at a hotel. Post lunch, visit to the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum of white marble, built by the orders of 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 whole of India, Central Asia and Iran were involved in the construction of the masterpiece. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, like the Taj Mahal. The original fort was a brick structure made by a Hindu king. It was Mughal emperor Akbar and his son Shah Jahan, who gave the fort its present shape. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Drive to New Delhi (230 km, 3.5 hours), where you will be dropped at the international airport. Flight to your international destination with fond memories of just concluded tour.