The Meditation Center

Himalayan “Insight-Seeing” Tour from Oct. 11-16, 2009

Enjoy the spiritual richness and the natural beauty of the Himalayas during the refreshing autumn season. This six day trip includes some of the most spectacular and inspiring views of the region known as “Dev Bhumi,” Land of the Gods.  The power of nature and devotion come together to make available to the traveler a fulfilling spiritual experience. Competent and experienced guides will share information and stories, opening mind and soul to the deeper qualities of this travel.

 Day 1

We will depart by bus from Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama in Rishikesh to the town of Ukhimath, a 165 kilometer drive. Ukhimath receives its spiritual relevance by being the home of the Omkareshar  Shiva temple, winter seat of the famed Kedarnath shrine. When Kedarnath is buried deep in snow the priests come down in procession to Ukhimath to do their worship. We will stay at the Ukhimath GMVN Guesthouse for three nights.

Day 2

Today we travel to the banks of the Kali-Ganga River, site of the Kalimath temple. This temple is devoted to the worship of Kali, the ferocious devi goddess of time and transformation. Some say the vibrations of Kali’s energy is palpable here. Our next stop is in nearby in Guptakashi. There we visit the famous Vishwanath Temple which sits behind a pool that is fed by two underground tributaries of the holy waters of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.  Here pilgrims pay homage to the balance of opposing forces at the shrine of Ardhanarishwar. The temple deity is depicted as half Shiva, half Shakti.

Day 3

We meander by road from Ukhimath to one of the most scenic temple spots of the entire Himalaya, the Tunganath Shiva temple.  Amazing snow line views are taken in during the accent to Tunganath.  Tunganath is the highest of the five major Shiva temples of the Himalaya, situated at a height of 3,660 meters. According to the ancient text, Skanda Purana, Shiva tells Parvati that whoever has darshan and seeks the blessing of Tungnath attains spiritual salvation regardless of the place of his death. The grandeur of the Himalaya is displayed as we make our way up from Tunganth to Chandrashila Peak at 4,130 meters. The broad summit of Chandrashila Peak reveals a panorama of major Himalayan peaks including Chaukahamba, Banderpoonch, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, Neelkanth.

 Day 4

On day four we celebrate the male and female principles of the universe with a visit to the  marriage spot of Lord Shiva and Parvati.  At the village of Triyuginarayan, which lies on an ancient bridle path, sits a temple devoted to Lord Vishnu.  According to tradition it is here where Shiva wedded Parvati.  All the sages attended the wedding of which Vishnu himself was said to be the master of ceremonies. We will stay overnight at Rampur.

Day 5

As we head home, awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas can be taken in at the Kartik Swamy temple, devoted to the worship of Kartikeya. The temple is a three kilometer trek from the trail head at Kanakchowry.  Legend says that Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati, came here in a huff when his mother granted the Raj Tilak to Ganesha (his brother). Tonight we stay in beautiful Rudra Prayag.

Day 6

We continue our journey back to Rishikesh.

Participants should be in good health and able to trek.

Please register on or by Sept 1st. For registration and cost information please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it