A Journey to the Heart of Spirituality

The sunrise will light your way when the guide and driver meet you in Delhi, at the doorstep of the hotel or in the airport hall. The heart freezes in anticipation: our unforgettable pilgrimage to the heart of the Himalayas begins!

Today we will touch the shrines of Haridwar and Rishikesh, two cities that shine like gems in the crown of Indian spirituality. In the evening, we will take part in a sacred act, when hundreds of souls gather for the Artie ceremony – a mesmerizing ritual of worship of Mother Ganga. You will see how woven from herbs and filled with flower petals, vessels with lit candles set off on their voyage through the waters of the Ganges under many-voiced prayers, in gratitude for the light of the sun, love and the Divine Presence.

The second day of our tour will be dedicated to Rishikesh, a city located in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Rishikesh, known as the yoga capital of the world, is a place where spirituality permeates every corner. We will visit the Beatles Ashram (Charasya Kutya), the place where the legendary band spent time in search of spiritual enlightenment. The guide will tell you about the history of the ashram and the relationship of the members of The Beatles with Guru Maharishi.

At the dawn of the third day we will be greeted by the sacred Kunjapuri, a temple soaring at an altitude of 1645 meters above sea level. Kunjapuri is one of the 52 Shaktipithas of India. Here you will hear the story of Sati’s devotional love for Shiva and her bitter death.

More on the route:

Day 1: Delhi – Haridwar – Rishikesh. The gateway to the divine.

In the morning, the guide and driver will meet you at the hotel or Delhi airport. Our unforgettable pilgrimage to the Himalayas begins! Today we will discover two holy cities, Haridwar and Rishikesh, each of which is a jewel in the crown of Indian spirituality. Haridwar, whose name sounds like the “Gate to God”, is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, a living embodiment of the diverse Indian civilization. Here, on the banks of the sacred Ganges, time seems to freeze, allowing you to feel the breath of eternity. Rishikesh, the world-renowned capital of yoga, is the starting point for many spiritual journeys. This is where the path to self-knowledge and harmony begins. First we go to Haridwar, a city where the river itself is a deity. It is worshipped, revered, and for thousands of years pilgrims have sought to plunge into its crystal clear waters. Haridwar is the land of sages, where every knowledge is a stepping stone to enlightenment. After lunch we will walk around the city, during which we will visit the temples of Manasi Devi, Bilkeshvar Mahadev and Maya Devi, each of which keeps its secrets and traditions.

Manasi Devi: The temple on the top of the hill is like floating over Haridwar. It is dedicated to the goddess Manasi (Durga), fulfilling the most secret desires. You can climb here by cable car, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the city, washed by the sacred waters of the Ganges. This place attracts pilgrims like a magnet, and there is always an atmosphere of reverence.

Maya Devi Temple: A humble temple in the heart of Haridwar, dedicated to the goddess Maya. Legend has it that it was here that the heart and navel of the goddess Sati fell, turning this place into Shakti Pitha, where the most cherished dreams are fulfilled.

Bilkeshwara Mahadev: The place where Parvati for ten thousand years indulged in austerity, eating only white leaves, in order to win the love of Lord Shiva himself. Here is a sacred well, the water of which, according to legend, heals diseases, including infertility.

In the evening we will go to the ghat of Har-ki-Pauri, the main sacred bath of Haridwar. It is believed that it was here that Vishnu spilled heavenly nectar, leaving the imprint of his foot. This ghat, built in 57 BC, is the meeting place of the valley and the sacred Ganges, descended from the mountains. Here, every evening, hundreds of people gather for the Artie ceremony – a mesmerizing ritual of worship of Mother Ganga. And we will be witnesses and participants in this sacred act. You will see how woven from herbs and filled with flower petals vessels with lit candles descend into the waters of the Ganges under many-voiced prayers, as a sign of gratitude for the light of the sun, love and Divine Presence. After the ceremony we will go to Rishikesh (45-50 minutes).

A night at a hotel in Rishikesh.

Day 2: Rishikesh. The yoga capital of the world.

Today we will dedicate our acquaintance with Rishikesh, a city located in the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Rishikesh, known as the yoga capital of the world, is a place where spirituality permeates every corner. After breakfast, we will visit the Beatles Ashram (Charasya Kutya), the place where the legendary band spent time in search of spiritual enlightenment. The guide will tell about the history of the ashram and the relationship of the members of The Beatles with Guru Maharishi.

After lunch, the Ashram of Swami Sivananda is waiting for us. Here, in this abode of silence and spiritual search, Swami Sivananda lit an inextinguishable light of yoga that illuminated the way for thousands of suffering people. The Ashram still lives and receives pilgrims, keeping the spirit of the great master within its walls.

Artie's evening ceremony on the banks of the Ganges is a couple of hours away. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque promenade, through the kaleidoscope of colors and wonders of the Tibetan market. Cross the shaky suspension bridge, as if hovering over the seething flow of the Ganges, and find yourself on the other side. We will meet the sunset on the steps of Triveni Ghat. This is the main ghat of Rishikesh, where the Ganga Puja, the river worship ceremony, takes place every evening. Here you can hold ceremonies for ancestors and take part in the evening Ganga Arti in the temple.

A night at a hotel in Rishikesh.

Day 3: Rishikesh - Delhi. Farewell to the Himalayas.

At the dawn of the third day we will be greeted by the sacred Kunjapuri, a temple soaring at an altitude of 1645 meters above sea level. Legend has it that it was here, on this summit, that the part of Sati’s body – her breasts – found peace. Kunjapuri, sanctified by this tragic story, is one of the 52 Shaktipithas of India. Here you will hear the story of Sati’s devotional love for Lord Shiva and her bitter end. From the observation deck of Kunjapuri, as if from a bird's flight, a breathtaking panorama of the Himalayas opens: the snow-white peaks of Chauhamba, Gangotri, Swarga Rohini, and below, like toys, Rishikesh and Haridwar.

When we return to Rishikesh, we will have a late breakfast. We have a couple of hours left in the Holy City. If the soul craves adventure – dare to raft on the river, and if you are looking for peace – immerse yourself in meditation on the steps, washed by the sacred waters. After lunch we say goodbye to the Himalayas and return to Delhi.

Transfer to the airport or hotel.

• Meeting at the airport or hotel in Delhi;
• moving on a comfortable air-conditioned car;
• soft drinks;
• services of a Russian-speaking guide;
• taxes and fees;
• Entrance tickets to all the listed attractions.