A Pilgrimage into the Heart of Bhakti

Center for Spiritual Studies Presents

MARCH 4-19 2027 

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Woman smiling and wearing sunglasses, scarf, and casual clothes, standing near a waterfall.
People standing outside a restaurant named Sri Krishna with signboards and decorations in India.
A large, ornate Hindu temple with detailed carvings and a towering spire under a clear blue sky.
Crowd of people watching a colorful Hindu temple ceremony or festival, with statues of deities and elaborate gold decorations, floral garlands, and a blue-lit ceiling in the background.
Three women standing in front of a Hindu temple, smiling, with decorative temple architecture and statues in the background.
A Hindu temple with a group of people, mostly women in colorful sarees, walking and standing outside on a marble floor. The temple has white architecture with decorative pillars and traditional embellishments, and a flag flying on top.
A large black-and-white mural on a wall depicting multiple portraits of Black men, including some engaging in beach activities. In the foreground, three people are descending stairs in a building, including a woman holding a water bottle and a man wi
A large red sandstone tower with intricate carvings and a rounded top, set against a sunset sky. People sit on a striped mat on the ground near the base, participating in an outdoor event.
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A group of eleven women standing together in front of a backdrop with various logos and text, smiling and posing for a photo. Some women are wearing traditional Indian sarees and others are in casual Western clothing.
Red sandstone pavilion structures with domed roofs on a bridge over a water body, surrounded by green trees, with a hazy sky and the sun visible overhead.
A diverse group of women and children posing together in a well-lit room with sewing machines and tables in the background, suggesting a community or workshop setting.
Hindu temple painted in pink and yellow colors on a hillside with green trees, next to a river with turquoise water.
Group of people gathered at a monument of Lord Shiva during a festival or event.
Group of people performing music on stage at Akhanda Yoga Institute, with a backdrop featuring butterfly and leaf designs.
Hindu prayer ceremony taking place outdoors near a river or lake, with monks and devotees sitting on a red and patterned rug. The monks are wearing traditional saffron and maroon robes. There are people of various ages participating in prayer, some w
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A river flowing through a mountainous landscape with trees and buildings along the shoreline.
People in traditional Indian attire performing a religious ritual by the river with offerings and lamps, some sitting on striped mats on the riverbank, with buildings and trees in the background.
A man standing on a city street at night wearing a gray hoodie and an orange scarf, with a red mark on his forehead.
Group of tourists posing in front of cave structures, with some sitting on the cave entrance, wearing casual clothing and sunglasses, surrounded by greenery.
Crowd gathered at the Paramarth Niketan in Rishikesh during the International Yoga Festival 2024, with participants sitting on a stage, some meditating or singing, and others watching. The stage has traditional Indian decor and a large banner display
A plate with a folded large dosa, two small bowls of sambar and chutney, and a small bowl of another Indian dish on a wooden table.
A silvered langur monkey sitting among dry grass and green leaves in a natural setting.
An older man with a long beard and long hair, wearing a red traditional Indian outfit, is sitting indoors next to a white statue of a Hindu deity, decorated with a red flower. The background includes a bamboo wall, plants, and paintings.
A woman dressed in orange robes is seated outdoors, with her hands over her heart, in a meditation or prayer pose. She is in front of a colorful chakra-themed backdrop with an OM symbol in the center. Several people are seated in front, watching her,
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An elderly woman seated on a patterned rug in a room decorated with Hindu religious idols, framed pictures, and flowers. She is draped in a purple cloth and surrounded by various religious artifacts and photos, with sunlight coming through a window o
Elderly man with gray beard, wearing traditional attire and religious accessories, sitting on the ground against a wall, holding a small decorated shrine or offering with flowers, raising his hand in a blessing gesture.
Signboard for the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, with QR code for WhatsApp group updates.
Nighttime celebration at Parmarth Ashram in Rishikesh, India, with a large crowd gathered on the riverbank, illuminated stage, and temple structures in the background.
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People celebrating Holi festival; covered in colorful powder, dancing outdoors near trees and buildings, with mountains in the background.
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People dressed in traditional Indian attire walking under a festival banner for Rishikesh Kirtan Fest, March 1-21, featuring kirtan, dance, feast, and workshops, with a man playing a drum.
A diverse group of people walking down a street in India, some dressed in traditional clothing, smiling and engaging with each other.
Painted mural featuring the Beatles band members, with two women sitting on a black block in front of it, and signs with the text "Jai Guru Deva!" and "Love in the heart of man is a shrine to God on earth" in front of the mural.
Giant white statue of Lord Shiva in a seated yoga pose during sunset with an orange sky, in front of some buildings and trees.

Join Govindas of Bhakti Yoga Shala, Saul David Raye, Nancy Montes, and Sridhar Silberfein, creator of Bhakti/Shakti Fest, Producer of River of Love, and a lifelong devotee, for an extraordinary spiritual pilgrimage through some of India’s most sacred places.

This is much more than a journey through India. It is an opportunity to step away from ordinary life and enter deeply into sadhana, personal spiritual practice through daily yoga, meditation, Hanuman Chalisa, kirtan, satsang, sacred ritual, seva, and time with remarkable spiritual teachers.

Our journey begins in Mumbai, the gateway to our pilgrimage.

From Mumbai, we travel to Ganeshpuri, the sacred home of the great Avadhut Bhagavan Nityananda and the spiritual home of Swami Muktananda. We will spend time in the places where these great masters lived and taught, including meditating in the special rooms used by Bhagavan Nityananda. Immersing ourselves in the extraordinary spiritual lineage that continues to make Ganeshpuri a powerful place of pilgrimage.

From Ganeshpuri, we continue to the award-winning Govardhan Ecovillage (GEV), where we will spend five days in a beautiful retreat environment inspired by sacred Vrindavan with daily yoga and kirtan practices.

Here our days will unfold at a gentler rhythm, surrounded by nature, peaceful lakes, and gardens. We will practice together, enjoy exceptional vegetarian meals and comfortable accommodations, and have opportunities for Ayurvedic treatments, massage, sound healing, and quiet contemplation.

Most importantly, we will spend time with Radhanath Swami, including intimate satsang and teachings created especially for our group.

From GEV, we fly north to Rishikesh, the legendary Himalayan city of yoga on the banks of the sacred Ganges.

Bengali priest performing an igniting ritual of fire on riverbank during an outdoor cultural or religious ceremony, with a crowd of men and women in traditional attire seated and observing.
A white circular building with a dome roof, decorated with Hindu religious artwork including a Sun God, a lion, a figure with a halo, and a palm tree. Potted plants line the front, and there are people sitting on the sidewalk in front of the building.
Abstract floral design in shades of orange with swirling patterns and stylized flower and leaf shapes.

During our time in Rishikesh, we will spend two days fully immersed in the world-famous International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan. This extraordinary gathering offers a unique opportunity to deepen your yoga practice through sessions led by world-class teachers, inspiring live music, and uplifting talks by luminary speakers. Alongside the festival, we will participate in the vibrant devotional atmosphere of the Rishikesh Kirtan Mela hosted by Sadhu Sangha Retreats and receive a private darshan with Indradyumna Swami. Our schedule also features a special visit to the Akhanda Yoga Institute, founded by Himalayan Yoga Master Yogarishi Vishvketu.

Beyond the main festival events, our Himalayan journey continues with profound spiritual encounters. We will connect with Vimala Thakar’s spiritual lineage and community to receive their darshan and teachings, meditate in the ancient silence of Vashistha Guha, and travel to the sacred confluence at Devprayag. Where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to form the Holy Ganges, we will take part in a traditional sacred ritual bath at one of the region's most revered pilgrimage sites.

Our time in the Himalayas will also take us beyond the festival.

We will receive the darshan and teachings of Vimala Thakar’s spiritual lineage and community, meditate at the ancient Vashistha Guha, and journey to Devprayag, where the sacred rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda meet, and the Ganges traditionally takes her name. Here we will have the opportunity to participate in a sacred ritual bath and experience one of the great pilgrimage places of the Himalayas.

While in Rishikesh, we will have the opportunity to do seva at Ramana’s Garden and connect with the beautiful children who live there. 

In Haridwar, one of India’s most ancient pilgrimage cities, we hope to receive a private darshan and satsang with Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri, spiritual head of the ancient Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani and Peethadheeshwar of the sacred Dakshin Kali Temple. This rare encounter offers a deep look into the ancient sannyasa tradition, Shakti worship, and India’s living spiritual lineages.

And throughout the journey, there will be other encounters and surprises that cannot be scheduled the unexpected moments of grace that often become the most memorable experiences of India.

Our Daily Practice

Each day will include a combination of:

Yoga • Meditation • Hanuman Chalisa • Kirtan • Satsang • Sacred teachings • Pilgrimage • Seva • Community

There will also be space for rest, reflection, journaling, conversation, and simply absorbing the extraordinary environments in which we find ourselves.

This is not simply a trip to India.

It is an invitation to step into sacred India with experienced guides, to meet extraordinary teachers, to experience ancient places of pilgrimage, and to devote sixteen days to your own spiritual awakening.

Mumbai • Ganeshpuri • Govardhan Ecovillage • Rishikesh

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deepen your sadhana and experience the living heart of Bhakti.

Learn more
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Immerse yourself in a yogic lifestyle and transformative study.

  • Connect with a conscious community and global sangha.

  • Nourish your travel spirit by visiting sacred temples and ashrams of renowned teachers and gurus.

  • Acquire tools and techniques to ignite a lifetime of personal growth.

  • Delve into the roots of Bhakti through sacred conversations with Spiritual Luminaries about India's sacred wisdom traditions.

  • Learn ancient Vedic chants and the Art of Puja (fire ceremony) and Aarti.

  • Opportunity to do seva (sacred service) at Ramana’s Garden children's refuge in Rishikesh.

  • Experience and attend the famous International Yoga Festival with world-renowned teachers such as Ananda Mehotra, Ira Trivedi, Gauranga Das, Shiva Rea, and Yogrishi Vishvektu, alongside many Spiritual leaders from around the world.

  • Take a holy ritual bath in the famous Mother Ganga River and participate in a sacred prayer ritual with priests known as Pandits.

  • Attend the world-renowned Ganga Aarti sunsets at the Parmarth Niketan

  • If you've ever wanted to experience the Holi Celebration in India, this is not to be missed!

  • Attend the Kirtan Festival in Rishikesh, presented by Indradyumna Swami, with special performances by Gaura Vani, Madhava, Premanjali, and many more!

Gold Om symbol sculpture.

  • Love Note

    Nancy, Thank you so much for your kind attention to us and for handling all the details. You were the glue that held it all together. What an amazing experience it was! There is so much to ruminate and contemplate.


    Linda Gardner- India 

  • Love Note

    The people who curate this event are full of compassion and devotion to all of God's creations. They will work in whatever way necessary to ensure that everyone is safe and well supported while on the trip, both in the spiritual sense and the material sense. Do not be afraid of the journey ahead, God has already ensured your inevitable victory! Hare Hare Hare!

    Jango-India

  • Love Note

    Nancy ensured all my India travel documents were accurate and provided excellent advice on packing and currency. She was a knowledgeable and agreeable companion, well-versed in India's travel regulations. I highly recommend her for India trip.

    Janet Fortey-India

  • Love Note

    It has been an absolute honor and pleasure to collaborate with Nancy. She embodies the essence of compassion and radiates an infectious sense of joy and creativity. Her unwavering support, love, and inspiration have truly been a guiding force for artists. Nancy is like a gentle breeze that lifts you higher, igniting your spirit and propelling you toward greatness.

    Allison Eaton- Bhakti Fest

  • Love Note

    My yatra with Shridar and Nancy to India set my spiritual awakening ablaze.  The yatra guides were exceptionally knowledgeable and had connections to many spiritual leaders which gave the group special privileges at events we attended.  I highly recommended traveling with Bhakti Yatra for those that desire to cleanse the veil of maya and realize the atma within -John Zhang

  • Love Note

    My first experience with Rasa Retreats was also my first retreat of any kind. The entire experience was top notch. The accommodations exceeded my expectations, a beautiful ocean front house and comfortable room. We were well fed, daily meditation and yoga sessions, individual acupuncture treament, and an opportunity to explore the surrounding town. There was ample time to take in the beach setting and the lessons of the day. My favorite part was staying up to watch the total lunar eclipse with Nancy! Once in a life time spiritual experience. The generous, tangible, gifts of a handmade (by Nancy) lavender filled, silk eye pillow and Every Day Yoga book are daily reminders of the experience. I'm looking forward to the next retreat!-

    Amy Cohen-Outter Banks