Join Center for Spiritual Studies:
A Pilgrimage into the Heart of Bhakti Mar4-19, 2027
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.
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.
A Journey Inward
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Bhakti Yatra is designed for those who want to go deeper.
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Deeper into personal practice.
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Deeper into the teachings and philosophies of India.
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Deeper into the history and living traditions of Hindu spirituality.
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And perhaps most importantly, deeper into the heart.
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For more than two weeks, we will travel, practice, chant, meditate, learn, serve, laugh, eat together, and share the experience of pilgrimage as a spiritual community.
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This is not simply a trip to India.
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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.
March 4–19, 2027
Mumbai • Ganeshpuri • Govardhan Ecovillage • Rishikesh
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deepen your sadhana and experience the living heart of Bhakti.
"This yatra was a lifesaver for me traveling solo to India for the first time! I felt safe with the group and well looked after by Allison and Nancy. Sridhar’s guidance and connections were so helpful it felt like we were traveling with a local. The spiritual connections that I made while on this trip will live with me forever."
-Alissa T.
"I am immensely grateful for the unforgettable trip I took to India in January with Sridhar and the Bhaktifest team. We received sacred teachings, connected with the locals, explored enchanting temples, and indulged in extraordinary culinary delights. You learn quickly, in India, that nothing goes according to plan even with meticulous planning. But the warm hospitality of Nancy, Allison, Sri, and those we met on the way, made this journey a transformative and cherished adventure that will forever hold a special place in my heart."
-Gina M.
"My experience with Nancy, Sridhar, and Allison on my trip to India with them was awesome. They were always there to help, making my experience in India even richer and the places we had access to being with advanced beings could have never happened on my own. It was truly amazing and life-changing experience!"
-David S.
"Being with Sridhar and Nancy, it is always amazing to explore beautiful places in India. Sridhar has a wealth of experience of over 40 years of going around some of the best places of India and also meeting the most amazing personalities and Gurus."
-Vikramaditiyan
"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 Z.