Cultural and Spiritual India
We are heading to India this October, and in preparation for an incredible trip, we wanted to provide as much insight as possible to highlight the gems of wisdom you will have the opportunity to be a part of straight from a local. In this blog, I share the insights and wisdom from my brother Chintu, who lives in Varanasi India. Read on to go on a journey of the senses as we prepare for our India retreat on 10/17-24/2022.
Many of you are familiar with Yoga, meditation, and in recent times, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda.
We come to know and love the Sanskrit word Namaste, (I bow to the light within you) and have come to learn about:
the philosophy of yoga,
the heart of yoga from the motherland known as India, specifically Varanasi
have come to be familiar with the famous Ganges River
learn of Swamis such as Swami Satchitanada, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Swami Sivananda, Guru Dev, Radhanath Swami, Yogananda, and many more
along with the ashrams such as the Sivananda Ashrams, Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram "Shankaracharya Nagar" (Rishikesh), Baba Kali Kamli Vanprasth Ashram, Yoga Ashram Rishikesh and so many more.
It is an honor and a pleasure to speak with my brother Chandan Ramani who I call ‘Chintu’, who lives in Varanasi, the oldest city in India, and has a Master’s Degree in Tourism. He is a storyteller and official Government Tour Guide during the World’s biggest religious gathering called Kumbh Mela. He has assisted delegates from over 22 countries and is the founder of the Indian Tour business Shores of Ganges. Chintu has over 4 years of direct experience working in the tourism sector, has organized a variety of Tours for international tourists, and will be leading the Jai Bhakti Yoga Cultural and Spiritual Yoga Retreat Tour this October 17-24, 2022, and for in the years to come. He will highlight the dynamic culture of India and the progressive movement and influence that crossed the east to the west as we gear up for what’s to come on our incredible Spiritual Yoga retreat to India. HIs website: ( www.shoreofganges.com) .
Chandan Ramani guides us through a journey of Indian Culture and what we will have the joy and the opportunity to discover in October when he guides us through the cities of:
New Dehli
Jaipur
Agra
And Varanasi
Traditional Indian Culture is experienced throughout India as a reverence to the deity Lord Shiva throughout the country and especially in Varanasi, India. As Chintu says, “God is a part of our family. You will see little temples of Lord Shiva everywhere and in every home.”
Varanasi gets its name from 2 words. Varana- “youth of life” and Assi - “river” The literal translation of Varanasi’s name is the River of Youthful Life. To be in Varanasi is to feel and experience the “gratitude of Lord Shiva” which is expressed through the famous chant, “Om Namah Shivaya”
In India, there are many different states and many different styles of dressing. There are over 100 dialects of language ranging from East to West, North to South. When you are in Varanasi, you will “feel the blessing” of this “old city.” A feeling of being free from stress amongst the organized chaos. 3-4 days in Varanasi is the beginning of receiving the blessing of this sacred old and holy city. Lord Shiva has been honored for over 500 yrs and has over 12 major temples and is surrounded by over 20,000 temples in Varanasi. Indian legend has said that goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva stayed in Varanasi.
Mantras are divine words by the “Holy People” known as Rishis, Sages, Sadhus, and the like to make a connection to God. These words contain “divine vibes” that even one mantra can change your life. Mantras such as “Hare Krishna,” “Om Namah Shivaya,” and the “Gayatri Mantra” are chanted upwards of 10-20minutes or over 108 times to promote patience with a peaceful mind.
The Gayatri Mantra is the most powerful Durga mantra to rid the people of all trouble. It is most important to have faith in the mantra so peace manifests into your alignment.
Ayurveda is one of the best gifts from Indian ancestors. It is the natural medicine of the knowledge of life. Its literal translation is “Ayu”- Science/ life and “Veda” - Knowledge. This holistic medicine has been practiced for thousands of years and is the most effective way to sustain the Prakriti (one’s unique elemental makeup) and remove aggravated Vrikriti (one’s current imbalance). The two main components of Ayurveda are Preventative medicine and Curative of diseases once occurred. This knowledge was collected and written by the great student Charaka who wrote the now popular Vedic -go to the text of Ayurvedic Practitioners, the Charaka Samhita.
Indian diet, in alignment with Ayurveda, is mostly vegetarian. About 70% of the country of India is vegetarian. Cows are not eaten anywhere as they are sacred and honored as the mother or giver of life and traditionally are thought to be protected by Lord Shiva who favored the cow. Today, the cow is worshipped in India. Custom is to offer the cow the first fruits or the first meal to receive the blessing of good dharma and karma. Cows provide nourishment to the land and the family and are also a favorite animal of Lord Krishna.
Other animals that are sacred in Hinduism are the crocodile, Lion, Tiger, Swan, Cobra, and Monkey. All of the deities are depicted with an animal that represents the soul in each of us.
Upon our visit to India, we will have the opportunity to visit some of the most honored and respected cities that are rich in culture, spirituality, and legend. We begin our journey in New Delhi where some of the most beautiful architecture surrounds the capital. We then visit Agra, home of the magnificent and world-famous Taj Mahal (pictured above) which will take us onward to Jaipur the “Pink City,” lined with Terracotta architecture and the home of the “land of the many palaces and kingdoms”. Lastly, we end in Varanasi, home of Lord Shiva, and bathe in the Ganges River. In Varanasi, we will have the opportunity to do yoga on the special Indian boat that cruises through history as we flow with the energy of the mother Ganges and meditate in Lord Shivas temple to receive his blessing.
We will be in India to enjoy and participate in the famous Diwali festival which celebrates the connections of siblings and share savory sweets, food, dancing, and family. We also participate in Good Karma Day as we give back to the people of India through conscious intentions of well-being. 5% of this entire Retreat goes back to Shores of Ganges Tour in honor of Good Karma Day so we are able to provide medical care and feed families in need. Shores of Ganges also contribute 2% of their profits to Good Karma Day for a total of 7% financial contribution to India.
In preparation to enjoy the food culture in India, one needs to consider the local spices that are consumed. Mustard Seeds, Turmeric (Haldi) Indian food needs turmeric, Cumin (Jira), Green Cardamom (Cchoti Ilayachi), Coriander, Cilantro. Garam Masala, Black Cardamom (Kali Ilayachi), and Ginger (Adarek) are just a few of the spices used in the home and street food culture of India. If you are not familiar with these spices, it may not be wise to eat the street food, as it will be hard to digest. Begin to slowly include Indian spices in your meals, such as various curries, to ignite the digestive fire for the delicious Indian foods you will have the joy to delight in. The foods are extremely savory, unctuous, and decadent, so best to prepare your palette ahead of time. Also bring any mint, basil, and lemongrass to avoid an upset stomach.
To respect the tradition and honor each other and the way of life in India, proper dress is encouraged. Women are best to not wear shorts or any clothes that show cleavage or reflect a provocative appearance. As culturally, women are regarded as deities or goddesses and honored as such. The traditional way of dress is in Sari’s, Punjab with leggings, jeans, and a long sleeve or short sleeve shirts with scarves to cover the chest area. Respect yourself and you will be respected.
India is a country rich in culture, morals, values, art, food, spirituality, ancient traditions, Vedic wisdom, ancient Ayurveda medicinal offerings, and natural resources supporting the enrichment of holistic well-being worldwide. The influence of yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, and achieving higher states of consciousness has flooded the west since 1854.
Although NOT for the faint of heart, with its slums and poverty, and more so today, media has disenchanted the gifts that India has to offer by highlighting the shadow side while pacifying the intelligence that is hidden in its corridors, temples, traditions, and gifts. India is an embodiment of practices we have come to know, love embrace, and commercialize. India is an enchanting world that has so much to offer and even more to teach us. The way of life is a form of organized chaos that is a manifestation of a busy mind and yet a sense of calm that is scattered throughout the wholeness of one’s appreciation of what Being truly is.
We invite you to travel with us to India in October for our annual Cultural and Spiritual Historical Yoga Retreat of the 4 Great Cities from 10.17-10.24/2022. It would be an honor to walk through history with you so you can return fully recharged by the divine vibrancy of Lord Shiva, Brahma, and divine God-consciousness.
When you sign up by April 17th, 2022, you will get $200 off the total trip price. Submit your deposit of $597 to lock in your V.I.P early bird spot and a $200 discount. Only 10 spots are available for this trip.
See you in India!!!
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Thank you very much and live well.
