A pilgrimage connects the macrocosm with the microcosm. As the 11th century Sufi saint al-Ansari of Herat said in his Invocations,

"Know that the prophet built an external Kaaba

Of clay and water,

And an inner Kaaba in life and heart.

The outer Kaaba was built by Abraham, the holy;

The inner is sanctified by the glory of God Himself."

Yogi Sarveshwarananda leads yearly “storytelling spiritual pilgrimages” in India, Europe, North America, and South America to promote a better appreciation and understanding of various religious practices in the light of Kriya Yoga, and to offer an opportunity to deepen one’s spiritual practice.
A different theme pertaining to a particular religion is chosen each year.

Year 2011

* The Baul Mela in Jaydev Kunduli – January 13-15, 2011

My beloved friend, musical partner, and humanitarian work companion Swami Chetan (see our charitable school at http://www.reddelamor.org/escuelas/e_academias_svf.htm) has organized for us a little pilgrimage to the famous Baul Mela in West Bengal, India. This event takes place in a small village called Jaydev Kunduli, 150 kms from Kolkata.

The Bauls are mystical singers and musicians from Bengal whose members maybe either Sufi or Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Vishnu, e.g. Rama, Krishna, etc.). Their musical influence has been considerable on Indian culture, in particular on the poetry and music of Rabindranath Tagore. Often recognizable by their patchwork multi-colored coats and ecstatic dances and songs, their origins are shrouded in mystery.

While in the area, we will also visit the famous Vishva Bharati University founded in 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore in the nearby Shantiniketan village.

To know more about the Bauls and their festivals (“melas”), please visit the Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baul

To know more about the Vishva Bharati University, please visit the Wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visva-Bharati_University

* Second International Kriya Yoga seminar: Banabira, Orissa, India
Wednesday January 26 - Monday January 31

With Rajarshi Raghabananda, Yogi Sarveshwarananda Giri, and several long-time acharyas of Paramahamsa Hariharananda.

* A visit to the Arhuacos’ Seywa community in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, Colombia

Our connection with the noble-hearted Arhuacos made such an impact on us last August, that we decided to continue building our bridges of love and peace together by organizing a visit to their reclusive village high in the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountain range.

The date and details of the program will be announced in subsequent issues of the newsletter Rise & Shine! and here.

See our blog at http://mamosandyogisforpeace.wordpress.com/ for photos and personal diaries about last year’s pilgrimage to the “Lost City”.

Year 2006

In the Footsteps of the Mahabharata Heroes (India)
This three-week long journey in the Indian Himalayas introduced the participants to the holy sites, events, and wisdom of the world’s longest and oldest religious epic.
See some of participants' testimonials and visit the photo and video galleries here.
Swamiji's four-CD album The Battle of Life: Metaphorical Interpretation of the Mahabharata in the light of Kriya Yoga is available here.

Year 2007

The Inca Trails and Friends Training (Bolivia-Peru)
This unique program will take the participants from Lake Titicaca to Macchu Picchu on an meditative encounter with the ancient ways and paths of the Inca and pre-Inca civilizations.
The first two weeks is the pilgrimage proper, in which we will explore their ancient holy sites, participating in ancestral cultural and religious ceremonies, retelling their legends and stories, and trekking in the natural splendor of the Andes.
The last (optional) week culminate with the first "Friends of Humanity" FREE training program in Playa Chacra y Mar near Lima.
Duration: three weeks (August 26 - September 15, 2007)

Year 2008

Lifting the Veil of Maya: pilgrimage and retreat in the Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca (Bolivia)
Set in the middle of the highest navigable lake in the world, the Island of the Sun is the point of origin of the Inca civilization, a place of exceptional spiritual power and breath-taking beauty. Here we will combine a pilgrimage to the ancient Inca and pre-Inca shrines and temples (including in the nearby Island of the Moon) with a one-week retreat on the twin themes of "Lifting the Veil of Maya" and "Divine Love."
Duration: one week (October 20 - 26, 2008)

Year 2009

Lifting the Veil of Maya: pilgrimage and retreat in the Island of the Sun, Lake Titicaca (Bolivia)
Back by popular demand!
Same format, but this year the twin themes are "Lifting the Veil of Maya" and "The Bhagavatam, the scripture of Divine Love - Contemplation and action".

All are welcome (including previous participants) but please book early, as space is limited.
For more information and to pre-register, please contact Br. Devananda at devananda@arcadelamor.org

Duration: one week (September 21 - 27, 2009)
Cost: USD 220

Year 2010 - Part 1

International Kriya Yoga seminar: Banabira, Orissa, India
Tuesday January 26 - Sunday January 31

With Rajarshi Raghabananda, Yogi Sarveshwarananda Giri, and several long-time acharyas of Paramahamsa Hariharananda.

Year 2010 - Part 2

The Maha Kumbha Mela Experience: Yoga camp in Haridwar, India
The world's largest religious gathering (which occurs only every 12 years) returns to the holy city of Haridwar. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to take a holy bath in the Ganga river, meet rare sadhus and hermits who only come down from their mountain caves and jungle retreats for the mela, and bathe in a deep atmosphere of spirituality while attending a special Yoga Camp at our "Matri Chhaya Gurukulam" in Haridwar.
Duration: three weeks (February 8 - 28, 2010)

Year 2010

La Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City") : Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia
A rare chance to visit the elusive indigenous tribes of the Sierra Nevada near the Carribbean coast and share their ancient ways.

As we will be trekking through dense rain forests for a total of 50 kilometers over a period of six days, fording many rivers along the way, a good level of fitness is required.
Duration: one week (Saturday August 28 to Saturday Sept 4.)