A spiritual experience in Kolkata

Description

Let yourself be guided into the beating heart of Indian spirituality, where the sacred intertwines with history and every corner tells a story of profound devotion. This exclusive experience will take you along the banks of the sacred Ganges River, discovering timeless places that once hosted great mystics, saints, and enlightened souls. From majestic temples filled with mysticism to peaceful gardens that invite meditation, down to the symbolic sites of universal charity, you will experience an intense and rejuvenating journey. Prepare yourself for an experience that does not just cross an extraordinary land, but speaks directly to your heart.

ACTIVITIES:

• Exploration of the Dakshineswar Temple: visit the historic 1855 complex dedicated to the deity Kali.
• Boat Cruise on the Ganges River: a scenic crossing to reach the opposite bank of the river.
• Guided Meditation at Belur Math: a moment of relaxation and spirituality in the Order’s headquarters gardens.
• Tribute at Mother Teresa’s Tomb: a guided visit to the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity.
• Aarati Ceremony at the ISKCON Temple: immersion in traditional chants with a vegetarian prasadam dinner.

ITINERARY:

In the morning our guide will pick you from your hotel and depart for Dakshineswar temple complex, located on the banks of the Hooghly River, a tributary of the Ganges. The Dakshineswar temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Bhavatarini, a manifestation (avatar) of Parashakti Adya Kali. The temple was built in 1855 by Rani Rashmoni, a philanthropist and devotee of Kali, and is known for its association with Ramakrishna and Ma Sarada Devi, 19th-century mystics of Bengal. The temple complex, apart from the main nine-spired temple, features a large courtyard surrounding the temple, with rooms along the boundary walls. There are twelve shrines dedicated to Shiva, the consort of Kali, along the river, a temple to Radha-Krishna, a river ghat, and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni. ‘Nahabat’, the chamber in the northwestern corner just beyond the last of the Shiva temples, is where Ramakrishna and Maa Sarada spent a considerable part of their lives. Afterwards, you will take a boat across the Ganges River to reach the Belur Math complex, located on the opposite bank of the river. Belur Math is famous for being the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission, a spiritual and charitable organization known worldwide for the teachings of the Indian sage (guru) Ramakrishna. You will have the opportunity to relax in the gardens of the complex and, if you wish, you will have the chance to experience a brief meditation session. After lunch, a visit to the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the sisters of Mother Teresa of Kolkata. You will visit the Mother’s House, where Mother Teresa lived, and her samadhi (the tomb where her body is preserved). In the evening, you will take part in the Darshan (divine vision) of the deities and participate in the evening Aarati ceremony at the ISKCON temple. You will witness (and can participate in, if you like) the ceremony of chants (Kirtan) and dances dedicated to the Radha-Krishna deities. Dinner at the Govindam vegetarian temple restaurant, so you can experience the prasadam (food cooked for the deities).