DAY 1
Arrival at Varanasi airport. Transfer to the hotel by private car. The hotel we have chosen for you is centrally located on the banks of the Ganges. You will settle down and rest for a while. We will all meet in the early afternoon to get to know each other and for a short introductory briefing. After that we will go out and walk through the alleys to the temple of Lord Ganesh, the God of new beginnings, of travelers, the first deity to thank when we arrive in a new place.
Ganesh is a very powerful symbol in yoga and tantra. His very name is made up of two Sanskrit words: Gana = administrator and Isha = supreme. Ganesha is the supreme administrator of the senses.
We will spend this day in the hotel area, between alleys and ghats to familiarize ourselves with this part of Varanasi and we will visit the temple of Kedareshwar, one of the most important temples in the city dedicated to Lord Shiva. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 2
Yoga at dawn
Kashi is the city of Lord Shiva it is said to rise on the trishul of Lord Shiva. Who controls this city is Kaal Bhairav, the fiercest representation of Lord Shiva. Kaal Bhairav is also called the Kotwal (sheriff) of Varanasi. It is said that no one can stay in Varanasi without his permission. This morning we will go to ask Bhairav’s permission for our stay here and we will do so by visiting 3 of the 64 Bhairavs in the city and some Tantric temples dedicated to female deities.
Before sunset we will go on a boat to the other side of the Ganges, and we will see the sun disappearing behind the city. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 3
If there is one thing that leaves you breathless this is the dawn of Varanasi, the sun that is reflected in the Ganges and illuminates the Ghats is a unique spectacle. We will wake up before dawn and travel through the Ghats by boat, admiring the rising sun and the city that wakes up with rituals, ablutions, prayers and mantras. We will stop at some Ghats to see closely how this city greets the Sun every day and celebrates Maa Ganga. We will return to the hotel for the yoga / meditation practice and breakfast after which we will go to visit two of the most important and energetic temples of Varanasi, the Vishwanath temple, also known as the golden temple, which houses one of the 12 jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva and the Vishalakshi temple, one of 51 shaktipeeth. I will tell you their stories and you will be able to feel the energy of these two sacred places.
We will stop to visit a small flower market nearby and have lunch together in a restaurant in front of one of the “hidden” temples of Varanasi.
Free afternoon. Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 4
Yoga / meditation at dawn
After breakfast we will meet for a private puja on the banks of the Ganges with pundits. It will be an exciting experience!
In the afternoon we will walk in the Ghats up to the Harishchandra crematorium, you will be able to attend all the rituals of the Indian funeral, visit the temple of Masan Nath (the form of Shiva worshiped in the cremation grounds).
Then we will reach Baba Kinaram’s Ashram (the father of the aghoris, whose person is directly connected to the Harishchandra Ghat crematorium) to attend the evening artifice. Overnight your hotel.
DAY 5
Yoga and meditation at dawn
Free morning.
In the afternoon we will reach the two main temples dedicated to Maa Durga, one of which is located in Ramnagar, famous for its fort that we could admire at sunset.
In the evening we will walk in the Ghats and have dinner in a restaurant with a view of the Ganges (price not included). Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 6
Yoga and meditation at dawn
After breakfast we will visit the northern part of Varanasi, less known but no less fascinating.
We will reach it by walking in the Ghats and we will stop at some temples and main attractions.
Free afternoon. For those who wish we will dedicate this time to shopping between sarees, fabrics, essential oils, incense. We can organize a car for those who are interested.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 7
We are almost at the end of this experience
After the yoga / meditation session and breakfast we will explore the ghats and alleys near the hotel for a while and breathe the atmosphere of this city which, despite its contradictions, will remain in your heart forever.
Transfer to the airport by private car.
