ॐ Pilgrimage Treks & Retreats
The Himalayan Religion Immersion
Immerse yourself in the Himalayan religions of Nepal and Tibet, visiting sacred temples, mountains and monasteries of Hinduism, Buddhism and the indigenous Bonn religion.
This pilgrimage is one of the most important in all of the Himalayan religions and is mentioned in the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma as one of the main tirtha (pilgrimage) to be completed for achieving moksha, the liberation from the cycle of Samsara.
Hindus and Buddhists alike undertake this journey to the spiritual land of Muktidham to cleanse their karma, meditate on holy ground and ask divine for a blessing.
We will visit the heart of Muktidham, as well as a myriad of picturesque temples, ancient monasteries hidden in rocky valleys, sacred lakes and holy rivers, and caves older than time itself. We will meditate in the exact places of the yogis and monks, who, for thousands of years, have been following the scriptures to find.
Sat at the very base of the Himalayas by the border to Tibet, this is an adventure that takes you to the heart of the Himalayan religions to discover your own transformations, in body, mind and soul.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous religion
- Pilgrimage destinations as told by scriptures
- Sacred temples and remote monasteries
- Up close views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range
- Holy lakes & caves, dense forests & Tibetan plains
- Mystical fossils & ancient shamanistic ways
- Yogic discipline lifestyle & local Ayurvedic diet
- Daily yoga, meditation and teachings on scriptures & dharma
Live in the yogic discipline
Each day we will rise early and practice our yogic Nitya Karma practices, meditate and align ourselves with the ancient methods of traditional Hatha Yoga, designed to increase our flow of Kundalini energy.
We will enjoy hearty, organic, vegetarian meals made according to the Dharmic rule of Ahimsa (non-violence), and try rare Himalayan herbs and flower essences to aid our digestion, focus and mood.
Throughout the journey, we will either trek on foot, just as the pilgrims did, or travel by vehicle, depending on your ability and interest. We will visit a variety of different spiritual and religious locations including temples, monasteries, holy lakes and caves, mountains and forests, as mentioned in the scriptures of Sanatana Dharma and Buddhism.
Hi I'm Kave and I'll be sharing my knowledge of the yogic tradition, Sanatana Dharma Hindu mythology and the many wonders of my country, Nepal.
Ancient and otherworldly landscapes
Our immersion begins traveling through the dense forests and hidden valleys of the Annapurna Himalaya Range until we reach the sacred lands of Muktidham, near the border of Tibet. This area is famous for its sacred fossils, holy river Kaligandaki and incredible lunar-like landscape.
Among the fascinating and ancient rock formations are beautiful waterfalls, lakes and hot springs, mysterious caves that, if not home to the indigenous snow leopard, offer transcendent spots for yoga and meditation – you can see why this area is so renowned in scriptures.
The geological makeup of this land is so impressive and the world’s deepest gorge is found here. The Kaligandaki Gorge is estimated to be more than 6,000m deep. It separates the two epic mountains, Dhaulagiri (8167m/26795ft) on the west and Annapurna (8091m/26545ft) on the east.
The gorge is said to be able to fit a whole mountain inside, however, no one truly knows how deep Kaligandaki Gorge is. It’s just another mystery of mystical Muktidham!
Indigenous Bonn Religion: Nature Spirits
One of the indigenous groups of the Mustang region are Thakali. These native people practice Tibetan Buddhism and the local indigenous "Bonn" religion and are known for their delicious foods, colourful handicrafts and spectacular rituals.
This area is known for retaining much of its original indigenous spirituality and the local Bonn religion is a type of animism.
These local people worship the spirits of the land, as well as the gods, and follow the guidance of a Dhnom (Bonn Shaman) who performs rituals and communes with the ancestors and spirits on behalf of the villagers.
We will visit with practitioners of Bonn and engage with the local indigenous community, respecting the local spirits and learning about animism as we go.
Tibetan Buddhist Mythology: 21 Taras
Located next to the Tibetan border, Muktidham is known by Tibetan Buddhists as “Muktinath Chumig Gyatsa” which means “Hundred Waters”.
Due to the area’s otherworldly appearance, proximity to the Himalayas and representation of all 4 elements, Muktidham is a popular place for meditation and home to many monasteries, nunneries and Tibetan Lama Animists.
Some practice modern Buddhism, some follow traditional Tibetan Buddhism, and many still practice the shamanistic way.
According to Tibetan legends, Muktidham Chuming Gyatsa is home to 21 “Taras” (tantric goddesses) as well as many “Dakinis” the iconic sky dancers that you see in traditional Tibetan Thangka art representing divine feminine and symbolising the constantly shifting energy of the universe.
Because of this, Muktidham has high Shakti (divine feminine) energy and is helpful in triggering awakenings such as kundalini rising and bringing creative inspiration. Many yogis and artists alike have experienced the divine here.
Hindu Mythology: Vishnu’s Curse
Muktidham is sacred to Lord Vishnu. In Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu came to Muktidham to rid himself of a curse, which transformed him into objects like the Banyan Tree and a fossil.
These fossils are known as "shaligram" and are worshipped by Hindus as being sacred symbols of Lord Vishnu himself.
Many flock to the holy Kaligandaki River to find one of these sacred stones, million year old fossils also known as ammonite. Finding one is said to be very lucky and auspicious for the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
**Please be conscious of the environment while hunting for fossils – we are immersing ourselves in the values of the ancient yogic way which prioritises nature and Mother Earth – it is better to look not touch.