Current Shankaracharya in his Allahabad Ashram
You are a meditator visiting India?
You are in for a treat. Our outbound trip will be Johannesburg-Delhi (via Dubai)-Jabalpur-Brahmasthan. Chances are, we’ll all be together for these flights. At the end of the week at the Brahmasthan, you have your own options. You could return to Delhi, spend a few days to see it, do some shopping, see the Taj Mahal and return to Joburg. Or from the Brahmashan you could drive 8 hours northeast to Allahabad and see the Ganges and Varanasi before returning to Delhi, or whatever. Its your call. The Brahamasthan is our anchor, thereafter you have many options.
ALLAHABAD
Allahabad is the home of Kumba Mehla at the junction of three holy rivers: Ganges (Ganga),Yamuna and Saraswati (underground). If you’ve clicked on the link above, click the hybrid tab to see names, and zoom in on the confluence itself. Just to the east of the Arail label, which looks to be about 2 km south west of the confluence You will see 9 perfectly oriented structures about 800 metres just south of the confluence, on the east bank. This is the location of Maharishi’s Arail Asharam. The Smarak is clearly visible 100 metres north of the perfectly oriented gold structures.
Allahbad in Uttar Pradesh has a population of 1.7 million. In 2011, it was ranked the world’s 130th fastest growing city. Allahabad is also known as the “city of prime ministers” because post independence 7 out of 13 prime ministers were either born in Allahabad, were alumni of Allahabad University (like Maharishi), or got elected from a constituency in Allahabad. The city’s original name—Prayaga, or “place of sacrifice”—comes from its position at the sacred union of the rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati.
Different colours of river water at the confluence of Ganges and Yamuna
It is the second-oldest city in India and, like all Indian cities, contains many temples and palaces.
For example, Maharishi Smarak – Maharishi’s memorial will be well worth seeing. It is very near completion and will be an amazing tribute to Maharishi. It will be inaugurated in February 2013.
Visit these sites if you want an unbelievable insiders view into the real India – the one that Maharishi has done so much to revive.
Did you know upwards of 100 000 Vedic pandits have received training in Maharishis’s Transcendental Meditation and Yogic Flying?
More general info about Allahabad here.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly from Delhi. Alternatively its about 6 hours drive east of the Brahmasthan of India. Airport is at Bamrauli Air Force Base near the city. From Allahabad head for …
Varanasi cremation
VARANASI
Its called the Holy City. Cremation sites are at the ghats all along the river. It is believed that if you die here you break the cycle of birth and death.
Very worth seeing – take a boat ride
Also known as Benares or Banaras, its situated on banks of the Ganges, about 100 km east of Allahabad. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and the oldest in India. It has been a cultural and religious centre in North India for several thousand years. Many prominent Indian philosophers, poets, writers, and musicians resided or reside in Varanasi. Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnath located near Varanasi People often refer to Varanasi as “the city of temples”, “the holy city of India”, “the religious capital of India”, “the city of lights”, “the city of learning”, and “the oldest living city on earth.”
HOW TO GET THERE
Drive from Allahabad. The drive is a horrific but survivable two hours in traffic comprising anything that moves, including camels and elephants. Then back to Delhi, which is about two hours by turboprop to the northwest.
JABALPUR
Our first destination after over-nighting in Delhi – Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh is the 38th largest city in India, and was also the epicenter of a major earthquake in 1997. Jabalpur is known for its picturesque marble rock formations (Bhedaghat) across the banks of the river Narmada. It is an army headquarters of five states and one sixth of the city is occupied by the Indian Army. And its said to be the Home of Snooker!
Jabalpur is also the birthplace of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Visit marble cliffs on Narmada River. There is also a huge national park, Bandhavgar National Park near the Brahmashan that bears investigation. The region is said to host the world’s densest population of wild tigers. Great little youtube here.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly 2 hours from Delhi, Kingfisher or Air India. From there its a 2 1/2 hour drive to the Brahmasthan… which you will see here in this fantastic embedded google map. Scroll around and zoom in and out to find yourself in India!
Other options: from Delhi, drive or fly to:
RISHIKESH
Home of Maharishi’s original Ashram, 8 hours drive (or fly) from Delhi. Its in Uttarakhand in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India, known as The Gateway to the Himalayas. It is located around 25 km north of another holy city, Haridwar. Rishikesh has a permanent population of around 75,000.
Alternatively:
RAJASTHAN – JODHPUR
Great! and less touristy than capital Jaipur. A fascinating place near the edge of the great Thar desert and near the Pakistan border.
You MUST see our blog: http://www.tminjoburg.co.za/index.php/transcendental-meditation-travelogue/
Loved it!!
Stayed at Ajitbavan It was absolutely fabulous – world class – we swopped in with RCI.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly 1 1\2 hours west from Delhi by Kingfisher or Air India turboprop.