21-Day Seven Sacred Cities Tour
A transformative pilgrimage through India's sacred cities, designed to explore divine deities and spiritual traditions from Haridwar to Dwarka. This carefully planned route minimizes travel time and maximizes your spiritual immersion in each sacred city.
A Note on Our Approach: This sacred tour represents one interpretation of India's holy cities and their spiritual traditions. There are many valid interpretations and mappings based on different paths of immersion with India's sacred cities and varied spiritual traditions. We honor the spirit of interharmony between all traditions and recognize that each path offers its own profound wisdom and truth.
Includes all accommodation, meals, domestic flights, ground transport, guides, temple entries, cultural activities, and service project contributions. International flights not included.
Days 1-3: Arrival & Haridwar - Gateway of the Divine
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi & Transfer to Haridwar
Transport: Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) early morning. Private car or train transfer to Haridwar (4-5 hours, ~220-250 km).
Settle into ghat-side accommodation. Evening Ganga Arati at Har Ki Pauri. Meditation on Mother Ganga's purifying grace and Lord Shiva's presence to begin your sacred journey. Grounding practices at the gateway to the Himalayas.
Day 2: Haridwar Immersion
Sunrise yoga by the Ganges. Explore Haridwar's temples including Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi. Attend morning rituals honoring Ganga. Optional short drive to Rishikesh for yoga and river activities. Participate in river clean-up initiative with local environmental groups. Meditation on purification and spiritual foundation.
Day 3: Haridwar to Mathura
Transport: Morning in Haridwar. Late afternoon travel to Mathura (overnight by private car/train via Delhi, or return to Delhi and catch train).
Foundation-setting ceremony at the Ganges before departure. Evening chanting of Ganga mantras and reflection on purification practices. Prepare for the journey to Krishna's birthplace.
Days 4-6: Mathura & Vrindavan - Krishna's Divine Love
Day 4: Arrive Mathura
Arrive in Mathura, Krishna's birthplace. Check into heritage accommodation. Visit Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple and explore local bazaars. Evening arati by the Yamuna River. Heart opening practices through Krishna bhakti and bhajan session. Meditation on divine love and devotion.
Day 5: Mathura & Vrindavan
Half-day in Mathura. Short visit to nearby Vrindavan to experience temples, bhakti music, and Krishna Leela performances. Visit Banke Bihari and ISKCON temples. Support local artisan workshops creating devotional crafts and traditional pottery. Meditation on Krishna's playful divine nature and unconditional love.
Day 6: Mathura to Ayodhya
Transport: Morning in Mathura. Visit women's empowerment cooperatives. Afternoon travel toward Ayodhya (overnight train toward Lucknow/Ayodhya or daytime car/rail).
Krishna bhakti meditation and devotional singing. Yamuna River ceremony honoring Krishna before departure. Reflect on the teachings of divine love and surrender.
Days 7-9: Ayodhya - Lord Rama's Dharma
Day 7: Arrive Ayodhya
Arrive in Ayodhya, the city of Lord Rama. Check into central hotel. Afternoon walk through Ram Janmabhoomi area and explore the redeveloped riverfront ghats. Meditation on dharma, righteousness, and personal duty. Evening darshan and reflection on Rama's teachings.
Day 8: Sacred Ayodhya
Full day exploring Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex and Hanuman Garhi. Visit local sacred sites and the beautifully restored ghats. Participate in temple volunteering and community meal service (Anna Daan). Meditation on Rama's example of righteous living and devotion to duty. Study of Ramayana teachings.
Day 9: Ayodhya to Varanasi
Transport: Morning in Ayodhya. School supply donation visit. Late afternoon travel to Varanasi by train (~3 hours on fastest routes).
Personal dharma reflection session on Rama's teachings. Fire ceremony for transformation and commitment to righteous action before departure.
Days 10-12: Varanasi - Shiva's Eternal City
Day 10: Arrive Varanasi
Arrive in the ancient city of Varanasi, Shiva's eternal abode. Check into heritage hotel near the ghats. Walk through the timeless lanes of the old city. Evening Ganga Arati at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Sunset boat ride on the sacred Ganges. Meditation on Shiva's presence in the city of liberation.
Day 11: Varanasi Sacred Sites & Ancient Music
Pre-dawn boat ride to witness sunrise over the Ganges. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Shiva's golden lingam. Experience the 11,000-year-old music school and its sacred sound traditions. Kriya Yoga initiation ceremony at Lahiri Mahasaya's meditation sites. Meditation on Shiva's wisdom and the path to liberation. Evening Ganga Arati.
Day 12: Wisdom, Service & Sacred Sound
Transport: Visit Sarnath (Buddha's first sermon site). Volunteer with local NGOs at hospice care centers. Participate in sacred peace walk at sunrise along the ghats, connecting to Varanasi's tradition of interfaith dialogue. Traditional music session with local musicians. Evening public reggae kirtan with RasMoses & The Shivites - a unique fusion of Jamaican rhythms and ancient Sanskrit mantras honoring Shiva. Late afternoon transfer to airport and fly to Chennai (direct flights ~2-2.5 hours).
Days 13-15: Kanchipuram - City of Thousand Temples
Day 13: Arrive Kanchipuram
Transport: Arrive Chennai airport and transfer to Kanchipuram (1-1.5 hour drive, ~60 km).
Settle into traditional South Indian guesthouse. Evening temple visit and orientation to the City of Thousand Temples. Meditation on devotion through temple worship and sacred architecture. Introduction to Vishnu and Shiva traditions in Tamil Nadu.
Day 14: Temple City Exploration
Full day exploring Kanchipuram's famous temples including Ekambareswarar (Shiva) and Varadaraja Perumal (Vishnu). Witness the ancient art of silk weaving and support local artisan cooperatives. Classical South Indian dance performance. Meditation on devotion expressed through art, architecture, and ritual. Creative expression workshop.
Day 15: Kanchipuram to Ujjain
Transport: Morning in Kanchipuram. Participate in temple storytelling project and visit local schools for children's education programs. Learn traditional South Indian cooking. Late afternoon fly from Chennai to Indore (may route via Mumbai/Delhi depending on flights).
Evening reflection on devotional practices and the unity of Vishnu and Shiva worship traditions.
Days 16-17: Ujjain - Shiva as Mahakala
Day 16: Arrive Ujjain
Transport: Fly into Indore (Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport) then road transfer to Ujjain (1-1.5 hours, ~50-70 km).
Arrive in sacred Ujjain. Check into accommodation near Mahakaleshwar Temple. Late afternoon visit to Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga. Meditation on Shiva as Mahakala - the Lord of Time and Transformation. Preparation for spiritual transcendence and completion.
Day 17: Sacred Ujjain & Travel to Dwarka
Transport: Pre-dawn Bhasma Arati at Mahakaleshwar Temple (sacred ash ceremony honoring Shiva). Visit Vedic learning institutes and ancient observatory. Educational sponsorship ceremony. Meditation on transcending time and ego through Shiva's grace. Afternoon transfer from Ujjain/Indore region toward Dwarka (fly Indore→Rajkot or Jamnagar if available, then road transfer to Dwarka 1.5-3 hours; alternatively rail/long-distance car options).
Days 18-20: Dwarka - Krishna's Sacred Kingdom
Day 18: Arrive Dwarka
Arrive in Dwarka, Krishna's ancient kingdom on the Arabian Sea coast. Check into seaside accommodation. Visit the magnificent Dwarkadhish Temple. Evening ocean meditation and truth-telling circle. Meditation on Krishna's teachings of surrender and authentic expression. Reflect on the divine kingdom within.
Day 19: Coastal Sacred Sites
Full day in Dwarka. Boat trip to Bet Dwarka island for ancient temples. Visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (Shiva). Participate in marine conservation project and support pilgrim water stations. Meditation on Krishna's final teachings and the integration of all divine qualities. Chanting by the Arabian Sea. Explore the sacred pilgrim circuit.
Day 20: Expression, Service & Completion
Temple seva (service) at Dwarkadhish. Sacred sound practices and authentic expression work honoring Krishna. Sunset ceremony at Gomti Ghat. Integration meditation connecting all seven sacred cities and their presiding deities - from Ganga's purification to Krishna's divine love. Farewell dinner celebrating the completion of your sacred journey through India's spiritual heart.
Day 21: Departure
Day 21: Return & Departure
Transport: Final integration ceremony and group reflection. Transfer to Ahmedabad or Rajkot/Jamnagar (with connection) for international flight home. Ahmedabad and Mumbai have better international connectivity. If departing from Ahmedabad, allow full day for transfer (Dwarka→Ahmedabad ≈ 7-9+ hours by road) or catch short flight via Jamnagar/Rajkot to Ahmedabad/Mumbai.
Depart with transformed consciousness, aligned chakras, and deep connections to India's sacred traditions and the spirit of Seva.
Practical Information
What's Included
- All accommodation (heritage hotels & guesthouses)
- All meals (vegetarian, locally sourced)
- Domestic flights (Varanasi→Chennai, Chennai→Indore, Indore→Rajkot/Jamnagar)
- All ground transportation (private cars, trains)
- English-speaking local guides at each location
- All temple entries and activities
- Service project contributions and NGO partnerships
- Daily yoga and meditation sessions
- Cultural performances and workshops
- Boat rides and special ceremonies
Transport Notes
- International arrival: Fly into Delhi (DEL) - well connected to US
- Short legs: Trains for Haridwar↔Mathura↔Ayodhya↔Varanasi (efficient, comfortable)
- Long hops: Flights for Varanasi→Chennai, Chennai→Indore, Indore→Dwarka region
- Travel times: Optimized route minimizes backtracking
- Flexibility: Some routes may vary based on flight availability
- International departure: Ahmedabad or Mumbai (best connectivity)
What to Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing for temples (covering shoulders and knees)
- Personal meditation items
- Journal for reflections
- Camera (where permitted)
- Personal medications
- Light layers for varying climates
- Open heart and mind
Physical Requirements
- Moderate walking ability
- Ability to climb temple steps
- Comfort with basic accommodations
- Flexibility with schedule changes
- Openness to vegetarian diet
- Respect for local customs and traditions
- Willingness to participate in service activities
Begin Your Transformation
This sacred journey through India's holy cities offers profound opportunities for spiritual growth, cultural immersion, and meaningful service. Limited to 12 participants for an intimate, transformative experience.
Reserve Your Journey