Friends,
In less than a year, a very special event will take place inIndia, at the confluence of three sacred rivers: the next KumbhaMela.
It is a gathering of millions of spiritually minded people fromaround the world, which takes place every 12 years, since ancienttimes.
And among these gatherings, every 12th Kumbha Mela, taking placeevery 144 years, is of especially great significance.
These 144-year junctions of cosmic forces have seen the history ofmankind take turns in new directions, either for the better or forthe worse. Just take a look at a few of these past junctions andthink about the events and developments which followed these dates:1857, 1713, 1569 and 1425.
In January 2001 is the next 'great' Kumbha Mela, the one thatcomes around only once every 144 years.
It is thought by the sages of the Himalayas that we are nowapproaching another era of vast, far-reaching changes.
So this upcoming gathering is one which will be very auspiciousfor the positive forces in humanity to gather at this ancient placeof pilgrimage.
Through our association with Swami Rama of the Himalayas and hisleading disciple Swami Veda Bharati, there is now a possibility forus to take part in this once in a lifetime event.
We are taking part in a 2-week trip to India in January 2001, withthe Kumbha Mela as its high point.
Afterwards we will visit the ancient city of Varanasi (Benaras),which is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, goingback some 5,000 years.
Swami Veda Bharati, one of some 30 leading swamis of all of India,is making arrangements which would make it possible for us to takepart in this event in as much comfort and safety as possible, andalso at a very favorable price.
Among our friends at this Kumbha Mela will be students of SwamiRama and Swami Veda from around the world: from Germany, France,Italy, England, Spain, Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia,Canada, United States, Central and South America.
You would be in the company of fellow seekers from all differentcultures.
If you feel inclined to take part in this great adventure, weinvite you to join us.
Time to sign up is short, and if you are interested, you need tomake your reservations with a $ 400 deposit by May 25th. A sign-upsheet is enclosed. Mention that you are registering as part ofthe 'RISHIKESH FOUNDATION' group, AND also INFORM US atzavrel@meaus.com
Feel free to contact me with any questions, if you are interestedin joining us for this unique trip.
Yours,
In service of the lineage
March 6, 2000
Date: March 1, 2000
Dear Fellow Pilgrims,
Do come and join the rest of your spiritual family at this once ina lifetime event of the Maha Kumbha Mela in Allahabad in January2001. Please see the attached information with this email.
Much planning has already gone into arranging this "tent city" sothat we can make provisions to ensure that this event is ascomfortable as possible for you. You would be happy to know that inorganising this, I am working in association with another brotherSwami, who has had the experience of establishing other similar campsfor at least 6 prior Kumbha Melas. Our camp may just prove to be theenvy of all other camps!
We have already made arrangements for you to stay at the TajPalace Hotel on your arrival into Delhi, but if you and your groupprefer to make your own arrangements for Delhi accommodation, thenplease let us know in advance, so that your bill will be $108.00less. In that case, we shall see you at the airport shortly beforedeparture for Varanasi on the 18th January 2001.
Please note that the space is limited for this event, so I doencourage you to register as soon as possible. Payment of 25% of thetour package to the equivalent of $400 US per person must be made by25th May 2000 to guarantee that you have a reservation. You maycontact Indra at "Search Beyond Adventures" for registration andflight reservations; those in Canada may contact Arvind at "C WorldTravel Ltd." (Please see the attached information for details).
When we have your registration we will send you further details onthe Varanasi holy city tour.
Eagerly waiting to serve you during your pilgrimage to theconfluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers,
MILLIONS AT PRAYER!
A rare opportunity awaits you at the confluence of three holyrivers in the sacred city of Allahabad, India. Join the twentymillion people immersing during this spiritual event. A vast tentcity houses the seekers as they wait for their turn for the holybath. Afterwards, visit Siva's holy city of Varanasi and nearbySaranath, where Buddha presented his first sermon. End your tour inIndia's capital city of New Delhi, or extend your stay in Rishikesh,studying the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali with Swami Veda Bharati.
This is a package tour which includes Kumbha Mela and a tour ofVaranasi. On January 17, 2001 you will arrive from your home city toDelhi, India. We have arranged for your overnight accommodation atthe Taj Palace hotel. The next day we will fly to Varanasi and thentake a shuttle bus to Allahabad campsite for the holy retreat. KumbhaMela celebrations will then be from January 19-26. Afterwards, wedepart for Varanasi on January 26 afternoon, where we will relax andsight-see the next couple days; experiencing unique cultural eventsand visiting sacred grounds in the ancient city. On January 29 we flyto Delhi airport where the tour officially ends. In Delhi, you maytour on your own and stay overnight as you wish. You then have theoption of continuing to Rishikesh staying at Swami Rama's Ashram forYoga-sutra study, or flying back to your home city.
Airfare between Delhi and Varanasi, meals, guided sightseeing,lodging, Kumbha mela program, ground transportation as noted.
Airfare from your home city to Delhi, local taxis for yourshopping etc, personal incidentals, laundry, cancellation fees andmedical insurance, airport departure taxes, guru-dakshina and yajnaofferings.
$30 for cancellations received by September 17, 2000.
$100 for cancellations received September 18-November 17,2000.
$500 for cancellations received November 18, 2000-January 10,2001.
No refund for cancellations received after January 10, 2001.
All cancellations must be in writing and directed to the tourcoordinator.
Check with your Indian consulate for current travel documentationneeded. Most persons entering India will need a passport and visa. USand Canadian citizens need a passport with at least six monthsvalidity, plus visa.
Consult your physician for any immunization recommendations.
Hotels in Delhi and Varanasi are double occupancy unlessupgraded.
In Allahabad accommodations will be in 4 person "cottage-liketents".
You will be staying at the following five-star hotels duringyour stay.
New Delhi:Taj Palace
Varanasi: Taj Ganges
Air to Delhi and Varanasi. We will have shuttle service for themajority of the transportation. A taxi service is also available ifneeded [In such contingency, go to the counter in the airportmarked PREPAID TAXI and pay for the destination. This ensuresreliable service].
No itinerary changes are permitted in the package Tour. Touroperation reserves the right to modify prices or substituteaccommodations if necessary. Prices are based on costs and currencyexchange at time of printing and could vary slightly by departuredate.
1) For registration and flight reservations, please fax and/ormail your application, as well as check (USA only), money order, orcredit card details to:
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN SWAMI VEDA BHARATI
FOR THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS:
Swami Rama's Ashram & The Meditation Center
Search Beyond Adventures-New England, Inc. and The MeditationCenter will endeavor to provide any assistance you may require tomake your tour a safe and enjoyable experience. However, participantsshould note that travel in India can be rugged and in areas withoutimmediate available medical attention. Participants travel at theirown risk, realizing the possibility of cancellation, medicalconditions, and/or loss of property may be present. Tour operatorreserves the right to modify prices or substitute accommodations, ifnecessary. Prices are based upon costs and currency exchange rates attime of printing and could vary slightly by departure date.Participants thereby release Search Beyond Adventures-New England,Inc. and The Meditation Center and all employees, staff, andvolunteers from liability for any such occurrences. Participants maywish to seek the advice of their physician before going on the trip.Part or all of the deposits and final payments you send us may not berefundable in case you cancel the tour. If participants leave thetour early no partial refunds are given. Completion of theapplication below implies understanding and agreement to theseconditions.
"I have read the information above and accept the conditions andrisks indicated."
__________________________________________________________________________
Applicant's signature.........................................................Date
___________________________________________________________________________________
NAME OF TRIP: Kumbha Mela 2001 ..........TRIP DATES: January17-30, 2001
If you are applying with other family members, please list eachname:
APPLICANT'SNAME______________________________________________________________________
PHONE: (Home) (_____)________________...................(Work)(_____)______________
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS'NAMES__________________________________________________________
ADDRESS______________________________________CITY__________________________
STATE/PROV_______ ZIP/POSTAL CODE_______________
COUNTRY____________________________
E-MAIL______________________________________ HOMEAIRPORT_________________
PASSPORT NUMBER ________________________
IF YOU WANT TO SHARE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH A SPECIFIC PERSON(S)INDICATE NAME(S):
________________________________________________________________________________
EMERGENCY CONTACT______________________________RELATIONSHIP____________
PHONE__________________
HAVE YOU BEEN TO INDIA BEFORE? _______________ WHERE?________________
PHYSICAL PROBLEMS, DISABILITIES, ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS: (explainany assistance or special equipment needed)
KNOWN ALLERGIES___________________________
DIET RESTRICTIONS______________________________(lacto-vegetarianmeals are standard)
AMOUNT ENCLOSED ($400/person minimum)_________BALANCE_________
IF PAYING BY VISA, MASTER CARD, OR AMERICAN EXPRESS: (Werecommend you authorize both the deposit and balance to simplifycoordination.)
1) DEPOSIT PAYMENT: (to be charged upon receipt of thisapplication)
_________________________________________________________________________________
type of credit card .........amount of charge...........authorized name as it appears on the credit card
________________________________________________________________________________
account number ............................exp. date................................signature
2) BALANCE PAYMENT: (to be charged November 17, 2000)
_________________________________________________________________________________
type of credit card .........amount of charge...........authorized name as it appears on the credit card
________________________________________________________________________________
account number ............................exp. date................................signature