Spiritual Walk in the Himalayas

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SPIRITUAL WALK IN THE HIMALAYAS

From 25th September to 10th October 2009

A two week 200 km spiritual walk in the Himalayas to the source of the river Ganga, Gomuk and a beautiful trek along the old pilgrimage route from Gangotri to Kedarnath. This Spiritual Walk is being organised by the Buddha Smiles(India) from 25th September to 10th October 2009

This journey will combine travel by bus/car from Rishikesh upto the motorable base camps/villages and further distances will be covered by walking in the high mountains. In all likelihood we would be required to walk at least 200 km during this two-week period.

We will begin our trek from Gangotri (3,048 metres) to Gaumukh (3,892 metres) to the source of river Ganga and further towards Tapavon (4,500 metres). Visit to Tapavon depends on weather and climatic conditions on the day of our stay in Gaumukh. Then we will travel by bus to Mala to begin our trek to Kedarnath for over a week. We will walk through dense forests and go uphill climb through terraced fields and picturesque villages of the Garhwal Himalayas. We will see beautiful alpine meadows on this trek. The services of experienced guides and

We will visit:

Gangotri: The beautiful temple of Ganga dedicated to the river Bhagirathi(Ganga) is located at a height of 3140 metres.


Kedarnath:


This majestic stone temple of Lord Shiva is located at a height of 3583 metres above the sea level. This ancient stone temple surrounded by snow all the time of the year and it is believed that this temple was built by Pandavas as a way of seeking forgiveness of the Lord for their sins after the great war of Mahabharat. This temple is located atop of the beautiful Mandakini valley with several natural springs and waterfalls. In a short distance from the temple, there is a shrine for Adiguru Shankaracharya who entered the Samadhi here. This magnificient temple of Lord Shiva is only 14 k.m. trek from Gaurikund. We will also trek to Gandhi Sarovar, (sacred ashes of Mahatma Gandhi was immersed in this lake) which is four kilometers trek from Kedarnath.

There will be silent walks and group meditations during this journey in the Himalayas.

This two-week programme will include visit to:

Ancient Hindu temples at Uttarkashi.
Tibetan monasteries in Dehradun.
Deoprayag- the confluence of the Bhagirathi and
Alaknanda rivers to become the GANGA

Rishikesh: A day’s retreat in Rishikesh on our return from the Himalayan Walk

Suggested Contribution: Please contact Ramu Manivannan for more information and purpose of this walk

This includes food (simple vegetarian Indian and Chinese food), accommodation, transport, pony, porter, equipments, tents, foreigner permit charges. The surplus from this contribution fund will be made available for the “Buddha Smiles” project for the children, especially towards building an alternative school for the poor children. A part of this contribution will also be donated to the local community network in the Garhwal Hills. If you want to know more about “Buddha Smiles” please write to Dr. Ramu Manivannan, who is the founder and chairperson of this global initiative.


Buddha Smiles organises eco-walks in the country and spiritual walks in the Himalayas every year. Ramu Manivannan has been leading the walks since 2002 and also has been walking at least 100 kilometers every year in the Himalayas for over fifteen years now. Buddha Smiles also organises Natural building workshops and Permaculture courses every year at the alternative school “Garden of Peace”. Buddha Smiles is a programme of the Spirit in Life Movement-A Public Educational and Charitable Trust. Buddha Smiles is a global initiative for peace, education and development of nonviolent alternatives.







For More Details Contact:
Dr. Ramu Manivannan
Hon. Chairperson-BUDDHA SMILES
SPIRIT IN LIFE MOVEMENT
4A, FIRST WEST MAIN ROAD
ANNA NAGAR
VELLORE - 632 001, TN
INDIA

e-mail : [e-mail]
[e-mail]
Also visit : www.buddhasmiles.in

and/ or
Write to :


PLEASE READ this Note:

List of requirements for the walk will be announced at a later date but well in time before the walk. The interested participants are requested to apply for a tourist Visa and the Spirit in Life Movement, India cannot be more helpful in applying and procurement of Visa than issuing of an invitation letter to attend the walk, only if required. The decision of the Government of India is final and the Spirit in Life Movement cannot and will not intervene in the processing of the Visa application. The interested participants are also advised to consult their personal/family physician before deciding to join the Spiritual Walk in the Himalayas because of the high altitude and extreme climatic conditions. Trek along the old pilgrimage route from Gangotri to Kedarnath is considered as tough and exhausting. Buddha Smiles/Spirit in Life Movement cannot be held responsible for personal accidents and natural disasters and delay due to natural calamities including the landslides during the journey. Our journey will begin from Delhi on 25th September (evening) and end at Delhi on 9th October 2009 (evening). Delhi is the place of assessment for journey beginning, arrival and travel expenses from your respective place to Delhi and back to your place is not included in the cost estimate for the walk.

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Photos

On our trek to Vasudhara Falls
Walkers of 2007.

Comments

[Santosh]

...walk for life, along.
I have experienced the happy moments of this wonderful walk in 2007, and it has rendered me a vision in life. Standing anywhere on the Himalayas (need not be the Everest peek) gives a feeling that nature is too kind to us in many ways than we can ever imagine. My ego crumbled before those giant mountains and “I” had a realization. Foundation of objectivism and socialism on which humans have erected the values of life and its purpose seems insignificant. An anti-gravity force is available and is in existence to remove these foundations and make life simpler and happier. And it is this experience which I gained through the walk. The beautiful scene along the travel, spiritual experience from the religious temples and outside, dangerous yet trivial landslides, delicious food and a wonderful company of friends has imprinted in my mind. I wish all to attain such a great travel. Santosh. Research Student and participant at 2007 walk