From December 10–19, participants from across the world joined Yogini Kaliji
for Journey to India 2016.
The tour website has additional information about each place visited on the tour.
Mysuru
The tour began in Mysuru (Mysore) in South India at the Windflower Resort and Spa. Each day featured TriYoga sadhana guided by Yogini Kaliji, and visits to the Datta Peetham ashrama for Datta Jayanti celebration programs with Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
The tour group attended a program featuring local children chanting the entire Bhagavad Gita by memory—700 verses requiring over four hours to complete. Inspired by children in Dallas (USA) who also chanted the Gita, the Mysuru children memorized it in less than 3.5 months.
Special thanks to Hari for his attention and care with all aspects of the tour.
Puducherry
The group departed Mysuru on Dec 14 and traveled by tour bus to Puducherry on the Bay of Bengal. During the journey the tour stopped in Kanchipuram and visited Shankaracharya Peetham.
In Puducherry the tour stayed seaside at The Windflower Spa and Resort.
Kaliji offered extended TriYoga sadhana classes each morning.
December 18 marked the Vedic (moon) celebration of TriYoga’s 37th birthday, and was also Sri Kant’s birthday! As part of the celebration, he created a beautiful and elaborate traditional flower arrangement. Sri Kant is also a talented and trained Bharat Natyam dancer and offered a class for all to learn.
The Chant Club trio of Kaliji, Prasann, and Berni performed in the evenings.
Berni and Prasann capped the final evening of the tour with an after-dinner, rooftop performance.
Afternoons included daily opportunities for sightseeing. There was a boat trip on the Chunnambar Backwaters, trips to Auroville and to the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, and a shopping and sightseeing visit to Puducherry.
Chant Club had fun posing for “band photos”.
The tour completed on Dec 19. After departing Puducherry, Kaliji and many from the tour visited Ramanashram, the ashrama of Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai.
Bonsai Conference
After the tour completed, Kaliji and a smaller group returned to Mysuru. From Dec 19–22, Datta Peetham hosted the International Bonsai Convention & Exhibition which included a Healing and Meditation Concert with Sri Swamiji.
The group in Mysuru was very lucky to join Kaliji for a darshan with Sri Swamiji.
Berni had the opportunity to perform for Sri Swamiji in the Universal Prayer Hall at Datta Peetham. He was accompanied on tabla by Mahesh, who plays with Sri Swamiji’s Celestial Troupe.
This friend from Datta Peetham was very excited to meet Kaliji again! Their first meeting was over 10 years ago when he was seven years old. He has always remembered that meeting and the mudra that Kaliji taught him.
Kaliji with dear friend Swami Manasa Datta.
Arokya Swami, 92 years old, is a brilliant musician and was Sri Swamiji’s longtime harmonium player. He asked Kaliji, whom he calls “his daughter”, to play tabla and then to accompany him on Sri Swamiji’s bhajan “Pahi Pahi Gajanana”. Arokya Swami was accompanied by his granddaughter Eliza, her husband Vistine, and their daughter Maria Mercy.
University of Mysuru
In honor of the 100th anniversary of Mysuru University, Yogini Kaliji was invited by the Department of Philosophy and University Library to give a presentation on “TriYoga and Total Wellness”. Upon arrival, Kaliji was greeted at the University gate by Dr. Gandhi from the University Library and taken on a tour of the University grounds and museum. The program was coordinated by TriYoga’s great friend and well known yoga teacher Dr. K Ragavendra Pai, who is a visiting professor at the university and the philosophy department Vivekananda Chair. This is the ninth TriYoga yatra Dr. K.R. Pai has organized. The event was sponsored by Dr. B.R. Pai (no relation to Dr. K.R. Pai), a supporter of TriYoga who was the first to invite Kaliji to speak in Mysore and introduced Dr. K.R. Pai to Yogini Kaliji. Dr. B.R. Pai is a well known industrialist, philanthropist, civic leader, wellness promoter and public speaker. He conducts Health and Wellness programs through Vijay Foundation – a non-profit organization.
Documentary dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the University of Mysuru
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PEOPLE FOR ANIMALS
People for Animals, a non-profit animal shelter in Mysuru. The shelter has made great improvements since Kaliji’s first visit a few years ago. There are paved paths, shade trees, better animal playrooms, and isolation units for ill animals. The video of Kaliji’s first visit to PFA Mysuru is here.
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Singapore
On the return trip to the USA, Kaliji and the tour team enjoyed a fun layover in Singapore, including a meal at vegan restaurant Genesis (find them on Facebook) and a driving tour led by guide Ray Tay.
Upon returning home to the USA, Kaliji and the group were welcomed with a vegan brunch prepared by Chef Kelli (Kelli’s Vegan Kitchen). Saradevi also joined the welcome party.
Mysuru
The tour began in Mysuru (Mysore) in South India at the Windflower Resort and Spa. Each day featured TriYoga sadhana guided by Yogini Kaliji, and visits to the Datta Peetham ashrama for Datta Jayanti celebration programs with Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
The tour group attended a program featuring local children chanting the entire Bhagavad Gita by memory—700 verses requiring over four hours to complete. Inspired by children in Dallas (USA) who also chanted the Gita, the Mysuru children memorized it in less than 3.5 months.
Special thanks to Hari for his attention and care with all aspects of the tour.
Puducherry
Puducherry
The group departed Mysuru on Dec 14 and traveled by tour bus to Puducherry on the Bay of Bengal. During the journey the tour stopped in Kanchipuram and visited Shankaracharya Peetham.
In Puducherry the tour stayed seaside at The Windflower Spa and Resort.
Kaliji offered extended TriYoga sadhana classes each morning.
December 18 marked the Vedic (moon) celebration of TriYoga’s 37th birthday, and was also Sri Kant’s birthday! As part of the celebration, he created a beautiful and elaborate traditional flower arrangement. Sri Kant is also a talented and trained Bharat Natyam dancer and offered a class for all to learn.
The Chant Club trio of Kaliji, Prasann, and Berni performed in the evenings.
Berni and Prasann capped the final evening of the tour with an after-dinner, rooftop performance.
Afternoons included daily opportunities for sightseeing. There was a boat trip on the Chunnambar Backwaters, trips to Auroville and to the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, and a shopping and sightseeing visit to Puducherry.
Chant Club had fun posing for “band photos”.
The tour completed on Dec 19. After departing Puducherry, Kaliji and many from the tour visited Ramanashram, the ashrama of Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashrama in Thiruvannamalai.
Bonsai Conference
The group in Mysuru was very lucky to join Kaliji for a darshan with Sri Swamiji.
This friend from Datta Peetham was very excited to meet Kaliji again! Their first meeting was over 10 years ago when he was seven years old. He has always remembered that meeting and the mudra that Kaliji taught him.
Kaliji with dear friend Swami Manasa Datta.
University of Mysuru
University of Mysuru
Documentary dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the University of Mysuru
[sws_yellow_box box_size=”680″]
PEOPLE FOR ANIMALS
People for Animals, a non-profit animal shelter in Mysuru. The shelter has made great improvements since Kaliji’s first visit a few years ago. There are paved paths, shade trees, better animal playrooms, and isolation units for ill animals. The video of Kaliji’s first visit to PFA Mysuru is here.
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Singapore
Singapore