Upcoming Retreats
RT: Rishikesh, India, 2025
Kena Upanishad
Bhagavad Gita – Chapter 15
-
Date/Duration: 1-10 December 2025
-
Location: Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh, India
Introduction
During this retreat at Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh, North India, by the Ganges River, you will be given the unique opportunity to be exposed to the spiritual teaching of Vedanta. You will share this retreat with a group of individuals from all over the world who are interested in learning more about oneself. The exposure to the vision of Vedanta in a natural environment and without any distractions can truly bring about a major shift in perspective and transform your entire life.
The program consists of study of the following texts:
Kena Upanishad
Kena Upanishad is in the form of a dialogue that begins with a student asking a few fundamental questions on existence to the teacher: Impelled by whom does the mind see, hear, entertain desires, has emotions, can recollect past events? What is it inside me that makes the life force perform its functions in the body, because of which I can talk?
The teacher answers this seemingly unanswerable question with amazing lucidity and helps his students to discover that the true nature of ‘I’ is limitless Brahman, which is the truth of the whole universe, that makes everything in this universe function as it does.. The teaching ends with a compelling story of Lord Indra’s search for the truth.
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15
It is an essential and complete chapter of the Gita, unfolding the oneness between the individual and the cause of the universe. Using the metaphor of the ever expanding banyan tree, it describes the never ending journey of an individual through cycles of birth and death. This journey ends when, finally in one birth, the person begins to search for the truth. The process of how that individual connects to Ishvara, grows as an individual and finally comes to know the truth of oneself and Ishavara being one, is beautifully elaborated.
Participants are required to register at Upcoming Retreats . Your registration is considered complete when advance booking and teachers fees are paid. The closing date for registration and final payment is 15 November 2025. Seats are limited, so do not wait to register!
Date & Schedule
November 30
- Plan to arrive by November 30. The retreat starts on 1 December
December 1 to December 9
- 5:15 Tea (optional)
- 5:30 Morning puja (optional)
- 6:30 - 7:15 Guided meditation
- 7:30 - 8:00 Breakfast
- 8:30 - 9:30 Kena Upanishad
- 10:00 - 10:45 Meditative Movements
- 11:00 Tea
- 11:30 - 12:30 Kena Upanishad
- 12:30 - 13:00 Lunch
- 13:00 - 15:00 Free time
- 15:00 – 15:00 Tea
- 15:30 - 16:15 Chanting & Prayers
- 16:30 – 18:00 Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 15
- 18:00 Evening puja (optional)
- 19:30 - 20:00 Dinner
- 20:30 - 21:15 Satsang
December 10
- Classes end before lunch Retreat ends after lunch.
Location & Accommodation
- Website: https://dayananda.org/
- Phone:0135-2430769 / 2438769 (from abroad dial +91-135 instead of 0135)
- Email: dayas1088@gmail.com
Address: Swami Dayananda Ashram
Arsha Vidya Pitham Swami Dayananda Nagar Muni Ki Reti (Rishikesh) – 249 137 Uttarakhand
The retreat venue
Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh, was established during the 1960s by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who is a globally renowned teacher of Vedanta and foremost scholar of Sanskrit. The Ashram is situated on the banks of the Holy Ganga, in an exclusive location.
Dates of arrival/departure
We suggest that participants arrive in Rishikesh 1 day early, on November 30, before the start of the retreat. On the first day, the classes begin at 9:00 am, and the retreat ends after lunch on December 10.
For those wishing to stay longer, use the following link to contact them directly: https://dayananda.org/contact-ashram/
Getting to Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh
The Ashram is 21 km from the Dehradun airport and 3 km from Rishikesh rail stations.
You can request for a taxi through Book a Vehicle page.
Accommodation and food
All rooms have a private bathroom.
| Room Type (Full Board) | Price in Rupees per Person/Night | Total Cost per Person for 10 Nights |
|---|---|---|
| Standard – Single Occupancy Room | INR 2,000 | INR 20,000 |
| Standard – Double Occupancy Room | INR 1,000 | INR 10,000 |
| VIP Room – For Double Occupancy (only some are facing Ganga) | INR 2,500 | INR 25,000 |
Accommodation charges are paid directly to Swami Dayananda Ashram as a donation. The payment will take place during the first few days of the retreat.
For Indian nationals, donation to Ashram is exempt from tax under section 80G.
Booking your room
Participants are required to register at Upcoming Retreats Your registration is considered complete when advance booking and teachers fees are paid. The closing date for registration and final payment is 15 November 2025. Seats are limited, so do not wait to register!
Contribute
Any amount above the standard fees, depending upon your financial means and choice, will help us in continuing to share this knowledge.
Details for additional contributions are available on the Support Us tab of our Website.
FAQ
The advanced booking payment is not refundable. Teachers’ fees need to be paid by 15 November 2025 and are also not refundable.
The Ashram is 21 km from the Dehradun airport and 3 km from Rishikesh rail stations.
You can request for a taxi through Book a Vehicle page.
The office opens at 9:00 AM. You may collect the keys at the reception. If you are arriving earlier, please inform the office in advance of your arrival time. They will arrange for the keys to be available with the security guard at the main gate.
All accommodations and facilities are simple and comfortable. All rooms have individual bathrooms and showers.
Bedding & Bath: Sheets, pillows, and blankets are provided; guests are expected to bring their own towels and toiletries.
Temple: The Gangadareshwara temple pujas are done early morning from 5:30AM and evening starting at 6:00PM.
Food: A bell rings at the time of Breakfast (8:00 AM) , Lunch (12:45 PM) and Dinner (7:15 PM). There is early morning Tea at about 5:15 AM, mid-morning Tea at 11:00 AM and evening tea at 3:00 PM. Drinking water (Reverse Osmosis treated) is available near the dining hall and most people bring a bottle and fill it up as needed.
Supplies: There are a few shops in the immediate vicinity of the Ashram – so if you have forgotten to bring anything with you, it is available.
Mobile Network: All mobile phone networks functions reasonably well.
- Insect repellent
- Sun screen
- Chappals (sandal / slipper)
- Walking / Running shoes
- Jacket
There is no formal dress code. Modest attire, comfortable loose clothing suitable for sitting for long periods would be suitable. Jeans and shorts are better avoided.
You may check the climate of Rishikesh at the following link: https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/india/rishikesh
December Temperatures vary from 7 to 21 degree Celsius. You may want to carry a jacket or a warm shawl.
Acceptance of donations is restricted to US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros.
Please note that the Ashram does not offer a money changing facility but does have an ATM right across.
If you have any further questions, you can reach out to us at discovervedanta@gmail.com