FOOTSTEPS OF THE MASTERS INDIA TOUR
with Jason Gregory
November 26-December 8, 2018
In 2018 you can travel with author and teacher of Eastern philosophy Jason Gregory on a mystical tour of India to explore and trace the Footsteps of the Masters. Get unique insights into Jason’s knowledge of the East and the memory of the masters and scared places we will visit. Jason wishes to take people to the most sacred places of India to show that the ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures are thriving but can only be experienced by those willing to join him on this pilgrimage of the heart.
1. About our tour to India:
Our 13-day itinerary includes visits to the most beautiful and mystical places in India. We will travel through India to visit the most important sacred places of Indian history. Most people never get the chance to experience face to face the archaic origins and sites of Hindu and Buddhist culture because they are in some of the most remote places of India. But on this journey you will get that once in a lifetime opportunity to actually feel the ancient living culture that is still thriving in the sacred places we will visit. You will also get the chance to meet real life mystics and mingle with the beautiful people of India.
What is more, during the tour you will take part in private lectures given by Jason Gregory. He will show us the significance of how Eastern thought can help us live more harmoniously in the modern world. He strongly believes that the mystics of the East who expounded especially the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta, Zen in Buddhism, and Taoism are advanced philosophical and spiritual frameworks that give us understanding and guidance in our ordinary lives. And this is the reason for joining Jason Gregory on his tour to India to follow the Footsteps of the Masters. This will be a once in a life-time experience, this tour may never happen again!
Jason Gregory about our India tour:
“I have spent several years in India and the experience has changed the entire course of my life. I continue to go back and visit every year, especially the Tamil Nadu and Bihar states as they include the two places in the world that I believe everybody should visit, Tiruvannamalai and Bodh Gaya, and we will be visiting both places on this tour.
I have always told people that India is hard to explain, the attraction people have to it, and its transformative ability on an individual. It is a place that most people dislike because of real life hardships that people witness in her. But I have always implored people to persevere with her grace because if you can get past all the things that push you out of your comfort zone, there is an underlying essence of spirit that is only found in India, but you need to give her time and be open to new experiences. Many believe this comes from thousands of years of people focused on the inner realm of spirituality that has led to many great sages and stories of enlightenment in India. On this tour I want to allow people to experience this living spirit that we feel when we are in the culture of India by following the footsteps of the masters. My experience of living in India for several years allows me to take you on an insider’s journey of India on this tour where you will come face to face with her archaic soul.”
Jason Gregory is a spiritual philosopher, independent scholar, author, writer, public speaker, and teacher specializing in the fields of Eastern philosophy, Western esotericism, comparative religion, psychology, culture, and ancients civilizations. He is the author of the highly acclaimed Effortless Living, Fasting the Mind, Enlightenment Now, and The Science and Practice of Humility. Jason spends his time traveling, writing, and teaching around the world through his lectures and workshops centered on his work. His lectures and workshops are said to be one of the most insightful and inspirational events one can attend, as he reveals through his work that enlightenment is not an end goal that we are searching for, but instead a way of life which is an art of living. This understanding leads to the essence of his work that enlightenment evokes a humility which is a universal science.
2. ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival to New Delhi (November 26, 2018)
Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport. A representative of “One World Within Tours” company will welcome our guests at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and transport them to our hotel. After the check-in process at the hotel, our guests will have time to rest. In the evening we will have dinner and an organizing meeting with “One World Within Tours” company’s staff. Overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.
Day 2 – Travel from New Delhi to Bodh Gaya (November 27, 2018)
We will leave our hotel in New Delhi in the morning and we will fly to Patna, the capital city of Bihar. We will then travel by private bus from Patna airport to Bodh Gaya in the afternoon.
Day 3 – Bodh Gaya (November 28, 2018)
Bodh Gaya is considered one of the most sacred places on the planet. It is famously known as the place where Gautama the Buddha reached enlightenment under what became known as the Bodhi Tree. Over millennia temples and monasteries have been built around the famous Bodhi Tree. The Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree reside on the same site and is one of the most powerful places one could visit. It is a holy place for Buddhists, Hindus, and people who are not affiliated with no religion but class themselves as spiritual.
On our first day in Bodh Gaya we will rise very early and meditate under the Bodhi Tree and spend a lot of time in the complex of the Mahabodhi Temple discussing its significance to the world.
Day 4 – Bodh Gaya (November 29, 2018)
Again on the second day we will meditate under the Bodhi Tree early in the morning before breakfast. After breakfast we will visit numerous nationalities monasteries that have been built over the millennia in Bodh Gaya.
Day 5 – Travel from Bodh Gaya to Mahabalipuram (November 30, 2018)
This will be a long day of travel. We will leave our hotel in Bodh Gaya in the morning en route to Patna Airport. We will fly from Patna to Chennai. We will then travel by private bus from Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram in the afternoon.
Day 6 – Mahabalipurum (December 1, 2018)
Mahabalipuram (also known as Mamallapuram) is an ancient historic town and was a bustling seaport at the time of Periplus (1st century CE) and Ptolemy (140 CE). Mahabalipuram is one of the most archeologically significant places in India. It is the home of ancient Dravidian architecture where Buddhist elements of design are prominent. In the ancient architecture and art of these sites we see depicted the holy trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma along with epic stories that emulate the Bhagavad Gita. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classifies as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
On our second day we will visit the ancient group of monuments at Mahabalipuram where we will discuss the significance of this ancient Indian art. After that we will make our way to the famous Shore Temple and also spend time at the beautiful Mahabalipuram beach.
Day 7 – Pondicherry (December 2, 2018)
Pondicherry is an old French state of India. It is a beautiful contrast where East meets West. This unique mix of French with Indian thought has led to one of the most culturally diverse states in India which is visable through its architecture and the unification of European ecology with Indian spirituality. This state was home to the 20th century sage Sri Aurobindo and Ponicherry is where he met Mirra Alfassa (also known as “the Mother”), a French woman who was significant in helping Aurobindo’s vision of the unification of a spirituality in harmony with the planet. This vision of the Mother and Aurobindo manifested as the first universal city Auroville just outside Pondicherry. This is where the principles they envisioned for humanity can be recognized. Auroville was founded by the Mother in 1968.
When we arrive on our first day in Pondicherry, we will visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and share a meditation together beside the tomb of Sri Aurobindo. After that we will explore the French district of Pondicherry.
Day 8 – Auroville (December 3, 2018)
On day 2 in Pondicherry we will rise early and make our way out to the universal city Auroville. We will visit the farms and taste the local organic food in Auroville. After that we will visit the Auroville community centre to learn more about the principles and practices that Sri Aurobindo and the Mother had envisioned for humanity. At the end of the day we will visit the Matrimandir, a golden metallic sphere in the center of Auroville.
Day 9 – Tiruvannamalai (December 4, 2018)
Travelling to Tiruvannamalai. Tiruvannmalai is considered one of the most sacred places on Earth. This city has the ability to transform your life. It is known as the City of Enlightenment for that very reason. It has been the home to sages, sadhus, and yogis for thousands of years. Tiruvannamalai is home to the holy mountain Arunachala which is thought of to be an incarnation of Shiva. Arunachala is what drew the 20th century sage Sri Ramana Maharshi to this little Indian town, where he remained silent for 7 years up on the holy mountain in meditation. During his life at the foot of Arunachala disciples were attracted to his immense presence and an ashram was built around him, the famous Sri Ramana Asramam. It was here that Paul Brunton had his famous encounter with the Maharshi and consequently led to his international bestseller In Search of Secret India. The ancient Hindu culture has never left this place, where you find sadhus descend on Tiruvannamalai every day renouncing the world to be at the foot of Arunachala and to also spend time in meditation at the Arunachaleswarar Temple (Temple of Shiva).
On the first day we will visit Arunachaleswarar Temple (Temple of Shiva) and explore its magnificent architecture and mythology. We will tour the city of Tiruvannamalai to get people acquainted with the City of Enlightenment.
Day 10 – Tiruvannamalai (December 5, 2018)
Early in the morning we will go to Sri Ramana Ashram to observe Puja (Hindu ritual worship to any particular God) and also meditate in the silence of this sacred space. We will then walk up to Skanda Ashram where Sri Ramana Maharshi spent 7 years in silence. We will practice meditation there before going to breakfast. Later in the day we will visit the famous Girivalam Path to visit temples and be in the presence of sadhus.
Day 11 – Tiruvannamalai (December 6, 2018)
We will rise early again on day 4 to walk up Arunachala and visit Skanda Ashram one last time to meditate before we embark on our day. During our last day in Tiruvannamalai we will visit the Sri Ramana Ashram library to explore numerous scared books for purchase at extremely low prices before saying goodbye to our sadhu friends at Girivalam Path.
Day 12 – Travel from Tiruvannamalai to Chennai (December 7, 2018)
We will leave our hotel in Tiruvannamalai in the morning and travel to Chennai by private bus. We will stay overnight in Chennai to rest and prepare our trip back home.
Day 13 – Depart Chennai (December 8, 2018)
It is time to say goodbye to India. After breakfast we will be flying back to our homes.
The order of places that we are going to visit might be modified.
3. Terms & Conditions
* Price per person: $3800 USD (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for double room.
* Couple Special: $6500 USD (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for 2 people to share double room.
* After August 15, 2018 deposit or full payment are nonrefundable. This refund policy is in place because from August 15, 2018 all accommodation and traveling schedule will be booked. There will be no refund after August 15, 2018 as a result.
Price Includes:
* Jason Gregory as your tour host
* 12 nights accommodation at good hotels in India
* Dehli to Bodh Gaya domestic flights
*Bodh Gaya to Chennai domestic flights
* Transfers in air-conditioned bus
* Entrance tickets to all sites
Not Included:
* International flight to India and return flight back to your country;
* Domestic flight from the last destination of Chennai back to whatever airport you are leaving India from.
* Visas and insurance. The onus is on the traveler to ensure that passports, visas and other travel documentation are valid and in order.
* Meals during the tour
4. Payment Schedule:
* Only $1000 USD deposit during booking for a single ticket (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD).
* Only $2000 USD deposit during booking for a couple ticket (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD).
* Full payment must be received by 15 August 2018.
* After August 15, 2018 deposit or full payment are nonrefundable. This refund policy is in place because from August 15, 2018 all accommodation and traveling schedule will be booked. There will be no refund after August 15, 2018 as a result.
During booking you should prepare personal details, date of birth, address, phone number, email address, passport number, Passport Expiration Date (example mm/dd/yyyy). These details you should send to our Email: jasongregory@hotmail.com.au
We encourage you to book this tour as soon as possible, because the number of places is limited!
Please contact us for more information and for details – jasongregory@hotmail.com.au
In the late afternoon we will visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple located along the Bagmati River. This is a very sacred temple for Hindus and considered the most sacred place in Nepal. The temple serves as the seat of Nepal’s national deity, Pashupati, who is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva. We will explore the temple complex, visiting the ritual cremation ghats and also the many sadhus along the banks of the Bagmati River. In the early evening we will attend the Pashupatinath Bagmati Aarti, a sacred Hindu ritual performed along the banks of the Bagmati River.
Early in the morning on day 5 we will go to the Swayambunath Stupa. This stupa is picturesque as it sits atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. Swayambunath is second only to Boudhanath for Tibetan Buddhists, though it is Jason’s favorite stupa in the world. On top of this hill gives you a wonderful view of the Kathmandu Valley. We will also circumambulate the foot of the hill which is lined with prayer wheels for meditation. Along our circumambulation we will arrive at the Buddhist trinity statues of Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), and Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) where we will meditate.
