Dear Devotees,
We are delighted to announce that a 4-day Spiritual Retreat will be held from 8-11 May 2025 at Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora.
Here's a summary of the Retreat:
| Speaker | Topic | |
| 1 | Swami Shuddhidananda, Adhyaksha, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati | Chapter 15 of Bhagawad Gita (Purushottam Yoga) |
| 2 | Swami Raghavendrananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur | Guided Meditation & Dhrama Prasanga based on lives of Sri Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda |
| 3 | Swami Sukhananda, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Bhuj | Recital & Discourse on Ramcharitmanas |
| 4 | Swami Atmashraddhananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Kanpur | Life & teachings of Swami Turiyananda (based on his letters written from Almora) |
- Both residential and non-residential participation options are available for devotees for the Spiritual Retreat (more details are given below). However, both residential as well as non-residential participants would be provided all the meals (breakfast, lunch, tea & dinner) at the Ashrama only.
- Accommodation within the Ashrama will follow dormitory rules (with separate arrangements for male and female participants), if required.
However, there will be a provision to stay in nearby hotels or homestays as well. - Participants must adhere strictly to the day-wise program without deviation.
- Silence is Golden. Participants are encouraged to minimize unnecessary talking & usage of mobile phones during the retreat.
- Participation is strictly by advance registration only, following a first-come-first-serve policy due to limited accommodations and seats.
DETAILED RULES & GUIDELINES
DETAILED RULES & GUIDELINES
1. Dates & Arrival Information
- Retreat Dates: 8th May to 11th May 2025 (4 days)
- Arrival: 7th May 2025, Departure: 12th May 2025 (morning after breakfast)
(If anyone wants to stay beyond the retreat, they must send a guest house booking request via email) - Participants must arrive at Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora, by the 4 pm on 7th May.
2. Location & Travel Arrangements
Participants have to make their travel arrangements upto and from Kathgodam. Cars (on sharing basis) will be arranged by the Ashrama from and to Kathgodam.
Nearest Access Points:
- By Road: Haldwani (100 km), Bareilly (200 km), Dehradun (400 km), Delhi (400 km)
- By Train: Nearest railway stations – Kathgodam (80 km), Haldwani (90 km), and Lal Kuan (105 km)
- By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar (121 km), followed by Bareilly (193 km)
3. Accommodation & Registration
- Accommodation will be provided within the Ashrama or outside in nearby hotels.
- You can indicate your choice on the registration form. Based on availability, you will be informed over email. On payment of the additional ₹2000 per person, you shall be sent a confirmation.
- Registration must be completed in advance by filling out the registration form along with payment confirmation.
- Registration Fee:
- ₹6,000 for non-residential participants (contacts of some nearby hotels are provided below)
- ₹8,000 for residential participants
- Meals shall be provided for both residential as well as non-residential participants within the above cost only.
- Participants opting to stay outside the Ashrama will need to cover their hotel costs separately.
- After registration, participants will be added to a WhatsApp group for coordination.
5. Daily Routine & Participation
- All participants must attend morning meditation, chanting, and evening arati in the temple or Shivananda Hall, as applicable
- Discourses are mandatory and will be conducted as per the schedule in morning and evening sessions.
- As part of the retreat, morning sessions on 11th May will be conducted in Turiyananda Taposthali and Vivekananda Rest Memorial at Karbala.
- A detailed schedule will be provided upon arrival.
6. Climate & Clothing Recommendations
- Almora can be moderately cold in May. Participants should bring suitable warm clothing.
- It is advisable to carry an umbrella or rain protection, as weather conditions may vary.
7. Cancellation & Adjustments
- Registration fees are non-refundable. However, if a participant is unable to attend, the fee can be adjusted toward any future retreat at Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora, within one year.
- Participants must inform the Ashrama before the registration deadline if they are unable to attend.
- For any further queries drop us an email at almora@rkmm.org
- Or, you may contact Sri Aman Kumar (+91 70601 73528), Br. Arpan (+91 8793924939) or Br. Raju (+91 8445008469)
Please note that telephonic discussions or WhatsApp messages will not be considered valid communication for the retreat. Only those who shall send the filled-up forms will be considered.
1. Hotel Himadri - 99179 55424 – 0.5 Km from the Ashrama
2. Prabhu Guest House – 8006388522 – 0.5 Km from the Ashrama
3. Nivedita Cottage - 97605 46898 – 0.7 Km from the Ashrama
4. Heritage Hotel – 70789 01577 –1 Km from the Ashrama
5. Hotel Milam Inn - 94120 42245 – 2Km from the Ashrama
6. Shikar Hotel - 94120 39696 – 2Km from the Ashrama
DAILY TIMETABLE FOR SPIRITUAL RETREAT
Time Event
5:30 AM — Temple Opening
6:00 AM — Mangal Arati, Vedic Chanting- Bhajan & Meditation
7:00 AM — Breakfast
8:45 AM — Registration followed by Vedic Chanting & Opening Song
9:00 AM — Guided Meditation & Opening Session by Swami Raghavendrananda
10:15 AM — Tea Break
10:30 AM — Morning Session by Swami Sarvapriyananda
11:30 AM — Q & A Session
12:00 Noon — Lunch
2:30 PM — Showcase of documentary followed by Bhajan
3:30 PM — Afternoon Session by Swami Sarvapriyananda
5:00 PM — Q & A Session
5:30 PM — Tea & Snacks
6:30 PM — Evening Arati & Bhajans
8:00 PM — Bhajan Sandhya
9:00 PM — Dinner
| Date | Day | Programme | Location | Invited Guests (Tentative) |
| 1st to 15th May | - | School level competition | Respective schools | - |
| 17th May 2024 | Friday | Arrival of Guests | Ramakrishna Kutir, Almora | - |
| 18th May 2024 | Saturday | Spiritual Retreat | Shivananda Hall | Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Raghavendrananda |
| 19th May 2024 | Sunday | Spiritual Retreat | Shivananda Hall | Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Raghavendrananda |
| 20th May 2024 | Monday | Spiritual Retreat | Shivananda Hall | Swami Sarvapriyananda, Swami Raghavendrananda |
| 21st May 2024 | Tuesday | Seminar- Day 1 (Opening) | Sri Soban Singh Jena University | Morning: Swami Sarvapriyananda Evening: Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillay |
| 21st May 2024 | Tuesday | Parikrama of Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Circuit- Day 1 | Kakrighat, Kasar Devi, Patal Devi | Dr. Prof. Satpal Singh Bisht, VC, Soban Singh Jeena University, Almora Swami Dhruveshananda Swami Shankareshananda |
| 22nd May 2024 | Wednesday | Seminar- Day 2 (Closing) | Sri Soban Singh Jena University | Swami Dayadhipananda, Dr. Lakshmi Kant (Director, VPKAS) Swami Vedanishthananda Swami Dayadhipananda |
| 22nd May 2024 | Wednesday | Parikrama of Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Circuit- Day 2 | Karbala, GIC, Thompson House, Nivedita Cottage,Lala Badri Shah's House | Akhtar Ali, grandson of Zulfikar Ali who fed cucumber to Swamiji Swami Vedanishthananda Swami Raghavendrananda |
| 22nd May 2024 | Wednesday | Half-day Seminar | Kuamon University | Swami Sarvapriyananda Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillay |
| 23rd May 2024 | Thursday | Parikrama of Swami Vivekananda Spiritual Circuit- Day 3 | Syahi Devi, Turiyananda Taposthali, Ramakrishna Kutir | Swami Vedanisthananda Swami Dayadhipananda |
| 23rd May 2024 | Thursday | Half-day Seminar | G B Pant University | Swami Sarvapriyananda Dr. Radhakrishnan Pillay |
| 24th May 2024 | Sunday | Prize Distribution Ceremony | GIC/ GGIC | Swami Dayadhipananda Swami Vedanisthananda Sri Vineet Singh Tomar, IAS, DM, Almora |
| 25th May 2024 | Friday | Seminar | Cantt Board | Swami Dayadhipananda Swami Vedanisthananda |
| 26th May 2024 | Saturday | Seminar | Govt Nursing College | Swami Dayadhipananda Swami Vedanisthananda |
| 26th May 2024 | Saturday | Seminar | Govt Medical College | Swami Dayadhipananda Swami Vedanisthananda |
