Testimonials

Journey to the Silence

Namaste

Last fall I received the second initiation in Babaji’s Kriya Yoga in Switzerland from Acharya Satyananda. As a result, my desire to "visit" Babaji in the Himalayas and spend some time at the Kriya Yoga Ashram, in Badrinath, grew even more.

So, I traveled to India for 3 weeks in May, 2019, where I spent a week in mid-May in the ashram in Badrinath. My journey took me from Delhi to Rishikesh, then to Badrinath and back via the Dunagiri Hills, Dwarahat, Raniket, Chiliyanauia, Nainital and back to Delhi.

For the trip, I rented a Suzuki four-wheel drive with a driver at a travel agency in Delhi. Costs for the entire tour including gasoline, insurance and other fees: around $1,000. I was not bound to any bus or taxi departure times and could go anywhere I wanted.

The drive from Rishikesh to Badrinath took about 8 hours along a twisting scenic two lane road, high above the Ganges and Alakananda Rivers. In heavy traffic, accompanied at times by a concert of honking horns, bumpy roads, past cows, motorcycles, cars and rocking trucks.

We crossed meltwater streams and while going through a few towns within a few centimeters of crowds of pedestrians walking in the crowded streets. My driver was experienced and calmly mastered every challenge.

At 18:30 we reached Badrinath, at 5 degrees Celsius (43 degrees Fahrenheit) and rain drizzle. This sacred place of pilgrimage is at 3,100 meters (10,300 feet) altitude.

In winter it is completely snowed in, the electricity and water are switched off, and Badrinath is "locked". People move to their second homes further south. They come back from May to October.

Power Place for the Soul: The Kriya Yoga Ashram

When we arrived in Badrinath, Narendra, who works in the ashram, was already waiting for us. I informed his manager, Rohit, in advance by phone about my arrival.

Telephone communication works best there with the mobile operator Airtel, although this connection breaks off again and again. Internet is not available in Badrinath unless you have Wifi, but even that works only sporadically.

A porter helped with the luggage and we marched for more than a kilometer on a comfortable rock path and up the stairs to the Kriya Yoga Ashram. From a distance we could already see the big ashram building.

After walking from the roadhead for about 10 minutes we arrived at the ashram.

Nice Accommodation

The ashram manager, Rohit Naithani, greeted me warmly and took me upstairs to my accommodation.

It was one of thirteen small apartments, and it contained two beds, a spacious closet, dining table, a kitchenette with sink, hot and cold water faucets, a kettle, thermos, crockery and cutlery.

Attached was a spacious bathroom with toilet and shower, and there was always hot water. A heater made for a cozy warm atmosphere.

Incidentally, I did not need an adapter for European plugs.

The view from the room was terrific. When I awoke the next morning from the bells of the great Vishnu temple, known as Sri Badrinarayan, the sun rose just above the mountains and illuminated the snowy peaks in golden light.

The air was crystal clear, and a breathtaking landscape lay ahead of me.

A Place of Paradise

The ashram is very spacious. On two levels are the guest rooms. On the lower level are an additional office, communal kitchen and dining room as well as the accommodations of the ashram employees.

Also on the ground floor is a meditation hall with a beautiful altar, where Babaji’s photo is honored.

From there, a staircase leads to the upper floor, to the Yoga Hall, which extends almost over the entire complex and offers a magnificent view over Badrinath and its mountains.

There, I found everything I needed to practice and meditate and practice the asanas: yoga mats, blankets and cushions.

When the sun is up in the sky and the windows are open, I inhaled the scent of nature and felt that I was truly in paradise.

There are many paths to hike leading from the ashram. Also, Badrinath and the nearby Mana, the "last village of India", are worth seeing.

Here follows some personal impressions.

Hiking in the Spirit of the Mountains

Directly above the ashram is a path leading up into the mountains toward Nilkantha, a 6500 meter high snow peak around which many myths from the Mahabharata entwine.

The trail is made of stone and easy to walk on. It leads through a long high valley, in which in some places there is still snow in May.

With good hiking boots and warm clothes, hiking there in May is feasible. June or September, before and after the annual monsoon rains, would be the optimal periods to visit.

After about three hours of trekking, the Nilkantha peak appeared before me in all its glory.

On the way back, some Sadhus invited me to their homes where they live from May to September. We drank delicious chai and talked in English or some other "intuitive language".

Badrinath: A Lively Village and Sacred Temple

You can walk from the ashram to the village comfortably downhill in 10 minutes.

Badrinath temple is one of four holy pilgrimage places that a devout Hindu should visit in his lifetime. It is dedicated to the god Vishnu.

In the winding streets near it you will find many market stalls that offer everything you need.

There are many restaurants with good, reasonably priced food and tea kitchens everywhere.

A hot water spring just below the temple is visited by pilgrims for bathing before going to the temple, with separate sections for men and women.

On cold days, I liked to warm up there in the company of well-tempered Indians.

Mana: The Last Village in India

Located 5 kilometers from Badrinath and less than 30 km from the Chinese border is the picturesque village of Mana, also known as the "last village of India".

Small stone houses cling to the slope of the mountain in a labyrinth of lanes leading uphill and downhill.

Its inhabitants are Bhotia, Buddhists of Tibetan origin. They wear beautiful costumes, cultivate fields of potatoes, raise sheep and goats, and make woolen carpets and knitwear.

From Mana, after 7 kilometers on a paved path, you will reach the famous Vasudhara Waterfall, which falls from a rocky hole high in the mountain wall.

Its water is collected by Hindus and brought to their homes for ritual purposes.

I'll Be Back...

The stay in Badrinath, especially in the Kriya Yoga Ashram, was very special for me.

The Ashram is a wonderful place of strength and silence, of clarity and expanse in magnificent nature.

Practicing Kriya Yoga there daily was the culmination of spiritual practice for me.

Soon I will return to this magical place, but for an extended period in August or September.

The care provided by its staff is excellent. Rohit and Narendra are good cooks. They also taught me to prepare roti, fried wheat dough.

Rohit is also an excellent connoisseur of the best itineraries in India and gave me valuable tips and hints for my return journey.

Om Kriya Babaji Nama Aum.