India Spiritual Tour Top 10 Experiences
Our Mystical Mamas Tour group journeyed to some of Northern India’s most spiritual places, learning about Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism as we traveled. New friendships were formed both within our group and with our host communities as we took in the sights of India’s beautiful historical monuments and temples, witnessing the ways of life in both the cities and rural areas we visited. As we traveled, we also learned to meditate and explore our own spirituality, laughing and learning to love the mysterious sides of us not often revealed, ultimately gaining greater awareness about ourselves. And of course, we also enjoyed the food and shopping that India has to offer too – call it a successful “Eat, Pray, Love” India spiritual tour! Below are some of the top highlights of our India spiritual tour. Additional photos can be seen by clicking on the links to albums on Global Family Travels Facebook page:
Mystical Mamas at the Ngari Institute - We had a joyful time with the children of the Ngari Institute Project, an orphanage started by three Tibetan monks who have brought children from very poor families to provide them with education and basic needs. The children sang to us and we played with them, enjoying some of the gifts we brought of jump ropes, tennis and soccer balls.
Visit to Siddhartha School Project (SSP), Stok, Ladakh - We enjoyed a heart-filled visit to the Siddharta School, located in Stok, a quaint village nestled in the Himalayan foothills. A school that is very near and dear to Global Family Travels, the Siddhartha School is one-of-a-kind in its efforts to preserve and enhance the local culture. We have been invited by Lama Khen Rinpoche, the school’s founder, to enjoy a morning assembly and tea with the students at the school.
Varanasi, India - A city on the banks of the Mother Ganges River and considered the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. We witnessed many people walking on the ghats (steps), bathing, and swimming in the river. Many families were paying their respect to loved ones being cremated. In Hindu traditions, cremation is one of the rites of passage and the Ghats of Varanasi are considered one of the holiest locations for this ritual.