Diwali
-Festival of Lights -
Diwali is a festival of new beginnings, like the Lunar New Year. Families clean, renovate, and decorate their homes during this time. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. On the evening of Diwali, you’ll see dozens of candles and clay lamps filled with oil called diyas placed throughout homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.
Story
Why we made this retrea tour
Last fall, the“Sattva Gate Project” has started. It’s a project to build ashram in Bodhgaya India. Sattva means “light,” “goodness” and “purity” in Sanskrit. We’ve created the first hut using earth bag method utilizing the mud at the site.
Space of pure love…
The Sattva gate project and this retreat tour are made possible by Anup Kumar and his partner Yuko Momose. They run Prema Metta School, and next to the school, Senamura Yoga Guesthouse where some of Anup’s family members are the staff members. We felt like being a part of an Indian family as we stayed at the guesthouse; participating in the festivals, cooking Indian meals, working on the vegetable field, playing with children.
A family experience …
Participating festivals as being a part of the Indian family was one of the highlights of the trip. Prayers and giving thanks to deities in every day life brought us to the present moment and pure joy of just being. We wanted to share that experience with others that’s why we made this retreat tour!
schedule
DAY01：arrival 10/28
・12:00：Check in
・16:30-17:00：Orientation
・19:00-19:30：Dinner
・20:00-21:30：Homa-fire ceremony@Sattva Gate
DAY02：diwali first day 10/29
・6:00-7:00：Morning meditation
・8:00-8:30：Breakfast
・9:00-12:00：Bodhgaya sightseeing
・16:30-17:30：Light candles
・19:00-19:30：Dinner
・20:00-21:00：Evening meditation • Kirtan
・22:00: Lights off
DAY03：Diwali second day 10/30
・6:00-7:00：Walking meditation
・8:00-8:30：Breakfast
※Option 9:00-10:00：Visit Dungeshwari Cave Temples
・10:00-11:00：Visit Sattva Gate
・14:00-16:00：Create Rangoli sand art
・16:30-17:30: Light candles
・19:00-19:30：Dinner
・20:00-21:00：Evening meditation • Kirtan
・22:00 Lights off
DAY04：Diwali third day 10/31
・6:00-8:00：Meditation@Mahabodhi Temple
・8:00-8:30：Breakfast
・9:00-12:00：Walking tour by staff members
・14:00-16:00：Diwali preparation
・16:30-17:30：Lakshmi Puja (New Lunar Day)
・19:00-19:30：Dinner
・20:00-21:00：Evening meditation • Kirtan
・22:00 Lights off
DAY05：departure 11/1
・6:00-7:00：Morning meditation
・8:00-8:30：Breakfast
・12:00：Check out
Options
・Day-trip sightseeing with a guide
・Indian astrology reading
・Yoga
・Extended stay
・Varanasi tour
・Photo shoot (Including@Mahabodhi Temple)
※Please mention which option you’d like to add on the form.
price
Diwali retreAt tour：$640
*Please note the price is subject to change based on fluctuating currency exchange rate.
What’s included on the tour
・Gaya airport pick up
*There will be a suggested pick up time. Additional charge will be applied if you choose different time.
・Accommodation fee @Senamura yoga ashram guest house
・Breakfast & Dinner
・Transportation fee
・Guiding fee
*Fee for activities on the schedule is covered.
Fee for options are NOT INCLUDED
price
diwali & Chhath puja tour：$1430-$1470
(10/28-11/9)
*Please note the price is subject to change based on fluctuating currency exchange rate.
If you’d like to join both Diwali & Chhath puja retreat tour , you will get a discount on accommodation fee of 4 nights in between the two tours.
The discount will be applied if you stay before/after the tour as well if you join both tours.
accommodation discount price
Twin room - $20 per night
Single room - $30 per night
*Breakfast & dinner included
available capacity: 10 people
Canceling policy
Snce it’s a small group tour and availabile spots are limited, we want pepole who really want to participate to join the tour.
Thank you for understanding!
・30-3days before the first day of the tour:
20%
・2-1day before the first day of the tour: 50%
・The first day of the tour: 100%
STAFF MEMBERS
百瀬 夕子 Ambika Yuko Momose
Yuko is a yoga instructor and she runs Premametta School and Senamura Yoga Ashram Guest House with her partner Anup Kumar. She always gives out welcoming & motherly love to all. Her favorite Indian gods are the warrior goddess “Durga” and the mother of the universe as well as all beings”Ambika”.
長谷川 尚代 Hisayo Hasegawa
Hisayo is a photographer. She captures moment always being there “like the air!” we call her. Her favorite Indian god is the destroyer and the restorer “Shiva”.
広瀬 彩乃 Ayano Hirose
Ayano is a singer and a positive mood maker. She lived in the US for over 20 years. Her favorite Indian god is “Saraswati” who represents learning, creativity, and arts.
小林 穂風 Hokaze Kobayashi
Hokaze is a designer and an architect. She is a passionate soul who’s dedicated to building and learning earthbag method for a year and half now. Her favorite Indian god is “Krishna” the god of compassion, protection, and love.
CONTACT
Mail : sattvagate1010@gmail.com
For English: ayanomusic@gmail.com
Instaglam : @earthbag.india2023
