Spiritual travel to India: 16 must-try activities
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India has long been a destination for those seeking more than sights and souvenirs. For centuries, travellers have arrived with an open heart and a quiet wish to look inward, learn, and transform. If you are planning your own spiritual travel to India, the path ahead can be as expansive as the country itself.
To help you navigate it with intention, here are 16 activities to enrich your journey. Each one helps you connect with yourself, the culture, and the timeless wisdom that flows through this land.
Activities for your spiritual travel to India
Immersive spiritual study
Stay in an ashram: An ashram is a spiritual retreat or community where people live and practise under the guidance of a teacher or guru. Participate in structured routines of meditation, chanting, karma yoga (service), and spiritual discourse, for example Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh or Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry.
Attend satsangs: A satsang is a gathering where people come together to engage in spiritual discourse. Listen to teachings from spiritual leaders or engage in group discussions on philosophy and self-inquiry.
Join a Vipassana retreat: Ten days of silent meditation to deeply observe thoughts and emotions without distraction.
Yoga and body-mind practices
Learn yoga at its source: Enrol in multi-day or month-long courses in places like Rishikesh, Mysore, or Kerala.
Pranayama sessions: Practise ancient breathwork techniques for clarity and emotional release.
Ayurvedic healing programmes: Experience panchakarma (detox), herbal treatments, and personalised wellness plans to align body and mind.
Mindful travel experiences
Pilgrimages: Walk to sacred sites such as Kedarnath, Amarnath, or the ghats of Varanasi, engaging in reflection along the way.
Temple meditation: Sit quietly during aarti (devotional ceremony) and observe the sound, colour, and devotion without judgement.
Nature retreats: Spend days in the Himalayas, tea plantations, or coastal villages with minimal technology, practising mindfulness.
Creative self-expression
Mantra chanting or kirtan: Participate in devotional singing circles, which can be deeply healing and heart-opening.
Art and craft workshops: Try pottery in Rajasthan, mandala painting, or block printing as a meditative practice.
Sacred dance forms: Learn Bharatanatyam or Odissi to explore movement as a spiritual language.
Rituals and symbolic acts
Ganga purification ritual: Join locals in offering prayers or releasing flowers into the river with an intention for release or renewal.
Lighting diyas: Offer lamps in a temple or at the riverbank at sunset as a gratitude practice.
Fasting: Undertake a spiritual fast for a day or more, guided by local traditions, as a way to sharpen awareness and discipline.
Deep self-inquiry
Study Advaita Vedanta or Buddhist philosophy: Join short courses or retreats that focus on exploring the nature of the self. Advaita Vedanta, for instance, is a non-dual spiritual philosophy from India that teaches the essential oneness of the self and the ultimate reality.
Guided journaling: Record experiences, feelings, and insights after visiting sacred or emotionally moving places. This can be a great option if you are travelling alone. To explore other ideas on what to do if you are on a solo trip, have a look at our article “What to do when traveling alone to recharge”.
One-on-one sessions with spiritual teachers or healers: Receive guidance on personal challenges through traditional frameworks.
Bringing your journey home
Spiritual travel to India is less about distance and more about depth. Each experience leaves a trace in the way you see yourself and the world. The true transformation begins when you carry these insights back into your daily life. What practice will you keep alive once you return?
Take the time to integrate what you have learned. Let your inner journey continue, no matter where your feet are planted.
About the author: Thaíz Lara is the creator behind New Hermits, a New Zealand-based storyteller who believes in the power of story and soul-filled travel. After living in 5 countries and exploring 60, she has come to understand that the most meaningful journeys often begin within. Learn more about Lara.
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