20 Spiritually Rejuvenating Getaways in the World

When one has crossed a certain stage in life and the gaudy lustre of having more, wanting more and seeking everything king (or queen!) size no longer appeals as much as it once did, then maybe, just maybe, you are ready for the spiritual pursuits. It could be that you need a temporary break from the stressful life in order to return to it refreshed and revitalised or you may even be seeking a higher truth to that which is grossly evident in your environment.

Text: Ashish Virmani

The journey inwards to the source of our spiritual being (or the eleventh direction, as the Dalai Lama calls it) is, from our collective knowledge of the sages of different civilisations in different time periods of history, the most precious journey that a human can make. However, it is also the most rigorous and demanding journey and one to which just a few people awaken during the course of their lifetime. Yet an Internet journalistic search indicates that there are presently, across countries and cultures, enough retreats and healing centres, meditation getaways and what-have-you to accommodate all those interested in the various aspects of the spiritual sciences. Of these hundreds and thousands of spiritual centres across the world, choosing the best 20 destinations then becomes a matter of vetting and paring down to the absolute minimum. While we have featured here some detox centres as well (since the body is the temple and a detoxed body is the first step towards spiritual progress) and a music festival, the attempt has been to cover the various denominations of religion equally and as fairly as possible. Based on expert counsel, travellers’ perceptions and worldwide media reporting, we have chosen the final 20 destinations that we most think fit the bill.

Eleven Directions Dharamshala, India



Attending Eleven Directions is a way to directly experience the wisdom of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and hear his personal instruction on the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism. Held at Dharamshala as well as other locations several times a year, the Dalai Lama answers spiritual seekers’ questions for many consecutive days during different months of the year (depending on HH’s health and worldwide itinerary). Many come from across the globe to attend Eleven Directions. If you are lucky you might just bump into renowned Buddhist teachers Robert Thurman (who visits occasionally) and Shantum Seth, a Zen practitioner and disciple of Thich Nhat Hanh, here.

Besides Buddhist teachings, techniques of guided meditation are also imparted in this course. Since the Dalai Lama teaches primarily in Tibetan, an effort is made to provide translations into Chinese, English, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese. If the course is being held in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, one also has the opportunity to experience the world of the Tibetan spiritual community in exile. Most retreats include either a visit to the Centre of Tibetan Medicine or the Art and Culture Centre of Tibet known as the Norbulingka. Some sightseeing is also usually included on most courses.
Accommodation options include several guest houses in the area. This, really, is an opportunity to hear one of the greatest living proponents of compassion in action talk about the source of his creativity and munificence.

Website: https://www.elevendirections.com

Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France



Ever since an apparition of the Virgin Mary appeared before the 14-year-old peasant girl Bernadette Soubirous, in 1858, a fact that was later confirmed by the Vatican, the grotto of Lourdes has been a focal point for Roman Catholics the world over. Bernadette’s vision, which led her to the discovery of the natural spring in the vicinity with claims to being a miracle cure for ailments has led to the development of Lourdes town as a central spiritual hub of tourism in France for over 150 years now.

Following the apparitions of the Virgin Mary (called the Marian apparitions) a cathedral was built on the site and each year 11 February is celebrated by the Catholic Church in many countries as the day of ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’. However, as the apparitions were private and not public, Roman Catholics are not required to believe in them. Yet, legend has it that the spring water near the Lourdes grotto is indeed miraculous. As Bernadette, the little peasant girl who was later canonised as a Saint said: “One must have faith and pray; the water will have no virtue without faith.”

While Lourdes might resonate more with you if you’re religious, it’s still a lovely place to go just to see the beautiful buildings, the castle, the Pyrenees, and the general quaintness of the City of Miracles. There’s also a botanical garden and the Pyrenean Museum at the Chateau-Fort of Lourdes as well as gastronomic offerings, including alpine cheese, hams, jams, and other local delicacies on sale at the Lourdes covered market. If you’re looking for a spa hotel try the Belfry Spa by L’Occitane (formerly known as Grand Hotel de la Grotte) with its superb location and indoor heated pool that’s open all year.

Esalen Institute, California, USA



Founded in 1962, the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, currently has limited access because of the volatile hot springs in the area, but it remains one of the premier retreat organisations in the world. With nearly 600 courses offered yearly on spirituality, the arts, dance, psychology, nutrition, yoga as well as hiking and ecology, it has been a centre for the exploration of human potentialities since its inception.
This non-profit centre and spa is best known for its massages and hot spring baths. If you don’t wish to book a specific workshop, there’s still 27 acres of beautiful property that you can wander through by staying in the visitors’ cabin. The hot springs (which are open in the wee hours of the morning to those dropping by) have been an attraction since the 1880s and Esalen has set up several soaking tubs heated by natural springs.

To quote a Canadian media review of the place: “The Esalen Institute is an alternative thinker’s paradise; a refuge where New-Agers come to explore deeper truths in workshops and take in the natural hot springs au naturel with their fellow seekers. It’s the kind of place where frenzied professionals flock to locate some inner peace among the aloe plants and avocado trees.” With an illustrious faculty, Aldous Huxley was an early teacher here as was Fritz Perls, the founder of Gestalt therapy.

If one can discount the staff who appear to be a bit unprofessional (according to customer reviews of the place), Esalen institute might be the place for you. Judging by some of the folks who have visited here – Deepak Chopra, Bob Dylan and Ansel Adams among others – it’s pretty much a getaway that could put you in tune with yourself amid the splendour and unpredictability of nature.  

Website: https://www.esalen.org

The Kaaba, Mecca, Saudi Arabia



The Kaaba (Cube) is a huge black stone structure that sits at the heart of Mecca’s Great (or Sacred) Mosque. You may have seen videos of pilgrims circling it (thousands of them are usually seen doing so seven times) as a part of the annual Haj rituals that are carried out in Islam’s holiest city. While entry is strictly forbidden to non-Muslims, the Kaaba is said to contain certain articles that define the Islamic religious tradition. As the sanctum sanctorum of that particular religion, the Kaaba’s location also determines the worldwide direction for Islamic payer.
The Great Mosque that surrounds the Kaaba is a destination that every able-bodied Muslim must seek to undertake during his/her lifetime. Since 2008 the mosque has undergone a massive expansion at a cost of tens of billions of dollars and today stands as the largest mosque in the world with a simultaneous capacity of 1.5 million pilgrims.
Naturally, for those associated with the Islamic faith, setting out on the Haj, or even visiting the Grand Mosque off season, is one of the things that is a must-do at some point in their lifetime. Mecca and its associated city, Medina, which is about four hours to its south, are the holiest of holy places of worship for Islam around the world. Accommodation options that are well rated in Mecca by Trip Advisor include the Raffles Makkah Palace which is directly adjacent to the Great Mosque and the Intercontinental Dar Al Tawhid also in the vicinity of the mosque.

Isha Foundation, Coimbatore, India



The Isha Foundation is headed by the living Master Sadhguru (formerly known as Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev) and happens to be one of the best introductions to applied Hinduism that a person can have in India. While Sadhguru is fashioned as a mentor in the classical sense, his sense of humour, irreverence and joie de vivre are evident in the way the ashram warmly embraces those saddled with heavy worldly, social and family responsibilities.

With its headquarters, which include the Isha Yoga Centre and the Isha Rejuvenation Centre, at Coimbatore, the Coimbatore ashram is worth a visit for the several yoga and healing programmes it offers. At the core of the Foundation’s activities is a customised system of yoga called Isha Yoga. This practice, or what Sadhguru calls ‘Inner Engineering’, distils powerful, ancient yogic methods (which includes mantra recitation) for the modern individual that create peak physical, mental, and emotional well being.

Accommodation is possible at the Isha Yoga Centre (IYC) itself but it has to be booked well in advance, as there are usually several people applying. The ashram is set in the foothills of Velliangiri on the outskirts of Coimbatore amid lush green spaces. Don’t be surprised if you run across a peacock or some harmless animal on your morning walks here as some folk have reported on their social media handles.
The Foundation also runs a four-day applied business leadership programme that explores the spiritual aspect of scaling up one’s business as well as one’s own self. Lecturers on this programme, in the past, have included well known business leaders such as Ratan Tata, K Narayana Murthy, Ronnie Screwvala, KV Kamath and Harsh Mariwala among many others.

Website: https://isha.sadhguru.org

Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh, India



Some nearly two decades ago, around the time of Ananda in the Himalayas’ emergence, we attended a press conference in Bombay introducing the brand-new destination spa set in the foothills of the world’s highest mountain range. The press introduction was substantially superior to the conferences we normally attended– from the way the former palace of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal, which houses Ananda, was carved out and illuminated on the dais, to the way the media’s questions were fielded (with finesse and ease). This destination spa set up by Cornell alumnus Ashok Khanna has years of expertise behind it since Ashok happens to be the grandson of the legendary hotelier Rai Bahadur MS Oberoi, the founder of the Oberoi group of hotels.

Even though MS Oberoi died a centenarian in 2002, not living to see Ananda in the Himalayas scale the heights of excellence for which it is renowned today, the legacy of hospitality continues at the spa. With its personalised attention, and routines that include breathing, meditation, yoga and Vedanta instruction, the bonus is the healthful Ayurvedic food served here. Also included are international massages, body wraps and facials which set the tone for deep inner relaxation. A swimming pool, a gym, golf and hikes (optional) make for the right balance with their outdoorsy feel. Several guests, however, just prefer to lounge at the spa in the immaculate kurta-pyjama sets that are provided compliments of Ananda.

Rated as the most authentic (if a tad steeply priced) centre in India for serious seekers of wellness, the palace-spa also has a breathtaking view since it overlooks the Ganges river and the towns of Rishikesh and Haridwar. International guests in the past have included Oprah Winfrey, the Prince of Wales, Bill and Melinda Gates, Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet among many others.

Website: https://www.anandaspa.com

Plum Village Monastery, Dordogne, France



This monastery set up by well-known Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh and Buddhist nun Chan Khong, in 1982, is situated in southern France. Home to a community of over a hundred monks, Plum Village in Dordogne offers retreats for those interested in Buddhist concept of mindfulness– or being present in the moment.

Plum Village continues to attract spiritual aspirants for its gentle, non-austere practices and inclusiveness towards families as well as children. Especially for the summer opening retreats that feature several hundreds of people, there are dharma classes and discussion sessions which alternate with musical sessions and children playing happily with monks. This is Thich Nhat Hanh’s version of ‘engaged Buddhism’ playing out in real life. Everyone staying at Plum Village participates in community activities such walking and sitting meditation as well as community work such as arranging the meditation halls, cleaning bathrooms, washing pots and other simple tasks as part of the daily practice of mindfulness.

With and average stay of a week– or two– Plum Village has branches all over the world including the US, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand and Australia. Though Thich Nhat Hanh (known as ‘Thay’ to his disciples) returned to Vietnam in 2019, at the age of 92, to live out the final days of his life, his disciples carry on the Zen way with their moderate singularity of returning spirituality to the people.

Website: https://www.plumvillage.org

Jasna Góra Monastery, Czestochowa, Poland



Reputed to be the holiest place in Poland and one of the world’s most important destinations for Catholic pilgrims, the Jasna Góra monastery in Czestochowa is home to the famous Black Madonna.  Every year several million pilgrims pray before the seemingly miraculous shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa (Virgin Mary). While the monastery was founded in the 14th century, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa is credited with many miracles including a martial one— saving Czestochowa town from invading Swedes in the 17th century!

After word spread of miracles ascribed to the shrine, the number of devout increased and the monastery’s fame spread rapidly. Jasna Góra, meaning ‘Bright Hill’, has been developed over the centuries into a complex that can handle many thousands of pilgrims as well as visiting popes, such as Pope John Paul II, who paid four visits here during his tenure.

There are typically numerous pilgrims and tourists at Jasna Góra Monastery, and the volume of excited voices can be quite high. However, upon entering the monastery, etiquette demands that visitors be silent or as quiet as possible out of respect for the sanctity of the place. If you like festivity, the preferred days to make the pilgrimage to Czestochowa are Marian feast days, especially the Feast of the Assumption on August 15. On this day, up to 5,00,000 people crowd the city. Other feast days include the Feast of Mary, Queen of Poland (May 3); the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa (August 26); the Feast of the Nativity of Mary (September 8); and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8).

Interestingly, the monastery houses the medal from the 1983 Nobel Peace Prize received by former Polish President and labour unionist Lech Walesa. Walesa, it seems, believed devoutly in the Black Madonna’s powers.

Pick a suitable 3-star hotel in the vicinity (Hotel Mercure Czestochowa Centrum is recommended) or opt for a private rental apartment to make it a trip of a lifetime. Not for the accommodation but for the spiritual quotient.

Palace Merano, Merano, Italy



This detox centre, also called Henri Chenot Espace, is known for founder Chenot’s strict and unbudging view that the key to health lies through the digestive system. Based on his study of biontology—looking at how we age by taking in factors of lifestyle, genetics and environment—the centre uses that information in a preventative manner to restore visitors to good health. The Chenot method, incidentally, is not for the fainthearted. Be prepared for quite a bit of starvation, some purging, as well as intensive hydro-aromatherapy sessions, mud therapy, hydrojet and lymphatic drainage sessions to expel bodily toxins. The deep tissue massages available here are considered among the best in the world. A nutritionist will analyse your diet (a meagre 1,000 calories a day is usually the intake limit), you will have several doctors’ appointments to check bone density and other factors, as well as a couple of ‘cellular resonance treatments with energy control’ depending on which package you choose.

Naturally you will need to abstain from caffeine, sugars, animal protein and alcohol during the duration of your spa treatment. While some may find this process a bit too rigorous, it’s apparently effective because participants usually report feeling better for days and months after the treatment has taken place. Considered one of the best turnaround spas in the world, it is priced accordingly and located in a 5-star hotel in Italy’s South Tyrol province, near Chiesa di Santo Spirito.

You can walk around the scenic spa which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and Merano town which lies below. Shopping in Merano town with its locally made goods and organic produce is also a plus.

Website: https://www.palace.it

Basilica of St Francis of Assisi, Umbria, Italy



When we travelled to the Umbria region of Italy and to Assisi town, we were enchanted by the serenity that radiated from the birthplace of St Francis. Francis is the patron saint of Assisi and though it’s been nearly 800 years since his death, the monk who founded the Franciscan order still looms large over this town. When the friars took us on a tour of the huge and imposing Basilica with its classic medieval paintings and white doves nestling peacefully at arms distance from tourists, we were intrigued by the story of this mystic monk. Apparently spiritually inclined from childhood, Francis’ experiences as a soldier, confronting death and horror, roused the giant sleeping spirit within him and ultimately his quest for higher truth. Assisi is also the place for the Basilica of St Clare, who founded the Franciscan order of nuns and was a contemporary and disciple of St Francis. There is lots to do in this town with its abundance of medieval churches and monasteries. Paved with quaint cobblestone lanes, there is distinctly the possibility here of waking up to rejuvenating sunshine and mesmerising birdsong during the summer months. The beautiful green Umbrian landscapes make for clean air most of the year around and if you have a sense of fun then hop across to restaurants like La Locanda Del Cardinale that are built with a view of ancient Roman ruins below them.

Choose your accommodation according to your budget from among the many options available. St Anthony’s Home which is run by nuns is well recommended for women as are Hotel Hermitage and Hotel La Terrazza for both sexes. If you want to join a retreat here, then Simple Peace Retreats in the town might help you seek the tranquil way of St Francis and St Clare and is also suitable for singles and women and at a down-to-earth budget.

Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Fes, Morocco



The Fes music festival has just completed 25 years since its inception in 1994 and happens to be one of the most well-known festivals of Sufi and World Music across the globe. The week-long festival marks the confluence of sacred music in Morocco and has in the past included Sufi gospel, Hindustani classical, Grecian music, chants from around the world and whirling dervishes among other elements. The likes of Joan Baez, Pt Ravi Shankar, Sabah Fakhri, Kadem Saher, Patti Smith, Ben Harper, Montserrat Figueras, Jean Claude Casadesus, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Youssou N’Dour and many other have performed here.

The festival features multiple events held through the day at cultural landmarks in the city precincts. The Bab Al Makina and the Jan Sbil Garden the venues of the main concerts are the largest and most stunning of these. Most events require tickets (which aren’t cheap!) and it’s often advisable to buy them by showing up at the event and then purchasing them, or, if you’re a real music buff, getting a festival pass that will give you access to all the events. There are usually non-ticketed Sufi evenings as well, which usually begin late, but are well worth the wait.

Accommodation options in Fes include the highly rated Dar Hafsa hotel, RiadRcif and the Fes Marriott Hotel Jnan Palace. For the more budget conscious, Dar Rabha and Dar El Yasmine are possible options. Other things to revel in while in Fes could be a guided walking tour through the city, visiting the many holy shrines including the Al-Attarine Madrasa, assimilating the museums (which are a bit of a revelation), not to mention shopping (Fes is renowned for its floor carpets)!

Website: https://www.fesfestival.com

Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune, India



The Osho Meditation Resort in Poona attracts a wide section of international travellers, from nearly a hundred countries, most of whom are drawn to the late Osho’s spiritual philosophy. Even though the spiritual master is no more, his tradition of diverse and creative sorts of meditation (including the dancing, whirling, gibberish sorts which once drew media flak) are popular among those who wish to express themselves in keeping with their aptitudes and inclinations.

There are 7, 14 and 30-day residential courses and comfortable rooms that have to be booked independently from the courses available here. For the sporty, there are jacuzzi, tennis and spa facilities available. With a lush 28-acre area in Poona’s residential Koregaon Park, the Osho Meditation Centre which includes a Multiversity has white marble pathways, elegant black buildings, green spaces and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

After a calming day of meditation, evening activities in the commune include partying, dancing or hanging out at the Plaza Café, watching or participating in live theatre events or going to the movies. With several thousand visitors each year, some of the locals in Poona and a number of Mumbaikars also make it convenient to attend courses here.

Website: https://www.osho.com

Lanserh of Tegernsee, Germany



Set in beautiful environs Lanserhof is an austere Alpine state-of-the-art spa, sprawling over a luxurious 21,000 sq meters of mountain space. A heated salt water swimming pool surrounded by the Bavarian Alps makes for a tempting diversion but mostly residents are worried about the state of their gut.

The detox resort follows the LANS Med detox method based on the philosophy of Austrian physician Franz Xaver Mayr. The Mayr method is built on three main principles – rest (tea-and-water fasting to quiet you internally), detoxification (cutting out sugar, carbs, alcohol and other elements that stress the digestive system) and training (chewing your food thoroughly and without distraction to help your body process the food better). In fact, meals often come with the instruction to chew each bite 30 to 40 times!

The personalised fasting and detox programs are complemented by ‘energy medicine’ health treatments. Participants often find themselves, in fluffy white robes and slippers, moving between the massage rooms and the pool where they can swim, read a book or sip on herbal tea.   Life slows down to a gentlepace and days are deliberately under-scheduled, with plenty of time for rest and relaxation. At night there are nightly classical concerts and comfy beds to fall into.

At a motorable distance from Munich, this ultra-smart, hyper hi-tech spa opened recently, in 2014. With 70 rooms built on a huge scale: king-size beds positioned so that you wake up to the sight of the forest; invitingly squishy sofas; party-sized bathrooms with glass-walled balconies, this is a decidedly upmarket destination and the prices are proportional to the luxury on offer.

Website: https://www.lanserhof.com

Dhamma Giri Vipassana International Academy, Igatpuri, India



The Dhamma Giri Academy teaches vipassana meditation as practised by SN Goenka, in the tradition of leading Burmese vipassana teacher of the early 20th century Sayagyi U Ba Khin. At the academy are available full courses that last 10 days as well as two and three-day courses, the latter specifically for those pressed for time. The courses at the Dhamma Giri, which is co-located with the Vipassana Research Institute, have gone down in personal legend since one is, for all practical purposes, left on one’s own in order to observe one’s breath (and thoughts) for extended periods— which can be mortifying. No TV, radio, newspapers, writing materials or communication with the anyone save one’s instructor is permitted for the duration of the course. But these processes apparently work wonderfully for a substantial number of participants who rave about the results.

While boarding and food is taken care of during the course at no cost (one can make a donation on the last day if one wishes), the food intake is minimal. The day usually begins early at 4.00 am and ends by 9.30 pm. Precepts applicable to the monastic community are applicable— no killing, no sexual misconduct, no lying, no stealing and no intoxicants. If students need their clothes washed, they have to do so themselves. Sounds strict? It is!

There is typically a 2-3 month waiting period for the course, so apply well in advance. Students are required to stay the full 10 days, so they have to have a firm commitment in that sense. Those who smoke will need to kick the habit at least for the duration of the course. Dhamma Giri is set in scenic environs since Igatpuri happens to be a hill station. That said, people don’t travel there as much for the outer views as for the inner awakenings the course engenders.

Website: https://www.dhamma.org or https://www.vridhamma.org

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico



One of the most important sites for Catholic pilgrimage in the world, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Mexico’s patron saint. After a vision of Virgin Mary appeared to a native Mexican, Juan Diego, in 1531, a church was built on the site which today sees nearly 12 million people visit the place each year.

The image of the Virgin, which was miraculously imprinted on Juan Diego’s cactus fibre cloak in 1531, still exists in the original today nearly 500 years later. The sacred cloth is encased in bulletproof glass as visitors from around the world view it as a testament to Marian faith. A copy of the image was reportedly made on similar cactus fibre in 18th century the but was apparently reduced to dust in a mere 15 years, in the process making the original even more venerated.

A new Basilica, which now houses the sacred cloak was built next to the original church in 1974. The latest Basilica with a distinctive circular shape can allow up to 50,000 people to view the religious icon simultaneously.  There’s also a Basilica Museum which houses religious artefacts and makes for interesting viewing. It’s a good idea to take a walk around The Villa, the cluster of four chapels that surround the new and old Basilicas, and to climb the stairs to the Capilla Del Pocito (Hill Chapel) where Juan Diego had his vision several centuries before.

The Hotel Brasilia which is close to the Basilica (about 2.5 km) and the City Express La Raza which is further away (3.6 km) are the best-rated hotels in the vicinity of the Basilica, according to Trip Advisor. But there are plenty others that you might want to explore online.

Spirit Rock Meditation Centre, California, US



This meditation centre at San Geronimo is about an hour’s drive from San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. It primarily imparts teachings of vipassana or insight meditation in the Buddhist tradition combined with walking, eating and work meditation, meetings with teachers and the observance of silence by practitioners.

A couple of things make Spirit Rock outstanding. The first is its faculty of seasoned teachers who include Jack Kornfield, Philip Moffitt, Wes Nisker, Sally Armstrong, Sylvia Boorstein and many others. In the past, visiting teachers have included the 14th Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Ram Dass, Prema Chodron, Alice Walker, Norman Fischer and others. Secondly the wide range of its courses for all ages including teenagers and sections of society including women, people of colour and the LGBTQI makes it appealing to a wider stratum. And then there’s the fact that it’s ideally located among peaceful environs and that the centre offers scholarships and volunteer opportunities for people who otherwise cannot afford their fees. There are residential retreats for between 30–100 people as well as day-long retreats; the latter are most favoured by the locals. With an array of themes on loving kindness, peace and gratitude, caregiving and a variety of other specialised topics, Spirit Rock exerts a reinvigorating influence on those  stressed out by the various demands that life makes on them. Classes, in addition, also address the application of Buddhist teachings to modern issues such as addiction and trauma. With over 400 acres of land forming the retreat, the majority of the centre’s land is protected by an open space easement and kept in conservation.

Website: https://www.spiritrock.org

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand



This Theravada Buddhist temple in Chang Mai, northern Thailand, renowned for its gorgeousness, was reportedly built in 1383 and is a place of holy pilgrimage for many Thais. Several temples and shrines adorn the Wat complex which is situated at an elevation and requires a hike from the base to top. Of course, instead of climbing the 309 steps to the Wat, some take the tram thereby shortening the journey. Resolute pilgrims, however, would absolutely not do this!

Once inside the temple complex, visitors must be appropriately dressed  and must shed their footwear temporarily. Said to host a relic of the Buddha himself—half of his shoulder bone—the Wat sees a large number of visitors from Thailand, Singapore, China and India each year. Most visitors usually take in other nearby attractions such as the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Doi Pui Mountain, waterfalls, viewpoints and nature trails.

For seekers of the inner way, however, the Doi Suthep Vipassana Meditation Centre offers residential courses that focus on insight meditation, group discussions and silence for practitioners. The school here, in addition, offers soft chanting for participants as part of its daily schedule which is a bonus for all those accustomed to the practice. The food that the centre serves is vegetarian and usually in Thai style. Accommodation offered is basic, mostly clean and located within the temple grounds. Participants are advised to bring essentials like a digital alarm clock, flashlight, flip-flops, water bottle, insect repellent, toiletries and possibly tea and coffee to the retreat. Daily necessities can be bought at the temple-shop nearby.  

Website: https://fivethousandyears.org

Kopan Monastery near Kathmandu, Nepal



This Tibetan Buddhist monastery, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, is recommended if you would earnestly like to learn more about Mahayana Buddhist teachings and meditation. With week-long and 10-day residential courses scheduled throughout the year, the focus is on training the mind according to orthodox principles of Buddhism. These include celibacy, truthfulness and humility on the part of individual practitioners. Most of all everyone here treats everyone else with a great deal of respect.

A course, most suited to those with a monastic bent of mind, participants stay on campus for the duration of the course, and attending group discussions and lectures is pretty much mandatory. Mobile phones have to be checked-in at the reception prior to course commencement and gossip and idle chatter during the retreatants time here are a no-no.

It is best to first ask for a short introductory course to begin with and depending on how it goes, go in for the extended courses or request a private retreat. With Buddhist monks actually living nearby, there is an air of serenity to this place that sets the stage for the inner search to begin. With the first community of monks being set up here by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche in 1972, Kopan is well known in that it once served as headquarters of the international network of Gelugpa dharma centres.

Meherabad, Ahmednagar, India



Meherabad is the final resting place of well-known spiritual master Meher Baba (who died in 1969 at the age of 74) and as such is known as an oasis of serenity. Welcoming pilgrims of all faiths since Meher Baba preached that spirituality is a truth for humans universally, Meherabad has the air of innocent rusticity to it even as it lives and breathes spiritual love (according to those who have experienced the place). There are no unruly crowds or lines to wait in at Meherabad. As one visitor put it, “(Meherabad is) ...a gem hidden away from the harsh reality of commercialism... where love, respect and thankfulness still exist.”

The Meher Pilgrim Retreat here serves as a boarding and lodging house for seekers on all but three months of the year (it is closed from 15 March to 15 June during the hot summer months). There is also an older hostel accommodation available and if you wish to stay at either of these guesthouses you need to email the Meher Baba Trust in advance. Seekers usually come to pray at the spiritual master’s samadhi (tomb) and a good number of followers of the late Irani Zoarastrian spiritualist have reported having vivid spiritual experiences here.

Interest in Meher Baba has revived with the publication of a number of spiritual books by his followers, some of which describe their experiences with him across lifetimes. While grandeur of architecture or luxurious facilities may be largely deficient in Meherabad, what more than amply makes up for them is the grandeur of spirit that is prevalent.

Etnikas Institute of Integrative Medicine, Cusco, Peru



The Etnikas Institute in Peru has several branches and the one in Cusco is about four hours from Machu Picchu. This shamanic retreat is based on the ancient philosophy of the Incas. It combines modern medical practices with the intake of the hallucinogenic plant Ayahuasca, found in the Amazon basin, which is said to initiate a psychological and spiritual opportunity for rebirth. With a team of qualified modern medical staff, participants at Etnikas resorts are first screened to determine whether they can safely go through the Ayahuasca ceremony. The ceremony, which includes purging, has been widely chronicled in spiritual and non-fiction books coming out of international, especially American, shores. Employing shamans who are specialists in the ceremony using centuries old traditions and techniques and priests who are said to be descendants of the Incas, Etnikas offers 8, 7, 5 or 3-day residential retreats. As a part of the retreat, retreatants spend some time volunteering for the chosen NGO Human Actions. This is because giving back to Mother Earth is considered the basis of emotional and psychological well-being and healing according to Inca tradition. Etnikas, which has been operating for over three decades, claims to be the only centre recognised by the Peruvian government for its method of performing safe Ayahuasca ceremonies.

Website: https://www.etnikas.com