Celebrating 50 Years: A Sacred Pilgrimage Through South India’s Spiritual Heart

Support Emily’s pilgrimage to India for her 50th Birthday by donating here.

3% Cover the Fee

Why give?

  • A house situated near a water body, surrounded by numerous tall palm trees, in a tropical setting.

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    Your contribution helps cover essential travel, accommodations, and training expenses at these ashrams, allowing Emily to fully immerse herself in this life-changing journey. In return, you’ll benefit from exclusive insights, advanced teachings, and new classes that Emily will develop from her profound spiritual experiences—giving you the chance to be part of something truly meaningful and transformative.

  • Three Hindu ascetics, one dressed in saffron robes and two painted with religious markings, sit on ancient stone steps in front of a temple, with one of them sitting on a throne like structure and the others nearby.

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    By giving, you're not only supporting a highly respected teacher but also gaining access to her enriched offerings, workshops, and teachings that will be available in-person and online to donors and students alike—helping you deepen your own practice while empowering Emily to continue sharing her transformative work.

  • Two traditional houseboats on water with floating plants, under an overcast sky.

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    By supporting, you're helping Emily Hughes, a Senior Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500+) with nearly a decade of experience, as she embarks on a transformative pilgrimage back to India for her 50th birthday. You’re not just supporting her journey, but becoming a part of it, fueling a ripple effect of growth, healing, and inspiration that can uplift your own life and practice.

Sacred Sites

  • Ancient Indian temple with intricately carved stone architecture during sunset, featuring a tower with a flag on top, and stone lions on a porch, with other temple structures visible in the background.

    Mysore & Tiruvannamali

    Mysore and Tiruvannamalai hold a deep, sacred place in the heart of yogic and Vedantic traditions. Mysore, the birthplace of Ashtanga Yoga and a vibrant center for Ayurveda, is renowned among yoga practitioners for preserving the teachings of Krishnamacharya, whose wisdom has shaped much of modern yoga. Tiruvannamalai, with its majestic Arunachala mountain—believed to embody Shiva’s eternal presence—calls to the soul, inviting profound reflection through its ancient temples, ashrams, and the powerful practice of circumambulation. These places have nurtured countless saints and sages over centuries, and visiting them is like connecting with the very roots of this culture.

  • Colorful Kathakali performers in traditional costumes and masks in a wooden indoor setting with a chessboard on the floor.

    Vadakkenchery, Kollam & the Backwaters

    This time in India with my teachers is a sacred return to the source; a chance to drink deeply from the wellspring of timeless wisdom and honor the ancient lineages of yoga, Vedanta, and Ayurveda. It is a journey of profound devotion and service, one I’ve ached to make again. The warmth of shared presence, the tears that cleanse, the laughter that binds, and the quiet that heals, these are some of the silent treasures I find with my teachers. They have shaped my path with gentle hands and deep love, guiding me to the heart of this practice.

  • Sunset over the ocean with a wrecked fishing boat in the foreground and a ship in the distance.

    Fort Kochi & Mattancherry

    Here, the timeless rhythm of the Chinese Fishing Nets along the Malabar Coast mirrors the quiet reverence of centuries-old pathways. The Paradesi Synagogue, the oldest active synagogue in India, embodies the enduring strength of Jewish heritage. Just steps away, St. Francis Church—India’s oldest European church—honors the deep spiritual quest that has called many to these shores. The atmospheric ruins and colonial architecture of these coastal neighborhoods whisper of a past where faiths met, melded, and flourished side by side. Walking these storied streets is an act of devotion—an offering to the rich interfaith tapestry that has always defined Kochi’s soul.

The Itinerary

Oct 20 – Oct 22 | Kochi, Kerala

  • Arrive in Kochi (Cochin International Airport).

  • Stay at Annie’s Inn Homestay (KJ Herschel Road, Odatha Veli).

  • Visit Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace, Paradesi Synagogue, and the Kerala Folklore Museum.

  • Quiet practice and rest.

Oct 23 – Oct 25 | Vadakkenchery, Kerala

  • Travel by taxi (~2 hours).

  • Stay with my first Indian teacher and his family in the village of Vadakkenchery.

  • Immersion in study, practice, and teachings at his Swarupa Yoga Shala.

  • Join local pujas and village life.

Oct 26 – Oct 28 | Ayuryoga Bliss, Kerala

  • Travel from Vadakkenchery to Ayuryoga Bliss (~3 hours by taxi, most direct and easiest).

  • Receive traditional Ayurvedic treatments to support balance and healing.

  • Quiet practice, riverside walks, and deep rest.

  • One day dedicated to a riverboat journey through Kerala’s backwaters:
    Kerala’s backwaters have been a lifeline for centuries—a network of rivers, canals, and lagoons supporting daily life and spirituality. Houseboats (kettuvallams) were once used to carry rice and spices; today they offer a quiet, timeless journey.

Oct 29 – Nov 3 | Sambodharanyam Ashram, Kollam, Kerala

  • Travel to Kollam (~2 hours by taxi).

  • Celebrate my 50th birthday at Sambodharanyam Ashram.

  • Study and practice with Swami Bodhananda, who also founded the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence and Shiva Mandir in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where I attend and study.

  • Reflection and sadhana in this deeply rooted center of wisdom.

  • Celebrate Diwali (October 29) in the light of community and devotion.

Nov 4 – Nov 7 | Mysore, Karnataka

  • Flight from Trivandrum (nearest major airport to Kollam) to Mysore (~3 hours including check-in, ~1-hour flight).

  • Stay in the peaceful Gokulam neighborhood.

  • Participate in workshops and treatments at Mysore Ayurveda (mysoreayurveda.in).

  • Visit the Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hill, and the Krishnamacharya Yoga Museum.

  • Sacred markets for devotional items, incense, kumkum powder, and small gifts (some donor gifts may be sourced here, but limited by backpack size).

  • Quiet practice and journaling.

Nov 8 – Nov 11 | Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu

  • Travel by taxi (~6 hours).

  • Stay in a modest homestay near Arunachaleswara Temple.

  • Visit:

    • Arunachaleswara Temple, an ancient Shiva temple and powerful spiritual site.

    • Ramana Maharshi Ashram, honoring the saint’s teachings.

    • Spiritual Heritage Museum, preserving the area’s deep lineage.

  • Circumambulate Arunachala mountain (Girivalam), join evening pujas, and absorb the vibrant atmosphere of devotion.

Nov 12 – Nov 14 | Return to Kochi, Kerala

  • Flight from Chennai (~1-hour flight) to Kochi.

  • Stay at Sea Hut Homestay to gather any final items, see sites missed in the first days, and prepare for the journey home.

  • Explore local markets for incense, devotional gifts, sacred items, and modest donor gifts.

  • Final quiet practice, integration, and rest.

Nov 14 | Departure

  • Stay overnight near Kochi International Airport (~30 min taxi) to ensure ease of travel.

  • Flight back to Chicago O’Hare.

*All dates, times & locations are subject to change.

Thank you for supporting this pilgrimage to study with revered teachers, celebrate Diwali and my 50th birthday in a meaningful way, and continue sharing these living traditions with our community.

3% Cover the Fee

 FAQs

  • Traveling to India can be a deeply enriching and transformative experience. Like any destination, safety largely depends on awareness and preparation. Millions of visitors, including solo travelers, yogis, and spiritual seekers, visit India each year, and most have safe, positive experiences.

    To ensure a smooth journey, follow these general travel safety practices:

    1. Stay Informed: Research local customs, traditions, and regions of travel. India is a vast and diverse country with different cultures, languages, and environments.

    2. Travel Smart: Use reputable transportation, accommodations, and services. Stick to well-known routes and destinations, especially for first-time travelers.

    3. Cultural Respect: Dress modestly, especially at religious sites, and be mindful of local customs. A respectful attitude helps blend in and avoid unwanted attention.

    4. Health Precautions: Ensure all recommended vaccinations are up-to-date, and drink bottled water to avoid food-borne illnesses. Carry a small first aid kit for peace of mind.

    5. Stay Connected: Keep family or friends informed of travel plans, and have local emergency contacts readily available.

    Staying aware of surroundings and exercising common sense are key to having a safe and rewarding experience in India. With thoughtful preparation, travel can be both inspiring and secure.

  • Swarupa Yoga Shala

  • AyurYoga Bliss

  • Sambodh US

    Sambodh India

  • Hi sweet friends,

    As many of you know, I’ve been ones, walking a path rooted in Yoga, devotion, and study for a long time. And as I approach my 50th birthday this fall, I’m called to honor this turning point in a way that’s aligned with my heart: with a sacred pilgrimage.

    I’ll be traveling to India during Diwali, the Festival of Lights, to return to the source of my practice and reconnect with the teachers and places that first lit this fire in me. I’ll spend time with Vinod at Swarupa Yoga Shala, my original Guru, and practice with Sanjay & receive treatments from his lovely wife, Dr. Amrutha at Ayuryoga Bliss—two teachers who shaped the way I teach and live. I’ll also visit Swami Bodhananda Saraswati’s ashram in Kerala. His teachings and presence have been a steady anchor in my life, at the Sambodh Center in Kalamazoo and I am so excited to visit him at his home ashram!

    While I’m in India, I’ll be receiving traditional Ayurvedic care, specifically panchakarma, as part of my practice and healing. These are not spa treatments; they are deeply rooted yogic therapies that support purification, balance, and clarity. After years of trying to tend to certain health concerns through Western systems with little resolution, I’m turning to the wisdom of Ayurveda to restore balance from the inside out.

    This trip is about returning to what is essential. It’s about devotion, depth, and staying true to the teachings that continue to shape my life. If the path opens clearly, it may also include taking vows of sannyasa: renunciation in service of spiritual liberation. But more than anything, this journey is a full-bodied “yes” to the sacred.

    I’ll be sharing what I can along the way—going live from India when WiFi allows, including a special livestream with Vinod at Swarupa Yoga Shala. I’ll post updates on social media and YouTube when possible, but I also plan to be fully present and immersed in the experience.

    For the past nine years, I have been sharing my heart and this ancient wisdom through yoga classes, workshops, and 200-hour and 300-hour teacher trainings. While this work has filled my soul and nourished countless students, my salary alone is insufficient to support this sacred journey.

    Today, I humbly reach out to my beloved friends, students, and supporters to help manifest this dream. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings me closer to this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual experience. Your generosity will not only support my journey but also ripple out to uplift our entire community and foster a deeper connection to the practices.

    Thank you for your love (prem), support, and kindness. May the blessings you offer return to you manyfold, enriching your own spiritual path. Together, let us create a wave of love and light that transcends boundaries and nourishes our souls.

    With deep gratitude (kṛtajñatā),
    Emily (Durga)