Guru, Ganges, God: A Spiritual Pilgrimage
Support Emily’s pilgrimage to The Maha Kumbh Mela by donating here.
Why give?
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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.
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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.
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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 to the Maha Kumbh Mela 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.
The sacred festival starts with religious ceremonies and rituals, chanting of prayers, singing devotional songs, discussion and exchange of knowledge about spiritualism and feeding the poor people. The pilgrims gather at the confluence of these rivers to take a dip in the holy waters and offer their prayers to the Lord. It is believed that taking a dip in this holy water will cleanse all the sins and grant salvation (or moksha).
During the Kumbh Mela , the alignment of the celestial bodies are believed to be auspicious and during this time period it provides the opportunity to increase your spiritual power by taking a dip in the holy water at the confluence of the three sacred rivers that is Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, then chanting prayers, engaging in religious rituals and ceremonies. It is believed that doing this, you will be able to cleanse your sins and you gain salvation, free from the cycle of rebirth on earth.
Saints and spiritual leaders, enhances their spiritual energy by praying, meditating and seeking blessings from God. It is an important occasion for the devotees and pilgrims to develop a sense of unity, spirituality and devotion.
The Maha Kumbh Mela is an important spiritual Hindu festival and pilgrimage which is celebrated after 12 years at the confluence of the sacred rivers i.e. Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. As millions of devotees gather at the confluence of these three rivers, this religious pilgrimage is the largest in the world.
Make a donation.
The Kumbh Mela will be ongoing from Jan. 14 thru March 8.
The journey begins at Chicago O’hare Airport as Emily boards her flight to Bangalore, Karnataka in Southern India.
She’ll then make her way to Sambodh Centre for Human Values (SCHV) in Kempapura, Bangalore to rest and acclimate. The Centre is dedicated to fostering excellence, compassion, interdisciplinary dialogues and engagements for human wellbeing. While there, she’ll visit the local ISKON (Hare Krishna) Temple, Shri Kalyana Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple.
Then, onto Sambodh Centre for Living Values which is located in the outskirts of Doddaballapur town, Bangalore. It is situated in the quiet and serene land of 8 acres in the outskirts of Bangalore. The peaceful and green environment here gives an ideal setting for the hub of Sambodh programs. SCLV has more than 500 trees including medicinal plants and shrubs, and a Goshala (sacred cow shelter). The Ashram here gets visited by a large number of birds. Creating the ideal environment for seva (selfless service) and meditation practices.
After 5 days at SCLV, Emily will move on to AyurYoga Ashram, where her first visit to India was spent, to visit former teachers & friends, Lillie, Krish and Prabodh Chaitanya. As well as, receive Ayurvedic treatments (Pancha Karma) for some lingering health concerns, best addressed by Eastern practices.
Then, Emily travels to Kerala via sleeper bus to reconnect with HH Swami Bodhanda Saraswati, her Swami in Kalamazoo, MI at The Sambodh Center for Human Excellence and Vinod Kumar Rajan, her first Indian Yogacharya (Yoga Teacher). Emily will spend nearly 10 days immersed in the wonder of these two incredible teachers.
Emily will fly north to Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, VNS) and soak up the deep yogic history by visiting temples and staying in an ashram *TBD until meeting with her friend and fellow Yogini, Prajna, to travel by train to Prayagraj, The Maha Kumbh, the banks of Mother Ganga.
Once on festival grounds, the pair will make their way to their camp accommodations to rest and prepare for the coming 3 days of sitting with saints, gurus, rishis, sages from all lineages in satsang, partaking in daily aarti and finally, dipping in the sacred Ganges on Maha Shivratri, February 26.
After the festival completes, Emily will head back to Rishikesh for the last bite of India before boarding a flight to Bangalore, resting for a day in an airport hotel, then making the trek back across the Atlantic.
*All dates, times & locations are subject to change. This itinerary could go in reverse, as well… beginning at the Maha Kumbh and ending in Bangalore.
THANK YOU for supporting my dream to be in the presence of ascendent masters, to bathe in the Ganges during this most holy gathering & to continue learning Yoga from the source.
FAQs
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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:
Stay Informed: Research local customs, traditions, and regions of travel. India is a vast and diverse country with different cultures, languages, and environments.
Travel Smart: Use reputable transportation, accommodations, and services. Stick to well-known routes and destinations, especially for first-time travelers.
Cultural Respect: Dress modestly, especially at religious sites, and be mindful of local customs. A respectful attitude helps blend in and avoid unwanted attention.
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.
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.
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ItNamaste, beloved community! My name is Emily Hughes, known to some as Durga. I am a devoted yoga teacher, aspiring renunciate (sannyasi), scholar, and student of Advaita Vedanta and Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). As a truth seeker in the divine tapestry of life, I am deeply drawn to the ancient wisdom of Mother India. My soul yearns to return to the sacred home of Yoga as I approach my 50th birthday. This pilgrimage to the Kumbh Mela—the world’s largest spiritual gathering—is a profound faith-based journey. It offers a chance to immerse in the transformative energy and bathe in the Ganges' healing waters alongside millions of other devotees, seeking purification, spiritual growth, and liberation. With the next Maha Kumbh Mela not occurring for another 12 years, this may be the last time I can make this kind of quest. The trip is planned for either the beginning of February to the end of February OR the end of February to mid March 2025.
This sacred journey involves significant travel across the vibrant landscape of India to deepen my spiritual roots and reconnect with my faith. I will visit the ashram of His Holiness Swami Bhodhananda Saraswati in Kerala, where divine energy radiates, reinforcing my commitment to spiritual practice. Swami Bhodhananda also has an ashram here in Kalamazoo called the Sambodh Center for Human Excellence, where I currently attend. I will, also, return to the Ayuryoga Eco Ashram in Karnataka, a place that has illuminated my path with wisdom beyond my wildest dreams. During my stay, I plan to seek Ayurvedic treatments to address minor health concerns in an affordable way, vs paying quadruple into the Western medical system. This ancient healing tradition offers holistic remedies that nurture body, mind, and spirit, providing the balance I seek.
I will, then, journey across the country to Allahabad (Prayagraj) for 3-5 days at the great Kumbh Mela, immersing in this sacred event that draws seekers (sādhu) and saints from all corners of the globe. This gathering is not only a celebration of faith but also a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all souls on their spiritual journeys. This journey will culminate in the vibrant celebration of Mahashivratri, marking a divine moment on this transformative pilgrimage.
As part of this spiritual odyssey, I may take my vows as a sannyasi, fully committing to a life of renunciation in pursuit of spiritual liberation (mokṣa). Since Yoga, as I know it now, came into my life, I have been devoted to guiding others toward peace (śānti) and balance through this rich practice. However, this transformative journey comes with considerable costs, including travel, lodging, and other necessary expenses.
For the past eight 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 our shared faith.
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)
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