Raga Retreat: Himalayan Nāda Yoga Retreat, Dharamsala

Raga Retreat is a six-night Nāda Yoga retreat in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, led by Indian classical musician and yoga teacher Shivam Rath. Held at Dev Bhoomi Retreat in the Himalayan foothills, it brings together raga, mantra, yoga, pranayama and sound healing for yogis, musicians, kirtan lovers and anyone drawn to sacred sound. All levels are welcome, and no musical training is needed. The retreat takes place in the quiet days after Mahāśivarātri, and an optional pilgrimage through Kolkata and Varanasi can be added beforehand.

What to Expect

A raga is a melodic form shaped by time of day, season, emotion, landscape and devotional mood. Learning one asks the singer or player to bring head and heart together, which is why Shivam calls raga meditation in motion. The retreat is built around that idea: open the voice, listen closely, and let the practice settle the mind.

Days begin at 06:30 with dawn raga, yoga and pranayama, followed by morning mantra practice at 08:00. Late mornings are for teaching, such as an introduction to swara, rasa and bhava and the time theory of ragas, a tala and rhythm workshop, call and response practice, voice work on tone and breath, and a raga improvisation workshop. At noon comes Nāda Nidra, a yoga nidra accompanied by live music. Afternoons leave room for nature walks, rest, optional one-on-one sessions and an excursion into the Himalayas. Evenings bring a rhythm circle, ancient chants, a sound healing journey, kirtan and a concert with raga darshan.

The first day starts with arrival at 16:00, gentle hatha and nāda yoga, dinner, and a welcome circle with opening kirtan. Across the week, participants also work on a Soundkalpa, an intention set through sound and voice. The group is capped at twenty people.

About Shivam Rath

Shivam Rath is a Byron Bay-based slide guitarist, composer, producer and teacher, and a second-generation Indian-Australian musician. He is also a yoga teacher and Indian classical musician. His main instrument is the 22-string Indian slide guitar, which he calls the Crystal Slide or Chaturangi, a blend of sitar and Hawaiian slide guitar shaped by the Indian classical system. He has played it for nearly 15 years. He began learning Indian classical music in Varanasi 16 years ago and lived there for many months, as his father did decades earlier.

Guest Facilitators

Kathryn Riding guides yoga and voice activation. Maryse Dumas teaches music and yoga. Visiting musicians and masters, still to be announced, are part of the program.

The Setting

Dev Bhoomi Retreat sits in the mountains above Dharamsala, among forest and open sky, with a Himalayan-fed river running beside the grounds. Participants stay in simple mountain cottages, each with a private bathroom and hot water. Shared twin cottages are included in the price. A limited number of private cottages are available for a supplement, and a community cottage for three guests offers a reduced contribution. Practice happens in a shared sadhana hall and in meditation spaces. Vegetarian and vegan meals are included.

To reach Dharamsala, the nearest airport is Dharamshala (Kangra) Airport, also called Gaggal, about 13 to 15 kilometres from town, with limited flights mostly from Delhi. Delhi is the usual international gateway. From there, a domestic flight takes about an hour to an hour and a half, while an overnight Volvo bus or a private car takes roughly ten to twelve hours.

The Optional Pilgrimage

Before the retreat, a small group of up to twelve can travel through Kolkata and Varanasi, with time on the ghats at sunrise, temple visits, evening Aarti, informal music and mantra circles, and Mahāśivarātri in Varanasi, including all-night classical concerts. Participants may join for as many days as they like.

Before You Go

The retreat is taught in English. Included are the daily practice sessions, sacred site visits, group transport within India during organised activities, the Mahāśivarātri ceremony and meals. Flights, an Indian visa (e-visas are available), travel insurance, which is strongly recommended, and airport transfers on request are not included. Pilgrimage costs apply only if you add that journey. A portion of net profits supports Women's Empowerment in Villages, which works with rural communities in Bihar on education and training for women and girls.