India Retreat 2027

This bhakti yoga retreat in India is a two-week immersion in the philosophy behind the practice, held at Govardhan Eco Village in Maharashtra. It is led by Raghunath, founder of Supersoul Academy, with Kaustubha Das teaching philosophy and sacred literature and His Holiness Radhanath Swami as special guest. It suits seekers who are new to the Bhakti tradition, or still deepening their study of it, and who want a guided introduction to India's spiritual culture.

The emphasis is on understanding. Rather than learning how to lead kirtan, you learn how to lead your life, with clarity, devotion and discernment.

What to Expect

Days are built around study and contemplation, with movement and music holding the rest. Daily satsang and kirtan with Raghunath anchor the schedule, and each evening he tells stories. Focused Vedic study and dharma talks explore the texts and concepts of Bhakti yoga: why we practice, how we practice, and how to live the teachings with sincerity. Daily asana and pranayama support the body and breath, and the kirtans are meant to be meditative, with room to move and dance freely.

Radhanath Swami joins for special guest sessions. Toward the end, a traditional fire-ceremony graduation is followed the next day by a visit to the Flower Festival at Radhanath Swami's temple in Mumbai.

About Raghunath

Raghunath came to yoga and clean, conscious living as a teenager. Over four decades he has lived and taught asana, pranayama, sacred literature, kirtan and ritual, and he is considered a teacher's teacher. He is a speaker, storyteller and educator of self-transformation, leads sold-out pilgrimages to India, and co-founded the podcast Wisdom of the Sages, which reached #1 in its category on Apple Podcasts.

About Kaustubha Das

Kaustubha Das is Senior Educator and Creative Director at The Bhakti Center. He teaches bhakti-yoga philosophy and meditation from more than twenty-five years of study and practice in the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. Initiated as a Vaishnava brahmana in 1990, he lived for over a decade in ashrams in India and the United States, and he co-hosts Wisdom of the Sages.

About Radhanath Swami

His Holiness Radhanath Swami has been a monk in the bhakti tradition for nearly fifty years. He helps lead humanitarian projects providing food, shelter, education and medical care to millions, and he is the heart behind Govardhan Ecovillage. Many of the retreat's teachers regard him as their guiding spiritual mentor.

Nupur & Deepak, Seattle Community Leads

Married for 25 years, Nupur and Deepak began their spiritual path together and have practiced bhakti seriously for the past 20. Both earned their Bhakti Shastri degree in 2015. They have raised their family on bhakti principles while working in corporate technology, and they share a life that balances spiritual depth with modern demands.

The Setting

Govardhan Eco Village is an award-winning spiritual community rooted in bhakti yoga, sustainability and conscious living. Buildings are made of earthen architecture, natural materials and handcrafted details. Rooms are simple, clean and comfortable, with modern bathrooms, and you can choose a private or shared room. Meals are vegetarian or vegan and freshly prepared. The village also has a swimming pool, an Ayurveda clinic, laundry services and shops.

Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai. A group bus transfer takes participants to the village on the first day of the retreat.

Before You Go

The retreat is introductory to intermediate. It is not an advanced or teacher-training program. Sessions are in English.

Included are daily satsang and kirtan, asana and pranayama, Vedic study and dharma talks, evening storytelling, the guest sessions with Radhanath Swami, meals, lodging and the group transfer. The fee also includes a dakshina contribution for your instructors.

Airfare is not included. Most travelers need an Indian eVisa, which you apply for before departure. If you arrive early, you arrange your own accommodation; Lalit Mumbai and Lemon Tree Premier are the recommended hotels.