India, the sacred Punya Bhumi: Rishikesh is where every yogi’s journey comes full circle. Join me in March 2026. Part 1

India — a land not just of the world’s largest population, but of countless wonders that exist nowhere else on Earth. I realized this not when I lived there, but much later, during my own quest for wisdom and meaning.

Why my yoga retreat must begin from India-

The India we see today is but a faint echo — a remnant — of the glorious Punya Bhumi, the sacred land it once was. It’s also true that I didn’t always recognize the blessing of being born here.

In my younger days, back in college, I dreamed only of leaving India— of finding money and success in America, the land of opportunity and abundance. I longed for escape from what I saw then as a “low standard of life,” drawn instead to big cars, big houses, and even bigger bank accounts. I got everything I wished for — and much more. Yet, as life unfolded, those very dreams led me on a journey I could never have imagined on, one that would bring me back, full circle, to the soil of my birth, filled with gratitude and reverence.

The power of sacred land is mysterious and magnetic. Its essence seeps into your being, silently shaping you, only to call you home one day — not just geographically, but spiritually. If you had met me in my twenties, you’d never believe that one day I’d bring people from the U.S. to India to show them the land of my ancestors, to help them feel what I had once taken for granted.

From capitalism to spiritualism, my journey has been one of awakening — learning that material success may fill your hands, but only spiritual connection fills your heart. I wouldn’t change a single step of my past. Without America, I would never have understood the depth, dignity, and divinity of my roots.

With time, wisdom changes the way you see everything. Material comfort can meet your needs — but it cannot feed your soul. True joy, I’ve learned, is not in accumulation, but in connection — with your purpose, your people, and your sacred land.

15 Minute Free Consult with Dr. Sahila

Schedule Now

Why is India known as Punya Bhumi (the sacred land)?

I’ve traveled far and wide — through the richest corners of Europe, across South America, through Hawaii and Costa Rica, and beyond. Yet, despite all the beauty, sophistication, and comfort I’ve seen elsewhere, India continues to bewilder me — not because of what it lacks, but because of the immensity of what it holds.

Consider this: India spans about 3.3 million square kilometers — nearly one-third the size of the United States — yet it sustains more than 1.45 billion people, nearly twice the population of all of Europe combined. And while these numbers are astonishing enough, the true marvel lies in its diversity.

India recognizes 121 languages and over 1,600 mother tongues and dialects, making it the most linguistically rich nation on Earth. To put that in perspective, Papua New Guinea follows with 840 languages and Indonesia with 711 — yet neither comes close to India’s vast symphony of voices, each carrying its own stories, traditions, and rhythms of life.

What’s even more fascinating is how India’s cultural and spiritual influence once extended far beyond its modern borders. Almost every ancient temple in India has a counterpart in Cambodia and Thailand, with its legacy stretching eastward through Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and parts of China, and westward to present-day Afghanistan. During the early medieval period, powerful Indian dynasties ruled across this vast region, spreading not just political power but also spiritual wisdom, art, and architecture.

Wherever Hinduism traveled, it carried with it the light of Sanskrit, Yoga, and traded prosperity like gold, spices, and knowledge moving hand in hand. The Pallava Grantha script, for instance, became the foundation for Tamil and Malayalam, and its linguistic influence can still be traced in Southeast Asia today. This is why, even now, many words and sounds in Thai resonate with Tamil speakers — a subtle echo of an ancient shared heritage.

It’s also why Bali, though geographically distant, feels spiritually close to India. The rituals, temples, and widely popular Yoga retreats of Bali are living reminders of India’s sacred reach — a bridge between continents woven through faith and philosophy.

India remains one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world — the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, while also being home to Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and many other faiths that coexist within its borders.

From Kashi to Rishikesh, Kanyakumari to Tanjavur, Dwarka to Hampi, India’s ancient cities continue to whisper their stories. Each one left an indelible mark on me — not merely as places of history, but as living embodiments of timeless energy that still pulse with the sacred rhythm of the divine.

Rishikesh-the yoga capital of the world:

(places marked on red are shown in the form of pictures on the right)

Click the button below to Join the webinar on Sunday Nov 16th at 11:30am EST and get your questions answered directly from Dr. Sahila and Yogi Siddharth Banerjee

Click Here to Register for the FREE Webinar

Rishikesh, a serene city in northern India just four hours from Delhi, is world-renowned for its spiritual legacy, mythological significance, and natural beauty. Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and situated along the sacred Ganges River, it is lovingly known as the Yoga Capital of the World and the Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas.

This is exactly why I chose Rishikesh for my first yoga retreat in March 2026. There is truly no more meaningful place to begin exploring this punya Bhumi—this blessed land—than where yoga, devotion, and nature meet so powerfully.

As the Ganges (rover ganga) descends from the Himalayas into Rishikesh, its crystal-cold waters are believed to purify the body and mind, washing away negativity and offering deep spiritual renewal.

 Rishikesh is also steeped in sacred legend. It is said that Lord Rama came here to perform penance after defeating Ravana, and that his brother Lakshmana crossed the Ganges at the spot now known as the Lakshman Jhula, once connected by a simple jute-rope bridge.

Nearby lies Rishikund, an ancient pond by the Raghunath Temple and Triveni Ghat. Tradition tells us Lord Rama bathed here during his exile, giving the pond its name—Rishikund, or “Sage’s Pond.”

Another cherished legend holds that Lord Krishna visited Triveni Ghat (confluence of 3 rivers) after being wounded by a hunter’s arrow. There, he is believed to have bathed in the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati to heal. A small chatri (cenotaph) stands in his honor at the ghat, a site revered for its evening Ganga Aarti and its uniquely powerful spiritual energy.

Rishikesh has long attracted seekers from around the world—from saints and yogis to global icons.

Among the many modern-day visitors are:

Prince Charles and Camilla

The Beatles

Donovan

Mike Love

Mia Farrow

Julia Roberts

Gerard Butler

Amitabh Bachchan

The Ambani family

…and many more.

Ganga Aarti: Every evening, the Ganga Aarti ceremony is performed at the Triveni Ghat. This ritual involves music, chants, and fire offerings to the river, creating a mesmerizing atmosphere for participants and observers.

Gateway to the Char Dham: Rishikesh is the starting point for pilgrims embarking on the Char Dham Yatra, a sacred journey to the four shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamamori.

The Beatles' Ashram: In 1968, the Beatles visited the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to study Transcendental Meditation. This trip generated global attention and cemented Rishikesh's status as a spiritual destination for Westerners.

Neem Karoli Baba ashram-

In 1974, a 19-year-old Steve Jobs traveled to India on a seven-month journey in search of spiritual enlightenment. Accompanied by his college friend Daniel Kottke, Jobs visited several spiritual sites, including the ashram of Neem Karoli Baba, whose teachings on simplicity later influenced Apple's design philosophy.

Zuckerberg's pilgrimage: Decades later, Jobs famously advised a struggling Mark Zuckerberg to visit the same Kainchi Dham ashram in India, which Zuckerberg credited with helping him reconnect with Facebook's mission. On the last day of our retreat we have planned a visit to Neem Karoli baba ashram which is 6 hours drive from Rishikesh.

Kunjapuri devi temple-

Located just 25 km from Rishikesh, this temple sits at an altitude of 1,676 meters on a hilltop. It is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas and is dedicated to the goddess Shakti. The temple is famous for its breathtaking views of the sunrise over the Himalayan peaks and the Ganges River flowing below.

Vashishtha Gufa

This is an ancient meditation cave located about 25 km from Rishikesh on the Rishikesh-Badrinath road.The cave is believed to be the place where the great sage Vashishtha meditated.