Arrive at Mantraalaya and settle into the peaceful guesthouse beside the Banyan Cloister, where you’ll be greeted with a warming cup of herbal tulsi tea and a short orientation walk to the courtyard gardens. Begin your day with a gentle guided pranayama and sunrise chanting session at the Lotus Pavilion, then take a self-led stroll to the ancient Kailash Temple complex to admire its carved stone reliefs and learn about local legends from the resident pujari.
After a simple sattvic lunch at the community kitchen, join a guided temple-hopping walk that visits the River Shrine and the Sun Terrace, stopping for a demonstration of devotional bell-ringing and an explanation of temple iconography at the Museum of Devotional Arts. Then participate in a hands-on workshop at the Artisan Lane where a local craftsman teaches you to make a traditional ritual offering (puja thali) using marigolds and sandalwood paste.
Return to the temple forecourt for the breathtaking evening aarti at the Main Ghat, where priests perform lamp-lighting and you can join in singing bhajans with the monastery choir as the river reflects the flames. Finish the night with a short reflective meditation in the Nightlight Hall followed by a light dinner of seasonal kitchari, giving you a tranquil close to your first day at Mantraalaya and setting the tone for deeper practice tomorrow.
Wake before dawn for an extended silent sitting at the Banyan Cloister where the resident monk guides a vipassana-style meditation, followed by a short walking meditation through the dew-kissed Lotus Gardens to integrate stillness. After a light breakfast of warm kichari and fresh fruit in the courtyard kitchen, join a sunrise mantra session in the Nightlight Hall to tune voice and breath one last time with the monastery rhythms.
Spend the afternoon at Artisan Lane building on yesterday’s workshop with a deeper craft session focused on block-printing prayer scarves under the tutelage of master artisan Leela, then stroll to the Museum of Devotional Arts to view the newly cataloged palm-leaf manuscripts and learn about regional textile iconography. Enjoy a communal farewell lunch on the Sun Terrace with the guesthouse hosts, where you can exchange contact details and receive a small, handmade puja thali to take home as a keepsake.
Before departure, participate in a brief closing circle at the River Shrine to offer gratitude and receive a blessing from the pujari, then gather your belongings and take a leisurely walk along the ghat as the sun lowers, reflecting on the two-day retreat’s quiet transformations. If time allows, refill your water flask at the Banyan Cloister’s herb well and depart from Mantraalaya with directions and recommendations from the guesthouse for onward travel.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse beside the Banyan Cloister (check-in, herbal tulsi tea, orientation) | Free-INR 150 (tea) — guesthouse stay priced separately |
| Lotus Pavilion pranayama & sunrise chanting (guided) | INR 0-250 (often donation-based; some guesthouses include or charge a small class fee) |
| Kailash Temple complex (self-led stroll + interaction with resident pujari) | Free-INR 100 (suggested donation or small puja fee; photography fee may apply) |
| Community kitchen sattvic lunch | INR 80-250 per person (community/guesthouse pricing varies) |
| Guided temple-hopping walk (River Shrine & Sun Terrace) | INR 150-500 (local guide fee or organized walk; may be included with guesthouse/package) |
| Museum of Devotional Arts (demonstration of bell-ringing & iconography talk) | INR 50-200 (entry plus small demonstration/guide fee) |
| Artisan Lane workshop — puja thali making (marigolds & sandalwood paste) | INR 200-600 (materials and instructor charge) |
| Evening aarti at the Main Ghat (lamp-lighting & bhajans) | Free-INR 100 (donation to temple/priests customary) |
| Nightlight Hall reflective meditation | Free-INR 150 (often donation-based or included) |
| Light dinner of seasonal kitchari (guesthouse/monastery meal) | INR 80-250 |
| Banyan Cloister silent vipassana-style sitting (resident monk guided) | Free-INR 250 (donation or small session fee possible) |
| Walking meditation through Lotus Gardens | Usually free (may be included with guesthouse/retreat) |
| Nightlight Hall sunrise mantra session | Free-INR 150 |
| Artisan Lane extended block-printing prayer scarves (master artisan Leela) | INR 400-1,200 (materials + higher instructor fee for master class) |
| Museum of Devotional Arts — palm-leaf manuscripts viewing | INR 50-200 (entry/curator talk fee) |
| Communal farewell lunch on the Sun Terrace (including keepsake puja thali) | INR 150-400 (meal + small gift included) |
| Closing circle at the River Shrine & blessing from pujari | Free-INR 100 (donation customary) |
| Refilling water at Banyan Cloister’s herb well & departure logistics | Free |
| Estimated Total (per person) | INR 2,000-6,000 per person (estimated for 2 days, excluding overnight accommodation, long-distance transport to/from Mantraalaya, and personal shopping). Breakdown notes: meals & small activities ~INR 700-1,600; guided walks, museum, workshops ~INR 850-2,500; donations/incidentals ~INR 200-400. If guesthouse/retreat package includes meals and sessions, expect lower out-of-pocket costs (INR 1,500-3,000 total). |