Morning view from Ananda Rainbow retreat
himalayan retreat
Sunset view from the Ananda Rainbow retreat
Ananda Rainbow is a yoga, meditation and healing retreat in the Garwhal Himalaya. It is situated in the remote village of Purmishi in the hills above Devprayag at an altitude of 4,500 feet. The two directors are Stan Giles from Scotland, and Mahavir Singh Rawat who was brought up in the mountain village of Purmishi. Ananda Rainbow offers an authentic experience of Himalayan life, with yoga and meditation classes as well as spiritual pilgrimage and free healing treatments. Ananda Rainbow facilitates medical care, skills training and the reclamation and replanting of mountain areas.
Mahavir Singh Rawat was born and brought up in the mountain village of Purmushi, to the east of Devprayag. His family were poor and he had only a limited education. After a brief spell working in Mumbai he returned to Uttaranchal, working in hotels in Haridwar and Rishikesh. It was in Rishikesh that his life changed dramatically when a young Sadhu visited him. He was able to tell Mahavir many details about his life. The Sadhu also told him that he would soon meet his devotees. Soon afterwards Mahavir was invited to lead a group of Ananda devotees on pilgrimage. Ananda is a spiritual organisation whose guru is Paramhansa Yogananda. Yogananda’s paramparamguru was Babaji. It was only when Mahavir read about Babaji in Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi, that he recognised the “Sadhu” who had visited him previously as the Mahavatar Babaji .
Since that life-changing experience Mahavir has led many pilgrimages to the holy places of the Himalaya. He now has 25 years’ experience in the travel industry and is particularly well-known in Rishikesh and the higher Himalayas. He has a wealth of knowledge about the saints, sages and gods of India. Blessed and guided by Babaji and Durga, Divine Mother, Mahavir is a profoundly spiritual man whose daily life is an offering to God.
Since that life-changing experience Mahavir has led many pilgrimages to the holy places of the Himalaya. He now has 25 years’ experience in the travel industry and is particularly well-known in Rishikesh and the higher Himalayas. He has a wealth of knowledge about the saints, sages and gods of India. Blessed and guided by Babaji and Durga, Divine Mother, Mahavir is a profoundly spiritual man whose daily life is an offering to God.
Visit us for yoga, meditation and healing and for an experience of authentic India. If you would like to visit us in the Himalayas, or if you would like us to help you organise a spiritual journey in the Garwhal Himalaya, please click here
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