4 Day Weekend Bhakti Zen Festival in Rishikesh, India
4 Day Weekend Bhakti Zen Festival in Rishikesh, India
The Narayana Sanctuary by Salvus, Badrinath Road, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Up to 50 in group
March 27 - 31, 2025
Retreat Highlights
- Breathwork, Qi Gong, Yoga
- Bhakti meditations
- KoanZen
- Wisdom Circles
- Dokusan with Yaahoo Baba
- Anatta Kirtan
- Open Mic Night
- Sharing Circles
- Mini Fair
- Wisdom Circle
About this Retreat
Your Guides
As a child Yaahoo Baba grew up with a strict yoga practice, attending a yoga school until his late teen years. In 1999 he began to explore Reiki, and became a Reiki master a few years later. After this, Baba was introduced to Osho where he was able to deeply explore the techniques and wisdom of Zen, Tantra, Sufism, Bhakti, Bardo, and various mediations. He spent over a decade working on and experimenting with these practices.
Alongside this period of time, Baba’s satori happened by the grace of his master Sri Sarvadaman Banerjee and Baba’s enlightenment happened through his master Sri Mooji Baba.
Seven years after his enlightenment, he started Satsang where Anatta Sangha and Anatta Kirtan were born.
Yaahoo Baba has dedicated his life for the awakening of every being.
Mahayana is a Reiki Master, retreat facilitator, and devotional musician originally from Canada. It is her greatest joy to guide others in their own expansion through meditations, retreats, teachings, and one-on-one therapies.
Mahayana has spent 5 years living in India with her Guru and Sangha. In this time her life has been transformed through his grace, pointings, and his wisdom. It is now her blessing and honour to be able to share what she as received by this grace to others, through these retreats hosted by Anatta Sangha. Mahayana knows the importance of guiding people through their stories and patterns to the limitless freedom behind them. She is passionate about using the power of retreats to facilitate the highest awakening and realization in each participant.
Visarjan is a retreat facilitator, a Reiki healer and leading all of Anatta Sangha's corporate programs. Originally from UP, India, his spiritual quest lead him to find Yaahoo Baba and Anatta Sangha.
His 10 years of experience in corporate gave him a stable job and career but in 2020 he started realizing that it will never give him the contentment he is always looking for. After 3 years of searching, he met Sangha through a bodywork therapy session, and that changed the entire vision and trajectory of his life.
His life transformed with Sangha's grace and now Visarjan is committed to sharing this wisdom in the corporate world and beyond. His positive attitude towards life, work, and sharing is truly inspiring, impacting many beings through his guidance and wisdom.
Vajrayana is a retreat facilitator, a bodywork therapist, and a devotional singer and pianist from Kolkata, India. Her greatest joy is to guide others on their transformational journey through retreats, meditations and one-on-one therapies.
Vajrayana had an inclination towards understanding of herself and mystery of life from quite a young age. Years later, her earnest quest brought her to Rishikesh where she encountered Yaahoo Baba - her Guru. She found guidance and discovered herself and her purpose with her Guru. Since then, she has been living in the grace of her Guru and the sangha for the last 3 years which has slowly transformed her life. Simple yet profound pointings and practices in daily life made her bountiful of life, and now she is yearning to share this magic of self discovery to all who are seeking.
At present, she is travelling around India with her Sangha on the path of sharing this joy of truth, devotion, love and awakening with the world.
Meet Veetyana, a retreat facilitator, bioenergetic bodywork therapist, and yoga teacher. She finds joy in wholeheartedly combining her skills to help those earnestly seeking a transformative journey, guiding them to heal and remember their primary true nature.
Veetyana, formerly a nurse in the Philippines, felt an inner calling to follow her higher purpose, leading her to India. There, she meet her master and Anatta Sangha, experiencing a drastic transformation and being guided to the direct path to freedom. This life-changing encounter has reshaped her perspective.
With a broader outlook, where everything resides in her heart, Veetyana continues sharing her passion with others through retreats, therapies, singing, celebration and the wisdom of self-inquiry.
Bhaktiyana is a devotional Kirtan leader, trained therapist, and retreat facilitator from the UK. With a heart dedicated to guiding others on their journey of self-discovery, Bhaktiyana offers transformative retreats, breathwork sessions, meditations, and the blissful joy of Kirtan gatherings.
Through her one-on-one sessions and teachings, she creates a warm space for healing and awakening, where individuals can discover eternal stability and joy.
Three years ago in the Himalayas, Bhaktiyana was graced by guidance from her living Master, Yaahoo Baba. Her life powerfully transformed through spiritual practices and wisdom, and now she just wants to share that heartful joy with everyone. She inspires others to live a life of freedom and celebration, where joy fills the air in the dance of devotion and truth.
Vistaar is a Qi Gong teacher & musician originally from Punjab. He joined Anatta Sangha in 2021 and by the grace of Sangha and his Master, he found his home of growth & transformation.
In Qi Gong, Vistaar has found his passion for sharing this beautiful discovery of Qi. He loves to teach Qi Gong, especially to new people, and watch as people discover their own sensation of Qi for the first time. Vistaar shares his heart through music whether it is singing or playing djembe in Anatta Kirtan.
Vistaar also makes amazing chai!
Ashishyana is dedicated to uniting individuals. Through retreats, therapies, breathwork, and meditations, she imparts profound wisdom and nurtures harmonious connections among people. Her heartfelt mission is to inspire beings to shift from their minds to their hearts, where true joy resides.
Originally from Germany, Ashishyana quickly discovered that her life was not what she knew it could be. She embarked on a global journey in search of her passion and purpose. She met Yaahoo Baba and Anatta Sangha, and immediately knew she was home, she had found her family of growth. Since then Ashishyana has been learning, growing, and sharing the wisdom imparted on her by her Guru. Ashishyana is also a certified Yoga teacher in Hatha Yoga, a Sound healer, and a Reiki healer.
Ashishyana joyfully shares all of these gifts with many beings, offering her service of healing, guidance, and a heart full of love to lift up others.
Details of this retreat
Join us for a magical weekend at the Bhakti Zen Festival, happening from March 27–30th at Narayana Sanctuary in Rishikesh. It’s going to be 4 unforgettable days of meditation, connection, and a lot of celebration! We’ll explore practices from two powerful spiritual lineages- Bhakti and Zen—combining devotion with stillness for a truly transformative experience.
Our mornings begin with exercises to open and energize our bodies, such as breathwork, yoga, and Qi Gong. Afterwards, a delicious vegetarian breakfast awaits.
Throughout the retreat, we will learn about different types of Bhakti from the wisdom of the Narada Sutras and Bhagavad Gita. We then put these teachings into practice through various rituals, such as serving and taking care of others. By this, we open our hearts and trust that existence is always taking care of us and taking care of the whole through us.
Within our Zen practices, we dive deep into self-inquiry, through the use of Zen Koans - unanswerable questions designed to break the mind and clear away old ideas, systems, and structures. Engage in deep self-inquiry in Dokusan with Yaahoo Baba, where you can ask questions and share your internal state. These Zen practices cultivate our silence, peace, and stability.
Sharing circles throughout the festival will allow us to express what is in our hearts, listening without judgement and connecting with each other on a deeper level. In our Wisdom circle we will share the essence of Bhakti and Zen so we can really soak the wisdom of these amazing lineages.
Evenings will be full of devotional singing in Kirtan, open mic, and more. This is open for anyone to sing and bring the expression of their hearts. Singing bhajans is a beautiful opportunity to share our love and devotion in the most purified way, and to end the day in a high, blissful state.
At the end of this retreat you will have nurtured a heart of Bhakti and the mindfulness of Zen. Hosted by Anatta Sangha under the guidance of Yaahoo Baba, this festival invites you to awaken to the truth, form lasting connections, and immerse yourself in this incredible celebration!
We can’t wait to welcome you to this unforgettable experience!
Our mornings begin with exercises to open and energize our bodies, such as breathwork, yoga, and Qi Gong. Afterwards, a delicious vegetarian breakfast awaits.
Throughout the retreat, we will learn about different types of Bhakti from the wisdom of the Narada Sutras and Bhagavad Gita. We then put these teachings into practice through various rituals, such as serving and taking care of others. By this, we open our hearts and trust that existence is always taking care of us and taking care of the whole through us.
Within our Zen practices, we dive deep into self-inquiry, through the use of Zen Koans - unanswerable questions designed to break the mind and clear away old ideas, systems, and structures. Engage in deep self-inquiry in Dokusan with Yaahoo Baba, where you can ask questions and share your internal state. These Zen practices cultivate our silence, peace, and stability.
Sharing circles throughout the festival will allow us to express what is in our hearts, listening without judgement and connecting with each other on a deeper level. In our Wisdom circle we will share the essence of Bhakti and Zen so we can really soak the wisdom of these amazing lineages.
Evenings will be full of devotional singing in Kirtan, open mic, and more. This is open for anyone to sing and bring the expression of their hearts. Singing bhajans is a beautiful opportunity to share our love and devotion in the most purified way, and to end the day in a high, blissful state.
At the end of this retreat you will have nurtured a heart of Bhakti and the mindfulness of Zen. Hosted by Anatta Sangha under the guidance of Yaahoo Baba, this festival invites you to awaken to the truth, form lasting connections, and immerse yourself in this incredible celebration!
We can’t wait to welcome you to this unforgettable experience!
Schedule
7:30 - 8:30 AM - Breathwork / Yoga / Qi Gong
Awaken your body, and energize your whole system for the day ahead!
8:30 - 9:30 AM - Breakfast
Enjoy a nourishing vegetarian breakfast, eating all together in joy!
10:00 - 11:00 AM - Zen Meditation - KoanZen / Laughter / Dokusan with Yaahoo Baba
These powerful techniques from the Zen lineage allow us to encounter the depth of our unconscious mind, with our highest consciousness, breaking patterns and systems for new flowering.
11:30 - 12:30 AM - Sharing / Wisdom Circle
We gather to express what is really going on inside us, and listen to others without judgement. A beautiful space for sharing, understanding, and growth.
1:00 - 2:00 AM - Lunch
Pure vegetarian lunch served with lots of love!
3:00 - 4:00PM - Bhakti Meditation
These meditations are a beautiful exploration of Bhakti techniques from the scriptures such as the Narada Bhakti Sutras
4:00 - 4:30 PM - Chai
An Anatta Sangha ritual! The best conversation happens over a warm and nourishing cup of Chai
4:30 - 5:00 PM - Evening Performance
We come together and enjoy an artistic performance, such as music, dance, song or poetry!
6:00 - 7:30 PM - Evening Celebration - Mini Fair / Open Mic Night / Anatta Kirtan
Celebrating at the end of the day with a fun event! We will enjoy lots of music, dance, joy, and expression in our evening celebration together.
7:30 - 8:30 - Dinner
Ending the day with a beautiful meal together, nourishing and full of love
Awaken your body, and energize your whole system for the day ahead!
8:30 - 9:30 AM - Breakfast
Enjoy a nourishing vegetarian breakfast, eating all together in joy!
10:00 - 11:00 AM - Zen Meditation - KoanZen / Laughter / Dokusan with Yaahoo Baba
These powerful techniques from the Zen lineage allow us to encounter the depth of our unconscious mind, with our highest consciousness, breaking patterns and systems for new flowering.
11:30 - 12:30 AM - Sharing / Wisdom Circle
We gather to express what is really going on inside us, and listen to others without judgement. A beautiful space for sharing, understanding, and growth.
1:00 - 2:00 AM - Lunch
Pure vegetarian lunch served with lots of love!
3:00 - 4:00PM - Bhakti Meditation
These meditations are a beautiful exploration of Bhakti techniques from the scriptures such as the Narada Bhakti Sutras
4:00 - 4:30 PM - Chai
An Anatta Sangha ritual! The best conversation happens over a warm and nourishing cup of Chai
4:30 - 5:00 PM - Evening Performance
We come together and enjoy an artistic performance, such as music, dance, song or poetry!
6:00 - 7:30 PM - Evening Celebration - Mini Fair / Open Mic Night / Anatta Kirtan
Celebrating at the end of the day with a fun event! We will enjoy lots of music, dance, joy, and expression in our evening celebration together.
7:30 - 8:30 - Dinner
Ending the day with a beautiful meal together, nourishing and full of love
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Anatta Sangha, The Narayana Sanctuary by Salvus, Badrinath Road, Tapovan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Directions
If you fly to Dehradun, you can take a taxi directly to the festival in Tapovan. The taxi should cost around 1000 rupees. You can also take a train to the Rishikesh Railway Station - and from here take a taxi or rickshaw to Tapovan. Regardless of where you arrive in Rishikesh, you will have to take a rickshaw or taxi to Narayana Sanctuary, on Badrinath Rd.
Accommodation
Named one of the best all suites hotels in Rishikesh, this property offers exquisite and spacious accommodations. The pathway will lead you to gardens and the all-black theme swimming pool at The Narayana Sanctuary. With plush pool beds, the large outdoor pavilions beckon you to lounge around all day long. Salvus House comes has the best presidential suite of all time in Rishikesh with huge ceilings and windows looking towards the Ganga Valley. A harmony of warm hospitality, calming colors, and decor, a mix of modern with traditional design, and luxurious amenities, the suites at The Salvus House will make you feel right at home.
Day pass (no accommodation)
Double sharing executive
Double sharing cave
Double sharing premium garden
Double sharing premium pool ground
Private Cave
Private premium Pool Ground
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Our festival takes place in Rishikesh - the Yoga Capital of the world, at Narayana by Salvus. A place where seekers and sages have been gathering for thousands of years. We have a beautiful spacious grassy garden (a rare find in Tapovan!) and a big yoga hall for our meditations. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and within walking distance, you'll find coffee, fruit shops, grocery, and many lovely restaurants.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Delicious vegetarian food - which will be healthy and filling, with a variety of selections. E.g fruits, toast, and chai for breakfast, roti with mixed vegetables, and delicious Indian food varities!
What's Included
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals
- Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day
- Daily meditation classes
- Evening performance
- Wifi connection
What's Not Included
- Flights costs
- Airport transfer
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee