INDIA GEV 2025 Retreat | Happy Jack Yoga

India Retreat
&
Spiritual Pilgrimage

BHAKTI YOGA
IMMERSION

Govardhan EcoVillage
Maharashtra, India

Nov 15-22, 2026

Join the Happy Jack Yoga community for a life-changing week at Govardhan EcoVillage in Mother India.

If you're longing for something deeper, this retreat offers space to slow down, reconnect, and remember what truly matters. Through spiritual practice, sacred community, and a nourishing rhythm of daily life, you'll return home deeply inspired.

Our 7-night retreat will guide and facilitate a transformative experience bringing you closer to your true self.

We have created an extraordinary, all-inclusive low-cost opportunity for our Happy Jack Yoga community to share a deeply moving, nourishing, and healing experience. This is your chance to spend a week with Happy Jack & Hanna exploring the many facets of your spiritual practice. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, all levels are encouraged and welcome. Expect high-quality accommodations, impeccable food, and superior water hygiene. Payment plans are available.

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Retreat Outcomes

Bhakti Vocabulary | What to Expect

Typical Daily Schedule

HJY Workshop Content

Activities

Teaching Faculty

About Govardhan EcoVillage

Among the lushness of the award-winning, UNESCO 70-acre sustainability farm in the magical foothills of the Sahyadhri Mountains near Mumbai, India, immerse yourself and open your heart to the teachings of Bhakti yoga while living in harmony with the environment.

You'll spend a week at Govardhan EcoVillage, an award-winning certified UNESCO green travel destination, a 70-acre sustainable farming community and retreat center on the foothills of the Sahyadhri Mountains, 108km north of Mumbai, created and directed by the monk disciples of His Holiness Radhanath Swami.

GEV is the perfect environment to release, refocus, and recalibrate the self.

When you visit GEV, you'll experience a community that is a successful fusion between ancient Vedic wisdom and modern sustainability science.

This cutting-edge, environmentally savvy retreat center implements green technologies like permaculture farming, water harvesting, cob buildings, rammed earth buildings, gray water treatment, solar power, and bio-fuel energy systems.

Our hosts provide all the accommodations, bedding, and meals prepared with vegan and gluten-free options—and cooked with love.

GEV focuses on learning how to live in harmony with the environment and developing a ‘spiritual ecology’ that can bring about tangible, positive changes within ourselves and how we interact with the planet.

There is also an award-winning Ayurvedic Spa and Treatment Center available for appointments. Your investment includes a consultation with an Ayurvedic Doctor and an Abhyangam Ayurvedic oil massage.

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Please Note: For this retreat, we maintain traditional ashram and pilgrimage standards while also remaining respectful of the culture and the local village lifestyle in rural India. Therefore, for the duration of the retreat, we ask students to abstain from meat, fish, eggs, intoxicants, smoking, and sexual promiscuity.

To learn more about the incredible initiatives at GEV, enjoy this video.

Travel

All-Inclusive Price

What's Included

What's Not Included

Cancellation Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need any prior experience in yoga or Bhakti?

A: No, this retreat is accessible to ALL levels. If you have a sincere yearning to travel to the birthplace of yoga and connect to its deeper purpose, you're a perfect fit for this retreat. Expect to spend a week with a high-vibe community of spiritual seekers who are hungry for truth and meaningful conversations.

Q: Is everything included in the price?

A: Yes, once you arrive at Mumbai Airport (BOM), everything is included. Your investment includes accommodations, meals, ground transportation, workshop sessions, activities/excursions, an Ayurvedic massage, and even a 1-1 consultation with the Ayurvedic doctor. You will not need to spend any additional money while in India unless you choose to enjoy additional spa treatments, gifts at the gift shop, or snacks/drinks outside the regular meal times.

Q: Do the facilitators have experience leading retreats in India?

A: Happy Jack has spent years in India, traveling there annually since 2012, and together with Hanna has been hosting retreats and teacher training in India for more than a decade. In particular, Happy Jack has spent five months at GEV cultivating deep relationships with the community. Plus, you'll be engaging with and learning from a team of Indian monks who have dedicated their entire lives to the practice of Bhakti yoga.

Q: How is the weather at this time of year?

A: This is the perfect time to visit India as the temperatures are nice and warm, but not too hot. You can expect daily highs of 88F (31C) and lows of around 72F (22C). It will be sunny with no rain.

Q: Is the retreat center wheelchair accessible?

A: Yes, the accommodations and most of the property is wheelchair accessible. Also, there are golf carts available to transport guests around the property 24/7 upon request.

Q: Can I attend if I have physical limitations or an injury?

A: Yes, this retreat is accessible to ALL levels. Although there will be a Hero's Journey vinyasa yoga practice each morning, participation in the retreat program is possible with physical limitations. Also, during the yoga asana classes, variations and modifications are offered to accommodate ALL levels of practice.

Q: Is it safe to travel to India?

A: Having traveled there many times, and explored the entire country from north to south, our experience is that it is indeed safe. In particular, the GEV retreat center was created specifically to provide a soft landing for Westerners traveling to India to ensure a comfortable experience while still being exposed to the authentic culture and practices.

Q: Is the food and drinking water safe?

A: The food at GEV is prepared to impeccable standards and caters specifically to Western yogis. All meals and drinking water are provided as part of the retreat. It's a great idea to bring a water bottle, as there are high-quality drinking water stations located all around the retreat center grounds. If you travel outside GEV before or after the retreat, drink bottled water and eat cooked food. However, if you follow our suggested itinerary, all meals and beverages are included.

Q: Are vaccinations required to travel to India?

A: No, vaccinations are not required. We recommend doing what you are most comfortable with. Consult a health care professional, or act according to your values. Our team travels here annually and does not take any vaccinations, though this is a personal choice. Please do what feels right for you.

Q: What is the vibe of the yogis who attend HJY retreats?

A: Expect a high-vibe community that will love, care for, and support one another. Get ready to make friendships for life.

Q: What style of yoga will be taught?

A: The yoga asana class we'll practice each morning is a vinyasa flow sequence called The Hero's Journey, designed by Happy Jack Yoga. Also, since this is a Bhakti Yoga Immersion, you will certainly be exposed to the heart-centered practices of Bhakti. Additionally, you can expect some nourishing evening practices of Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga with Hanna.

Q: Where will we practice yoga?

A: Our meditation, yoga asana, and Satsangs (community sharing circles) will be hosted in the various temple courtyards, under the trees of the Vrindavan Forest, as well as a dedicated yoga shala.

Q: Will we earn Continuing Education (CE) hours from the retreat workshops?

A: Yes, upon completion of this retreat, you'll be eligible for a total of 40 CE hours according to the various practice and theory sessions you'll engage in. Most commonly for yoga teachers, these hours can be requested through the International Yoga Alliance YACEP program.

Q: Is there internet access at the retreat center?

A: Yes, you'll enjoy complimentary WiFi in your room and the yoga halls.

Q: If I choose the 'shared room' package, will you assign me a roommate?

A: Yes, we will match you with another beautiful soul (of the same gender) that we believe will be a great match. Often roommates at HJY retreats end up becoming friends for life.

Q: Can you connect us with other participants to arrange traveling on the same flights?

A: Yes, this is very common for participants from major Canadian / American / European cities to arrange booking the same flights. You'll be connected with the group well in advance before booking flights to arrange this according to your comfort level. In fact, you're welcome to join us for multiple Zoom calls in the months leading up to the retreat to connect with the community and get all your questions answered.

Q: What is the noble silence each evening?

A: Noble silence is a practice often observed at HJY retreats. After 9 pm, we encourage yogis to remain in silence to integrate and absorb the teachings of the day. The purpose is to enhance the overall experience and benefits of the retreat. Here are some benefits of the noble silence: deepen inner reflection, enhance mindfulness, reduce mental clutter, create a tranquil environment, and promote detachment from daily habits. Overall, noble silence is intended to enhance the spiritual, mental, and emotional benefits of the retreat, helping you to achieve a deeper state of awareness and inner peace.

Q: Are children or families welcome?

A: It is common to bring a spouse along, even if they have limited or no experience with yoga. It is also possible to bring children if you feel comfortable with them spending some time on their own (or having one parent accommodating them). Children will love the GEV campus, enjoy many of the activities and excursions, and even get to meet and play with other local children who are attending an English-speaking school next to the ashram. There's also a Kid's Zone with playground equipment and a trampoline. Teenagers are welcome to join yoga classes; however, our Satsang (community sharing circles) are only for adults as this is a safe space for yogis to open up and share their hearts. Although the group will be predominantly adults (ages ranging from the twenties to the seventies), depending on the maturity level of children and the level of supervision required, it may be possible to bring them along. Note that the additional teacher's donation would not be expected for children.

Q: What happens after I sign up?

A: Your retreat adventure begins the moment you reserve your spot with a $500 deposit. In preparation for this spiritual pilgrimage to Mother India, you'll be provided with some recommended inspirational reading (optional, not required). Also, the group of yogis will be meeting a few times over Zoom to get to know one another in advance. You'll also receive more details on what to pack, and of course, we'll continue to be available to answer your questions. Most importantly, please know that you are ready now. Although we'll share many resources to support your retreat experience, truthfully all you need to do is show up with an open heart for this life-changing experience.

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Further questions? Email [email protected]

Explore Your GEV Retreat Experience

Sadhana (spiritual practice)

Your days are gently anchored by sadhana, a rhythm of spiritual practice that weaves together movement, stillness, prayer, and reflection. Practiced in community, these moments invite you to step out of daily distractions and into something more intentional, grounded, and alive.

Deep Spiritual Connection

This pilgrimage offers space to slow down, soften, and reconnect, both inwardly and outwardly. Through shared walks, quiet moments, and time immersed in nature and sacred surroundings, you're invited into a more intimate relationship with yourself, with life, and with the spiritual path.

Many participants describe a subtle but profound shift: a feeling of being more open, more connected, and more at ease. It's not something that's forced or explained, it unfolds naturally, as you give yourself permission to simply be present and receptive.

Empowerment in Action

You'll visit the nearby GEV Skills Center, where you'll meet young women who are shaping their own futures through education, training, and meaningful work. Supported by the women devotees at GEV, these women have gained practical skills and professions that allow them to create stability, dignity, and opportunity for themselves and their families.

This visit is deeply inspiring, a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when compassion, education, and community come together.

Annakshetra Food Seva

You'll have the opportunity to practice seva by helping serve a nutritious meal to members of the local community. This simple act of selfless service becomes something much deeper, a moment of genuine human connection.

Through shared presence, eye contact, and a smile, even across a language barrier, you'll experience a quiet but powerful sense of unity. It's a reminder that yoga lives not only on the mat, but in how we show up for one another.

Where Hearts Meet

One of the most tender and memorable moments of the pilgrimage is our visit to a local tribal village school. As you spend time with the children, sharing smiles, songs, and simply your presence, you're invited into a kind of connection that goes far beyond words.

Ecstatic Flower Festival

Often described as the highlight of the entire journey, the Ecstatic Flower Festival is a joy-filled celebration unlike anything most people have ever experienced. Surrounded by music, chanting, movement, and an abundance of flowers, you're invited into a moment of pure presence and shared joy.

Many participants say this experience stays with them long after the retreat ends, a reminder of what it feels like to be fully alive, open-hearted, and connected. It's something you can fully explain. It's something you feel.

Sunrise Hike to the Summit

One morning, if you're feeling adventurous, we'll rise early for a sunrise hike to the peak overlooking GEV below. As the sun lifts over the valley, you're invited into a quiet moment of presence, perspective, and awe.

The hike is challenging yet accessible, taking about 3 hours round trip, and offers a simple yet powerful reminder of the beauty found in slowing down and seeing life from a higher vantage point.

Friends for Life

One of the most beautiful surprises of this journey is the depth of connection you'll experience with the people beside you. Sharing daily practices, meaningful conversations, laughter, and reflection creates bonds that form naturally and effortlessly.

You'll leave India not only with memories, but with new friendships that continue long after the retreat ends, people who feel like family, walking a similar path, and cheering each other on back home.

Discover Your Self

At the heart of this pilgrimage is the opportunity to learn from living examples of devotion and wisdom. You'll have the chance to meet His Holiness Radhanath Swami, founder and visionary of GEV, whose life and teachings have inspired seekers around the world.

These moments become a quiet mirror, inviting reflection, humility, and deeper self-understanding. Through listening, observing, and simply being present, you're gently guided inward, discovering clarity, purpose, and a more authentic connection with yourself.

Simple Living, Thoughtfully Designed

Enjoy your ensuite (private bathroom) A/C room at Govardhan EcoVillage.

If you've been to India on retreat or teacher training with us these past decades, you'll know that ashram life in Rishikesh can be primitive. However, the accommodations at Govardhan EcoVillage are exceptionally beautiful and comfortable. You're going to love your room!

Sacred Care for the Cows

At the GEV Goshala (cow sanctuary), cows are cared for with reverence, gentleness, and respect. You'll have the opportunity to meaningfully connect with and witness a way of living where compassion extends beyond humans to all beings.

This experience offers a quiet yet powerful reflection on conscious living, gratitude, and the deeper values at the heart of yogic culture.

Hang out with the HJY Team

Spend a week with Happy Jack, Hanna, and friends in the birthplace of yoga. Throughout the journey, you'll share meals, conversations, practices, and everyday moments with the HJY Team. Rather than feeling guided from a distance, you're supported from within the circle.

This relaxed, relational approach creates trust, warmth, and space for real connection. Joining an HJY retreat involves being part of a like-minded community of seekers. Our community provides support, encouragement, and a shared sense of purpose, which is incredibly uplifting and motivating.

Ayurvedic Healing & Rejuvenation

Govardhan Ayurveda employs the 5000-year-old authentic Ayurvedic practices where you'll experience traditional treatments designed to restore balance and support deep relaxation. Rooted in ancient wisdom, your treatments will nourish the nervous system and help the body release accumulated tension.

Authentic Yoga Ashram

GEV offers a rare opportunity to experience yoga as a lived tradition, rooted in daily practice, service, and devotion. This is not a resort version of yoga, it's an environment where spiritual life is lived simply, intentionally, and with care.

As you move through the rhythms of ashram life, you're invited to experience yoga beyond postures, through community, mindful living, and acts of service. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of yoga not just as something you practice, but as a way of relating to life itself.

Evening Prayers + Devotion

Each evening, you're invited to join a traditional arati (worship and prayers) on the Yamuna River. Through chanting, music, and the gentle glow of sacred lamps, the day naturally comes to a close. These moments offer a sense of peace, rhythm, and reverence.

Sacred Fire Ceremony

As the retreat comes to a close, you're invited into a traditional Vedic fire ceremony. Guided by an authentic monk, you'll make offerings into the sacred fire, symbolizing what you're ready to release and the intentions you wish to carry forward.

Many participants describe this ceremony as deeply moving and transformative. It becomes a powerful moment of letting go, renewal, and beginning again. Clarity, peace and a felt sense of completion result. For many, this ritual marks not an ending, but a new beginning that continues to ripple through life long after the journey home.

Wisdom from Living Monastics

You'll hear from monks and practitioners who live the teachings of bhakti yoga in their daily lives. Their insights are practical, heartfelt, and rooted in lived experience, not theory alone.

You'll find these conversations and practices deeply clarifying, offering fresh perspective on purpose, relationships, and spiritual life in the modern world.

Ashram Vibes

The ashram atmosphere invites you into a slower, more intentional way of living. Daily life flows with simplicity, mindfulness, and shared purpose. This gentle rhythm often helps participants reconnect with what feels most essential, creating space for clarity, presence, and inner calm.

High-Vibe Community

You'll be surrounded by a heart-centred community of sincere seekers, yogis, and kindred spirits walking a similar path. The shared rhythm of practice, meals, conversations, and laughter creates a sense of ease and belonging that often feels rare in everyday life.

You'll be surprised by how quickly meaningful connections form. There's space to be yourself, open, curious, reflective, joyful, and to feel supported exactly as you are. This sense of community doesn't end when the retreat does; it becomes a lasting source of connection and friendship.

This pilgrimage isn't a checklist of activities, it's a lived rhythm of presence, connection, and growth. You're invited not just to see India, but to be changed by it, through spiritual practice, soulful community, and moments that quietly expand your heart.

If you're ready to meet yourself more fully, deepen your spiritual roots, and return home with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, this journey calls to you.