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Diwali Yoga Retreat · Rishikesh, India

A Chapter
of Light.

A week of yoga, stillness and celebration in Rishikesh, in the week of Diwali.
Adhyaya means chapter. Spend one here.

Dates
Oct 23–30, 2027
Duration
7 Nights · 8 Days
Location
Laxman Jhula, Rishikesh
Diwali
Fri, Oct 29
Group Size
Max 12
⚡ Early Bird — Save €100 Book before May 1, 2027 See Pricing

A week to slow down,
and to light something
that stays.

Adhyaya Yoga's "A Chapter of Light" is a 7-night yoga retreat in Rishikesh, India, running October 23–30, 2027, during Diwali week. It includes daily yoga and meditation, sacred excursions to Ganga Aarti, Kunjapuri Temple and Devprayag, and a Diwali evening celebration, for a small group of up to 12 participants.

Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the light that remains when darkness has passed. In Rishikesh, you feel it in the evenings: lamps along the river, sweets in the streets, and a city that is a little more awake.

Adhyaya means chapter. This retreat is a chapter you set aside for yourself: time to practise, to rest, and to decide what you want to carry into the next one.

You will return home with a renewed practice and a week you will remember.

7
Nights in Rishikesh
Oct 29
Diwali
3
Sacred Excursions
Max 12
Participants
What You'll Experience

Practice. Rest.
Celebrate.

Hatha, Vinyasa & Yin

Daily asana practice that covers the full spectrum: the strength and flow of Vinyasa, the precision of Hatha, and the deep release of Yin.

Daily · Morning & Afternoon

Pranayama & Meditation

Breathwork and meditation to start each day grounded. We practise traditional techniques taught in their original context.

Daily · Morning/Evening

Diwali Evening

On the night of Diwali we light lamps together, share a festive dinner and close the week with a circle of gratitude and intention.

Friday, October 29

Philosophy in Practice

Yoga philosophy was never meant to stay in the texts. A workshop on light and darkness, attachment and letting go, with space for honest reflection on what you want to carry forward.

Workshop · Led by Hannah

Thai Yoga Massage

A hands-on workshop in Thai Yoga Massage led by Ankit and Hannah. Learn the foundations and principles of this ancient practice.

Workshop · Led by Ankit & Hannah

Sacred Excursions

Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan, sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple, and the sacred confluence at Devprayag. Immerse yourself in the culture of Rishikesh and the Himalayas.

3 Excursions Included
Day by Day

Structured for Depth,
Not Density.

October 23–30 · Tap a day to see the schedule · This is a provisional schedule (subject to change) to give you an overview of how the week will unfold.

October 23
Arrival & Opening
Settle in, meet the group, and set the intention for the week.
Arrival Day
Anytime
Arrival & check-in
We can arrange a pick-up service from the airport
17:00
Welcome circle
Introductions, intentions, and an overview of the week
18:00
Opening ceremony
Kirtan and ceremony: lighting the first lamp
19:30
Welcome dinner together
October 24
Foundation
The first full day. Establishing the rhythm of practice.
Practice Day
7:30
Pranayama & Vinyasa
Pranayama and Asana to open the day
9:00
Breakfast
11:00
Alignment & Anatomy
Understanding the postures from the inside out
13:00
Lunch & free time
Rest, explore Laxman Jhula, or sit with the Ganga
17:00
Yin Yoga
Deep release for hips, spine and nervous system
19:00
Dinner together
October 25
Devprayag
The sacred confluence, where two rivers become the Ganga.
Excursion Day
7:30
Morning practice (short)
Gentle opening before the journey
8:30
Breakfast
9:00
Depart for Devprayag
About 1.5 hours by road through the Himalayan valley
10:30
Devprayag, the sacred confluence
Where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga
14:30
Return journey & lunch en route
17:00
Yin Yoga & Yoga Nidra
Connecting inward
19:00
Dinner
October 26
Ganga Aarti
A shorter practice day. The evening is reserved for the fire ceremony on the river.
Excursion Day
7:30
Pranayama & Vinyasa
Pranayama and Asana to open the day
9:00
Breakfast
11:00
Thai Yoga Massage workshop
Principles & practice
13:00
Lunch & free time
Rest, explore Laxman Jhula, or sit with the Ganga
17:30
Walk to Parmarth Niketan
10 minutes from the School
18:00
Ganga Aarti fire ceremony
The evening ceremony on the banks of the Ganga
19:30
Dinner together
October 27
Kunjapuri Sunrise
We rise before dawn and drive to the top of the Himalayan ridge. Bring warm layers.
Excursion Day
4:30
Depart for Kunjapuri Temple
1,676m above sea level, panoramic Himalayan views
6:00
Sunrise at Kunjapuri
Watch the sunrise and enjoy the chai
8:30
Return to the School
11:00
Brunch & rest
Free afternoon
Explore, rest, journal
17:00
Yin Yoga
Slow, deep and quiet
19:00
Dinner
October 28
Deep Practice
The heart of the week. Full practice, study and reflection.
Practice Day
7:30
Pranayama & Vinyasa
Pranayama and Asana to open the day
9:00
Breakfast
11:00
Philosophy in Practice
Light and darkness in yoga philosophy: what we want to leave behind, and what we want to carry forward
13:00
Lunch & free time
Rest, explore Laxman Jhula, or sit with the Ganga
17:00
Yin Yoga
19:00
Dinner
October 29
Diwali
The festival of lights. A gentle day of practice, free time and celebration.
Festival Day
7:30
Morning practice (gentle)
Pranayama, meditation and a slow flow
9:00
Breakfast
Free day
Explore the festival atmosphere, rest, or spend time at the river
17:30
Preparing the lamps
Lighting diyas together
18:30
Diwali evening celebration & closing circle
Gratitude, intention and a shared festive dinner (details to be confirmed)
October 30
Departure
Carry the light back into your life.
Departure Day
7:30
Final morning practice
A closing practice to seal the week
9:00
Breakfast
10:00
Check-out
10:00+
Departures
We can arrange a transfer to the airport
Ankit teaching in the shala

"Light one lamp, and begin a new chapter."

Sacred Excursions

The Reason to Be
in Rishikesh.

01
Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan
Every evening, priests perform the ancient fire ceremony on the banks of the Ganga. Chanting, flames, flowers on the river. One of the most moving things you can witness in India — and it happens 10 minutes from the School.
02
Sunrise at Kunjapuri Temple
A Shakti temple perched at 1,676m with panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks. We rise early, drive up in the dark, and watch the sunrise and enjoy a cup of Chai. You will not forget it.
03
Devprayag — The Sacred Confluence
Where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to form the Ganga. One of the Panch Prayag pilgrimage sites, and spiritually significant in every tradition that flows through this valley. To stand here is to understand why this place matters.

Steps from the
Ganga.

The school is located just a few steps from the Ganga with a dedicated yoga hall, rooftop terrace, and views across the Himalayan hills. It's in the spiritual heart of Rishikesh — not an hour's drive from it.

For yoga practicioners seeking a real Rishikesh experience, this is exactly right. Charming and authentic, not sanitised and distant. The ashrams, the chai stalls, the sound of bells from the temples across the river — all within walking distance.

Dedicated yoga hall with natural light
Rooftop terrace with Himalayan views
Steps from Laxman Jhula & the Ganga
Meals arranged locally
Your Teachers

Led by People Who
Live This.

Ankit Chauhan
Ankit Chauhan
E-RYT 500 · Lead Teacher · Vinyasa, Hatha, Alignment & Thai Yoga Massage
Originally from Rishikesh, Ankit holds a Bachelor and Master in Yoga and has spent 8+ years teaching across India. His approach is functional, anatomy-informed, and rooted in tradition. This is his home territory — he grew up walking the same ghats you'll visit.
Hannah Pfeffer
Hannah Pfeffer
E-RYT 500 · Co-Teacher · Yin Yoga, Holistic Health & Thai Yoga Massage
Hannah is a Yoga teacher, Holistic Health Coach and Stress Management Trainer. Hannah trained in Rishikesh and has since taught Yoga Teacher Trainings internationally. Her work centres on nervous system regulation, Yin Yoga, breathwork and helping people reconnect with their bodies. Founder of Chapter of Being. Hannah is also a native German speaker and happy to support German-speaking guests directly.

Everything You Need
to Go Deep.

Not Included
About Diwali in Rishikesh

Diwali falls on Friday, October 29, 2027 (some regions celebrate a day later). Expect lamps along the river, sweets, music and some fireworks in town. Late October is after the monsoon: mostly dry and clear, with warm days and cooler mornings and evenings in the mountains. Pack layers. For a full packing list, see our retreat prep guide.

Student Stories

From Past Retreats.

Investment

Choose Your
Room.

All-inclusive: accommodation, meals, all sessions and all excursions.

Early Bird — Save €100
Shared Room
Double Room · Two Single Beds
€850
per person · early bird (before May 1, 2027)
Standard price: €950 · Shared with a friend, partner or another participant

A deposit of €400 secures your place. The remaining balance is due 4 weeks before the retreat starts. Max 12 participants, with applications reviewed in order of deposit received. Get in touch and we'll send you the bank details (Wise, EUR/USD, no fee) or a secure card payment link.

Apply Now Ask a Question
FAQ

Common Questions

Practitioners and yoga teachers who want a week of practice, rest and genuine cultural immersion during Diwali. An established personal practice is helpful, but you don't need to be advanced. Come with curiosity.
Diwali falls on Friday, October 29, 2027, inside the retreat dates of October 23–30.
Fly to Delhi (Indira Gandhi International) and continue by taxi or train (about 6 hours), or connect to Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport, about 45 minutes from Rishikesh). We include a taxi pickup from Delhi to Rishikesh on your arrival day; just share your flight details in advance. For the return trip we're happy to help you arrange transport, at your own cost.
This retreat is designed for yoga practitioners rather than absolute first-timers, but you don't need a teaching certificate and it's not a competition. If you're completely new to yoga, reach out before applying and we'll help you figure out if the timing's right.
The retreat is run in English, but you don't need to be fluent to join. Hannah is a native German speaker and can support German-speaking guests directly.
The school is a few steps from the Ganga: comfortable and authentic, not a resort. Shared rooms are double rooms with two single beds, shared with a friend, partner or another participant. Private rooms are single occupancy.
Late October is after the monsoon: mostly dry and clear, with warm days and cooler mornings and evenings in the mountains. Pack layers.
Get in touch via the Apply button or on WhatsApp. A €400 deposit secures your place, and the early bird price of €850 (shared) / €1,050 (private) applies until May 1, 2027.

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One Week.
One Chapter.
The Ganga is Waiting.

Max 12 participants, in the city of light, in the week of light.

Apply Now View Pricing

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