Dear friends of the Dhamma,
we are fortunate to announce for 2026 the pilgrimage to the Four Holy Places in India and Nepal
from 21st of February – 11th of March in 2026
The journey is a wonderful possibility to get to know the historical places where the Buddha lived and operated and it is considered to be a very meritorious act if it is undertaken with the right intention and understanding.
This time the Venerable Bhikkhuni Silavaddhani was asked to guide the pilgrimage and the retreat as a teacher.
Requirement for registration: Please note that participants need to have finished full Basic Course (15-21 days) as well as at least two full retreats (12-15 days) in the Vipassana tradition of Most Venerable Phra Prom Mongkol Vi in one of our monasteries or centers! It is a religious journey where participants should wholeheartedly bring an openness to the various forms of worship and paying respect to the Triple Gem.
The pilgrimage takes place regularly since more than 15 years (with a break from 2020 until 2024).
Our respected teacher Most Venerable Phra Prom Mongkol Vi asked Khun Thanat and Khun Kathryn Chindaporn to guide the non-Thai students on the pilgrimage as it is a very important and meaningful religious journey. Usually the Venerable Phra Ajarn Ofer guided the tour as a teacher, sometimes alone, sometimes together with Khun Thanat and Khun Kathryn or other senior teachers.
Every year the pilgrimage is organized well and qualified by Bikash, a longstanding Nepalese student of our Dhamma community. Bikash is the tour operator and is responsible for the organization of the trip.
Our task is merely to bundle the registrations from the various monasteries and meditation
centers and pass them on to Bikash.
The accommodation will be in hotels as well as in temples. There will be a full retreat in the birthplace of the Buddha.
To support the wholesome intention of the pilgrimage, from Bodhgaya to Lumbini participants wear white clothes and keep the 8 Precepts and no dinner is served (only tea-time with allowable tonics), whereas Noble Silence during the travel days is not so strict like in the retreat – but one should watch the mind and observe mindfully talks and actions.
Wherever possible, we will chant together in the morning and evening, practice meditation, have Dhamma discussions, read suttas together and engage in other religious activities. It is important to keep in mind that this is a religious journey and not a tourist trip.
People are supposed to meet in Delhi in order to take the same flight to Gaya.
Everybody is responsible to take care and apply for the Indian visa by oneself in advance. Please check the regulations with the embassy/consulate in your home country. The Nepalese visa will be applied upon arrival at the border.
If you are interested to join you can contact us and we will send out further information that are
necessary for registration. Only if registration is confirmed by us, flights should be booked.
For any further questions and registration please contact:
Jannik Gensler: pilgrimageindia26@gmail.com
Please note that the registration deadline is November 21st, 2025.
The number of participants is limited and
it is very possible that registration is closed before that date.
Please find the full information with this link
With Metta
Your Dhammacari Team