Shaktis Divine Darshan – India 2025
22 October – 5 November 2025, Varanasi, Kolkata and Kerala, India
Co-hosted with Uschi Gibson
Rituals, Goddess Worship, Self Initiation.
Have you heard the call of the Goddess? Does her whisper beckon you to the fringes of your comfort zone, coaxing you to connect with the hidden lineage of women who worshiped Mother Earth in intense devotion, power, and connection?
Join us in this self initiating journey into the Divine Darshan of MA.
Blessings at some of the most powerful Shakti Temples in India.
Potent Goddess Rituals of Transformation & Connection.
Grounding Ayurvedic treatments and quiet time in Kerala.
Workshops, classes and outings to expand your understanding of rituals, and traditions at their source.
Where Do We Visit During Shakti’s Divine Darshan?
KOLKATA
After gathering in Delhi, we begin our journey by traveling together to Kolkata, the ‘City of Joy’, named after the Goddess Kali. Nowhere like West Bengal can one observe the traditions of Shaktism (Goddess Worship). Steeped in Devotion to the Goddesses Durga and Kali, Kolkata and the Dakshinesar Kali temple will offer an opportunity to surrender all expectations and open to the Divine Mother in pure devotion.
VARANASI
Next we travel to Varanasi, the city of Lord Shiva, the god of transformation, dance, and yoga in Hindu mythology. Known as Banaras under the British rule, Varanasi is the holiest city for Hindus. Many go there to cleanse away lifetimes of karma in the Ganges River and take the blessings of Lord Shiva at the thousands of temples and shrines throughout the city. Known for its clockwork of rituals, where one can observe Hindu traditions at their source, we will be transported back in time as we make our way around this remarkable city. In the words of Mark Twain, “Varanasi is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
CHERAI, Kerala
We will travel to the source of Ayurveda in Kerala. Ayurveda is a healing and nurturing holistic ‘science of life’, an ancient art which is woven within this incredible culture. For six days we will immerse in an experience of deep Ayurvedic healing. After having a consultation with an Ayurvedic physician you will receive an individualized package of Ayurvedic treatment which is inclusive of Ayurvedic food, herbs and bodywork (massage and other treatments). You will stay in a luxurious Kerala resort sandwiched between the sea and the backwater lagoons that this area is renowned for. This is an opportunity to reset, rest and restore. During our stay we will enjoy trips to local temples as well as a boat trip on the Kerala backwaters, a truly magical experience.
What Does the Retreat Include?
-Airport transfers according to your arrival and departure
-Flight Delhi-Kolkata & Overnight train (India hosts will support your purchase of the Varanasi-Kochi flight, but that one is not included)
-Double occupancy on arrival in Delhi at The Lemon Tree Premier
-Single occupancy throughout the rest of the journey
-Meals mentioned as per schedule (some meals are excluded, we will let you know)
-Support in preparation for travel to India, booking your flight, India eVisa etc.
-Yoga, meditation, and discourse sessions throughout the journey
Exclusions:
-International flight to India
-Your Darshan/Prasad offerings (we will explain and support throughout)
-Tips for drivers & Guides (we will manage a flat sum and distribute so it’s easy)
-Optional extra Ayurvedic massages/treatments/astrology readings
Our Sacred Journey:
1 night Delhi
2 nights Kolkata
1 Overnight train ride to Varanasi
3 nights Varanasi
7 nights Ayurvedic immersion in Cherai, Kerala
Full Schedule
Oct 22nd-Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi before or after midnight. Pick up at the terminal, taxi to hotel and stay overnight at Lemon Tree Premier. Optional excursion into Delhi with Uschi for some shopping.
Oct 23rd-Delhi to Kolkata
Breakfast. Meeting up as a group by the pool for circle. Hotel check out and transfer to airport for flight to Kolkata. Arrive, taxi to hotel. Check in and dinner. Goodnight.
Oct 24th-Kali Ma Darshan Day
Morning Yoga. Breakfast in hotel. Depart by van for tour of Dakshnieswar Kali Temple on the banks of the Ganga. Special blessings with Mother Kali in the Bhava of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Back to the hotel for lunch/rest. Optional outing for Darshan at Kalighat temple. Back to the hotel for dinner & rest. Goodnight.
Oct 25th-Mother Teresa, Train to Varanasi
Morning yoga. Breakfast in the hotel. Packing and grounding time before check out. Stow our bags in the hotel while we go to visit the Missionaries of Charity Mother Teresa Ashram. Come back to the hotel for dinner. Transition to train station for overnight train to Varanasi.
Oct 26th-Varanasi Arrival
Arrive at Mughal Sarai Station, Transition to hotels, check in. Breakfast. Relaxing and landing. Boat ride from Tulsi Ghat for evening Goddess Puja at Lalita Temple.
Oct 27th-Varanasi
Morning yoga. Breakfast in the hotel. Drive out to Sarai Mohana village for a beautiful morning interacting with local women, doing henna and vermillion foot painting, learning to tie saris, snacks and chai. Boat ride along the northern ghats see the stunning views from the river. Lunch at Shree Cafe.
Oct 28th-Chatth Puja
In Planning
Oct 29th-Transition to Kerala
Fly from Varanasi to Kerala, transfer from Kochi airport to Ayurveda retreat venue.
Supper and rest.
Oct 29th – Nov 5th Kerala Ayurveda immersion
Following physician consultation, daily Yoga, Ayurveda treatments and routine. Morning practices continue. Our afternoon schedule will vary with free time, local excursion or workshop.
Nov 5th depart
Cost and booking
The total cost is $3260 | £2615
(this excludes flights to India, your internal flight to Kerala and some meals, as detailed in the itinerary which is sent to you on booking)
Booking is with Uschi Gibson, please contact Uschi for more details and to reserve your space
For more information you’re also welcome to contact Virginia
Your hosts
Uschi Gibson
Growing up in the spiritual arms of Ojai, California, Uschi was inspired and initiated into the path of Goddess worship in her childhood. Following a career in the high fashion world, Uschi deepened her yoga studies, participating in her first YTT in 2002. This led her to India in 2007, where she has been based ever since. As a scholar-practitioner of the Shakta Tantra tradition, Uschi has a unique experience as a fluent Hindi speaker, and fully engaged member of the ancient Hindu culture she lives in. Her devoted study and explorations of ancient temples, sacred texts, and ritual practices, inform her teaching of Yogini movement, lectures, and curation of the yogic journeys she has been leading since 2010. Based in Varanasi with her partner & son, Uschi embodies and shares aspects of the culture only available by joining her on an adventure!
Virginia Compton
Virginia Compton is an Ayurvedic practitioner and Devi devotee based between Devon UK and India. She has spent long periods of her life in Kerala as well as Varanasi and is delving deep into the world of Shakti and women’s sacred practices. She is delighted to share this incredible sacred journey with you. She is passionate about inspiring individuals to take responsibility for their own health and wellness with Ayurveda as well as supporting those living with disease or debilitating conditions. With a past career as a nurse and a constant curiosity about all things Ayurveda she brings a unique mixture of east and west to your retreat experience.
More Courses & Retreats
Ayurveda retreat in Kerala, South India 2024
Step away from ordinary everyday life and join us in South India. This unique trip includes a 4 night tour through the colourful and spiritual landscapes of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, followed by an 8 night Ayurveda and Yoga retreat.
Moon Cycle Yoga Nidra ONLINE
These practices of Yoga Nidra (meaning Yoga sleep) give us deep rest, time to just be, to absorb and benefit from the moon cycle energies as they shift and change.
15 day ONLINE Sadhana
New moon is a time of darkness and perfect for the practice of deep rest. This is a time for settling and for stillness.
Full moon gifts us a heightened energy and is a time for letting go and shifting anything which we no longer need.The practices Virginia will share during this 15 day Sadhana (meaning spiritual practice) will follow the energies of the moon together with the powerful energy of the sacred city of Varanasi.
Be The First To Hear Our News!
Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to hear all of our news, updates and details of our courses.