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SATURDAY, JUNE 18, 2011

Journey to Mahavatar Babaji's cave in Kukuchina,

Dunagiri, India
This was my first visit to Mahavatar Babaji's cave in
Kukuchina, Dunagiri, north India, not so far away
from Dwarahat and it has been an amazing
experience. What an opportunity to sit in Babaji's
cave for meditation after reading all those stories in
Paramahansa Yogananda's book "Autobiography of
a Yogi". And the surroundings.... breathtaking. If
you are a Kriya Yogi practitioner you should
definitively come to visit this place and stay for a while.

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Cave Story

Who is Mahavatar Babaji

Mahavatar Babaji is an ancient yogi from the Himalayas who it is
said to have an eternal body. His story has been made known
thanks to Yogananda's book "Autobiography of a Yogi". He is an
avatar (divine incarnation) who has revived the science of Kriya
Yoga (an advanced pranayama technique that accelerates spiritual
evolution) and spread it to the modern world through his disciple
Lahiri Mahasaya.

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The journey
After 15 days at the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama ashram in Rishikesh I decided to
make another trip and move a bit north. I started the journey at 8.30 pm and took an
auto Rickshaw from the ashram premises to the Rishikesh bus station (15 min).
From there I was able to catch a public bus to Haridwar (45 min) and in Haridwar I
had to wait for a couple of hours to catch the sleepers night train at 00.15 to
Kathgodam (7 hours).
I reached Kathgodam at 7 am and from there I had to take a share taxi to Raniket (4
hours) and from Raniket another shared taxi to Dwarahat (3 hours) to finally get to
the Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram (YSS), an ashram for Paramahansa
Yogananda disciples, where I would stay for the next 10 days and use it as a base
to visit Babaji's cave. The taxis are actually old jeeps that goes packed with people.
It is the most common transportation means in this area.
So it was about 14 hours ride to reach Dwarahat. Pretty easy though, but it got
difficult in the first shared taxi from Kathgodam to Raniket. I don't know why but I got
so sick as soon as I got in the taxi. Perhaps cause a combination of the altitude, the
package of cookies that I just had eaten and the crazy curvy road.
I felt dizzy, had a big headache and just wanted to through up... for the next four
hours!. The curves didn't help at all, I had to take a deep breath in every single
curve but at least I got to see the astonishing landscape which actually reminded me

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of the highlands in Ecuador.

But I was not the only one sick, one lady in the sit in front of me started vomiting out
from her window. Luckily I notice it and managed to closed my window on time. Half
an hour later her son started vomiting as well and another half an hour later another
lady started to vomit through the other window.

Visiting the Cave

The next day, with a group of four other Kriya Yogis from India we took another
shared taxi from the YSS ashram and headed towards Kukuchina. The people at
the ashram arranged the taxi for us and they even gave us a basket with our lunch :)

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The ride to kukuchina was about 50 minutes and I felt like killing the driver. In India
people love to hit the horn all the time but this guy was extreme, sometimes the road
was clearly empty and he would still hit the horn like crazy!!

We got off the taxi at Kukuchina and started to walk

towards the cave. Its a really nice 50 minutes trek
with incredible landscapes.
Just before the cave there is a building, Babaji's
shrine, built by Self Realization Fellowship in the
place where according to the story told by
Yogananda in his "Autobiography of a Yogi"
Mahabatar Babaji materialized a golden palace for Lahiri Mahasaya, one of his
disciples, to fulfill his last but subconscious material desire.

It seems that every day there are pilgrims visiting the cave. Kriya Yogis that follow
different gurus, all connected in one way or another to Lahiri Mahasaya, make this
journey. During my visit there was a large group of Kriya Yogis disciples of
Hariharananda.
As soon as we reached the cave we all removed our shoes outside and found a
good spot in the cave to sit down comfortably so we could start our individual
meditation. After a beautiful one hour meditation in the cave we continue climbing
up the hill to reach the top which is called Pandavkholi and to visit the Pandavkholi
Dharamshala and Mandir. But on the way up we made a stop to enjoy the nice
lunch prepared by the ashram for us.

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How to reach Mahavatar Babaji's cave in Kukuchina, Dunagiri, India

This is the route that I followed from Rishikesh:

The Bihar School of Yoga 4 Months Yoga

Course
Journey to Mahavatar Babaji's cave in
Kukuchina, Dunagiri, India

From Rishikesh take a public bus from the main bus stop to Haridwar.
(45 min)
From Haridwar take the night train to Kathgodam which leaves every day
at 00h15. There is only one train per day.
From Kathgodam take a share taxi to Raniket (4 hours) and from Raniket
another shared taxi to Dwarahat (3 hours). The share taxi from
Kathgodam up to Dwarahat should be around 250 or 300 rupees.
Once you reached Dwarahat market you'll need to take another share
taxi to Kukuchina (50 minutes) for about 25 rupees. This is the last stop
by car.
From there you will need to walk up the mountain to reach the cave,
about 50 minutes. It is not a difficult walk up but you'll need to go slow
according to your capacity since the altitude might affect you.
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Where to stay.
If you are a Self Realization Fellowship member or a Yogoda Satanga Society
member you should definitively stay at the Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram which
is just 15 minutes walking from the Dwarahat market. From there to reach the cave
you just need to take a share taxi, about 50 minutes ride.
You can also stay in Dwarahat itself. I heard from a group of Kriyabans from the
Hariharananda tradition that they were staying in a hotel in Dwarahat for about 800
rupees per night. From there to reach the cave you just need to take a share taxi
which will take about 50 minutes.
Another option is to stay at Jossie's guesthouse in Kukuchina. It is actually a pretty
nice place. There are several rooms but also two beautiful and comfortable
cottages.
One more option is to stay on top of the hill, at the Pandavkholi Dharamshala. It is a
simple shelter for pilgrims with very basic accommodation but with really friendly
people and incredible surroundings.

Books about Babaji in Amazon.com

Babaji and
The 18 Siddha
Kriya Yoga Tradition

Journey to
Freedom

Babaji
The Lightning
Standing Still

The Voice of
Babaji

Paramahansa Yogananda Books in Amazon.com

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Autobiography
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Journey to
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Man's Eternal
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The Divine
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Take a look at the video and other related posts

What to Pack for Your Next Travel and Yoga Adventure to India
Video: Babaji's Cave, the Pandavkholi Dharamshala and Kukuchina.
The Yogoda Satsanga Sakha (Kriya Yoga) Ashram, Dwarahat, India
The Pandavkholi Dharamshala and Mandir, Dunagiri, India
A meditation retreat in Kukuchina, near Babaji's cave. Dunagiri, India

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Posted by Marco Pino on 6/18/2011

35 comments:
Anonymous June 18, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Thank you so much for your information. I intend go to these places as soon as
possible. Like you I simply cannot wait! Now getting my visa sorted.....and then i'm
off whatever the weather! - P
Reply

Anonymous June 22, 2011 at 10:27 AM

I would also like to thank you for all the detailed information, it's a great blog!
Reply

Elouise July 5, 2011 at 8:49 AM

Translate

OMG i cant believe you went to the cave!!! how incredible awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply

Anonymous July 18, 2011 at 2:48 AM

there is a shorter way from delhi to dunagiri try reaching ramnagar at around 2:00
a.m (buses ply from anand vihar ISBT at evening and reach exactly at same
time)from ramnagar there are buses for almost all part of kumaon and garhwal
himalya's.i always take the 4:a.m bus.The road goes through boundary of corbett
national park and has some paranomic view's.from ramnagar you get the bus for
ranikhet,you may even try the chaukhuttiya route from here. chaukhuttiya is 18
k.m. from dwarahat
Reply

K.SUNDARARAJAN November 7, 2011 at 2:09 AM

I am in Madurai. My Name is K.Sundararajan. I want to go to babaji's cave. Please
tell me the route to babaji cave and also tell me whether i came back within 1
week time(after visiting babaji's cave). I request to tell me the details in my mail ID
[email protected]
My Mobile No. is 9942893455
K.SUNDARARAJAN
MADURAI
Reply

Anonymous November 7, 2011 at 2:33 AM

To minimize or avoid the nausea of motion sickness, take a motion sickness
remedy in advance, available at drug stores and on Internet, such as Dromamine
or ear patch. I took Dromamine a couple hours in advance and had no motion
sickness on way to Babaji's cave on October 20, 2011.
Reply
Replies
Marco January 17, 2012 at 7:04 AM
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind next time I'll visit the cave :-) but for sure a
very good advice for those who are planning to visit it and have the
chance to read this blog.
Reply

Anonymous November 7, 2011 at 11:19 AM

Hi, how long is the hike from Mahavatar Babaji's cave to the top of the hill named
Pandavkholi?
Reply
Replies
Marco January 17, 2012 at 7:02 AM
Oh, can't remember now... I guess it was about 30 minutes or so
Reply

Anonymous March 3, 2012 at 2:46 AM

ciao Marco, vorrei sapere a chi bisogna chiedere le chiavi per entrare nella grotta
di Babaji
Reply

Marco March 3, 2012 at 8:34 PM

The key to babaji's cave? I have no idea but you can ask at the Babaji's shrine, the
building just before reaching the cave or at the Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Ashram,
for sure they would now. Or maybe ask to Jossie
Reply

RT May 12, 2012 at 7:02 AM

hi,
thank you for your journey details, which helped me to understand more about my
plans to visit Mahavatar Babaji cave. Please explain me, as am not familiyar with
Kriya yoga, is there any ashram or Guru will help us to get the teachings at the
Cave? Also tell me how many days we can stay up there at the cave or a nearby
hotel or ashram.
Reply

Anonymous June 12, 2012 at 8:56 AM

Hi, Thanx for all the information. I wish to visit Babaji's cave .want to know whats
the best time of the year to go.
can i stay ina hotel for 4 days? is simple food without spices availble there?
pl mail me [email protected]
Reply

Marco Pino

July 5, 2012 at 4:36 AM

@ RT: I'm not aware if there is anybody in that region that could give you the
initiation into Kriya Yoga. There is the Yogoda Satsanga Sakha ashram of
Paramahansa Yogananda tradition near the cave but to get an initiation in this
tradition you first need to subscribe by post to the biweekly lessons and later on
apply for the Kriya Yoga initiation. So it takes quite a while.
You can stay in this region as long as you want. I recommend you to stay at
Jossie's guesthouse which faces the mountain where the cave is. You can't stay at
the cave itself.
Reply

anastasia sofos February 21, 2013 at 3:22 AM

...if only i did not mind vomiting...curently studying Iyengar Yoga in Pune and
heading north to bodhgaya for meditation next, perhaps Rishikesh after. Special
affinity for Paramahanse Yogananda! Wonderful posts!
Reply
Replies
Marco Pino

February 22, 2013 at 7:58 AM

Hi Anastasia! Thanks for your comment. Oh yeah, the dizzyness was

tough but definitely worth the price to reach to Babaji's cave, and you
can always take and anti dizziness pill before the ride. Bodhgaya is a
wonderful place, very good vibe and so is Rishikesh but they are
completely different. I'm sure you are going to have a great time there.
Good luck! And Namaste :-)
Reply

Anonymous August 27, 2013 at 3:37 PM

Hi
I am a Sri Lankan read the Auto biography of yogi book and wish to follow the
kiriyayoga technique and also visit the Babaji's cave in my life time.
Thank you for the guidance.
Can anyone tell me that practicing kiriya yoga is a condition to go to the babaji's
cave. I want to practice it anyway. But I couldnt connect myself with a proper
ashram or yoga school. Next question is can i make the entire trip within 2 weeks,

because I am working.
Please help me by anwering these
[email protected]

question

to

my

mail

address

Thank you everyone for encouraging comments. I wish to be born in India which is
the land of wisdom
Reply

Bangalore Boy December 29, 2013 at 10:12 PM

Thanks for all the Info Shared ....I will pray Babaji..will go in the way he takes me.
Reply

Banashree B February 18, 2014 at 2:35 AM

Please let me know any guide, who could assist people to the cave.Please
mention the contact no , if you have.
Thanks
Reply

Anonymous March 7, 2014 at 11:39 PM

Hello,
I just now visited the holy place of Mahavatar Babji cave. It was the most
wonderful journey in my life. The source of Kriya Yoga where one can attain the
bliss if attuned with the vibrations of Babaji. Jai Babaji...

Prakash D
Reply
Replies
Marco Pino

June 20, 2014 at 11:02 PM

Congratulations Prakash, you are very fortunate, very good karma :-)
Reply

Joe Francisca June 9, 2014 at 7:31 AM

Thank you so much for your valuable information to us for this wonderful ride.
Reply

Marco Pino

June 20, 2014 at 11:03 PM

You are welcomed Joe, I hope you can use it for your visit to the cave, all the best!
Reply

rn nagaraja February 18, 2015 at 8:42 AM

My sincere thanks for those who has given infn to reach babaji cave. Since I am a
heart patient I may not visit cave I got infn thank you sirs
Reply

Sasi Menon July 30, 2015 at 6:34 PM

Thank you Marco for the informative write up. I have been wanting to visit places
that are connected with Mahavatar Babaji and His cave is definitely on the top of
the priority list. I will be driving down from Delhi. If anyone here wants to go there,
please write in to me [email protected] and we can plan a trip together,
whenever the time suits us.

Reply

San Kap October 11, 2015 at 11:10 AM

Babaji,
My self sivanathan from Chennai. Can anyone help me with the travel plan from
Chennai to babaji cave. Also please guide me about staying, as I am not a
member of any sathsang. Please provide details to my mail id :
[email protected]
Seeking babaji's blessing for the tour.
Regards,
N. Sivanathan
09841014595
Reply

suresh Rama December 2, 2015 at 8:28 PM

HI
thanks for wonderful write up on the babaj caves, i am planning to go in Jan 2016,
how far is Jossie's guesthouse to babaji caves?
thank you brother
suresh
Reply

Unknown February 2, 2016 at 5:15 AM

Om Nama Shivaya My name is nagaraju i m from Vijayawada. Can anyone help
me with the travel plan from Vijayawada to babaji cave. Also please guide me
about staying, as I am not a member of any sathsang. Please provide details to
my mail id : [email protected]
Reply

gourav chopra February 2, 2016 at 8:55 AM

Hi! Marco how are you? I m one of the four devotees with whom you went to
babaji's cave.
Reply
Replies
Marco Pino

February 22, 2016 at 12:49 AM

Oh wow fantastic. Nice to hear from you. I'm well thanks, hope you are
also doing well.
Reply

San Kap March 15, 2016 at 10:34 AM

Mr. Nagaraju, take from hyderabad to Delhi. From old Delhi to kathgodam train
available. From kathgodam to kukuchina, u will get share taxi. In kukuchina u can
stay in joshi guest house. U can call me, in case of any help.
N. Sivanathan
9841014595
Reply

subhash March 22, 2016 at 2:41 AM

We also visited Babaji's cave on 14th march,2016. It was a great experience.
Reply

Suresh Kumar May 29, 2016 at 4:18 AM

Today morning me and friends visited maha avatar babaji cave. This is our second
visit. For your kind information there is another cave next to it only local guide will
assist you to take to that place. In 100s only 5 will have dare to go inside and
come back. Thanks to my brother who took us inside. A divine experience
Reply

Raghu July 23, 2016 at 6:08 AM

I am going to visit on 13th Aug 2016, starting on 12th Aug 2016 from Hyderabad,
is any one going to join with me? if so please contact me @ 9966980410, Raghu
Reply

Kalidoss Sathurappan August 9, 2016 at 12:06 AM

I plan to have a darshan of Mahaavtar Babaji's cave on 27th / 28th August..I am
from
Chennai..I
will
start
from
Karnaprayag
on
27th
towards
Dwarahat/Kukuchina..Can any body accompany ?
Reply

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