“Awakening Shakti Within”
Navaratri Retreat October 10-19, 2026
The Meditation Center, Minneapolis, MN
With warm greetings from The Meditation Center in Minneapolis.
During Sharad Navaratri this October, The Meditation Center, affiliate of AHYMSIN-Americas, will be offering a sacred nine-day retreat titled: Awakening Shakti Within: The Navadurgas as a Path of Self-Transformation
“Sharad Navaratri” is the auspicious period of nine nights when Mother Divine is invoked and venerated. During this period, each of the nine days and nights features each of the ‘Navadurgas’ (nine forms of Durga). Each one, on her day, will be honored, her attributes highlighted, her iconography explained, and invited within.
This retreat offers participants a rare opportunity to step away from ordinary routines, enter a sacred rhythm of practice, non-attachment and devotion, and experience the Navadurgas as living expressions of Shakti for inner strength, surrender, clarity, and self-transformation.
During the upcoming Navaratri Retreat, Swami Ritavan and Swami Radha, along with senior teachers from The Meditation Center, such as Stoma, Anil Konkimalla, Paul Emerson, Lori Beron, Sunita Gangopadhyay, Emilio Bettaglio, Nikki Strong, Daniel Hertz, Jennifer Manion and others, will be guiding advanced practices such as Laya Yoga, the Yoga of Dissolution; 61 Points BlueStar; Bhuta Shuddhi; Yoga Nidra; Manasa Puja; Om Kriya, etc.
Daniel Hertz will be offering Biofeedback training appointments from from 1:30–3:00 p.m..There will be a sign-up sheet at the registration desk.
All retreat participants will receive a beautifully illustrated booklet with all the relevant information on the Navadurgas which will be useful during the retreat.
On Sunday, October 18th, in the afternoon, there will be a Kanya Puja led by Swami Ritavan. Kanya Puja, a ritual that Swami Veda performed during Navaratri at SRSG every year, is a tradition that is now continued by Swami Ritavan. It consists of the worship of young girls in the community. They are regarded as impersonations of Divine Mother; their feet are washed, and they are given special gifts . Following the Kanya Puja there will be a havan.
The program will also include the following:
• Hatha Yoga, daily prayers of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition
• Guided and silent Divine Mother meditations
• Mantra japa, silence practice
• Guided special practices, contemplative walking
• “Lalita Sahasranama,” evening puja for each “Navadurga”
• Three vegetarian Northern Indian meals prepared on site
• A blessed environment conducive for self study
Participants may attend the full nine-day retreat or selected dates, based on their availability. Residential space at The Meditation Center is limited, and nearby accommodations may also be arranged with assistance.
Thank you for helping us share this sacred Navaratri offering with the wider AHYMSIN family. May this time of Mother Divine’s worship bring renewed inspiration, devotion, and light to all.
View here the daily program schedule (subject to change) with costs and information regarding registration.
Click here to register for daily non-residential participation.
A “partial day” and from “one day” up to “nine days”of attendance options are being offered. (Disregard the placeholder date of 10/19 on the registration form.)
Each daily option, “partial” or “1-9 days”, is priced separately.
Let us know which days you will be attending so we can inform Amrit regarding the number of people to expect for each day’s meals.
Email us at info@themeditationcenter.org. with the subject line, “Navaratri Retreat – Days Attending”
Cost per day with three meals is $70.00.
Cost for a half day or less is $40.00.
Lodging at TMC is available for 5 participants. 3 single rooms and one double room.
Single room cost: $95.00/ day. Double room cost: $80/ day. These are available on a first come first serve basis. Indicate in your retreat reservation email if you’re interested.
TMC will assist with lodging options in close proximity to TMC for participants. Transportation to and from TMC will be the participant’s responsibility.
There are two options:
Option 1: 4 days out-of-state participants : Arrival during the day, Saturday, Oct. 10 for check-in. Retreat program and orientation on Saturday afternoon and evening. 1st day of retreat is Sunday, Oct. 11. Departure on Tuesday, Oct. 13 evening or Wednesday, Oct. 14 morning. For option 1, currently two rooms are available, one single occupancy room and 1 double occupancy room.
Option 2: 4 days MN/ local participants: Arrival and orientation on Thursday, October 15, 5 PM; Swami Ritavan talk for Thursday at 7 PM to be on Divine Mother and Navaratri. Departure on Monday, Oct 19 after lunch.
