and 100th Urs Celebration of Sufi Inayat Khan
with Jilani Prescott, Jahanara Mangus and Waduda Welsh
Bookings Now Open!
To register: https://form.jotform.com/WadudaWelsh/MotherRootsIndia2027
Welcome to our Caravan to the Mother Roots of Devotion in India, including the 100th Urs of Sufi Hazrat Inayat Khan, on 5 February 2027.
An Indian Caravan Dream…
For more than twenty years, Jilani has been dreaming of a pilgrimage to drink at the wells of the different Indian traditions that inspire our Sufi and Dance lineage. We are so excited to invite you to join the three of us as this dream unfolds into reality.
A true caravan or pilgrimage takes as much pleasure in the journey as in the destination. We will travel through different landscapes and visit vastly different communities, savoring their individuality, while at the same time rejoicing in the shared humanity we know we will discover everywhere. A few of our days will be spent mostly in travel, which gives us these unique opportunities to visit such a wide variety of destinations. Spending at least two or three nights in most places gives us time to land and expand into each stop along the way. The journeys themselves, in a comfortable coach, are opportunities for us to spend time in practice, contemplation, sharing conversation and song, or allowing ourselves to rest.
The intention is that every step of the journey is part of our retreat, and we encourage you to bring your full consciousness and appreciation to every experience and every meeting along the way, whether it is a shopping trip or a visit to a sacred site. No doubt some things will be surprising to us, even disturbing. Let’s open our minds and allow ourselves to learn from the ancient wisdom of a country whose cultures are infused with devotion, and with customs that may be unfamiliar to us. Recognizing our prejudices and biases is an opportunity to cultivate deeper humility, to watch, listen and learn before imposing our own views upon others.
We will be dazzled by the arts and crafts and the history of this extraordinary country. We may be charmed by some people and shocked by others. Our hearts and minds will be inspired and opened by the sacredness, which is everywhere, infusing every Temple, Ashram, Dargah and Gurdwara with yet another invitation – Towards the One! And all of this in the company of sisters and brothers on the path. It’s truly a unique opportunity.
We welcome you with open arms!
Jilani, Jahanara and Waduda
FULL PROGRAM:
Northern Caravan Retreat (Delhi, Amritsar, Dharmsala, Shimla, Rishikesh, Delhi): 19-31 January
Urs Caravan (Delhi): 1-5 February
Golden Triangle Caravan 6-8 February (Agra/Taj Mahal and Jaipur)
Anandashram (Kerala): 9-15 February
PROGRAM DETAILS:
Northern Caravan Retreat:19 January is the first night that your lodging is paid for by the program. Plan to arrive at our hotel in Delhi sometime on the 19th during the day, evening or during the night of the 19/20th January. We begin on Wednesday morning, 20 January with the enormous privilege of a two-day retreat on our own in the peace of the Dargah of Sufi Inayat Khan. It’s a chance to really tune in to his energies and teachings before the hustle and bustle and excitement of the Urs Celebrations at the beginning of February.
On 22nd January, we will travel by bus to Amritsar for two nights, immersing in the Sikh tradition at its holiest site, the famous Golden Temple. From there we head to Dharamshala for four nights, where we will connect with our Tibetan Buddhist roots. Next, we head for the Hindu temples of Rishikesh, by the sacred River Ganges, pausing on the way for a night in Shimla, with its beautiful mountain setting. We will leave Rishikesh after breakfast on Monday, February 1, arriving in Delhi in time to join the Urs Celebrations. The first two weeks of the caravan ends on our return to Delhi. This section of our Caravan includes travel and accommodations with breakfast for 13 nights.
Urs Caravan: Our Caravan registration for the 1-5 February days includes guest house accommodations with breakfast at a discounted group rate. Other meals will be served at the Dargah or are on your own. We will join the Urs programme at the Dargah each day, joining friends and beloveds for Indian Classical Music performances, Qawwali music and Sufi gatherings including Dances of Universal Peace. There will also be presentations by Sufi leaders and the Hope project. On the day of the Urs (5 February) we will join the procession from Nizamuddin Auliya’s Dargah to the Dargah of Hazrat Inayat Khan. We will also spend time as a group, sharing practices, during these days.
Golden Triangle Caravan: on the morning of6 February, we will travel by coach to Agra for one night, to visit the Taj Mahal, and then on to Jaipur for 2 nights, visiting Fatehpur Sikri along the way. This is a chance to visit some of the most spectacular and iconic sites in India, as well as visiting Emperor Akbar’s capital city, built on a vision of Sufi unity and including the Dargah of Salim Chishti, which has a special resonance in our lineage. Our ‘Golden Triangle’ Caravan ends with the night of 8 February in Jaipur, allowing our group to choose their onward destination (returning to Delhi, or continuing on to Anandashram in Kerala) on the morning of 9 February.
Anandashram: 9-16 February brings us to another formative root of our lineage, the wonderful ashram established by Papa Ram Das and Mother Krishnabai in Kerala, where Murshid SAM spent time on two occasions. We will fly from Jaipur to Mangalore, then make our way to the ashram for a week on retreat, immersing ourselves in their program and enjoying their rhythms. Flights and accommodations at the Ashram are individually paid. The Ashram asks only for a donation to cover food and lodging. We suggest 1000-2000 INR per day ($10-$20 per day) but you could of course offer more to support their work.
Gokarna Dance Camp: 19-26 February Jilani heads to Gokarna for some days on the beach, followed by a dance camp with Vasudeva, Dakini, Yelena and Jilani. Separate registration is available for the camp.
PROGRAM COST* and NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: Airfare is not included.
Northern Caravan Retreat cost is $1,900/£1,400 and includes activities and group travel in India during our program, double occupancy room. Private rooms have a limited availability for an additional $700/£500 total cost.
Deposit of $500/£400 is due to reserve your place in our pilgrimage and is non-refundable. The $1,400/£1000 payment for your balance due must be received by December 17, 2026. There is no refund available after December 17, 2026, due to reservation restrictions.
URS Caravan cost is $500/£370. Private rooms have a limited availability for an additional cost.
Golden Triangle Caravan cost is $450/£333Private rooms have a limited availability for an additional cost.
Anandashram is by donation. Airfare in India is not included.
*Limited financial assistance is available. Please reach out for details. We want to help you attend if you are feeling the call.
To register:
https://form.jotform.com/WadudaWelsh/MotherRootsIndia2027
REGISTRAR SUPPORT and CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to reach out with any questions and concerns.
Jilani Prescott jilanicordelia@gmail.com
Waduda Welsh wendywelsh@earthlink.net
Jahanara Mangus 13jahanara@gmail.com
Gokarna, India
February 19–26, 2027
We are delighted to invite you to the 8th Dances of Universal Peace Camp in Gokarna – on the shores of the Arabian Sea, in the sacred land of Shiva and Ganesha.
Join us for a week of live music, sacred dances, mantras, prayers from different spiritual traditions, heartfelt connection, inspiration, and deep human togetherness. Each day will be filled with Dances of Universal Peace circles, bhajans, music, community gatherings, and immersion in the unique atmosphere of this extraordinary place.
✨ This year, we are especially blessed to be joined by four wonderful mentors and leaders:
🪷 Vasudeva (Russia)
🪷 Jilani (United Kingdom)
🪷 Dakini (United Kingdom)
🪷 Yelena (Latvia)
– each bringing their unique gifts, wisdom, music, and experience to our circle.
✨ Full program details and registration will be announced later.
For now, simply mark these dates in your calendar and join our circle in Gokarna, it’s calling us together once again 🤍