Daaji's Travel Diaries - Rudrapur, Haldwani and Naukuchiatal, Uttarakhand

2026.5 - Monday, 9 March 2026

2 March

After an intensely packed series of five back-to-back bhandara batches celebrating Pujya Lalaji Maharaj’s 153rd birth anniversary, Revered Daaji left the beautiful Shahjahanpur Ashram at around 11 a.m. The weather had just begun to grow warmer. As he departed, many felt the plenitude of the time and energy he had showered on this magnificent occasion of reviving the Shahjahanpur Ashram.

As usual, there was no announcement of his departure. It carried that quiet dignity that often marks his travels. That familiar feeling arose as the cars left in close formation, with his black BMW at the head.

The first halt was at Bareilly, about 70 kilometres from Shahjahanpur, where abhyasis had been waiting to receive him. Daaji offered prasad and had the simple lunch they had lovingly prepared. Afterwards, he took some rest. Upon waking, he gathered those present and conducted meditation.

By around 5 p.m., the journey resumed toward Rudrapur. Along the way, a small but touching scene unfolded. Abhyasis from a place called Behri had been waiting by the roadside, hoping for a glimpse of Revered Daaji. Touched by their sincerity, Daaji agreed to a brief visit to the centre’s small ashram nearby. He stepped in, quietly observed the space, and then continued the journey to Rudrapur.

Upon reaching Rudrapur, he requested a sister preceptor to conduct the session, and retired for the day.

3 March

The morning began quietly at the centre in Rudrapur. After the long series of bhandaras at Shahjahanpur, Daaji took some much-needed rest. Sister Pratima Patel conducted the morning meditation.

The day unfolded in a calm and restful rhythm. Daaji spent most of the day in repose. As the afternoon softened into evening, around 4:45 p.m., Daaji stepped out for a walk through the green fields surrounding the centre.

Later in the evening, Daaji requested a sister preceptor to conduct satsang for the abhyasis present.

After dinner, Daaji briefly met the Rudrapur volunteers. They were very happy to have the opportunity to spend a few moments with him. A young boy of about eight years old was introduced to Daaji as a very industrious volunteer who helps irrigate the fields. Daaji smiled and gently said, “Please stop doing that. You must study. Otherwise you will remain irrigating the fields all your life. Study, and study well.”

4 March

It was the festival of Holi in India, a major celebration across the country and a public holiday as well.

In the morning, Daaji distributed Holi gifts to a few of the Heartfulness volunteers and staff in Rudrapur who take care of the farm. Such gestures, though simple, carry his warmth and encouragement for those who serve quietly. He then left for Haldwani at around 8:00 a.m.

At Haldwani, a group of children had gathered and were standing in an orderly line to welcome him. After arriving, Daaji first offered prasad and then invited the children to come forward to receive it. At around 9:30 a.m., Daaji conducted meditation at the Haldwani Ashram.

As he left for his cottage, some of the children came forward with flowers to greet him, and Daaji graciously accepted one. As he was about to enter the cottage, he smiled gently, and gave a young child standing there the flower he had received.

Later, Daaji had lunch with a few abhyasis from Rudrapur and then retired for some rest. At 3 p.m., he began his journey toward Naukuchiatal.

Revered Daaji arrived in Naukuchiatal at around 4:30 p.m. A few members had gathered, and he spent some time with them in gentle conversation. Gradually, as word spread, the room slowly filled with others who had come to greet him. After some time, Daaji retired briefly to his room and attended to work at his computer.

At around 6 p.m., he conducted the evening meditation for those present. The gathering sat together in quiet stillness. Later in the evening, Daaji stepped out for a walk and visited the ashram property, spending some time there before returning.

At night, he came to the hotel restaurant for dinner and then had a short walk. Later, he returned to his room and resumed working on his laptop.

5 March

The morning began with a busy schedule in Daaji’s hotel room in Naukuchiatal. At around 8 a.m., Revered Daaji prepared to start the journey toward Satkhol. As he was leaving, a few members of the local media gathered near the car and requested a few words about the purpose of his visit and the yatra. Seated quietly inside the car, with the window rolled down and microphones and cameras extended toward him, Daaji responded with his characteristic simplicity.

He said:

“God Himself says that He resides in the heart of every human being. Yet our habit has always been to search for Him outside. It is very easy to keep God somewhere outside of ourselves. But when we truly place Him within, when we allow Him to reside in our own heart, it begins to create a certain difficulty for us. That inner presence demands sincerity, attention, and change. That may be the reason why many people avoid meditation.

“But if we look honestly, the entire essence of Sanatan Dharma can be understood in a very simple way. Think of the images we see in our tradition. Take Lord Shiva, for example. What is he doing in the paintings and idols made of him? He is meditating. Hanumanji is portrayed as meditating. Lord Rama and Lakshmana meditate. Even Lord Krishna meditated before the battle of Mahabharata began. If the great avatars themselves meditate, then why should ordinary human beings not meditate? Thank you.”

Later, on the way to Satkhol, a group of local abhyasis in Bhavali had been waiting along the roadside. The car stopped briefly so they could greet Daaji and offer their heartfelt respects before he continued the journey.

Stay tuned for more events from Daaji’s travels in Satkhol, Uttarakhand.

For more information regarding Daaji’s day-to-day life, visit www.daaji.org/glimpses