Swami Vivekananda undertook five journeys to the holy land (Devabhoomi Uttarakhand). Let's explore some highlights of those journeys.
Swami Vivekananda had a special affinity for the land of Uttarakhand. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Devabhoomi possessed unique qualities where great souls meditated and attained self-realization.
The great saint Swami Vivekananda, a source of inspiration for the world, wished to spend his final days at the Advaita Ashram in Lohaghat, Uttarakhand.
In the year 1888, the first Himalayan journey of Narendra, later known as Swami Vivekananda, was undertaken with his disciple Sharadchand Gupta (later Swami Sadananda). Gupta was a station master in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. After spending some time in Rishikesh, they returned back.
First Journey
Swami Vivekananda embarked on his second journey in July 1890. During this trip, he walked from Ayodhya to Nainital. After staying at the residence of Prasanna Bhattacharya for six days, he journeyed from Almora to Karnaprayag, Srinagar, Tehri, Dehradun, and finally reached Rishikesh.
Second Journey
During this journey, Swami Vivekananda practiced austerity, meditation, and spiritual discipline. It was under a peepal tree at Kakadighat in Almora that he attained self-realization. He spent several days in deep meditation at Kasar Devi Cave, where he received inspiration for his famous address "Utthisth Bharata" (Arise, O India).
Swamiji undertook his third journey to Uttarakhand in 1897 after returning from Chicago. Upon reaching Almora, a floral welcome was organized from Lodiya to Khachanji Mohalla. He stayed as a guest at Lala Badrilal Sah's house. In the Devladdhar Estate, he meditated in a cave.
Third Journey
In May-June 1898, Swami Vivekananda's fourth Himalayan journey saw him re-publishing "Prabuddha Bharata" in Almora, initiating Sister Nivedita, and delivering a significant speech in Hindi at Ramjas Inter College.
Fourth Journey
In 1901, Swami Vivekananda's last journey in Uttarakhand took him to the Advaita Ashram in Mayavati, where he stayed from January 3rd to January 18th, after a challenging 170-kilometer journey due to Captain Sevier's demise.
Fifth Jorney