Where will the Kalachakra 2017 takes place? 

The 34th Kalachakra 2017 initiation  will be held in Bodh Gaya, the holy Indian town where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.  This is the fifth Kalachakra initiation to be held in Bodh Gaya. His Holiness the Dalai Lama would preside over the proceedings. The dates will be from  3rd to 14th January 2017

Thousands of devotees from all around the world are expected to congregate at this town during those 12 days. Nearly 300,000 visitors attend the previous Kalachakra initiation held in Ladakh in 2014. The experience would most certainly be overwhelming for a first-timer, especially for an outsider who is unfamiliar with the hustle and bustle of India.

Here are a list of things to know to get yourself well-equipped to attend the ceremony:

How do I get a visa?

In its efforts to boost tourism, the Government of India introduced the e-tourist visa scheme for foreign nationals who visit the country for a short duration. Interested individuals can apply for a visa online and have to carry a printout of the e-Tourist visa at the time of travel. For detailed information about Indian e-Tourist visa, please click here.

Do I have to register for Kalachakra 2017?

Yes. Pilgrims are required to register for Kalachakra 2017. Foreign nationals, Tibetans and Indians are required to submit photocopies of their passports or identity cards to obtain a pass for the Kalachakra teaching. Interested individuals are requested to visit the official Kalachakra page when it come online regularly for more information about the procedure. You may also register through your travel agent or Dharma center.

Do I have to pay for registration for Kalachakra 2017?

There is no registration fee for Kalachakra teaching and the teachings are open to everyone.

How is the weather like?

The weather in January in Bodh Gaya is pleasant with average temperatures ranging from 18 – 22 degree Celsius. The nights might get a bit cold with temperatures dipping below 10 degrees once in a while. The monsoon season lasts from June to September and one doesn’t have to worry about rains during January. In fact, January is one of the best month to visit Bodh Gaya.

What are my stay options?

Thanks to the regular influx of tourists from all corners of the world every year, Bodh Gaya has very good accommodation facilities. Ranging from two star to five star, a variety of hotels that suit the budgets and requirements of all kinds of travellers are available in this town.

However there is surcharge on hotels during the 10 day Kalachakra teaching as it happens during the Indian religious events Kumbhu Mela and the Pushkar Festival in other parts of India. For those travelling in a group, it is advisable to book rooms in a hotel. If you are an individual, it is advisable to book a package tour which will also take care of accommodation, ground and air transportation.

Guest houses and home-stays are good options for those on a budget.

Another option is to stay in one of Buddhist temple in Bodhgaya which offer lodgings for pilgrim. The organizing committee is will set up camps during the event, for which the information will be available at

What kind of food can I get?

Though there are a few restaurants that serve non-Indian food such as Thai, Tibetan, Italian and so on, the cuisine in Bodh Gaya is predominantly North Indian. People who find Indian cuisine too spicy are advised to carry some quantity of food along with them. However, certain food items are not allowed at Indian airports and international tourists must ensure that they comply with the regulations.

What if I fall sick?

Healthcare in India is affordable and there are quite a few multi-specialty hospitals and healthcare centres in and around Bodh Gaya. Moreover, hospitals of excellent standards such as AIIMS, IGIMS and Ford are present in Patna, the capital city of Bihar, which is just over a 100 kilometres away from Bodh Gaya.

What kind of Kalachakra tour package I should choose?

It is advisable to choose tour packages which include Delhi-Bodhgaya/Patna-Delhi air ticket. Please note that the prices of air tickets during peak season could shoot up the roof.

What do I need to carry during the ceremony?

You are advised to carry sun-screen and anti-UV creams, sunglasses, caps, water bottles, umbrellas, a mat to sit on the ground, ready-to-eat food such as cookies, an ID card and passport-size photos. Please remember that mobile phones are not permitted inside the premises.

Does Omalaya offer a Kalachakra 2017 journey?

Yes. Omalaya has its very own Kalachakra 2017 tour programme. Guided by Hermit Tsepel, an ordained monk and an expert on Buddhism, the journey is unlike any other. Omalaya is an expert in the field of spiritual journeys and Kalachakra 2017 is currently our flagship programme. For detailed information about our Kalachakra 2017 journey, please click here.

Omalaya Tour Package: 

Omalaya Travel is happy to offer its customized Kalachakra tours to India to the devotees wishing to attend the precious Kalachakra 2017 Empowerment teaching. Omalaya-designed spiritual journeys are rooted in individual’s quest for self discovery and we incorporate the same outlook in designing the Kalachakra 2017 tour package. Omalaya Travel operated a successful Kalachakra tour to Ladakh in 2014. Omalaya-led devotees can receive Kalachakra initiation, teaching & empowerment under the expert guidance of tour’s spiritual guides like Geshe Tsering with Dr Chok and Geshe Lobsang with Tulku Phuljung.

Tags: Kalachakra, Dalai Lama, Omalaya