The YogArt Diwali Festival Retreat 2026 is a week-long, community-rooted journey created by House for Positive Change, in close collaboration with the Root and Rise Foundation and a Himalayan village community in Uttarakhand.
Your journey begins in quiet forest surroundings near Dehradun and leads deep into the Garhwal Himalayas, to the village of Musmola Khola. Here, days unfold slowly with sunrise yoga, shared meals, creative expression, and participation in village life. Yoga and the arts are explored not as performance, but as ways of listening, connecting, and belonging.
Diwali is celebrated as it is lived locally — through light, care, ritual, and community. Homes and pathways are prepared together, lamps are lit, stories are shared, and ceremonies are guided by village families. Arts are experienced in their broadest sense: movement, music, storytelling, craft, ritual, cooking, and presence.
This is not a retreat you consume. It is a living experience you step into.
Community is not a theme — it is the foundation.
Inclusive Community Contribution As part of your retreat participation, €150 is included in the retreat fee as a contribution to the Root & Rise Village Community Project. This amount is earmarked specifically for community development initiatives and is allocated directly to projects such as education, women’s wellbeing, and regenerative village spaces. Your participation supports long-term, locally led impact beyond the retreat experience.
To reserve your place on this retreat, you will need to complete the booking / registration form and send a bank transfer for € 900 per person as non-refundable trip deposit.
Note: On all payments made by bank transfer, bank charges will have to be borne by the clients.
If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, you must notify House For Positive Change, immediately in writing to the email provided by House For Positive Change. Once we receive your notice, cancellation will take effect.
Please note that the following charges will apply on cancellations:
Note: Regardless of the reason for cancellation, the sign-up fee of Euro 900 remains non-refundable.
Before entering village life and the Diwali festival rhythm, participants are invited to arrive gently through a 3-night Ayurveda inspired wellness immersion.
Includes: Dinner on Day 01-03 and breakfast on Day 02-04 – Accomodation in Hotel
After breakfast, the group departs together for the Himalayan village.
Includes: All meals on Day 04
This immersive village journey unfolds over the heart of Diwali, beginning with a gentle arrival and grounding day in the Garhwal Himalayas, followed by five festival days woven with yoga, breathwork, creative expression, village-led rituals, and nature immersion. From Dhanteras’ reflections on inner wealth, through days of release, courage, and renewal, to the luminous heart of Diwali with oil lamps, shared meals, and quiet celebration, each day deepens connection to self, community, and land. The experience expands into ecological awareness with a guided Himalayan hike and conversations on conservation, and closes with Bhai Dooj—honouring love, trust, and chosen family—through meditation, ritual, music, and starlit gatherings, offering a soulful, grounded, and deeply human celebration of light, belonging, and interdependence.
Includes: All meals on Day 05-09 and breakfast on Day 10 – Glamping in a tent
A day celebrating bonds, care, and belonging.
PracticesIncludes: All meals on Day 05-09 and breakfast on Day 10 – Glamping in a tent
For those seeking to extend their journey, we offer an unforgettable 4-day Himalayan hike, exploring the majestic high-altitude valleys at elevations of up to 4,000 meters. Immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes, serene mountain trails, and the untouched beauty of the Himalayas. Whether you're looking for adventure, solitude, or a deeper connection with nature, this extension is the perfect way to conclude your retreat on a high note.
If you're interested, feel free to reach out, and we’ll be happy to arrange this extraordinary experience for you.
Enhance your journey with a 5-6 day exploration of India’s iconic Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. This extension takes you through historic forts, grand palaces, vibrant bazaars, and the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal, offering a deeper dive into India's rich cultural heritage.
If you're short on time but still wish to visit one specific destination, such as experiencing the Taj Mahal in Agra or exploring the historical and cultural gems of Delhi, we can customize arrangements to suit your schedule. Feel free to reach out for personalized travel options.
Ease back into the rhythm of everyday life with a gentle Rishikesh Integration Stay, created to help you land softly after the depth of the YogArt Diwali Festival Retreat. Set in the serene foothills of the Himalayas, where the sacred Ganges flows through India’s spiritual heart, these days invite rest, reflection, and quiet presence.
Begin your mornings with riverside yoga and meditation on the silver sands of the Ganges, allowing the steady flow of the river to support integration, clarity, and inner spaciousness. During the day, explore Rishikesh’s iconic landmarks — wander through the lively Laxman Jhula market, cross the famous suspension bridges, and visit the inspiring Beatles Ashram, where art, music, and nature intertwine.
As evening falls, witness the timeless beauty of the Ganga Aarti, a mesmerizing fire ceremony that brings devotion, stillness, and a sense of release. Between practices, enjoy unhurried time for journaling, gentle walks, or optional bodywork, and savor nourishing local vegetarian cuisine.
This short extension offers a peaceful pause — space to integrate your experiences, reconnect with yourself, and carry the essence of the retreat forward with steadiness, gratitude, and ease.
