Visiting India for Yoga & Spiritual Retreats: Which Visa Do You Need?
There is nothing more of a transformative experience than visiting India and exploring yogic and spiritual retreats. The holy land of India gives travelers a chance to taste the waters of the holistic lifestyle.
If the idea seems interesting to you and you are eager to come to India, what is the first step in initiating the procedure?
Do you search for famous yogic and spiritual retreats? While that is surely important, the other thing that needs your attention is knowing which type of visa to apply for and then getting on our online portal to complete the application.
Visiting spiritual retreats can be done on an India Tourist Visa. The same visa lets you visit the yogic retreats and learn the basics. But if you wish to stay in the country for a prolonged period of time (more than 6 months) and get a diploma in yoga, you have to apply for a Student Visa.
What Are the Types of Visas to Apply for & How to Apply Them!
Hundreds and thousands of travelers travel to India every year to get a taste of the land’s rich cultural heritage. In fact, 60% of India’s tourism happens due to religious and spiritual factors. The Maha Kumbh Mela of 2025 has arguably contributed to 48% of visa applications. And with the introduction of eVisa, the procedure has become all the more easy, as you can now simply check the Indian eVisa status online and do not have to pay visits to the Embassy!
Citizens of every nationality, except for those coming from visa-exempt countries, need to apply for a visa to enter India to experience spirituality or learn the ways of yoga.
Tourist Visa (T Visa)
India has several spiritual retreats, and visiting these places will make you feel closer to the Supreme Being. An India Tourist Visa is what you apply for to walk on a journey of spirituality. Choose between a one-month eVisa (double entry) or a one-year eVisa (multiple entries) or a five-year eVisa (multiple entries).
If you are coming to India to get introduced to yoga and wish to visit places that offer the best yogic retreats, you are good to go with a Tourist Visa.
Student Visa (S Visa)
For someone who wants to pursue a career in yoga and has to acquire a degree from a yoga course enrolment, a Tourist Visa won’t do; he/she has to apply for a Student Visa. It can be applied online as well and gives you the option of multiple entries. It lets you stay in the country for 1 year and can be extended as per the course of the yoga program. But to get the visa, you have to show proof of being accepted at a recognized yoga retreat for course enrollment.
Applying for the Tourist Visa and the Student Visa Online
The procedure is quite simple. Visit our portal and choose the correct visa. Provide the correct details on the application form, upload the documents you are asked for, and make the payment. And the procedure is done! You now have to wait for the approval of the Indian eVisa status to be mailed to your email ID, which should happen in just a few business days.
For the India Tourist visa online application, you need the following things:
- A passport valid for six months after leaving India
- A passport-sized photograph in a white background
- A credit/debit card for paying the visa application fee
Once complete, there is no need to check the Indian eVisa status anymore! Simply get a printed version and begin your journey. Let us now learn a little about the spiritual capital and the yoga capital of India!
Varanasi: Evoking Spiritualism from Every Corner!
Also known as Kashi or Benaras, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh is hailed as the spiritual capital of India. Considered one of the oldest cities for a few days, this is where the sacred Ganges river flows by, weaving stories for the last 3000 years.
Spiritual Significance
Hindu, as well as, Buddhist and Jain faiths: Varanasi is revered by these three major religions and is the home to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism.
Historic ghats and temples: If you are keen on knowing the history behind the ancient ghats, temples, and ashrams, have a local guide take you around. Take a dip in the sacred water of the Ganges and learn about the different ways of performing religious rituals.
Sacred atmosphere: Varanasi has spiritualism in every corner, with a lingering fragrance of flowers and incense in the air, the resonance of bells in the alleys, and the sight of pilgrims standing on the bank of the river and offering prayers to The Almighty.
Ganga Aarti: A visit to Varanasi remains incomplete without witnessing the grandeur of Ganga Aarti. This is an event where prayers and offerings are made to the river goddess and are made spectacular with the use of bells, lamps, and many more things. This is a sight to behold!
Culture and Attractions
Craftsmanship: Being one of the oldest cities, Varanasi has extreme cultural vibrancy. You can purchase exquisite silk fabrics.
Delectable delicacies: Do not forget to taste the city’s street food, right from the kachoris to chaat!
City exploration: Varanasi is not limited to temples; enhance your experience by going for a boat ride along the river and visiting the Buddhist sites nearby.
Rishikesh: Showing the Ways of Yoga to the World!
A rather small town in the foothills of the Himalayas, Rishikesh is in Uttarakhand and has earned a reputation for yoga and also spirituality. The place has a deeply rooted history going back to hundreds of years. If you are keen on following a yogic lifestyle, this is the place that offers the most adventure for you.
Key Highlights
Yoga and spirituality: Rishikesh is home to numerous ashrams, yoga retreats, and spiritual centers. From different meditation practices to diverse yoga styles, you can experience a whole lot of things in these yoga retreats and spiritual centers. Every year, thousands of travelers flock to this place to get a taste of the yogic lifestyle and learn how yoga paves a better way of life. Among them, 52.72% of the revenue in yoga tourism comes from women, so it can be said that more than men, women understand the value of yoga and want to implement it into their lives.
Adventure sports: While yoga teaches you to attain calmness, there is something for the adrenaline junkie in you! Bungee jumping, water rafting, trekking - you name it to get it! Rishikesh has no dearth of adventure sports. If the daredevil in you is waiting for a challenge, do at least any one among these on your trip to India!
Natural beauty and attractions: Serenity and tranquility everywhere make it possible for individuals to attain spiritual contemplation in this place. While the Laxman Jhula gives you a glimpse of how beautiful the river Ganges and its surrounding landscape is, the Beatles ashram teleports you back in time when Beatles traveled to India for Transcendental Meditation under the supervision of guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
So, Ready to Take on India’s Spiritualism and Yoga Journey?
Rishikesh and Varanasi are not the only places to offer yoga and spiritualism; India has a lot more to offer. There are other destinations to explore, such as Bodh Gaya, Dharamshala, Tiruvannamalai, Pushkar, and many more. Whether you are inclined towards a spiritual journey or want to get a diploma in yoga, India is where you come. And so, you have to apply for an India Tourist Visa or a Student eVisa on our online portal.
For any queries regarding the visa to India, get in touch with us.
Ensure you have checked your eligibility for Indian e-Visa.