When: Friday 2nd October to Monday 5th October 2026A rare immersive experience of Bhakti, kirtan and devotion,in the living presence of a Vaishnava monk.
United Kingdom · An Exclusive Small CircleFor centuries the path of devotion has been passed from heart to heart in the sacred land of India. Now, for a few days only and for a small, limited circle, Sripad Bhaktivedanta Damodara Maharaja, a lifelong monk, brings this living tradition to British soil, in an intimate immersive experience.
The essence of all Vedic scriptures and the heart of all yogic practices culminate in Bhakti Yoga, the process of re-establishing our eternal relationship with the Divine, Sri Krishna, through loving devotional service.
We invite you on a journey of the heart, in self-discovery and immersion in the practice of devotion to the Supreme, Sri Krishna.
This is your opportunity to step out of your mind and into the sanctity of your heart.
Together we will cultivate a space for sacred prayer through mantra meditation and kirtan, the chanting of the Names of God, allowing us to clean the mirror of the mind and heart.
We are very much blessed and excited to welcome Sripad Bhaktivedanta Damodara Maharaja, a monk from the Gaudiya Vaishnava lineage, for the entire duration of the retreat.
Born in Australia, Maharaja has spent over 30 years practising the path of Bhakti Yoga in Vrindavan, India. In 2003 he received sannyasa, the renounced order of lifelong celibacy, and has since dedicated his life to travelling the world to share the path of Bhakti.
Through his profound knowledge of the Vedic scriptures, deep realisation of Gaudiya philosophy and captivating storytelling, Maharaja delivers timeless wisdom with both depth and lighthearted humour, that keeps us all engaged.
When our vision is clouded by material conditioning and endless desires, it is difficult to realise the deep and esoteric truths of the Vedic scriptures. It is our immense good fortune to associate with and learn from Maharaja, who shares what he describes as “an all-encompassing and non-sectarian philosophy that can be practised by anyone of any culture”, a mercy that has the power to open our darkened eyes and to make the impossible possible. Maharaja carries the teachings of his beloved Gurudev, Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja.
A thoughtfully curated balance of nourishing practice for mind, body and soul, with spacious free time for rest, integration and peaceful walks in nature.
Bhakti-Yoga is the path of devotion to God. The transcendental scriptures Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad Bhāgavatam reveal that the soul's eternal nature, nitya-dharma, is to lovingly serve God, whom we know as Śrī Śrī Radha-Kṛṣṇa, with humility, sincerity and devotion.
They outline that by living in this way, under the guidance of a self-realised soul, we can awaken our dormant and natural love for God, Sri Krishna.
At the heart of Bhakti-Yoga is Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, maha meaning 'great' and prabhu meaning 'master', an incarnation of Lord Sri Krishna who appeared in Navadvip, West Bengal, 500 years ago. He appeared in this world to taste and distribute prema-bhakti, pure love of God, through the sacred 16-syllable Maha-Mantra.
Krishna has invested all His power, sweetness, beauty and mercy in His Holy Name. The Holy Name bestows pure spiritual intelligence, destroys all afflictions, fulfils all desires, and fills the heart with joy. These treasured teachings come through a living lineage (guru-paramparā) of self-realised souls, whose every word and action are in service to the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha Krishna.
Japa is the personal, meditative practice of repeating the Maha-mantra whilst keeping a count on prayer beads. This practice helps to focus the mind, purify the heart, and build a direct relationship with the Divine.
Kirtan, also known as sankirtan, is the practice of singing the Maha-mantra congregationally. In Sanskrit san means 'together' and kirtan means 'to glorify', so it is essentially the practice of glorifying God together.
We are happy to welcome you to a beautiful 6-bedroom Victorian house at the foot of Conway in Colwyn Bay, just 5 minutes' walk from the beach, with generously sized communal spaces, a garden, hot tub and sauna.
To support the intentional nature of the retreat, men and women will have separate sleeping quarters on separate floors, each with its own shared bathroom.
We serve three tasty vegan meals each day, made with love. This food is first offered to Krishna and becomes blessed food, known as prasadam.
We will do our very best to cater for specific dietary requirements, such as intolerances and allergies, upon booking you'll have the opportunity to provide these details.
Please note that outside food is not permitted. All wholesome meals, snacks and beverages are fully provided, so you can completely unplug from planning, cooking or managing food, and simply be present.
3 nights in the Victorian villa, in serene single-sex quarters.
Three vegan meals a day, plus snacks and drinks, all provided.
Morning programs, Bhakti Yoga classes, japa and breathwork.
Devotional chant, gong bath and evening gatherings.
Teachings and satsang with Maharaja throughout the retreat.
Beach walks, woodland trails and spacious free time to rest.
A few important notes so everyone can share a peaceful, devoted weekend together.
We invite each guest to offer about 2 hours of seva over the weekend — one kitchen service slot at either lunch or dinner. There will be a list on the wall in the kitchen, and people can sign up to an allocated service slot. Getting involved helps create community and puts devotion into practice. We realise this is your space to receive, but this element helps the retreat flow more smoothly and helps you get the most out of the weekend.
To help create a peaceful and supportive environment, our retreat is alcohol- and drug-free, and we ask that guests do not bring outside food or use phones during retreat activities. Please respect the shared space by arriving on time and being punctual for sessions and activities.
Please note that all retreat bookings are non-refundable. Once your place has been booked and payment has been received, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations, changes of plans, illness, travel difficulties, or any other reason. By completing your booking, you acknowledge and agree to these terms. Full policy
The Bhakti Yoga retreat runs from Friday 2 to Monday 5 October 2026. We are no longer accepting reservations for this retreat.
Only a small circle of seekers will share these days with Maharaja. Bookings for this retreat are now closed. Thank you for your interest.
Have a question about the retreat? Leave us a message and we'll get back to you.