Of meditation and austerity: Kejriwal retreats into 10-day refuge in Himachal | india-news | Hindustan Times

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday took a 10-day break for a course in vipassana, one of the ancient meditation techniques of India, at a centre in Dharamkot, a village near Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh.

Located at an altitude of 2,000 metres amidst deodar cedar forest with the majestic Dhauladhar ranges in the backdrop, Dharamkot is known as the ‘Tel Aviv of the Hills’ for being a favourite destination among Israeli tourists.

Pawan Sharma, the centre-in-charge of Himachal Vipassana Centre, said Kejriwal will attend a 10-day introductory course to Vipassana meditation where participants are taught the technique step-by-step each day. His day will begin at 4am and he will have to be in his room by 9:30pm.

The 10-day classes are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation. (HT Photo)

Kejriwal like all other participants will have to follow strict rules and will not have any access to mobile phone, pager, television or newspapers at the centre that was set up in the early 1990s by SN Goenka.

Sharma said the CM will eat simple meals and will not be allowed to have any eatables after midday. He will have to sleep on a simple concrete bed and will be given a blanket, bed sheet and a pillow. He may have to wash his clothes if the need arises, Sharma added.

Participants are not allowed to interact with each other except with trainers at specific intervals.

Earlier this year, Kejriwal underwent a naturopathy treatment for 10 days for his chronic cough problem at Bengaluru-based Jindal Naturecure Institute. He was admitted to the same hospital for 12 days for treatment of his chronic cough and high blood sugar in 2015.

All participants are not allowed to interact with each other during the 10-day meditation course. (HT Photo)