Hindu Astronomy Retreat

Explore and experience Nakshatras and Galaxies

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The retreat fee includes accommodation, nourishing Sattvic vegetarian meals, and access to expert-led workshops, offering a comprehensive and rejuvenating experience.

Note: Airfare to and from Orlando is not included.

Price range: $500.00 through $1,800.00

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Limited spots. Book yours fast.
The retreat is scheduled from December 10 to December 13, 2026, along with the Yoga Retreat by Shriram ji at Pine Lake Retreat.
Limited spots. Book yours fast.
The retreat is scheduled from December 10 to December 13, 2026, along with the Yoga Retreat by Shriram ji at Pine Lake Retreat.
Limited spots. Book yours fast.
The retreat is scheduled from December 10 to December 13, 2026, along with the Yoga Retreat by Shriram ji at Pine Lake Retreat.

About Hindu Astronomy Retreat

Immerse yourself in an extremely rare and unique retreat that will teach you all you desire to know about Ancient Indian Astronomy and fortify that learning with night-time observations using telescopes and binoculars.

Guiding you on this journey is Dr. Raj Vedam, an avid Backyard Astro-photographer, Engineer and Historian, who also teaches a course on Ancient Indian Astronomy at HUA.

You will explore the methods and measurements of ancient Indian astronomy, delving into fascinating details about this ancient science.

The excitement doesn’t stop there – The crisp December nights will provide exceptional opportunities to observe Nakshatras, Planets, Galaxies and Nebulae. With powerful telescopes at our disposal, we will help you take breathtaking photos of deep space objects.

Note: Cloud-free skies cannot be guaranteed.

View Retreat Details

Retreat Highlights

Astronomy in Vedic texts: Insights into Ancient Indian Wisdom

The Celestial Calendar of Ancient India & Marking the Passage of Time

How Ancient Indians measured & calculated Mean & True Motion of Sun, Moon and Planets

Selected Indian Astronomers & Their Key Works

Stories as Encoders of Astronomical Knowledge Wisdom

Use of Planetarium Software to Track & Understand the Night Sky

Antiquity & Fascinating Facts about Indian Astronomy

Identification of Nakshatras in the Night Sky

Introduction to Astrophotography: Capturing Celestial Objects

What's in it

Online lectures and orientation sessions via HUA LMS and Zoom before and after the tour.

Visits to sites of natural beauty and Hindu heritage in Bali.

Lectures and tour guidance provided by staff of Hindu University in Bali (no direct relation to HUA).

Receive HUA's community education program credits and a certificate from Hindu University in Bali.

Age Requirement: Children 8 years and older are welcome to participate with a parent or guardian. The fee is the same as adults.

Scheduled Plan for the Study Tour

Arrive in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sep 6, 2026 or earlier. Study tour starts with dinner that day.

Depart from Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sep 13, 2026 or later. Study tour concludes with lunch that day.

Visit most popular and grand Hindu temples in Bali such as Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, Goa Gajah, Pura Tirta Empul, Taman Ayun Temple (Mengwi), Tanah Lot, Besakih, Penataran Agung Lempuyang.

Experience popular & beautiful attractions like Sacred Monkey Forest, paddy field walks, waterfalls, beaches.

Participate in Balinese Hindu puja ceremonies with traditional attire and offerings.

Visit a traditional Bali music school and experience the Kecak dance performance.

Visit Sanskrit gurukulam and Hindu University of Bali campus.

Interact with local Hindus and enjoy the local cuisine, including the world famous Bali coffee and Luwak Coffee.

Scheduled Plan for the Astronomy Retreat

Day 1 - December 10, 2026 (Thursday)

Arrival & Registration - View Itenary

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Cultural & Entertainment Activities
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Observe Night Skies
Solar System Targets: Saturn, Mars, Jupiter
Deep Sky Targets: Orion Nebula

Day 2 - December 11, 2026 (Friday)

View Sessions 1 to 3

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Session 1
Nakshatras, Rasi & Celestial Calendar of Ancient India
Astronomy in Vedic Texts
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Session 2
Basics of Telescopes
Astrophotography
Introduction to Planetarium Software
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Tea Break
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Session 3
How Indians measured and calculated Mean & True Positions of the Sun, Moon, and Planets
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Cultural &
Entertainment Activities
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Observe Night Skies
Solar System Targets: Saturn, Mars, Jupiter
Deep Sky Targets: M81, M82, Magha, Aslesa, Pushya, Sravana

Day 3 - December 12, 2026 (Saturday)

View Sessions 4 - 6

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Session 4
Astronomers & Their Works
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Session 5
Antiquity and Fascinating Facts of Indian Astronomy
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Tea Break
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Session 6
Stories that Encode Astronomy Wisdom
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Cultural & Entertainment Activities
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM: Observe Night Skies
Solar System Targets: Saturn, Mars, Jupiter
Deep Sky Targets: Andromeda Galaxy, Mrigashira, Ardra, Rohini, Krittika, Bharani, Ashwini, Revati

Day 4 - December 13, 2026 (Sunday)

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Breakfast
Disperse

Meet Our Expert

Dr. Raj Vedam

Dr. Raj Vedam, a faculty member at Hindu University of America, is known for his interdisciplinary research into ancient Indian knowledge systems, particularly in astronomy, science, and mathematics. He brings a unique perspective on Indian astronomy, highlighting profound insights recorded in Vedic texts which document celestial events with remarkable precision.

An avid backyard astronomer and astrophotographer since 1995, Dr. Vedam combines his engineering expertise, study of trajectory planning for space missions, and deep interest in the mathematics of orbits, which led to his study of ancient Indian methods for predicting planetary movements. He engages students in exploring how ancient India’s understanding of the cosmos influenced both scientific and cultural paradigms. At HUA, he teaches courses on Indian astronomy, offering an evidence-based view of India’s intellectual heritage.

Learn More about Faculty

Vaidya Rupali Panse

Vaidya Vandana Baranwal

Dr. Mahadevan Seetharaman

Vaidya Kanada Narahari

Vaidya Rupali Panse

Vaidya Vandana Baranwal

The Venue : Dark Skies, Cloud Cover, and Weather

Pine Lake Retreat, near Orlando, Florida, offers excellent dark skies, as shown in the pollution map here. Classified as Bortle Class 4, it ensures minimal light pollution, providing optimal conditions for stargazing.

Bortle Scale Illustration

Orlando is classified as Bortle Class 9, indicating significant light pollution and poor visibility of celestial objects. In contrast, Pine Lake Retreat falls under Bortle Class 4, offering a vastly superior night sky experience—five levels better than Orlando—enabling excellent nighttime observation.”

Weather and Rain

Orlando is classified as Bortle Class 9, indicating significant light pollution and poor visibility of celestial objects. In contrast, Pine Lake Retreat falls under Bortle Class 4, offering a vastly superior night sky experience—five levels better than Orlando—enabling excellent nighttime observation.”

Temperature: Nighttime temperatures in Groveland, FL average around 50°F, as shown below. It is advisable to wear appropriate warm clothing for extended stargazing sessions from 8 PM to midnight.

Clear Sky Forecast: While clear skies cannot be guaranteed, on the average we can expect a 57% chance for clear skies in December as seen in this graph.

On the average, there is only a 16 to 17% chance of rain during the December retreat as shown below.