Spring Equinox Gong Puja
Saturday 21st March 2026 9pm - 7am
This is a not - for - profit event, and every ticket supports The Sue Ryder Charity.
Experience a uniquely immersive journey into sacred sound, at this all-night Gong Puja in Henley on Thames.
At this special event, we will celebrate the Spring Equinox - a solar festival celebrated when the length of the day and night are equal. Earth’s graceful transition – temporarily balancing, before tipping into the lighter part of the year.
After the Winter period of rest, hibernation and dormancy, our minds, bodies and souls start to thaw and warm. We start to ease forward and sow seeds – nourishing and guiding our heartfelt dreams and plans. This Gong Puja will embrace this seasonal shift with intention.
During the puja, you will sleep / rest / relax / journey / dream your way through the night into the early morning, whilst being bathed in the healing sounds from several gongs.
We will be joined by several experienced master gong players, creating consecutive gong baths, each flowing seamlessly into one another.
Arrival and set up begins at 9pm, followed by gentle movement, soothing breathwork and guided meditation. We will then have a fire ceremony (weather dependent) to release what is no longer serving us and set intentions for the future.
The gongs will play from 10.30pm to 6.00am, followed by a shunyata – 30 minutes of sacred silence.
After the session, we recommend you allow yourself plenty of time to come round, integrate and relax before travelling home. A light breakfast will be served after the puja.
What do I need to bring?
· Wear comfortable warm clothes to move around and then sleep in.
· Bedding - sleeping mats (please do not bring air mattresses as they can be noisy and disruptive), sleeping bag, blankets, duvet and pillow.
· Eye mask
· Water bottle
· You may like to bring a journal and pen
A suggestion for a comfortable mat to sleep on:
A Yoga Nidra mat, which is super lightweight and comfortable. It is described as ‘a quilted cotton mini-mattress with a built-in pillow’. They can be purchased from the website below (search ‘yoga nidra mat’) please note, this is my affiliate link and I will earn a small commission if you use the link:
I use this exact mat when attending Gong Sound Baths - so do many of my students, it has great reviews, is comfortable and easy to transport.
During the puja, absolute silence is observed (except for the gong sounds of course).
Mobile phones should be on silent mode or turned off.
As gong players, it is our responsibility to hold the sacred space in a way that is comfortable, safe, and supportive for everyone, allowing all participants to fully enjoy this special experience. Falling asleep during a gong puja is completely natural and often a sign of deep relaxation. With that in mind, we kindly ask for collective awareness around snoring. If you are attending with someone you know, please gently rouse your companion should snoring occur. If you are attending alone, please be aware that you may receive a gentle squeeze on the ankle or shoulder by one of the Gong players, as a loving reminder to return to a lighter state of rest.
You may leave the puja for necessary visits to the toilet, though we ask you to make as little noise as possible while exiting and returning to the room.
If you have any medical conditions requiring special arrangements or medication, then this should be brought with you.
Please discuss any concerns with us to ensure that we can accommodate your needs.
Is there anyone a puja is not suitable for?
Gong baths in general are not suitable for anyone with a pacemaker (unless you have doctors approval) or those with epilepsy. They are also not recommended for women in the first trimester of pregnancy, or for those who have had a recent hip / joint operation or metal implant (within the last 12 months). If you have any concerns, please speak with your doctor in advance.
Cost: £110 - Profits going to The Sue Ryder Charity.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. Sue Ryder are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, Sue Ryder know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. Sue Ryder campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. They also seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
They can make a positive difference during even the darkest of times. Whether in the last months, weeks or days of life, or living with grief, they help people live the best life they possibly can. Sue Ryder are there when it matters.
