Itinerary
B= breakfast L= lunch D= dinner
Yoga practice : Our daily yoga practice will focus on meditation, asana, work on attention, basic pranayama, and Sutras. We will be inspired by spiritual lessons of the great teachers we meet in India through their teachings. All levels welcome including beginners. Family members or friends not practicing yoga are also welcome.
Day 1 • Chennai
Arrival in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Welcome meeting at 2:00 pm in a designated room of the Rain Tree Hotel in Chennai. Please bring your registration form and info about your medical insurance (compulsory). Departure for a brief tour of the city that includes the Theosophical center of Krishnamurti. Dinner, not included, on our own and overnight in Chennai..
Day 2 • Mahabalipuram-Tiruvannamalai (B+D)
Yoga practice. Breakfast and departure to Tiruvannamalai, the site of the sacred mountain of South India, Arunachala. On the way we may visit the temples in Mahabalipuraham, time permitting. A powerful site and a very important pilgrimage destination in India, Tiruvannamalai owes its fame also to the presence of Sri Ramana Maharishi and its ashram. Ramana was an extraordinary man, a fully enlightened being who reached liberation when he was very young. Lunch on route, not included. Arrival in Tiruvannamalai and check in our peaceful resort where we will stay for 3 days, on full board, commuting to Ramana Maharishi Ashram each day.
Days 3 and 4 and 19 • Tiruvannamalai (B+L+D)
During this time in Tiruvannamalai we will focus on our yoga practice and on Ramana Maharshi ‘s teachings. We will attend to lectures about him and visit his ashram and the caves where he meditated for long time. Among other activities, we will explore the Arunachaleswar Temple and walk the Kora around Arunachala Mountain as pilgrims have been doing for many centuries.
Day 5 • Pondicherry (B+D)
After our yoga practice and breakfast, we drive by our private coach to Pondicherry, the largest French colony in India. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still understood, and the whole city makes for rather pleasant mix of East and West. On arrival, check in to our hotel and lunch on our own. This afternoon we will visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, introducing another pillar of the Indian spirituality. Guided tour and return to the hotel to enjoy the ocean breeze and some relaxing free time. Possible satsang. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 • Pondicherry and Auroville (B)
Yoga practice by the beach. Breakfast and departure to Auroville, the international attempt at an ideal spiritual community founded in 1968 and based on the spiritual teachings and practices of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. Auroville is inhabited by people from across the world and is an ongoing experiment in human unity, transformation and consciousness, as well as sustainable living and the future cultural, environmental, social and spiritual needs of mankind. Pick up and drive back to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
Days 7 and 8 may be subject to change as we may be given the possibility to attend some special lectures in Auroville. In that case, our stay in Pondicherry will be extended for an extra one or two days.
Day 7 • Chidambaram – Tanjore (B+D)
Yoga practice in the morning followed by breakfast. Drive by coach about 40 miles to Chidambaram. Here we will visit the Nataraja Temple, where Shiva is worshiped as the Cosmic Dancer, depicted in 108 dancing poses in 10th century stone carvings. Stop for lunch on our own. We continue our driving toward Tanjore. Check in to our beautiful hotel and dinner. Relaxing overnight in Tanjore
Day 8 • Tanjore
Longer yoga practice this morning followed by breakfast. Today we will visit Tanjore’s main temple, Brideeswara. We will also admire the famous Tanjore paintings, involving a very intricate process with gold leaf added onto the main painting. Lunch on our own in town and back to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to enjoy a longer siesta or a time by the pool. Possible satsang after dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 • Madurai (B+D)
Yoga practice followed by breakfast and departure to Madurai, considered the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and South India. Check in and lunch on our own. In the afternoon, visit of Meenakshi Temple, one of the most significant Temples in all of south Asia and Ramana Maharshi famous room where he became enlightened. Possible visits in Madurai: Ghandi Museum, Thirupparankundram Temple and Thirumalai Nayak Palace. In its heyday Tirumalai Nayak Palace at Madurai was considered to be one of the wonders of the South. Dinner at the restaurant and overnight in Madurai
Day 10 • Madurai (B+D)
Daily yoga practice and continuation of visits followed by free time. Pick up before dinner included in the restaurant and overnight in Madurai.
Days 11-12-13 , 27, 28 • Kollam (B+L+D)
Drive to the backwaters in Kerala to stay at an Ayurvedic center for Ayurvedic treatments (optional), exploring the culture of the backwaters. We will focus on yoga and Ayurveda. The backwaters are an extraordinary natural, cultural and beautiful place to visit. We can only reach the nearby villages by private boat, one of the activities planned for the next three days along with watching the Kathakali dance during the evening program. Full board.
Day 14 • Kochi (B)
Yoga practice in the morning followed by breakfast. Drive to Kochi the capital of Kerala and a place of international tourism and interest for its music, dance, shopping, the center of the spice trade even today, and multi-cultural life. Between today and tomorrow we will visit: the Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archaeological museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum, the spice market, and handicraft shops. Exploring, lunch, and dinner on your own. Overnight in Kochi.
Day 15 • Kochi (B+D)
Yoga practice in the morning followed by breakfast. Day at leisure and free time. Final satsang and farewell dinner. Overnight in Kochi
Day 16 • Kochi – Depart (B)
Breakfast and departure by private bus to Kochi international airport for your flight back home. Only one ride is included in the price and the bus will leave with the earliest flight on schedule.
The order of events and visits may be subject to change .
