The South India Yatra

A guided spiritual journey to south India’s most sacred places

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Yatra, a Sanskrit word meaning journey, is a pilgrimage to spiritual places–temples, monuments and other sacred sites. We visit south India’s most holy and sacred places of worship while still doing our yoga practice. The journey itself is as important as the destination, and the challenges of travel serve as an act of devotion in themselves. Visiting a sacred place purifies the self and brings one closer to the divine. The yatra offers you a sense of belonging and opens the heart.

You will mingle with other yatris, devotees, from all parts of India, soaking up their devotion and sincerity. Experience the Indian bhakti tradition, powerful and cleansing. These sites are guided by spiritual forces that can destroy negative tendencies and take one towards the path of jnana (knowledge), bhakti (devotion) and Self-realisation.

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It is recommended that you are familiar with our teachings and practices through visits to our Ashrams or Centres. Our day will begin at 6am with meditation, yoga asana or other spiritual practices. There will be some time allotted for shopping, sightseeing and swimming, but the main focus of the yatra is spiritual. Experienced Sivananda-trained staff and teachers act as guides throughout the yatra and local guides will provide us with more detailed historical information.

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  • Kanyakumari – at the southernmost tip of India,. A place of pilgrimage, known also for its spectacular sunsets
  • Padmanabhapuram Palace, a magnificent teak palace of the 16th century
  • Suchindram Temple with its extraordinary musical stone pillars and a seven metre high statue of the deity Hanuman
  • Kerala Backwaters, a house boat ride offering breathtaking views of the untouched and otherwise inaccessible countryside
  • Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, renowned for its astonishing architecture
  • Ramanathaswamy Temple, housing one of the twelve jyotirlingas of Lord Siva, and twenty two wells
  • Rock Fort Temple in Tiruchirapalli (Trichy), a historic fort and temple complex built on an ancient 273-foot high rock
  • Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur (Tanjore) designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Ramana Maharshi Ashram, Thiruvannamalai
  • Sacred pilgrimage around Arunachalam Hill

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  • The Golden Temple, Vellore dedicated to Mahalakshmi, with both the exterior and interior coated in pure gold
  • Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) Beach and seashore temple, a World Heritage site of temples and carvings
  • Kapaleeswar Temple, Mylapore, a stunning Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Siva
  • Auroville and the sites of Pondicherry
  • Kailasnatha Temple, Kanchipuram, one of the oldest temples of south India
  • The tour begins at Dhanwantari Ashram in Neyyar Dam, Kerala. The closet airport is Trivandrum, 35 kms from the Ashram
  • The fee for the yatra includes accommodation, vegetarian meals, travel within south India, entrance fees to temples and other places and yoga asana classes
  • The mode of transportation will be a comfortable air-conditioned bus
  • Traditional vegetarian south Indian food will be provided along with fruits, tea, juices etc. and bottled drinking water
  • Refund Policy: In case of cancellation, the original amount less administrative fee of US $ 250 will be refunded

Prices include programme, bed and board

Location Date Prices Book Now
Neyyar Dam Date to be announced.

Please contact [email protected]

Accommodation will be modest comprising of simple twin sharing rooms with air-conditioning. Dormitory accommodation will be provided when visiting our Ashrams.