Ashram Information
Welcome to Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Tapaswini Ashram, situated in Gudur town of Andhra Pradesh, South India. Inaugurated in September 2017, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Tapaswini Ashram is the most recent ashram of our organization. Spread across 15 acres of land, the ashram is a gateway to learn the ancient yogic disciplines and teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnudevananda. In the heart of the ashram is a vast temple dedicated to Lord Shiva along with other dieties. The serenity of the ashram with lush greenery is a perfect setting for the journey inward.
Our accommodation is simple and functional. There are separate dormitories for men and women. We also have twin-share rooms. For each guest, a bed with a mattress and supports for mosquito net, plus 2 bed sheets, a pillow with cover and a mosquito net are provided.
- Dormitories: Separate for men and women and built as double-occupancy cubicles. Shared bathroom facilities are provided with cold water.
- Twin-Share: Twin-share have attached bathrooms
Please Note: couples are not allowed to share twin rooms during the courses.
Check-in / Check-out: Check-in time 2pm, check-out time 11am. All guests check in and out at Reception upon arrival and departure. If you are leaving outside office hours (8am to 8pm), please check-out the previous day. All bedding is to be returned before departure.
Meals: We serve delicious South Indian-style vegetarian cuisine twice a day; brunch at 10am and supper at 6pm. Fresh fruit, fruit juices and snacks are available for purchase in our Health Hut in season.
Drinking Water: Filtered water or ayurvedic herbal water is freely available.
Vaccinations: Check with your local health authority regarding vaccinations required for visiting India.
What to Bring: Sandals, toiletries, writing materials, mosquito repellent, meditation shawl for cool evenings, yoga asana mat, towel, water bottle and torch. Comfortable casual and asana class clothes in cotton are recommended. The Ashram dress code requires that knees, waist, chest and legs are covered at all times. You may require warmer clothes in the evening during December and January when temperatures can be cooler. Most items for your stay are available for purchase from the Ashram boutique.
Passport & Visa requirements: A visa is required from most countries to visit India. Foreign Nationals are required to bring their original passport with them.
Karma Yoga: The Ashram is a charitable, non-profit organisation supported by dedicated volunteer staff. One hour a day is allocated to karma yoga or selfless service when we ask the guests to help out in the Ashram. It is a lot of fun and you soon feel part of the Ashram community.
The facilities below are available at specific times only (please check with the office). All facilities are closed during classes, satsang and after 7.30pm.
The facilities below are available at specific times only (please check with the office). All facilities are closed during classes, satsang and after 8pm.
Boutique: The boutique stocks many items including books, yoga mats, stationery, postcards, cds, shawls, yoga and casual Indian style clothing, and simple snack foods as well as items needed for a stay at the Ashram.
Library: The library houses a variety of books on yoga and related topics.
Health Hut: Delicious fresh fruit salads, fresh juices and snacks can be enjoyed in the Health Hut. Open seasonally.
Recycling: Any unwanted items, such as used clothing, medicine etc. may be left at Reception for distribution to those in need.
Our Ashram is an abode of peace and shelter from the pressures of worldly life. It provides a safe space for personal development and the pursuit of spiritual ideals. People come from many walks of life and from every corner of the world to experience the profound spirituality of ancient India, and the centuries-old disciplines of yoga, vedanta and ayurveda. Maintaining a positive spiritual atmosphere requires the involvement and participation of all guests and staff. In this regard we request your cooperation in observing the following rules and guidelines.
Dress Code:
Men and women must cover shoulders, midriff and legs. Tight fitting, transparent and revealing clothing are not permitted. This includes:
• Shorts above the knee • Leggings
• Low cut and sleeveless t-shirts • Tank tops
Guests’ behaviour and dress code should be respectful of the local culture and enhance the spiritual atmosphere. Observance of the dress code should be maintained at all times including during asana classes or swimming.
Prohibited Items: Smoking, alcohol, drugs, meat, fish, eggs, garlic and onions are not allowed. The use of mobile phones is only permitted in designated areas outside of class times. Photography, video, audio recording during classes and ceremonies is only possible with the permission of the director. Pets are not allowed.
Male-Female Relations: To respect the local culture and the monastic tradition, kindly restrain expressions of affection such as hugging or kissing in public. Guests at the Ashram are advised to observe celibacy (brahmacharya) as part of the spiritual discipline. Male and female dormitories are separate. Men are not allowed in the ladies’ dormitory and vice versa. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre organisation of India disapprove of and condemn any form of harassment directed at guests, staff or visitors.
Attendance: Attendance at all Ashram activities is mandatory as part of the Ashram Yoga Vacation programme. As a mark of respect for the teacher and as a practice of self-discipline, guests are required to be on time and to remain for the duration of each programme. Asana classes are open to resident guests only.
Free Day: Friday is a free day in our Ashrams, unless contra-indicated by a specific Course. Guests are required to attend morning and evening satsang. There are no lecture or coaching classes on the free day. The yoga asana classes and meals run as usual.
Silence: Guests are requested to observe silence during meals, before morning satsang and after evening satsang. Lights out after 10.30pm.
Personal Belongings: We do not accept responsibility for guests’ personal belongings. Safe-keeping facilities are available.
Payments & Donations: Daily donation rates at the Ashram includes classes, food and accommodation. Dates and donations are subject to change without notice. For all programmes guests are subject to the suggested donation in effect at the time of payment. Personal cheques are not accepted. The Indian concessional rate does not apply to: non-resident Indians (NRI), Indian nationals working or living abroad, foreign nationals working or living in India, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO). Indian nationals may be asked to provide evidence of Indian nationality.
Minimum Stay: An initial minimum payment for three nights’ accommodation at the Ashram is required upon arrival and registration. This payment is non-refundable and non-transferable in the event of early departure.
Harassment Policy: Specifically, no harassment, proposals or innuendos with a sexual connotation will be tolerated during any programme or activity organised by the Ashram. Guests and students participating in such programmes and activities are accordingly made aware of this policy and invited to apply it in their personal behaviour during their stay. Any guest or student who thinks he/she may be the victim of unsolicited advances or any other form of sexual harassment is asked to notify a senior Swami or director immediately in order for corrective action to be undertaken without delay. Complaints made to a senior Swami or director will be treated confidentially and the alleged violator or any third party will not be advised of the complainant’s identity without the latter’s consent.
Via Chennai International Airport – 160 kms away. From the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi directly to the Ashram (approx. 3 hrs journey).
From Chennai Airport, you can take a Metro service (opposite the airport) to reach Chennai Central Railway Station. There are various trains available to Gudur Junction Railway Station (see more info below under By Train)
Via Tirupati Airport – 80 kms away. From the airport, you can take a pre-paid taxi directly to the Ashram (approx. 1.5 hrs journey).
It is suggested to contact the ashram by email well in advance for having a taxi available for you at the airport.
By Train
Direct trains to Gudur Junction Railway Station are available from many cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and other major cities.
You are advised to book rail tickets as soon as possible. Trains are often fully booked in high season (December and January) due to local festivals, so you may need to allow for this when planning your time of travel. Train e-tickets can be booked up to three months in advance via the internet. Train information can be obtained via www.indianrail.gov.in. Limited seats in higher classes are available for credit card bookings via www.irctc.co.in.
Bus Service
You can reach Gudur Bus Stand from Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and other major cities. From Gudur bus stand, the ashram is 13 kms away. You can take a bus going to Vidya Nagar or Kota. The route is:
Chillakur Mandal – Kadivedu – Guthavaripalem
Guthavaripalem is the bus stop which is in front of the Ashram
By Auto Rickshaw
Auto rickshaws are easily available from Gudur Junction Railway Station and Gudur bus stand to the ashram for a minimum charge of 250/-approx. From Gudur Junction Railway Station the ashram is 15 kms away.
Students and guests applying for any courses/programmes at the Ashram are required to sign the Liability Release Form.
Please click here to download the form.