Ashram Information

Welcome to the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Meenakshi Ashram, founded in 2002 and nestled within the beautiful forest lands of south India, with stunning views of the impressive Western Ghat mountain range and only one hour from the holy temple city of Madurai.

Free Day: 

To maintain the sattvic ashram atmosphere and to derive the maximum benefit during your stay, we expect guests and staff to remain in the ashram compound during their stay.

  • Guests are required to attend at least one Satsang morning or evening
  • There are no lecture or coaching classes on the free day
  • The morning yoga class and meals run as usual
  • Guests may go out on Fridays between 7.30am – 5.30pm
  • The ashram also offers organised day trips on Fridays

 

Check-in: 

  • All guests check in and out at Reception upon arrival and departure
  • All shared and single room check-in is from 2.00pm
  • Dormitory accommodation check-in is available anytime.

 Check-out:

  • Check-out time is by 11.00am
  • When checking out, please obtain an Exit Pass from Reception
  • If leaving outside office hours (before 8am or after 7.30pm), please checkout the day before.
  • Please return all room keys to Reception

Personal Belongings:

  • Safe-keeping and locker facilities are available.
  • We do not accept responsibility for guests’ personal belongings.

Vaccinations: Check with your local health authority regarding vaccinations required for visiting India.

Registration & Visa Requirements:

  • Foreign Nationals are required to bring their original passport with them.
  • A valid visa is required from most countries to visit India.
  • Indian Nationals are required to bring a valid government issued photo ID (Driver’s License or Aadhar Card)

Payments & Donations:

  • Daily donation rates at the Ashram include: all 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)
    • Person of Indian Origin (PIO)
  • Indian nationals may be asked to provide evidence of nationality

Minimum Stay:

  • Minimum stay is three nights.
  • An initial minimum payment for the three nights’ accommodation is required upon arrival and registration.
  • This payment is non-refundable and non-transferable in the event of early departure.

Guest Guidelines: 

  • To maintain the spiritual atmosphere of the Ashram we ask all guests to follow our Do’s & Don’ts
  • The Ashram reserves the right of admission and guests may be asked to leave if their behaviour is contrary to the Ashram code of conduct

Language: 

  • All classes and courses are taught in English

Bringing your children:

  • Children of all ages are welcome provided that they are supervised by their guardians/ parents.

What to Bring:

  • Comfortable clothes
  • Sandals
  • Personal toiletries
  • Towels
  • Yoga mat
  • Meditation shawl for cool evenings
  • Water bottle
  • Torch

Essential items are available for purchase in the Ashram boutique

To facilitate working from the Ashram:

  • Laptop
  • Personal Hotspot (recommended connections are Airtel & Jio)

Meals: 

  • We serve simple, nutritious south Indian vegetarian food
  • Milk Tea ( 7:30am)
  • Brunch (10am)
  • Milk Tea/ Juice (1.30pm)
  • Dinner (6pm)

Drinking Water: 

  • Filtered water and ayurvedic herbal water are freely available for drinking.
  • Our ground water is rich in minerals and because we are surrounded by forest we have an excellent supply.
  • We are self-sufficient in water.

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.