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Additional Ashramas and Centers in India
There are many thousands of ashramas and learning centers throughout
India, both large and small. You can find hundreds more than are
listed here, especially in any temple town. However, what follows is a
list of the most noted ashramas where you can practice and further
your studies in whichever of India's spiritual paths most attract you.
I don't recommend all of these. However I list them for the reader's
choice and discretion. Most of these ashramas are also those known for
allowing foreigners to participate and to stay without prior
arrangement, unless otherwise noted. Of course, for extended stays it
is always best to write ahead of time. So as you travel, use this
list, and the others provided, to help you locate places that may
interest you. Much more information about temples and traveling in
India is available in my books.
NORTH INDIA
Ri****kesh, Uttar Pradesh, has many ashramas from which to choose.
These are a few of the most noteworthy.
Sivananda Ashrama, The Divine Life Society: One of the best ashramas
in Ri****kesh. Anyone can attend the lectures (10 AM & 5 PM) and
meditations, and enroll in cl*****. Offers 3 month courses. However,
advance permission is required for lengthy stays. Write: Sivananda
Ashram, Divine Life Society, P. O. Sivanandanagar, Dist. Tehri-
Garhwal, 249 192, Phone: 91-1364-31190.
International Vishwaguru Yoga Vedanta Academy, or Ved Niketan as it is
known locally. It's a temple complex with numerous rooms around a
courtyard. You can stay as long as you want, like a hotel, and attend
whatever functions, pujas, or lectures you'd like that go on
regularly. Write: Sri Ved Niketan Dham, P. O. Swargashram, 249 304,
Phone: 91-135-430279.
The Yoga Study Center, on Haridwar Road: A nonresident center that
offers lessons in hatha-yoga for the serious student. Taught by
Brahmacharya Rudra Dev, an advanced student of B. K. S. Iyengar.
Write: The Yoga Study Center, Br. Rudra Dev, Ganga Vihar, Haridwar
Road, (Dist. Dehradun) Ri****kesh 249 201, Phone: 91-1364-31196.
Swami Dayananda Ashram: On the banks of the Ganges, teaches
traditional Vedanta. Has 50 guest rooms with daily arati, prayers &
meditation. Swami Dayananda was a former student of Swami
Chinmayananda, and divides his time between this and his other
ashramas. Write: Dayananda Ashram, Purani Jhadi, Ri****kesh 249 201,
Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 91-0135-430769.
Neem Karoli Ashrama: This is another ashrama you can visit while in
Ri****kesh of Neem Karoli Baba, located along the main road before you
get to Ri****kesh from Haridwar, under the 40 foot image of Hanuman.
Open for daily devotions, but not for lengthy stays.
Naini Tal, Uttar Pradesh, Kainchi Ashrama: This is another of the
ashramas of Neem Karoli Baba. Here you can come to spend the day and
participate in the aratis and devotional chanting in the Vaishnava
tradition. Write: Sankata Mochana Hanuman Mandir, P. O. Kainchi, via
Bhawali, Dist. Naini Tal, Uttar Pradesh 26313. In the United States
you can write: Neem Karoli Baba Ashram, P.O.Box W, Taos, NM 87571,
Phone: 505-751-4080.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Satsang Bhavan: The house ashrama of the
students of the late H. W. L. Poonja, or Poonjaji, who was a student
of Ramana Mahar**** and taught his own style of Advaita Vedanta. Offers
no residential facilities, but open daily to visitors. Write: Satsang
Bhavan, A 306, Indira Nagar, Lucknow, 226 016, Phone: 91-522-381189.
Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives:
Offers many courses in the study of Buddhism. The Dalai Lama speaks at
some of these in March. Write: The Library of Tibetan Works and
Archives, (Centre for Tibetan Studies) Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala
176 215, Himachal Pradesh. Phone: 91-1892-22467.
McLeod Ganj, above Dharamsala, The Tu****a Meditation Center: Offers
regular courses in Tibetan Buddhism as taught mostly by Tibetan and
western teachers. Write: Tu****a Meditation Center, P. O. McLeod Ganj,
Dharamsala, Dist. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176 219, Phone:
91-1892-21866.
Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh, Chinmaya Mission: Established by Swami
Chinmayananda, teaches Vedanta in the Adi Shankaracharya tradition in
regular training camps, mostly in Hindi. Write: Chinmaya Mission,
Chinmaya Tapovan Trust, Sandeepany Himalayas, Sidhbari 176 057, Phone:
91-1892-22121.
Beas, Punjab, Radha Soami Satsang Beas: The community and headquarters
of the huge Radha Soami movement, an offshoot of Sikhism. Teaches
meditation on the inner energy and light and sound. Write: Radha Soami
Satsang Beas, P. O. Dera Baba Jaimal singh, Dist. Amritsar 143 204,
Punjab, Phone: 91-1853-72345.
New Delhi, Vijay Nagar, Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission (Kirpal Ashrama),
Science of Spirituality: Headquarters of the Science of Spirituality,
an offshoot of the Radha Soami sect, attracts nearly 20,000 for Sunday
satsang programs, with facilities to house up to 400 guests. Teaches
meditation to perceive the inner light and sounds and reach higher
dimensions. Address: Kirpal Ashram, Attn: Secretary, 2 Canal Road,
Vijay Nagar, Delhi 110 009, Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 91-11-722-2244.
Gaidapur, New Delhi, on Mandi Road, Gobind Sadan Institute for
Advanced Studies in Comparative Religion: The ashrama and working farm
and community of Baba Virsa Singh. He is a Sikh but teaches the
universality of all religions. You can visit but write for long stays.
Write: Gobind Sadan, Gadaipur, Via Mehrauli-Mandi Road, New Delhi 110
030, Phone: 91-11-680-1653.
New Delhi, Sri Sri Radha-Partha Sarathi Mandir, The Glory of India
Temple, at Sant Nagar Main Rd, (Garhi), behind Nehru Place Complex
(mail: P. 0. Box 7061), 110065 / Tel (011) 623-5133 / Fax: (011)
621-5421 or 628-0067 /E-mail: kratu.acbsp@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Guesthouse)
neelsunder@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
A beautiful temple with multi-media
exhibits, very nice grounds, gorgeous Radha-Krishna Deities, with Sita-
Rama and Hanuman, offering cl***** on Bahagavad-gita and Bhagavatam,
and facilities to stay and participate in the Vaishnava tradition of
bhakti-yoga.
Vrindavana, Uttar Pradesh: This town has numerous temples and
ashramas. One of the main centers here is the Hare Krishna Temple, the
Krishna-Balarama Mandir at Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman Reti,
Mathura Dist, 281124 /Tel. (0565) 442478 or 442355 / E-mail:
105146.1570@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
(Guesthouse) ganapati.gkg@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
regular cl***** and devotional chanting and other programs in
the Vaishnava tradition of bhakti-yoga. Residence is available in the
guesthouse, and many other ashramas throughout the town. A few other
ashramas in Vrindavana include the following:
Neem Karoli Baba Ashrama: Near the main road on the parikrama path.
His samadhi shrine, along with temples to Hanuman, Sita-Ram and Durga
are here.
Ananda Mayi Ma Ashrama: Ashrama of the renown woman saint, on the main
road.
Jagadguru Dham along Raman Reti Road: Ashrama of Swami Prakashananda
Sarasvati, when he's not staying in his Austin, Texas ashrama. Also
has places in Barshana, near Vrindavana, called Rangeeli Mahal and
Vishwa Kalyan Kendra.
WESTERN INDIA
Mount Abu, Rajasthan, Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University: A
large complex with regular introductory lectures to their version of
spiritual truth based mostly on Raja Yoga meditation. Local tour buses
stop by here. It has 4500 centers worldwide. Visitors can take free
courses. Write: Brahma Kumaris World spiritual University, P. O. Box
No. 2, Mt. Abu, 307 501, Rajasthan, Phone: 91-2974-38788.
Mumbai, Maharashtra (Bombay) -Hare Krishna Land, Juhu 400049 / Tel
(022) 620-6860 /
Fax (022) 620-5214 / E-mail: iskcon.juhu@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
A great and beautiful temple visited by
many people with guesthouse (sometimes full), nice restaurant, and
facility to participate in numerous cl*****, wor****p, arati,
devotional chanting and projects in the Vaishnava tradition of bhakti-
yoga. A festival everyday in the evening.
Mumbai, Maharashtra - League of Devotees, at 7 K. M. Mun**** Marg,
Chowpatty, 400 007/Tel\022) 369-7228 /E-mail:
radha.krsna.rns@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
For serious devotees and all visitors who
look for a wonderful atmosphere for devotional chanting, arati, puja,
and cl***** in the Vedic tradition of bhakti-yoga.
Pune, Maharastra, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute: Offers
cl***** in asana postures and pranayama in hatha-yoga by the famous B.
K. S. Iyengar, author of "Light on Yoga," and his son and daughter.
However, there is a three-year waiting list to study here. Write at:
1107-B1, ****vaji Nagar, Pune 411 016, Phone: 91-212-356134.
Pune, Maharastra, Osho Commune International: The home of the
controversial (and deceased) Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his followers.
Located at: 17 Koregaon Park, Pune 411 001, Maharashtra, Phone:
91-212-660963.
EASTERN INDIA
Varanasi: One of those places in which if you merely walk around the
town, through the network of alleys, you will find numerous signs at
any corner informing one of a local yoga class, ashrama, or course in
music or something else that you can take. Some are a little too
positive, like a seven day course to learn how to play the sitar, or
something similar. So one has to be careful, and shop around. However,
I will mention a few places.
Kriya Yoga Center: I mention this center because lessons are taught by
the great grandson of Lahiri Mahasay, the guru of Yukteshwar, who was
the teacher of Paramahamsa Yogananda. This center is not far from the
Chauthasi Ghat. If you want to find it, ask around for the exact
location.
Yoga Sadhana Kendra (Center for Yoga): If you want to take a
nonreligious affiliated course on hatha-yoga given by professors, you
can find a one-month certificate course, and a four-month diploma
course at the Banaras Hindu University at the Malaviya Bhavan
building. Write: Yoga Sadhana Kendra, Malaviya Bhavan, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi 221 005, Phone: 91-542-310291.
Bodhgaya, Bihar, International Meditation Center: For the study of
Buddhism. Write at: International Meditation Center, Attn: The general
Secretary, Buddhagaya P.O., Bodh Gaya 824 231, Dist. Gaya, Bihar,
Phone: 91-631-400707.
Bodhgaya, Root Institute for Wisdom Culture: Another place for the
study of Tibetan Buddhism. Write: Root Institute for Wisdom Culture,
Attn: Reception Manager, Bodh Gaya, Dist. Gaya 824 231, Bihar, Phone:
91-631-400714.
Bodhgaya, Wat Thai Bodhgaya: For Vipassana meditation retreats in the
Thai tradition, led by a British Buddhist, Christopher Titmuss, held
in January. Write: Wat Thai Bodh Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Dist. Gaya 824 231,
Bihar.
Monghyr, Bihar, Bihar School of Yoga: Teaches yoga with Tantric
aspects as developed by Swami Satyananda and now under Swami
Niranjanananda. Write at: Ganga Darshan, Fort, Monghyr, Bihar 811 201,
Phone: 91-6344-22430.
Calcutta, West Bengal, Lokenath Divine Life Mission, at P-591 Purna
Das Raod: If you would like to volunteer for helping the poor in ways
of schools, small industries, medical facilities, and other programs
in villages in the area, Swami Shuddhananda can use your help. The one
room temple does have daily lectures, pujas and meditation cl*****.
You will need to stay at a nearby hotel.
Calcutta, Missionaries of Charity, at 54 A. J. C. Bose Road: This is
the continuation of Mother Teresa's work. It's another place where you
can volunteer your service in any number of ways for as long as you
want.
Mayapur, West Bengal, Shree Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir at Shree
Mayapur Dham, Dist Nadia (mail: P.O. Box 10279, Ballyganj, (north of)
Calcutta 700 019) /Tel (03472) 45239, 45240, or 45233 / E-mail:
mayapur.chandrodaya@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
A huge complex near the birthplace of
the great devotee and incarnation of the Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
This place offers residence, cl***** in the classic Vedic texts,
devotional chanting, aratis, pujas, educational displays, restaurant,
and many other op****tunities to engage in bhakti-yoga.
Puri, Orissa, Karar Ashram: Offers cl***** in meditation and kriya-
yoga under the guidance of Swami Hariharananda Giri, at least when
he's not in the U.S. Write: Karar Ashram, c/o Swami Yogesvarananda
Giri, Swargadwar, Puri 752 001, Orissa. Phone: 91-6752-23004.
Puri is another place where there are many ashramas and temples.
SOUTHERN INDIA
Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, Prasanthi Nilayam: The famous main
ashrama of Sathya Sai Baba is located here. Write: Prasanthi Nilayam
Ashram, P. O. Dist. Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh 515 134, Phone:
91-8555-2036.
Bangalore, Karnataka, The Hare Krishna Temple, at Hare Krishna Hill, 1
'R' Block, Chord Rd., Rajaji Nagar 560 010 /Tel (080) 332-1956 / E-
mail: guesthouse@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
A huge and beautiful temple
offering cl***** in Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita, devotional chanting,
educational displays, wor****p, arati, and more.
Bangalore, Karnataka, Sri Kailash Ashram, off Mysore road: An ashram
offering teachings in the wor****p of the Divine Mother.
Bangalore, Sri Mathrudevi Vishvas Shanti Ashram, at 14/5, 6th Cross
Ashoknagar, Banashakari, 1st Stage, Bangalore 560 050, Karnataka,
Phone: 91-80-609-588: The ashrama of Sri Vijayeshvari Devi, known as
Mother Karunamayi, and accepted as an incarnation of the Divine Mother
in the form of Lalitha Devi. Offers daily meditation cl***** and
lectures on mantras, and Vedic truths every evening when she is not at
the forest ashrama or touring in the West. There are no residential
facilities, but a hotel is nearby. The forest ashrama is at Sri
Penusila Kshestram, Penchila Kona Area, Andhra Pradesh.
Bangalore, Shri ****vabalayogi Maharaja Trust: For studies in "dhyana
meditation" with kirtan and bhava samadhi, offers reseidential
facilities, morning meditation, with temple for Brahma, Vishnu and
****va. Located 32 kilometers outside of Banagalore. Write: Shri
****vabalayogi Maharaja Trust, 1?a, III Phase, J.P.Nagar, Bangalore 560
078, Phone: 91-80-648-242.
Bangalore, Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation: Dedicated to
the teachings of Swami Vivekananda. Offers dormitories, rooms and
cottages, lecture halls, and dining. Write at: Vivekananda Kendra Yoga
Research Foundation, Prashanti Kuteeram Residential Campus, Jigani,
Anekal Taluk, Bangalore, Phone: 91-80-425-535. Or write: City
Coordinating Center, Eknath Bhavan, 19, Gavipuram Circle, Bangalore
560 019, Phone: 91-80-6608645.
Bangalore, Art of Living Foundation: The main headquarters of Sri Sri
Ravi Shankar, 21 kilometers south of Bangalore. Offers his version of
Vedic philosophy and the yogic and breathing techniques of "sudarshan
kriyas." Wrtie: Ved Vignan Mahavidyapeeth, Udayagiri, 21st KM,
Ka****apura Road, Bangalore South Tulaq 560 062. Or contact the city
center at: Vyakti Vikas Kendra, 19, 39th A Cross, 11th Main, IV T
Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041, Karnataka, Phone: 91-80-6645106.
Mysore, Karnataka, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute: Offers training
in hatha-yoga. Write at: 876/1, 1 Cross, Lakshmipuram, Mysore 570 004,
Phone: 91-821-25558.
Mysore, Sri Patanjali Yogashala, at Jaganmohan Palace Circle: Offers
practical training in ashtanga or hatha-yoga.
Mysore, Ganapathi Sachchidananda Ashram: Teaches kriya-yoga with a
focus on music. Write at: Nanjanguda Road, Datta Nagar--Ooty Road,
Mysore 570 004, Karnataka, Phone: 91-821-22662.
Madras, Tamil Nadu, Krishnamurti Foundation Vasanta Vihar Study
Center, at 64 Greenways Road, Madras 600 028, Tamil Nadu, Phone:
91-44-4937803: The ideal retreat for the study of the teachings of
Krishnamurti.
Madras, Adyar, Theosophical Society Headquarters of the world famous
organization. Daily visiting hours, 8:30 to 10 AM and 2 to 4 PM. Has a
huge library of 250,000 books and 17,000 rare or palm-leaf
manuscripts. Has temples for almost every major faith. Residential
facilities for members only. Phone: 91-44-4912815.
Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Auroville: The utopian community started in
1968 by the Mother (Mira Alfassa), the senior disciple of Sri
Aurobindo. All people of goodwill are accepted. Affiliated with the
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, which is mostly for established devotees, yet
where guests can stay up to two weeks, but for longer visits one
should go to Auroville. Write: Auroville, Visitors Center, Auroville
605 101, Tamil Nadu, Phone: 91-413-6227, Email:
guests@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Or: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Rue De La Marine,
Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, 605 002, Phone: 91-413-34836.
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Sri Ramanashram: The ashrama of the famous
Sri Ramana Mahar**** at Arunachalla Hill. Staying here is open for most
anyone, as long as there is space. Otherwise, you can stay outside and
still visit. Located on the west side of town at the base of the hill.
Write: Sri Ramanashram, Ramanashram P.O., Tiruvannamalai 606 603,
Tamil Nadu, Phone: 91-4175-23292.
Kulittalai, Tamil Nadu, Saccidananda Ashram: The former home of Father
Bede Griffiths. It is still an ashram of Benedictine monks who act
similar to Hindu sannyasis and also study Vedanta and yoga. Has basic
accommodations, and offers sessions for meditation, prayer,
discussions on yoga, study of the Bhagavad-gita and Upanishads, arati
wor****p, and evening satsang exchanges. Write: Shantivanam,
Tannirpalli P.O., 639 107, Kulittalai, Dist. Tiruchirapalli, Tamil
Nadu, Phone: 91-4323-22260.
Trivandrum, Kerala, Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanvanthari Ashram: Offers
training in hatha-yoga. Write at: P.O. Neyyardam, Trivandrum DT, 695
576, Kerala, Phone: 91-471-290493.
Kanhangad, Kerala, Anandashram: teaches the chanting of the Lord's
holy names of Ram, and to learn to see God everywhere in service. Has
beautiful location, rooms and dormitory halls, bhajan hall, and
library with 5,000 spiritual books, good food and spring water.
Chanting program starts at 5 AM. Write: Anandashram, Anandashram P.O.
671 531, Kanhangad, Dist. Kasaragod, Kerala, Phone: 91-499-703036.
Vallickavu, Kerala, Mata Amritanandamayi Math: The ashrama of Ammachi,
considered one of the incarnations of the Divine Mother. Lots of
visitors come here, and everyone is expected to do karma-yoga service.
Has apartments and dormitories, but are often cramped with visitors.
It mostly offers early wor****p of the Divine Mother, darshan when she
is there and not touring, and evening bhajans. Write: Mata
Amritanandamayi Math, Amritapuri P.O., Kollam District, Kerala 690
525, Phone: 91-4756-21279.
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