INDIA

8 Popular Ashrams in India and What They Offer

BY SHARELL COOK Updated 01/17/18

John Moore / Staff/Ge y Images

India has always been a popular destination with spiritual seekers who flock to the
country's many ashrams. Every ashram is different though, so which one to
choose? This guide to popular ashrams in India will give you some ideas as to
what's on offer.

Also see these 7 Top Yoga Centers in India and 11 Top Ashrams for Yoga and
Meditation in Rishikesh.

01 Art of Living Ashram

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Vishalakshi Mantap. Suyog Gaidhani/Ge y Images

Founded in 1982 by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living is renowned world-wide
for its stress-elimination and self-development programs based mainly on
breathing techniques, meditation and yoga. The Art of Living as a voluntary
organization also undertakes various initiatives aimed at uplifting humanity and
enhancing the quality of life. The foundation course at the ashram is the three day
Art of Living Part I residential workshop. You'll learn revitalizing breathing
techniques to restore the natural rhythms of body and mind.

● Where: In the Panchagiri hills, 36 kilometers southwest of Bangalore, near

Udipalya village.

● Courses: Art of Living I & II, yoga, meditation, Vaastu Shastra, Vedic math, and
youth training courses.

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 02 Osho Interna onal Medita on Resort
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Buddha Grove. Courtesy of Osho Ashram

Osho was perhaps India's most controversial spiritual leaders due to his views
about sex. The Osho ashram no longer holds workshops calling for undressing,
and free love isn't encouraged. Yet, unlike many ashrams, there's no gender Ad

segregation anywhere at the Osho ashram. The ashram, which is more like a
resort, aims to provide a luxurious environment where people can be at ease with
themselves. Despite the compulsory wearing of maroon robes, it's commercial and
far removed from Indian culture. Courses are mostly directed at healing from
traumatic experiences, rather than personal development.

● Where: Pune, Maharashtra (4 hours from Mumbai).

● Courses: Active meditations (including jumping and screaming), Tantra

workshops, plus a huge range of multi-diversity courses.

03 Isha Founda on Ashram

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Courtesy of Isha Yoga Center

The Isha Foundation is a non-profit organization, founded by Sadhguru Jaggi

Vasudev in 1992. Its purpose is to foster people's spiritual and physical wellbeing
through yoga and outreach programs, such as environmental rejuvenation. The
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core of the Foundation's activities is a customized system of yoga called Isha Yoga.
The 3-7 day introductory program, known as Inner Engineering, introduces guided
meditations and a powerful inner energy process for deep inner transformation.

● Where: Isha Yoga Center, at the base of the Velliangiri Mountains in Tamil Nadu.

● Courses: Inner Engineering, Hatha yoga, yoga for children, advanced meditation
programs, sacred treks, mind and body rejuvenation retreats based on
Ayurvedic principles.

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04 Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram

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Adam Berry/Ge y Images News

Fondly known as the "Hugging Mother" or "Amma, the Mother of All", Sri Mata
Amritanandamayi Devi envelopes devotees with her love. She focuses her
attention on trying to overcome the lack of love and compassion in the world, and
devotees are particularly attracted to her for her comforting embraces. Free public
darshans (audiences) are held with Amma at around 10 a.m. on Wednesdays,
Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

● Where: The Amritapuri Ashram is in Kollam, Kerala. 110 kilometers north of

Trivandrum.

● Courses: Integrated Amrita Meditation Technique (a 20 minute combination of

yoga, pranayama, and meditation). Morning and evening mediation, prayers,
and service are all part of the ashram life.
Continue to 5 of 8 below.

05 Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram

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GUIDE

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Sharell Cook

The teachings of modern sage Ramana Maharshi are based on a process of self
inquiry, which he initiated at the age of 16 in 1886. After realizing that his real
nature was "formless, immanent consciousness", he left his family home and
traveled to holy Mount Arunachala, where he remained for the rest of his life. The
core of his teachings can be found in a booklet called, "Who Am I?"  It contains
instructions that come from his direct experience of self-realization. Free
accommodations and food are provided to devotees who wish to practice his
teachings at the ashram.

● Where: Tiruvannamalai, 200 kilometers southwest of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu.

● Courses:  The ashram has a daily schedule of activities including puja (worship),
Vedic chanting, and group readings.

06 Sri Aurobindo Ashram

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jayk7/Ge y Images
Founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman known as The Mother, the
Sri Aurobindo Ashram has grown into a diversified community with thousands of
members. The ashram sees itself as working towards the creation of a new world,
a new humanity. If you're looking for a quiet haven of retreat, this isn't the right
ashram for you. It's "a vibrant center of life in a modern urban setting". There's no
renunciation of the world there. Everyone spends time each day in one or another
of the Ashram's 80 departments.

● Where: Pondicherry, 160 kilometers south of Chennai.

● Courses: Collective meditations are held, but there are no prescribed practices,
rituals, compulsory meditations, or systematic instructions.

07 ISKCON
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Ankur Dauneria/Ge y Images

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The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is commonly known
as the Hare Krishna movement. It's based on the teachings of Lord Krisha and is a
branch of Hinduism known as Gaudiya Vaishnavism, which was started in the
16th century by spiritual leader Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. ISKCON was not founded
until much later, by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, in 1966. The Bhagavad
Gita is one of the main texts used. Devotees practice bhakti yoga, which involves
dedicating all thoughts and actions towards pleasing God (Lord Krishna).

● Where: There are centers all over India. The world headquarters are in
Mayapur, West Bengal. Other popular centers are in Delhi, Mumbai
(Maharashtra), Vrindavan (Uttar Pradesh), Bangalore (Karnataka). Do note that
although both sexes are welcome, ashram facilities are mostly provided for men,
as women are not encouraged to live an ascetic lifestyle in the temples.
Guesthouses are available though, for short-term stays.

● Courses: Daily activities include worship, classes on the Bhagavat Gita,

celebration of religious festivals, and lectures on spiritual topics.

08 Ramakrishna Mission
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Belur Math. Archive Photos / Stringer/Ge y Images

Ramakrishna Mission is a religious movement that's based on the teachings of Sri

Ramakrishna. It was founded by his chief apostle, Swami Vivekananda, in 1897.
The teachings follow the system of Vedanta, which combines both Hindu religion
and philosophy. The belief is that every soul is potentially divine, and this divinity
can be manifested through work, meditation, knowledge and devotion to God (the
four Yogas). All religions are recognized and honored, as they are considered to be
different paths to the same reality.

● Where: There are branches all over India. The headquarters are at Belur Math
near Kolkata.

● Courses: Depends on the branch. Activities include daily worship and bhajans
(singing religions songs), celebration of major Hindu festivals, religious classes,
discourses, and spiritual talks and retreats. 
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