Sacred South India

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Pondicherry and en-route visit Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is best known as the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring Hindu Monuments from the 7th & 8th century. There we will stop for a delicious sea-side Indian seafood lunch.

From there we will travel to the former French territory of Pondicherry, with its distinctive colonial heritage and home to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Located in the state of Tamil Nadu and heavily French-influenced, Pondicherry was under French rule until 1954. The vestiges of French colonialism are still evident from the lifestyle shops and restaurants that sell French-inspired fare to the people who up to this day still speak French. Brightly painted houses, large boulevards, French road signs, colonial buildings, and massive gothic churches are what make Pondicherry famous.

We will also visit the progressive, experimental town of Auroville, a manifestation of Sri Aurobindo’s vision of diversity, equality and universal compassion. Sri Aurobindo’s advanced world vision, the backbone of Auroville, expands one’s sense of self, of life, and our connection to the world and those around us. The spiritual path or “sadhana” that he developed, works with a combination of various psychological disciplines and yogic practices. Already a century ago he declared “All life is Yoga”.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven through the timeless Indian countryside to Tiruvanamalai where the great sage Sri Ramana Maharshi lived and meditated for 54 years. Here, we will visit the Arunachaleswarar temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at the base of Arunachala hill. It is significant to the Hindu sect of Shaivism as one of the temples associated with the five elements, the Pancha Bhoota Stalas, and specifically the element of fire, or Agni. Shiva is worshiped as Arunachalesvara and is represented by the lingam. His consort the goddess Parvati is depicted as Unnamalai Amman or Apithakucha Ambal, the divine feminine.=

After lunch take a walk near the holy mountain Arunachala, which is considered the fire vortex of India where it is said that Shiva became an infinite column of fire. Cosmic love comes as waves from this mountain, revered by millions of Hindus as the living body of Shiva, the Great God and Destroyer of the Indian Trinity. Why is Shiva called the Destroyer, and what does He destroy? Shiva, being pure infinite consciousness, transcends all illusion of separateness. He consumes all duality in his divine fire. Throughout history, people have remarked upon the way in which all discursive thought ends when in the presence of Arunachala.

That evening you will enjoy exploring the town of Tiruvanamalai with your new travel friends.

Visit the Arunachalesvara Temple followed by a visit to the Ramana Maharishi Ashram in the afternoon. There we will pay homage the ancient Shiva lingham. Then take a short hike up the mountain and spend time meditating and investigating the nature of awareness in Ramana Maharshi’s meditation cave. 

Visit the Ramana Maharishi Ashram and explore his non-dual perspective of reality and his embodied meditative wisdom of being. Return to the hotel for breakfast and later we will have the opportunity to hike up Arunachala mountain, which takes about 1.5-2 hours. There we will have time to investigate the nature of awareness and non-duality as we meditate on Ramana’s well known transformative question, “Who Am I”. 

This is an extraordinarily special opportunity to witness and take part in the vastness of spiritual India. Every full moon, tens of thousands of pilgrims worship Shiva in the form of Arunachalesvara by circumambulating the Arunachala hill barefoot (shoes are optional). The circumambulation covers a distance of 14 kilometres (8.7 mi), and is referred to as Girivalam. According to Hindu legend, the walk removes sins, fullfils desires and helps achieve freedom from the cycle of birth and rebirth. It is a tremendously transformative experience. Offerings to Shiva and Shakti are made in a string of tanks, shrines, pillared meditation halls, springs and caves around the hill. This will be an otherworldly experience that will light your inner fire for time to come!

After breakfast drive to Madurai, the third largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu. Madurai is an ancient metropolis that once traded with ancient Rome. Hailed as one of the oldest cities in India, Madurai boasts a rich history that began during the 4th century BC. Tourists come here for the ever popular Meenakshi Amman Temple, a massive, labyrinth-like architecture that ranks among India’s best temples with intricately carved, colorful structure.

In the afternoon we will visit Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal and Meenakshi Temple, a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River that is a major pilgrimage destination within the Shaivism tradition.  It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwarar, a form of Shiva. Unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity, the goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple. 

Your evening will be spent at leisure. After dinner, visit the Meenakshi Temple and experience the ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’ which highlights the divine union between masculine and feminine. 

After breakfast at the hotel, head to the airport or if you are staying for the Ayurvedic Spa Add-on, drive to Kovalam, an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favorite tourist destination since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

On arrival check in at Soma Manaltheeram Resort and spend three nights at this ayurvedic beach village.  Take time for rest, swimming and receiving optional ayurvedic massage and treatments.

After breakfast, drive to the Trivandrum Airport to board the flight for your onward journey.