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

Rishikesh, 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

Rishikesh. Anyone can attend the lectures (10 AM & 5 PM) and meditations,

and enroll in classes. 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) Rishikesh 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,

Rishikesh 249 201, Uttar Pradesh, Phone: 91-0135-430769.

Neem Karoli Ashrama: This is another ashrama you can visit while in Rishikesh

of Neem Karoli Baba, located along the main road before you get to Rishikesh

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 Maharshi 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 Tushita Meditation Center: Offers regular

courses in Tibetan Buddhism as taught mostly by Tibetan and western teachers.

Write: Tushita 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@pamho.net; (Guesthouse) neelsunder@mantraonline.com. A beautiful

temple with multi-media exhibits, very nice grounds, gorgeous Radha-Krishna

Deities, with Sita-Rama and Hanuman, offering classes 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@compuserve.com; (Guesthouse) ganapati.gkg@pamho.net.

Offers regular classes 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@pamho.net; guesthouse.bombay@pamho.net.

A great and beautiful temple visited by many people with guesthouse (sometimes

full), nice restaurant, and facility to participate in numerous classes,

worship, 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. Munshi Marg, Chowpatty,

400 007/Tel\022) 369-7228 /E-mail: radha.krsna.rns@pamho.net. For serious

devotees and all visitors who look for a wonderful atmosphere for devotional

chanting, arati, puja, and classes in the Vedic tradition of bhakti-yoga.

Pune, Maharastra, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute: Offers classes 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, Shivaji 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 classes. 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@pamho.net. A huge

complex near the birthplace of the great devotee and incarnation of the Lord Sri

Caitanya Mahaprabhu. This place offers residence, classes in the classic Vedic

texts, devotional chanting, aratis, pujas, educational displays, restaurant, and

many other opportunities to engage in bhakti-yoga.

Puri, Orissa, Karar Ashram: Offers classes 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@iskconbangalore.org.

A huge and beautiful temple offering classes in Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita,

devotional chanting, educational displays, worship, arati, and more.

Bangalore, Karnataka, Sri Kailash Ashram, off Mysore road: An ashram offering

teachings in the worship 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 classes 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 Shivabalayogi Maharaja Trust: For studies in "dhyana

meditation" with kirtan and bhava samadhi, offers reseidential facilities,

morning meditation, with temple for Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Located 32

kilometers outside of Banagalore. Write: Shri Shivabalayogi 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, Kanakapura

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@auroville.org.in.

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 Maharshi 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 worship, 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 worship

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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