visit to sadhguru jaggi vasudev ashram in coimbatore, tamil nadu state of india –ย after many years we took a small break from our busy lives and went to coimbatore at sadhguru jaggi vasudev’s ashram also known as isha yoga center in 2012.
i did not get a chance to visit coimbatore city. all the time we were at the ashram just meditating, relaxing and nourishing the body, mind and soul.
we did not do any courses or training there. simply becauseย we are already on the spiritual path for many years and we know which meditation method suits us. and exploring any new meditation technique in isha is a waste of time and money. one should always choose the meditation technique or path which suits your energy and then stick to it. if we keep on changing our meditation practice then we can not go deep into it. perseverance and patience pays in the end. however the courses conducting in the ashram are littleย expensive and not easy to afford for every body.
so we practiced our meditation method in the relaxed and free atmosphere provided in the ashram. and we are thankful to isha yoga center for this.
we had a comfortable stay at the ashram cottages. the silent sittings at the mystical dhyanlinga temple were profound and deep.
dhyanlinga temple – photo credit: http://www.ishafoundation.org/
the long walks facing the vellangiri mountains with clean, crisp, oxygenated air was a boost for our health.
not to mention the healthy andย nutritiousย food that we had there. the food that is served at the ashram is pure vegetarian food without onion and garlic. 99% of the food is vegan.
plus it is all south indian food. the ashram serves free meals twice a day in their huge bhiksha hall. i must say the food is delicious and i wonder how they prepare food for 500 people everyday.
annadhanam – photo credit: http://blog.ishafoundation.org/
the food is served in thalis now and not on banana leaves as you can see in the pic above. there are 9-10 varieties ofย differentย dishes that are served in one thali. they also serve one fruit with the rest of the food. purely south indian food like dosa, idli, chutney, sambar, rice, masala rice, pulao, kadhi, thokkus, chutneys, salads…. allย deliciousย and healthy too.
the food has to be eaten in silence remembering the divine in you as well as in the food with prayers being recited before the food is eaten. it is a spiritual experience to eat food with so many people and yet be silent and still from within.
dhyanlinga temple – photo credit: http://www.ishafoundation.org/
the food is eaten with your hands and since everyone eats together it creates a sangha (community) feeling. food is served by the ashram volunteers and it is unlimited. mostย probablyย you will be overstuffed as the food is so good ๐
after the meals you have to wash your own plate and glass. thats it… after that go for a long walk or sit silently facing the green vellangiri hills enjoying the pure air in complete freedom. no one interferes there as everyone is focussed on their own work… inner or outer.
since photography is not allowed in the ashram i could not take photographs of the food being served or the place where they prepare it. also i was so relaxed there that even to carry the camera and shoot was a big big work for me.
i could take the photos of the area where the nandi – the bull’s statue was placed and the area outside the ashram. ย some photos are mine whereas the rest i have taken from the isha blog and isha website.
the ashram has a relaxed environment. it has a feel of traditional yogic ashram where there are many rituals done like devi pooja, sarpdosha pooja (astrological remedy), kesh arpan (offering your hair to the devi) and many more. plus they also have many courses and therapies.
they also have a food shop from where i got really good stuff like herbal tea, ginger coffee, rice mix powders, pickles, ragi dosa mix, adai mix and other dosa mixes. in their gallery one can also buy jaggi vasudev books, kurtas, tshirts, incense, meditation mat etc.
our stay which was only for four days was extended to 3 more days and the ashram cottage people dearly agreed for us to extend our stay. the ashram support staff is very helpful. you can book cars for airport from the premises itself as they have provide this service.
i have been to a couple of ashrams in india and isha yoga center is a good ashram if you want to reconnect with yourself. everything there supports your well being… the cold water bath in the spriritual theerthakund, the meditations at the dhyanlinga temple, the food, the seekers, the cottages, the vellangiri mountains…. everything…..
dhyanlinga temple dome from outside
well shri sadhguru jaggi vasudev was not there when we were there. so i am not taking his name. i do not know how the ashram feels in his presence. all i know is that everything at the ashram is clean, green, silent and meditative.
the meditation hall where sadhguru conducts session or sits was full of meditative vibrations.
road outside the isha yoga center facing vellangiri hills
i bought few books and spiritual music fromย isha shoppe. there is a nursery also in the campus where plants are sold. isha foundation is a doing massive tree plantation exercise in tamil nadu. sadhguru is involved in many social and environmental activities.
Vaibhav Chaturvedi says
How much money do we require to stay there for 5 days? Are teenagers allowed? Is it a must to come with an elder family member? Please reply as soon as possible.
amit trehan says
vaibhav, you need to check these questions in their website. 2 years back when i visited, i paid 450-500 Rs for one room with bathroom plus 2 times meal. it was pretty cheap as compared to the facilities i was provided. but maximum stay was for 3 days unless you do some course which were expensive. you need to book the room in advance by email. don’t know the current rules or charges.
sanchita says
i want to do course plz send me course ,your add and phone no
admin says
sanchita, kindly isha foundation website
Rakhi says
Sir I want to take yantra Bhairavi from Sadguru .when I should come on 9 the or 10 Dec .please book accommodation also
admin says
rakhi, i am not connected with isha yoga. please check their website for info and booking.
Arun sourashtriya says
Mai bhi a an a chahata hu isha foundation mai
Nimesh says
I would like to visit your Ashram…will appreciate if I can get a chance to meet Sadguru and ti stay their for a while to gain peace to mind body and soul…..
amit says
Nimesh, ashram is in coaimbatore. check the official website.