Mamallapuram, is a historical retreat set amidst natural beauty. Lying 58 kms South of Chennai, this ancient seaport of the Pallava dynasty invites connoisseurs of art. Its monuments hewn out of slid rock, though ravaged by the sea and wind, still bear testimony to the magnificent heritage of Dravidian architecture. The glorious Shore Temple, one of the oldest in South India, stands on the sea shore with its paved forecourts. See the great Bas-relief of Arjuna's penance, the five Rathas, the Mahishasura Mardhini, Krishna and the Varaha Mandapas. There is also a School of sculpture which merits a visit.

Themes: Refreshing your body & being with ‘SomaSky’ movement & meditation; discussion, ‘How to cope with India, land of contrasts’.

Day 5-9 TIRUVANANAMALAI (5 days)
Deepen your meditation as you taste the fragrance of eternity and touch the core of your being.
Learn about Hindu traditions from the many temples in the area and also about Advaita Vedanta, the tradition of nondualism. Participants have the option of staying several days at Ramanasramam Ashram. Visit the caves where Ramana Maharshi lived and go on meditative walks around Arunachela, the sacred mountain of the fire Shiva.

The Arunachala temple here is situated at the foot of a hill and dedicated to Tejo Lingam (God incarnate as fire). One of the largest temples in the South, it is dominated by a 61 meter, 11 storeyed gopuram. The imposing gateway and the thousand pillared mandapam are also noteworthy. In November-December the Karthikai Deepam festival is held here on a full moon day and the ashram of Saint Sri Ramana Maharishi attracts a great number of tourists from all over the world.

Theme: ‘Who Am I’
Ramana Marharshi created the process of ‘Self Inquiry’ with this essential question. You are invited to discover who you are truly. We will also discuss and contemplate the nature of Awareness, Bliss, Heart, Space, Emptiness & Love.

Day 10-12 PONDICHERRY, AUROVILLE, (3 days)
You can dress in a more Western style and go shopping for a salwar kameez, traditional Indian dress; change money; send e-mails. Meditations at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and crystal meditation in Auroville’s Matrimandir. Indulge in an Ayruvedic massage. Have an espresso. We are in French India.

Meeting with a brother from the community of St-John who will share about the social work he does with people who suffer from AIDS.

Pondicherry - a quaint enclave in Tamil Nadu upholds the French tradition to this day. The town which rose phoenix - like after the British literally razed it to the ground in the 18th century, is home to the much acclaimed Aurobindo Ashram and is noted for its lovely French architecture and cuisine. Visit the Ashram which was founded by Sri Aurobindo a onetime Bengal revolutionary who later took to the spiritual path. Auroville, the city of Dawn was inaugurated in Feb 1968 as a unique experiment in international living, where people live and work in total harmony.

Designed in Feb 1968, Auroville was set up as the place of constant progress of an unending education and an experiment in international living and understanding. Auroville wants to be the bridge between the past and the future and belongs to humanity as a whole. The Matri mandir (pavilion of the Mother) is the soul, the living symbol of Auroville’s aspiration for the Divine

Theme: Meditating in the Market Place.

Day 13 CHIDAMBARAM,
Nataraja temple, the ether temple of Shiva in his dance of creation. View the 108 forms of Bharata Natayam and experience one of South India’s most vibrant temples.
Chidambaram was the capital of the Cholas from 907 to 1310 AD. The name is derived from “Chit Ambaram” which literally means that `wisdom and intelligence infused into the atmosphere ‘. Lord Nataraja , an aspect of the Divine, is said to have emerged from the sacred space as Siva Nateswara, the Cosmic Dancer and performed His Cosmic Dance before two of his devotees. It is a special temple with an unusual vimana over the Sanctum Sanctorum which holds the Divine as `Space’ without any form. The 108 Karanas of Bharata Natyam , the Classical Dance form of South India that are depicted in sculpture on the walls of the Temple and are absolutely exquisite.

Theme: How do you relate/create with
life. Discover your inner dance of trust, love, fear,
hope…

Day 14 TANJORE, Brihadishwara Temple, crowning glory of Chola architecture with sacred cave like spaces built high up in the temple structure. Relax at the luxury hotel & and enjoy the swimming pool!

Theme: Name that God. Use your knowledge of Hindu Gods as we explore the Brihadishwara Temple.

Thanjavur was the capital of he powerful Chola dynasty. Today, it is a little town set amidst the lush rice fields of the Cauvery delta. Visit the magnificent temple of Brihadeeshwara built about 1000 years ago by Raja Raja Chola. This temple is a living testimony to the sculptural and architectural excellence of the Cholas. Also visit the Thanjavur Palace partly built by the Nayaks in 1550 AD and partly by the Marathas. Visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library which has an extensive collection of over 30,000 manuscripts, palm leaf inscriptions and books


Day 15 TRICHY, visit the Sri Ranganthaswamy Temple dedicated to Vishnu, the protector and nearby Sri Jambukeshwara Temple, dedicated to Shiva, the liberator and wife Pravatti.
Visit and stay at the christian ashram Shantivanam which was founded by Fathers Jules Monchanin and Henri Le Saux in 1950.

Theme: Discover the sacred space in you!

Trichy (Thiruchirapalli), an ancient town in the Cauvery delta, was a Chola citadel in 2 BC. The present town and the fort were built in by the Nayak kings of Madurai. The magnificent Rock Fort, built on an immense rock formation over 84m high. 437 steps cut into the rock lead up to the Vinayaka temple built at its highest points. The view from the temple is superb. At a lower level along the rock is the Tayumanaswamy temple dedicated to Shiva. The fascinating temple town of Srirangam is on island in the Cauvery. Seven concentric courtyards encircle the temple and town. Dedicated to the Lord Ranganathaswamy, the temple has 21 magnificent gopurams and is adorned with exquisite sculpture

Day 16 TRICHY-MADURAI
Drive to Madurai (200 kms) and on arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon: Visit Meenakshi Temple and attend the evening temple ceremony. Overnight in Madurai.
Situated on the banks of the Vaigai river, Madurai, the ancient capital of the Pandyan Kings, is a sacred place. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from the Lord Shiva’s locks gave the town its name.

Visit Tirumal Nayak Palace constructed in the Indo?Saracenic style in 1639 AD. The curved dome, standing without the support of a girder or rafter, is an architectural feat, Pass by the Mariamman Teppakulam - the tank with a mandapam in the center. Visit Tirumangalam ,19 kms from Madurai. Visit the Meenakshi temple - a superb example of Dravidian architecture and sculpture, the focal point around which the city has developed. The temple has two sanctoras, one dedicated to Shiva and the other to Meenakshi. The splendidly carved temple complex, with its immense gopurams towering over the city has colourful stucco images of gods, goddesses and animals and tales from hindu mythology. See the beautifully carved “Hall of thousand Pillars” which houses the Madurai museum. Attend the night Ceremony at the temple. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening at 9 PM, when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music.

Theme: Experience Kali, Mother of compassion!

Day 17 MADURAI- KOVALAM
Travel day to Kovalam (255 kms) and on arrival transfer to hotel. Luxury dinner at a luxury hotel.

Kovalam is a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty, located on the magnificent Arabian sea coast. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves and surges. The 30 kms drive from the Tiruvanantapuram airport to the beach through groves of palms is refreshing. It is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an Ayurvedic massage and oil bath.

Day 18 KOVALAM
Free Day! Enjoy the beach and swimming pool. Optional and independent activities…like shopping Evening: Kathakali dance performance.

DAY 19 KOVALAM
Full day guided excursion to Kanyakumari (87 kms),
land’s end of India where the Bay of Bengal meets the
Indian Ocean. See both the Sun and the Moon in the
sky. Ferry to Vivekananda Memmorial on the Rock
Temple. Watch the sacred flame ceremony just after
sunset at the Suchinfram Temple

Kanyakumari (87 kms) ? the land's end of India, is also known as Cape Comorin. It is the southernmost tip of the subcontinent, where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian sea and the Indian Ocean meet. It is famous for its fabulous sunrises and sunsets. Off the coast on an imposing rock, is the Vivekananda Memorial.

Padmanabhapuram was the capital of the Maharajas of Travancore. Their erstwhile Palace known as the Padmanabapuram Palace is a splendid example of traditional Kerala architecture. It has beautiful mural paintings and elaborate woodwork. The Palace complex consists of elegant buildings with steep tiled roofs and intricate wood-carving and small courtyards.

At Suchindram, on the way to Kanyakumari, is the great Temple dedicated to Brahma Vishnu and Siva . This was where Indra performed penance and was cleansed. The temple here is known for its intricate stone carvings.

Theme: Sat Guru, discover your inner teacher.

DAY 20 KOVALAM-TRIVANDRUM-MUMBAI

Morning free on the beach. Later transfer to Trivandrum airport (16 kms) in time to connect flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, transfer to an airport hotel. (Room blocked for day use until departure). After a farewell dinner at hotel, transfer to airport in time for your flight.

DAY 21 Arrive in Montreal


*The itinerary is subject to change, there are options we can discuss in the moment depending on the interests of the group. This is not a journey set in stone but a journey of discovery!
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