A relative recently asked for suggestions of spiritual oriented places like ashrams near Bangalore. These are the suggestions I gave her. I am sure there are more places around the city, but I have actually been to these 7 places. Do add any suggestions in the comments so I can check and add to this list.

Auroville, Pondicherry

This was her suggestion and it is a good one. One can stay inside Auroville with its gold plated Matri Mandir or 15kms away in the seaside town near the Mother’s samadhi shrine. This seaside town ambiance is a mix of an ashram and small french town with a touch of Tamil seaside culture. If you roam around in the small town away from the promenade then the Tamil flavour becomes a lot more prominent.

There are many ashram guest houses to pick from. I recommend the sea view rooms at the Retreat though the prices have been increased since I was last there many years back. There are also many more cheaper options like the International Guest House also run by ashram devotees. These guest houses do not generally become full, except on significant days for the Aurobindo and Mother devotees.

Note: If you are visiting Auroville for the first time then plan 2 visits – one to get an outside tour of the Matri Mandir and take an appointment to visit inside. The 2nd trip to visit inside the Matri Mandir (possible only via appointment and having finished your outside tour). My visit to the Matri Mandir and Auroville, a blog written years ago.

Adiyogi Bangalore Center

Earlier, I used to suggest Isha Yoga Center (& Adiyogi) in Coimbatore as I have mentioned later in this article. But before that I have to highlight that now just 2 hours from Bangalore is the second Adiyogi built by Sadhguru. This is a great place to visit, however, there is no stay area nor are the yoga / meditation programs started. So, this can only be a day visit. 2 lovely temples are open and welcoming. So, you can definitely make use of those. I have written a detailed info guide on this place here.

Sathya Sai Mudenahalli Ashram

Sathya Sai Mudenahalli Ashram is located about 30 mins from this Adiyogi. It is a nice ashram to visit, and has been growing rapidly as well. Recently, they opened a multi-specialty hospital for the locals which was inaugurated by prime minister Narendra Modi. They have some stay areas, but I don’t know the exact info about the cost/who are allowed. Do note, that Sathya Sai ashrams do have a few strict rules pertaining women. They prefer women wearing sarees and keeping their body covered properly. If someone doesn’t wear sarees, at least a jacket or dupatta would be good to have.

Right next to this Sathya Sai ashram is a coffee estate, with some spartan rooms. It is a nice place with serene vibes. The owner has many interesting stories to tell about his parents and how he started this sole coffee estate in this part of the land. Many Sathya Sai devotees stay here, and it has a spiritual vibe to it. So, this can be a great spiritual getaway from Bangalore.

Sathya Sai Prashanti Nilayam, Puttaparthi

Talking about the Sathya Sai Mudenahalli ashram, I must list down Puttaparthi over here. This is a small city in Andhra Pradesh, about 3 hours from Bangalore. This is where Sathya Sai’s main ashram is located called Prashanti Nilayam. It has similar feels to many other small Indian towns which develop due to a popular ashram. Foreigners and eclectic people are attracted to this place, and it leads to a different kind of development. There are many nice hotels and stay places in the town and within Prashanti Nilayam also. A lot of cafes in this town, cater very well to western tastes. They are also health centric and provide satvic, tasty meals.

Chitravathi river ghat is a beautiful and peaceful space for a sadhaka to do their practice or just BE. I went to Puttaparthi after attending the first temple consecration of the Naga Temple at the Bangalore Adiyogi center. It was a really memorable trip. More details on my trip here.

Isha Yoga Center (Adiyogi Coimbatore)

This used to be my first suggestion (before Bangalore Adiyogi came up), if someone wants to go for a few days only, then Isha Yoga Center is only a day’s ride in the bus from Bangalore. Some over night trains may also be available. They allow outsiders and non-meditators to stay for a maximum of 7 days from what I know. You have to take a cottage which costs anywhere from 850/- to more depending on AC, room size and such. Two meals are included. Book here. For enquiries contact 04222515471.

IYC is amazing with the 112 ft Adiyogi statue, Dhyanalinga temple where utmost silence is dedicatedly maintained through out the day by volunteers, Linga Bhairavi shrine, Teerthakund and more. During festival days or full moon days a visit to this place is even more interesting due to many cultural programs. But be sure to book in advance.

Here’s a video of the Devi aarti happening one full moon night outside the Dhyanalinga temple,

Ramana Ashram & Arunachalam, Tiruvannamalai

Another stunner just a few hours from Bangalore. One can stay inside the Ramana Ashram. They allow a max stay of 3 days for first time visitors. The ashram ambiance is very wholesome with 3 meals in the day. You can also make use of the entry to the Arunachala hill from inside the ashram itself, the other entrance to the hill is from near the Arunachaleshwarar temple.

On the hill you can visit Skanda ashram and Virupakshi cave. There is a devout culture of circumambulating the hill. It’s about 15kms of walking with some rest stops, temples, shrines and refreshment stalls on the way. Many ancient temples on that route are a delight to visit. Special mentions for the main Arunachaleshwarar temple in town and the Adi Annamalai temple on the opposite side of the hill which is smaller but considered older.

You can email the ramana ashram for accommodations, stay(@)gururamana(.)org. Email them at least a month in advance. Another place which is inexpensive and just a few minutes from Ramanashram is the Pink House. I haven’t seen the rooms, but a friend stayed here and was happy with it.

Buddhist Golden Temple, Namdroling

A little different from an “ashram” but in Coorg you can visit Bylakuppe a Tibetan Settlement. There is a monastery there with an impressive Temple. Opposite to it there is a veg restaurant with delicious food. There are rooms to stay here or maybe the monastery offers stay. You could also stay for a bit in Bylakuppe and meet the Tibetan community. However, since it is a place for Tibetan refugees, there are some legal rules about staying here. Some info given here. This not a standard ashram visit space, but its good if you want to experience the Tibetan Buddhism culture and is something different from the usual route.

The temple by itself isn’t much for meditation because no body manages the crowds that visit in tourist buses. They often make a total ruckus unfortunately. Compared to this the Auroville, Matri Mandir or Isha’s Dhyanalinga are properly maintained spaces for meditation.

Art of Living Main Ashram, Outside Bangalore

Art of Living’s Main Ashram is located in the outskirts of Bangalore near Banerghatta national park. It has been on my route on my many Coimbatore <–> Bangalore road trips. However, I have never ended up taking a halt. It is on my bucketlist. Here is a site that suggests the various places I can see there. The website though does not give details about the bus tour timings so, I am not sure whether I would be able to actually get the tour by simply landing there at any time of day.

Any other suggestions? Let me know in comments.