Spiritual seekers come to India’s various ashrams, which have long been popular destinations. However, each ashram is unique, so how do you choose? This list of famous Indian ashrams will give you an idea of what’s available.
1. Ashram of the Art of Living
The Art of Living, founded in 1982 by Sri Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is known worldwide for its stress-reduction and self-development programs centered mostly on breathing methods, meditation, and yoga. As a non-profit organization, The Art of Living participates in various activities to better humanity and the quality of life. The three-day Art of Living Part I residential workshop is the ashram’s foundation course. You’ll learn to breathe more deeply to restore your body’s and mind’s natural rhythms.
2. Osho International Meditation Resort
Due to his ideas on sex, Osho was one of India’s most divisive spiritual gurus. Free love is not promoted in the Osho ashram, and workshops requiring undressing are no longer held. Unlike many ashrams, however, the Osho ashram has no gender segregation. The ashram, like a resort, attempts to provide a pleasant setting where guests can feel at peace. Despite the need to wear maroon robes, it is commercial and has little to do with Indian culture. Most of the courses are geared around recovery from traumas instead of self-growth.
3. Isha Foundation Ashram
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev started the Isha Foundation in 1992 as a non-profit organization. Its mission is to promote body and mind well-being in people via yoga and outreach activities like environmental rejuvenation. The Foundation’s efforts revolve around Isha Yoga, a tailored yoga technique. Inner Engineering, a 3- to 7-day introduction program, presents guided meditations and a powerful inner energy method for true inner transformation.
4. Mata Amritanandamayi Ashram
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, often known as the “Hugging Mother” or “Amma, the Mother of All,” envelops devotees in her love. She devotes her time and energy to overcome the world’s lack of love and compassion, and devotees are drawn to her for her soothing embraces. On Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at roughly 10 a.m. Amma gives free public darshans (audiences).
5. Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Ramana Maharshi’s teachings are founded on a process of self-inquiry that he began when he was 16 years old in 1886. He left his family home and proceeded to holy Mount Arunachala, where he resided for the rest of his life, after discovering that his true nature was “formless, immanent consciousness.” “Who Am I?” is a booklet that contains the core of his teachings. It provides directions based on his personal self-realization experience. Devotees who seek to practice his teachings at the ashram are provided with free lodging and food.
6. Sri Aurobindo Ashram
The Sri Aurobindo Ashram, founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and a French woman known as The Mother, has evolved into a diverse community with thousands of members. The ashram considers itself to be trying to create a new planet, a new humanity. This isn’t the ashram for you if you’re seeking a peaceful refuge to retreat to. It’s “a thriving hub of activity in a modern metropolitan setting.” There is no world renunciation there. Every day, everyone spends time in one of Ashram’s 80 departments.
7. ISKCON
The Hare Krishna movement is the name given to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). It is a form of Hinduism known as Gaudiya Vaishnavism, founded in the 16th century by spiritual leader Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and based on Lord Krishna’s teachings. ISKCON was created considerably later, in 1966, by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. One of the most important scriptures is the Bhagavad Gita. Bhakti yoga is a devotional practice where devotees devote all their thoughts and activities to pleasing God (Lord Krishna).
8. Ramakrishna Mission
The Ramakrishna Mission is a religious movement founded on Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings. Swami Vivekananda, his chief apostle, founded it in 1897. The instructions are based on the Vedanta system, which integrates the Hindu religion and philosophy. According to this religion, every soul can be divine, and this divinity can be manifested through effort, meditation, knowledge, and devotion to God (the four Yogas). Because all religions are seen as distinct paths to the same reality, they are all respected and valued.
