Ashrams
in ancient India, were Hindu hermitages where sages used to live in peace
and tranquility amidst nature. Their purpose apart from performing
sacrifices and penances was also to use them for the purpose of education.
Children were sent to them to be educated. Many Ashrams thus served as
Gurukuls or schools as well.
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Haidakhan : |
Haidakhan is said to be the "most sacred spot on earth".
Set amidst the sacred Mount Kailash, known as abode of the gods, dominates
the valley. The cave below the Mount Kailash is said to be the home to
Babaji for hundreds of years. Babaji sat here for continuously 45 days
without eating or drinking. Those looking for a peace of mind and soul,
Haidakhan is the perfect place for them.
How to Reach ?
Go to Haldwani (by bus, train or taxi). From Haldwani several types of
transports are arranged for the tourists depending on the season.
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Dharamshala -
Chinmaya Tapovan : |
Set about 10 km from Dharamsala in the state of Himachal Pradesh on the
banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras, is the ashram complex of Chinmaya Tapovan.
Established by the late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of the Gita,
this ashram is one of the most ideal places on earth to attain peace. The
complex houses a 9m high image of Lord Hanuman, a beautiful Rama Temple, a
meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation centre.
How to Reach ?
Dharmshala being the nearest town, the nearest airport is at Gaggal, 13 km
from the town. The nearest broad gauge railhead is at Pathankot. National
Highway 1 and National Highway 1A connect Dharamsala to Pathankot and
Jalandhar. Dharamsala is also well connected by road to other places in
Himachal.
» Activities
Meditation and Spiritual activities.
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Aurobindo Ashram
(Auroville) : |
Auroville in Pondicherry is well connected to rest of India by rail
and road. Located about 10 kms north of Pondicherry, in South India,
Auroville is an ideal place to sooth your soul. Chennai is the nearest
metropolitan city, which makes it more easily accessible from any part of
India and world. Auroville is a unique international community, its goal
being the transformation of life into the Supra mental consciousness. Shaped
on the teaching of Sri Aurbindo and Sri Maa (mother), Aurovilian Mita
Radhakrishnan offers an insider's view of the inner path.
How to Reach ?
Can be easily accessed from Pondicherry. Pondicherry is well connected to
rest of India by air, rail and road via Chennai.
» Activities
Yoga & Meditation, Spiritual Activities.
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Sai Baba Ashram at
Puttaparthi : |
A
three hour rail service between Bangalore and Puttaparthi is available.
Besides, once the Puttaparthi-Dharmavaram link is completed by end-2001,
Northern Railway too will run direct trains to Puttaparthi. The nearest
airports to the ashram are Puttaparthi that is about 6 km and at Bangalore.
The ashram of Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi believes in fostering ananda
(bliss), to wean people away from vice, mitigate suffering and want.The
ashram, Prashanthi Nilayam, is situated at Puttaparthi in India's southern
state of Andhra Pradesh. Seventy-five years ago, Puttaparthi was just a
village of two lanes; today, it is a famous town developed almost
single-handedly by Sathya Sai Baba.
Prashanthi Nilayam is a large, well-planned ashram, bearing everywhere the
stamp of its reality founder - Shri Sathya Sai Baba. You will find several
excellently maintained temples there, a kalpavriksha ('wish-fulfilling tree)
and a 'meditation tree', and a lovely, airy high-domed darshan hall where
the Swami meets his devotees. There also is within the sprawling complex a
post office, a public relations desk, a canteen and even a bakery.
How to Reach ?
Being close to Bangalore, this Ashram is easily accessed by air, rail or
road.
» Activities
Yoga, meditation and spiritual activities.
ashrams
in india 
