About The Ashram

Located on the western side of the Elephant Valley in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India the Tureya ashram has settled into one of the few mountainous regions in southern India. Approximately 30 minutes from the Kodaikanal city center, the ashram has the convenience of road access and electricity but is far enough removed from the city to be immersed in the sanctuary of nature’s mountainous ecosystem. The only facility on the west side of the valley, the ashram is bathed in the silent beauty of a primarily wild environment (aside from the few farmers who grow carrots, beans, potatoes, and garlic on hand sown terraced fields).

The ashram’s infrastructure is composed of a few buildings placed around the total 30 acres of the ashram’s gift from Mother Nature: a dining hall, kitchen, residential building, library, secluded huts, and meditation hall.

Logistically the ashram will only accept a maximum of 12 students at a time, and this number is not likely to be adjusted at any point in the near future for several reasons:

~ Everyone within the ashram is connected spiritually with one another, and each is there to support the positive progression towards internal revelation and self-transformation;

~ The ashram staff and teachers are accessible and available for every student and are able to personally connect and share with each and every student;

~ The ashram remains a place of spiritual focus not to be removed from the intention of supporting everyone’s progression towards greater light, bliss, joy, wisdom, and peace;

~ Peace and silence always remain an option for students, keeping the environment tuned into the tranquility of nature;

~ Keep nature intact so that the earth can inspire, awe, and enlighten us to move deeply into our spirituality.

The residential hall, our primary housing facilities, was designed with the intent of living comfortably so that the body could relax easily into the ashram lifestyle. Our intent behind the building style was not modernization but comfort, a comfort that eases the body and mind so that spirituality can be the main focus. We are not an ashram of austerities; this is neither our priority nor emphasis. Instead we live by the teachings of Tantra which state that all spiritual growth comes from an internal change, not an external one. Beating and destroying the body is not the answer. Live joyously, but be free. This is what matters.

With that said, all rooms are designed with amenities we feel provide the necessary support to calm and relax the body: single beds with all bedding including; bedside table; attached bathroom with shower, western toilet and sink; each room opening to the balcony that overlooks the mountain valley.

Each room is a double room and we have designed it as such because we have found that people benefit greatly from having someone with whom they could share their thoughts, experiences, and journeys with. Many times we have seen roommates become lifelong friends from their time spent during their stay at the ashram.

The other facilities around the ashram are open to students, and the classes and activities are spread throughout the ashram grounds depending upon the program and the time of year. Our huts are available for occupation only a few months out of the year, so should you wish to use one please contact us in advance to see if this is any option during the month you plan to visit. Availability will also depend upon the number of students registered.

Though the ashram’s maximum capacity is 12 students we do sometime reduce the number to accommodate the specialization of a group or program. Usually the lowest number we will restrict for programs or courses is 6, and our average group size is 8-10. Again this is to maintain the personalized focus of our ashram.