The ashram is located in the southern crest of the upper Palini Hills of southern India, a mountain range that runs from central India down to the very southern tip. The ashram is located on the outskirts of Kodaikanal near to several reserved forests. The ashram owns a large wilderness area so students can connect easily with the natural lifestyle. While in the middle of nature, the ashram remains only 5 km away from the center of Kodaikanal city. 

Kodaikanal is known as "the princess of hill stations" by the British for its natural beauty and spectacular views. Historically, Kodaikanal has been a retreat destination for both Indians and foreigners as it is typically a much cooler climate then the majority of India. Kodaikanal is unique because of its elevation of 7000 feet which makes it one of the highest cities south of Delhi. It is a luscious environment known for its diverse ecosystem and steep mountain ranges.

Kodaikanal Weather

 Sunshine most of the year with temperatures between 8 C – 20 C (47 F – 68 F).

Kodaikanal is sunny from the month of January until August or September. We usually get a few rain showers starting in September, than the climate will usually change to a cooler temperature during the winter months of November and December. They air is typically moist which provides a good ventilation for the skin. The daytime temperatures will usually be around 18 C and in the evening it will get as well as 8-10 C. In other words, is a much cooler climate than the rest of India.

As a side note, the weather in Kodaikanal can be unpredictable at times, and although the seasons tend to be consistant, they can also change year to year. It is always a good idea to bring a rain coat and warm clothing for unpredictable weather.

Specifics About the Ashram Policy

The Tureya Ashram will typically only admit 10-20 students into the ashram at one time. We do this to ensure the quality of the ashram environment and also to preserve the natural surroundings of our ashram. The ashram is located in the middle of one of the forests in Kodaikanal, and is adjacent to some of the natural parks within the Western Ghatts Mountain Range. The tradition of ashram living requires that the spiritual aspirants live amongst nature, and for this reason we work hard to preserve our environment and the quality of our surroundings.

Another reason why we maintain the restriction on the number of students is to ensure each student receives the personal attention they need to develop their spiritual life. We maintain the tradition of the guru-disciple relationship at the ashram, and Swamiji is usually present to help guide students on a personal basis with their Sadhana (spiritual practice). This would not be possible if more students were admitted into the ashram.

The ashram usually offers one course per month. The average class size for the courses is 5-15 students. If you wish to join one of our courses please contact us for the dates. Retreats are administered monthly and are usually designed around the individual needs and requirements of the guests.

As we do maintain a limited number of students who can study at the ashram each session, registration and acceptance into the ashram prior to arrival are required. Not every student is admitted into the ashram as we typically only accept those who are committed to their personal growth and transformation. If you have any questions about our registration process, please visit our Contact Us page.

Maps of Kodaikanal and Tamil Nadu

Wondering where Kodaikanal located? View some of our maps here.

Kodaikanal is in the southern most state of India known as Tamil Nadu. Kodaikanal sits at the top of the Palini Hills at 7,000 Feet elivation.  

Kodaikanal is three hours from Madurai by taxi, and approximately 4 to 5 hours by bus. The closest international airport is in Chennai which will require a 45 minute flight from Chennai to Madurai or a nine hour, overnight, trainride. The ashram is only 15 minutes away from the center of Kodaikanal and can be accessed by either local bus or taxi.

Below is the ashram address for Kodaikanal:

Tureya Ashram
Sadhana Valley
Puliyur Road
Nagama Temple
Vilpatty, Kodaikanal

Click Here: View Google Map's Satellite View of Kodaikanal

What to Bring

Many students ask what should I bring to the ashram. Here is a general list of what you might find useful.

The ashram is a spiritual place and we always encourage students to bring items that are necessary to avoid things that are excessive or are of great value as they are not needed in India.

Clothing for The summer:

• Shorts/Thin Pants
• Raincoat
• T-Shirt and long sleeve shirt
• Warm sweater or Jacket (just in case)
• Hat
• Walking shoes and sandles

Clothing for winter October-January:

• Long pants
• mostly longsleeved shirts and a few T-shirts
• jacket, gloves, winter hat
• sweater(s)
• socks and shoes
• raincoat

Extra items:

• backpack
• sunscreen
• medication
• books
• music players
• etc.

Things to avoid:

• computers
• jewelry
• expensive items
• electronics
• etc.