Solo female travel India|| Isha Foundation stay experience|| What to do at Isha Yoga Centre|| Visit the Isha Yoga Centre|| Travel guide to Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore||
I have been dreaming of this trip for some time now, and when it finally happened, I was so proud of my decision. I was happy to make it, and oh! It was a beautiful trip. There’s no suspense here.. If you know Isha Foundation, if you follow or have watched a few videos of Sadhguru, or have done some sort of little research on spirituality, you must have run through some information on him or Isha Foundation. And not to break your notion, they all are truly and simply engaging. Hence, it’s so obvious that the trip would be all good. Now what will differ is the experience you derive from the trip, what purpose you are visiting the place with, and it will unfurl to you likewise. You may think, ‘What the hell am I speaking!!’.. well!! We will get to that step by step.
In the foothills of the Velliangiri hills, lies this spiritual domain covering a vast land. Once you are here, you are in a different world; so much in This very land you are, yet so distinct from the fast-forwarding life out there. Again, you are thinking.. ‘What is it!!’ Just a few more lines in the introduction part to brew your curiosity, and we get to the actual details. Be with me..
I went to Isha, just to stay for a week. I was thinking of registering for a course, then I changed my mind, and I just wanted to experience Dhyanalinga and Linga Bhairavi, more of the first, to be honest, and I booked my stay for a week. Just to come close to the place, that was my primary intention. Now let me start with the journey.
Getting to Isha Foundation, Coimbatore:
First, you have to reach Coimbatore city. You may go by flight, train or bus as per your convenience. From Coimbatore, Velliangiri (where the yoga center is situated) is roughly 30 km away. So you may take a cab from airport/station and reach Isha Foundation directly; it takes roughly 1 hour from the airport, and it costs around 1200 INR for a normal hatchback. The car drops you at the main ‘Snake Gate’.
You will also get a direct bus from Gandhipuram central bus stand in Coimbatore (which is quite frequent; You get the timetable on Isha’s website), which will be very cost-effective; however, keep a few points in mind. These are public buses (unless there is some Isha programme going on and they provide direct bus service from airport), hence, during season time, the buses will be packed. If you are carrying big suitcases, then it can be a problem taking a public bus. Also, the journey time will be longer.
After reaching the Snake Gate, you get your luggage scanned, and the check-in process starts one by one. There are security and volunteers everywhere to help you throughout.
From the main gate, the check-in point, which is the ‘Welcome point’, is a little distance away. But till the time you arrive at the Welcome point, you have already crossed half the way to the center and it won’t take a moment to get lost in the peaceful serenity the place endorses. At the Welcome point, there is also a help Desk, where there are volunteers to help you plan your stay. What all you can do during your stay, what activities you can take part, what are the rules of staying on the premises, etc. and you should spend some time at the help desk understanding and planning your schedule in the ashram.
Stay at Isha Foundation:
You have to pre-book your stay at Isha Foundation, and the same is available on Isha’s website. There are various room categories available, and you can book as per availability and your suitability. The room rates are quite reasonable; however, please know this, they are not 5* luxury hotels; they all offer basic yet comfortable amenities. However, saying this, I actually took the lowest category room at Shivapadm; by lowest, I mean it was a non-AC room. But the cleanliness of the room, the amenities, bed sheets, even the door mats were impeccably clean. I mean I can go on and on.. The housekeeping staff clean the rooms every single day with utter care; the corners of the rooms, the entire building, are so speck and span.. Even the entire ashram area is a trophy of cleanliness.
Speaking of the room amenities, though simple, they are thoughtful. Shivapadam 3 and 4 are a little away from the main ashram ground; it’s a good walking distance, but worry not, there is free transport service available. Hence, going back and forth to the ashram ground isn’t an issue at all. I say you rather stay a little distance away, and you are rewarded with some unobstructed views! (psss.. even you will find a beautiful shortcut walk to the main ashram ground if you stay for a few days.)
** Please follow the rules briefed to you at the time of check-in during your stay.
What to do at Isha Yoga Centre:
If you are not coming for any programme or voluntary service or Sadhanapada, but just as a visitor like me. There are plenty of things to do to keep yourself busy.
Ashram tour: First and foremost, if there is an Isha tour available on your day of arrival, better take it (the tour is available on Wednesday and Friday; it depends from time to time as well). It’s a one-hour tour and you get a good idea of the place as to what to do and when to do, and you get the mental map in your head. Hence, you know how to plan your stay. The tour is for free, and of course very helpful, hence if you arrive before 4 pm, and the tour is available that day, better run for it first.
Dhyana Linga: my primary attraction was this. Sitting inside and meditating, and trying to soak in the energy of the exquisite Shiva lingam. It’s a beautiful experience. I mean, truly, you can’t make any noise inside; the slightest whisper seems too loud here, very dimly lit, a dome-shaped structure and very simple interior.. You know, for all the places at Isha, I can only say ‘they are beautiful’ because the rest is experiential. You can offer puja if you want. During Shravana Mondays, you get to offer water to the lingam, which is not a daily ritual people get to experience, and I was blessed to experience that.
Linga Bhairavi: this temple, though I knew about it, came as an added bonus to me. I fell in love with Devi. While my main intention was to spend more time at Dhyanalingam, Devi embraced me with all her love. And I used to divide my visit between both places. Go as a blank slate and rest; the place will do its job on you. You may offer various puja here if you want, or just go inside, sit, listen to the constant chant of Linga Bhairavi stuti and just be there. In the morning, various rituals are done; if you wish to book any, please go to the adjacent office and book your slot as per availability. (These kriyas are paid)
Chandrakund & Suryakund: both are bathing pools with sacred water. Chandrakund is strictly for women while Suryakund is for men but Suryakund is a huge area, it’s a yoga and meditation place as well, hence everyone is allowed to move around Suyakund but for bathing one has to pay an entrance (for both Chandrakund & Suryakund actually) of rs. 20 pp (in cash), and you can go bathe. The opening time is 7:30 am to 8 pm. Upon entering, you are given a cloth for bathing and explained all the rules. Please don’t carry any valuables inside; carry a towel, a fresh set of clothes, and that’s it. The water is cold; try to be in there. You will feel so rejuvenated.
Kalbhairava Temple: now we come out of the ashram area; we come out of the snake gate and cross the road. And voila the scenario changes. No, we are still in the periphery of the Isha Yoga centre, but you will see so many visitors are coming and going. There is a restaurant at your right corner; there is the baggage scanning area, plus day visitors are depositing their belongings etc. Now start walking or take a bullock cart or an E-vehicle to the Kalbhairav temple. After a few hundred meters, Lo and behold, the iconic Adi yogi standing so tall and huge. Hold your urge to run to him little longer; cross him for now and goa little further to the Kalbhairav temple (it’s about a kilometre walk and a very good walk; I will recommend after 4pm when the sun is softer). Go inside and stay there for a while. Again, it’s a beautiful temple, open till 8 pm.
Adi Yogi: finally comes the part which everyone knows Isha for. If you talk Isha, you know this as well. I don’t have the audacity to describe the experience. The closer you are, the bigger he is, shining and so pure. You forget everything while here. I personally prefer and refer a visit at late afternoon. As the sun will be mellow and you can enjoy the super breezy moments, do a pradakshina of Adi Yogi; there is a temple right at the front.
One thing you can’t miss is the laser show. It starts at 7 pm, but reach here by 6 pm; people start gathering, and you need a good spot to see it. Shravan Mondays and all weekends are crazy and packed; rest of the weekdays are better, but be there by 6 pm; from 6:30 they start the chants, aarti, followed by the much-talked-about and unforgettable laser show. It’s unmissable. You only understand once you see it.
Health centre: There is a health centre, you may give a visit; they have a few treatments, consultations are available. Whatever suits you or not, you can pay and take the services.
Isha Home School: Isha also runs a gurululam, which is a homeschool. Students from all across the world come and enrol themselves to be a part here. The tour was amazing; this is the kind of environment every student deserves. The selection process is elaborate, as they don’t take more than 20 students in one class. The starting age is 7; they have facilities up to class 12. Mostly interested parents prefer this tour.
Food at Isha Yoga Centre:
Bhiksha Hall: Isha offers 2 free meals to all its ashram guests. The first meal in the morning starts at 9:50 am; then 10:35 goes the 2nd batch, the last morning batch is at 11:10 am. The same goes in the evening; it starts at 6:50 pm, the next batch is at 7:35 pm, and the last one is at 8:10 pm. Hence, after the laser show, don’t loiter around; run to the ashram ground for your last meal. Food here is sattvic, no onion, no garlic and but full of taste, variety everyday and so much food. You should experience this for sure.
Cafes: Apart from the Bhiksha hall, there are 3 restaurants inside the ashram premises. 2 of them are very reasonably priced, with good food. But they close by 7:30 pm. The other one is air-conditioned; it’s like a real café, you have to cross the big ground in front of Nadhi cottage, and it’s there.
Restaurant outside snake gate: There is one restaurant outside the snake gate; they are open a little longer, in case you want to skip dinner at Bhiksha hall, you have to have your food here and enter the ashram.
Volunteering at Isha Yoga Centre:
Isha offers volunteering programme throughout the year; for that, you have to apply well in advance on their website. Or, like me, if you are a guest and want to experience volunteering, then go to any help desk counter; they will help you find any volunteering work during your stay, or at the entrance to Linga Bhairavi temple, at the Rudraksh counter, they are always open to volunteering work. Bhiksha Hall seeks serving assistance. Hence, you have options.
Shopping:
Isha life has many products if you have checked their website, if you want then you can buy them from the shops inside. They take payment by card/UPI or cash.
Travel Tips for Visitors:
- To start with, follow the ashram rules while inside or during your stay at Isha Yoga center. You get a good brief of the Dos & and Don’t at the time of check in, please respect the same.
- No pictures allowed inside the premises.
- Carry decent clothes as per the rules described at the time of booking; no sleeveless, no shorts or cloths above knees for both men and women. You are in a spiritual place where they follow a dress code; kindly come and stay with respect.
- Carry cash; some places don’t take UPI or card payment. You do have access to an ATM; however, to be on the safer side, please carry some cash.
- Vehicle services inside the ashram are free.
- There are helpdesks everywhere other than the welcome point, where you get a one-stop solution to all your questions, and it’s open till 9 pm, but the other helpdesks guide you as much as possible.
- Do try some voluntary programmes while there; the Rudraksha counter or various other places are always looking for some assistance, and you will love it.
- This is a very well-organised place, run mostly by volunteers. Here, no one will come to you or force to offer any donation. Rather, none of the temples has any offering box; rather if you want, buy the puja offerings here and offer to the deity if you wish.
- And if at all you wish to donate, there are counters; you may go and speak to the representative seated there. But no one will approach you to pay anything.
Day visit to Isha Yoga Centre:
Apart from staying, thousands of people come every day for a day visit here. You can do that as well. You get to visit all the temples, the kunds, the Kalbhairav temple, and of course the Adi Yogi. You are not allowed to bring mobile phones inside. The tour will take about 40 minutes, plus if you wish to buy something or eat inside. Kalbhairav and Adi yogi is at the other side of the ashram area, hence the tour time doesn’t include these 2 places.
And that’s all I have known during my very short stay here. With the hope that I get to go back here so so soon, stay blessed, stay safe.. My next post will follow soon.
