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Tamil Nadu: An Intersection of Dharma, Tyāga, and Bhakti

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Tamil Nadu: An Intersection of Dharma, Tyāga, and Bhakti

December 28, 2027 - January 6, 2028

Polur, India

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Hosted By

Dr. Kelli Sammis

94 followers

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9 nights, 10 days

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21 person retreat

Highlights

  • A Pilgrimage through Tamil Nadu, where we will explore the intersection of Dharma, Tyaga, and Bhakti – Purpose, Sacrifice, and Devotion

Details

Long before travel became an element of tourism, sacred journeys were a part of life, bringing seekers to a deeper understanding of and connection to the truth and light already within them. Tamil Nadu is the spiritual heartbeat of southern India, home to thousands of ancient temples, and is where Bhakti Yoga is lived out in the lives of people every single day. We will make our way from Chennai to Madurai with three of our days in Tiruvannamalai, communing in the places where Ramana Maharshi lived and modeled the full essence of Yoga.

Location

Polur, India

Tiruvannamalai is a historic spiritual town in Tamil Nadu, India, best known for the sacred Arunachala Hill and the renowned Arunachaleswarar Temple. The area has long attracted pilgrims, meditators, and spiritual seekers, with numerous ashrams, yoga centers, and quiet spaces for reflection. Surrounded by rocky hills and a warm, peaceful landscape, Tiruvannamalai offers a deeply contemplative atmosphere that makes it especially well suited to meditation, yoga, and spiritual retreat experiences.

Venue

Sparsa Resort

4.4 ★ 2768 Reviews

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Set at the foot of Mount Arunachala, this tranquil, non-smoking resort occupies a stone, grass-roofed complex and is 8 km from Tiruvannamalai Station. The rooms and suites feature mountain views and a rustic-chic style (stone walls, high-end fixtures). All also offer flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and minifridges, plus tea and coffee-making facilities. Room service is available 24/7. The resort, built with sustainable materials, features a vegetarian restaurant, an outdoor pool and spa treatments. Other amenities include a gym, a game room and a garden with lounge areas. A doctor is on call. Activities such as yoga and meditation classes are available.

A/C in Rooms

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Free Wifi

Fitness Center

Fitness Center

Yoga Studio

Yoga Studio

Pool

Pool

Spa

Spa

Laundry

Laundry

Towels

Towels

Housekeeping

Housekeeping

Restaurant

Restaurant

Accommodation

Single Occupancy

3 Rooms Left

Private room for 1

$3,400 USD total

Double Occupancy

2-person shared room

$2,600 USD / person

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From western hotels in Chennai and Mahabalipuram to an Eco resort in Tiruvannamali, we will be staying in such lovely spaces all along this journey. All meals will be included throughout the pilgrimage, and participants can choose from single or double occupancy rooms, all with private bathrooms.

Meals

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Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegetarian · Vegan · Gluten-free

Traditional Southern Indian food will be provided at all three meals each day. The meals will all be vegetarian (but we can accommodate vegan preferences as well). Traditional Tamil Nadu food centers around rice, lentils, fresh coconut, and aromatic spices balanced across six core tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent).

Schedule

We will begin pilgrimage in Chennai, where we will visit our first Shiva temple. From there we head south along the coast to Mahabalipuram, the site of the Great Stone Temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site rock-cut temples and monolithic monuments. Our third city will be Tiruvannamalai where we will stay for 3 days. During this stop, we will meditate in Ramana Maharshi's ashram, climb Arunachala on New Year's Eve, and begin 2027 with Giri Pradakshina, as we walk to the 7 spiritual sites around the base of Arunachala. From Tiruvannamalai, we travel to Kumbakonam, a town known for its temples and strong South Indian filter coffee. Our final stop will be in Madurai, home to the Gandhi Memorial Museam. Each of these stops will include meditation, asana, spiritual ceremonial practices, and a multitude of opportunities to immerse ourselves in the culture of the gracious and kind people of Tamil Nadu.

Testimonials

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I was fortunate to attend a retreat led by Dr Kelli Sammis as part of my 300 YTT. Kelli had a well paced schedule allowing us time to learn as a group and times of quiet and solitude. Every little detail had been prepared for in advance so I was able to focus solely on my practice and my lessons.

Jenny, USA

I had a such wonderful time on retreat led by Dr Kelli Sammis, who is a truly gifted teacher and mentor. Everything was organized and presented so beautifully…the retreat had a 'seamless quality’ to it, and one period of activity or pocket of quiet time/reflection led naturally to the next. A deep peace and a sense of ‘oneness’ are the gifts I experienced and took away. I am grateful for this experience and for the gift of yoga.

Michele, USA

Kelli is an inspiring retreat facilitator and knows exactly what you need at the very moment you need it.

Kerry, USA

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Host

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Dr. Kelli Sammis

Texas, USA

Dr. Kelli Sammis is a retired educational leader who is a yoga studio owner, curriculum developer for yogic studies, and leader of yoga & meditation retreats around the world. But below the surface of...

1 language

English

Teaching for 2 years

Joined Insight Timer in Nov 2023

What's Included

All meals and accommodations

Airport transfer from Chennai to hotel on day 1

Domestic flight from Madurai to Chennai on day 10

Air-conditioned bus during the entire pilgrimage

Entry fees to temples, museums, etc.

Not Included

Airfare to/from India

Travel insurance

Visa

FAQs

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 60 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 60 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 60 days before the retreat begins.