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2017 TrikaShala Tour
Note: this is a private tour for the Sacred Space Community
Dates: February 5 -15, 2017
Duration: 11 days
Introduction
The tour is comprised of two parts. You may take only the first part or you can take both parts.
Part 1 is two days long and includes visiting Nityananda's ashram in Kanhangad.
Part 2 is nine days long and begins by flying from Mangalore to Chennai then touring the state of Tamil Nadu. There we will visit major Hindu pilgrimage sites including the seats of two of the five elemental lingams in south India: Tiruvannamalai (fire) and Chidambaram (ether). These power points are places that Shiva is said to have manifested himself in the form of these elements.
The first tour I took in India was to southern India which is where I first fell in love with India and her people. It is a land of huge, powerful temple complexes and people with wide open hearts. In this tour, we will journey to some of the outstanding destinations I visited over twenty years ago.
Itinerary
Subject to change
See bottom of page for description of these destinations.
PART 1: Kanhangad only
Day 1. Sunday February 5. MANGALORE
In the morning, we'll take a 8:00 AM train from our retreat in Goa to Mangalore (7 hours) and spend the night there. Hotel: Goldfinch
Day 2. Monday February 6: MANGALORE
We'll spend the day driving to Kanhangad and visiting Nityananda's ashram along with other sights. We'll return to our hotel in Mangalore by 7:00 PM for an overnight stay. Part 1 ends here. Participants not continuing to Part 2 are responsible for making their own departure flight reservations and arranging their own transport to the airport (can easily be arranged through the hotel). Hotel: Goldfinch
PART 2: Tour of Southern India
Day 3. Tuesday February 7: MAHABALIPURAM
In the morning, we'll fly to Chennai and then our van will take us to Mahabalipuram (1.5 hours) where we'll spend two nights. Hotel: Mamalla Heritage.
Day 4. Wednesday February 8: MAHABALIPURAM
Informal morning tour of Mahabalipuram including Shore Temple, Arjuna’s Penance, and ancient temples cut into rock. Remainder of day on own. Optional places to visit: sculpture shops, Five Rathas. Hotel: Mamalla Heritage.
Day 5. Thursday February 9: KUMBAKONAM
An early morning departure will first take us to Auroville (2 hours) where we'll hopefully be able to obtain tickets to visit the Matramandir on our return journey. We'll proceed on to to Kumbakonam (3 hours) where we'll spend two nights. Hotel: Mantra Veppathur
Day 6. Friday February 10: KUMBAKONAM
This is a major temple town and we'll spend the day visiting a series of temples. Hotel: Mantra Veppathur
Day 7. Saturday February 11: TIRUVENNAMALAI
We'll depart sufficiently early to attend a puja at the famous Shiva Nataraj temple, which houses the elemental air lingam, in Chidambaram (1 hour). Then we'll proceed to to Tiruvenamalai (3 hours) where we'll spend 3 nights. Hotel: Sparsa Resort.
Day 8. Sunday February 12: TIRUVENNAMALAI
Rest and explore Tiruvennamalai including visiting the samadhi and ashram of Ramana Maharishi, climbing Mt Arunchala and visiting Skandashrama where Ramana meditated for over 20 years; circumabulating Mt Arunchala (6 miles), visiting markets, or just resting at our resort. Hotel: Sparsa Resort.
Day 9. Monday February 13: TIRUVENNAMALAI
Rest and explore Tiruvennamalai. Hotel: Sparsa Resort.
Day 10. Tuesday February 14: PONDICHERRY
Drive to Pondicherry (3 hours) and visit the ashram and samadhi of Sri Aurobindu, explore the ocean-side French colonial town of Pondicherry and the French quarter where our hotel is located. Hotel: Hotel de Pondicherry
Day 11. Wednesday February 15: CHENNAI
In the morning, visit the Matramandir at Auroville. Then drive to Chennai (4 hours). If time allows and there is group interest, we may stop by an artist colony along the way. Tour ends at 7:00 PM. Hotel reserved in Chennai for overnight stay. Participants are responsible for making their own departure flight reservations and arranging their own transport to the airport (can easily be arranged through the hotel. Hotel: Hablis.
Costs
PART 1: Kanhangad only: Feb 5 & 6
**Cost per person: $225.
**Includes 2 nights double occupancy hotel in Mangalore, hotel breakfast, train fare from Goa retreat to Mangalore, all day use of van and driver to visit Kanhangad.
**Full payment of $225 due 5/13
**Refunds: full refund up to Sept 15. After that, no refund.
PART 1 & 2: Full Tour: Feb 5-15
**Full tour (includes both segment 1 & 2): Cost per person: $1050.
**In addition to segment 1, this segment includes 9 additional days double occupancy hotel, hotel breakfast, exclusive use of van and driver, plane fare from Mangalore to Chennai.
**Non-refundable deposit of $225 due 5/13
**Final payment of $825 due November 15.
**Refunds: The deposit of $225 is non-refundable. All other payments before November 15 are refundable. After November 15, all funds are refundable except for the initial deposit of $225 and an additional cancellation fee of $225. Therefore the total cancellation fee after November 15 is $450.
NOT INCLUDED
Driver and hotel tips, guides, meals other than breakfast, final transport from Mangalore and Chennai hotels to airport for those departing India.
All payments to be made to Sacred Space.
MORE INFORMATION
**About payments and costs: Ellen: ellenj at trikashala.com
**Tour destinations and logistics: Scott: scottebaba at scotteaton.com
More about our destinations
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Kanhangad
Home of Nityananda's original ashram which he established in 1927. Among the projects he oversaw was the digging of several mediation caves. If time, we'll also visit other locations in the area he frequented. Video of ashram.
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Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram is a very laid back place and perfect as our entry to India. This World Heritage sight is famous for it’s magnificent 7th century shore temple as well as 6-8th century Pallave rock cut caves. In addition, Mahabalipuram is world famous for it’s soap stone workers in the market who design and made sculptures by chisel & hammer. This is a great place to pick up some souvenirs. |
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Kumbakonam
An ancient city and one of most sacred in Tamil Nadu. There are over 18 temples here including the spectacular World Heritage Airavateshvara Temple at Darasuram: a superb example of 12th century Chola architecture. |
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Chidambaram
We'll visit the sacred town of Chidambaram where Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic dance that brought forth creation. This temple houses the elemental lingam of ether and men have access to a dark room where the lingam is said to reside |
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 Tiruvannamalai
Tiruvannamalai is one of the most sacred cities in Tamil Nadu, set in a striking setting at the foot of the holy Mt. Arunachala where Shiva is said to have appeared as a column of fire. The Arunachaleshvara Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in India and houses the elemental fire lingam. We will spend three nights here as there is much to do.
We will also visit the ashram and samadhi (burial tomb) of Ramana Maharishi as well as visit a cave on the mountain where he spent years in meditation. You can also wander on the mountain and visit the houses of saints and yogis or, if you are hearty, make the steep ascent to the summit. |
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Pondicherry
Previously a French colony, Pondicherry is still full of many colonial buildings, churches, temples, and statues which, combined with French style avenues, still preserves a colonial ambiance. The ashram and samadhi of Aurobindu is located here. Nearby is the intentional community of Auroville where we'll attempt to visit the Matrimandir, a temple built on the specifications of Aurobindu and the Mother and one of the most powerful temples I have ever visited. |
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MAPS
Mangalore and Kanhangad
Tamil Nadu destinations |
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MORE INFORMATION
**About payments and costs: Ellen: ellenj at trikashala.com
**Tour destinations and logistics: Scott: tours at scotteaton.com |
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