I would like to invite you to join myself and Swami Pujan on a spiritual journey and adventure into the heart of India.
It will be a transformational experience that will take your yoga practice, and your life, to another level.
By joining myself, John Ogilvie, Byron Yoga Centre’s founder and Swami Pujan on this Spiritual Journey to India it will be an ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic yoga culture. Let us guide and nurture you throughout your journey, supporting your own personal transformation, as well as guiding you to develop a deeper, holistic understanding of yoga.
We will personally meet you at the Chennai airport and take you to your first night at the 5 star Trident hotel, very close to the airport. The next day we will travel with you to the French Colonial town of Pondicherry and stay there for 2 nights at the quality Auraville asram hotel at the beachfront. On the morning of the third day we will visit the famous Matrimandir and have lunch at the spiritual Auraville centre. After lunch we will travel to our purpose-built luxury guest house in Tiruvanamalai. I will stay on site with you, keeping you safe and guiding you through the different spiritual journeys and adventures. At the end of our stay we will then travel back to the Chennai airport.
A Spiritual Journey into India
An opportunity to truly unwind and take time to nurture yourself and experience the delights of the rich Indian culture. Experienced yogis can explore and enhance their practice, while new students can deepen their understanding of yoga asana (poses) and philosophy in a supportive and nurturing environment. Immerse yourself in the Indian culture and this ancient Indian practice at the heart of yoga itself! Held in a tranquil and supportive environment.
12 Day India Yoga Retreat Dates
12 Day Yoga Retreat in India 1 Oct – 12 Oct 2025
| Dates | Register |
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| October 1 - 12, 2025 | Register Now |
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Prices start at $3,700 for a twin share room with ensuite bathroom, or $3,300 for a triple share room with ensuite bathroom. Single rooms available on request.
India Yoga Retreat Inclusions
- 11 nights accommodation:
- 1 night accommodation at the 5 star Trident hotel.
- 2 nights accommodation at the Sea Side Guest House in Pondicherry.
- 8 nights accommodation at the foothill of the sacred Hill of Arunachala.
- Airport transfers in India.
- Daily itinerary including yoga, meditation and spiritual enrichment.
- Traditional and nutritious Indian meals – 2 meals each day onsite included in price. The third meal you will be given the opportunity to eat out and taste the local cuisine.
- You will have the opportunity to deepen your understanding of yoga asana (poses), philosophy, meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises) and relaxation techniques.
- Visiting Ashrams and Temples and the famous Matrimandir
- Our flexible schedule is designed for you to explore your yoga practice but also immerse yourself in the local Indian culture with plenty of free time to explore. Create your own yoga retreat, and participate in as many or few activities as you wish.
The following options are available at an additional cost:
- On site massage by local masseuse
- Local Ayurvedic Doctor with clinic nearby will be offering sessions
1500 year old Arunachalesvara Temple at the base of Arunachala hill. Image credit: Govind Swamy
View from Pondicherry Lighthouse. Image credit: Karthik Easvur
Words can’t describe the rich and inspirational experience I’ve just had in India with BYC. It will take weeks and maybe months of reflection to fully appreciate and process. Thanks to John, Betty and Pujan, we got to experience India through their connections and lived experience in this incredible country. I’m going home with a full heart and mountains of gratitude.
We were hosted by Bryon Yoga at a retreat in India. It was a fabulous trip with meditation, yoga and spiritual teachings and experiences. I would highly recommend.
The accommodation was well set up to cater for our group. The rooms were lovely and it was great to have access to the upstairs lounge/kitchen area to make a tea/coffee any time we needed. All the meals were fantastic. Delicious healthy and nutritious food with a good quantity available so we didn’t go hungry. I liked that we could pick and choose which sessions to attend. This allowed me to learn more in the areas that I wanted to expand my knowledge and also do other activities e.g. massage or sightseeing at other times.
John Betty and Pujan delivered a great program. The amount of yoga vs spiritual activities was well balanced. Pujan and Betty worked tirelessly to deliver whatever we wanted using their contacts and resources. Enjoyed the mandala drawing and Kieran singing and fire ceremony. John used his expertise to ensure the program was full and interesting.
The guest house was comfortable and the yoga space was perfect. You all did a great job of listening to everyone’s needs, thoughts and suggestions. I felt very held, safe and listened to.
The accommodation was so very clean, new and comfortably laid out. It was great to have ceiling fans; and air for night sleeping. What a bonus to have a pool! Rooftop was such a special location for yoga, discussions or just alone quiet time. I loved everything about this place. The meals were delicious. My gratitude for the very generous and relevant gluten free catering. I loved it all and look forward to doing again for continuing exploration and deepening practice, knowledge, experiences and commitment.
Accommodation was great. The different levels and break out areas was effective. Food excellent. Washing of clothes fantastic. Pool yeh ???? good location to town. Loved how things could change at the groups request. Very appreciative of the time effort and thought that went into the retreat. A great job!
The Sacred Location
The Holy Hill of Arunachala, in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu has been a focal point of worship, meditation and retreat for centuries. The scriptures, sages and saints tell us that this mysterious Hill is, in fact, the form of Shiva himself. The great saint Ramana Maharshi was ‘irresistibly’ attracted here after his Awakening, coming to Arunachala in search of his Father and remained here for his life.
There are many ashrams, temples and tombs of great saints in the ambit of Arunachala and seekers, practitioners and devotees from many traditions come to partake in the rarefied vibrational atmosphere that is especially tangible at the Samadhi of Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. It seems the whole hill emanates a strong sense of deep stillness and silence that cannot be talked about but experienced. It has been a perfect place for ardent seekers to come and retreat into deep meditation and contemplation. Many great beings have attained liberation here.
Interesting reading:
The Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Arunachala
davidgodman.org
A couple of easily accessible books are:
- ‘Ramana Maharshi and the Path of Self-Knowledge’ by Arthur Osborne
- ‘Be As You Are: The Teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi’ by David Godman
Accommodation
Sangam House
This unique home was crafted with love and has a western aesthetic quality with larger rooms, windows and attention to detail in the finishings and overall feel. The architect for Sangam was Suhasini Ayer, from Auroville, where she designed the well known Visitors Center. What makes this place exceptional is its extraordinary view of Holy Arunachala from the roof and its proximity to the Ramana Maharshi Ashram, which is just a 10 minute walk from the front door.
Sangam Retreat House has a variety of exquisite shared spaces for group gatherings and for places to escape to, to be alone in contemplation and meditation.
The veranda, roof and areas in the garden around the swimming pool are lovely areas to be alone.
Sangam House has an elevator, filtered water in the taps throughout the house, yoga mats, hair dryers, electrical sockets that will accept UK, US and IN plugs (Voltage is 220 and 110 devices cannot be used without a converter) and 2 washing machines that can be used by participants (clothes can to be sent out for ironing at a low cost).
Sangam Retreat House is an alcohol, smoking and drug-free zone.
Rooms
The rooms have been aesthetically finished with comfort and beauty in mind. The hotel boasts comfortably appointed twin share and triple share rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Your Hosts
Our facilitators have a combined teaching experience of over 100 years offering a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with participants. John Ogilvie, the founder and director of Byron Yoga Centre, has been teaching yoga for over thirty-five years. He encourages a light heartedness in our approach to yoga and to ourselves.
Swami Pujan will be leading Meditation sessions and joining with John to deliver the yoga philosophy.
Bettina Kah joins John in teaching asana classes, breathing sessions and daily Yoga Nidra relaxation sessions.
A Typical Day
07:00 Yoga Class
08:00 Breakfast
09:00 Alternate spiritual talks / meditation session / both by Pujan or John
12:30 Lunch (either on site or out)
14:00 Spend the afternoon exploring the town (supervised or independently) or relaxing by the pool
18:00 Dinner (either on site or out)
19:00 Yoga nidra / meditation / spiritual talk
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrival
Ideally, you will need to find a flight arriving into Chennai, India on October 1st 2025.
There are many different flight options into Chennai, depending on your departure location and budget.
Please let us know once your flights are booked so we can coordinate your airport transfers.
You will be met at Chennai Airport by Pujan (one of the facilitators and a spiritual friend of John’s) who will show you to your private transfer to the Trident Hotel – located close to Chennai Airport.
Departure
On October 12th,2025 we will travel back to the Chennai Airport for your flights home.
Please let us know once your flights are booked so we can coordinate your airport transfers.
You’ll need very little money once you’re there – except for shopping and eating out one meal per day.
The Indian rupee is the official currency in the Republic of India.
You are welcome to exchange a small amount of money at the Bengaluru Airport, however you will get a better exchange rate in the town of Tiruvannamalai.
Check with your bank about fees and rates.
Vaccinations as recommended by Travel Doctor:
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella
- Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
- Polio
The ideal time to visit Arunachal Pradesh is during winter between the months of September and February each year.
The temperature stays pleasant and comfortable (minimum 22°C, maximum 31°C) all through the day and slightly cooler at night.
To visit India you will need to apply for a visa.
You can do so via indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Bring very little clothing- the shopping in India is amazing.
Other than that bring your usual toiletries and creature comforts.
Comfortable footwear for walking.
Please dress respectably.
We recommend taking out travel insurance before travelling to India.
There is good healthcare (both western and eastern) in the area if needed.
Internet is easily accessible from the accommodation.
We can also assist if you need to get a local sim card. Otherwise you can make calls via WhatsApp (or similar providers) once connected to the internet.