Summary

This spiritual journey to South India takes us off the beaten tourist track and immerses us in the vibrant spirituality of India. We travel through Tamil Nadu and get to know sacred places of pilgrimage and power.

We will visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry, meditate in the famous Matrimandir in Auroville, visit the huge Shiva temple in Tiruvannamalai, attend the mantra chanting in the Sri Ramana Ashram and walk around the holy mountain of Arunachala. We also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mahabalipuram, see the magnificent colonial buildings of Pondicherry and visit a school for disadvantaged children.

As a further highlight, we will visit a palm leaf library where you will receive information about your destiny in this life and karmic events of your last life based on your personal palm leaf. In addition, you will receive a Vedic astrology reading from Swami, our Indian priest. With all this information you can realign your future life in accordance with your soul plan and shape it accordingly.

Reflection sessions, meditations, sacred rituals and yoga will trigger inner processes on the journey. You will learn to connect with your soul and recognize what changes are necessary to follow your soul path, which will inevitably lead you to a fulfilled and happy life. This journey is an ideal starting point for this.

Before the journey, we will have a personal check-in conversation (via Zoom or WhatsApp) to work out which topics will be important for you on the journey. The offer is rounded off with individual support and reflection sessions thanks to the small group size of a maximum of six people.

In this way, this journey can be a bridge to your NEW LIFE and spiritual SELF. For me, the path home to my true origin began here. Maybe for you too?

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Yoga Retreats, Personal Development, Consciousness, soul, senses & spirit, Meditation, Astrology, Detox Retreats, Relaxation, Ashtanga Yoga, Vision quest, Mindfulness, Self-discovery, Hiking, Wellness, Creative Retreats, Active Retreats
Date: Nov | Dec
Language(s): German, English
Level: Beginner
Group Size: 6
Place: Puducherry, India
Accommodation: Overnight stay included
Catering: Breakfast
Types of food: Vegetarian
Services: Materials with all the important information for the trip

Guided meditation and reflection sessions with Anja Herde

If you are interested, morning or evening yoga

Interpreter English-German in the Palm Leaf Library and temples, otherwise by Anja Herde

Performing sacred rituals and ceremonies

Visit to sacred places of power, temples and ashrams (Tiruvannamalai, Pondicherry, Auroville etc.)

Indian cooking class or other leisure activities in Pondicherry

Vedic Astrology and Palm Leaf Library (1st chapter + 3 further chapters of your choice)

All domestic transfers and excursions, entrance fees, group gratuities

Overnight stay in selected (Ashram) guesthouses

Including 9 x breakfast, 2 x dinner, 1x lunch

Personal check-in/check-out talk with tarot/askasha reading

Accommodation

To really immerse ourselves in Indian culture and life there, we stay in typical and selected guesthouses, some of which are run by the local ashrams. In the fall and winter months, temperatures hover around a pleasant 27-30 degrees. It can sometimes still rain in November. It is therefore advisable to take a rain cape or similar with you.

Catering

The trip includes 8 x breakfast, 2 x dinner and 1 x lunch. In Tiruvannamalai there is no breakfast included in the accommodation. However, there is a lovely café right next door with lots of tasty treats. South Indian food is mostly vegetarian. I also recommend this on the trip.

sequence

Expiry for November 2025 (expiry for December 2025 on request):

Day 1: Arrival at Chennai airport and transfer to accommodation

Day 2-3: Mahabalipuram
Visit to the world cultural heritage site of Mahabalipuram, Vedic astrology reading, visit to the palm leaf library

Day 4: Drive to Tiruvannamalai via Chengalpattu
Visit to a school for disadvantaged children and lunch together, onward journey to Tiruvannamalai

Day 5-8: Tiruvannumalai
Visit to the Ramana Ashram and the priestly chants with meditation, visit to the temple of Tiruvannamalai, walk around the Arunachal mountain, visit to the Rāmana Maharish caves, time for inner contemplation and reflection

Day 9-13: Pondicherry
Drive to Pondicherry, visit to the French quarter, visit to the ashram of Sri Aurobindo and Auroville as well as meditation in the famous Matrimandir (meditation hall)

Day 14: Mahabalipuram and departure to Chennai

Arrival

You must organize your own arrival and departure flights. I will inform you in advance about possible vaccinations and visa requirements. All participants will receive the relevant information material when booking.

, 605001 Puducherry, , India

Cancellation policy

Full refund up to 45 days before arrival.
If you cancel up to 22 days before arrival, you will receive a 50% refund of the booking price.
After this, the booking is non-refundable.

The contract may be rescinded at any time in writing or text form. In the event of withdrawal, the provider is entitled to demand reasonable compensation, the amount of which depends on the period between the declaration of withdrawal and the start of the trip as well as the savings in expenses. The compensation lump sums are as follows:
In the event of cancellation up to the 31st day before the start of the tour, the deposit remains with Anja Herde.
In the event of cancellation from the 30th day before the start of the tour, 60% of the agreed tour price.
From the 14th day before the start of the trip until the day of the start of the trip or if the trip does not start
80% of the agreed travel price.