Ashram - what is it in India?

Many people who practice spiritual practices dream of visiting the ashram. What is it and why do you need to go here? What are the types of ashrams, what is their history? You will learn all this after reading the article. We will also talk about the five major ashrams of India.

"Ashram" is a word that has several translations from Sanskrit. One of the most popular is "a place without pain" ("scar" means "pain" and "a" is "negation"). Indeed, the essence of these communes is getting rid of bad emotions, calmness. According to another version, this word in translation means "work". This is also true, because labor is the basis of life in the commune. Another popular option - "hermitage", "solitude".

So, ashrams are the training centers of meditation and yoga, educational and educational schools. Sanyasins, practices, people who seek answers to questions about enlightenment and the meaning of life gather here. For all comers, the Indian ashram is ready to open its doors. What this is, can be better understood by studying the history of these communes.

History of Ashrams

The ashrams originally appeared around the guru - an enlightened teacher. Over time, the fame of such places began to spread, and pilgrims began to come here. The infrastructure of the camp was created by the students themselves: water extraction, cooking, construction - all on the shoulders of those who inhabit the ashram.

India is a country that is not without reason associated with spiritual development. He is interested not only in tourists, but also in local people. Many Indian families still have a tradition of sending children to the ashram. What is it, every child knows. Children are sent here for a while, at least for a couple of months. Here they learn to help others, work hard, and improve spiritually.

The path to ashrams for Americans and Europeans was laid by the Beatles group, whose participants visited the Maharashi guru Mahesh Yogi in 1968. The popularity of travel has steadily increased since then. In the Indian ashram in 2005, 15 thousand people visited, and last year this number increased more than threefold. India took the fifth place in the world among tourist destinations.

Why do people go to ashrams?

Among the pilgrims in the period of economic instability was a lot of businessmen. Having earned enough money, they went to the ashram to work on themselves. Ashrams have become a real salvation during the global crisis. They took many of the jobless and confused residents of different countries of the world. Housing and food here are almost free, so why not go here for compensation, received at the time of dismissal, so that with benefit to the soul and body to live for a while in nature? Of course, the main goal pursued by those who go to ashrams is spiritual development.

The composition of pilgrims and karma yoga

The composition of the ashram is very heterogeneous. Here comes as an international bohemian, and ordinary students. Any ashram is nevertheless a place where you can do self-improvement and self-knowledge, completely abandoning the worldly vanity. You can take care of animals, work in the conservatory or in the garden. At some ashrams there are schools in which you can try yourself as a teacher. The socially useful work that is dealt with here is called karma yoga.

Types of ashrams

In India there are thousands of ashrams. They are both strictly classical, fully dedicated to spiritual practices and yoga, and democratic, oriented to tourists. Briefly tell about those and others.

Classic Ashrams

Classic Indian ashrams are a great place for those who are seriously engaged in spiritual practices and yoga and who it is very important to stay with like-minded people, communicate with gurus and meditate. As a rule, the living conditions in such places are Spartan, one might even say ascetic. Bedrooms are arranged for 6-10 people, and sleep falls on the floor on the mattress. Of course, in any hostel, even the most modest, there are necessarily bathrooms and toilets. In some ashrams, those who choose to practice complete silence give out a special badge expressing a desire to retire.

Ashrams for tourists

Less strict and more comfortable are ashrams for tourists. There are a lot of them, and the most famous ones resemble rather large cultural centers that have hotels. For example, the center of Osho, known throughout the world, was founded as a classical ashram, but now it has the status of a meditative resort where people from all over the world flock. There is a university, a library, Internet halls, conference rooms and even non-alcoholic bars and discotheques. But even in such institutions there is necessarily something that makes them ashrams: the famous guru. Several times a day he appears in public to talk with pilgrims.

How to get to the ashram

Many classic ashrams in India can be visited without prior arrangement. Anyone who knock at the gate will have a place in the commune. However, if you do not consider yourself to be a strict ascetic, you'd better call or register with the chosen institution in advance. Large ashrams have websites, and many others have phones.

If you decide to go to the commune to do yoga, remember that in some centers it is necessary to enroll in the course in advance. There are courses for advanced and introductory courses. Paying for classes, you automatically get a place in the hotel or hostel. Not all institutions have a quotation for services. However, this does not mean that you do not need to pay for them. Usually you are asked to make a donation, the approximate size of which you will learn from the ashram resident who will accompany you on the first day. This is usually a small amount.

We suggest you get acquainted with the five main ashrams of India.

Osho Ashram

It is located in Pune (Maharashtra state). This is a very popular Indian ashram (photo above). To get here, you need to pay a pass. It will cost you about 10 dollars (550 rupees). For this money you will be able to participate in all the meditations of the day. A month of living in an ashram with spending on housing, food, training courses and shopping will cost you between $ 600 and $ 2,000.

This place is a real Mecca for the followers of the teachings of Osho (Bhagavan Rajneesh) and esoteric practices. Everybody can register for one or several courses - from yoga and meditation to mastering sexual techniques. To gain access to the ashram, you need to have a medical certificate with you that confirms that you are not sick with AIDS.

Currently, the Karegaon Park area, where this commune is located, is no longer a sparsely populated green area, as it was just a few decades ago. Banking offices, expensive hotels and various companies are rapidly growing around the ashram. That is why in this area such high prices. If the main goal you pursue is seclusion, then the Ashrod Osho can disappoint you. Many tourists come here. In addition, more than 10 million people live in Pune today. It has long been a major industrial center. However, many people interested in the teachings of Osho come to the ashram and stay here for a long time. In the commune you can meet interesting people, meet with a guru, participate in various practices. Certainly, the followers of Osho should visit this ashram. Reviews about him the most positive.

Sai Baba Ashram

It is located in Andhra Pradesh (in Puttaparthi). The hotel room, designed for 2-4 people, can be rented for $ 2 per day. Sai Baba's ashram is the most popular among foreigners. A lot of people come here, hoping to see the miracles, which the guru seems to be doing. Sai Baba's ashram is actively engaged in charitable activities. You can come here for a maximum of 60 days.

Aurobindo Ashram

This commune is located in the state of Tamil Nadu (Pondicherry). Accommodation here will cost you from 2 to 12 dollars a day. According to the founder's plan, this ashram is a real spiritual city. Currently, it has about 2 thousand people. In the ashram there is no separate practice or program for visitors. Rules that apply to all are the search for harmony and freedom of religion. The main attraction of the ashram is the Matrimandir. This is a huge sphere in which a room for meditation is placed.

Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram

In the state of Tamil Nadu (Madras) there is another interesting ashram. Accommodation is provided by agreement. The ashram teaches pranayama, asanas, Vedic hymns, as well as individual consultations. Also here you can get instructions on the philosophy of yoga, meditation and yoga. The ashram does not accept visitors who have not warned about their visit.

The Art of Living Foundation

It is located in the state of Karnataka (Bangalore). Accommodation here will cost you from 4 to 12 dollars a day. You have to pay for tuition separately. The introductory course costs 10 dollars (2 pm and 1 day), for 20 dollars you can take a course for continuing. The founder of this ashram is the Guru of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The municipality actively participates in charitable activities, conducts training in meditation and yoga. In the ashram, one can study the system of release from toxins and saturation of the body with oxygen, and also pass the Sudarsana-kriya courses.

Finally

Of course, every person who is interested in spiritual development should visit the ashram. What is it, you now know. Ashrams in India are diverse and numerous, so everyone will find a place to their liking.

By the way, there are such communes not only in India. You can visit and ashrams in Russia. There are not many of them, but some are worthy of attention. One of the most famous is the asram Omkar Shiva Dham. He is in the Omsk region (Okunevo village, Muromtsevsky district).