Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Meenakshi Ashram

Madurai, Tamil Nadu · Yoga Yoga vacation Teacher training Volunteer / seva

In short: Sivananda ashram about 22 km from Madurai offering a year-round Yoga Vacation (minimum 3 nights, from INR 500/night dorm) plus 3-month work-study and 6-month volunteer options. Foreigners are accepted; cost is fixed rates; minimum stay: 3 nights.

Last checked 2026-10-22 · from 7 official sources: Yoga Vacation – dates, prices, daily schedule · Ashram Information · Accommodation · Ashram Guidelines · Travel Information · Volunteer and Work-Study Service · Contact

Meenakshi Amman Temple towers, Madurai (city photo, not the ashram)
Photo: Rahuljeswin · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

Sivananda ashram about 22 km from Madurai offering a year-round Yoga Vacation (minimum 3 nights, from INR 500/night dorm) plus 3-month work-study and 6-month volunteer options.

Stay details

Who can stay	Yoga Vacation guests, beginners welcome (beginners advised to join at the start of a cycle on the 1st or 16th). Foreign nationals with a valid visa accepted. Children 5+ welcome Oct–Apr (supervised); children of all ages May–Sep. Separate dorms for men and women; couples may not share twin rooms during TTC/ATTC.
Foreigners accepted	yes
Cost / donation	Yoga Vacation per night – Dorm INR 500 (USD 14); Twin share INR 1500 (USD 20); Single INR 2000 (USD 26); Twin share AC INR 2500 (USD 32); Single AC INR 3500 (USD 44) USD rates apply to foreign nationals & NRIs (Indian concessional rate excludes NRI, OCI, PIO and foreigners living in India) Includes classes, satsangs, vegetarian meals and accommodation Initial 3-night payment on arrival is non-refundable; rates subject to change
Minimum stay	3 nights
Volunteer (seva) terms	Guests do about one hour of karma yoga daily. Work-study: minimum 3 months, cost 60% of Yoga Vacation rate (paid in advance), up to 4 h service/day, one day off a week. Full-time volunteer: minimum 6 months, meals and basic dorm/tent free, no official days off. Course assistant roles for TTC/Kids Camp. All require a 2-week Yoga Vacation trial first; police clearance or references may be required.
Daily schedule	5:30 AM wake up 6:00 AM morning satsang (meditation, chanting, talk) 7:30 AM tea 8:00 AM yoga class (beginner & intermediate) 10:00 AM brunch 11:00 AM karma yoga 12:30 PM optional asana coaching 1:30 PM herbal tea 2:00 PM talk / lecture 3:30 PM yoga class 6:00 PM dinner 8:00 PM evening satsang 10:30 PM lights out
Rules	Attendance at ashram activities is expected (morning & evening satsang and one yoga class daily); be on time Modest dress: shoulders, midriff and legs covered; no shorts above the knee, leggings, sleeveless or tight/revealing clothing No smoking, alcohol, drugs, meat, fish, eggs, garlic or onions; no pets Mobile phones only in designated areas; photos/recording in classes only with director's permission Silence during meals and 10 PM–6 AM Stay inside the compound except Fridays 7:30 AM–5:30 PM Indian nationals bring photo ID (driving licence or Aadhaar); foreigners bring original passport and valid visa Check-in from 2 PM (shared rooms) or any time (dorm); check-out by 11 AM
How to apply / book	Pre-booking required for all accommodation. Book via the Yoga Vacation page ('Book Now') or email [email protected]. Course registration: [email protected], +91 85478 81801. Ashram: +91 44 4813 7067, mobile +91 98656 55336.
Nearest transport	About 22 km (≈45 min) from Madurai city on New Natham Road near Pavanna Vilakku Junction. Madurai airport has domestic flights (nearest international: Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, or Trivandrum). From Madurai Railway Station take a taxi/auto, or bus #62A/#62B/#23P from Periyar Bus Station to Pavanna Vilakku (300 m walk), or bus #230 which passes the ashram.

Contact

Phone	+91 44 4813 7067 (ashram) +91 98656 55336 (mobile) +91 85478 81801 (course registration)
Email	[email protected] [email protected]
WhatsApp	Not published - contact ashram

Sources: sivananda.org.in · sivananda.org.in · last checked 2026-10-22

Best time to visit

Sivananda India calls October–March its peak season; April–September is low season. Yoga vacation is open year-round. Detailed climate/festival guidance: not published on official pages.

Sources: sivananda.org.in · last checked 2026-10-22

Things to do

Yoga vacation: daily asana, satsang, lectures, karma yoga
Kali temple at the centre of the ashram
Ayurveda treatments; month-long teacher training
Friday free day (7:30 AM–5:30 PM) with organised cultural day trips
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai – about an hour away (city ~22 km)

Sources: sivananda.org.in · sivananda.org.in · last checked 2026-10-22

How to get there

Nearest airport	Madurai (IXM), domestic; international via Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai or Trivandrum
Rail	Madurai railway station – ~22 km (≈45 min) to the ashram
Notes	Bus 62A/62B/23P from Periyar Bus Station to Pavanna Vilakku (300 m walk), or bus 230 past the ashram.

Sources: sivananda.org.in · last checked 2026-10-22

What visitors say

Visitor accounts describe a peaceful, clean rural setting with good food and friendly staff, alongside a strict schedule and shared/dorm rooms; one blogger found the repetitive routine and dorm conditions challenging. Few Reddit reviews found.

Paraphrased common themes from public reviews; no ratings shown. Read them: Midlife Leap blog – staying at the Madurai ashram · Carpe Mundi – A Step Into Haven

What to pack

Loose clothing covering shoulders, midriff and legs – No shorts above knee, leggings or sleeveless (sivananda.org.in)
Sandals – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Personal toiletries – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Towels – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Yoga mat – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Meditation shawl for cool evenings – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Water bottle – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)
Torch / flashlight – Listed under 'What to Bring' (sivananda.org.in)

Sources

Last verified: 2026-10-22

Stay details above are taken only from the linked official pages; the visit sections (season, things to do, getting there, visitor themes) cite their own sources, which may include travel guides and public reviews. Fields marked “Not published - contact ashram” were not found on official sources. Spotted an error? Tell us via the About page.

Reviews, questions & comments

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