What to bring to an ashram: yoga and ashram-life essentials
Things that make an ashram stay easier, from yoga mats and steel bottles to white cotton clothing and tulsi tea. Each item says how it's used in ashram life, and where an ashram's own guidelines ask for it, we link the source. Links go to Amazon India or the maker's own store, such as Isha Life. Checked 2026-10-22.
- Tulsi tea
Organic India Tulsi Detox Kahwa, 25 Infusion Bags
Green tea with tulsi and spices (so it contains caffeine), a light cup usually drunk without milk.
Organic India
View on Amazon - Tulsi tea
Organic Tattva Organic Tulsi Masala Tea, 20 Tea Bags
A spiced, ready-to-brew tulsi cup for a tea break, no grinding of spices needed.
Organic Tattva
View on Amazon - Tulsi tea
Organic India Tulsi Original, 25 Tea Bags
A herbal tulsi cup for quiet mornings or after practice; check the label for tea leaves.
Organic India
View on Amazon - Tulsi tea
Organic India Tulsi Green Tea Classic, 25 Infusion Bags
Tulsi with green tea, a lighter caffeinated cup for a morning tea break.
Organic India
View on Amazon - Tulsi tea
Organic India Tulsi Ginger Turmeric, 25 Infusion Bags
Tulsi with ginger and turmeric, a warm spiced cup for after practice.
Organic India
View on Amazon - Ayurvedic food
Dabur Chyawanprash, 950g
A traditional Ayurvedic herbal jam, taken by the spoon in many Indian homes.
Dabur
View on Amazon - Herbal drink
Patanjali Divya Peya, 100g
Patanjali's herbal tea powder, an alternative to regular chai at home.
Patanjali
View on Amazon - Incense
Cycle Pure Agarbatti Combo Pack (5 x 100g)
Floral agarbatti to scent a personal puja or practice corner at home.
Cycle Pure Agarbathies
View on Amazon - Incense
Hem Precious Chandan Incense Sticks
Sandalwood incense to scent a home meditation or puja space.
Hem
View on Amazon - Meditation cushion
Buckwheat Zafu Meditation Cushion (Dark Green)
Raises the hips so cross-legged sitting is easier to hold through a long session.
View on Amazon - Yoga mat
Boldfit Anti-Slip Yoga Mat
A non-slip personal mat for asana; Isha and Sivananda list a yoga mat to bring.
Boldfit
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Amazon - Yoga mat
Boldfit Extra Thick NBR Yoga Mat with Carrying Strap
A thicker mat with a carry strap for asana; Isha and Sivananda list a mat to bring.
Boldfit
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Amazon - Yoga props
Boldfit Yoga Belt with D-Ring Buckle
A yoga strap to extend your reach in stretches and seated forward bends.
Boldfit
View on Amazon - Mala
Haridwar Divine 108-Bead Rudraksha Mala
A 108-bead rudraksha mala to keep count of mantra repetitions (japa).
Haridwar Divine
View on Amazon - Mala
Pure Tulsi Mala, 108 Beads (7mm)
A 108-bead tulsi-wood mala to keep count of mantra repetitions (japa).
View on Amazon - Ashram clothing
Trustous Men's 100% Cotton White Pyjama
White cotton pyjama; Parmarth Niketan expects yoga students to wear white.
Trustous
Related: Parmarth Niketan
View on Amazon - Ashram clothing
Women's White Cotton Regular Fit Kurta, V-Neck, 3/4 Sleeves
Loose white cotton kurta that covers the shoulders, as Parmarth's dress code asks.
Lakhnavi Fabrics
Related: Parmarth Niketan
View on Amazon - Ashram clothing
Pure Cotton White Dupatta, 2.25 m
A light cotton wrap to cover your shoulders over a sleeveless or thin top.
View on Amazon - Packing
Milton Flip Lid 1000 Thermosteel Water Bottle, 1 L
A refillable steel bottle; Isha, Tushita and Sivananda ask guests to bring one.
Milton
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Amazon - Packing
Eveready Searchlite DL95 Rechargeable Torch
A torch for dark paths before dawn and power cuts; Sivananda and Tushita list one.
Eveready
Related: Tushita Meditation Centre
View on Amazon - Packing
Odomos Non-Sticky Mosquito Repellent Cream, 100g
Mosquito repellent cream for evenings outdoors; Isha's visitor guide lists repellent.
Odomos (Dabur)
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Amazon - Herbal drink
Sukku Banam (Sukku Coffee powder), 75 g
A caffeine-free powdered drink of dry ginger, pepper, coriander and cardamom, boiled with water and palm sugar.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Ayurvedic food
Instant Sanjeevini Multi Grain Health Mix
A ragi, millet and pulse powder with jaggery already added, stirred into warm water or milk as a drink. Listed out of stock when checked.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Ayurvedic food
Organic Moong Beans, 32 oz
Whole green gram for sprouting or cooking into simple dal and salads.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Ayurvedic food
Raw Wildflower Honey, 8 oz
Raw honey for sweetening teas and drinks once they have cooled a little.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Spices
Turmeric Powder
Ground turmeric for everyday cooking.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Ayurvedic food
Sesame Oil, 1 litre
Sesame oil, a common cooking oil in South Indian kitchens.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Books
A Taste of Isha Cookbook
A collection of vegetarian recipes gathered from Isha volunteers.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Incense
Organic Incense, Sandal, 50 sticks
Sandalwood-scented incense sticks for a home practice space.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Incense
Handmade Natural Pancha Bhuta Incense, 50 sticks
Mixed pack of handmade incense named after the five elements.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Meditation cushion
Organic Kriya (Meditation) Cushion
A cotton cushion to sit on during kriya, pranayama or meditation.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Yoga mat
Organic Cotton Rug Yoga Mat
A woven cotton rug mat, the kind often laid out for hatha yoga practice.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Yoga mat
Organic Dharba Grass Meditation Mat
A woven grass mat to sit on for meditation.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Packing
Yogeshwaraya Chant Copper Water Bottle, 32 oz
A copper water bottle engraved with a chant, for carrying drinking water.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Mala
Rudraksha Panchamukhi Mala, 6 mm beads
A string of five-faced rudraksha beads worn or used for counting chants.
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life - Ashram home
Sesame Oil for Lamps
Sesame lamp oil for brass or copper oil lamps (large container, not for cooking).
Isha Life
Related: Isha Yoga Center (incl. Sadhanapada)
View on Isha Life