INTENT: After all, a lot of travellers today are seeking
spiritual experiences—a place of peace and rest that rejuvenates mind and body.
And yoga and meditation retreats are at the top of this list.
LOCATION: The Velliangiri Mountains - Kailash of the South", these mountains are held and revered on par
with spiritually most powerful place on the planet - Mount Kailash, the legendary abode of Lord Shiva.
On the top of the Velliangiri Mountains, Shiva is worshipped as Swayambhu, one who is self-created and in this
form, he graces the devotees.
GEOGRAPHY: The Velliangiri hills form a major range in the Western Ghats in the Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve. The seven hills with altitudes ranging from 520 m – 1840 m are
SURROUNDINGS: bordered
by the plains of Coimbatore district to the east, the Palghat district of
Kerala on the western boundary, the Nilgiri mountains to the north, and the
Siruvani hills on the southern boundary. Many seasonal rivers such as the
Neelivaikal, Mayar or Andisunai traverse the hilly landscape.
Besides, the Shiva Temple of
Velliangiri, the presence of the Dhyanalinga is
another reason why people throng to the Velliangiri Hills.
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TEMPERATURE:
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Max 40°C, Min 27°C
(summer)
Max 29°C, Min 20°C (winter) |
The annual rainfall is quite variable in the hills (500 mm
– 7000 mm) with temperatures ranging from 0 °C during winter to
41 °C in the summer.
VEGETATION: Vegetation is predominantly dry deciduous
forests of foot hills, second
and third mount have evergreen forest and last four belt up shola forest types.
ACCESSIBILITY: The Transport Corporation ply buses between Coimbatore
(Gandhi Puram) and Poondi every day. Special bus services are available during
festive occasions like Maha Shivrathri. Coimbatore is on the international
circuit with flights connecting it to Singapore and Sharjah. On the domestic
front it is well connected to Kozhikode, Chennai, Kochi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and
Delhi by both rail and road.
CONNECTIVITY: Coimbatore: Bus services are also available from Gandhipuram
Town Bus stand to the ashram. You need to catch bus no. 14D. The Isha Yoga
Center is the last stop on this route and the fare is INR 14. The bus timings
for the route 14D from Gandhipuram Bus stand to Isha Yoga Center and back are
given in the table below. The exact timings may vary by ten to fifteen minutes,
but even if you miss one bus, the next bus will generally be ready to depart
within the next hour.
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Bus timings for route 14D
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From Gandhipuram
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05:30 AM
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07:10 AM
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08:50 AM
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10:30 AM
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12:10 AM
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02:00 PM
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03:50 PM
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05:30 PM
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07:00 PM
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09:15 PM
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From Isha
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05:30 AM
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07:10 AM
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08:50 AM
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10:30 AM
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12:10 AM
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02:00 PM
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03:50 PM
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05:30 PM
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07:00 PM
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08:50 PM
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The major attraction for the first-time visitor is the
Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple Complex. The Temple Complex is a fusion of various
elements, each of which is worth a visit. This is a temple complex and walking
barefoot is the norm.
The first place to visit is the Nandi - a large metal
sculpture of a bull, reclining in a posture that is simultaneously relaxed and
alert. This in a way represents the qualities needed to enjoy meditation.
The Outer Parikrama of the Temple Complex. This is a circular
path which runs around the main temple - the Dhyanalinga Yogic Temple. The
Outer Parikrama incorporates several mystical and aesthetic elements. The
monolithic Trimurthi Panel located behind the Dhyanalinga dome depicts
the three fundamental qualities essential for a human being's inner growth:
Rudra, Hara and Sadashiva. Rudra is an intense state of mind, Hara is the
quality of childlike meditativeness and Sadashiva is an ever blissful state.
Theethakund
This was not only for physical
cleansing and freshening, but also to activate and sensitize the energy body of
the visitors, to prepare them to fully receive the energies of the space. There
are two theerthakunds at the Isha Yoga Center – the Chandrakund for women and
Suryakund for men.
Embedded 30 feet below the ground, and approached by a descent of thirty-two massive steps, the Chandrakund is framed by gigantic granite stones and vaulted by a colorful mural depicting the Mahakumbha Mela. Measuring 55 x 15 ft., this exquisite artwork follows the traditional Kerala style of painting dating back to the 15th century, using only natural colors and vegetable dyes.
The Suryakund is larger and measures 130 by 40 feet, and is embedded 22 feet in the earth. It is surrounded on three sides by a wall of 200 massive, 50-ton granite blocks. One major feature of the Suryakund that nobody can miss is the Sun sculpture of brass and copper which hangs from the ceiling 20 feet across .
Embedded 30 feet below the ground, and approached by a descent of thirty-two massive steps, the Chandrakund is framed by gigantic granite stones and vaulted by a colorful mural depicting the Mahakumbha Mela. Measuring 55 x 15 ft., this exquisite artwork follows the traditional Kerala style of painting dating back to the 15th century, using only natural colors and vegetable dyes.
The Suryakund is larger and measures 130 by 40 feet, and is embedded 22 feet in the earth. It is surrounded on three sides by a wall of 200 massive, 50-ton granite blocks. One major feature of the Suryakund that nobody can miss is the Sun sculpture of brass and copper which hangs from the ceiling 20 feet across .
monolith
- the Sarvadharma Sthamba. Symbols of major religions inscribed on three
sides of thissthamba represent the multi-religiousness of the temple. Its back
bears the schematic depiction of the seven chakras of the human body in the
form of lotuses representing different levels of consciousness.
1. The rising stone sun crowning the sthamba
symbolizes a new dawn, while the pattern of fallen leaves beneath the sun
signifies death of the past
Beyond the Sthamba lies the stone gateway
that follows the principles of traditional Indian temple architecture. To reach
the open pathway or the parikrama which eventually leads to the sanctum
sanctorum, one crosses 2.three entrance steps signifying the tamas,
rajas and satwa gunas, the basic qualities of the mind. The unusual height of
the steps forces the visitors to press their feet firmly on its pebbled
surface, thus activating the nerve centres in the body - a preparation
to be more receptive to the energies of the Dhyanalinga. The parikrama is
flanked by aisles covered by six artistically sculpted granite panels
illustrating the stories of six south Indian sages. To the left stands the
11-foot-tall statue of Patanjali, the author of yogasutra. Deliberately placed
in a sunken shrine to establish an immediate kinship with the visitor, this
black granite sculpture combining the forms of snake and man, depicts the
duality of human nature. Facing Patanjali
and placed at an elevation is the Vanashree shrine, a green granite
sculptural relief of a Pee pal tree.
Between them, the linga, Patanjali and Vanashree form a IS-degree triangle. Explaining the significance of this geometric
form, Sadhguru says, “As a linga has no orientation of direction, you need
something to draw the people if they are
to experience the linga The The parikrama ends at a vaulted tunnel that
leads into the dome. Carved on the threshold of the entrance are 3.two
snakes with a single raised hood, indicating the non-dual nature of the
Dhyanalinga. 4.Over the vault is
a seven-hooded monolithic snake, symbolizing the seven dimensions of life. The
dome that encloses Dhyanalinga is a section of an ellipse - representing a
section of the globe. The Dhyanalinga temple layout may be a simple fusion of
geometric shapes, but it is a profound space for meditation. On the periphery are congregations of
modulated spaces that subtly prepare the visitors for meditation. Raised 33
feet from the ground, the dome weighs around 800 tonnes and has a diameter of
76 feet at the base. It rests on a six-foot-high circular stone wall including
a ring of two foot-tall stone lintels. The entire structure is built upon a
foundation that is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Nearly 2,50,000 bricks have
been used to create about 250 layers, starting at a vertical angle of 13
degrees and ending at 82 degrees to the horizontal. The 20-inch-thick base of
the dome tapers to 8 inches (a single brick) at the top. “All bricks were
soaked in water for 24 hours to ʻmeltʼ the unburnt ones.
28 ventilators are placed atop the lintel
beams with stone slabs in the shape of a triangle for natural light and
ventilation. Covered by a gold-plated linga-shaped copper dome to block direct
light, the central opening acts as ventilator and thus keeps the space cool.
Below the lintel beam 28 energy cubicles called the aura cells, are embedded in
the inner wall. Each aura cell is about 4ʼ X 4ʼ and provides an intimate space
for a person to sit and meditate facing the Dhyanalinga
Traditional materials like burnt brick and
mud mortar stabilized with lime, sand, alum and herbal additives were used
along with huge blocks of granite. “Natural materials used here are as old as
the earth and will live as long as she does,” smiles the spiritual leader. “If
you go to any archeological site, the first thing you find alive is pottery
The simple technology of this dome is that
all the bricks are trying to fall down together but they canʼt. Itʼs like ten
people wanting to get into a bus at the same time and nobody gets in.”
The resonating sound of water that drips
onto the linga from the hemispheric gold-plated copper dome suspended overhead,
the shimmering reflection of the oil lamps on the golden dome and the pervasive
silence makes the experience ethereal. The natural draught or air and the
choice of natural materials make it a cool and soothing space, which breathes
through every pore.
The Dhyanalinga
Yogic Temple is a meditative
space and is said to be the first of its kind to be completed in over 2000
years. It was consecrated in 1999 by Sadhguru and it does not ascribe to any
particular faith and is open to all irrespective of their religion or
nationality. It is open everyday, irrespective of national or cultural holidays
from 6am to 8pm. Uniquely among Indian temples, it remains open even during
eclipses. Entrance is free. Measuring 13 feet 9 inches, the Dhyanalinga is the
largest mercury-based linga in the world.
·
The Inner Parikrama is the intricate pathway leading to the
Dhyanalinga Temple. On the left is
the statue of Patanjali,
regarded as the father of yogic sciences. On the right is the Vanashree shrine, the feminine
deity of the Dhyanalinga temple. Six artistically sculptured granite panels cover the aisles, illustrating the
stories of six South Indian sages who attained enlightenment. Each panel
captures a moment in these extraordinary lives. The Parikrama ends at a vaulted
tunnel that leads to the dome of the Dhyanalinga. The earthy colors, the
natural granite, the attention to details and the shapes that form the
Dhyanalinga temple create a warm and esoteric ambiance.
·
The elliptical Dhyanalinga
dome that houses the linga
itself is 76 feet in diameter and 33 feet high. It is a pillarless 250,000
brick structure and was built with brick and mud mortar stabilized with lime,
sand, alum and herbal additives without the use of any steel, cement, or
concrete. The technology used is this - all the bricks are trying to fall down
at the same time but the way they are aligned and balanced ensures they can
never fall. This design is similar to that of Roman arch bridges where the
keystone ensures the stability of the bridge. The nature of this design ensures
a lifespan of at least 5000 years for the dome. The natural draught of air and
the choice of natural materials make the dome a cool and soothing space.
·
The meditative
and spiritual nature of the inside is further amplified by, Nada Aradhana, an offering of sound to the Dhyanalinga with an ethereal blend of
vocals, singing bowls, drums and various other instruments. The offering takes
place twice during the day from 11:50 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. and from 5:50 p.m. to
6:10 p.m. These are the only times of the day when the usual silence within the
temple is broken.
SERVICES: Water:The Noyyal river originating from
Velliangiri hills is one of the major tributaries of the Cauvery, which irrigates about 100,000 of
hectares of agricultural land in the plains. The Velliangiri hills watershed
feeds into the Siruvani dam, which is the main drinking water supply for
1,500,000 people in the urban centre of Coimbatore and isha has 2 OHTs of
capacity 300 cubic meters sufficing the needs of about 20-30k people .
HT towers
: uninterrupted HT power supply to Isha Foundation
from the 22-KV Siruvani Water Works Feeder are located 35 km (22 mi) west of Coimbatore in the Western
Ghats
