SPIRITUAL SOJOURN IN SOUTH INDIA
Sheer chance has propelled me into my spiritual sojourn at Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, and Tamil Nadu for about a week followed by Malampuzha and Gingerhill Nest in Kerala in the month of October, 2019.
Isha foundation is set amidst the lush dense forests at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. Such a calm place for a peace mind .It’s been located 28 km from Coimbatore and placed around the hills is the scenic beauty. The magnanimous Adiyogi statue is located amidst this lush green beauty.
My main attraction was the Dhyanalinga, which is a powerful and unique energy-form, representing the distilled essence of yogic sciences. It offers a unique meditative space that does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system, or require any rituals, prayers, or worship. Dhyanalinga was consecrated by Sadhguru after an intense three-year process known as prana pratishtha. The earthy colours, the natural granite, and the fusion of unconventional surfaces and shapes that adorn this space create an ethereal ambiance and an apt atmosphere to receive the grace of the Dhyanalinga.
Every nook and cranny of the Isha Yoga Centre exudes a special charm – a heady mix of meticulousness and chaos coupled with the exhilarating scent of clean air, herbs and flowers. Designed by Sadhguru himself, the structures within the ashram are unique sights to behold. Particularly noteworthy are the Spanda Hall and the Adiyogi Alayam.
Nada Aradhana is an offering of sound to the Dhyanalinga, an etheric blend of vocals, singing bowls, drums and various other instruments amplified within the reverberating Dome, transporting one into the timeless space of the Dhyanalinga.
Visitors coming to the Dhyanalinga can further their experience by attending this daily introduction to the timeless and powerful mantra “Aum”.
Malampuzha Dam is a calm and clean place for a family outing. The rope way and gardens are good and well maintained. You can see many scenic areas if you take a ride through the road surrounding the dam. There are many attractions in and around the dam, though the best is when we were at the top and gaze down at the falling water or look beyond at the hills. During sunset, we got a visual treat with the sun, trees, mountains, and water adding to the magic of the evening. There are one 3 main attractions in Malampuzha Dam, one among the 3 is this air conditioned Aquarium. Very well maintained. One can see 100 + variety of fishes here. A must see place. Others are Garden Swimming Pool and Long ropeway above the garden. Aerial View is enchanting. At about 4.6 Km away from Malampuzha, Kava (4.6 km) is exquisitely picturesque place. Malampuzha Rock Garden and Snake Park are also popular attractions amongst tourists, and they are all within walking distance.
At Malampuzha, we stayed at KTDC Garden House hotel. It has a very good location. You can see the dam from the hotel. The hotel itself has a good garden. Food at the restaurant is good and we all enjoyed it, although variety is less.
Next we had been to Gingerhill Nest. Gingerhill Nest is a homely farmhouse nestled atop a hill once famed for the wild ginger that grew abundantly on it. The towering hillocks of the Western Ghats rise to prominence behind the hill while the serene waters of Kanjirapuzha reservoir lap at its base. As we drove up twisty road that leads up to the farmhouse we were greeted by a panoramic view of the entire length of the valley. Originally established as an organic farm with its own agri-processing facilities, it is still every bit that except for the fact, its doors are now open to the nature lovers.
The home stay is quite remote, but the benefit is the nature and peace that we found here. We had a fantastic stay at Gingerhill nest. The warm welcome of the hosts made us really feel at home. The views over the valley extend to the steep hills of the Ghats. All was perfect during our 1 night stay but we should have stayed at least 2 nights to enjoy the setting, the quietude and beauty of the nature and the plantations. Meals, which are excellent, are taken with the hosts in the family dining room. The accommodation is very comfortable with a beautiful view down to the reservoir and up to the mountains on the other side.
We are grateful to Udiron Tours and Travels for all the seamless travel arrangements during our stay in all these places.
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