We live in a very different world now. Our life is busier than ever. Distractions are everywhere, and meditation is often sought as a weapon to improve our health, enhance performance, and release stress and build focus. Those who are able to do so, it has always worked for them. SO, get away from the city hustle and try and seek some peace. Thanks to the rising call for stress free breaks, now it’s possible to refresh yourself during a holiday or even a business trip, even if you just have a day or two free in hand.
Between the craziness of home, work and life, sometimes we all need a little me time. From hideaways in the city to escapes in the hills, these spiritual centers below are ideal for some serious head-clearing and soul-searching.
India, being one of the primal countries to have introduced meditation to the world, here is a list of some of the Best Meditation Retreats across the country.
Ananda In the Himalayas
Literally, “Ananda” translates to “extreme happiness”, and that is exactly what this meditation retreat has unceasingly been offering its guests. If you are looking out for a luxury escape with yoga and meditation, Ananda is the ultimate destination to experience. Learn to meditate and seek for the divine truths within you in the opulence of this 5 star accommodation.
This luxury spa can bring some life-changing moments that will enlighten your mind and make you a better soul. The place is the perfect abode that you are seeking, to rinse yourself from the dust of city life. Personalized Yoga and Meditation packages are offered for in-house guests that are inspired from traditional as well as modern techniques. It enhances physical and mental well-being by raising our concern for consciousness to super consciousness.
To know more, read Ananda In The Himalayas: An Exhilarating Experience
Location: Ananda is surrounded by graceful Sal forests and overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the Ganges river valley.
Explore Ananda: One of the best luxury ayurvedic retreats in India, integrates traditional Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta with international wellness experiences, fitness and healthy organic cuisine to restore balance and harmonize energy.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is one of the best and the most peaceful places where you can practice yoga. It is also the ‘World Yoga Capital’. The spiritual atmosphere in this religious destination is invigorating and brings us close to attainment of salvation (Moksha). Numerous ashrams and retreat centres are sprawling all over the city. It is an apt destination for meditation learning and practice. Rishikesh is enriched as the natural seat for good meditation.
Mary Buddan Estate, Binsar- Luxury Homestay in the Himalayas
Location: Rishikesh, located in the Himalayan foothills, is one of the most frequently visited Hindu pilgrimage.
Explore Rishikesh: Personalized Yoga and Meditation along with classical Indian music that restores balance and harmonize energy.
Dharamshala
Dharamshala is a paradise on earth for meditation. The natural beauty of the hills provides a relaxing and quiet environment. Meditating is enjoyable in Dharamshala as it promises stress reduction and self-discovery. It is flocked by thousands of tourists who are on a spiritual tour. Even, if you are looking out for a comfortable getaway from the urban chaos and to soak yourself in the glory of nature and practice meditation, Dharamshala is a fabulous option.
Location: Situated in the beautiful mountains of Himachal Pradesh.
Explore Dharamshala: Learn meditation practices as provided by various cults in the form drop-in guided meditations or longer formal courses in this art.
Dharamshala Diaries
Art of Living Ashram, Bengaluru
The Art of Living ashram is the perfect place for anyone who wants to take a few days or even hours away from the humdrum of city life. You can come here with innumerable concerns, but you cannot take them back with you! The ashram is a place you call home, for it nourishes you and gives you the strength to face the unexpected and the extraordinary.
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Location: Enclosed within a 65-acre sprawling green land at the top of Panchagiri Hills in Bangalore with encircling organic farms.
Explore Art of Living: Experience the humble satisfaction that comes from doing Seva, evening Satsang along with enjoying meditative walks and exploring the ashram. Not only that, courses are offered about happiness, stress reduction, specific to illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, depression and other lifestyle disorders.
Dandapani- Enstasy
Kerala’s most coveted tourist spot is its backwaters. Enstasy is a meditation confluence ~ an eight-day gathering of like-minded souls from around the world to immerse themselves in the authentic study, practice and experience of meditation in the lush, gorgeous tropical surroundings of Kerala, India.
Location: Kerala
Explore Dandapani- Enstasy: Learn an ancient Hindu way of meditation – a simple, practical and systematic process of calming the senses, and diving deep within oneself to experience the divine within you.
Osho
The one place in India where meditation is combined with the teachings of Buddha and the luxurious state of the art infrastructure is at the Osho International Meditation Resort in Pune. Retreat visitors can choose between living at the Osho Guesthouse and different Living In programs; suitable to their choices.
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Location: Getting here has become easier as visitors can choose between flying to Pune.
Explore Osho: Seeking to gain inner peace while being within a remarkable architectural structure. Apart from mediation, the resort offers its visitors an array of activities which encourages a cultural syncretism.
Feel The Splendour: Best Rated Luxury Resorts In Pune
Dhamma Bodhi, Bodh Gaya
It is well known that Gauthama Buddha first obtained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Hence, visiting the Dhamma Bodhi can also be fascinating to history buffs. At Dhamma Bodhi, Vipassana meditation is widely taught. At Bodh Gaya, the Mahabodhi Temple Complex houses a Bodhi tree where one can escape from the hustle-bustle of the city life and find peace and tranquillity at the same place as once, the Buddha did.
Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Explore Dhamma Bodhi: Find inner peace along with Vipassana meditation that is widely taught under the guidance of S.N. Goenka. The center offers 10-day courses generally on the first and the 16th day of every month and the classes can consist of 80 students at a time.
Meditation, as such, can be practiced anywhere and anytime. However, a quiet serene atmosphere is necessary for a relaxed mind during meditation. India proudly attracts thousands of national and international tourists who are on a spiritual tour and want to search within their inner self by meditating. So, choose wisely for the best place to become ‘wiser’ by meditation.
