About Art of Living Ashram

The Art of Living Ashram at Bangalore is located about 21 km south of Bangalore at Kanakapura road. It is a volunteer-based NGO. Sri Sri Ravishankar Guru founded the Ashram in the year 1986. The Art of Living ashram has centers in more than 156 countries out of which Bangalore is the headquarters. The Art of Living center in Bangalore is outspread over an area of over 250 acres.

It is an International center that welcomes all visitors. It is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm. One can either come as a visitor or enroll in one of the program courses offered by the ashram. On campus, there are several building facilities. Residencies, Guru Paduka Vanam, Panchakarma center, Vishalakshi Mandap, Anna Poorna hall, Yagna Shala, gardens, organic shops, accommodation centers, schools, offices, conference halls, and meditation halls were among the facilities. These areas are accessible either by foot or by bus tour. We wanted to take in our surroundings so decided to go on walk.

Vegetables, crops, and medicinal herbs are grown on campus. We could see various plantations while walking around the campus. Also, there is a small garden at the entrance with Rashi and nakshatra mapping to specific plants that we found unique.

Guru Paduka Vanam

We could walk directly from the main entrance gate to Guru Paduka Vanam. The name refers to an open amphitheater shaped like Guru’s feet. Large seating areas surround the entire place. There is a small pond in the center, and we saw a few geese. The architecture is based on the Vedic concept of garden construction, which aids spiritual upliftment. We sat in the seating area silently for a while, watching geese play in the pond. This area is lit up in the evenings with colorful lights in the fountain. It is a sight to behold.

Vishalakshi Mandap

The main attraction of the Ashram is Vishalakshi Mandap. This five-tiered meditation hall is built in the shape of 1000 fully blossomed lotus petals. It is the main meditation hall, where Satsang and Yoga classes will take place. This location has a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, thus making it ideal for meditation. Please keep quiet near the mandap.

Annapoorna hall

We arrived at the hall around 1.15 pm. It is a large dining hall where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are prepared and served for free to many visitors. There is an arrangement in place to keep the footwear outside of the building. We enjoyed the freshly prepared Satwik meal, which included roti, curry, dal, kheer, and buttermilk. There is a counter to place the plates afterward, as well as a board with the total amount of food wasted the previous day. It’s a great idea to raise awareness about food waste.

Our Meditation Experience at Art of Living Ashram

At one of the meditation halls, a volunteer provided information about the ashram, Ravi Shankar Guru, and meditation. He stressed the importance of doing at least 5 minutes of meditation to help reduce stress and anxiety. It was a good session, which was explained in Kannada. We meditated for nearly 30 minutes while listening to gentle meditation music. They also have sessions in other languages. Volunteers stationed near the hall will also announce the information for these sessions.

Conclusion

We had a relaxing day at the ashram, admiring the plantations, fresh air, and lively atmosphere. Despite the large area distribution, it is well maintained. Overall, it’s a great day trip from Bangalore.

“There is only one rule here. You can bring all your worries, but you cannot take them back. You have to leave them here”. – Sri Sri

How to reach Art of Living Ashram

Route (From Bangalore)

Bangalore-Kanakpura Road-Art of Living Ashram

Travel Tips for Art of Living Ashram

• Parking is available right next to the main gate. Vehicles are not permitted beyond the security checkpoint.
• You can contact the helpdesks if you need assistance.
• There is a small shop next to the help desk at the entrance and inside the ashram for quick refreshments. There are also a few shops inside the ashram where you can buy mainly ‘Sri Sri’ products.
• Satsang occurs Monday through Saturday from 6.30 pm to 8 pm. It will take place on Sundays from 6 to 7.30 pm. If anything changes during your visit or stay, you can contact the helpdesk for more information.
• If you are visiting the Art of Living ashram for the first time, it is advisable to obtain the leaflet from the helpdesk. It has a layout map and directions to all the locations within so that you can easily reach your destination.
• You can also take a guided bus tour to see the major attractions on campus. Inside the ashram, bus tours are available at specific times, usually around noon. Therefore, it is best to inquire about bus times at the help desk.
• Drinking water is available in the majority of segments. There are also restrooms available.
• Please do not litter and keep the area tidy. There are bins in every area.
• Check out our post on Pyramid Valley for another tranquil place nearby. Furthermore, Art of Living Ashram is only about 17 km away from Pyramid Valley.