People wishing to visit are very welcome. Conditions are quite simple – some double rooms, sometimes singles are available and there are also some small dormitories. Mostly concrete or tiled roof – occasionally thatched. Bathrooms are either attached or close by. All rooms have a wonderful view of Arunachala.
We can provide bed linen and mosquito nets , you are also welcome to bring your own. Please bring your own towel. Three meals are served each day. It is mostly South Indian food, a little spicy, enjoyed by most. Filtered drinking water is available. Payment is by donation. No-one is turned away for economical reasons, but, as many of you know, prices have risen so much in India. We now suggest Westerners and working Indians pay a donations of at least rupees 650 per day for room with bathroom, 3 meals a day, drinking water and meditations. For the rooms without bath we suggest at least rupees 550 per day.
Women coming to the ashram please be aware that we are in South India and near a village and it is very important you dress suitably for an ashram and for village life. This means your legs covered down to the ankles, no low cut necks, no see-through clothes and please have the tops of the arms covered.
It is important your clothes are not tight fitting or too revealing in any way. Tight fitting jeans are not what is meant by having your legs covered. If you just follow these simple guidelines then we have no difficulties – thank you.
Address
Singing Heart Ashram
Periya PaliyaPattu
Tiruvannamalai District
Tamil Nadu.
Saravanan (Manager) cell phone: (0) 94868 86601
Directions
Town is well connected to many cities and towns in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh by road. It lies on the junction of the Chittoor – Cuddalore state highway and the Puduchery – Bengaluru national highway (NH 66). The TNSTC operates many bus services to the different towns and cities in Tamil Nadu.
From Chennai
Bus : 122P and 122PP buses run at regular intervals between Chennai and Tiruvannamalai from 5 AM in the morning till 10 PM in the night. Private buses may be booked at www.redbus.in
Car: Come through the town of Tiruvannamalai and go to the Ramana Ashram – everyone knows where it is. From the ashram go out on the Chengham road for 7 km. Go straight out and NOT onto the Round Hill Road. After almost 7 km. you pass the Temple for World Peace on the left. After 7kms there is a sign for Anantha Niketan and Greenland.
Go right onto the dirt road and continue for about half a kilometer.
Then you see a sign on the right for Singing Heart and a gate into the Ashram.
From Bangalore or Chengham:
Bus : KSRTC (www.ksrtc.in) runs many buses daily including Air-Conditioned Volvo bus.
Train : Tiruvannamalai is connected by a Tri-weekly train, Chalukya Express(Train No. 11005/11006).
Car: 7 kms before Ramana Ashram and 10 kms before Tiruvannamalai town there is a sign for Anantha Niketan and Greenland.
Turn left Go along the dirt road and continue for about half a kilometer. A sign on the right and a gate into Singing Heart.
By bus or by auto rickshaw from the town
The name of the stop is Tanal Murde.
Make sure to remind the bus conductor you want to get off. It is the final stop for the auto rickshaws. Then you go right and go along the dirt road for about half a kilometer. Then you see a sign on the right and a gate into Singing Heart.
Hiring a Taxi
Arriving from the airport or elsewhere you can order a taxi in advance from:
SHANTI INTERNET CAFE
kumar@shantionline.com
Tel. (0091) (0) 4175 236035.
Jacqueline recommends these people – very safe and trustworthy and they know Singing Heart well.
WELCOME!