Shivalaya Guide Book
Rest. Contemplation. A slower rhythm. · Tiruvannamalai
FEEL AT HOME
Two seekers. One divine vision.
Welcome to Shivalaya. We are very happy to have you with us and hope your time here will be peaceful, nourishing and meaningful.
Shivalaya is a small, quiet space created with love and care, close to the presence of Arunachala. People come here for many different reasons: to rest, to practise, to contemplate, to spend time in nature, or simply to be near the mountain.
We hope you will make yourself at home, move through the space with awareness and consideration, and allow the days here to take their own rhythm. If there is anything you need, or anything that would make your stay more comfortable, please speak with us.
With love,
The Shivalaya Family
A PLACE THAT GREW FROM PRACTICE
“Some meetings are planned. Others simply happen when the time is right.”
Every place has a story. Some begin with a blueprint and a destination. Shivalaya did not. It grew slowly—from a quiet piece of land, a simple home, a deep connection to Arunachala, and one intention: to make sadhana part of everyday life.
Vimala & Shankara
Vimala Shankara
Born in Chennai, Vimala encountered Arunachala only later while living and working in Germany. Working for a travel company, she noticed people from all over the world travelling to Tiruvannamalai and began asking herself why they were journeying so far to a mountain only a few hours from the place of her birth.
A visit with friends changed everything. What had once been a destination on an itinerary became a place of deep belonging.
Shankara
Shankara was born in Kerala into a traditional family where rituals, mantras and spiritual practice were part of everyday life. At eighteen he moved to the United States and became a pilot, but the freedom he was searching for could not be found in the sky.
He returned to India, travelled, explored, and eventually arrived at Arunachala—where his path brought him to this sacred land of Shivalaya.
Regenerating the Land
The land that became Shivalaya was not always green. Years of pesticide use had exhausted the soil, and prolonged drought had left the earth dry, quiet and in need of care.
Rather than building immediately, Vimala and Shankara chose to begin somewhere else. They planted trees. Watered the soil every day. Waited with patience. Listened to the rhythms of the land and allowed nature to recover in its own time. Caring for the earth became a daily practice. Watering a young tree became meditation. Nourishing the soil became devotion. Slowly, birds returned. Insects and worms returned. The soil softened, and the land began to breathe again.
Growing Through Community
In 2018, Shivalaya welcomed its first retreat groups. Life was beautifully simple: four guest rooms, a small thatched yoga shala, an open kitchen and shared meals beneath the trees. Evenings gathered naturally around a fire, where conversations, silence and laughter became part of the experience. Guests were not arriving at a finished retreat centre. They were becoming part of a place that was still unfolding.
When the pandemic paused travel, Shivalaya did not stand still. It grew quietly from within. New spaces were created with care—the Siddha Lounge, Yogi Hut, Kadambam, a larger yoga shala and the Shiva Temple—each one shaped by the same intention: to support practice, community and a life lived in harmony with the land.
SPACES WITH INTENTION
“Nothing here was built to impress. Everything was created with intention.”
Every space was created to support a different way of being. Over the years, Shivalaya has grown into a collection of spaces that emerged naturally from the needs of the community and the rhythm of the land. Whether you are here to rest, practise, learn or simply be still, every place invites a different experience.
Lakshmi, Saraswati, Shiva & Shakti Rooms
Peaceful spaces for rest and retreat, created to offer solitude, quiet contemplation, and restful rejuvenation.
Siddha Lounge
A contemplative space for stillness, relaxation and quiet connection with Arunachala, featuring an open private terrace.
Yogi Hut
A deeply personal space for solitude, reflection and intimate communion with nature, surrounded by trees.
Brahma & Vishnu Rooms
Beautifully designed rooms offering a peaceful, dedicated space for silence, contemplation, and Sadhana.
Kadambam Container Home
An intimate stay surrounded by nature, blending creative sustainable architecture with natural forest surroundings.
Tirumantiram Hall
The heart of yoga, meditation and community gatherings, filled with morning natural light and gentle breeze.
Agnishala
The place where sacred fire and esoteric practices of ancient traditions are invoked and shared in sacred ceremony.
Café Shivalaya
Nourishing food, fresh herbal drinks, and shared moments of community, lovingly prepared every day.
Shankara Shambhava Shiva Temple
A sacred place for silence, prayer and meditation, offering daily devotion in the peaceful embrace of the ashram.
THE RHYTHM OF THE HOUSE
“The beauty of this place lives in the way we care for it together.”
Shivalaya is not a hotel in the conventional sense. It is a small space created with love, simplicity and the wish to offer people a peaceful place to stay near Arunachala. Guests arrive from many backgrounds, cultures and walks of life. Kindness, awareness and respect help keep the space beautiful for everyone.
Quiet & Shared Spaces
- Keep voices and general noise low, especially early in the morning and in the evening.
- Please be considerate of guests who may be resting, meditating or working.
- Avoid loud music, conversations or activities near guest rooms.
- Use headphones for music, videos and calls.
- For longer conversations, choose a suitable common area rather than spaces around rooms.
- Keep common areas peaceful, clean and comfortable for everyone.
Room Care
- Keep your room reasonably clean and tidy.
- Do not leave uncovered food in the room.
- Please do not move furniture between rooms.
- Switch off lights, fans and air-conditioning when leaving.
- Keep doors and windows closed while the air-conditioning is running.
- Please report damage or anything needing attention promptly; the team is happy to help.
Water, Energy & Nature
- Room cleaning: To help conserve water and resources, rooms will be cleaned once every 3 days. This includes changing bedsheets and towels, dusting, sweeping, and mopping.
- Water and electricity are precious resources. Turn taps off fully and keep showers reasonably short.
- Please use a torch light when walking through paths at night. Small insects may be present.
Animal Neighbours
- Please keep the gates closed when leaving Shivalaya.
- Keep the room windows closed to prevent birds and mosquitoes from entering.
- Do not damage or remove plants, trees or natural elements from the property.
- Live gently. Treat the trees, birds, and insects with compassion.
Photography & Privacy
- You are welcome to photograph the surroundings, garden, and nature.
- Please do not photograph or record other guests without their permission.
- For spiritual activities, rituals or gatherings, please follow the guidance of the organiser.
- We want everyone at Shivalaya to feel comfortable and unobserved.
Smoking, Alcohol & Visitors
- Smoking is strictly not permitted inside rooms or common areas.
- Alcohol and recreational drugs are not permitted on the property. Intoxicating substances are not permitted.
- Visitors: Speak with the team before inviting anyone. Outside guests should not enter guest areas or stay overnight without prior permission.
- Communication: If something is uncomfortable, missing or concerning, please tell us right away.
Safety & Zero-Tolerance Policy
Shivalaya is committed to providing an extremely safe, respectful, and peaceful space for every guest.
If you experience any kind of discomfort, inappropriate conduct, or concern from staff, volunteers, facilitators, management, or any person associated with Shivalaya, please report it immediately:
PRACTICAL STAY INFORMATION
Essential timings, Wi-Fi credentials, amenities, and cultural advice
Arrival & Departure Timings
Check-in: 1:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Preferred arrival window: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM unless another time has been arranged.
Early / late arrangements: Early check-in and late check-out is available upon request.
High-Speed Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi network and password supplied across guest areas:
Local Transport
Shivalaya can help arrange taxis, autos and other local transport for temple visits, Girivalam walks, or airport transfers.
Laundry Services
Can be done on-site or arranged through a local cleaning service. Café Shivalaya laundry-basket process and room-name labelling.
Massage & Bodywork
Foot reflexology massage and full-body massage are available at Shivalaya upon request by experienced massage therapists.
Staff Tips Policy
Direct cash tips to individual staff are not encouraged. Guests who wish to tip may use the tip box outside the kitchen table; tips are distributed equally among workers.
Respecting Local Culture
Tamil Nadu is culturally traditional, especially around temples and sacred places. We recommend comfortable, modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered when visiting temples or moving through the community.
Weather & Seasons
Most days are warm and sunny, while occasional rain showers can arrive unexpectedly. A light umbrella or poncho is always useful, alongside a sun hat and sunscreen.
SACRED PLACES OF TIRUVANNAMALAI
Distances, travel times, and essential visitor timings from Shivalaya
From Shivalaya: 5.7 km · 11 minsSri Ramanasramam
The ashram’s own current information lists the shrine/ashram as open 5:30 AM–11:00 AM and 2:00 PM–8:30 PM. It is also the starting point for the maintained hill route to Skandashram and Virupaksha Cave.
From Shivalaya: 7.9 km · 17 minsArunachaleswarar Temple
For the most up-to-date opening hours, please ask our team at reception. Temple schedules may vary during festivals and special religious occasions.
From Shivalaya: 3.8 km · 9 minsAdi Annamalai Temple
For the most up-to-date opening hours, please ask our team at reception. Temple schedules may vary during festivals and special religious occasions.
From Shivalaya: 2.9 km · 6 minsGirivalam Path
From Shivalaya it is 2.9 km (6 minutes) to reach the road to Girivalam. The complete circumambulation is 14 km. Full-moon and festival days can draw very large crowds.
From Shivalaya: 6.4 km · 15 minsYogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram
Opening hours as 5:00 AM–8:00 PM daily. A peaceful haven dedicated to meditation, prayer, and contemplation.
From Shivalaya: 5.7 km · 11 minsSkandashram & Virupaksha Cave
The maintained trail begins at Sri Ramanasramam and climbs approximately 1.5 km up Arunachala. The hill path is open from 8:30 AM–4:30 PM.
From Shivalaya: 7.5 km · 18 minsPachaiamman Temple
For the most up-to-date opening hours, please ask our team at reception. Temple schedules may vary during festivals and special religious occasions.
From Shivalaya: 5.7 km · 12 minsSri Seshadri Swamigal Ashram
For the most up-to-date opening hours, please ask our team at reception. Temple schedules may vary during festivals and special religious occasions.
PRACTICE, IMMERSION & INQUIRY
Throughout the year, Shivalaya hosts a small cycle of immersive programmes devoted to practice, devotion and self-inquiry. Each programme approaches inner work through a different doorway—sacred fire and the elements, the heart of devotion, or the direct exploration of awareness.
10-Day ResidentialAGNIVIDYA
“A journey into the elements, the fire, and the Self.”
An immersive journey into the five elements and the transformative presence of Agni — the sacred fire within and around us. Through breath, mantra, ritual and yogic practice, participants work with elemental forces as pathways towards purification, balance and inner awakening.
10-Day ResidentialUPASANA
“From worship to presence; from devotion to transformation.”
An immersion into the sacred science of deity worship, exploring the subtle relationship between devotion, mantra, ritual and consciousness. Through traditional worship and deeper Tantrik practices, the programme enters the living presence of the Deities.
10-Day ResidentialCHAITANYAM
“Not seeking another experience, but recognising that which is aware of every experience.”
A ten-day journey into the depth and presence of awareness, drawing on the wisdom of the Upanishads and non-dual traditions. Through guided meditation, contemplation and direct inquiry, the programme turns inward towards that which is present before thought.
THANK YOU
From Our Hearts to Yours
Shivalaya began with a simple intention: to create a place where practice could become part of everyday life. That intention still sits quietly beneath everything the place has become.
Whether you are here for a retreat, for time near Arunachala, or simply for a few unhurried days, we hope you find room to rest, nourish yourself, connect with nature and listen inwardly.
Thank you for being part of this living place. Come again.
With Love,
The Shivalaya Family