Discovering Shiva – A spiritual journey through South India

Do you feel drawn to Shiva without knowing exactly why? Perhaps it was the dancing Nataraja in your yoga studio or a mantra that touched something deep within you. This ten-day journey takes you to the heart of South India’s living Shiva tradition.

This trip is designed for those visiting India for the first time. You don’t need any prior knowledge or a specific spiritual practice – just an open heart.

More than just a tour

From your first day in Chennai, your guides will accompany you with talks, videos, and plenty of conversation – over meals, on the road, and right inside the temples. This way, you will understand step-by-step what you are experiencing: the deities, the rituals, the history of Tamil temple culture, and the reasoning behind the temple architecture.

The Temples of the Elements

You will visit three of the five Pancha Bhoota temples, each dedicated to an element: Earth in Kanchipuram, Fire at the sacred Arunachala mountain in Tiruvannamalai, and Space at the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram. You will also visit the cave and ashram of Ramana Maharshi, the sites of the saint Vallalar, as well as the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and the Matrimandir in Auroville.

Who is this trip for?

• For anyone wanting to experience South India for the first time – with depth instead of a tourist itinerary
• For yoga practitioners who want to understand what the Nataraja represents
• For seekers who want to experience India’s spiritual landscape for themselves

Well-supported

Meals, hotels, transfers, and temple entrance fees are all taken care of. Your guides, Santhosh and Abirami, are from Tamil Nadu and are deeply rooted in the temple tradition. Sabin, the founder of Smukti, accompanies selected trips. The group size is limited to twelve people.

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‍Frequently Asked Questions‍

I have never been to India before. Is this a good first trip?

Yes, this trip is specifically designed for those new to India. You will travel in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, with all meals, accommodation, and temple entrance fees taken care of. Your guide will provide ongoing explanations regarding appropriate attire, conduct, and the meaning behind various rituals. Having grown up within this tradition, your guide will help you experience the intensity of India as something rich and diverse, rather than overwhelming.

Do I need to know anything about Shiva or Hinduism?

No, prior knowledge is not required. Your guide will explain the significance of the temples, rituals, and teachings in clear, accessible language. Through talks, videos, and conversations, your understanding will grow day by day. All you need is an open heart—no library required.

How physically demanding is the trip?

The most strenuous part is the 30- to 40-minute ascent to the Virupaksha Cave on Mount Arunachala before sunrise—a climb that is well within the capabilities of most people. The 14 km circumambulation (parikrama) of the mountain is optional and can be shortened. All other temple visits take place on level ground, often while walking barefoot on stone. The pace is relaxed, not strenuous; participants in their sixties and seventies have successfully completed the entire journey without any issues.

Day 1 – Arrival in Chennai

• Airport pickup and hotel check-in
• South Indian lunch and introduction by the founders
• Opening circle and grounding meditation

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Day 2 – Element of Earth in Kanchipuram

• Ekambareswarar Temple with its approximately 3,500-year-old mango tree
• Kamakshi Amman and Kailasanathar Temples
• Root chakra meditation and visit to silk weavers

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Day 3 – Fire element at Arunachala

• Girivalam: 14 km circumambulation of the holy mountain at dawn (optional, can be shortened)
• Visit to the Arunachaleswarar Temple

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Day 4 – Ramana Maharshi

• Meditation in the Virupaksha Cave and Skanda Ashram
• Ramanasramam and self-inquiry
• Travel to Trichy with Srirangam and Thiruvanaikkaval

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Day 5 – Thanjavur

• Brihadeeswarar Temple and sacred geometry
• Royal Museum and Tanjore painting workshop

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Day 6 – Kumbakonam

• Adi Kumbeswarar and Sarangapani Temples
• Water meditation at the Mahamaham tank and village festival

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Day 7 – Darasuram

• Guided tour of the UNESCO site with a historian
• Exclusive fire ritual at the Sri Mahalingaswami Temple and temple meal

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Day 8 – Space element in Chidambaram and Vallalar

• Nataraja Temple and meditation on the cosmic dance
• Birthplace of Vallalar and temple of true wisdom
• Teachings on the light body with Swami Abilash

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Day 9 – Auroville and Pondicherry

• Meditation in the Matrimandir
• Insight into Sri Aurobindo’s integral yoga
• Evening in the French Quarter of Pondicherry

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Day 10 – Mahabalipuram and departure

• Sunrise meditation at the Shore Temple
• UNESCO sites and farewell dinner
• Closing circle with inspiration for your practice at home