Yoga Retreat in Tiruvannamalai:

A Sacred Temple Town in South India

with Saraswati Clere, Ben Williams & Silvia Nakkach
January 10–16, 2027

At the foot of the sacred hill of Arunachala, participants are invited into a rare and deeply nourishing immersion where yoga, meditation, sound, philosophy, and sacred place converge. Tiruvannamalai is one of India’s most revered spiritual centers, home to ancient temples, living ashrams, and pilgrimage paths that have supported contemplative practice for centuries. This holy town is also the home of Sri Ramana Maharshi, whose teachings of self-inquiry and recognition of true nature continue to radiate through his ashram and the mountain itself, offering seekers a direct experience of silence, clarity, and presence.

For those longing to move beyond technique into a more integrated and embodied experience of yoga, this retreat offers an exceptional opportunity. In Tiruvannamalai, practice is inseparable from daily life: temple bells, ritual, devotional chanting, and the steady rhythm of pilgrimage create an environment that continuously supports meditation and introspection. The nervous system softens naturally in this setting, allowing deeper layers of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to unfold. Immersed in this sacred landscape, many practitioners experience a deepening of awareness, renewed devotion, and a more intimate connection to the heart of their practice.

The retreat takes place in a serene and spacious sanctuary designed to support contemplation, rest, and meaningful connection. Located within walking distance of Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram and offering unobstructed views of Arunachala, the setting provides a quiet refuge from which to engage fully in practice. Comfortable accommodations, a swimming pool, expansive indoor and outdoor practice spaces, and rooftop areas for yoga and meditation create an atmosphere of ease and refinement. Surrounded by forested land, open skies, and the natural beauty of South India, each day unfolds in an environment that gently invites relaxation, inner listening, and openness of heart.

Guided by Saraswati Clere, Ben Williams, and Silvia Nakkach—each a teacher with decades of dedicated practice, study, and transmission—participants are supported in deepening their experience of yoga across all layers of being. Through skillful asana, meditation, philosophical inquiry, and devotional sound practices, the retreat offers a holistic path toward integration, healing, and embodied wisdom, uniquely amplified by the sanctity and living presence of Tiruvannamalai itself.

Daily Rhythm & Retreat Experience

Each day we gather for daily sessions of meditation, pranayama, and asana, aligning the body with the quiet intelligence of the land. Saraswati Clere guides skillful, heart-centered yoga practices that integrate precise alignment, subtle energetics, and devotional awareness—supporting strength, openness, and embodied presence. These sessions are designed to meet practitioners where they are, while gently inviting greater clarity, resilience, and ease.

Study offerings include yoga wisdom teachings and contemplative practices that illuminate the deeper philosophical and spiritual dimensions of yoga. Ben Williams offers accessible yet profound teachings drawn from classical yoga, Śaiva Tantra, and Advaita traditions, bringing depth and context to the sacred geography of Arunachala and the living wisdom lineages rooted here. His sessions bridge scholarship and lived experience, allowing ancient texts and teachings to inform modern practice in a direct, embodied way.

Daily sessions of mantra, vocal, and devotional practices with Silvia Nakkach invite participants into a deepened experience of sound as a pathway to healing, integration, and communion. Through chanting, toning, and guided listening, participants explore the voice as a sacred instrument, opening energetic pathways and harmonizing emotional, physical, and spiritual layers of being. Over the course of the retreat, chanting becomes not only a practice, but a lived experience of resonance and prayer.

Sacred Excursions & Pilgrimage

Beyond the retreat space, we journey together on guided excursions to nearby temples, ashrams, and holy sites, including time at Ramana Maharshi’s Ashram and opportunities to walk portions of the Girivalam, the revered circumambulation path around Arunachala. These pilgrimages deepen the retreat experience, allowing participants to directly encounter the subtle power, silence, and grace for which this region is renowned.

Nourishment, Rest & Daily Pleasures

Retreat life is supported by delicious, freshly prepared vegetarian meals, inspired by South Indian cuisine and crafted to nourish body and spirit. Between sessions, there is ample time to rest by the pool, journal, meditate, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Local markets offer vibrant colors, textiles, incense, and handmade items, inviting gentle exploration and connection with daily life in Tiruvannamalai. The atmosphere is relaxed, unhurried, and deeply supportive of inner work.

What You Will Receive

·       Daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama grounded in authentic tradition

·       A deepened experience of chanting, sound, and devotional practice

·       Immersive teachings in yoga philosophy, Tantra, and nondual wisdom

·       Integration of body, mind, and spirit through embodied practice

·       Time for silence, reflection, and personal inquiry

·       Guided visits to sacred sites and pilgrimage walks

·       A supportive, intimate retreat environment held by teachers with decades of lived practice

Teachers

Saraswati Clere, RYT 500
A longtime San Francisco Bay Area yoga teacher and filmmaker, Saraswati is the founder and owner of Yogakula Wellness Center in Berkeley. With over 25 years of teaching experience and deep roots in the Iyengar and Anusara traditions, she is known for her clear instruction, devotional sensibility, and ability to make yoga both accessible and transformative. Saraswati leads teacher trainings, workshops, and retreats internationally.

Ben Williams, PhD
Ben is an intellectual historian specializing in South Asian religions and Śaiva Tantra. He is Associate Professor of Hinduism at Naropa University and faculty lead for Naropa’s MA in Yoga Studies. Trained extensively in Sanskrit philosophy, literature, and aesthetics at Harvard University, Ben bridges rigorous scholarship with contemplative insight. He is also Scholar-in-Residence at the Muktabodha Indological Research Institute, contributing to the preservation and study of classical tantric yoga texts.

Silvia Nakkach, MA, MMT
A Grammy®-nominated musician and internationally respected vocal artist, Silvia is a pioneer in the therapeutic and spiritual use of sound and voice. She created the Sound, Voice, and Music in the Healing Arts program at CIIS and founded the Vox Mundi School to preserve indigenous musical traditions. Her offerings open profound pathways of healing, presence, and devotional connection through sound.

Pricing

All prices include lodging, vegetarian meals, and all retreat sessions.
Double room:
• $2250 per person before May 15
• $2450 after May 15

Private room:
• $2550 before May 15
• $2750 after May 15

This retreat is an invitation to step out of ordinary time and into a sacred rhythm—where ancient practices are supported by place, community, and lineage; where silence speaks; and where the timeless presence of Arunachala gently guides you home to yourself.

About Tiruvannamalai & Travel Planning

Tiruvannamalai is a sacred temple town located in Tamil Nadu, South India, approximately four hours southwest of Chennai. Nestled at the base of the holy hill Arunachala, Tiruvannamalai has been a spiritual center for centuries, drawing yogis, saints, and seekers from across India and around the world. The town is best known as the home of Sri Ramana Maharshi, whose ashram remains a powerful focal point for meditation and self-inquiry. Life here moves at a devotional pace, woven with temple bells, sacred chants, incense, and the steady presence of the mountain, which many experience as profoundly grounding and inwardly clarifying.

Getting There
Most international travelers fly into Chennai International Airport (MAA), the closest major airport, with onward travel by car or taxi to Tiruvannamalai. Another appealing option is to fly into Pondicherry (Puducherry) ( a 90min drive)  or travel there after arriving in Chennai. Pondicherry is a former French colonial seaside town known for its relaxed atmosphere, beautiful promenades, and proximity to several renowned spiritual and cultural sites. From Pondicherry, Tiruvannamalai is approximately a 3 hour drive making it an easy and scenic journey inland.

Round-trip flights from San Francisco to Chennai typically range around $850, depending on season and booking timing. Once in India, private car transfers can be easily arranged and are a comfortable way to travel between cities.

Extending Your Journey: Pondicherry & Sacred Sites
Many participants choose to arrive early and spend a few nights in Pondicherry, allowing time to acclimate, recover from jet lag, and explore nearby sacred destinations. Highlights include visits to Auroville, an international spiritual community dedicated to human unity, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, one of India’s most influential modern ashrams. The combination of ocean air, contemplative spaces, and gentle pacing makes Pondicherry an ideal prelude to the deeper immersion awaiting you in Tiruvannamalai.

Traveling through South India is itself part of the pilgrimage—an unfolding transition from the outer world into the stillness, depth, and quiet power of this extraordinary sacred landscape.

Travel: Our recommendations.

We recommend that you arrive in India a few days earlier to rest and recover from jetlag.

You can fly to Chennai or Pondicherry (approx $850 from SFO)

We recommend you stay in a hotel in Chennai or Pondicherry.

We will coordinate with everyone to organize similar arrival times so we can help organize transport to the retreat center. Airfare and transport from the airport is not included in the package price.  We are happy to talk about other travel ideas if you wish to travel in India before or after the Retreat. During the retreat we will stay together as a group as we immerse ourselves in the practices.

Visa: You will need a valid passport and, depending on your country of origin, a Visa to travel to India. All US citizens do need a Visa to enter India at this time. It is very easy to get an online visa. It takes approximately 7 days. $25 for 30 days or $40 1 year e-visa (ask us for the steps) https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/

Booking, payment options, cancelation policy

To reserve your spot, please email us info@yogakula.com

Deposit per person: $500 paid upon registration will secure your space.

Payment options: Paypal, Venmo, or Credit Card

Cancelation policy:

• Full refund until June 1, 2026

• No refunds of any kind after June 1, 2026

In the unlikely event of us canceling the retreat, we will provide a full refund, including deposit.

We look forward to welcoming you to India

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