Perumalmalai, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
Bodhi Zendo
Zen sitting and silent sesshins in the Palani Hills
Details checked on the official site, October 2026 · We never take bookings or commissions
Bodhi Zendo is a Zen meditation centre high in the Palani Hills near Kodaikanal, founded by AMA Samy, described as India's first Zen master, and led since 2022 by his successor Fr. Cyril Mathew. Guests follow a set daily rhythm of zazen, work and silence, with three- and five-day silent sesshins through the year.
Zen centre at about 1,700 m in the Palani Hills
Daily zazen and private interviews with the Zen teacher
Mostly single rooms at very low daily rates
Starts from
₹700 / day
per person
About ₹2,100 per person for 3 nights
- Stay
- Meals
- Meditation
Room without bath plus vegetarian meals, India residents (overseas from ₹900); teaching free
Indicative. Checked on the official site, October 2026.
Before you book
Arrival
Fixed courses, or arrive any day
Food
Vegetarian food
Booking
Apply on their site
Not stated on their site: couples, phones, taxes. Ask the retreat before you book.
Great for
- deep practice
- spiritual seekers
- budget travellers
- digital detox
Maybe not for
- Anyone who needs to stay reachable by phone
Good to know before you go
- The daily schedule, including silent periods and work practice, is compulsory for all guests
- Newcomers should try a three-day mini-sesshin before a full five-day sesshin
- Send the visitor application form well ahead — the 40 places can book out
Programs & stays
Rooms: Mostly single rooms, some doubles, with or without attached bathroom
Program names and lengths change. Check the retreat's calendar for current dates.
Reviews elsewhereGoogle Maps
When to go
Best Jan–May. Jan–May is mostly dry; Oct–Dec is the wettest; nights are cool all year at 1,700 m
- Summer · Mar–May
Getting there
Nearest airportMadurai (IXM), ~108 km / about 3 hr drive
- ~410 km from Bengaluru, best to fly
- ~580 km from Chennai, best to fly
- ~1,080 km from Hyderabad, best to fly
- ~1,480 km from Mumbai, best to fly
Researched from the retreat's official website and public sources. Details change, so confirm prices, dates and policies with Bodhi Zendo before booking.
- Photo: Deepak1628, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Abinayareddy, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Niranjan B S, Unsplash
- Photo: Sarang Pande, Unsplash
Run Bodhi Zendo? Claim this listing to correct details and answer questions as the official team.
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