7 researched retreats · prices checked October 2026
Free & donation-based retreats near Bengaluru
Ashrams and meditation centres where stays or courses run on donations. Expect simple rooms and a set routine. 7 are within a day's drive of Bengaluru; Atma Darshan Yogashram is in Bengaluru itself.
- Retreats
- 7
- in 2 states
- Price
- Free or donation
- 7 of 7
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- for most of them
- Short stays
- 2 of 7
- take 1–2 nights
All 7 retreats
Nearest to Bengaluru first. Drive times are rough estimates.
- Illustrative photo
- Illustrative photo
Alur village, Karnataka
Best Oct–Feb
In Bengaluru
Free
- Illustrative photo
Arehalli village, Karnataka
Best Oct–Feb
~1 hr drive from Bengaluru
Free
- Illustrative photo
Perumbakkam, Tamil Nadu
Best Nov–Feb
~5 hr drive from Bengaluru
Free
Thannirpalli, Tamil Nadu
Best Dec–Feb
~7 hr drive from Bengaluru
By donation
What to expect
The mix: 4 ashrams and 3 retreat centres. By our price bands (per person, per night), 7 under ₹3,000. All of them are free or donation-based. We check prices on each retreat's official site, most recently in October 2026. They are indicative, so confirm before you book.
Most of them are at their best Oct–Feb.
2 of the 7 take stays of two nights or fewer; the typical minimum is 3 nights. 3 run only on fixed course dates, so plan around their calendars.
Common questions
How far are these retreats from Bengaluru?
Atma Darshan Yogashram is in Bengaluru itself. 3 of the 7 are within about three hours by road, and all are within roughly seven. Drive times are our estimate from straight-line distance, so check a maps app before you set off.
When is the best time for free & donation-based retreats near Bengaluru?
Most of them are at their best Oct–Feb. Each listing shows its own best months.
How much does a donation-based retreat near Bengaluru cost?
By our price bands (per person, per night), 7 under ₹3,000. All of them are free or donation-based. We check prices on each retreat's official site, most recently in October 2026. They are indicative, so confirm before you book.
What is the minimum stay?
2 of the 7 take stays of two nights or fewer; the typical minimum is 3 nights. 3 run only on fixed course dates, so plan around their calendars.
Answers come from our research on each retreat's official site. Details change, so confirm prices, dates and policies with the retreat before booking.