Thannirpalli, near Kulithalai, Tamil Nadu
Saccidananda Ashram (Shantivanam)
Christian ashram prayer and silence by the Kaveri
Details checked on the official site, October 2026 · We never take bookings or commissions
Shantivanam is a Camaldolese Benedictine ashram on the banks of the Kaveri near Kulithalai, founded to live Christian monastic life in the style of Indian sannyasa and later home to Bede Griffiths. Visitors of any faith or none share its rhythm of chanting, prayer, meditation and silence, staying in simple huts and rooms for a donation.
Christian ashram blending Benedictine and Hindu sannyasa ways
Riverside grove on the south bank of the Kaveri
Donation-based stays with daily prayer and meditation
By donation
pay what you can
- Stay
- Meals
No fixed charge for food and lodging; a voluntary donation is welcome
Courses here are free or by donation. Never pay an agent or another website to book.
Indicative. Checked on the official site, October 2026.
Before you book
Arrival
Arrive any day
Couples
Not stated: ask the retreat
Phones
Not stated: ask the retreat
Food
Vegetarian food
Booking
Book by email
Taxes
Not stated: ask the retreat
Great for
- spiritual seekers
- budget travellers
- solo travellers
- digital detox
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting private luxury or room service
- Anyone who needs to stay reachable by phone
Good to know before you go
- Booking is essential December–February; in other months you can usually just turn up
- Rooms and huts are basic, with fans, mosquito nets and mostly attached bathrooms — bring a towel, torch and repellent
- Guests keep set silence times, help chop vegetables after breakfast, and avoid alcohol and smoking
Programs & stays
Rooms: Basic twin and single rooms and huts
Program names and lengths change. Check the retreat's calendar for current dates.
When to go
Best Dec–Feb. Dec–Feb is the coolest (booking needed then); Mar–May is very hot
- Winter · Dec–Feb
Getting there
Nearest airportTiruchirappalli (TRZ), ~45 km / about 1 hr drive
By trainTiruchirappalli Junction (TPJ), ~40 km
- ~7 hr drive from Bengaluru
- ~420 km from Chennai, best to fly
- ~970 km from Hyderabad, best to fly
- ~1,460 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 Saccidananda Ashram (Shantivanam) before booking.
- Photo: rajaraman sundaram, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Sonika Agarwal, Unsplash
- Photo: Niranjan B S, Unsplash
- Photo: Sarang Pande, Unsplash
Run Saccidananda Ashram (Shantivanam)? Claim this listing to correct details and answer questions as the official team.
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