5 Day Spiritual Journey Beginning at Chidambaram
Thillai Nataraja Temple Chidambaram
A Spiritual Journey is a path of self-expression and transformation. It is the path that takes you to another dimension. Life becomes more enjoyable and meaningful as you embark on this path. It is a path to Civa! Civa is ‘Consciousness.’ The great transformer who transitions you from the darkness of ignorance to the light of divinity and the only highest Guru - He is ‘That!’
Chidambaram, situated in Tamil Nadu, is a sanctuary—a pilgrimage place for spiritual seekers. With its spectacular Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram has served as a spiritual center with a mixture of ancient practices, performances of dance and music, and discussions about philosophy. Chidambaram is way beyond a pilgrimage that would satisfy a spiritual seeker who desires an experience—rather than simply a tourism place.
Chidambaram is not simply a temple; it is a place where all of your senses, mind, and soul come together in search of the Almighty. All of this boosts the atmosphere of spirituality—through the rituals of the ancients, sacred sounds, and chanting. When one enters the grounds of the Nataraja Temple, one can hear the beat of the nadaswaram, a South Asian wind instrument, and the ringing of the temple bell.
Spiritual Journey begins here with you.
The Story
Temples in Tamil Nadu are unique to the whole of India. The rituals and practices observed here are very different from the rest of India.
The Deity in each Temple represents a particular aspect of Divinity and the Mantrams and rituals offered to each Deity is specific to that Deity alone. As such, the energy and the type of vibration emanating from the `Deities’, will be different and serve different purposes. This is why we have so many different temples in different places that have served and stood the test of time.
The daily rituals continually charge the energy of the Temple. Upon crossing the threshold of the Temple one enters into this Divine Energy field. The individual`s energy body and chakras receive and absorb the divine power and energy emitted by the Deity.
One practically takes a `bath` in the energy of the deity. This will not only cleanse the energy body and the aura but also imparts the vibration of the Deity to the chakras. These vibrations can expel negative energies and can change the aura of the person with positive Divine energy when visiting and being in these ancient Temples.
Your 5 Day Programme...
CHECK-IN BY 4.30PM AT CHIDAMBARAM
Drive from Chennai on the ECR going South
Welcome Dinner at the Hotel and an informal get-together and discussion about the Spiritual Journey you are undertaking..
Early Morning Flight to Chennai.
Drive to Chidambaram will be about 6 hours - 246 kms.
Check-in by 4.30 pm
CHIDAMBARAM
VANAKKAM
CHIDAMBARAM
Day 1
South Indian Breakfast and on to the Temple.
1. Chidambaram - Tillai Nataraja Kovil
2.Sirkazhi - Tiru. Brahmapireeswara Kovil
Your Spiritual Journey begins at the Tillai Nataraja Temple. The Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, is a significant Civa temple dedicated to Lord Ciiva in his form as Nataraja. While the current temple structure is from the 10th century, the temple's history is believed to extend back to 3,500 years or more.
The temple is dedicated to Civa in His Nataraja form, the lord of cosmic dance, a central figure in Tamil Caivism. The temple is one of the five Panchabhootam Temples, represent the five elements of nature in Tamil Nadu, with Chidambaram representing the element of space (Akasha). It also represents Consciousness.
Unlike other Civa temples, Chidambaram houses an Akasha Lingam, representing the formless ether element, rather than a traditional Lingam. The temple is one of the most important and sacred temples for Civites, followers of Lord Civa, world over.
Despite being an ancient deity, Nataraja's story, and iconography continue to hold relevance and significance in modern times.
Nataraja's dance of destruction and regeneration serves as a reminder that change is an inevitable part of life and that destruction is necessary for new beginnings..
Day 2
MORNING DEPARTURE AFTER BREAKFAST
3. Tiru Kannayiram Udyar
EVENING TEA AND DEPARTURE
4. Tanjore
Morning drive to Kannayiram Udyar
participate in the temple rituals, meditation and experience of oneness with the deity there.
On to lunch and rest
In the late afternoon drive to Tanjore. Tanjore Periyakoil has various specialties such as architecture, sculpture and painting and stands tall as a testament to the architectural prowess of the Tamils. Raja Raja Cholan built this Temple as a devotion to Civa.
Dinner at Tanjore and return
"The soul continues its journey of birth, death and rebirth, in perpetuity until a final liberation. This is at the heart of the philosophy of detachment and learning to let go of desires."
Jamie - US, at Chidambaram
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
"Rituals can help us understand concepts that are otherwise elusive to grasp. I realise that rituals are physical doorways - the experience of moving through doorways evokes transition and creates an understanding of change."
Dr.Haddley - US, at Chidambaram
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
Day 3
MORNING DEPARTURE AFTER BREAKFAST
7. Tiru Needoor
EVENING TEA AND DEPARTURE
8. Swamy Mallai
Tiru Needoor is a special spiritual place to be at. As you take your morning drive, you prepare yourself for this serine environment being a part of the morning rituals and once again having your moment in time to be in this temple.
Lunch and rest for the evening
Swami Mallai is an ancient Spiritual. As you move from place to place you realise home human beings have built and maintained such structures as places of devotion to Civa.
Return back after the last pooja about 11 pm. A quick dinner and to bed.
"Dealing with the realisation of divinity is incredibly beautiful. As I sit in front of Civa, He teaches me of liberating from attachments. As I sit here in His temple the joy of His instant teaching - is not measured in words but by the teardrops of love that fulfils my heart."
David - UK, at Tanjore Periyakoyil
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
"Sitting in a temple where millions before me had come and gone, where my ancestors performed their prayers, were I sit now before Him, brings this imence feeling of love overflowing over me that cannot be described as I see the huge form I of Him in front of me."What a spiritual presence I feel!"
Kamala - Australia, at Tanjore Periyakoyil
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
Day 4
MORNING DEPARTURE AFTER BREAKFAST
Day 2
9. Mullaivaasai
EVENING TEA AND DEPARTURE
10. Civaloganatar
10a.Vaitheswaran Kovil
Morning drive to Mullaivaasai to enjoy being present in this very ancient temple. As you enter the temple, you will enjoy the peace and feel the energy that comes from within. Participating in the rituals you will be aware of these 1000's of years practices that have been passed on through time
Lunch and rest
In the evening drive to Civaloganatar and your time in this beautiful Civa Temple and be a part of the devotion to Civa that Nanthanar had here.
Return back with a stop at Vaitheeswaran kovil after the last pooja. A quick dinner and to bed.
"Experiences are the most powerfully elevating and impactful. These are experiences beyond words. The temples visited so far, each day, has given me feeling of union, a feeling of one-ness; an experience of merging into the oneness."
"As I journey, each day, the day brings me a different experience and awareness of Civa. I feel drawn to ‘Him.’ I go to bed thinking of Him, and I wake thinking of Him. I enjoy each moment, and am eternally grateful that I have been given this opportunity – this gift to visit these temples having these wonderful experiences."
Dr.Silvia - Civaloganatar Koyil
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
Day 5
MORNING DEPARTURE AFTER BREAKFAST
13. Tiru Kadaboor
EVENING TEA AND DEPARTURE
14. Tiru Kurukai
Your final day in the Spiritual Journey brings you some surprises. As the morning rituals begin your prayer is absorbed at this temple.
Lunch and rest
In the evening drive to 'kuruki. Here you are met with another story of Civa, his greatness and what he has done for those who truly call out for him. The evening rituals as you participate brings the greatness of Civa.
Return back after the last pooja. A quick dinner and to bed.
CHECK OUT
MORNING DEPARTURE AFTER BREAKFAST
TO CHENNAI
After morning breakfast, and check-out formalities are over, a formal thank you will be offered for joining our Spiritual Journey Retreat Programme
You would board your transportation back to Chennai for a 6 hour journey back.
C I T T ER wishes you well and hopes that this journey we have offered impacts a impression on you that opens your natural spiritual nature.
May your Spiritual path be fulfilled and we hope you will continue to journey with us in the future.
NANDRI
TAMIL NADU
India’s Tamil HeartLand, Tamil Nadu is truly Temple Country.
Nowhere else in India can you find so many beautiful examples of India’s famous primary coloured, carved Ancient Temples. Less exposed to the influences and invaders of the north, over the last thousand years Tamil Nadu was run by several very powerful and distinctive dynasties that helped to maintain the unique religious and political institutions. Thus, leaving a legacy of astounding temple towns throughout the state.
Tamil lands – Tamilagam were sought out by ancient pilgrims, rishis, munivers etc. They are considered spiritual lands and through many 1000’s of years are ancient spiritual seeking routs even now where temples were built with gopurams that soar above the tropical treetop canopies.
This Ancient Tamil Heartland covered with ‘Gopurams’(Temple Towers) is a symbol to a devotee that meant “A temple tower gives you ten million good things.” A proverb in Tamil says “don’t live in a place where there is no temple.” Temples are an integral part of Tamil way of life, - a centre to communicate with the higher Self. Every village or town will have one or more temples dedicated to a particular deity and most visit that temple regularly. Apart from a Temple being a place of worship: it also offers many valuable services to society.
Temples are for it’s :-
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Tranquility: The temple atmosphere with its soothing vibrations of holy chants and the sanctifying presence of the Deity serves as a tranquil retreat centre. It offers essential refreshing breaks that empower people to face the stresses of life.
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Education: The temple serves as a centre for higher spiritual education wherein people learn principles and practices for leading a life of moral and spiritual integrity. This education in foundational values enables people to use all their other education for socially beneficial purposes.
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Medication: The temple acts as a hospital for the mind. The medication it provides heals the diseased mentality.
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Purification: The temple purifies the hearts and the mind of those who visit it regularly. This purification inspires talented people with leadership potential to blossom into pure-hearted, selfless, principle-cantered leaders.
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Love: The temple offers a glimpse into the kingdom of God and is a doorway to the higher Self. In a vibrant temple, people learn to form relationships at the spiritual level. This leads to the experience a profound God-cantered love that provides them deep satisfaction and dramatically improves their relationships.
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Engagement: The temple provides people various satisfying engagements channelize their talents and energies into productivity and preserves, hands down to the next generation such training to continue with gratitude being a part of such a DNA through generations the tradition and culture of the Tamil people.
Such was the culture and workings of the ancient Tamil Civilisation.
"The simple reality is that Civa gives us divine encounters because He wills Himself to be known by us personally. The spiritual can be perceived in everyday life, but divine encounters happen because He wants us to know Him personally."
Dr. Mrs Mukerji - US, Vaiteeswaran Koyil
Spiritual Journey Retreat Experience
THE PROGRAMME
Our earth’s sacred sites have been designed by seekers before us for the purpose of fostering divine consciousness and the experience of enlightenment. Each sacred site acts as a mirror to reflect the limitations society and our own minds have placed upon our true expression. The self-awareness gained on a spiritual retreat is special and unique for each wayfarer and is perfect, a gift from the infinite within each of us. On a spiritual journey we have the opportunity to encounter our authentic self, integrity, clarity of mind and true purpose.
The magic of these experiences involves the opportunity to enter a dream of peace and unconditional love so you can envision how life can be when you are living from infinite consciousness.
“The ignorant state that love and Civa (The Godhead) are two different entities
They do not know that it is love that becomes Civa
Once they realize that it is love that becomes Civa
They will themselves rest in Civa who becomes nothing other than love.”
Spiritual Journey - WHAT TO EXPECT
Our itineraries combines the best of Spiritual Journey’s destination expertise and insider spiritual activities. Itinerary highlights include:
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Immerse yourself in the spirituality of one of the world’s oldest Spiritual practices and traditions of the Ancient Cittars with visits to various ancient temples and sacred sites set and established by them, where you will have the opportunity to experience private meditations, blessing ceremonies and rituals conducted in the temple.
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Challenge yourself and marvel at the spiritual commitment people had many thousand of years back dedicating their work to spiritual activity and practices. Notice these ancient temples in rural villages, towns and cities are the nucleus from where human habitat has grown due to the temple.
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Explore the Tamil Culture that is alive and has been alive every day since over 1000’s of years ago. Notice the architecture and history based on devotion to God, as you journey from one temple to another.
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Relax and rest yourself focusing your mind towards your Spiritual Journey pampering your very soul and set the healing process going.
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Absorb the different energies at each temple and have your personal contact.
Highlights
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5 nights 6 days accommodation
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14 Ancient Civa Temples in 5 days
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3 vegetarian meals daily
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Travel Executive to manage
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Daily meditation and basic breathing practices
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A/C Transportation from Chennai & back to Chennai and daily travel
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Talks on the specific temple being visited, its history and significance
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You learn the purpose and experience the temples you visit.
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Day of Silence
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Witnessing Temple Poojas & Rituals