Melkote Yoga Immersion
With Sri M. A. Alwar and andrew eppler
January 26-31, 2025
Earlybird Price Ends November 15th!
Melkote is an ancient village located an hour and twenty minutes from Mysore India. Melkote is a centre for yogic knowledge in South India and has a very close connection with the Yoga Tradition of Mysore. Melkote is the epicenter of the yogic tradition that Sri Krishnamacharya came from and it has been patronized by the Royal Family of Mysore for the last 400 years, since the beginning of the Wadiyar Dynasty. Learn about the ancient roots of the yoga parampara which gave the world Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga! We will be practicing yoga in thousand year old temples, visiting the holy sites and learning about the rich history of the yoga we love to practice. This will be an immersion in Indian culture and a profound educational experience.
When we trace the history of yoga postures that were taught and practiced in Mysore we get a somewhat limited idea about the overall background of yoga in Mysore. When we explore the spiritual tradition that Sri Krishnamacharya came from we get a much more complete understanding of the rich and beautiful tradition that the yoga we practice today has come from. To learn more about the history of Nathamuni Sampradaya have a look at our tribute page to our late acharya SRI LAKSHMITHATHACHAR.
For yoga practitioners that would like to explore the spiritual tradition behind Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, this will be an absolutely unforgettable experience!
ASHTANGA YOGA AND PRANAYAMA PRACTICE EVERY DAY.
MUDRA, BANDHA AND CLASSICAL HATHA YOGA EDUCATION from the Sri Krishnamacharya tradition.
HISTORICAL TOURS EACH DAY WITH FULL ACCESS TO ANCIENT TEMPLES AND HOLY PLACES THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY KNOWN ABOUT OR AVAILABLE TO FOREIGN YOGA STUDENTS.
LEARN ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY AND WORLD VIEW OF NATHAMUNI SAMPRADAYA WHICH IS THE SPIRITUAL TRADITION THAT SRI KRISHNAMACHARYA CAME FROM.
FULL TOUR OF THE SAMSKRITI FOUNDATION WHERE WE WILL LEARN ABOUT THE PRESERVATION OF ANCIENT INDIAN PALM LEAF MANUSCRIPTS AND EVEN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOLD THE MANUSCRIPTS IN OUR HANDS AND HAVE THEM READ TO US BY HIGHLY TRAINED SCHOLARS.
STAY IN CLEAN, COMFORTABLE ROOMS AT S V COMFORTS HOTEL IN MELKOTE.
WE WILL PROVIDE TWO DELICIOUS MEALS EACH DAY. THIS WILL BE AYURVEDIC AND SATVIC FOOD PREPARED WITH GREAT CARE BY TRADITIONAL BRAHMINs. USING THE FRESHEST LOCALLY SOURCED INGREDIENTS, WE PROVIDE FOOD THAT IS THE TRADITIONAL DIET FOR YOGA PRACTITIONERS. EACH MEAL IS AN EXQUISITE CULINARY EXPERIENCE!
TRANSPORTATION TO ALL DESTINATIONS WITHIN AND AROUND MELKOTE IS INCLUDED.
Asana will be practiced in Kalyani Ghat. A 1000 year old temple that makes yoga feel like the ancient practice it truly is.
Located on a hilltop in Karnataka just an hour and twenty minutes from Mysore, Melkote is home to some of the most important temples and yogic history of Mysore’s yoga tradition.
Daily Schedule
9am-11am Asana/Pranayama/Meditation In Kalyani Temple
11am-12pm Breakfast
12pm-3pm free time
3:30pm-6pm Explore Melkote with Sri Alwar and his brother Ananth. Each day we will see one of the amazing temples or holy places that Melkote in famous for. Not only will we see the temples and holy places but we get to take part in the rituals and have the background explained by expert scholars who grew up in these temples and know all the stories, symbology and philosophy that these places are steeped in. Experiencing the energy of these ancient temples which have been places of continuous spiritual practice for over 1000 years is an indescribably beautiful and adds a new dimension to our experience of yoga.We will have unprecedented access and detailed explanations of the history and philosophical background of each temple or holy site.
7:30pm Dinner
If you are based in Mysore and want to come to Melkote for an afternoon adventure, you can book afternoons individually. Dinner is included! Melkote is one hour and twenty minuted from Mysore by taxi.
Sunday January 26th Danush Koti
This is the place where Rama shot his arrow into the earth to draw water for his wife Sita in the Ramayana. To this day water flows out of a huge boulder in this place. Of course we will get to heart the story from Sri Alwar who grew up in this place and played there as a kid. Finish your day with a delicious meal prepared according to stringent Brahmanical traditions and made from the finest local ingredients as well as ghee and curds from the cows living just behind the house.
Danush Koti
Where the arrow of Rama struck
Monday January 27th Thonnur Lake
Thonnur is a lake with beautiful water and three different temples to explore. We will hike and take pictures and have a discussion of Bhagavad Gita philosophy with Sri Alwar while we are there. Finish your adventure with a delightful meal made with traditional ingredients.
Thonnur Lake Temple
Hike, explore and experience an ancient holy place as you learn the history and cultural background in a rich experience you will not forget.
Tuesday January 28th Lakshmi Nariana Temple
Witness this ancient temple and enjoy a talk about its history and spiritual significance. The carvings in this temple are exquisite! The stories of both the Mahabharata and the Ramayana are depicted in carvings that stretch around the entire circumference of the temple. Yoga photography is available for anyone interested. Finish your adventure with a delightful meal made with traditional ingredients.
Lakshmi Nariana Temple
The intricate level of carving in this temple set it apart from all others
Wednesday January 28th Rayadourgam Temple
Experience one of Melkote’s finest temples and take a final journey into ancient Indian culture with Sri Alwar who is the Acharya of Nathamuni Sampradaya and who grew up in Melkote. Get a full guided tour as well as stories and explanations for each aspect of the temple. Finish your adventure with a delightful meal made with traditional ingredients.
Rayadourgam Temple