Kodaikanal

Rameswaram Ocean Meditation Retreat Center

In the winter of 2008 Tureya Foundation will be opening a meditation retreat along the coastline of Rameswaram, one of the Holy Cities of southern India. Rameswaram is renowned for its spiritual heritage and is considered one of the major pilgrimage sites of India. An island in the shape of a conch shell, Rameswaram is home to many spiritual traditions. The island also houses several temples, one of which was constructed in the 12 century AD and contains 40 natural wells which are used by the pilgrims as spiritually cleansing baths.

The meditation retreat in Rameswaram is an ideal location for contemplative practices, and with a private beach Tureya guests will find the space they need to move within and find peace in their mind, body, and soul. Their are also many other places to visit while on the island, and it is only a 2 minute drive to the mainland.

According to the Puranas, Rameswaram is a significant location in Hindu tradition because it was the location in which Rama and Sita had been instructed to installed a Sivalinga to worship Brahma and exalt themselves from the killing of the Bhramin Ravana. In the Ramayana, one of the spiritual epics of Hinduism, Rama's wife Sita is kidnapped by the evil king Ravana. Ravana takes Sita to his island in an attempt to distance himself from Rama and make Sita one of his brides. But Rama's friend Hanuman, ruler of the monkeys, is an amazing tracker (and super hero) and after searching the globe he manages to find Ravana's Kingdom. But only one problem remains; there is a vast ocean which makes it impossible for Rama and his troops to rescue Sita from the evil king. With great force and labor, Hanuman and his monkeys build a bridge from India to the Island and save Sita from the clutches of evil.

While most epics are considered stretched and rewritten stories of the past, Rama and Sita's tale hold its ground. In recent past NASA has identified a strange bridge which connects Sri Lanka to India, a bridge that is connected between Rameswaram and the Sri Lankan coast. This is no ordinary land bridge either, as it is made of a series of rock which is capable of floating above the ocean floor. Based upon studies which have shown the gradual rise in sea levels, it is possible that this floating bridge was once above the water and capable of being walked across. To the right is satellite a photo of the bridge.

Photos of Rameswaram Beach Meditation Retreat

Tureya private beach.	Fishing boats in the ocean at Rameswaram
More Fishing boats at Rameswaram
Another photo of the private beach at Rameswaram
Boat used by local fishermen.	Photo of the Local village near the retreat center.