✨ India Immersion Retreat – Maha Shivaratri 2026 ✨

📅 February 9–21, 2026 | Tiruvannamalai & Pondicherry, South India

Find the in depth details towards the end of this message.

A Transformative Journey into the Heart of Tamil Nadu

Dear Friends,

Many of you have asked when I’ll take a group to India again—the time has come! Susanne and I are thrilled to offer this intimate 8-person retreat, a deep and sacred immersion into India’s mystical essence.

This is not your typical tourist trip but an opportunity for profound transformation, aligned with powerful cosmic energies:

✨ Maha Shivaratri – A night of transcendence, celebration and devotion, culminating in a powerful Girivalam (circumambulation of Arunachala)
✨ Pradosham – A rare hidden temple puja for spiritual renewal and clearing
✨ New Moon – A time for deep receptivity, solitude, and connection

Nestled at the foot of Arunachala, the sacred mountain revered as Shiva Consciousness itself, we will walk its ancient paths, meditate in caves of sages, and visit powerful temples and ancient sites. Our comfortable guesthouse is within walking distance of Ramana Maharshi’s ashram, temples, markets, and cafés.

✨ Spiritual Immersion Highlights

Sacred Walks & Meditations at Virupaksha Cave & Skandasramam, where Ramana Maharshi lived
Temple Visits – Arunachaleswarar, Adhi Annamalai, Chidambaram Nataraja, & a hidden Pradosham temple
Maha Shivaratri Girivalam – Walk barefoot around Arunachala, a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Private Siddha Doctor Consultation & Varma Therapy – Rare holistic healing
Attuning to the Five Elements – Connecting with air, earth, fire, water, and space through sacred sites and practices
Traditional Sattvic Cooking Class
Five Home-Cooked Sattvic Lunches
One Healing Massage Treatment for rejuvenation
Daily Morning Siddha Practices for deeper connection
Private Kirtan with Sangeeta in a beautiful setting with a view of Arunachala
Spiritual Guest Lecture – A special surprise talk with a remarkable teacher
Spontaneous Local Experiences based on the group’s energy and flow
Pondicherry Retreat Finale – A perfect close to our journey

✨ Pondicherry Retreat Finale

Our journey concludes with two days in Pondicherry, where French-Indian charm meets spirituality. We will:

Visit Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, Auroville, & Manakula Vinayagar Temple
Stroll through tree-lined boulevards and pastel streets
Explore quaint cafés and boutique shops while soaking in the coastal serenity

✨ Pricing & Details

Single Room with Ensuite Bathroom (allocated on a first-come, first-served basis)
Early Bird (until Sept 1, 2025): $2,800
Regular Price (after Sept 2, 2025): $3,300
Deposit: $600 secures your spot. This deposit is non-refundable (balance due by Oct 15, 2025)

Includes:

✔ Excursions & temple visits
✔ 5 home-cooked sattvic meals in a traditional family setting
✔ Traditional cooking class in a traditional sattvic setting with healing recipes
✔ 1 Siddha Doctor Consultation & Varma Therapy Session
✔ 1 Relaxing Massage Treatment
✔ Daily Siddha Practices
✔ Airport Transfers (Chennai pickup & drop-off)
✔ Private Kirtan & Surprise Lecture
✔ Single Room Accommodations

Excludes:

✖ International Airfare to India
✖ Most meals
✖ Tips & personal expenses

Questions or ready to join? Email Jutta at: juttamariah@gmail.com

With love,
Jutta & Susanne 💛

More detailed information:

Auspicious Days:

Maha Shivaratri is a night of celebration, transcendence, and devotion to Shiva—the cosmic force of transformation. The planetary alignment creates an upward surge of energy, making it an ideal time for meditation and spiritual awakening. More than a ritual, it is an opportunity to experience Shiva-consciousness—pure awareness beyond form and thought. Occurring once a year, this sacred night will be marked by a special Girivalam (circumambulation of Arunachala)—a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Pradosham occurs twice a month, during both the waxing and waning moon phases, and is a powerful time for clearing and spiritual renewal. In South Indian Shiva temples, Nandi, the sacred bull and symbol of the perfect disciple, is specially worshipped. On this sacred evening, we will visit a hidden gem of a temple, open only during Pradosham, to experience a potent, transformational puja. This off-the-beaten-path temple is always a highlight, and we are thrilled to share its profound energy with you!

New Moon symbolizes cleansing, solitude, and deep receptivity, preparing us to embrace the Divine flow within. As the feminine aspect of our journey, it invites openness and renewal. On this sacred day, we will embark on a special trip to a powerful Shiva temple.

Sacred Visits & Experiences

We will walk up Arunachala, taking time to sit in silence at two powerful meditation sites:

Virupaksha Cave – A sacred space where Ramana Maharshi spent years in deep silence, radiating the essence of pure being and self-abidance.
Skandasramam – A serene hermitage higher up the hill, where Ramana lived with his mother and devotees, offering seekers guidance through silent presence and self-inquiry.

Arunachaleswarar Temple – One of the most revered Shaivite temples, embodying Shiva as the element of fire (Agni), in the Pancha Bhoota Stalas (five elemental temples). Nestled at the foothills of Arunachala, it radiates spiritual illumination and inner transformation.
A private consultation & treatment with highly trained and skilled Siddha doctors, educated in Siddha universities and the traditional GuruKula system under Siddha Healer Pal Pandian—a rare and profound healing experience.
Adhi Annamalai Temple – A primal, ancient manifestation of the divine on the quieter side of Arunachala, exuding a raw, subtle energy perfect for deep contemplation.
Fort Gingee & Vishnu Temple – A majestic hilltop fortress steeped in history, offering breathtaking views and a rare Vishnu temple nearby, preserving echoes of Tamil Nadu’s powerful past.
Pradosham Puja in a ‘Hidden’ Temple – A rare off-the-beaten-path experience in an ancient temple open only for Pradosham. This sacred offering will be deeply soul-stirring and transformative.
Maha Shivaratri Girivalam – A once-in-a-lifetime experience as thousands walk barefoot around Arunachala, Shiva’s sacred embodiment, under the glow of oil lamps and mantra chants. This night-long pilgrimage is a journey of surrender, purification, and deep spiritual awakening.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple – A profound sanctuary of Shiva as the Cosmic Dancer, representing ether (Ākāsha), sound, and truth in the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas. At its heart lies the Chidambara Rahasyam—a hidden empty space symbolizing formless, infinite consciousness. Patanjali & Vyaghrapada’s Tapas – In Chidambaram, these great sages attained realization through intense spiritual practice, embodying the journey toward divine truth and inner liberation.

Rama Swami Lingam Shrine – A special Siddha shrine we will visit en route, resonating with Shiva’s cosmic rhythm and transcendence.
Sacred Elemental Sites – Visits to ancient places deeply connected to air, earth, and water, allowing for a profound elemental connection.

Private Kirtan with Sangeeta – A soul-stirring kirtan with a renowned singer, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Arunachala and rice fields—a truly heart-opening experience.

Sattvic Cooking Class – A hands-on session in a nourishing home environment, where you’ll learn healing family recipes and have the opportunity to purchase handmade spice blends.

Five Traditional Homemade Lunches – Specially prepared healthy, traditional meals in private settings, offering an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Surprise Guest Talk – A rare and inspiring session with a special teacher—a unique spiritual opportunity.

Daily Siddha based Practices & Ayurvedic Wellness Talks – Most mornings (except travel days), we will engage in ancient Siddha-based practices to enhance sensitivity and connection, along with wellness discussions on health and lifestyle.

One Rejuvenating Massage Therapy – Enjoy a deeply relaxing massage treatment to unwind and integrate the journey.

Spontaneous Local Experiences – Depending on the group's flow, we’ll include a few special surprises, adding to the magic of the experience.

Time for Yourself – Ample free time for shopping, quiet contemplation, reading, or enjoying chai in cozy cafés.

We will spend our final two days in Pondicherry, where French colonial charm meets South Indian vibrancy. Wandering through its tree-lined boulevards, pastel buildings, and serene seaside promenades, you'll experience a town where history, art, and spirituality blend effortlessly. We will visit Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram, Auroville, and the vibrant Manakula Vinayagar Temple, a beautifully adorned shrine dedicated to Ganesha.