7-Day Retreat in Southern India

with Tara Mitra and Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat

January 5 - 12, 2025

Spiritual Immersion in South India

Join Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat and me for a supercharged 7-day retreat offering traditional Ashtanga Yoga incorporating Yoga Therapy, as well as classes on Pranayama, Vedic Chanting and Ritual in the serene surroundings of the Western Ghats in Karnakata.


Our transformative retreat begins at the new year and the transition of the sun you can prepare yourself to deepen your search on the path. This is a time for cleansing and removing impurities, marking the perfect moment for new beginnings and personal growth.

We will start each morning at 6:00 AM with Mysore-style Classes and Pranayama, led by Tara. After a healthy breakfast, Dr. Vigneshwar (a Vedic Priest and Sanskrit Scholar with three masters degrees)  will teach the significance of rituals and philosophy, as he learned in the Ancient Gurukul system in India. The days will be filled with various activities, including meditation, nature walks, and group discussions, and will conclude with a delicious sattvic dinner.

We endeavour to create the most authentic experience, from being with a local family to sharing Āyurveda home remedies to knowledge for life from the Vedas to enrich this week together of Exploring the inner and outer worlds while still having time for relaxation, good conversations and incredibly home-cooked meals. 

Spiritual Retreat Information

    • Mysore style classes

    • Pranayma

    • Chanting and philosophy for life (Nirvana Shaktam)

    • How to cook delicious Sattvic Meals

    • mantras for daily life

    • Traditional home remedies, discussion on the purpose of life inner senses 

    • Introduction to Yoga philosophy and how to put it in practice 

    • Fire ceremony Yagna: a Tantric Ritual related to the Goddess

    • Discussions, bhajans on daily evening satsang

    • Pilgrimage to Yana & Sahasrlinga and the waterfalls

    • Guidance for individual sadhana (personal practice) 

  • *a Rushikulam is a gathering place of sadhikas and investigators

    A brand new center dedicated to Vedic Studies (Sankrit, Mantras, Puja and Homas-fire ceremony) Nestled amidst the serene sanctuary of natural beauty within the Western Ghats, Yellapur in Uttara Kannada in Southern India offers a breathtaking landscape. Lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and meandering rivers create a picturesque backdrop against the azure sky. Tranquil forests cloak the hills, providing a haven for wildlife and adventurers alike. The region is rich in cultural heritage, with vibrant festivals and rituals celebrating Karnataka's essence. 

    Exploring further reveals Sahasralinga, where the Shalmala River showcases a thousand lingas carved into its bed, and the enigmatic rock formations of Yana, steeped in myth and mystery.

    Gokarna, with its sacred shores and pristine beaches,

    adds spiritual depth to the coastal charm.

  • Address:
    Rushikulam International Centre for Indic studies and research
    Mahilamandal road, 581359 Yellapur
    Karnataka India

    Yellapur is accessible via bus and train from all major cities.
    For those arriving by air, the center is a 3 hours journey
    from Goa International Airport and 1 hour from Hubli Airport.

  • Lush greenery, cascading waterfalls, and meandering rivers create a picturesque backdrop against the azure sky. Tranquil forests cloak the hills, providing a haven for wildlife and adventurers alike. This area holds rich culture, with vibrant festivals and rituals celebrating Karnataka's essence. 

    Exploring further reveals Sahasralinga, where the Shalmala River showcases a thousand lingas carved into its bed, and the enigmatic rock formations of Yana, steeped in myth and mystery. 

    Gokarna, with its sacred shores and pristine beaches, adds spiritual depth to the coastal charm.

  • Our guests treated to homemade Organic, Sattvic Meals and healthy beverages three times a day, along with healthy beverages. 

    Indulge in our nutritious vegetarian dishes, lovingly prepared using locally sourced ingredients, that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied.

  • Price includes includes All classes, two pilgrimages, 3 sattvic meals daily and accommodation

    Early Bird up to August 31 - 780 pounds / 80,000 rupees
    From September 1st - 900 pounds / 95,000 rupees
    Deposit: 250 pounds (deposit is required to hold your spot)
    Deposits are non-refundable

    Prices excludes
    Airfare (flight tickets)
    Visa (indianvisaonline.gov.in)
    transfer from and to the nearby Airports - we can help arrange this for you

    Registration is open until October 15 or until the last free spot.

    If you have any questions please email taramitrayoga@gmail.com

    Once your reservation is confirmed we meet online to answer any querstions you may have an ensure you are prepared for out adventure together.

Investment

All levels from beginner to advanced are welcome.

780 pounds or 80,000 rupees. The price includes all classes, two pilgrimages, three sattvic meals daily, and accommodation. It does not include travel, visa, or expenses. 

Early Bird up to November 15 - 780 pounds / 80,000 rupees
From November 16- 900 pounds / 95,000 rupees
Deposit: 250 pounds (deposit is required to hold your spot). Deposits are non-refundable

Registration is open until December 31 or until the last free spot.

If you have any questions please email taramitrayoga@gmail.com

Once your reservation is confirmed we meet online to answer any querstions you may have an ensure you are prepared for out adventure together.

WHO ARE WE?

  • Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat 

    Dr. Vigneshwar Bhat was born and raised in Karnataka. He holds a Ph.D. in Karma Meemamsa from Karnataka Sanskrit University. He earned gold medals for his M.A. degrees in Poorvameemamsa Vidwat Uttama and Sahitya Acharya from Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati. His expertise extends to Śauta, Smārta, Tāntrik, and Paurāṇik rituals and he is a Vedic priest and professor.

    His research interests include Indian Philosophy, Yoga, Vedas, Sanskrit, and Indian Culture and Traditions. Dr. Bhat has authored numerous papers and books, shedding light on the profound wisdom of ancient scriptures.

  • Tara Mitra

    with her unique blend of East Indian and Canadian heritage, has been practising yoga for over 20 years and has been exploring her mind since 1989. This rich cultural connection and her innate gift allow her to share pure knowledge from the East with the modern world of yoga in the West, creating a bridge of understanding and appreciation. 

    Under the guidance of renowned teachers Tim Miller, R. Sharath, and R. Saraswathi Jois, Tara immersed herself in Ashtanga Yoga. Her dedication was evident as she spent 4 years assisting in a busy shala in Mysore, India. (lvl 2) 

    She has been a student of Dr. Vigneshwar Bhats for almost a decade and continually studies the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and Vedic Chanting. 

    Tara is also a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IYAT, T. Krishnamacharya lineage) who specializes in trauma, stress, and anxiety.

    Tara's unwavering belief in the path of continuous learning is the cornerstone of her teaching philosophy. Her commitment to expanding her knowledge, evident in her continuous studies of yoga sutras, Upanishads, Ayurveda, and Healing, inspires confidence in her students. This dedication, coupled with her traditional yet playful teaching style, which incorporates the teachings of her mentors, makes her a highly effective and respected yoga teacher. 

We hope you join us for this unique opportunity to learn how these traditional practices can help us overcome our difficulties and thrive. This is a powerful opportunity to have close accces to both Tara Mitra & DR. Bhat and hos family and ask questions about life.

All levels, from beginner to advanced, are welcome