Saccidananda Ashram, Benedictine abbey and ashram in Tannirpalli, India.
Saccidananda Ashram sits on the banks of the Kavery River, bringing together Christian monastic tradition and Indian spiritual practices. The complex includes prayer halls, meditation spaces, living quarters for monks and visitors, and areas dedicated to farming activities.
The monastery was founded in 1950 by French priest Jules Monchanin and Benedictine monk Henri le Saux, who adopted Indian spiritual names. Their founding grew from a desire to bring Eastern and Western religious traditions together in a new way.
The name Saccidananda brings together Christian and Hindu spirituality, with Sat meaning Being, Cit meaning Consciousness, and Ananda meaning Bliss. The community lives this blend daily through their prayers and meditations, using Sanskrit terms within Christian rituals.
Visitors can join daily meditation sessions, prayers, and personal retreats while staying in simple accommodations on the grounds. It is best to contact ahead and bring appropriate clothing for the sacred spaces.
The grounds operate organic farming areas, a dairy farm, and a worm composting unit to ensure self-sufficiency and environmental care. These practices show how the community puts its spiritual philosophy into action through concrete environmental measures.
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