South- India
Sacred Arunachala Retreat
11-20 Oktober 2026
Experience the sacred Silence & grace of mountain Arunachala and Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvannamalai. A deep dive within silence and loving presence, our true essence. If you are ready to experience the opening and deep love of your own heart, than this retreat is for you.
- 4 days Silent Meditation retreat
- Visit Ramana's ashram & caves
- Pilgrimage around Arunachala
- Attending satsang of Ganga Maa
- Daily meditation, breathwork,
self inquiry, yin & hatha yoga
South-India:
Sacred Arunachala Retreat
11 - 20 Oktober 2026
Tiruvannamalai
The sacred mountain of Arunachala, located in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, has been an important area for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual retreat for centuries. According to scriptures, sages, and saints, this mysterious hill is believed to be the embodiment of Shiva, pure Consciousness. Ramana Maharshi, one of Rolandjan & Ellemarie's main teachers, was irresistibly drawn to Arunachala after his awakening at the age of 16, to continue his pathless inner journey mainly in meditative silence. For the rest of his life he lived in several caves and ashrams in and around Arunachala.
Surrounding the mystical hill are numerous ashrams, temples, and the tombs of great saints, drawing seekers, practitioners, and devotees from various spiritual paths. They come to experience the elevated vibrational energy, most clearly felt at the Samadhi (tomb) of Sri Ramana Maharshi. The entire hill seems to radiate a profound stillness and Silence, indescribable yet deeply felt. This sacred place has become a sanctuary for devoted seekers, providing the ideal atmosphere for deep meditation and reflection. Many enlightened beings have attained liberation here.
About the Retreat
We will start our retreat together with 4 days (Oct. 11th - 15th) of silence at the Greenland Ashram, a beautiful and quiet retreat venue outside of town and within close sight and felt presence of Arunachala. We will stay in simple and clean ashram style rooms and there is a wonderful lush garden we can explore. Just being here together will bring us into direct experience of the essence of our true Being. During these first retreat days in mouna (silence) we will practice meditation, self inquiry (who am I?), hatha & yin yoga, some karma yoga (selfless service in the ashram, in the form of small tasks) and our inner journey is supported by 3 nourishing and delicious Indian ashram meals per day. Experience the authentic Indian ashram life!
Here is an impression of how the silent retreat program most likely will be like:
Daily Rhythm Silent Retreat:
6.00-7.30 Meditation
8.00-9.00 Breakfast
10.00-12.00 Pranayama & Yoga practice
12.30-13.30 Lunch
13.30-15.30 Rest & Seva (optional some small Karma yoga task in garden)
15.30-16.00 Meditation
16.00-16.30 Chai time
16.30-18.30 Q&A Inspiration talk & Meditation
18.30-19.30 Diner
20.00-21.15 Yin / Restorative yoga
21.30 Rest
After the silent retreat we will move to the Sangham House in Tiruvannamalai on October 15th. This is a luxurious retreat house with roof terrace which serves as an open-air session space and swimming pool. There are spacious bedrooms and we will be within walking distance from Ramana Ashram, Arunachala hill, most temples, and satsang-teacher Ganga Ma. We will stay here for 5 nights and 6 days. During our stay at Sangam House we will have silent mornings, a morning practice such as meditation, yoga, and / or breathwork. These days we will explore together different caves of Arunachala to sink in deep meditation, visit Ramana Ashram, make an auspicious pilgrimage (girivalam) around Arunachala and attend satsang with Ganga Ma.
Daily Rhythm Sangam House (approx.):
8.00-9.00 Meditation
9.00-10.00 Breakfast (silent)
10.30-12.30 Satsang/ Yoga/ Breathwork/ visit Ramana Ashram
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-17.00 Free time/ Pool time
16.00-18.00 visit Ramana Ashram/ Arunachala hike
19.00-20.00 Diner
20.30-21.30 Evening Program: sharing, inspirational talk, etc.
Retreat Dates and Schedule:
11 Oktober: Check in at 1pm in Greenland Ashram in Tiruvannamalai. Start retreat 16pm.
11 till 15 Oktober: Silent retreat Greenland Ashram
15 Oktober: Check out Greenland Ashram / Check in Sangam House
15 till 20 Oktober: Sangam House
20 Oktober: Check out 11am Sangam House
Investment:
€ 1099,- All inclusive ( 9 nights/ 10 days, based on an 2-person shared room)
Inclusive:
- daily yoga, breathwork and meditation
- excursions
- three meals a day
- all transport and accommodation
- all entry fees.
Exclusive:
- International flight to Chennai or Bangelore (approx € 750,-,
- Visa (approx. € 40,-)
- Taxi from airport (Chennai or Bangelore) to Tiruvannamalai and back
(Chennai - Tiruvannamalai, 4hours, R4000 / € 40)
( Bangalore - Tiruvannamalai, 5-6 hours, R5600 ( 56)
- Travel insurance
We will have a document where everyone can put there flight details, so you can see if you can fly together/share a taxi.
Extra info:
Take into account that from Chennai airport it will take around 4hours with a taxi to Tiruvannamalai, from Bangalore it will take 5-6 hours.
If you arrive earlier then the start of the retreat, you have to arrange accomodation yourself. We can suggest some nice accomodations to stay.
What our participants have to share:
Your Guides
Arjuna and Rolandjan know each other for many years as dear friends that share common passions such as yoga, meditation and a great love for India.
Rolandjan van Mulligen
Rolandjan van Mulligen is a well known yoga & meditation teacher and breathwork coach. He is inspired by the teachings of non-duality (Advaita Vedanta) shared by teachers such as Ramana Maharshi, Mooji, and Adyashanti. He guides for many years individual sessions, group sessions, workshops, retreats and has been teaching for more than 15 years at well known yoga schools in Amsterdam, such as Delight Yoga and De Nieuwe Yogaschool.
Ellemarie Rietman
Ellemarie Rietman is known by her open, compassionate and heartfelt energy. She is a natural space holder, intuitive body worker and good organizer. She is a yin yoga teacher and breathwork coach. During the retreat she will standby Rolandjan and together they will facilitate the retreat.
How to sign up?
You can book your spot right away by filling in the form below. You will receive a confirmation through email and we will get in touch with you.
If you like to receive more information or just would like to meet us, you can send an email to rolandjanvm@gmail.com or feel free to call Rolandjan at +316-3625 8493.
Spots are going pretty fast, so let us know soon if you want to be sure of your spot on this beautiful life-changing journey!