Ashram
The Ashram
Dharmikam Ashram is an idyllic space in which to retreat. It is home to the world-renowned Indian School of Martial Arts, Kalari Chikilsa Healing Center and the Anjaneya Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Guests stay in traditional sun-filled accommodations, all with private baths and sit-outs. There are various gardens and a variety of ways to personalize a retreat. If you are interested in luxury suites with air conditioning, internet and other amenities, those accommodations can be provided.
You may wish to partake in any or all the modalities offered here, or you may wish to simply spend time in the rich, vibrant natural surroundings. The lush gardens and beautiful structures reflect the richness of the ancient teachings.
One of the highlights of the Ashram, beautifully and dutifully planned and built by Guru Hanuman Das, is a stunning garden that houses a large stone idol of Hanuman, whose hand is open in a gesture of blessing to his devotees.
Ashram Leadership
Amma, late Guruji’s wife, and a spiritual companion had dedicated her life to her husband. She had immersed herself for years doing daily chants, poojas, and meditation to the Supreme Self. Often quiet, she is known for her silent strength and advice that she had provided to Guruji and all the other people. Kindhearted and loving, she spreads her message of love and peace as the Ashram’s spiritual head overseeing all the activities at the Ashram.
Dr. Girish Balachandran Nair, son of the late Guruji, is the Director of the Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram. Trained since age 3 in Kalari and Kalari Chikitsa, he oversees the activities at the Ashram and determines future directions. He was initiated into the spiritual path at the age of 15 by Swami Swaroopanda. He is a practicing physician of modern medicine in Michigan, USA, and envisages integrating Eastern and Western medicine for healing patients.
Suji Kuriakose is the senior instructor. He has been training with Guruji since age 13 and has established a school at Muttom, Thodupuzha. He oversees the Kalari classes and treatment.
Nancy Kollander is a senior devotee of the Ashram from the United States. She first met Swamiji in April 2001 and came to India at least once a year since then. She now spends most of her time, dedicating her life to doing good in the world, including seva and education. She is the communication head of Ashram.
All day-to-day management questions regarding the Ashram should be addressed to the Ashram Manager.
Meditation
The Ashram is a place of peace and tranquility immersed in Nature. You will discover waterfalls, caves, gardens, lotus ponds, and open areas, all conducive to reflection and attaining a quiet and present mind. These areas were designed to not only showcase the Ashram’s natural beauty but to enhance meditative practices.
Meditation is any practice that connects the mind and the body. Its purpose is to help increase both physical and mental peace and calm, which also helps one to live more fully in the present moment. It is also considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine, as it can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind to facilitate healing.
Temple
The central attraction located within the Ashram grounds is the magnificent temple, Anjaneya Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, where daily rituals and celebrations take place. The Temple itself has been a destination for pilgrims from Kerala and all over India. All are welcome to join the daily, weekly, and monthly elaborate ceremonies that are awe-inspiring and showcase the devotion for which Hindu Temples and India in general, are known. Individual Poojas and Homas can be scheduled and performed at the Temple and would be booked through our office.
For many, many centuries, Gurus have passed down this rich spiritual heritage to their disciples. Guru Balachandran Nair, also known as Satguru Dharmanandha Swaroopa Hanuman Das Swamiji, is the one responsible for this preservation at the Ashram. According to the traditional Guru-Shishya Parampara, the disciple takes up residence with the teacher in the Ashram. This allows him to teach Kalaripayattu and Kalari Chikilsa to the disciple in an authentic way.
Because of this authentic tradition, Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram plays an important role in preserving India’s traditions, wisdom, and values.
Temple worship history
According to tradition, there is daily worship of God in the Temples of India. It is not as much a ritual as a way of life. It is meant for
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Physical exercise — as one walks around the temple or shrines
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Meditation — By focusing on the divine sculpture (made of wood, metal, or stone), concentration and peace of mind are developed
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Exchange of knowledge and information among the devotees
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Refreshing the mind through chanting mantras and listening to spiritual scholars and pundits, and,
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Recharging the mind and body through the sacred fire which transmits the magnetic and medicinal effects of the water, flowers, twigs, etc. used in the poojas. Besides the personal benefits, Temples offer social and economic benefits to the community.
The Ashram Temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman, who symbolizes devotion, and physical prowess, and although he possessed supernatural abilities, he was humble and often seen with folded hands. Hanuman’s most important virtues to be emulated are perseverance, pragmatism, strength, sense of humor, selflessness, devotion, true surrender, loyalty and humility.
ALL are welcome to visit, observe, learn, and take in the beauty of our Temple, no matter your culture, religion, or personal belief system.
Spiritual Practices
Practicing spirituality is the path one takes to realize the self and to become one with God, or the ultimate truth. This ultimate truth is described as “Satchidanand”, consisting of the words “Sat”, meaning ‘truth’, “Chit”, meaning ‘intellect’ and “Anand”, meaning ‘bliss’ or ultimate happiness.
Instinctively all humans are looking for these things. Nobody likes to be lied to, everybody prefers the truth. Nobody likes to be told that they are not smart. Everybody wants to be happy. Everything we do in our lives, the choices we make, are all because we believe it will make us happy. Usually we look for this happiness outside ourselves in the material world. Only, material things tend to give us temporary happiness. This is because material items are of temporary nature. Since the “Atma” or the soul is immortal, only something that is of immortal nature can give us true and permanent happiness. We can only realize this by turning inward and by looking for this happiness within ourselves. For this, one needs to practice.
Kalariyil Dharmikam Ashram conducts several practices that stimulate spiritual growth. While all activities and practices, from the temple activities to the martial arts practice and treatments at the Ashram are of spiritual nature and help to grow spiritually, certain practices are specifically for this purpose.
Visit the Ashram
Guests stay in traditional sun-filled accommodations, all with private baths and sit-outs. Individual Poojas and Homas can be scheduled and performed at the Temple and would be booked through our office.