Welcome to sivanandapeetham

Varkala, Kerala, India

Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham will be conducting its Yoga Teachers Training courses in Varkala beach resort in Thiruvananthapuram Dist, Kerala, India.

For information on the ashram, see below. Travel Directions are given too.

Fortingall Sea Resort

Opp.Deshadan beach&cliff resort
Kurakanni cliff,
Varkala-695141, Trivandrum, Kerala
Ph: + ( 91 ) - 9387505007
Mob: + ( 91 ) - 9895185007

Accommodation

The Fortingall Sea Resort has only 12 double rooms; and more people can be accommodated in nearby areas if needed.
Admission is on a first come first served basis.
To maintain the sanctity of the course location, we accommodate guests on the following conditions:
• No consumption of alcohol & non-vegetarian food
• No smoking either on campus or outside while undertaking the course.
• Students will follow the yogic way of life while in the ashram.

Food

The main meals are provided daily twice at 9.30 am and 5.30 pm. The food is based on the South Indian tradition. Menus are vegetarian, simple, nutritious... and good tasting! Prepared with love and care according to yogic dietary principles, two buffet style, lacto-vegetarian meals are served daily. Absent from the menu are meat, fish, fowl, eggs, garlic, onions and coffee. A cup of tea is available at 7.00 am and 1.00 pm !!!

Other facilities

All the facilities shown below are charged and payment is made in cash in Indian rupees only.

Boutique

The boutique stocks many items including spiritual books, yoga mats, stationery, postcards, CDs, shawls, yoga and casual Indian style clothing, toiletries and cosmetics, batteries, and simple snack foods.

Telephone/email

Email and telephone facilities are available. However, the facilities are limited so guests must keep email and telephone communications to a minimum, to allow all guests equal access. Mobile phone signals from all major companies are available in the resort compound. Use of mobile phones in all classes, dining areas and also inside the rooms are prohibited due to the respect to other’s privacy.

Post

Incoming and outgoing post services are available at the resort reception. Provide our postal address to your correspondents

Laundry Service

An independent and affordable laundry service is available during Yoga Teachers Training Course.

Safe Keeping

Valuables may be stored in a locked safe in the reception area, however this facility is provided at the Guest's own risk. Do not leave valuables openly in the rooms as petty theft may occur. We recommend you not to bring high value items to the resort as we cannot guarantee the facilities to secure them.

Health Hut / Canteen

Health Hut provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy fruit salads, juices and snacks outside the class schedule.

Library

A small library is available, housing a variety of books on yoga related topics.

Recycling

Batteries - a separate disposal bin is located at reception.

Money exchange & Travel arrangements

Varkala is a famous tourist area. Banks are situated in nearby areas of the resort. For making travel arrangements please approach the ashram reception for guidance.

Other useful info

Any unwanted items, such as used clothing, medicine etc. may be left at reception for distribution to those in need. All the above facilities are closed during classes, satsang times and after 20:00 hrs.

How to reach here:
Most students are likely to fly into international airport at Thiruvananthapuram ( old name: Trivandrum ). Other nearby int'l airports are at Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore . From here you can take an internal flight to Thiruvananthapuram or by train to Varkala.

By air

The nearest international airport is in Thiruvananthapuram. Other International airports near by are in Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai and Bangalore from where one can fly into Thiruvananthapuram. One can travel by bus or taxi to the resort location in Varkala.

By train

The closest railway station is Varkala Sivagiri. This is not a major station. All trains may not have stops here. The resort is about 5 km from the Varkala Sivagiri railway station. The major stations close by are in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. These stations are linked to all major cities in India by rail.

Check with the South Indian railways. From these railway stations take a taxi or bus to the ashram.
You are advised to book rail tickets as soon as possible. Trains are often fully booked in high season (December and January) due to local festivals, so you may need to allow for this when planning your time of travel. Train e-tickets can be booked up to three months in advance via the internet. Train information can be obtained via www.indianrail.gov.in . Limited seats in higher classes are available for credit card bookings via www.irctc.co.in .

Bus Service/taxi

Bus/taxi services are available to Varkala from all the major places nearby. If you need Sivananda Yoga Vidya Peetham to arrange your pick up from either airport, railway station or any nearby location please email : sivanandapeetham@gmail.com giving fully the arrival details.

If you have any difficulties and need advice, please contact the ashram: + 91 – 944 751 5503
Before you come

If you have any difficulties and need advice, please contact the resort Ph: + ( 91 ) - 9387505007 / Mob: + ( 91 ) - 9895185007

Before you come

Visas

check whether you are required to arrange a visa before you enter India. Be careful to apply for a tourist visa, whilst you will be studying yoga here, a student visa is a very different visa and you will require supporting information which only academic establishments like universities can provide. Your reason for visiting should be stated as a tourist.

Vaccinations

You are advised to contact your local medical centre regarding any necessary vaccinations or medicines for your trip to India.

Contact

How to contact the resort in Varkala directly - address and telephone as shown above.

About Us

Course Location

Almora, Himalayas, North India