Welcome to Coutrallam for an Advanced Meditation Course

Bid adieu to 2011 and usher in 2012

The AOL family, Tenkasi welcomes you to a wonderful New year-eve

Treat in a Retreat @ Coutrallam, the Spa of the South!

Coutrallam, hailed as the ‘Spa of the South', is situated at an elevated location on the Western Ghats  is famous for its waterfalls. The falls here make it a health resort as the waters run through forests of herbs and contain therapeutic qualities to cure physical ailments. 

 Legends would have it that Lord Shiva sent Saint Agastya to the South to avoid imbalance with the overcrowding ofMount Kailas on his Celestial wedding.Coutrallam temple contains many inscriptions about Chola and Pandya Kings. ChitraSabha -Hall of Pictures- is dedicated to Lord Nataraja and decorated with paintings of rural deities and puranic stories and events.  It is one of the five Sabhas, where Lord Nataraja is said to have performed the cosmic dance. Participants will get darshan of ThiruIlanjiKumaranand  Chakrateertham .  Sthalavruksham of this serene location isMagizhaMaram. Arunagirinadhar sang Thirupugazh on Him.

Course director               : Dr. Shri.ArunMadhavan

Additional treat               : TheanAmudhamsatsangs and Yoga Vasistha knowledge sessions

COURSE DATES           : 29 December 2011 to 1^st January 2012. You can arrive from 5.00pm 

                                            onwards on Dec 28^th, 2011. 

VENUE                           : Ramco Hall, Shenkottah Road, Coutrallam.

Course Contribution      : Type 1: Rs. 2,750/ (Course Donation Rs.1,500/ plus Rs.1,250/- for   

                                          Boarding and  Common Lodging.

                                       : Type 2:Rs. 3,750/(Course Donation Rs.1,500/ plus Rs. 2,250/ for Boarding     

                                          and Special Lodging

Remittances to                 : ASOKAN.K

                                            ICICI BANK LTD., TENKASI BRANCH, TAMIL NADU

                                           ACCOUNT No: 6129 0150 9934 – IFSC code: ICIC0006129

Participants are advised to deposit in the above account by cheque only.  If Cash is deposited, the Bank levy of Rs.165/ should be added and total deposit has to be made according to the Type of Lodging required.

Please note that this Course is completely residential and restricted to a limited number of participants. Hence only those who have registered before December 15, 2011 will be able to participate in the  program.

For more details, please contact:

K.ASOKAN- +919442065425-ka_asokan@yahoo.co.in

C.SUNDARESAN +919443702251-sundar59@airtelmail.in

M.RAVVICHANDRAN-  +91944904644-ravvichandran@gmail.com

SARADA SUNDARESAN- +919843247515-sunsar1965@gmail.com

Thaen Amudham Satsang in Jaffna Sri Lanka

“The ‘Aho’ moments in my life!

Excerpts from Dr.Arun Madhavanji’s address during the satsang at the Karpagam Auditorium after the Awards ceremony:


“The ‘Aho’ moments in my life!
It is said that the road of life can only reveal itself as it is traveled; each turn in the road reveals a surprise. My life journey has taken many unpredicted and astonishing twists.


There is a common perception that in order to get ahead in life, one shouldn’t give up. An opportunity presented itself very early in life – when only seven years of age and conscious about personal grooming. I was given the opportunity to don the role of the mythical Baladhandayudhapani (aka.Karthikeya) in a theatrical presentation on the Annual Day of the School. My dad who encouraged me to take up the role suggested two options for a realistic portrayal – either wear a wig or shave off the hair completely! Though conscious about what others perceived as very aesthetic locks of hair, I opted for giving up the crown completely to make it authentic. Perhaps the seeds for ‘giving up’ were sown then. Some years later in 1962 when the Chief Minister felicitated me for Academic excellence with five gold medals; I had the wonderful privilege and opportunity to return the entire lot for the National Defence Fund keeping in mind the then ongoing efforts to build resources during the Indo-China war.


My peer group mocked at my choice of doing graduate studies in Loyola College, as in early sixties, students of this Institution were taunted with the phrase the ‘Slaves of Loyola’ by other front- ranking college friends. Today it is a top ranking destination for academics and the very same friends seek admission for their wards here! Equally they were derisive and surprised at my choice of PG studies at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Today IIMA stands tall as one of the Best Business Schools in the world! My choice of the then Chartered Bank of India, Australia & China was found laughable. Apart bearing a name that was mouthful, it was not deemed a hot shot employer, ranking a poor seventh in the ranking of overseas banks operating in India. Towards the time when I opted to go on voluntary retirement, the Bank has already notched up the first position.


It was a ‘aho’ moment when invited me for Tea at the Raj Bhavan following my nomination on Prime Minister’s Special Project for Integrated Rural Development under 20 point program. The decision to forgo a lucrative corporate career to get into voluntary work in mid-forties was a thunderbolt surprise and shocker to bank customers, family and friends. It was an aho moment when Sri Sri gave me a bigger canvas to work on some very useful community initiatives.


The communiqué from Karpagam about conferring the Doctoral honor was another adding to the list of aho moments! ‘Karpagam’ incidentally is the mythical holy tree in heaven. It gives whatever one wants from it. Like the mythical tree itself, the Mother blesses her sincere devotees not only with all they pray for but also shower them with surprises. Today I look up to her seeking greater strength and commitment to serve the humanity better and bigger. A regular Doctor’s focus is more repairing the Body whilst your doctor will continue to focus on Body-Mind-soul.

Karpagam University Coimbatore -Convocation

Art of Living Udaipur Invites you for a Part II AMC.

Please click on the Image for viewing the message in bigger fonts.

Shri Arunji Honoured with Doctorate from Karpagam University

On 3rd October, 2011 at the Convocation held at  Karpagam University, Coimbatore,Justice M.Karpaga Vinayagam (third from right), Chairperson, National Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, presenting the degree of Doctor in Science (honoris causa) to  Shri.Arun Madhavanji, Banker-turned-Theologian.


Shri.Arun Madhavanji is the Founder trustee and First Chairman of The Art of Living Foundation. He was honoured for his interest in social service, involvement in several community projects, and contributions as a writer.

Karpagam University to confer Doctorate on Shri.Arunji.

It is with great delight that we share the news  of the  Doctorate - DSc  being awarded to our Shri. Arun Madhavanji by Covai Karpagam University. He will be receiving this honour at the Convocation Ceremony  commencing 11am on 3rd October, 2011  at the  Karpagam University Campus on Pollachi Main Road, Coimbatore 641021.


Arunji has dedicated this honour to Sri Sri  and all of us feel  proud  that  our Senior most Advanced Course Teacher and the  First Chairman of VVKI receiving this public honour in his Home State. 


There will  be a  Navratri Special satsang in the evening 5.30 pm onwards at the same venue. 

Advanced Meditation Course Part II with Shri.Arunji at Pune

After the recent rains in Pune and surroundings, the  AOL  Merkel campus was swathed in green providing a perfect picture post card  setting for the amc. Over a dozen of the cows from the in-house Goshala had expansive green belt by the riverside  to graze in freedom and  nourish themselves.

Those in the Meditation hall were equally engaged in nourishing  their body-mind and Soul. With Shravan Purnima intervening the Rivers  Bhima-Bhama  were in full flow in close proximity to the meditation hall.

 The Yog Vaishta sessions and the bhajans in the evening  attracted devotees from the City  travelling long  distances to bask in the Supreme Yoga of Ram Gita.

Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations

Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations with Divine Celestial Nectar Bhajans by 
Shri Arunji 


at Sri Kannika Parameswari School Auditorium Udumalpet on Thursday, 1st September 2011 6.00 pm onwards. 


All are welcome.

Memorable moments at Sri Villiputtur

For centuries, the auspicious Thiru Aadipooram festival is attracting devotees in very large numbers.The Andal shrine known as Natchiar Thirumaligai, is an architectural wonder with an intricately designed gopuram. The Vimanam above the sanctum sanctorum depicts scenes from the renowned ‘Thiruppavai' sung by Sri Andal in praise of the Lord.

The movement of the Car chariot, the biggest in Asia, was an awesome sight to behold; not surprising as  it was carrying  Bhudevi (Mother Earth ) in all Her Majesty  and splendour with the  galaxy of Gods and demigods present.

Shri.Arunji led a divine satsang on the penultimate night before the legendary Car festival that marked the finale of the festival  embellished with memorable moments.

Part II amc at the Triveni Ashram, Pune:11-14th August 2011

A special Independence Day-eve Part II Advanced course will be held between 11th -14th August at the picturesque Pune ashram in  the soothing arms of Mother Nature.

Come and unwind yourself  in deep silence and meditation and bask in Gurudev's  knowledge  and in special sessions on "Lessons of Yoga Vasishta" offered by Shri.Arunji from Bangalore. 

Experience true freedom!

Contact: email:vvmvp@inteluxindia.com 
Office coordinator, Pune Komal  9765999127. 
9765999123  Sukanto Bhuval. Ashram committee In- charge.
9765999125  Jayashree - Registrations.
9765999121  Ashram Care- taker.

An invitation to Thiru Aadi Pooram festival at Sri Villiputtur

The primary landmark of Sri Villiputtur is the 11-tiered tower structure dedicated to the Lord Vatapatrasayee. The tower  rises 192 feet high and is the official symbol of the Government of Tamilnadu. It is said to have been built by Periyaazhvar with a purse of gold that he won in debates held in the palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva. Due to the divine birth of Sri Andal in this town, it got the honorific of Srivilliputhur eventully to become part of the celebrated 108 Divya Desams.


Thousands of people throng the temple town every year to participate in the fortnight long Thiru Aadi Pooram festival and to witness the annual car festival. The festival marks the adoption of presiding deity, Sri Aandal, by Periyazhwar after he had found her near a Tulsi plant in the nandavanam of Vatapatrasayee Temple.


Shri.Arunji will lead a Divya satsang on Monday, the 1st August 2011 from 7pm onwards with Govindan Pugazh paadum keerthanaigal.   The car festival commences 8am following morning.

All are cordially invited