Vel, Murugan's weapon

[Wanniyal-aeto visitors stay 'Naturally at the Taj' in the Samudra Cottage Wanni homestead]
Samudra Cottage, Colombo:
"Naturally at the Taj"

Muruga Bhakti Ashrams

Murugan Bhakti is nothing new or unusual in Sri Lanka and South India. In every hamlet one can find devotees of Skanda-Murugan. Wherever Murugan bhaktas assemble, as at Palani or Tiruchendur or Kataragama or even at remote villages along the pada yatra pilgrims' routes, some devotees join hands to create facilities for pilgrims and devotees to rest, strive and celebrate. Most are in remote rural areas, yet others may be found even in the heart of metropolitan areas of Madras and Colombo.

Murugan bhaktars typically agree upon a common set of principles as laid down by ancient poets, siddhas and rishis like Arunagirinathar. All over the Indian subcontinent, ashrams operate according to age-old principles of Varnashrama Dharma.

The typical ashram is a wattle-and-daub thatched hut upon a half acre of land occupied by a lone sadhaka engaged in sadhana as taught by his (or her) teacher. If the ashram resident is consulted in advance, often one may stay for a few days in the spartan setting while learning more about Murugan bhakti in practice.

This listing includes well-established ashrams as well as new ashrams yet being developed.

Muruga Bhakti Ashrams in Sri Lanka

    [Param Swami, the resident swami of Kataragama Kæle Kendra from 1993-96]
    Kataragama Ashram
  1. Kataragama Kæle Kendra, Kataragama
  2. Okanda-Kudumbigala Heritage Reserve, Ampara dist.
  3. The Samudra Cottage, Colombo Galle Face
  4. Ulpotha Sanctuary, Kurunegala dist
  5. Selli Amman Muruga Bhakti Ashram, Sambalttivu, Trinco dist.
  6. Pattitidal Muruga Bhakti Ashram, Mutur, Trinco dist.
  7. Pada Yatra Madam, Vantarumoolai, Batticaloa dist.
  8. Udappu Bhakti Ashram, Chilaw dist
  9. Sinharaja Rainforest Bhakti Kendraya
  10. Mandur Kandaswami Yogashram, Mandur
  11. Sri Lingeswarar Asramam, Navithanveli, Ampara dist
  12. Mani Swami Yogasramam, Tirukkovil
  13. Kali Amman Yogashram, Vinayagarpuram, Tirukkovil
  14. Kathirkamam Bhaktar Ashram, Kaluwanchikudi
  15. Siva Thondan Asramam, Kokkadichcholai

Muruga Bhakti Ashrams in Tamil Nadu

  1. Vallimalai Tiruppukazh Asramam, Vellore dist
  2. Om Muruga Asramam, West Mambalam, Chennai Districts of Tamil Nadu (24kb)
  3. Vaishnavi Devi Ashram, Tirumullaivayal, Chennai
  4. Skandasramam, Udayapatti, Salem dist
  5. Mailam Muruga Asramam, Mailam near Pondicherry
  6. Kaumara Mutt, Coimbatore-6
  7. Annai Pozhil, Avanac, Tiruppur, Coimbatore dist
  8. Sri Murugananda Tiruppukazh Manimantiram, Tiruchendur
  9. Sri Ramji Ashram, Kumarakoil, Kanyakumari dist
For details about Muruga Bhakti ashrams contact Patrick Harrigan: editor@murugan.org

For details about other activities of the KDT go to the
Kataragama Kæle Kendra home page.

Return to the Murugan Bhakti home page.