YOGI’S INDIA
At sunset, everything comes to a halt as
everyone is treated to a world-renowned
Ganga Aarti. Aarti means to remove
darkness, usually with a flame or light.
After songs in praise of a deity, devotees
cup their downturned hands over the
flame and raise their palms to their
forehead as a blessing. The flame is waved
around clockwise around a centre,
suggesting how one lives with the universe
or God at the centre of all activities. It was
an honour to be right in front, on the river
bank, dipping my feet in the holy river and
even participating in the Aarti as the
priests chanted.
The ceremony is open to all, regardless
of race, ethnicity, nationality and religion,
to gather on the banks soaking in the
magical atmosphere as the skies dim. After
the Aarti, the spiritual head and President
of the Ashram, Pujya Swami Chidanand
Saraswatiji Maharaja and Sadvhi
Bhagawati Saraswatiji engage in an open
dialogue again open to all who seek any
guidance.Kerala
Kerala, which means Land of Coconut
Trees, is believed to have been built by God
itself with 44 rivers, backwaters and
600km of coastline along with forests
covering a third of the land. Its name
already hints at its beauty and
peacefulness, making it a great vacation
destination. It is said that in Keralan
cuisine and life, the humble coconut
features so much that without it, they
would not know how to live.
Trivandrum, Kerala is home to a
beautiful ashram which is part of the
famed Sivananda lineage, the Sivananda
Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram. There are 3
Sivananda ashrams in India – in the
Himalayas, Kerala and Madurai. Ashram
refers to home of a guru or saint. While
physical postures or asanas are what yoga
is commonly known for, in the yoga sutras
of Patanjali, they are only 1 part of an 8
limbed path that guides a yogi’s life. This
stems from the belief that only in a healthybody does a healthy mind live. In asanas,
one uses the body as an instrument to
eventually connect with the higher self
and universe.
For visitors, it is advisable to visit the
ashram from June to March, avoiding the
sweltering summer months of April and
May. For those interested in Ayurvedic
treatments, it is best to go during the
monsoon season of June to August when it
is cooler as many techniques incorporate
steaming.
It was at this time that I learnt from the
guides who accompanied us that the many
gods in Hinduism merely represented
pieces of the whole puzzle, each
showcasing different facets of the
universal truth. It is said that humans
created these stories in order to help them
grasp the vast concept of the One.
My personal favourite is the story of
Ganesha, the popular elephant God with
an elephant face and a human body, the
God of Beginnings and Remover of
Obstacles. His big elephant ears and long
nose remind us that one should learn to
listen and breathe through life’s
challenges. His small eyes signify
concentration. His four hands hold on to
objects like the axe which notes that in life,
problems may come from attachment and
there is a need for balance. In another hand
he holds a rope, by which farmers used to
control a cow, indicating how we should
be able to control ourselves and our five
senses from harm. Next, he holds a tusk,
used to write, inspiring the attitude of
constantly learning. Finally, he holds a
sweet to remind us that life is still
beautiful. And to top it off, he rides a tiny
mouse as his vehicle of choice, to illustrate
how contradictions can always exist.
All in all, India has been both nourishing
and yet entirely educational, opening one’s
eyes to so many extremes, contradictions
which exist next to surreal idealism. It is
certainly a place which lends itself to
multiple trips, revealing new glimpses into
India with each visit.Visit the serene International
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in
Trivandrum, Kerala to take part in its
many yoga sessions, teacher trainings
and enjoy Ayurvedic treatmentsNAJIAH RAMLEE is a yogi in the works, who
was pleasantly surprised to find greater
peace and acceptance by going with the
flow in the loud hustle and bustle of Indian
cities. The multitude of curries, doughy treats and
cottage cheese must’ve helped!