Art Of Living Center - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 25 km from Bangalore Railway Station, the Art of Living Centre is the headquarters of the spiritual and cultural organization Art of Living Foundation. Located on Kanakpura Road atop Panchagiri Hills, it is one of the must-visit places as part of Bangalore tour packages.

Founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1986, the Art of Living International Center focuses on creating a stress-free society through its multitudinous programs which include yoga, meditation, Ayurveda treatments, etc. Popularly called the Bangalore Ashram, the ashram, set on a tranquil backdrop with pretty winding paths, colorful flowering gardens, and a sparkling lake, provides a much-needed respite from the strain and monotony of the routine. It attracts over 1.2 million people annually from across the world.

Spread over an expansive area of around 250 acres, the Art of Living International Center is the perfect place for you to make any day of your life the most memorable one. The magnanimous campus houses several mini gardens, a tiny water lake, and an abundance of trees. Nakshatra Vanam is one of the most noted places at The Art of Living International Center as it boasts many rare plants with medicinal values. This garden helps astrologically while sitting and meditating under the tree based on one's birth star. The Guru Paduka Vanam, designed in the shape of a Paduka, is an open arena that accommodates millions of people. The Vishalakshi Mantap is the focal point of the Ashram and includes a meditation hall with a capacity of 25,000 people.

Radha Kunj is another beautiful garden in the ashram adorned with exotic flora, unending greenery, sparkling fountains, a lake, lily ponds, a waterfall, and an earthy pathway. Radha Kunj is a tribute to the well-known original garden in Vrindavan. The Samba Parameshwara temple is built on the principles of Agama, and the central Shivalinga has 1008 oval-shaped Lingas carved on it and has been very artistically designed, resembling the famous Amarnath Cave. The ashram also houses Sri Sri Gurukul, Goshala, and Sri Sri Ayurveda Panchakarma Centre.

Art of Living Centre aims to unite people and help them reflect on their lives through meditative programs, satsangs, and spiritual talks while keeping them in-between nature. There also has to the option of Seva, which is just voluntary work you can do to attain the satisfaction of the mind. Apart from these, one can attend numerous residential courses at the Ashram each week, right from a Basic Course that introduces one to the world-renowned Sudarshan Kriya to an Advanced Course that gives one a chance to go deeper within oneself.

The ashram also provides the facility of a bus tour that can take you around the entire campus for sightseeing. One can reach the Registration Desk to book the tour through Entry gates 4 and 5. The receptionist can help you with any queries and proceed with your reservations. It is preferable to make reservations in advance to avoid inconvenience.

Timings: 6 AM - 9 PM

Bus Tour: 11 AM & 3 PM on Monday - Friday & 10 AM, 11 AM & 1 PM on Saturday - Sunday

Entry: Free