Adiyogi, home to the colossal Adiyogi Shiva statue, is a place of spiritual and monumental
significance. Located in the city of Coimbatore, it's a splendid destination for those seeking
inner peace. Traveling there takes about 8 hours from Bangalore. I visited this place with four
friends during the summer.
We embarked on our journey from Bangalore at night and reached Coimbatore by morning. From there,
we found a direct bus that took us on the 30-kilometer journey to Isha, a small town beautifully
surrounded by mountains. As we arrived, the sight of the Shiva statue at the entrance filled us
with excitement.
Upon arrival, we looked for baggage counters and rooms. A fellow Traveller suggested we head
inside the ashram. The ashram turned out to be quite extensive, and I wasn't sure what to expect.
Inside the ashram, we discovered a well-maintained and spacious place. Our first task was to
freshen up. There were separate spiritual baths named Suryakund for men and Chandrakund for women.
We decided to explore Suryakund. We bought tickets for about 20 rupees, changed into appropriate
clothing, and then used the shower facilities before entering the large Suryakund pool.
The facility was exquisite, well-maintained, and the hospitality was remarkable. The pool was a
large one with cold water, and it contained small Shiva lingas. The water flowed in and out,
ensuring hygiene. The moment we dipped into the water, the heat of the journey vanished, and we
found ultimate peace. The pool wasn't too deep, and sitting inside it, with its crystal-clear blue
water, brought a sense of tranquility. Thinking about Lord Shiva was our sole focus there. We
spent over an hour in the pool and were reluctant to leave, but there were time limits.
After our refreshing bath, we explored the ashram. We found a dome-shaped building known as the
meditation hall and ventured inside. It was eerily quiet, with about 30 people meditating. We
joined them and meditated as well. We noticed many foreigners among the meditators.
Later, we had breakfast using a token system, which was affordable. We enjoyed puliyogare (a South
Indian rice dish) and banana cake, both of which were delicious. Exiting the ashram, we made our
way to the Shiva statue, which was about 200 meters away. The highlight of the journey was the
bullock cart ride from the ashram to the Shiva statue, a traditional and charming mode of
transport.
In the afternoon, we reached the Shiva statue, a colossal black representation of Shiva's face,
incredibly beautiful. We took pictures and spent some quality time there.
As the day progressed, an evening show around 7 PM was scheduled. It involved a bunch of
high-definition projectors casting a colorful and animated story of Lord Shiva on the Shiva
statue. It was a captivating and worthwhile experience, concluding our visit perfectly. After the
show, we prepared to return to Coimbatore and then to Bangalore. The trip was a deep dive into
devotion, yoga, and meditation, and it left a lasting impact on my understanding of inner peace
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