Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram
Just before Neyyar Dam, the superbly located
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram
(
0471-2273093;
www.sivananda.org/ndam
)
, established in 1978, is renowned for its hatha yoga
courses. Courses start on the 1st and 16th of each month, run for a minimum of two weeks
and cost ?800 per day for accommodation in a double room (?1500 with air-con) and ?500
in a dormitory (meals are included). Low season (May to September) rates are ?100 less.
There's an exacting schedule (5.30am to 10pm) of yoga practice, meditation and chanting.
Bookings are required. Month-long yoga-teacher training and ayurvedic massage courses
are also available.
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Kovalam
0471
Once a calm fishing village clustered around its crescent beaches, these days Kovalam is
Kerala's most developed resort. The main stretch,
Lighthouse Beach
, is touristy with hotels
and restaurants built up along the shore, while
Hawa Beach
to the north is usually crowded
with day-trippers heading straight from the taxi stand to the sand. Neither beach is particu-
larly clean, but at less than 15km from the capital it's a convenient place to have some fun
by the sea, there's some promising surf and it makes a good base for ayurvedic treatments
and yoga courses.
About 2km further north by road,
Samudra Beach
has several upmarket resorts and a
peaceful but steep beach.
