"Make effort, do not hesitate to make effort! May everything you do become a yaga."
-Swami Isa
About Isalayam Ashram
Isalayam is the home of Jagadguru Swami Isa and the headquarters of the Isa Viswa Prajnana Trust. Established in Anayara, Thiruvananthapuram in 1998, it is a small, simple and traditional ashram—a quiet place set apart from the activity of everyday life for those who wish to learn, practise, serve and deepen their inner awareness. Devoted to purity, meditation, and sadhana, Isalayam offers genuine seekers the perfect environment for tuning themselves towards self-realisation.
At the heart of the ashram is the hall. It is one of the first spaces encountered on entering Isalayam, and it is here that vedic rituals like puja and homa as well as other sadhana (practices) are conducted. Agni Hotra is performed twice daily, forming part of the regular rhythm of life at the ashram.
Life at Isalayam is centred on putting into practice the teachings of Swami Isa. This means purification — a refinement of the physical body, thoughts, emotions, and ego — through sadhana, self-discipline and selfless service (seva).
Visitors receive personal and group instruction, and also take part in the quiet work of daily life. Gardening, cooking, cleaning, maintaining the ashram and carrying out other necessary tasks are all forms of seva. Every activity is intended to support the removal of the divisions between the outer world and the inner world.
Major Festivals
Traditional festivals are an important part of life at Isalayam. Their outward forms may be familiar, but their deeper significance is understood through the teachings of Swami Isa. At Isalayam, these observances provide an opportunity to explore fundamental principles of Energy and Consciousness and their relationship to human life.
Navaratri — The Divine Mother as Energy
Navaratri, the nine-day festival of the Divine Mother, is a period of deep study, reflection and purification at Isalayam. The Divine Mother is understood as divine vibrating Energy, and the nine days represent nine forms or expressions of it. Through the festival, these different aspects of Energy are explored in relation to ourselves, the universe and our purpose in life.
During Navaratri, Swami Isa gives daily teachings based on the Devi Bhagavatam. Rather than treating its accounts as stories or literal descriptions, he teaches the inner meaning and profound symbolism in each story. These include the principles and interactions relating to Energy, human life, relationships and nature. The festival thus becomes an opportunity to study and experience the fundamental principles underlying our own lives.
Mahashivaratri — Shiva as Consciousness
Shivaratri at Isalayam is observed over six days, beginning with a period of purification and inner preparation and culminating in the traditional night of Shivaratri.
For Swami Isa, the significance of Shivaratri lies in understanding Shiva as Consciousness—non-vibrating Energy. Shivaratri therefore provides an opportunity to explore the nature of Consciousness and its relationship to vibrating Energy.
Swami Isa gives daily teachings based on the Shiva Purana, interpreting its accounts not simply as mythology, but as symbolic descriptions of the process of purification—the steps, challenges and transformations involved in progressing towards Total Consciousness.
Together, Navaratri and Shivaratri express two fundamental aspects of Swami Isa’s teachings: vibrating Energy and non-vibrating Energy (Consciousness).
Other Observances
Observances of other important days such as Onam, Christmas, and International Day of Peace are also held throughout the year. Please contact us for more information.
Visiting Isalayam
Visitors to the Ashram are welcome. From different places all over the world, people come to Isalayam to meet Swami Isa, seeking a place for quiet practice, simplicity, purity, knowledge and service.
Swamiji’s time for receiving visitors is limited. Those wishing to meet Swami Isa or stay at the ashram are asked to contact us in advance.
Please contact us if you would like to schedule a visit.
