The Chinmaya Mission was started by Balakrishnan Menon, a young journalist who met spiritual masters like Swami Sivananda and from there began a search for meaning. One of the greatest exponents of Vedanta the world has ever known, the Swami has set up several trusts, schools and meditation centres all over India. Chinamaya Tapovan Ashram is named after his guru Swami Tapovan and is also a centre for the Chinmaya Rural Primary Health and Training Centre. The ashram is on the banks of River Bindu Saras and offers an ambience of tranquillity and calm. Discourse and classes are available should you want to experience the Swami’s teachings and his shrine is also at the Ashram marking his resting place. Short courses on the Gita can be taken and health workers are trained to help rural people living around the ashram. A nine foot high statue of Lord Hanuman stands at the gate, spreading his special message of loyalty and bravery. A bookshop provides books, CDs, music and other things. Located in the scenic Himalayan mountain ranges, with its cool climes and fresh air, far away from the madness of city life, the ashram provides the environment necessary for meditation, spiritual fulfilment and introspection. People in search for spiritual succour make their way to this ashram from all across the country and the world. The ashram also holds short duration courses on the holy Gita (the sacred book of the Hindus), and trains health workers to look after the health needs of the villagers living in the Kangra valley.

Shiv Tample at Tapovan