About this tour
12 days with Lydia Burth-Weir through the Navagraha temples, Arunachala and the Pongal harvest festival
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights (8–19 January 2027)
Jyotish means "the science of light." On this small-group pilgrimage, Master Yoga Teacher and Jyotishi Lydia Burth-Weir introduces the nine Grahas not as an intellectual system to memorise, but as living forces you meet in the temples built for them, in ritual, and within your own inner landscape.
The journey begins in Kanchipuram at Ekambareswarar, the Earth element temple, with a full abhishekam at Kanchi Kamakshi Amman. From there you travel to Tiruvannamalai to sit in Ramana Maharshi's ashram, climb to the caves where he meditated, and walk Girivalam around the sacred fire mountain Arunachala at dusk.
In Kumbakonam the pace slows into four unhurried days: the nine Navagraha temples, daily Jyotish teaching, a full day of stillness at a single temple, and the Pongal harvest festival celebrated with a local community. On the way north you receive evening darshan of Shiva as the cosmic dancer at Chidambaram's Nataraja Temple, then spend two days in Auroville before closing among the 7th-century shore temples of Mahabalipuram.
Each day is supported by Integrated Himalayan Kriya, meditation and mantra guided by Lydia. No previous knowledge of Jyotish is required; newcomers receive a clear foundation, while experienced students deepen through direct experience.
With a maximum of 12 participants, boutique and heritage stays, pure vegetarian meals, private AC transport and a Smukti coordinator travelling with the group throughout, every logistical detail is held so you can arrive as a pilgrim rather than a tourist.
Arrive in Chennai, hotel check-in, orientation and opening circle, welcome dinner
Land in Chennai and transfer to Raintree St. Mary's. Take the afternoon to rest before the group gathers at 5:00 pm for orientation and an opening circle with Lydia, setting the intention for the pilgrimage ahead. Night in Chennai.
A gentle first full day to adjust to India's rhythm while exploring Chennai. The final sightseeing programme will be shared closer to departure. Night in Chennai.
Ekambareswarar Temple (Earth element), full abhishekam at Kanchi Kamakshi Amman, silk-weaving units, drive to Tiruvannamalai
An early departure to Kanchipuram, one of India's seven sacred cities. At Ekambareswarar, Shiva is worshipped as the Earth element among the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams. Witness a full abhishekam at Kanchi Kamakshi Amman, one of the foremost Shakti Peethas, then visit the looms where Kanchipuram silk is still hand-woven before driving on to Tiruvannamalai. Night at Haraa Suites.
Ramana Ashram, Skanda Ashram, Virupaksha Cave, optional Arunachaleswarar Temple, evening Girivalam
Spend the day in the presence of Arunachala, the fire mountain Ramana Maharshi called the heart of the world. Sit in his ashram, climb to Skanda Ashram and the Virupaksha Cave where he meditated for years, and as evening falls walk Girivalam, the sacred circumambulation of the mountain.
Scenic travel day to Kumbakonam (approx. 4 hrs), settle into the heritage retreat
A spacious travel day through the paddy fields and villages of Tamil Nadu to Kumbakonam, the temple town at the heart of the Navagraha circuit. Arrive at Indeco Swamimalai, a heritage property that will be home for the next four nights.
Navagraha temple circuit and group ritual, followed by a Jyotish workshop with Lydia
Visit the nine planetary temples, each dedicated to one of the Grahas that Vedic astrology holds shape the arc of a life. With context from your Dhost guide and teaching from Lydia, each shrine becomes a doorway into understanding that planet's qualities within yourself. The day closes with a Jyotish workshop. Night in Kumbakonam.
Full-day unhurried immersion at a single temple — ritual, context and meditation
Rather than moving from site to site, the group gives an entire day to one temple, allowing space for ritual, contemplation and silence. This is pilgrimage at the pace of presence. Night in Kumbakonam.
Pongal harvest festival with a local community, flexible time for Jyotish sessions, rest or additional temples
Pongal is Tamil Nadu's festival of gratitude to the Sun, the earth, the harvest and the animals who sustain life, marking the Sun's turn northward (Uttarayana). Join a local community celebration, then shape the rest of the day around the group's energy: continued Jyotish sessions, rest or further temples. Night in Kumbakonam.
Goshala visit during Pongal, optional Vadalur stop, 6:00 pm darshan at Nataraja Temple (Space element), drive to Auroville
Visit a goshala to honour and feed the native cows during the Pongal celebrations, with a stop at Vadalur, Vallalar's centre of universal compassion, if time permits. At Chidambaram, receive evening darshan of Shiva as Nataraja, the cosmic dancer, in the temple of the Space element, before continuing to Auroville.
Matrimandir viewing, exploration of the international township
A full day in Auroville, the international township founded on Sri Aurobindo and The Mother's vision of human unity. View the golden Matrimandir and explore the community. (Matrimandir tickets are booked individually two days in advance; the group will be guided through this.) Night in Auroville.
Drive to Mahabalipuram, free evening at the beach, grand dinner and closing reflection circle
Travel up the coast to Mahabalipuram for a free evening by the Bay of Bengal. The group gathers for a grand farewell dinner and a reflection circle to integrate the journey. Night at Madras Chronicles.
UNESCO monuments — Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, Pancha Rathas, Krishna's Butterball — transfer to Chennai Airport
A final morning among the 7th-century Pallava rock temples carved into the coastline, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pilgrimage closes with a transfer to Chennai Airport (approx. 90 minutes).