Accommodation

To stay at Sri Ramanasramam, all visitors must complete the registration process online at https://stay.gururamana.org. This online registration is essential to secure your accommodation at the Ashram, and requests for accommodation made by phone, upon arrival, or at short notice will not be accepted. Please ensure you carefully read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the website before registering, as it contains important details that will guide you through the process and clarify any queries you may have. Reach us at this number +91 7339019221.

Registration Process

1. Create an Account:
   During the registration process, you will be required to provide some essential personal information. This includes:

   • Full name: Your first name and last name.
   • Email address: A valid email address where all correspondence will be sent.
   • Mobile number: A working phone number for communication.
   • Password: Create a secure password to access your account.

2. Nationality Information:
   You will be asked to specify whether you are an Indian national or a foreigner. This distinction is important because the documentation and requirements for Indian nationals differ from those for foreign nationals. If you make a mistake and register wrongly, there is no way to correct it. 

3. Email Activation:
   After completing your initial registration, you will receive an activation link via email to verify your account. This step is crucial in confirming your email address. If the verification email does not appear in your main inbox, please check your Promotions, Notifications, or Spam folders.

4. Profile Completion:
   Once your account is activated, log in to complete your profile by filling out your personal and identification details.

   • For Indian Nationals: You will need to submit your Aadhar number. This number serves as proof of your identity and residence.
   • For Foreign Nationals: You must upload a scanned copy of your passport along with the relevant visa details as required by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) regulations. Please note significant information including date/city of arrival, date/city of transit and emergency numbers etc., are required in the form. This is because the ashram has to submit this information to FRRO.
   • OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) holders: If you hold an OCI card, you will need to register as a foreigner. In addition to uploading your passport, you must attach a scanned copy of your OCI card as a visa. The OCI card should have the same expiration date as your passport, even though the OCI card itself does not have an expiry date.
   • NRIs (Non-Resident Indians): If you are an NRI and do not have an Aadhar card, you may upload your passport as proof of identity and use the number 123456789XXX where XXX is some arbitrary three-digit number in place of the Aadhar number. This helps the Ashram recognize that your passport is being used as a substitute for the Aadhar card.
   • All images must be in the above formats only and should be less than 1 M in size. If the proper images (of aadhar/passport) are not attached, the application of accommodation will be rejected. Please use smalljpg.org to reduce your image as far as possible before uploading. If the size of image is larger, you will get an error. 
   • If you encounter the error "Error in getting details," it indicates that one of the validations has failed. The validations ensure that the phone number contains no alphabetic characters, the total size of all images are smaller than 2 MB, and the passport details are free from special characters, missing alternate contact numbers etc., among other requirements

5. Separate Stay Requests:
   If you are traveling with as a mix of Indian nationals and foreigners, Indians and foreigners must submit separate stay requests. You may mention this in the additional information box. This is necessary for the Ashram’s record-keeping and accommodation allocation and also for the reporting of foreigners to FRRO. Indians cannot be combined with foreigners for reporting to authorities. 

Submitting a Stay Request

Once your profile is complete, you can submit your stay request via the dashboard. When submitting your stay request, be sure to provide the following information:

1. Arrival Date: The date you plan to arrive at the Ashram.
2. Departure Date and Time: The date and time you plan to leave.
3. Number of Guests: The total number of people who will be visiting the ashram, including children or dependents. Include yourself in the number of guests. Failure to include yourself in the number of people visiting the ashram will result in wrong rooms being allotted. 

• Please be careful in filling up the dates. The dates cannot be changed after submission or approval.  
• Kindly restrict your checkin time between 7 am to 7 pm and checkout by 1 pm. 

Stay Duration

The Ashram recommends a stay of at least three days to fully immerse yourself in the spiritual environment and the presence of Bhagavan. The maximum stay duration varies based on nationality:

• Indian Nationals: The maximum stay allowed is five days.
• Foreign Nationals: The maximum stay allowed is 14 days.

Please note that requests for stays of only a few hours, one day, or just an overnight visit will not be considered. The Ashram aims to provide a meaningful and contemplative experience, and shorter stays may not allow for this.

Additional Information

In the additional information box of the stay request form, you should include the following:

• Purpose of your visit: A brief explanation of why you wish to stay at Sri Ramanasramam.
• Previous visits: If you have visited the Ashram before, please mention your prior visits, as this information will help the Ashram in understanding your history and connection with the place.
• Familiarity with Bhagavan’s teachings: Indicate whether you are already familiar with the teachings of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi and whether you have read any literature about his teachings. 

Please allow 2-3 days for the Ashram to review your request and respond. Due to the high demand for accommodation, only about 25% of requests can be accepted at any  (if you have ticked the option of flexible dates). Please visit your dashboard, click the button “review suggested dates” and add the guests again and you will have the option to accept or withdraw your request. If your dates of stay are flexible, make sure that you have ticked the option of flexible dates while applying for a stay request.

Please do not write to us asking why your request was rejected as there may be multiple factors that go into such a decision. 

Changes or Cancellations

• If your plans change after submitting your stay request, please notify the Ashram at least 15 days in advance if you wish to withdraw or modify your stay request. This will help the Ashram manage its accommodation schedule effectively. You can not apply for the next four months. However, if you do not inform the ashram and not show up, that will be considered as a no-show and you will not be allowed to apply for 12 months.
• If you inform us 15 days in advance, once your request is approved, you will be unable to apply again for 120 days. Furthermore, if you fail to inform us or do not show up, you may be blocked for one year.
• Upon arrival at the Ashram, please present the QR code from your approval letter along with a valid identification document (passport, Aadhar, etc.). You need to bring the originals as well as one photocopy that needs to be given to the ashram for record keeping. 
• Room allocation will be subject to availability at the time of your arrival.

Reapplication and Revisit Requests

• Rejected requests: If your stay request is rejected, you can reapply only after two months from the date of rejection.
• Revisit requests: If you wish to visit again, there should be a gap of at least four months between visits. A gap of six months is preferable.

Accommodation and Meals

Accommodation at the Ashram is free of charge, and the Ashram offers basic yet comfortable rooms, which are available for singles, couples, or families (up to five members). Most rooms are furnished with a bed, fan, and attached bathroom. In colder months, hot water is provided. Filtered drinking water is available throughout the Ashram.

The Ashram provides vegetarian South Indian meals in the dining hall, which include:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Afternoon tea or milk
• Dinner

These meals are available only to registered guests and Ashram residents. Guests are encouraged to make donations, although accommodation and meals remain free of charge. Donations can be also made for special causes such as annadhanam, bhiksha, Narayanam seva, maintenance of goshala, pujas etc. In all cases, a receipt will be provided.

Policies and Restrictions

• Strict Prohibitions: The following activities are strictly prohibited within the Ashram grounds:
  • Photography
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Climbing beyond Skandasramam (the sacred area on the hill)

Please respect the Ashram’s rules and maintain the sanctity of the spiritual environment.

Medical Assistance and Other Services

The Ashram can arrange medical assistance if needed. If you have any specific health concerns or require special arrangements, please inform the Ashram ahead of time so that they can make the necessary provisions.

This registration and accommodation process is designed to ensure a smooth and meaningful experience for all visitors. By following the instructions carefully, you contribute to the peaceful and organized atmosphere of the Ashram. We look forward to welcoming you and supporting your spiritual journey.