By the intuition of the mighty power, Idhaya Ashram was born and it is being run by the Franciscan sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Congregation which had been founded in the year 1844 at Pondicherry, one of the union territories of India and a beautiful state known for its rich spirituality. The founder of the Congregation is a Missionary Rev.Fr.Louis Savenien Dupuis who was a MEP priest from France.
In the 23rd General Chapter held in 1993, the participants had an insight, to elevate the sisters’ spiritual life through an Ashram Spirituality. Rev. Mo. Regina Mary, the then Superior General had executed the decision of the General chapter and by her timely guidance, vision, clear perception of realities and perseverance, the spiritual movement had been accomplished.
The foundation stone was laid down by His Eminence Cardinal Simon D. Lourdusamy, assisted by Rev. Fr. Louis the Director of Anjali Ashram on 15.08.1993. On 20th January 1995 during the celebration of the sesqui centenary of the congregation, the Ashram was consecrated and blessed by His Eminence Cardinal Simon D. Lourdusamy from Rome, together with Bishop Arulappa, the Kadappa Diocese, Rev. Bishop Edward Francis, the Bishop of Sivagangai, and Rev. Fr. Louis from Anjali Ashram. With this serene atmosphere, the ashram initiated its functioning.
The pioneer of the ashram guide was Sr. Elma Mary Margaret. The successor of her is Sr. Barnabas Ubagara Mary. In the year 1999, the total construction work was completed and the meditation hall was blessed by His Eminence Cardinal Simon D. Lourdusamy
TThe seekers enjoy the atmosphere, having the Arulalayam, Idhayalayam, Amudhalayam and
Gnanalaya. The Architect has been very much admired by the Residents of India as well as the Foreigners.
Arulalayam: A small chapel in the west side is called Arulalayam which could accommodate 25 seekers at a time. The Tabernacle has been placed beautifully and decorated with hanging lights, lamps and bells, gives a graceful look and blessings to the spiritual seekers.
Idhayalayam: The inspirational Lotus shaped hall called Dhyana Mandapam (Mandhir) renders its vibrations of peace and serenity to all the seekers of different religions.
Resident Kudil: 50 seekers can be accommodated at a time in the different self-sufficient rooms. Solitude and silence can be obtained easily. The circular pavement adds beauty to the kudils.
Gnanalaya: It has been newly constructed with new technologies for the couple of purposes according to the science of time. It is well equipped with audio visual aids. Storage of thousands of books of various religions in the library shows enormous ways to get the God experience. Spiritual discourses are also relayed on Holy Cross TV, Pondicherry by the Ashramites.
People of any religion are privileged to participate and become fully liberated human beings. Kids and teenagers around the ashram are motivated and trained for yoga and meditation.
Daily Routine
Idhaya Ashram is situated 7 km from the Pondicherry bus stand and 8km from the railway station. It is capable of accommodating 50 seekers at a time.
Sr. Barnabas Ubagara Mary,“Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” (Jn4:8)
Retreat is the most opportune time to turn back one’s own life and it is the time to listen to the voice of God. Salutation and thanks to the Supreme God and Father for giving us this precious days to feel Him more closely and nearer through our personal encounter in these days of retreat in an atmosphere of perfect silence.
As our call is not an accident, retreat is a perfect plan of God. He took initiative and called us to be more close to Him by giving us the wonderful opportunity to admire and feel his precious love in the nature...
Thanks a lot sisters. With love and prayers, Sr. Julia Bethl Sr. Precilla Bethl...
06.08.2014
As God says “The more you honour me, the more I will bless you”
Yes really The Bethelemite sisters did 6 days of retreat saying its God’s gift to be here to experience Him in silence and to be closer to Him. These days helped us to go deeper into our call and reflect about the promise that we made to our Lord.
Sr. Barnabas guided us beautifully to enter into the mood of prayer. The silence atmosphere helped us to be in the presence of God...
Thanking you. Sr. Noel Birthlemit sisters, Dharmapuri.
29/09/2014
Eight days spiritual experience
My spiritual experience in this Ashram was more effective during these 8 days. When I think of spiritual experience, it is experiencing something which is beyond the comprehension of the five senses mind and intellect...
I pass over my gratitude to God for bringing me here and also for all the inmates of this Ashram for guiding me during my presence here...
Thank you so much. Fr. Vincent Arockia Raj.MMI
21.09.2015
Be still and know that I am God.
I would like to thank each one of you those who are in the Ashram. My special thanks to Sr. Elma Mary who guided me in a spiritual way for the past three days...
Yoga gave freshness to my body. Classes helped me to take decision about my future. I enjoyed with nature...
06.11.2015
Although we had not come for recollection we could not stop God’s presence in Ashram.
Indeed we were inspired by the simplicity life style of Ashram, such as food, infrastructure, gardens and above all the Ashram community...
Our regional team would like to thank every sister in the Ashram for all the efforts they made every one of us to be comfortable and experience God’s presence in this Ashram...
26.11.2015
Greeting from Fr. John Kennedy
This Ashram is a place of silence and stillness. In this atmosphere last 3 days have been an intensive period of silence for me...
I sincerely thank all the sisters here who have facilitated my spiritual journey through their possible service...
28.11.2015
Praise the Lord.
We came from Bangalore searching for peaceful atmosphere where we get peace and worship. We came to this Ashram, where we found good things more than our expectation...
We enjoyed the atmosphere, the way of worship, timely care on us. Though we seven of us were sickly and elderly ladies attended us and we were fully satisfied by their hospitality...
23.07. 2016
Silence makes us to be wise and happiest person.
We felt the presence of God here. Past six days were very useful for us to refresh our minds and hearts to strengthen our spiritual life...
I would like to thank on behalf of our Superior General, Chennai province and all those who had stayed with us felt the efforts taken by every sisters for the comfortable and experience God’s presence in the Ashram...
01.08.1016
Silence is the best way to search God within us.
Yes, God is present in me where He lives. These five days experiences were very useful for me. Through these experiences I have come to know about me and my spiritual growth...
Thank you. Sr. Esther Mary FIHM
21.04.2017
It was nice and pleasant to be alone.
For 24 days I felt happy about myself. I reflected about myself with thinking and reflecting about the past life. I got some good vibrations...
I thank the sisters for their concern and love.
28.06. 2017
How can I repay the Lord for His goodness to me through my three days stay in Idhaya Ashram.
It helped me to strengthen the spiritual search and Journey. I experienced peace, joy and the hospitality of sisters that touched me to feel at home...
May God bless you all! With love, Sahila, FMM( SriLanka)
20.06.2018
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