I had the opportunity to go to Coimbatore and didn’t want to miss out on visiting ‘Isha’, which means ‘the formless divine’. Since it’s a Yoga Centre, every location, statue, and sculpture has its own significance, which can’t be fully understood in just one visit.
We arrived after lunch and stayed until the evening light show, from 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The visit was an incredible experience that left a lasting impression.
As soon as we arrived at the 150-acre site, we were greeted by the famous Adiyogi statue, which appeared to be situated right beneath the clouds. I recommend taking in the entire site’s 360-degree view as you enter the area, and capturing it in your memory.
You can easily walk the 500 meters from the parking area to reach the Adiyogi statue. When I visited, there was a Tamilnadu festival taking place, and I was fortunate enough to witness some cultural programs taking place right in front of the statue.
Yogeshwara Linga:
Located just beneath the Adiyogi statue is the Yogeshwar Linga, which you can visit and perform pradakshina (circumambulation) around while taking Teertha (holy water). It’s important to note that you should not touch the Linga, neem leaves are provided along with the holy water.
Once you have had darshana (glimpse) of the Adiyogi and Yogeshwara, you can head to the main area where the following attractions are present, as shown in the picture:
After crossing this area, you will be required to submit all of your belongings, except for a small wallet. Mobile phones must be securely deposited, and you will be asked to provide basic details such as your name and location. This is an excellent aspect of the place, as it allows you to detach yourself from your mobile phone and enjoy the experience.
Once you’ve deposited your bags and phones, you will pass through a gate with a large Naga (snake) carved on a big pillar. At this point, you will need to deposit your footwear.
Surya Kunda: The first attraction you will come across is Surya Kunda, where men can take a dip in the pond and worship the three Lingas in the water. Above the pond, there is a large metallic Sun structure, and star-like holes are carved on the walls, giving the impression of stars in the sky. While taking a dip in the Kunda is not mandatory, it is believed to bring purification before entering the Dhyanalinga.
Just behind Surya Kunda, you’ll find some people practicing various forms of Yoga. They may be volunteers or students who have taken courses and have been practicing for some time.
Linga Bhairavi: Behind Surya Kunda, there are three temples in a line: the Linga Bhairavi temple, the Dhyanalingam temple (meditation hall), and the Chandra Kunda. If you offer a coconut to Linga Bhairavi, you can sit in front of the devi for 2–3 minutes and witness the Mangalarati. It’s recommended to bring a coconut to offer before entering the temple. In front of the Bhairavi temple, there is a sculpture of a yogi doing Devi Dandam (yogic namaskar) to Linga Bhairavi, similar to how there might be a tortoise in South Indian temples. Everyone who visits Linga Bhairavi should offer this namaskara.
In reality, Linga Bhairavi looks divine and has a shine. The gold-plated eye carvings and the third eye on the forehead are also gold-plated. She has ten arms, five on each side, with tiny ones attached to the Linga. There is a gold ring shaped like a kodubale at the place of the nose ring, which gives her a nice look. We were allowed to sit just in front of Linga Bhairavi and could feel her presence there while witnessing the Mangalarati. Once you leave Linga Bhairavi, there are shops selling Arishna-Kunkuma (Haldi-Kumkum), gold and silver Linga Bhairavi pendants, and other items.
Chandra Kunda: Chandra Kunda is a private area reserved for women, where they can take a dip in the kunda. The place is well-maintained and you will have to pay a fee of 20/- to rent a gown for taking the dip. In the center of Chandra Kunda, there is a Linga and there is a continuous stream of water coming from the top, which fills the kunda. Despite the large number of visitors, the place is kept very clean. I spent about 30 minutes inside the Chandra Kunda. Please note that they do not provide towels, as it is believed that one should not wipe their hair before going to the Dhyanalingam. The purpose of the dip is to cleanse oneself before meditation, and not to keep a towel handy.
Dhyanalingam: Before entering the Dhyanalingam meditation hall, visitors are guided in a hall where instructions are given in various languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, English, and Kannada on how to maintain silence inside and what to expect. The meditation hall allows visitors to sit for a minimum of 12 minutes and is surrounded by Linga Jyothi’s — brass bowls with a Linga-shaped pranati at the center and a naga on the edge of the bowl. Dhyanalingam, wearing a yogic vastra around the waist, is situated at the center of the hall and surrounded by Naga. Visitors can perform a pradakshina (circumambulation) around the lingam. Other areas include a Bhiksha hall/dining hall and cottages for those taking courses. It is recommended not to miss the evening light show called “Adiyogi Divya Darshana” at the Adiyogi statue, which features a 30-minute laser show narrating the story of who learned yoga from Adiyogi and how it is taught to others. Different forms of Shiva are also displayed, such as “Ardha Narishwara”.
Throughout my blog, I have refrained from mentioning my personal experience at the Yoga center, as it is something that needs to be experienced firsthand. The purpose of this blog was to give readers an idea of what the center offers and why it is worth a visit. As I reflected on the facilities offered, I couldn’t help but think of a Ramalingewara temple near my hometown that had a similar setup, with a pond, a small waterfall, a Shiva Linga temple, and a large Shiva statue on a nearby hill. However, it dawned on me that this small setup was available for thousands of people at Isha.
Isha is truly a divine entity beyond form.
