Sri Lakshmi Narayani Peedam is the home of Sri Sakthi Amma. Amma has brought into being a raft of needed social projects as well as a collection of exquisite, grace filled luminous temples. Our focus will be on the new Hanuman temple, opened in July 2026, on the Lakshmi Star Path next to the Vishnu temple.

In order to defeat a particularly horrid and powerful Asura, Hanuman needed to grow five heads and wear five different faces, his own and four of the faces of Vishnu. To do this He became Panchamukhi (Five Faces).

We will learn how Hanuman saved the day despite enormous pressure, obstacles and set-backs. We will look at the rich mythology of Hanuman’s victory and how the principles might apply to us in our own lives. We will explore Vishnu as Varaha the boar, Garuda the eagle, Narishima the lion and Hayagriva the horse faced God, and enjoy the scintillating tales of Lord Vishnu as well as Rama and Hanuman. We will bask in the blessings of Amma Narayani and explore the sacred masculine as well as the sacred feminine on this voyage of becoming.

We will look at Ram and Sita, Divine Mother and Father as well as Rama’s brother Lakshmana, and weave myth and shakti, meditation and devotion, purification and awakening, all taking place in the beautiful sacred space of Sri Narayani’s Peedam.

It has been several years since Shakti Durga has led a retreat to Peedam and we know that all kinds of wonders happen in that mix.  Most days we will have the grace of the presence of Sri Sakthi Amma, meditating in the Puja hall as Amma invokes universal forces of light and love for the benefit of all.

For online attendance click HERE

In order to keep costs at a minimum and in alignment with the spirit of Hanuman, the sacred servant, disciple and miracle worker, we will all contribute our love and service to ensure everyone is looked after and all is well on this retreat. We can also contribute to ashram seva projects such as feeding people, nourishing animals, or watering and planting trees and whatever is happening at the ashram at the time. Doing seva in an ashram brings tremendous grace, inner contentment and a kind of learning that is beyond the mind. 

During our time we will be visiting:

• Hanuman Temple
• Srinivasa Vishnu temple
• Lakshmi Golden Temple
  
• Narayani Temple with Durga Yantra
• Nataraj Temple, the Lord of the Dance
  
• Morning program with Shakti Durga each day
• Daily program with Sri Sakthi Amma in accordance with Ashram timetable

Amma’s is a traditional South Indian ashram where modest and preferably Indian dress is required. No sleeveless attire, legs must be covered. Inexpensive garments can be purchased in Chennai or Vellore, or at the ashram. Local women take great pleasure in dressing westerners in saris, that is also an adventure we recommend!