About Chennai Retreat

Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) was founded by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda in 1917 to disseminate the soul-liberating teachings of Kriya Yoga. Yogoda Satsanga Chennai Retreat is a YSS retreat center — a soul sanctuary that offers a natural communion with God.  

A Rich History

The land for the current site of the YSS Chennai retreat was donated to YSS by a dedicated YSS devotee, Sri Gaitonde in 1998. Many devotees worked with dedication to convert the dense wilderness into a habitable, beautiful, peaceful sanctuary over almost a couple of decades. 

 

Sriperumbudur is the birthplace of Saint Ramanuja, one of the most prominent Indian saints. The Chennai Retreat at Sriperumbudur is also blessed by the visits of saintly personages.  On 31st December 2006, Swami Shantananda Giri laid the foundation for the main building.

 

In 2010, Swami Suddhananda Giri conducted the first regional Sadhana Sangam at the retreat with devotees from Puducherry, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Cochin, Chittoor, and other nearby cities participating in the programme. A stream of YSS sannyasis have regularly visited and oversaw the development of the retreat over the last decade and more.

Location and Facilities

Located 40 kilometers from the centre of Chennai, the retreat is far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Nestled between a lake and a reserve forest, it provides an ideal atmosphere for silence, seclusion, and peaceful interiorization. 

Here are pictures of the retreat grounds and facilities

Spread over seventeen acres, the YSS Chennai Retreat at Sriperumbudur currently has the following facilities:

  • 15+ acre tree plantation and vegetable garden 
  • Three gazebos and one meditation tower for private meditation
  • Goshala with two cows that supply milk to the kitchen
  • Air-conditioned Dhyana Mandir for 60 devotees
  • Accommodation:
    • AC dormitory-style accommodation for men: 30 beds 
    • AC dormitory-style accommodation for women: 24 beds 
    • AC single room devotee accommodation: 8 rooms 
  • Kitchen & Dining: 50-seat dining facility

 

Spiritual Programmes at the Retreat

Starting February 2024, YSS sannyasis will be in residence at the retreat providing spiritual counselling to visitors, and conducting commemorative programmes, and special events.

Group meditations are conducted every morning and evening at the Dhyana Mandir. Devotees also join special YSS online events such as monthly long meditations, satsangas and retreats.

Children of YSS devotees also delight in participating in the annual camps held during the summer months. With brief meditations that are interspersed with fun, interactive activities, Paramahansa Yogananda’s timeless “how-to-live” teachings are imparted to the children.  

Here is the activities and events calendar of the retreat.

Our late beloved YSS/SRF President and Sanghamata Sri Sri Daya Mata blessed the retreat in a letter to devotees: “...May it prove to be an oasis of spiritual peace where devotees can go to refresh & rejuvenate themselves from time to time.” 

Contact us: 

Yogoda Satsanga Chennai Retreat
Mannur Post, Sriperumbudur, Taluk 
Chennai, Tamil Nadu- 602105


Phone: 75500 12444, 99809 40530, 97909 01810
E-mail: [email protected]


Timings: 9 am to 5 pm (Monday to Sunday)
Here are directions for reaching the retreat.