Imagine a week where the tempo of your life slows to the rhythm of temple bells, where sunrise breathes into your body and old stones hold space for renewal. Wellness @ Cholanadu is a restorative pilgrimage — part Ayurvedic care, part yoga retreat, part cultural immersion — set amid the soft temple towns and rice-scented landscapes of Chola country. Over seven days we weave morning sūrya salutations, gentle treatments, mindful walks and evenings of folk music into a balanced program that nourishes body, mind and spirit.
Cholanadu is a living archive of temple architecture, classical arts and agrarian traditions. The region’s stone temples — Darasuram, Swamimalai and the great shrines of Tanjore — were once courtyards where kings, priests and artists met. These places were not only centers of worship but also hubs of medicine, music and dance. By situating wellness practices here, the program reconnects modern healing with ancient context: the same landscapes that inspired devotion also held knowledge of plants, rhythms and restorative living.
Expect a gentle transformation. Mornings begin with sūrya namaskar and slow, guided meditation that anchor you in breath. Consultations with our resident doctor tailor treatments — from oil therapies to therapeutic massages — to your needs, while mid-day rests and light, nourishing meals allow integration. Evenings are for listening: traditional folk music and dance around courtyard lamps help the nervous system settle. Travelers often report renewed clarity, less tension, and a quiet steadiness that stays long after the journey ends.
The program moves through scenic temple towns and pastoral landscapes. Chidambaram’s open-air sanctuaries and the sculptural finesse of Darasuram offer contemplative spaces for walking meditations. Swamimalai’s calm lanes and Thirunageshwaram’s ritual ponds provide settings for evening reflections. Tanjore’s monumental Brihadeeswarar Temple anchors the experience with grand architecture — a reminder that healing here is rooted in place, scale and silence.
Wellness in Cholanadu is woven with local rhythms — simple, ritual meals, the aroma of fresh rice and curry leaves, and the warmth of village hospitality. You’ll taste sattvic lunches prepared with seasonal produce, observe ritual offerings, and meet practitioners who blend ancient herbal knowledge with everyday care. Folk performers will share music born of harvest cycles and temple festivals — an earthy soundtrack to your healing days.
Mornings: Sun salutations, pranayama, guided meditation. Mid-morning: Consultation with our doctor and individualized therapy (massage, abhyanga, poultice). Afternoon: Restful lunch, followed by a gentle site visit (Darasuram, Swamimalai) or nature walk to integrate the practice. Evenings: Light dinner, folk music/dance and reflective circle. The pace is intentional: active healing balanced with quiet integration.
We combine clinical care, ancient wisdom and thoughtful logistics. Our licensed medical practitioners design treatments; certified yoga teachers lead soulful practices; local guides reveal places off the beaten path. Accommodations are chosen for tranquility and comfort, and transport is arranged to minimize stress. Above all, we prioritize safety, cultural respect and measurable wellbeing — so you travel with trust and return renewed.
If your body asks for gentleness and your mind longs for quiet, let Cholanadu hold you. This is a week to slow, to listen and to be cared for in a place where history itself seems to breathe wellness. Join us — step into a tender rhythm of sunrise, healing touch and song. We will walk beside you, respectfully and attentively, as you realign with a truer, calmer self.
Ready to begin your healing journey? Reserve your space and return home lighter, clearer, and quietly radiant.
Welcome to Wellness at Cholanadu — a restorative week that blends yoga, mindful therapies and the soulful heritage of Tamil Nadu. Over seven days you will practise sunrise sūryanamaskār, experience traditional treatments under expert care, and explore cultural sites that calm the mind and nourish the senses.
This program combines gentle movement, Ayurveda-inspired consultations, guided nature walks and evenings of folk music to create a balanced retreat for body, mind and spirit. Perfect for wellness seekers who love heritage-rich travel.
Duration: 7 Days & 7 Nights. Start & end in Chennai. Daily sunrise sūryanamaskār, guided yoga & meditation sessions, scheduled consultations with wellness practitioners, traditional meals, and comfortable stays centered around Kumbakonam (KUM) as the wellness hub.
Arrive at Chennai airport or railway station where you will be welcomed by your host. Settle into your hotel, enjoy a light welcome meal and attend a short briefing about the week’s rhythm — preparation for an intentional wellness journey.
After breakfast depart for Chidambaram for a gentle temple visit that sets a contemplative tone. In the evening transfer to Kumbakonam (KUM), your base for the retreat, where you’ll check in and enjoy a calming dinner.
Night 2: Stay at Kumbakonam.
Begin with morning sūryanamaskār, followed by a guided yoga and meditation session that centers the body. Meet with the wellness doctor for a consultation and personalised treatment; enjoy a nourishing lunch, then visit Darasuram for an afternoon of architecture and restorative calm.
Night 3: Stay at Kumbakonam.
Start with sūryanamaskār and a calming yoga flow, followed by targeted wellness treatment tailored to your consultation. After lunch travel to Swamimalai and Thirunageshwaram to blend spiritual reflection with gentle sightseeing, returning to KUM for dinner and rest.
Night 4: Stay at Kumbakonam.
A morning of sūryanamaskār, guided pranayama and an individualized therapy keeps the focus on restorative healing. After a wholesome lunch, enjoy a guided nature walk — quiet trails and temple-town scenery help integrate bodywork and breath.
Night 5: Stay at Kumbakonam.
Morning practice and a therapeutic session focus on mobility and breathwork; enjoy a light, nourishing lunch. In the afternoon travel to historic Tanjore to visit its grand temple, allowing heritage and wellness to complement one another.
Night 6: Stay at Kumbakonam.
Begin with sūryanamaskār, yoga and a final consult with the wellness doctor to assess progress and offer home practices. After lunch enjoy free time and an evening of traditional folk music and dance — a joyful closure to the week’s inner work.
Night 7: Stay at Kumbakonam.
Enjoy a final sunrise sūryanamaskār and a gentle closing meditation before breakfast. Depart Kumbakonam for Chennai with a refreshed body, an expanded toolkit of wellness practices and personalized recommendations to continue your self-care at home.
Tour ends on arrival in Chennai.
Includes: 7 nights accommodation, daily yoga & meditation sessions, wellness consultations, selected traditional treatments, daily breakfast and selected lunches, guided nature walks and cultural evenings.
What to bring: Comfortable yoga clothes, light layers, a shawl, walking shoes, reusable water bottle, sunscreen and a small journal for reflections.
Mobility & health: Moderate walking with some gentle steps; please inform us of any medical conditions or mobility needs at booking. Consultations are included to adapt treatments safely.
Imagine greeting the sun with mindful movement, feeling tension melt during a traditional treatment, and ending the day with local music beneath a starlit sky. Wellness at Cholanadu is an invitation to slow down, recalibrate and carry home practical rituals for lifelong wellbeing.
Reserve your restorative week today — limited places for an intimate, transformative experience.
