Updated May 25, 2023
About Isha Temple
In 1992, Indian spiritual master Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev established the nonprofit organization Isha Foundation in the Coimbatore district of Tamilnadu. Isha Yoga Center, a wellness yoga and meditation center, is a part of this foundation.
The name ‘Isha’ means ‘formless divine,’ which connects to the idea of a divine power that is unimaginable and formless.
The Isha Yoga Center, constructed at the Velliangiri Mountains’ foothills, draws hundreds of tourists and spiritual seekers worldwide annually. A group of volunteers administers the foundation’s programs and activities.
Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev – Isha Temple Founder
Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev, Isha Yoga Center’s founder, is an experienced yoga teacher who has taught yoga since 1982. Sadguru’s well-known book Inner Engineering, A Yogi’s Guide to Joy, is a New York Times best seller. He has supported several environmental conservation initiatives, such as
- Rally for river
- Projects Green Hands
- Cauvery Calling and
- Save Soil
India honored Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev with Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, 2017 to recognize his contributions to spiritual and social well-being.
Adiyogi Shiva Statue
The iconic Adiyogi Shiva statue is the main attraction of the Isha temple. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji unveiled the Adiyogi Statue on 24th February 2017, during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
Listed as an ‘Incredible India Destination,’ this statue is the ‘Largest Bust Sculpture’ in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. This statue has a height of 112 ft, length of 147 ft, and width of 82 ft. The statue weighs around 500 tonnes, and the Isha Yoga Center employed 1000 tonnes of steel sheet metal to build this enormous sculpture.
‘Adiyogi’ is the first yogi to come to Earth and teach the people about attaining nirvana or liberation. As per Hindu literature, the seven disciples of ‘Adiyogi’ are called Saptha Rishis. The statue is 112 feet tall and represents the 112 ways a person might reach nirvana or liberation and the 112 chakras in their body.
Specialties of Adiyogi Statue
- Adiyogi Divya Darshanam is a 14-minute 3D laser presentation that features the story of Adiyogi’s life and contributions to yoga. This light and sound performance is a visually appealing presentation of the temple.
- In 2019, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the 3D laser show on Mahashivarathri.
- In front of the Adiyogi statue is a Shiva linga known as Yogeshwar linga. This Yogeshwar linga, created for sadhana, manifests five significant chakras in the human body. Devotees offer water and neem leaves to the linga.
- It takes two kilometers to circumambulate the Adiyogi Shiva Statue.
- Offering black cloth is a ritual in which worshippers tie the fabric to any 621 tridents that encircle the statue.
- Every full moon and new moon night, the ashram hosts traditional pujas with musical entertainment by the Isha music group called Sound Of Isha.
- The chant “Shambho” is written on the Yogeshwar linga in the south Indian languages Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.
- There is a sacred stone panel with the sculptures of Saptharshis.
- You can see the world’s largest Rudraksha mala on the statue, which contains 1000,008 beads. Devotees can collect these energized Rudraksha beads as ‘prasad’ ( offerings to the deity during puja) during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri.
- Aside from the Adiyogi statue, the temple has a Theerthakund, a sacred underground water source.
Linga Bhairavi
Lingabhairavi Abhishekam is a series of eleven offerings made to the goddess Linga Bhairavi to get Devi’s grace. Linga Bhairavi, the feminine energy worshiped here as a linga, is Dhyanalinga’s counterpart. For Linga Bhairavi, there are certain poojas and offerings.
Isha Wellness Initiatives
The Isha Yoga Center offers various health and wellness programs. The practices in these programs incorporate Indian traditions, including yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and Siddha remedies. Visitors can practice simple meditation methods like ‘Aum meditation’ to enhance their mental health.
The Isha Foundation Center is open to all visitors, and visiting hours are from 6 am to 8 pm. Visitors can make reservations to stay and participate in Isha’s events. By visiting the Isha temple, they can experience divine grace and spiritual energy.
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