Exploring calmness within spirituality : A 4-Day Spiritual Retreat With My Family
I love travelling! The planning, the journey, and the post-experience is what excites me the most. But again, travelling with family means rolling with the punches when things don’t go as expected, like delayed trains or detours 🙁 Although it sounds that way, my journey was a reunion of heartfelt laughs and endless memories with my family. This January, my family and I embarked on a four-day spiritual journey across Telangana, seeking calm, blessings, and deeper connections. Starting from the bustling Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad, we explored the divine ambiance of Yadadri, the ancient and beautiful intricacies of Ramappa Temple, the calming presence of Kanha Shanti Vanam and the elegant stillness of the Swarnagiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. What forayed after was a soul-replenishing trip, that was a beautiful blend of culture, devotion and family bonding.
Day 1: Starting the Journey: Comfort and Hospitality at Taj Mahal Hotel
Our journey started with a short but exciting packing spree. We packed comfortable clothes, tasty snacks for the road, and my mom as always being extra-cautious packed spiritual essentials like prayer books and incense sticks, and a Lord Ganesha idol for blessings.
By early afternoon, we reached Taj Mahal Hotel Jubilee Hills— the best location for a tourist to stay in Hyderabad, also our home for the next 4 days. We were truly impressed by its luxurious interiors. Being situated in one of the busiest areas of Hyderabad, it’s a central location for tourists in Hyderabad, making it perfect for exploring top tourist attractions in Hyderabad. This enabled us to find a perfect blend of comfort and hospitality. Later in the night, after freshening up, we had kulcha with paneer cassata, corn fried rice, the mouth-watering paneer ghee roast, and lemon coriander soup. Not to bluff, but my taste buds literally danced on my tongue with every bite of their recipes, and we were full. But my dad wasn’t! He ordered an Elaneer Payasam for himself, made with coconut milk, and he was humming with every sip as if it were the cherry on top of his day!
The hotel’s offerings were perfect for all our requirements as the food was exquisite, the rooms were spacious, and most importantly the location was optimum for all the spiritual places we were planning to go. We went to bed early anticipating the adventure ahead.
Day 2: Yadadri: The Majestic Abode of Lord Narasimha
We began the day with their signature filter kaapi and had a hearty breakfast guliyappa, ghee-karapodi thatte idli and appam with stew. We set out for Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Yadadri, located approximately 76 km from Jubilee Hills. We booked a cab and the drive took us about 2 hours, while lush greenery and serene countryside views kept us company.
The temple was perched on top of a glowing hill. The gleaming glow of the temple stood out next to its recent makeover display. My favorites were the astonishing gopurams and the sprawling mandapams which were absolutely breathtaking. I found every part of the temple to be incredibly and mesmerizingly packed with detail. Each step leading up to the temple felt like shedding layers of worldly anguish and embracing divinity. It was easy to surrender within the structure as how calm and powerful the idol of Lord Narasimha was while everything else melted into the background.
We spent time exploring the temple grounds, pausing to admire the stunning sculptures. After offering prayers, we enjoyed a traditional meal at a nearby eatery—pulihora (tamarind rice), sweet Pongal and veg meals that left us satisfied and content.
Once back in the hotel by night, we discussed the temple’s spectacular nature over dinner before saying goodnight.
Day 3 : Chilukuri Balaji Temple and Kanha Shanti Vanam – A Retreat for the Soul
As part of the Hyderabad travel guide, Chilukuri Balaji Temple is a must-visit destination. For our Day 3 journey, we woke up early and set off for Chilukuri Balaji Temple that is about 25 kilometers away from Jubilee Hills. My brother is planning to pursue his studies abroad, so we visited the Chilukuru Balaji Temple to seek blessings for his successful journey. Popularly known as “Visa Balaji,” it brings in worshippers who wish to get blessed before traveling abroad, but also its peaceful ambiance that attracts anyone needing some tranquility. The simplicity of the temple and its lush environment seemed like a peaceful way to commence our day. We then proceeded to Kanha Shantivanam after spending time in prayer and reflection.
Kanha Shantivanam is the world headquarters of Heartfulness Institute situated about 40 km outside the city. It is located in a calm forest making it an ideal spot for meditation and self-reflection. In this serene environment, we had the opportunity to take a break and be introspective on a deeper level as we connected with ourselves more deeply within us. With the hosts involved, we did one session of meditation which left us refreshed and spiritually elevated. We then headed back to the hotel and spent a calm evening with refreshing snacks, kadai pav bajji and mouth-watering masala mirchi bajji with chai.
Day 4: Ratnalayam Temple and Swarnagiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple
On the last day, we kick started the day by visiting the Ratnalayam Temple in the afternoon post lunch, which is around 50 km from Hyderabad. These temples are greatly appreciated for their peaceful surroundings and for their dedication to Venkateswara. The calm surroundings and beautiful architecture of the temple offered the best environment for reflecting on our spiritual journey so far. We extended our prayers and indulged ourselves in the calmness surrounding the temple.
After a soothing afternoon, we went to our last stop, the Swarnagiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple which is one of the best places to visit in Hyderabad for its evening charm. We had a great experience indulging ourselves in the night view of the temple, as it is the time at which the temple looks the most beautiful. This temple is situated on Manepally Hills, around 50 kilometers from Hyderabad, the place looks marvelous in the evening sky. The illumination of the grand Rajagopurams and the 12 foot tall black granite idol of Venkateswara, along with the temple lights, created a divine aura. The peace and spirituality in the air at this hour was surreal.
Conclusion
This trip was unlike any other; it allowed us the once in a lifetime chance to connect with our roots and heal as a family. It was not just a family getaway, rather a chance for us to embark on a memorable journey together. From the divine blessings at Chilukuru Balaji to the breathtaking evening we spent at Swarnagiri, every stop was a memorable experience to us.
This entire journey would have been hard to pull through if not for the central point of the trip, which was having our budget-friendly stay in Hyderabad. Taj Mahal Hotel for its strategic location, thoughtful hospitality, and cozy ambiance ensured we were well-rested and ready to explore each day. It felt like coming home after every soul-stirring experience.
For people thinking of things to do in Hyderabad or embarking on a similar journey, I would suggest taking the time to admire the beauty and tranquility of these spiritual sites around there, because it is undoubtedly breathtaking. And, of course, having a convenient and welcoming place to return to at the end of each day can make your experience even more special!
