Seeking The Master by Muzz Murray (1980).
Pilgrim’s Guide to Planet Earth : A traveler’s handbook & New Age directory by Parmatma Khalsa (1981).
Spiritual India Handbook : A Guide to Temples, Holy Sites, Festivals and Traditions by Stephen Knapp (2009).
From Here to Nirvana : The yoga journal guide to spiritual India by Anne Cushman and Jerry Jones (1998).
Ashrams : Voyage aux sources du yoga by Yael Bloch (2018).
Ashrams of India compiled by the Bronte Company (2018).
Recommended Books https://ashramsofindia.com/recommended-books/books-a-b/
Seeking The Master by Muzz Murray (1980).
This book was the first ever guide to the ashrams of India.
First published in 1980. It became renowned as the “Bible of India-bound spiritual seekers.” The Gurus and their teachings explored in this work have long left this worldly plane, but the ashrams are still there with new teachers and the directions of how to find them are invaluable. It contains information on over 300 ashrams and monasteries, their daily programmes and teachings, with the impressions of Western seekers of both the Masters and the ashrams of the time, plus a wealth of geographical and travel information, tips on keeping healthy in India and much more. It’s worth taking a look.
Available from: https://www.muzmurray.com/product-page/seeking-the-master-ebook-download-pdf
Pilgrim’s Guide to Planet Earth : A traveler’s handbook & New Age directory by Parmatma Khalsa (1981).
A directory published in 1981 of shrines, temples, churches, monasteries, holy places, spiritual and New Age teachings. It covers some 50 countries. It also cites schools, publications, communes, food stores, and vegetarian and macrobiotic restaurants and offers useful advice to international travelers (pilgrims) on the customs and facilities of unfamiliar countries and cultures. The guide was published by Spiritual Community Publications, formerly of San Rafael, California. Several years after the guide appeared Spiritual Community Publications went out of business, and no one has attempted an update of the original directory.
DOWNLOAD the Indian Chapter https://ashramsofindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/A-Pilgrims-Guide-to-Planet-Earth-INDIA.pdf
Spiritual India Handbook : A Guide to Temples, Holy Sites, Festivals and Traditions by Stephen Knapp (2009).
Spiritual India is for anyone who wants to know of the many holy sites that you can visit while travelling within India, how to reach them, and what is the history and significance of these most spiritual of sacred sites, temples and festivals. It also provides a deeper understanding of the mysteries and spiritual traditions of India.
In Search of the Holy Grail and the Precious Blood by Ean and Deike Begg (1995).
The Holy Grail is one of the most powerful myths in Western Culture. At the centre of this myth is the story of the chalice containing the Holy Blood of Christ, shed when Longinus pierced his side at the crucifixion. The Search for the Grail has inspired artists and mystics for hundreds of years. Many churches and cathedrals were built on sites that claimed their part in this sacred mystery.
Imbued with the spirit of the ancient quest and aware of its power as an antidote to our modern spiritual malaise, Ean and Deike Begg travelled throughout Europe, researching myths. This book is an illustrated account of their search and a practical, informative guidebook for travellers and seekers. It is full of fascinating information, such as the name of the Spanish cathedral that holds the cup of the Last Supper, the story of how a fig tree carried the Precious Blood to France and the secret of the Grail castles of Germany.
From Here to Nirvana : The yoga journal guide to spiritual India by Anne Cushman and Jerry Jones (1998).
From yogis to ashrams to temples, an in-depth travel guide to the spiritually significant sites of India provides detailed directions and contacts, information on food, facilities, tips on what to bring, photographs and maps, local lore, and much more.
Ashrams : Voyage aux sources du yoga by Yael Bloch (2018).
The author presents a selection of ashrams with different criteria: The choice of the guru, the practice, the conditions, the philosophical and spiritual organisation. Available in French only.
Un ashram est en Inde un lieu de retraite spirituelle auprès d’un maître appelé “guru.” Les ashrams sélectionnés ici sont des lieux ouverts d’étude, de méditation… Découvrir les ashrams : Une définition de l’ashram et un retour sur son histoire richement documentée et illustrée Un état des lieux actualisé revenant sur le succès de cette tradition millénaire chez les occidentaux Choisir son ashram : L’auteure présente une sélection d’ashrams répartis selon différents critères : Le choix du guru, le type de pratique corporelle, les conditions d’accueil, l’organisation philosophique et spirituelle…
Ashrams of India compiled by the Bronte Company (2018).
Ashrams of India is a travel guide that explores over 500 places of spiritual interest for the modern traveller.
“A massive 1749 page two volume book set that explores over 500 ashrams, temples, and other significant sites of eastern religious and spiritual interest located throughout the Indian sub-continent. The compilers have backed up their explorations with reems of classical, historical, and recent background information.” – The Wanderling https://the-wanderling.com/
Ashrams of India -☆☆☆☆☆ – 5 out of 5 stars “Masterful – a well researched, serious look at many famous ashrams. Masterfully written and produced. So much detail and care has gone into this project which is a labour of love. We may only bow!”
Ashrams have played a key role in many people’s journeys in modern times. The Beatles put India on the world map when they ventured to Rishikesh to learn Transcendental Meditation at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968. However, Westerners had been visiting the ashrams of saints since the early part of the twentieth century. Their stories and the places that they visited, many of which are still in existence, are gathered together here in Ashrams of India.
Ashrams of India is the perfect starting point for the modern spiritual traveller wishing to delve into the rich spiritual traditions of India and plan their own journey. Until now, basic information regarding these places was fragmented across many publications, both online and in print. Here you can find fascinating information about key figures, ashrams, churches, other places of spiritual significance, as well as practical advice including contact details, directions, and coordinates that link to Google Maps. Discover the story of the guru and follow their lineage and tradition. The book is richly illustrated with photos of people of interest and the sites themselves.
For those who wish to experience living at an ashram first hand, booking details are provided for places that offer short or long-term stays to non-Indians, and there is all-important cultural advice about the traditions visitors should follow when visiting an ashram.
This book is designed to be used together with your preferred travel guide.
