Ongara Ashram is located in "Santosh Nivas", in M 14/2, East Avenue, in T.N.H.B Colony, in the sub-town of Korattur, in the capital and metropolitan city of Chennai, in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a non-religious organization with a universal target of affording Santhosham / happiness (Eternal bliss) to every living creature. It was established by Sri Siddhar Swamigal. His main mission for mankind was in a successful manner created in the form of this Ashram. He set up this Ashram in order to spread his special message of divine love. He was the person who started open space meditation as a powerful technique and method in order to achieving it successfully.

The main ashram of Sri Siddhar Swamigal was founded in 1960 on the birthday of Para Brahma Sadguru Om Sri Siddhar Swamigal, the sub-town of Mayiladuthurai in the district of Nagai Quaide Millet, in the state of Tamilnadu. According to the local legends, its founder said his chief disciple on 1962, "Take charge of the Ashram and through its activities spread divine wisdom. Occupy the Ongara Peeta and render selfless service to the entire world. I bless this effort to promote Sathya, Dharma and Nyaya (Truth, Righteousness and Justice)".

Ongara Ashram in Korratur in Chennai is one of the most sought after and most frequented ashram in this city. This ashram is really very unique in many aspects when compared to other ashrams in the surrounding region of Chennai. It comes in the form of non-religious form that is its main significance among several good things regarding it. This ashram can be reached easy from Chennai Central Railway station, Koyembedu Bus terminal and Chennai international and domestic airport. It is located within the city limit only. It is situated just a few meters away from the main road.

Governing Principles of Ongara Ashram

Purification, Perfection and Attainment.

Other principles of Ongara Ashram are:

• Justice and Righteousness among mankind

• To cleanse the sadhaka's or aspirant's body, mind and soul

• To assist him or her reach ultimately merge in space through spiritual practices in order to attain the divine stage

• To teach him or merging of the individual soul into the Supreme soul with the art of fullness and cleanness

• Propagate the vital principles of Truth

• Devise methods, techniques and means of successfully filling the cup of life with shukam (happiness) and shanti (peace).

• Educate people to practice ahimsa and love to all beings stay away from violence

• Teach each and every individual to practice devotion to mother, father, guru and God

• Make this earth, haven of love plus lasting happiness

• Work for the rise of divine forces

• Do intense meditation and penance

Main Activities Conducted by Ongara Ashram

• At various centers to propagate religious harmony, World Peace conferences were held in a successful manner.

• In 1981, on 18th April, on the grand occasion of the World Peace Conference successfully held in Pondicherry, Ongara Ashram largely produced a special cover with its motto and logo plus the Department of Posts and Telegraphs wholeheartedly arranged for Stamp Cancellation at Chennai and Pondicherry.

• In the state of Tamilnadu and in the union territory of Pondicherry, open Space meditation programs are a regular feature at all ashram centers annually on the Chitra Poornima day and monthly on Full moon day. It is to be noted that peace loving religious and spiritual Heads of various strong beliefs and faith take part in this particular program.

• Ongara Ashram has in a successful manner published nearly more than 40 books in the field of Quality of life and experiences of divine men and Philosophy. These books are instant hit and very popular among public. On the other hand, these books are prescribed by Government of Tamil Nadu for several libraries in Tamil Nadu.

• In Thiruvannamalai, in the holy precincts of Sri Arunachaleswar temple, in a single night, the significant part was achieved when Sanyasins, heads of religious institutions, Sadhus, and devotees, approximately 7,000 in all, chanted the holy Siva panchakshara mantra in May 1991, and the total came to 10 million.

• On a global basis, till date, 3 Mahapujas, 24 Mass meditation programs and 520 weekly Congregations were conducted.

• A special puja, once again for world peace was conducted in September 1993, 200 Sadhus participated, 108 sumangalis were worshipped with devotion and dedication as forms of Parasakthi.

• In a procession flagged off by Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, 4,000 students went and performed successfully Panchakshara Japam for nearly two hours praying for prosperity and peace in the world.

Almost all the activities here are well planned and are done with outmost care, in order to ensure whoever is associated with the ashram; they get the most out of the programs and use it for times to come. Be the part of this well known yoga institute and get the of the teaching as well as suggestions that are truly blessing for many enthusiasts.

Complete Yoga Studies Course

This one particular course it enough to become an independent yoga teacher after successfully completing this course. with a lot of perfection, this is a full time residential course in yoga that teaches all the aspects of Yoga and its related practical and theory aspects.

This course teach you all the basic plus advanced yoga postures such as Suryanamaskaara or Sun Salutation posture, Ardhamatsyendraasana or Spinal Twist posture, Bhuja~Ngaasana or Cobra posture, Navasana or Boat Pose posture, Pashchimottaanaasana or Full Forward Bend posture, Balasana or Child Pose posture, Halaasana or Plough posture, Jathaparivrittasana or Reclining Stomach Twist posture, Dhanuraasana or Bow posture, Chaturaa~NgadanDaasana or Four-limbed staff posture, Prasaritapadottana or Standing Straddled Forward Bend posture, Matsyaasana or Fish posture, Marjarasana or Cat and cow stretch posture, Rajakapotasana or King Pigeon Pose posture, TrikoNaasana or Triangle posture, Sarvaa~Ngaasana or Shoulder Stand posture, Yogamudraa or Yoga Seal posture, Paarshvottanasana or Intense Side Stretch posture, Setubandhasana or Bridge Pose posture, Virabhadraasana 2 or Warrior 2 posture, Shavaasana or Corpse posture, Virabhadraasana or Warrior 1 posture, Vrikshasana or Tree Pose posture, Viparitakarani or Legs up the Wall Pose posture, Utkatasana or Chair Pose posture, Ushtrasna or Camel Pose posture, Utthitaparshvakonasana or Side Angle Pose posture, Gomukhasana or Cow face posture, JaanushirShaasana or Head-to-knee posture and Shalabhaasana or Locust posture. Vajrasana or Thunderbolt (Diamond) Pose posture, Pavanamuktaasana or Supine knees to chest pose posture and Urdhvamukhashvanasana or Upward Facing Dog Pose posture.

The Course Curriculum Comprises of

Under the topic of Origins of the Yogic Traditions, it deals with Vedanta; an introduction, Foundational Principles of Yoga, the essential knowledge and practices that largely make yoga work, Founding Traditions: Samkhya and Patanjali Classical Yoga, Shad Darshanas, yoga's evolution to contemporary practices, Foundational Meditation: its principles and practice and Branches of Yoga.

Under How Yoga Works, application to yoga practice, its seven stages, Anatomy and Physiology, modifications and restorative methods, Asana its theory and practice, finding Structural Alignment: releasing postural habits and Foundational Pranayama: principles and practices. Other topics are Class Design, Shanti Darshanam, Structure and Style, Ethics of Teaching and Designing a Personal Practice plus Training Components.

Facilities at Ongara Ashram

The ashram at Korattur, Chennai comes with stay and food arrangement for few numbers of inmates, students, participants, guest and visitors who visit this place for a purpose. The ashram has a library that is filled with books on various subject matters in the form of books, journals, magazines and report texts. The ashram has a small garden in its surrounding. This ashram is surrounded by residential buildings in the city atmosphere.