Project Overview:

Arunachala Nadaloka – To awaken & reconnect to you Nada Aatma at Arunachala
is a holistic healing centre dedicated to fostering spiritual awakening and inner healing using
the universal element of SOUND – AUM – NADA which resonates with the ancient wisdom of
Nadabrahma – LORD SHIVA

Nadaloka is more than just a project; it is a sacred endeavour, a place where individuals can
awaken their Nadaatma, experience the essence of Nadabrahma, and embark on a
transformative spiritual journey. Your support is instrumental in turning this vision into a reality,
creating a space that aligns with the teachings of Nadabrahma and the spiritual significance
of Arunachala.

Where is Nadaloka located?

It is located on the spiritual south of India in Thiruvannamalai , at the Arunachala hill
considered as the shiva lingam, the element of fire. One round around the Arunachala hill is
called the walk of liberation and the path is called the Girivalam road at the foothills of the
revered Arunachala.

Nadaloka situated on the Girivalam path offers a unique opportunity for reconnection with
oneself and profound spiritual experiences.

What is the meaning of Nada?

Nada, a word from the ancient Sanskrit language, embodies the essence of “sound” and
“vibration”. It’s like the magical thread that weaves the inner and outer world into a union like
a bridge that connects what we hear in the external world with what resonates deep inside
us. Sound or Nada meditation is the most powerful path to self-realisation.

Who started it?

Balu

Balasundaram is the Creative Director and Co-founder of Nadaloka. His deep passion for sound healing, music, education, and social entrepreneurship inspired the vision for the Centre. Over the years, he has been involved in several Auroville initiatives, including cofounding Mohanam Cultural Centre, Auroville Bamboo Centre, and Svaram Music Centre. The shared purpose of these projects has been to create rich educational environments that honour traditional knowledge while exploring contemporary and innovative practices.

 

Balu’s sound and movement journey began when Melissa Michaels planted a seed of soul embodiment through sound, silence, and movement during an international youth camp. This experience became a turning point, inspiring him to work closely with local culture and communities. Since then, he has dedicated himself to enabling young people to transform their
lives by unlocking their full potential through art, craft, sound, movement, and traditional knowledge.

 

A committed social entrepreneur, community builder, farmer, and cultural activist, Balasundaram is a strong advocate for the local economy and sustainable living. His work spans roles as a sound healer, bamboo holistic consultant, and torchbearer of Tamil cultural heritage, actively exploring and sharing its deep connections with Asia and the wider world.

 

The Auroville Bamboo Centre itself emerged from a bamboo experimental farm initiated at Mohanam, reflecting his hands-on, regenerative approach to development.

 

Through extensive travel to various countries for cultural exchange, youth leadership programs, and sound-based sessions, Balasundaram continues to build bridges between
cultures and communities. His dream with Arunachala Nadaloka is to create a sacred endeavour—a space where individuals can awaken through the incredible potential of sound.

 

Rooted in a vision of world peace, harmony, and unity Guided by a vision of peace, harmony, and global well-being, his life and work are dedicated to the betterment of the world, fostering inner transformation as a foundation for collective healing.

Sahithi

Sahiti is a Forbes India 30 under 30 Special Mention for
NGO & Social Entrepreneurship | Consultant for
Localisation of SDGs | Founder Soul of Swadesh Foundation ( Impact Scientist) | Tedx speaker | Rural Innovator I Author/ Host #impacthourbysahithi| National Brand
Ambassador SDGs – CIMSME ICTMAE | Design Thinking Practitioner.
Ten years of experience as a social entrepreneur in social impact space and field reasearchten with 15 local supply chains like mango, cashew, handló5m, bamboo etc.and created live documentary stories of rural women made products using design thinking framework, align
their stories to SDGs, create awareness about the village & it’s local resources, enable value added linkages & better outreach, provide onsite incubation, sustainable business
development strategy. So far visited more than 100 villages across India

Research and Experimentation

At Nadaloka, our work extends into ongoing research and experiential exploration of sound, vibration, and sacred form. We engage deeply with mantra and yantra, alongside research and experimentation with musical instruments and sound as tools for healing and awakening. Our practices include sound and yoga programs, explorations of Nada Lingam as a living expression of vibration, and the creation of immersive spaces such as the Sound Cave and the Cosmic Golden Egg. These initiatives come together through the Sound Yoga Centre, a dedicated space for practice, learning, and transmission of sound-based wisdom

What services does Nadaloka offer?

• Sound cave – Sound pooja ( nada abhishekam) – A sacred sound pooja dedicated to Lord Shiva of Arunachala, using sound instruments is a sound offering that allows people to immerse themselves in the divine vibrations of nada.
• Healing Hut – A healing room made with natural materials is designed to facilitate peaceful spiritual relaxation through the use of sound and vibration. One person can experience deep relaxation, balance, and alignment of their physical, mental, emotional aspects with sound bath , one on one healing , sound massage , sound healing therapy
• Sound garden – An immersive outdoor space designed that features a harmonious blend of sound instruments that create a symphony of soothing sounds. Visitors can interact with sound instruments like Tibetan singing bowls, bamboo , and wind chimes, allowing for a hands-on and meditative experience.
• Sound boutique – Will offer a variety of sound instruments like ( windchimes) and sustainable merchandise
• Events & workshops – Sound instrument making, bamboo workshops, cacao ceremony, keertans, drum circle, sound circles , movie screening or any other spiritual education workshop can be conducted by specialised resource people. Yearly Arunachala healing festival.
• Community work – sound healing for pregnant women, autism children ,people with disabilities and Annadam
• Arunachala Gurukulam – Living at the Feet of the Self, An International Community of Good Living (Sanatana Dharma). Arunachala Gurukulam is envisioned as a living learning ecosystem – a place where sound, yoga, farming, art, and community living come together to nurture both inner and outer well-being. The objectives of this initiative are to preserve local culture, traditions and arts, as well as to create a space for cross-cultural encounters and experiences.
• Awakening spark weekend art and craft farm school – creative, nature based education for local This project has the vision to build a bridge between local children, rural communities, and international participants through experiential learning, service, and cultural exchange. Our project is built on the principles of community participation, cultural sensitivity, and environmental awareness​
• Tours & Homa – Offering special tours of Arunachala & Homa bookings
• Volunteers – We offer the centre to volunteers who are musicians , artists, therapists, healers, researchers, sound enthusiasts. The common facilities will be provided ( conditions apply to individuals profile , interest and work )

Fundraising Opportunity:

We invite you to partner with us in bringing Nadaloka to life. Your support will be invaluable in realising this vision and creating a space for spiritual growth and healing at Arunachala .

Your contributions will help in the development of:

1. Infrastructure: Building and maintaining the physical infrastructure necessary for the retreat, ensuring volunteer stay huts , event space , sound garden , sound fountain , development of mother India temple , bathroom.
2. Healing Programs: Support us to conduct sound healing sessions for pregnancy women, sadhus, children & people with disabilities
3. Cultural education : Providing opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the local practices, festivals, Seva & cultural heritage of Arunachala, enhancing their overall experience through tours.
4. Yearly Book – Arunchala & Nadaloka yearly tourist book of local stories , sound education & healing
5. Annadanam – Extend your hand to offer those in need on girivalam. Your donation, guided by love and kindness, will help us feed the hungry souls
6. Nada Prasadam – Support us to offer the nada prasadam everyday
7. Volunteer – We welcome volunteers who are into healing, therapy, music , research, travel / story writing , designers, artists , content creators and creative souls searching for meaning in working on girivalam towards building this project.

• Volunteer on girivalam
• Food will be provided one time
• Tent will be provided ( if not we suggest you the place for accommodations you can choose at you own expense )
• Depending on your individual work , what we provide can be discussed initially as it is a new project.
• Farm , landscape, events, building programs