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Online workshop: 1–7 Nov Register

Athma Kalari, not a destination but a journey
An ochre corridor at Athma Kalari with white kalam patterns painted along the wall

Accommodation

Where you will stay

Stay at the gurukulam, or in apartments 1.5 km away. 3 vegetarian meals a day come with every stay, and you see the price for your dates when you book.

3 a day, included

Meals

3 a day, included

Vegetarian, with every stay

Rooms in nature

Gurukulam

Rooms in nature

A minute’s walk to the kalari

1.5 km away

Apartments

1.5 km away

Stable Wi-Fi, fewer power cuts

Calicut, 46 km away

Airport

Calicut, 46 km away

Pickup can be arranged

Choosing a room

3 kinds of room

Dormitory
Our basic option. A shared room with other students. Men and women have separate dormitories.
Room for 2
A room shared by 2 people.
Private
A room of your own.

At the gurukulam

A minute from the kalari

Staying at the gurukulam, you are up before dawn, in the kalari by 5:30 and eating with the other students. Rooms range from a basic dormitory to an air-conditioned room.

Men's Shared Dormitory Men's Shared Dormitory, photograph 2

Dormitory

Men's Shared Dormitory

Our basic option, and the one most students choose.

  • 14 beds
  • Shared bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi
  • No lockers

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Women's Shared Dormitory Women's Shared Dormitory, photograph 2 Women's Shared Dormitory, photograph 3 Women's Shared Dormitory, photograph 4

Dormitory

Women's Shared Dormitory

A dormitory for women, with its own bathroom. A short walk from the kalari.

  • 4 beds
  • Women only
  • Own bathroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • No lockers

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Women's Private Room Women's Private Room, photograph 2 Women's Private Room, photograph 3 Women's Private Room, photograph 4

Private

Women's Private Room

A room of your own inside the women-only block.

  • Women only
  • Own bathroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • Private

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Single Hut Single Hut, photograph 2 Single Hut, photograph 3 Single Hut, photograph 4 Single Hut, photograph 5

Private

Single Hut

A small hut to yourself, built from earth and timber.

  • Private hut
  • Shared bathrooms
  • Wi-Fi

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Single Room Single Room, photograph 2 Single Room, photograph 3 Single Room, photograph 4 Single Room, photograph 5 Single Room, photograph 6

Private

Single Room

A private room with its own attached bathroom and a wardrobe.

  • Attached western toilet
  • Wardrobe
  • Wi-Fi

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Deluxe Single Deluxe Single, photograph 2 Deluxe Single, photograph 3 Deluxe Single, photograph 4 Deluxe Single, photograph 5 Deluxe Single, photograph 6

Private

Deluxe Single

The most comfortable room at the gurukulam.

  • Air-conditioned
  • Attached western toilet
  • Wardrobe
  • Wi-Fi

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
Deluxe Double Sharing Deluxe Double Sharing, photograph 2 Deluxe Double Sharing, photograph 3 Deluxe Double Sharing, photograph 4 Deluxe Double Sharing, photograph 5 Deluxe Double Sharing, photograph 6

Room for 2

Deluxe Double Sharing

An air-conditioned deluxe room for 2 people coming together.

  • Air-conditioned
  • Twin sharing
  • Attached toilet
  • Wi-Fi

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates

1.5 km away

Apartments near the gurukulam

These suit working professionals who take 1 class a day. The Wi-Fi is more stable than at the gurukulam, and there are fewer power cuts. You also get more privacy and a proper desk. 3 vegetarian meals a day are still included, and we provide basic cycles for the ride to the kalari.

Men's 2BHK Dormitory Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 2 Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 3 Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 4 Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 5 Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 6 Men's 2BHK Dormitory, photograph 7

Dormitory

Men's 2BHK Dormitory

A shared apartment for up to 6 men, with 2 bedrooms, a hall, a kitchen and a balcony.

  • 1.5 km away
  • Max 6 beds
  • Western toilet
  • Wi-Fi
  • Work space

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
1BHK Double Sharing 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 2 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 3 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 4 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 5 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 6 1BHK Double Sharing, photograph 7

Room for 2

1BHK Double Sharing

An apartment for 2, with 1 bedroom, a hall, a kitchen and a balcony.

  • 1.5 km away
  • Western toilet
  • Kitchen and balcony
  • No Wi-Fi

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates
2BHK Fully Furnished 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 2 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 3 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 4 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 5 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 6 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 7 2BHK Fully Furnished, photograph 8

Private

2BHK Fully Furnished

Fully furnished and self-service, with your own bedroom and attached bathroom.

  • 1.5 km away
  • Air-conditioned
  • Private bedroom, attached bath
  • High-speed Wi-Fi
  • Water geyser

Choose your dates to see the price and availability

Check dates

Food

3 vegetarian meals a day

We cook simple South Indian vegetarian food, made fresh from local, seasonal produce.

  • Breakfast 9:30 AM, after the morning session.
  • Lunch 1:30 PM, the main meal of the day.
  • Dinner 8:30 PM, after the evening session.
A Kerala vegetarian meal served on a banana leaf at Athma Kalari
A steel thali of rice and curries
Breakfast on a banana leaf

Getting here

Chemmalasseri, in the
middle of Kerala

Calicut is the nearest airport and Pattambi the nearest station. Our regular drivers charge the fixed fares below.

The thatched kalari and a guest building among coconut palms at the Athma Kalari gurukulam

Calicut Airport (CCJ)

46 km
Sedan
₹2,500
Innova
₹2,800
Auto
₹1,200

Kochi Airport (COK)

115 km
Sedan
₹5,800
Innova
₹6,300
Auto
—

Coimbatore Airport (CJB)

128 km
Sedan
₹6,000
Innova
₹6,800
Auto
—

Pattambi Railway (PTB)

18 km
Sedan
₹1,000
Innova
₹1,300
Auto
₹400

Shoranur Railway (SRR)

31 km
Sedan
₹1,500
Innova
₹1,700
Auto
₹800

Ottappalam Railway (OTP)

37 km
Sedan
₹1,800
Innova
₹2,100
Auto
—

Call a driver directly

Call or message a day ahead to book your pickup.

Packing

What to bring

For check-in

  • Indian residentsAadhaar card and a passport-size photo
  • Foreign nationalsPassport, and visa or OCI card

For your stay

  • 3–4 sets of loose clothes for practice
  • A blanket and towels
  • Knee or ankle support, if you need it
  • Anything else you need for a long stayMost things can also be bought locally.

At the gurukulam

House rules

Conduct

  • Respect instructors, students and volunteers.
  • Keep yourself and shared spaces clean.
  • No smoking or alcohol on the premises. Please avoid them during your training too.
  • Turn off lights and fans when not in use.
  • Put waste in the right bins.
  • Wash your own plate after meals.

Classes

  • Classes run 5:30–7:30, morning and evening. Arrive 5 minutes early.
  • 2 classes a day. Sunday is a full day off.
  • You need at least 90% attendance to move to the next level and get a certificate.
  • Sign the office book when you go out and come back.
  • Plan trips and treks for Sundays, and try not to miss evening classes.

Rooms

  • Private bathrooms are for the room’s guests only. Meet visitors in the common areas.
  • The main gate closes at 10:30 PM.

Meals

  • Finish dinner by 9:30 PM, when the canteen closes.
  • Tell us a day ahead if you will miss a meal.
  • Do not take food out of the canteen, except fruit.

Before you book

Common questions

If yours is not here, message us. We usually reply the same day.

Ask on WhatsApp
It depends on the room, how long you stay and what you come for. The booking page shows the full price for your dates. For training, it includes your Kalaripayattu sessions and 3 vegetarian meals a day.
Usually, if one is free. Many students start in the dormitory and move to a hut or private room once they decide to stay longer. Ask at the desk.
No. The men’s and women’s dormitories are separate, and the women’s block has its own bathroom and private rooms.
Yes, in most rooms at the gurukulam and in both 2BHK apartments. If you work online, choose the apartments. The Wi-Fi there is more stable and there are fewer power cuts. The 1BHK double sharing does not have Wi-Fi.
Yes. Companions can stay and eat with us without joining the sessions. Tell us in advance so we can find a suitable room.
The booking page shows which rooms are open for your dates.

Train in an 8th-generation Kerala kalari

Train twice a day in a traditional kalari pit.