LOTUS 40th Anniversary Celebration

Location icon
108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States
Users icon
Up to 30 in group
Date
September 4 - 6, 2026

Retreat Highlights

  • Experience the Light of Truth Universal Service honoring all world faith traditions [cite: 14]
  • Participate in diverse panels exploring inner and outer peace across world and nature-based faiths [cite: 45, 57]
  • Deepen your practice with daily Integral Yoga Hatha and meditation sessions [cite: 31, 38, 50, 51]
  • Learn the history of the shrine through a special documentary on the building of LOTUS [cite: 35]
  • Join a dedicated World Peace Ceremony to renew a global commitment to unity and respect [cite: 54]

About this Retreat

Details of this retreat

Join us at Satchidananda Ashram—Yogaville to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS).

This weekend is a time to come together and renew our commitment to the universal message of LOTUS dedicated to the Light of all faiths and to world peace. Interfaith programming fills the blessed weekend. Over the past four decades, LOTUS has welcomed thousands of spiritual seekers from around the world, to partake of the deep Peace that emanates from the shrine.

Just like a lotus flower, the Light of Truth Universal Shrine reaches to the sun and encourages us to reach out to each other with respect and love, as we progress on our spiritual paths. May LOTUS continue to serve as an all-encompassing beacon of unity and peace recognizing the divine truth behind all forms of faith: religious, cultural, secular and personal spirituality. May the motto, “Truth is One, Paths are Many,” be embraced by more and more spiritual seekers world-wide.

Victory to the Light!
We’ll experience:

Awe-like wonder while learning how the LOTUS was built
Appreciation of all faiths during the Light of Truth Universal Service
Heart-felt sharings of inner and outer peace from world faith and nature-based faith traditions
Inspiration from the evening musical and dance offerings
Inner peace while meditating within the LOTUS upper sanctuary

Testimonials
“One of the world's greatest meditation sites. Embodies the spiritual oneness at the core of all world faiths while celebrating each path's unique greatness. Palpably peaceful, uplifting, and exquisitely beautiful. Surrounded by serene countryside replete with wooded acreage full of wildlife and natural flora on the banks of the James River with lovely views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
–Rev. Paraman Barsel

“Beautiful, unique temple that is worth a visit for anyone, regardless of religious conviction.” –Surya

“The setting is beautiful and serene, we were privileged to have joined the meditation session, it was sublime to say the least. The LOTUS shrine is a must visit.”
–Shantanu Acharya

“This place was so peaceful and I like the light in the middle.” –Shuban Bala

“I love that all religions are honored and respected here. What a beautiful property.” –Bee Tomley

“The LOTUS is spiritually enlightening, educational and inspiring.” –Sue

“There's a sweet presence of unity peace and love.” -Dinora



Schedule
FRIDAY

3–5 pm Registration
5-6:30 Mixed Level Hatha
5-5:45 Yoga Nidra
6-6:30 Meditation
6:30–7:15 Dinner
7:30–8:15 Building of LOTUS documentary
8:30-9:30 LOTUS open with lights and fountains

SATURDAY

6-7 am Meditation
7:10-8:40 Hatha
8-8:30 Puja (Worship Service) at Chidambaram
8–9:30 Breakfast
10–11:45 Interfaith Service and Program
12–12:30 pm Meditation
12:45–1:30 Luncheon
2–3:30 World Faiths Panel: Inner Peace/Outer Peace
4-4:30 Program TBA
5:30–6:15 Dinner
7:30-9:30 LOTUS 40th Anniversary Evening Program

SUNDAY

6-7 am Integral Yoga Meditation
7:10–8:40 Integral Yoga Hatha
8:00 Puja (Worship Service) at Chidambaram
8–9:30 Breakfast
10–11:30 World Peace Ceremony
12-12:30 pm Meditation
12:45–1:30 Luncheon
2–3:30 Nature-based Faiths Panel: Inner Peace/Outer Peace
4-4:30 Program TBA
6:30–7:15 Dinner
7:30-9 LOTUS 40th Anniversary Closing Program

Getting Here

Location icon Yogaville, 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921, United States

Directions

Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Accommodation

Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory

The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)

Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.

Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.

Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk

Accommodation
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific

Private Dormitory

Accommodation
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only

LGH: Full Bed

Accommodation
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.    

LGH: 2 Twin beds

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.  

LGH: Queen Bed

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.  

Tent-Site

Accommodation
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15 Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3.   Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience.  Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night. Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.  

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Meals

Menu Types

Organic, vegetarian/vegan food Labeled ingredients Lacto-vegetarian Gluten-free and vegan options Salad bar Large herbal tea selection Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe

What's Included

  • Accomodations
  • Meals
  • Meditation Sessions
  • Yoga Classes

What's Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Airfare

Customer Reviews

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