AUM Life and the Rise of the Modern Urban Ashram

Mumbai-based wellness centre AUM Life (which stands for Awareness, Understanding, Meditation) was born from founder Richa Agrawal’s own pursuit of wellbeing and spiritual development.

Having been introduced to spiritual disciplines from an early age, Agrawal continued to immerse herself in meditation practices such as Vipassana and Heartfulness. She was also drawn towards Vedic studies, yogic philosophy, and yogic energy practices.

During a meditation session, Agrawal realised that while spiritual wisdom was abundant, spaces that allowed one to consistently pursue that wisdom without retreating from modern life, were few. This realisation motivated her to create a space for fellow seekers.

Offerings include daily classes and healing sessions throughout the week, as well as retreats, workshops, and corporate programmes.

Each session is founded on the centre’s seven pillars: yoga, dhyana (meditation), prana (energy), chikitsa (healing), gyana (wisdom), ahaara (nourishment), and divya (rituals), and adapted to individual needs.

At the heart of AUM Life lies the Urban Ashram, a 7,300-square-foot space where circular geometries replace hard edges and daylight filters through vaulted ceilings to support circadian rhythm alignment. There are 12 rooms, with each serving a specific purpose such as healing, clarity, and release. 

Wellness Beyond the Bay

AUM Life extends its offerings beyond its Mumbai base, with residential retreats in Goa, Auroville, Mulshi, and Tuscany (Italy). They also have partnerships with Svaram in Auroville and Vaidyagrama in Coimbatore.

At the Kumbh Mela, AUM Life also introduced Luxury Pilgrimage Retreats that are ideal for students looking to deepen their understanding of specific practices, novices wanting to learn about spirituality, and travellers wishing to explore conventional tourist spots through a new lens.

Ask Agrawal about the purpose of AUM Life, and she succinctly says, “To be able to choose from various offerings and practices that continuously raise inner awareness and consciousness, leading to a transformative and joyful way of being and living.”