Ananda Matha Ashram is a monastic community of Cistercian nuns (Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance – OCSO), also known as Trappistines. Founded in 1995 in India, the community first settled in another location before moving in 2009 to Kunnambetta, in the lush and peaceful district of Wayanad, Kerala—a setting ideal for contemplative life.

 

We follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, living a rhythm of silence, prayer, manual work, and fraternal life. Our days revolve around liturgical prayer, meditation, sustainable agriculture, and monastic hospitality, offering a space for guests seeking retreat, silence, and spiritual depth.

 

The Cistercian presence in India includes two monasteries: Kurisumala Ashram, of the Syro-Malankara rite in Vagamon, and our community, of the Latin rite under the Diocese of Calicut. On  7th October 2024, our monastery was formally recognized as a priory, a major milestone on the path to autonomy within the Cistercian Order.

 

Today, our community includes about nine sisters from diverse backgrounds, guided by a prioress. Together, we live in simplicity, rooted in prayer and deeply connected to the natural world that surrounds us.

 

The name Ananda, meaning “deep joy” in Sanskrit, reflects our aspiration to live in the divine presence, in peace, communion with creation, and fidelity to the Cistercian spirit of contemplation.

​

To learn more about our order, visit: www.ocso.org