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80 %
Last replied
7 Dec 2024
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Description
South of Spanish Fork, Utah, in a semi rural environment, our community occupies 15 acres (5.85 hectares) upon which sit a gorgeous temple, a 6,000 sq. foot residential facility with comfortable double rooms, two outdoor stages, a large covered pavilion, and amenities for parrots, peacocks, llamas and 3 small cows.
There is a 200,000 gallon lake with waterfall from which we gravity feed one acre under cultivation. The acreage produces chemical free tomatoes, eggplants, varieties of chilis, squash, melons, corn, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes and flowers for worship.
We sponsor lots of festivals. March of 2024 we hosted the 29th annual Holi festival which attracted 10,000 attendees.
We teach yoga four days a week and have classes on the Bhagavad Gita 6 pm as well as daily kirtans. These programs are optional for the guests, though the more they attend, the more they will be informed about the 5,000 year old spiritual culture and practices of "Bhakti Yoga".
The only MANDATORY program occurs every Sunday 5 pm - 6 pm when there is an open house with kirtan, vegetarian feast, and spiritual discourse illustrated by power point presentation. This is an extremely 'seeker friendly' weekly event and guests should attend. As of May 2024 there have been 750,000 downloads of the Itunes Podcasts. Additionally, Jai, who leads the chanting most Sundays, is a world class kirtan leader. We ask that guests arrive punctually. Once again, this is not an option program. Please note.
There are a gift store on the property and salad bar with hot buffet open (11 am - 7 pm) 7 days a week. VEGAN FRIENDLY. We do a lot of cooking for those interested to learn. Volunteers who want to cook a vegetarian specialty in quantity for the buffet are welcome to use the kitchen. We can purchase in advance any special ingredients they may need.
Wireless internet everywhere.
We could accommodate up to 12 single adults and couples FOR A MINIMUM STAY OF 14 DAYS. There is no maximum time to stay & in fact the longer the better, providing the chemistry is right. We are set up mainly for singles and couples.
We expect 5 hours of diligent work 5 days a week in exchange for room and board. Each morning there is a daily breakfast/organizational meeting at 8:00 am. Volunteers work from 8 am until 1 pm, when there is a 8 course buffet lunch with salad bar. We do not support volunteers getting part time jobs in the area while living and working on the farm. Medical or health insurance is a plus in the event of an accident.
Local sights are Sundance Resort, Bridal Veil Falls, the Alpine Loop, hiking trails in Hobble Creek, Diamond Fork Hot Springs, Provo Canyon etc. Of the above, Diamond Fork Hot Springs (Fifth Water) is a MUST.
We are vegetarian and allow no meat, drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes on the property. If you are looking to break a smoking, drug, or alcohol habit by sojourning here, know up front you will simply be a disturbance in the community. We do not take caffeinated tea or coffee. We prefer that visitors go off site for consumption of these beverages, and that they not consume them later in the day, which keeps them up late at night, thus disturbing those who are early risers.
There are times of incredible peacefulness and relaxation, and other times, especially around festivals, when it can get intense. Ours is a practical path of bhakti (devotion), keeping God in the center of our activities. Sometimes that lends itself to peacefulness, introspection, and an educational atmosphere. Other times there is more emphasis on getting things done in a certain time frame. Sometimes we are absorbed in the gardening and sustainability and other times we throw ourselves into a special event.
Guests are requested to respect the spiritual atmosphere of peacefulness and self control, which can be disrupted by immodest dress, public groping (friendly hugs fine), and late night loudness. We like to know as much about you as possible to ensure your stay here will be a comfortable and rewarding one. Please keep your profile full and up to date and mention where else you may have woofed or done help exchange.
Outside work March thru November, and in winter more limited outdoor work, but lots to do indoors with the buffet and gift store.
The closest major airport is Salt Lake City (65 miles away) & the closest bus and train stations are in Provo, 6 miles away & an easy pick up. There is an airport in Provo serviced by Frontier Air Lines. We pick up from Provo bus, train station, or Provo airport during the day only. Schedule flights and driving to arrive in daylight as we are hard to find after dark. If you come by air to Salt Lake City, we do not pick up or drop off to and from the SLC airport, but, as noted above, the public transport is very easy.Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity WorkArt ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We follow the bhakti tradition and have many resources to deepen one's understanding. We offer yoga classes 4 times a week, lectures on the Srimad Bhagavatam 5 times a week, opportunities to learn Indian cooking, and kirtans which use musical talents for spiritual upliftment. Volunteers will also help take care of and train our pack of more than 20 llamas, who get rented out for hiking trips and entertain the more than 50,000 tourists visiting the temple every year.
Help
There is a 200,000 gallon lake with waterfall from which we gravity feed one acre under cultivation. The acreage produces chemical free tomatoes, eggplants, varieties of chilis, squash, melons, corn, cabbage, broccoli, green peppers, potatoes and flowers for worship.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hindi: Fluent
Nepali: Fluent
French: IntermediateAccommodation
We can accommodate up to 12 single adults or 6 couples FOR A MINIMUM STAY OF 2 WEEKS. All of our rooms are furnished with twin-size beds with bedding, closets/dressers, and chairs. Our rooms also offer both heating/cooling depending on the season. All volunteers share 2 bathrooms, a kitchen fully-stocked with cookware and kitchenware, and a common living area. The second floor of our temple is also available for practicing yoga and practicing musical instruments. Volunteers are responsible for their own food outside of the vegetarian buffet and laundry.
What else ...
Utah Valley has lots to recommend it: hiking, rock climbing, swimming, skiing, trampoline park, etc.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have reliable Wifi and volunteers are free after 1 pm daily to do online work or studies.
Space for parking camper vans
We don't have hook-ups, but volunteers in RVs are welcome.
Can possibly accept pets
We cannot accept volunteers with pets.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (88)
The daily schedule… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
The daily schedule… read more
I was able to help in the kitchen… read more
Vai is a masterful woman whose character commands a great deal of respect and authority. A great teacher, great artist, and a great leader. I loved her sense of humor and her lessons on the Bhagavad Gita. Caru is an amazing, loving person, a… read more
The food… read more
We also had such a lovely volunteer community that… read more
This was our first Workaway experience, and we couldn’t have imagined a better place! There was plenty of work to be done but it almost hardly felt like work. We got to give our preferences most days on if we wanted to work in the kitchen, the garden,… read more
I enjoyed working in garden, learning a new things and as well vegetarian diet. This is a spiritual… read more
Both Caru and Vai have incredible… read more
The animals are adorable. I never would have expected that I'd miss the llamas so much.
The location is breathtaking. Coming from the south to… read more
The vegetarian Indian buffet was amazing. Being in the garden felt therapeutic — picking tomatoes and peppers while enjoying the fresh air and warm sun. Each Saturday was Llama Day, and it was a joy to go for a neighborhood walk or trail hike with… read more
While at the temple I was able to assist with their daily… read more
I love the temple, feeling awesome when waking up every morning with breathtaking views outside.
We worked with a lot of cutie animals (llamas, parrots, peacock) that I feel they are just like my friends.
We also worked with garden, planted seeds. That was awesome when… read more
It is a beautiful place that I will carry with me for a long… read more
Highlights
- Amazing food
- Stunning location
- Lots of cool hikes nearby
- Llamas
- Helping Pada and Vhanu in the kitchen
Just a heads up:
Vai and Caru are lovely and very passionate about what they do. However, Vai can be difficult to work for so be sure to not get put off if she comes across… read more
Thanks Caru and Vai!
Since this was my first workaway experience, I didn't know what to expect. I had never been to the USA before and - as… read more
I suggest staying at the temple for part of the time. Rishab and Padma are a joy and can really use your help. Their daughter will teach you all she knows about Krishna, and Zan is a great conversationalist.… read more
I'll start with this: I am SO glad I chose this place as my very first workaway experience! If you are looking for more than just a destination and are ready to find yourself becoming apart of family, learning about another culture, learning about an interesting religion and way of life then you won't want to pass on this… read more
Working with Caru was easy for me because I understood his work style. The work he gave me was sometimes arduous but otherwise… read more
Seems at… read more
I came at the end of fall, so the… read more
When not out on… read more
In this place I helped with the organic garden, the temple and the barn doing a lot of activities as: harvesting, weeding, watering, chopping vegetables, feeding and brushing the llamas, helping in the kitchen cooking and washing dishes, helping… read more
My stay with you was exceptional. It gave me the opportunity to contemplate Krishna Consciousness, which only after my departure, did I fully contemplate and understand it's value and real meaning. I have changed the way I approach life since my stay with you. I find myself chanting HK on a daily basis and making the right… read more
The food was fantastic! I think many people view vegetarianism as a downgrade of diet rather than an alternative. During my stay I didn't miss meat at all and since leaving both Sara and I have not bought meat. The environmental detriment caused by meat farming has been on… read more
there was lots of work to be done, in quite hot weather, but we were done by noon everyday and free to enjoy the surrounding area. i went to sundance resort a few times, only a 30 min drive away. also a great hot springs is 40mins away and then a 1hr hike uphill to reach it.
the… read more
Vi and Caru are great people! We would love to… read more
-Michael
Good People, Food and place!
Hope you guys enjoyed to have us there.
Aasmund and Amanda