Experience yoga, ashram life and nature in Gudur, India

Details

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  Description

  My name is Sandeep, and I’m happy to welcome you to our yoga ashram in South India.
  
  People come here to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience a simple yogic lifestyle rooted in practice, service, and awareness.
  
  The heart of the ashram is the people who live and serve here. Dedicated staff, senior practitioners, and long-term karma yogis — quietly hold the space through their discipline, seva, and devotion.
  
  We currently employ around 10 locally paid staff members who support in ashram maintenance, food preparation, housekeeping, gardening, and general upkeep of the premises.
  
  Volunteers naturally become part of this rhythm. You won’t feel like a visitor here. You’ll share meals with us, join the daily routine, and take part in the simple flow of ashram life.
  
  Each day begins and ends with satsang (meditation and chanting). There are two yoga classes daily, nourishing vegetarian meals twice a day, tea breaks, and time to rest, read, walk, or just sit quietly. We encourage volunteers to attend the daily satsangs and at least one yoga class — it helps everyone stay connected to the spiritual atmosphere of the ashram.
  
  We request volunteers to honor the full duration of their committed stay, so seva activities can be organized smoothly.
  
  Simple, modest, and comfortable clothing suited to a traditional spiritual environment is appreciated at all times.
  
  We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this space together.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Videography

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Culture

  

  Charity work

  

  Books

  

  Photography

  

  Plant care

  

  Gardening

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Workawayers are treated as part of our extended ashram family, not just volunteers.
  
  We eat together, discuss philosophy, culture, and life experiences in an open and respectful space. We provide guidance in yoga practice, mantra chanting, and understanding the deeper meaning behind ashram traditions. Senior teachers and residents are available to answer questions, support your learning, and help you adjust to ashram life. All activities are done in a spirit of karma yoga, working together harmoniously rather than as “staff” and “guests.”
  
  What we hope to learn from you -
  Your cultural perspectives and traditions
  New ideas, skills, and creative contributions

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  Help

  Volunteer Opportunities
  
  We welcome volunteers for a minimum stay of **1 month or longer**. This allows volunteers to settle into the rhythm of ashram life and contribute meaningfully to our community.
  
  🚁 Immediate Need: Drone & Creative Media Volunteer
  
  We are currently looking for a volunteer who has experience with **drone videography** and can help us capture the beauty of the ashram and surrounding nature.
  
  If you have your own drone and are comfortable creating high-quality aerial footage, we would especially love to hear from you.
  
  🎥 Creative Media Volunteers
  
  We are also seeking volunteers with skills in:
  
  * Photography
  * Videography
  * Social media content creation
  * Video editing
  
  You may help with:
  
  * Documenting daily ashram life
  * Capturing yoga classes, courses, and special events
  * Photographing nature, gardens, and campus activities
  * Creating authentic content that shares the atmosphere and spirit of the ashram
  
  **Bringing your own camera equipment or drone is highly appreciated.**
  
  🎨 Mural & Wall Art Projects
  
  We welcome volunteers with artistic skills who would enjoy contributing through:
  
  * Mural painting and wall art
  * Refreshing or restoring decorative paintings around the campus
  * Creating inspiring artistic spaces within the ashram
  
  🌱 General Seva
  
  In addition to your primary contribution, volunteers may occasionally assist with general seva to support the smooth running of the ashram. This may include:
  
  * Clearing weeds and maintaining outdoor spaces
  * Cleaning common areas
  * Helping maintain the ashram grounds
  
  🕒 Schedule
  
  Volunteers contribute **4–5 hours of seva per day** and enjoy:
  
  * A full day off every Friday
  * One additional day off of their choice each week
  
  This balance allows plenty of time to enjoy the yoga classes, meditation, study, and peaceful atmosphere of the ashram.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent
  Malayalam: Fluent
  Tamil: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Volunteers stay in simple, clean dormitory-style rooms—built as double-occupancy cubicles—with separate dorms for men and women to ensure comfort and privacy.
  
  Those who enjoy being close to nature may also pitch their own tent on the ashram lawn, surrounded by greenery and quiet, ideal for peaceful rest.
  
  The ashram provides two wholesome vegetarian sattvic meals (no onion & garlic) each day (10:00 AM and 6:00 PM), with tea available at regular intervals.
  
  Please note that no non-vegetarian food , garlic, and onion are permitted on campus, in alignment with the ashram’s spiritual principles. Outside food and personal cooking are not allowed on the premises.
  
  To maintain a pure and peaceful spiritual environment, the ashram also follows a strict no-drug, no-alcohol, and no-smoking policy. All volunteers are expected to respect and follow these guidelines during their stay.

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  What else ...

  On off days, volunteers are welcome to explore nearby sacred sites:
  
  • Sri Kalahasti Temple – approx. 50 km
  • Tirumala Venkateswara Temple – approx. 120 km
  
  Other Nearby Spiritual & Cultural Places
  
  • Tiruvannamalai – Home to the sacred Arunachala Hill and Arunachaleswara Temple (approx. 4–5 hours by road).
  • Auroville – An international township dedicated to human unity, known for the Matrimandir & Sadhana Forest (approx. 4–5 hours by road).
  
  How to Reach the Ashram
  By Air
  Fly to Chennai Airport (approx. 2.5–3.5 hours by road) or Tirupati Airport (approx. 2 hours by road). From the airport, taxis are available to Gudur.
  
  By Train
  Arrive at Gudur Junction Railway Station, which is well connected to major cities. From the station, the ashram is a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride away.
  
  By Bus
  Regular buses connect Gudur to nearby cities like Tirupati and Chennai. From the Gudur bus stand, take an auto-rickshaw to the ashram.
  
  Taxi Assistance
  If needed, we can help arrange a local taxi/rickshaw pickup. Please inform us in advance of your arrival details.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Peppa

  We have two turkeys - Peppa & Peppi, a cat & loads of monkeys

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