Join us in creation of an eco-commune in the rural beach town of Maharashtra, India

Details

• 

  Description

  Hi travelers, I am Ash. I am a writer, photographer by profession. After travelling around, studying and working in England, I have now settled in my village for the past 3 years. Like you, even I have had long-term workaway experiences in Huntly, Scotland and hence want to open up this space, a quiet eco-village along the Arabian Sea (yes! we are right next to the beach!) for like-minded travellers. I invite you into a space where you're encouraged to slow down, tune into your breath, and truly observe. Not just nature, but also the systems, stories, and people that shape our world. Not everything needs fixing, but everything deserves to be seen.
  
  After working in Bristol and Edinburgh, I realised that what I want in life is slowness. Hence, I decided to move back and after walking twice across India, I decided to work with the villagers to build up this eco-commune.
  Tucked between the misty folds of the Sahyadri hills and the rhythmic waves of the Arabian Sea, Dhara is more than just a place – it's a way of living.
  You will be joining us in a quiet village which enjoys a beach, a dense rainforest and rivers.
  
  I have traveled extensively in India, Nepal, England, Scotland and Vietnam, trying to understand myself and the world around me.The work I do here is building up a conscious and sustainable alternative to the rural community, so that they don’t fall into the grind of urban living.
  With the infectious energy of Sanju Dada, Prakash Kaka, and Akshata Kaku, you’ll find a spirit of joy in every mud wall built and every seed sown. Life at Dhara is rooted in simplicity, but it runs deep. Volunteers become co-creators, learning about the fragile ecology of the Western Ghats, experimenting with sustainable ways of living, and contributing to a growing community that values culture, curiosity, and care.
  I am not religious per se but I give way to everyone to believe in whatever they like. I believe that nature is my guide. I live with my grandparents and the community that surrounds us.
  
  This place is being developed as a model to reconnect with Mother Earth. It is beautiful way to connect the villagers with the outside world. It is a way to preserve culture while sustaining the already depleting biodiversity around this place.
  It is being put in place to generate alternate sources of empowerment and education that are often lacking in the village.
  
  The people here are open-minded and they do not judge you based on what you wear or what how you look. I had friends who used to jam on songs that represented their country of origin, so come prepared with some good music.
  Dhara is not an escape from the world, it’s an invitation to reimagine your place in it.
  
  We look forward to changing the norms!

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Culture

  

  Charity work

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Carpentry

  

  Blogging

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Adventure sports

  

  Cycling

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Beach
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live in a tiny village on the western shore of Maharashtra. We are minutes away from the beach. Now, because we are trying to build this concept of eco-village. The places we are working in and the people we are working with are spread across the village. You will be able to explore traditional cuisine, forage wild seasonal vegetables and mushrooms, explore the centuries old temples and forests.
  There are many grandmas in the village who cook delicious meals, you will be able to join them in the cooking and also learn some skills from them.
  If there is one thing to remember, India is full of festivities! There are many festivals throughout the year, which you can be a part of. Be ready to sing and dance and witness some amazing things.
  We would also love to learn new things from you.

• 

  Help

  I started this project alongside the locals towards the start of February 2025, but we have been working on this for the past 3 years. In the past months, we have developed basic systems like an outdoor shower, spaces to pitch tents, light and gas, tree plantation, water facility and a basic agro-tourism setup. We are now moving on to build mud-houses and permaculture activities. We also need help in, sustaining the already existing systems and planting and harvesting more fruits and vegetables.
  We need help with carpentry, setting up a make-shift cafe, creating wall murals inspired by local ecosystem.
  We also need help in farm activities like making bunds to arrest soil, checking and digging more compost pits. Helping in the eco-tourism activities that go alongside.
  If you are good at taking photos and videos, then we would also love for you to make some content for our socials.
  There is always something to do in this village, but don't worry, it’s all slow-paced.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent
  Marathi: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  We have village kids in the village community. We would like to use this opportunity to teach them a new language.
• 

  Accommodation

  We are building traditional mud houses for volunteers to stay in the future. For now we have a shared room which can house 4-5 volunteers. An arrangement can be made to use private rooms for long term volunteers (more than a month).
  There are many pretty spots around the house/houses to pitch tents.
  We will provide all the bedding, mattress and mosquito nets.
  There is an open-air shower area if you fancy that.
  A provision for hot water kettle, tea powder, coffee and sugar will be made in the common area.
  Breakfast and meals will be provided. We expect you to help us a little with the cooking and cleaning post meals.

• 

  What else ...

  The eco-village has properties of the village community spread in all directions. So, if on one side you have a scenic bio-diverse flowing stream nestled in the middle of the hills with no one to disturb you, then on the other side there is a thriving village commune, rich with fruit trees and smiling faces. This space is excellent for bird-watchers, butterfly enthusiasts and for the ones who are here to understand the culture.
  Many quaint beaches surround this village and in no time you might find your own spot of heaven. (We live 2-3 minutes walking from a beach)
  There are petroglyphs on the flat surface on the top of the hill which predate thousands of years.
  There is a an old fort-like monument that was used to keep an eye on the enemy coming from the sea.
  
  A nearby village (15 kms) has a pre-historic cave. Some of the tools found in the cave are well-preserved in the local government office.
  
  There are local buses/shared tuktuks available to go in the nearby villages.
  
  The food here is mostly local. We have a vegetable vendor who imports and grows his own veggies. We are trying to encourage the village commune to grow their own food and minimise packaged food items so please be conscious about that.
  
  There are local forms of millets and rice available. We encourage you to adjust your tastebuds with locally available materials. We would also like you to cook something for us (once a week) from your place of origin. Although people here eat non-vegetarian food, we encourage vegetarian meals at least in your accommodation.
  
  We are building up a sustainable model of growth, hence the tasks here are going to vary according to the situation and season.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  There is a working internet connection in a few houses around the village commune. All of them work fine. But they disconnect during power cuts or if a tree/branch falls on the fibre cable.

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  There is enough space near the houses where 2 wheelers and a single four wheeler can be parked, but arrangements can be made nearby to accommodate vehicles.

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  Pets are welcome! But they need to be on leash after evening.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

Website Safety