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Hari Om!
We are an ashram, spiritual retreat centre and yoga-meditation school located on 2½ acres of beautiful coconut grove. The ashram is housed in a gorgeous century-old heritage house and is located in the village of Bankikodla, 5km from Gokarna, an ancient temple and Shiva pilgrimage town with scores of beautiful beaches, forested hills and coastal farming.
We ask that volunteers be involved in the ashram life and be an active part of our community. Our ashram holds an open, loving atmosphere of diverse individuals who function much like a spiritual family. We eat, chant, meditate, sing, work, and play together. We seek to preserve these vibrations, and humbly ask that you be open and willing to share in the daily life of the ashram with us. If you are not at all interested in spiritual life or spiritual practices, then this may not be the right fit for you. However, previous yoga and meditation experience is not necessary, as long as you come with an open mind and heart :)
This little piece of paradise is a relaxing and beautiful place to do your own Sadhana (spiritual practices) and live in a community of people who are dedicated to living a simple life of service. Come be a part of our family and enjoy the experience of living in a spiritual community.
Let us begin our inner experience!
Om tat sat
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in their country and is looking for volunteers to help with their project(s).
Help
WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP US WITH OUR DOGS & CATS. ALSO WE NEED SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP US TO REBUILD OUR SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE PETS.
The yoga of work or action. We make our daily duties a practice of self awareness. A Karma Yogi works with full attention on his/her work, and detaches from the outcome of the work. Simply the action of work is in itself a meditation. In this way we can grow deeper in our understanding of ourselves and our minds, while also learning new skills and developing teamwork and self awareness. This includes daily household/housekeeping activities, kitchen prep, work on the organic farm, small projects around the retreat center and larger community projects.
LENGTH OF STAY
All volunteers are requested to stay for a minimum of 2 weeks. We are looking especially for long term volunteers to manage the organic farm and waste management initiative projects with a minimum stay of 1 month.
FEE
We ask sevakas (volunteers) for a commitment of working 4 hours per day (not including clearing up after meals) and a contribution of only 6$ per day to cover the three daily organic meals.
TIME COMMITMENT
Volunteers participate in the mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m. based on the project they choose. Sundays are off days.
Below you will find a list of ongoing projects available, but we are open to you working on whatever inspires you.
PROJECTS
Organic Farm & Garden
Living in the sandy soil of the beach tropics, growing vegetables and fruit can be a challenge. After a lot of hard work from our staff and volunteers, we've developed a system for organic agriculture. We currently need volunteers to help us develop our fruit trees and vegetables (peanuts, rice, mangoes, chikko, papaya, banana, coconut.. etc.) We welcome and encourage volunteers who have knowledge (or like to do some research while they are here) on methods to compliment our existing system (like worm compost!).
If they are planning to stay long, we can even sell them in the local market and Volunteers have an opportunity to make some money.
***Long term volunteer needed to help manage this project.
Dog Sterilization Project - SEASONAL
We welcome volunteers who are interested in our dog sterilization project. This project only runs during January, February, and March. All other months are intermittent. This project deals with befriending, collecting, and sterilizing stray dogs.
Video Making/Audio Skills
Do you have movie making experience and equipment? We are looking for volunteers to make a few short educational videos on some of the activities around the ashram. These can be used to educate the local community on topics like waste management, dog sterilization, organic farming. Also we have some good audio recordings that might be helpful to people to reduce stress/anxiety and they need to be edited and trimmed.
Dog Training and Dog Care
Currently we have 6 fostered dogs and 4 puppies at the ashram who we rescued. Now they are in need of a animal lover to give them extra TLC and see that they are cared for and trained properly.
Computer Admin and Web Work/ Social media
We welcome volunteers who are knowledge with computer administrative work and web design to help upkeep and maintain our webpage and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Workaway, monthly newsletters etc..) and help us keep our followers and friends informed about activities.
Children's Playschool - LONG TERM STAY ONLY (2 month or more)
We run an English medium playschool for young children (ages 2-5). Taught by locals, for locals, we love long term volunteers to come help integrate progressive play based and holistic education into our school programs. Volunteers who get along well with the staff, children and community are invited to stay as long as they please. We are also looking for a warm, friendly and energetic lady as Head Teacher. This will suit an intern or mature or retired teacher. It is part time or full time with board and lodging provided.
Waste Management Volunteers Wanted
We have two expert volunteers who are coming and starting a Swatcha Gokarna (Clean Gokarna) Project - Waste Management under the umbrella of Foundation in partnership with Akshay Rural Help Charitable Trust. We welcome other Volunteers who would like to participate in this project. We have the ideas and outlets to spread this knowledge, now we need volunteers to help get the ball rolling!
Researching and Donation Management
Looking for a volunteer knowledgeable in fundraising to help us manage and expand our donation and fund raising outreach.
DIY, Painting & Building
We are always in need of creative souls who are skilled with some tools, paintbrush and other DIY activities.
Handy Person also very welcome!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hindi: Fluent
Telugu: Fluent
Kannada: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We offer Sanskrit beginners level, English, other local Indian Languages. But we won't be able to host volunteers only for language exchange program.
Accommodation
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation varies depending on availability. Volunteers stay either in a dormitory or a single room with a common bathroom and showers. Each individual is provided with a sleeping pad, pillow, and a sheet.
**We do have several cats, so if you are very allergic to cats, this may not be the best place for you!**
MEALS
All volunteers receive 3 vegetarian meals per day, plus tea/coffee/herbal drinks and clean fresh spring water. Meals are homemade by our wonderful Indian cook, Golabi, who makes traditional, local style food, wholesome and colorful. We grow our own rice and peanuts on our fully organic farm. What is not grown on our land is bought from local farmers in the village and neighboring town.
What else ...
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES
Internet, Bicycles, and hot water for showering are available at an extra cost.
DRESS CODE
Guests are required to dress conservatively. We live in a small culturally conservative village and it is important to respect the cultural values of the area.
Please wear loose, comfortable clothing during your stay. Tight and revealing clothing are not allowed. Please cover your upper arms, chest, and knees. Men must wear shirts at all times. Indian kurtha with pajama pants are best and can be made here inexpensively.
If you are going out to the village or to town, it is important to remember that you are representing ourselves and to dress and behave in a modest and conservative way.
HOW TO GET HERE
The closest airport is Goa. You can then get a train from Thivim in Goa, or we can help you arrange a taxi service.
If you are coming from Kerala or Mumbai, you can get any train traveling on the Konkan coastal railway. Our closest stop is Gokarna Road. You can also arrive at Ankola, Kumta or Honnavar stations.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We welcome people who would like to work from Ashram while they are here. We would request the guests/volunteers to be specific with their timings and schedule so that it will be a pleasant experience to both of us.
Can possibly accept pets
We have 'Pause for Paws'. We take care of dogs and cats. Your pets would definitely enjoy the company and also they have lot of space to explore in our Ashram.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (29)
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
Hari Om!
Brandy & Joddy
Ennio was an excellent person who fit into our family very easily and quickly . soft spoken , he was a hard worker.
W e wish him all the very best in his life and hope to see him again
soon.
From Jeena
I would like only to send a blessing and to thank this place for its existence, and for letting me be a part of this family. It had been a great time. Time of discovering and growing.
I would write to take care, but I know that you will do anyway, so
I wish you all the best
Bye
Ennio
% correct. They and have perfected giving 'service with a smile' and with
warm love as well. They thought of what was needed even before it was
needed. They had great ideas for the kids in the Holiday Camp. . They
joined in all activities and jobs with a smile and… read more
I spent 10 days ( instead of 3 or 4 weeks) taking care of the children on the holiday campground in the morning and helping with cleaning and collective tasks in… read more
Francesco Bono was an excellent person who fit into our family very easily and quickly . soft spoken , he was a hard worker.
W e wish him all the very best in his life and hope to see him again soon.
From Jeena
My Indian journey started here, and it was a good choice. You wake up early, do the morning meditation practice (if you wish) eat the breakfast and go for the day.. karma yoga, helping out everywhere you feel in ease, and living a community life.
Going to the town in your free time, or have a swim at one of the beaches around, or… read more
We still known all the mantras that we use to chant everyday and sometimes we use to chant again!!!
Thank U very much Swami Jee and all the beautiful people that we meet.
Shanti shanti shanti Hari Om
Ashley Strazella is one of the VERY BEST volunteers we've had. She is quiet and gentle and unassuming and yet very keen and knowledgeable and dedicated about yoga and meditation . she's also very good at dance and chanting and probably many other things. She is very dependable and reliable. While in the ashram she organised all the… read more
Jessica Vargas is one of the BEST VOLUNTEERS we've ever had! We were of course happy that she was into yoga & meditation but actually she's an excellent yoga teacher, with years of experience and also an excellent masseuse and teacher of massage. She knows much about alternative therapies and self improvement. She would be a great asset… read more
I came to the ashram ending June '15. Stayed almost 3 weeks. The place is magic! beautiful environment. The main building is surrounded by coconut's trees, banana, papayas, etc. I have some experiences in ashram and in yoga, for same reason I'm not easy to satisfy. This place has everything, is a great place where really experience yoga… read more
I LOVED spending time with the puppies that needed general care & medical attention, and I was thrilled to be able to help put a bit of… read more
How nice to hear from you! and many thanks for the WONDERFUL feedback! I remember when you first came here you wanted to go out late to visit your friends and when I discouraged you, you asked if this was a prison :) :) :)
Well you changed a lot and you stayed quite a while and after starting out being a bit lazy, you turned out to… read more
The time spent here was my best Workaway experience. Food is really good, the dormitory room is not so confortable but the Ashram is really beautiful with a big garden under the shadow of coconuts trees. You can work with local indian people on a lot of different projects. Gokarna is a magic place and many times you will be asked to… read more
It was a beautiful mosaic of happy moments for me, 6 weeks to find a new place i will always call "home" in my heart. If you are interested in putting your talents… read more
Everyone in there was really nice and kind, the house is beautiful, the food delicious and the work at the playschool very rewarding. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a self growth experience.
The only… read more
