Profile information
Host rating
Not yet rated
Feedback
-
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, I'm Deepak. I'm a yoga teacher and a volunteer here at the ashram in Kerala. I welcome you to our ashram. It is a spiritual community that lives by the principles of the four paths of yoga.
People from around the world come here for yoga and Ayurvedic retreats and to learn yogic wisdom in a traditional ashram setting, where students live alongside their teachers. Everything we teach here is passed down through a living, unbroken chain of teacher to student that stretches back centuries.
At the ashram, we currently employ around 50 paid staff. They support various departments. These include: accounts and administration, kitchen staff who prepare daily meals, watchmen and security guards, cleaning staff, gardeners, reception staff, priests, repair and maintenance staff, and drivers.
The ashram also has a small Ayurvedic facility with its own dedicated team, including Ayurvedic doctors, massage therapists, and support workers.
If you’re open to simple living, this is a beautiful place to volunteer and contribute to meaningful work.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Culture
Vegetarian or vegan
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in an ashram can be a profound experience and can deeply support your spiritual growth.
Volunteer Expectations: All volunteers are expected to attend both the morning and evening satsangs, take part in at least one yoga class a day, and join in at least 30 minutes of chanting daily. Sticking to this routine helps give structure to your days. Many people find this disciplined lifestyle to be one of the most valuable parts of living in the ashram.
Cultural Immersion: The ashram celebrates major South Indian festivals and traditions. This gives you the chance to experience local culture, food, and spiritual practices directly.
A Global Community: You’ll meet people from around the world - teachers, students, staff, and other volunteers - all drawn together by a shared interest in yoga and personal growth.
Living Close to Nature: The Dhanwantari Ashram covers 12 acres at the foot of the Western Ghats, a mountain range known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity. It's right next to Neyyar Dam lake, providing a peaceful setting ideal for yoga and reflection.
Sattvic Diet: Volunteers follow a sattvic (pure and balanced) diet, designed to support mental clarity and steady energy. The ashram serves two tasty lacto-vegetarian meals a day. Foods like meat, fish, eggs, garlic, onions, and caffeine are not included.
Help
You can volunteer for a minimum of 10 weeks, and stay for several months at the Ashram.
Many things may be happening at the ashram at once. We need volunteers who can help with its daily running. When you arrive, you may be asked to support different departments, depending on the ashram’s needs.
Here are some examples of tasks, but they’re not limited to these:
Media support: Help with ongoing projects in our media team. This might include social media, graphic design, video editing, or similar tasks.
Reception: Check in new guests, give them a quick tour of major facilities, and show them to their chosen accommodation. If a guest arrives hungry outside dining hours, you may escort them to the dining hall and serve available food.
Teaching: Multiple classes run here—asana, pranayama, meditation, and chanting. If you’re an experienced teacher with the proper certification, you might lead or assist a class.
Hall preparation: We have several halls and spaces for yoga, meditation, and meetings. Classes and satsangs run throughout the day. To keep things on schedule, volunteers prepare the halls before each session begins.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
Volunteers are generally given the simplest available accommodations with basic facilities. This usually means a dormitory-style room shared with one or more people of the same gender. Beds, sheets, and mosquito nets are provided.
After a certain tenure, senior volunteers are sometimes offered private accommodation. Allotment is based on seniority.
Bathrooms in the volunteer quarters are shared and have Western-style toilets. Hot water is available at specific times.
What else ...
We know we are repeating this again, but we request all volunteers to commit to at least 10 weeks. This gives you time to settle into ashram life and contribute in a meaningful way.
As a volunteer, you’ll be part of the ashram community. You’ll be expected to follow the daily schedule and take part in work assignments. Though, Fridays are free. Volunteers may go out between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. The area has many spiritually significant sites nearby like Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum. Kovalam Beach is the closest beach, around 30 km away. By car, the trip usually takes about an hour, making it a nice day trip.
Prohibited items in the ashram: Smoking, alcohol, drugs, meat, fish, eggs, garlic, and onions are not allowed on the premises.
How to Reach the Ashram
By Air: Fly to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV). The ashram is about 1 to 1.5 hours by taxi.
By Train: Arrive at Trivandrum Central Station. Then take a taxi or bus to Kattakada, and from there, an auto-rickshaw to the ashram.
By Bus: From Trivandrum KSRTC Bus Station, take a bus to Kattakada. Then take an auto-rickshaw to the ashram.
Taxi Help: For bookings, call the local Taxi Rickshaw Association at +91 8547 273888.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This Ashram is not set up for digital nomad work. Internet access is limited, and the daily schedule is full, with little free time for outside projects. Volunteers are expected to follow the full Ashram routine, including early mornings, spiritual practices, and karma yoga duties. If you need to work online or be regularly connected for remote jobs, this may not be the right environment.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Photos
