The ‘Ashram experience’

It is indeed an experience to be able to observe or participate in the Ashram’s varied daily activities from the dawn puja, the yoga, right to the after dinner night time puja and discourse. Wholesome, authentic and sumptuous Balinese fish and vegetarian meals are served for the guests that – at the risk of blowing one’s own trumpet – have been praised by many.

Should you elect to venture outside, many sites are within relatively short distance for day trips and of course, our Ashram can organise a number of hikes through our nearby hills and fields, such as the one to the ancient village of Tenganan. For those preferring peace and quiet for meditation or plain solitude, our ‘outpost’ bungalows by the sea provide such retreat, and you will find that the serenity and the surroundings are very conducive to such pursuit.

The Rules & Restrictions

We are however aware that Ashram accommodation, be it as a guest, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Consequently in an effort to prevent unnecessary disappointment as well as ensuring that our guests program does not in any way adversely impact the functioning of the Ashram, we have a few rules for our guests to observe for this very reason.

We have to be mindful that some of the members are very young members who all live a very strict and austere Ashram life of chastity and any display of contradictory behaviours will be confusing to these young minds. It also about respect of people and communities that you visit, which is not a bad travel (and life) philosophy, so please bear these in mind if you feel that some of the rules below are a bit draconian!

Some of the more important rules are: 

1. No sharing of bungalows for unmarried couples

2. No smoking or consumption of alcohol

3. No nude bathing and to be properly attired/covered whilst on the ground of the ashram

4. Refrain from tipping. Should you wish to donate to the Ashram or assist with some of the member’s continuing education, please contact the office or one of the senior members

If the above is impacting you ,then please feel free to discuss it with one of our senior members, we are here to implement the intent of the rules.

You will find that there are many venues around Candidasa where you can take ‘time-out’ from our rules, or you may simply find that you may be better off to stay in a normal hotel, and we respect that. Staying as a guest at the Ashram is not for everyone.

 

Stay while also doing your bit

Here at the Ashram we offer you the chance to share and experience our ashram life in the midst of unrivalled peaceful and serene compound surrounded by the sea and spring water lake, all from the relative comfort of our clean rooms with eco-friendly running cold water and mobile cooling fan to supplement the cool sea breeze. One perceptive guest, perhaps slightly exasperated with Bali’s much travelled – and spoilt – Kuta, Nusa Dua and even the once relatively tranquil Ubud!, put it succinctly likening it to stepping into an oasis once you enter the Ashram compound.

We feel that for what we offer, our rates are very reasonable bordering on the budget category. Due to the combination of our unique ambience and affordable rates it is not uncommon for guests to stay much longer than intended with some staying for weeks and yes, months!

We simply try to cover our expenses to make our Ashram more sustainable and as it is ours is a shoe-string operation utilising the various skills volunteered by a number of our Ashram friends.  Whatever little ‘profit’ we make is all channelled back to the Ashram to improve our services, be that maintaining our facilities, take more young members, send more members to tertiary education, or launch community initiatives.

Simply by being a guest and enjoy the facilities and the unique experience you also help our worthwhile cause going.