Satvik Vegan Society

Sthitaprajna is a private forest, grown on vegan principles on a plot of about 3 acres of land near the hills, along a seasonal stream about 12kms from Byndoor on the West Coast of Karnataka in South India (about 450km west of Bangalore and 200km south of Goa). It has thousands of plants and trees, many of which are fruit-bearing, both for humans and animals. Such wild animals as deer, nilgai, boar, porcupine, peacock, bonnet macaque, Indian giant squirrel, gray langur, mongoose, owl and rabbit are regularly sighted, some are during nights. Many varieties of birds, especially the hornbills, many types of insects including fireflies and wild mosquitoes (seasonal) & some rodents and reptiles are regular residents or visitors here. And dogs and cats from nearby homes visit us, too.

The temperature varies from 10 degree to 40 degree celsius, depending upon the season and the time of the day. During the monsoons (June to Oct), nature at Sthitaprajna is vibrant and lively, though every season is different and special here.

It is a place relatively free of pollution (water, air, noise, light and human), close to nature and away from busy city life.  There are several rain-water retention pits/holes/ponds and an open well which supplies drinking water. It is a plastic/litter-free zone, too. It is also the place where Shankar Narayan, the founder of the Satvik Vegan Society, resides.

There is provision for short stays for individuals or small groups with advance booking.   

Accommodation at Sthitaprajna:

Dhyana

Samadhi

                 Dhyana                                         Samadhi

There are two simple tile-roofed cottages* - Dhyana (larger, about 1000 sq.ft) & Samadhi (smaller, about 150sq.ft),  While the Dhyana is used by guests, Samadhi is occupied by Shankar Narayan. The guest cottage, Dhyana, has a room/hall of 500sq.ft, 2 toilets (1 Indian and 1 Western), bathroom, a kitchen and a veranda. The veranda doubles as stage during the Vegan Festivals.

There is piped cold water for the toilets/bathroom and filtered drinking water in the kitchen. There is also electricity for charging gadgets.  Though table fans can be provided, they are hardly a necessity here. The guests are provided with very basic necessities including a mat and a pillow to spend peaceful nights. 100% plant food (vegan) is served here which is either cooked here or supplied by a neighbourhood vegetarian family who cook specially for us as per our requirements. Just as consumption/use of animal products, alcohol and smoking won't go with our principles, making unnecessary noise, speaking loudly, etc.,are to be avoided.

The best things one can do here, apart from spending restful nights, are reading, listening to music, meditation, yoga, star/sky-gazing and getting lost in nature. 

*Yoga has eight limbs (astanga), viz., Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.   The last two names are chosen to represent two cottages symbolising the last two stages in becoming a yogi or sthitaprajna or the perfect human being.

Recently, 'Nakshatra' - a sky observation tower and 'Nirvana' - a meditation platform have been added.

How to reach Sthitaprajna?:  Visit is always with prior appointment.  Your transport from Byndoor to Sthitaprajna and back is either arranged by us or you will be guided properly upon confirmation of visit.

Please take our guidance before booking your travel to make your travel experience better.

write to indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com for more details

Note:Photos presented above are seasonal, actual conditions may vary depending upon the seasons.

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Some more pictures of Sthitaprajna:

Would you like to visit Sthitaprajna? 

Except during the special occasions like annual Satvik Vegan Festivals or special camps, only day visit options, for up to 3 hours, between 9am and 6pm are available.

Please write to indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com for a registration form.

Please keep the following in mind when you come to visit Sthitaprajna:

1. Please go through our website www.vgan.in completely to understand our ideologies and activities.

2.  Please discuss in advance, your arrival & departure plans, and follow the instructions completely for a smooth visit (many people who don't give enough attention to our guidelines get lost on the way, causing anxiety and inconvenience to both).

3. We can recommend you accommodation options, available nearby,  which are convenient to visit Sthitaprajna.

4. Please respect the sanctity of the place when you are here and help us maintain silence. Please speak slowly and with low voice, respecting the existence of other beings. 

5. Please do not make or receive telephone calls when inside the campus.

6. Please be extra careful about poisonous snakes and insects while moving around.

7. This place is not suitable for children, pet animals, fun seekers and picnickers. For a deeper spiritual experience, please come alone or with maximum one accompanying adult person. 

8. Please do not leave the campus without informing us in advance.

9. Please do not smoke or consume alcohol or bring any animal derived food or packed food either for your consumption or for feeding animals. However, you may carry fresh/dry fruits and vegetables.

10. Please follow all Covid norms as required by the government.

Applicable for Overnight stays: 

11. Our accommodation facilities are bare minimum keeping our objectives-simplicity, solitude and silence- in mind.  We have a small hall of 500sq.ft at Dhyana cottage (to share with others) and some shaded or open area for sleeping. For those staying overnight, we provide a mat and a pillow for sleeping (no cot) and cold running water for bathing. You may carry your own sleeping bag or even tent during non-monsoon time.    

12. We use minimum light during the nights. Lights are not to be kept on during the nights. If you need extra assistance, please let us know.

13.  Please carry mosquito repellants, a torch, some sheets, an umbrella (during monsoon), toiletries and required clothes for your use.

14. Please discuss your food preferences, restrictions and requirements in advance. We provide mostly raw food or cooked south Indian type food.

15. We have spent a lot of money and other resources for building and maintaining the forest, for the achievement of our spiritual objectives. Therefore, please do not use your visit for commercial purposes/work from home.

16. Last but not the least, please don't insist on offering physical help to us, either in kitchen or outside. The best way to help us is not insisting to help us. We expect you to keep silence, passively observe nature and learn spiritual insights without doing any daily chores.  If you really want to help us, you can contribute for the loan we have taken to realise this project. Thank you.   

If you are interested in visiting Sthitaprajna, please write to indianvegansociety@rediffmail.com for a registration form.