Bangalore: Part 3-- Ananda Ashram

After a couple days in Bangalore, I was happy to escape the city and head south to the countryside where the Ananda ashram is located. In contrast to the Iskon temple, it is anything but ostentatious. It is beautiful and serene: a true country "villa" that was converted into a small ashram, able to accomodate half a dozen guests.  It is SO quiet... for India! It has a very lovely, high-energy ambiance, typical of an Ananda abode. This is exactly what I CAN expect of an Ananda center or ashram, anywhere I go in the world.  What's more, I ALWAYS feel like I have come "home"... to my spiritual family, to a haven, to where my heart always resides.  

I spent a glorious week at this divine place, diving into my spiritual practices, eating fabulous, home-cooked meals (prepared by stellar, live-in chefs), teaching my online English classes and exploring the countryside with one of the two sweet ashram dogs (a very energetic, golden lab-- a great companion and protector!) 

I also made a couple excursions to the neighboring center of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar-- another "spiritual Disneyland", sad to say...more about that in the next post. 


The front of the ashram, approached from the garden...


Not at all easy to locate... the signage was essential! 


The beautiful altar, or puja, containing the Ananda lineage of masters. The "murti", or central statue, is of Yogananda, the guru of Kriyananda (Ananda's founder). 

Looking out the ashram entrance into the lush gardens. They were not extensive, but terraced and beautiful... a pleasant place for a little stroll. 

The "interior": completely open, with no roofing... so that the plants in the inner "courtyard" were free to grow toward the sun and flourish. I was told that the owners of the villa created the design of the building based on "Vaastu", an ancient practice in India. In a word, it is an art form of interior design intent on creating/retaining a high, harmonious energy, in keeping with the natural environment as much as possible. 




The simple yet homey dining area in which we were served our scrumptious meals! 

I prepare to dine, while two of the delightful staff members stand ready to serve and respond to any culinary request... all of the folks working here were dedicated and completely amazing!


The "chefs extraordinaire"!!!


The light and airy bookstore area


Outdoor patio area, for eating, reading...or simply enjoying the garden view!




The black dog...old, subdued...the lab, MOST rabunctious, but a great hiking companion! 


The entrance doors, made of ornate wood... amazing craftsmanship, and about 200 years old, I believe! 

My lovely, spaceous room, looking out into the forest behind the ashram... 


The lane just outside of the ashram property.


Children living in a house up the lane from the ashram... sooo adorable!
 

A magnificent day of wandering through the countryside..it appeared as if it might rain, but didn't... just displayed these spectacular clouds and sunrays. 


Sunset... a beautiful sight after another country stroll! 

















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