Sanskrit for a home for devotional meditation - is the organic manifestation of a dream rather than the end result of a preconceived plan. |
? | PROFILE Located 200 m above Palolem beach - arguably Goa?s finest and safest beach - on the terraces of a coconut grove it gives holistic travelers a feeling for the rhythms and flavours of Goan village life and provides simple earth friendly global luxuries such as : genuine ayurvedic massages; top quality yoga classes; organic food (including home made pasta, tofu and wheat grass juice) ; nature trips and anything else which is thrown up in the course of an evening?s conversation with the retreat?s founders a Goan-German couple. |
ACCOMMODATION 22 back to nature cabanas, no two alike, fashioned from local materials like rice straw, bamboo and mud. An eco friendly compost toilet accompanies each cabana. Built to include trees, leaves and the star spangled skies the living areas combine a rural feel with a surprising degree of comfort for an alternative resort. Hot water brought on demand. | ? |
? | HOW TO USE THE RESOURCE: ???? Bhakti Kutir allows guests to make their own choices in a completely informal non-commercial community environment. It is not a puritanical ashram. Its mainly vegetarian restaurant also serves fresh sea food, wine and tribal liquors. Guests can effortlessly participate in the night life on Palolem beach and yet retire to a world of complete quiet, security and privacy when they so desire. It offers a wide, even if somewhat unpredictable, range of healing programmes and guests themselves can conduct workshops for other visitors at the drop of a hat if they have the skills and inclination. The Kutir offers a very spontaneous social space and its restaurant is an excellent zone to meet interesting creative and holistic professionals from different parts of the globe. From time to time cultural programmes animate its amphitheatre. For parents its child friendly nature is a big bonus. Kids can attend an informal school or just make themselves at home. Baby sitters are available. Short trips to wild life reserves ; heritage towns and homes; spice gardens; little known islands, mountain lodges and holistic healing centers are all easily undertaken from Bhakti Kutir. Even a short stay may help connect visitors with a network of holistic resorts in the region. |
LOCATION? Bhakti kutir is located in Palolem in the south of Goa. The distance from the airport is 60 kms, which will take you 1? hours. The easiest thing to do is to have us pick you up or to hire a taxi at the airport (approx. cost Rs. 700-800) Buses are also a good option. The train station is just 32kms away at Margoa and 3kms away is Chaudi where the slower trains stop. | ? |
EXPERT OPINIONS: |
Foot print South India Handbook (Robert & Roma Bradnock) Bhaktikutir Over the hill at the southern end, Y643469 /72.11 "cabanas;, varying sizes, I imaginatively and sympathetically built with local materials, all with mosquito nets, common shower and organic toilets, away from beach and very quiet, emphasizing peace and meditation. Recommended. | The Rough Guide To India (Forth Edition) by Bill Bryson. BK : on the headland above Colom fishing village T 0832/26434690/72 bhaktikutir@yahoo.com homely, eco-friendly thatched village huts equipped with western amenities (including completely biodegradable chemical toilets), in a secure, leafy compound five minutes' walk from the south end of Palolem beach. Beautifully situated and sensitively designed to blend with the landscape by German - Goan owners. |
Lonely Planet Goa (tropical trances & tranquil retreats) Phone. 2643469, fax 2646211, in the coconut grove above the southern end of the beach, is an interesting place to stay. Its been designed as an 'eco-friendly health and nature resort' and the 18 attractive thatched huts and cottages certainly blend well with the peaceful location. Run by an Indian - German couple, there's a range of accommodation for around Rs. 1000 at the height of the season, or Rs. 500 to Rs. 900 in October and March. Places to Eat:-BK has a good restaurant serving tasty fish dishes like black snapper garlic fry (Rs. 70) and frighteningly healthy drinks such as wheat grass juice (Rs. 25) | Foot Print India Handbook (Robert & Roma Bradnock) Bhaktikutir, over the hill at the southern end, T 2643472 F 2643469. 21 "cabanas", varying sized, own bath and compost toilet, sympathetically built with local materials mosquito nets, excellent wholesome food, away from the beach and very quiet, emphasizing peace and meditation (yoga, Tai chi classes) and plenty to occupy children. Very relaxing, highly recommended. Eating: Mid rang bhaktikutir: tasty western dishes, home grown organic produce and fresh juices, very pleasant relaxed seating away from the beach and loud sound system. Recommended. |
Goa Handbook Footprint (Robert? & Roma Bradnock) Bhaktikutir : (eating) Serves tasty western dishes, home green organic produce and fresh juices in a very pleasant relaxed setting away from the beach and loud sound system, one of the best in Palolem. |
ATTENTION!!!! |
? | ?YOGA classes by Swami Yoganand Saraswati This year Bhakti Kutir offers daily yoga classes by a yogi who hails from the source of the holy Ganges. Swami Yogananda Saraswati who has been practicing yoga almost since his toddler years guides both beginners and advanced practitioners through: yogic kriyas and cleansing; traditional yogasanas; traditional pranayama and meditation. For those not familiar with yoga terminology this implies a holistic education in all aspects of yoga including correct breathing which is an essential pre-requisite for meditation. For those with an interest in specific yoga styles the Swami specializes in traditional ashtanga and patanjali traditions amongst others. |
FACILITIES School We have a small school for kids from the age of five which is run by a secondary school teacher. She is also available for tutoring (e.g. if you are traveling with a child who brought his or her own home world. She also gives language lessons in Hindi or Konkani should you yourself like to learn a language on your holidays. For smaller children daycare can be arranged according to your need. Papaya, avocado, cucumber facials? @ Healing Center At our healing centre we offer cleansing mud baths, steam and cooling baths. There are experienced body workers that offer a range of massages and treatments. For more detailed information regarding the treatments enquire at bhaktikutir@yahoo.com If you have any problems during the night, you can tell the watchmen. You will find them at the front and back entrances. If you need books, you have a look at your bookshelf. Keep your most important valuables in the safe at reception. You will also find a lockable box or cupboard in your room which should be quite safe for items of secondary importance. |
THINGS TO DO AROUND PALOLEM Of course there are the usual holiday options of lazing about frolicking in the waves and getting a good tan with or without a book (We have a small library of English & German Books). We also offer custom-made trips by jeep or by boat or hiking a combination of these to beautiful and interesting places in the area including historic churches, temples, forts and monuments and art galleries and museums. 1/3 of Goa is covered by the Western Ghats, one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth. The state of Karnataka is only 30kms away (1 hr by car). There are small temples in our area. If you are interested in historical buildings and old civilizations, you can visit the old capital of Goa, which at its peak time was bigger than Lisbon or you can visit Hampi, the capital of the south Indian kingdom of Vijayanagara. Close by you can go Dolphin watching by small fishing boats or see the alligators and birds along the backwaters of Goa. |
Digital Goa Link - www.digitalgoa.com/bhaktikutir |
