An open spiritual family on a 2½-acre organic farm, come to practise, to serve, and to live simply.
Come for a class, a retreat, or a longer stay of seva and
sadhana. All are welcome to visit, experience, rest, participate and stay; please give us a quick
call before you come.
Shankar Prasad Ashram
About the ashram
A century-old home, a living farm
Shankar Prasad Ashram, the Shankar Prasad Organic Farm & Ashram, sits in a century-old heritage home on two and a half acres of organic farmland and coconut grove at Bankikodla village, near Gokarna.
The ashram is run as an open spiritual family in the Satyananda Yoga tradition of
the Bihar School of Yoga: the days are shaped by practice, seva and simple sattvic living, and guests
share in the life of the house and the farm.
The teacher & founder
Swami Yogaratna Saraswati
A Satyananda ashram for yogic life: seva (selfless service),
sadhana (spiritual practice) and study.
Swami Yogaratna Saraswati, Swamiji, joined the Bihar School of Yoga in 1984 and is the founder of the
Shankar Prasad Foundation. She is based at the ashram, which also runs community projects: the organic
farm, Muddu Play School, the animal-care camps and the weekly havan (fire ceremony).
She teaches, and is best known for, Yoga Nidra, Yoga Nidra as Therapy, Advanced Yoga Nidra and
high-quality Yoga Nidra Teacher Trainings, along with yoga from Meditations from the Tantras and
Kundalini Tantra, and all the yogas of the Satyananda tradition. Swamiji has over 40 years' experience
as a sannyasin serving humanity through the science of yoga, and can answer all your questions.
Volunteers and donations are most welcome to support the ashram's seva and community activities.
Swamiji teaches the Satyananda tradition step by step, for first-timers and long-time practitioners. A free class most mornings at 7. Courses and retreats run by the calendar: these are the next dates.
The ashram sits on a 2½-acre organic farm and coconut grove. Meals are sattvic and vegetarian, made mostly from what the farm gives, simple food, prepared and shared as part of the day's seva.
2½ acres of organic farm and a coconut grove
Sattvic vegetarian meals, mostly grown here; vegan available
A kitchen that runs on seva, guests help prepare and clear
Where you stay
Simple, clean, fan-cooled rooms
Rooms in the heritage home are kept simple and sattvic, clean, fan-cooled and quiet, made for practice and rest rather than luxury.
Rates include your room, three vegetarian meals a day, the morning and evening mantra-chanting and meditation sessions, and satsang and kirtan with Swamiji. Prices may vary with season and availability; please confirm with us before booking. Guest rates assume 1 hour of karma yoga a day, volunteer rates 4 or 6 hours. See all rooms, facilities and rates.
Getting here
How to reach us
We are at Bankikodla village, Hannehalli, Taluka Kumta, about 5 km from Gokarna, on the Karnataka coast. Tell us your arrival and we'll help with the last stretch.
By air
Goa, Mumbai, Mangalore or Bengaluru
Dabolim (Goa) is about 3 hours by taxi, Manohar (Mopa, Goa) about 5. Mumbai, Mangalore and Bengaluru also work. We can arrange a trusted village taxi.
By train
Gokarna Road, Kumta or Ankola
Gokarna Road is 20 minutes away by auto-rickshaw. Kumta and Ankola are also on the Konkan line, then bus or taxi.
By bus / road
Gokarna Cross
Overnight sleeper buses run often from Mumbai and Bengaluru to Gokarna Cross, then an auto or our driver to Bankikodla.
You're welcome to drop in unannounced, or call ahead, either is fine. A quick message on WhatsApp helps us keep a place and a meal ready for you.
Full directions from Mumbai, Goa, Kochi and Bengaluru, with our taxi drivers' numbers: How to reach us. Not sure of the route? WhatsApp us your location, or open the map pin.
Map of the ashram, Bankikodla
The map is shown by openstreetmap.org. Nothing is loaded from them until you press the button.
How do I book, and what's the cancellation policy?
Please write to us with your dates and we will confirm availability. A booking is held with a
ten per cent deposit. The full terms are on our cancellation policy page.
What should I bring?
Light, modest clothes that cover shoulders, chest and knees; men wear a shirt at all times.
Is there wifi? Can I use my phone?
Yes, there is Wi-Fi and mobile signal. If you plan to work online during your stay, please discuss it with Swamiji first.
What about food and dietary needs?
Meals are sattvic and vegetarian, mostly from the farm. Tell us your dietary needs in advance
and we'll do our best to look after you.
Are first-timers welcome?
Yes. Practices are taught step by step.
Seva & support
Support the ashram & farm
The ashram and its organic farm are kept going by many hands. You can help by joining the seva and volunteer program, giving your time, skills or care to the farm, the kitchen and the daily life of the house.
