Karnataka
A yoga ashram in Karnataka, near Gokarna
Shankar Prasad Ashram is a Satyananda Yoga ashram and organic farm in Bankikodla village, 5 km from Gokarna, in Uttara Kannada district on the Karnataka coast. You can stay as a guest or a volunteer, join the daily practice, or come for a course or retreat.
At a glance
What this ashram is
- Where: Bankikodla village, near Anand Ashram High School, 5 km from Gokarna, Kumta taluk, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka 581319.
- Tradition: Satyananda Yoga, the Bihar School of Yoga.
- Teacher: Swami Yogaratna Saraswati, a senior sannyasin who has taught yoga and meditation for over 40 years.
- The place: a century-old heritage home on 2½ acres of coconut grove and rice paddy, farmed 100% organic.
- Rooms: ₹300 to ₹3,000 a night, by building and by how much karma yoga you give each day.
- Food: three vegetarian meals a day, with tea, coffee and herbal drinks.
Ashram stay in Karnataka
Ways to stay
Every stay is part of ashram life: the daily practice, satsang, kirtan and some karma yoga, service to the ashram as mindful action. You choose how much.
- Guest: one hour of karma yoga a day, the rest of the day for your own sadhana.
- Part-time volunteer: four hours of karma yoga a day, the rest for practice or online work.
- Full volunteer: for committed people who love ashram life or want to try it. Stay at least a month, three if you can.
- Courses and retreats: book the course and the room on one form.
Rooms are in four buildings: Manasa, Ganesh Prasad, Kutir and Green House. Rates for every room are on the Accommodation page, and the ways to stay are explained on Options for Staying and Volunteer.
Daily life
A day at the ashram
- 5:30 am bell, 5:45 am chanting and meditation.
- 7:00 am asana class (Monday to Friday) or personal sadhana.
- 8:30 am breakfast, then cleaning and karma yoga from 9:00 am.
- 12:50 pm chanting, 1:00 pm lunch and rest, classes or sadhana in the afternoon.
- 7:00 pm dinner, 8:00 pm chanting with meditation or satsang.
- Silence from evening chanting until after breakfast. Havan, the fire ceremony, every Saturday at 5:30 pm.
No yoga or meditation experience is needed, only a genuine interest in spiritual life. This is not a resort: if you want a beach holiday, Gokarna is fifteen minutes away and a better base for that. The full timetable is on the Daily Schedule page.
Courses and retreats
Yoga Nidra, meditation and Ayurveda retreats
Courses and retreats in the Satyananda tradition run through the year, from one-week retreats to the Yoga Nidra Teacher Training. Dates are on the Calendar of Events.
Immersion
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, kriya, asana, pranayama, dynamic and silent meditation, mantra and deep relaxation.
Read more →
1 week
1-Week Yoga Nidra Retreat
Six nights of Yoga Nidra in the Satyananda Bihar tradition, with daily asana, pranayama, chanting, meditation and ocean meditations.
Read more →
1 week
Meditations from the Tantras Retreat
Six nights of tantric meditation in the Satyananda Bihar tradition, Ajapa Japa, Antar Mouna, Tratak and more, with daily asana, pranayama and chanting.
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1 week
Conscious Dying Retreat
A six-night retreat based on Yoga Nidra, ten Conscious Dying classes with asana, pranayama, chanting and meditation, to meet death with awareness.
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4 weeks
Indian Spirituality, Four Weeks
Four weeks through two great scriptures, the Patanjali Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, with satsang, discussion, related meditation, chanting and kirtan.
Read more →1 week
Ayurveda & Yoga Nidra Retreat — 1 Week
Six nights combining Yoga Nidra with Ayurveda — five theory classes, two Ayurvedic treatments and a personal dosha consultation.
Read more →2 weeks
Ayurveda & Yoga Nidra Retreat — 2 Weeks
Two weeks of Yoga Nidra and Ayurveda — two Ayurvedic treatments a week, theory classes and a personal dosha consultation. Runs on an individual basis with advance notice.
Read more →Retreat
Mahashivratri
The night of Shiva, kept at the ashram with chanting and meditation through the night.
Read more →Retreat
New Year Retreat
Turn the year at the ashram, with sadhana, satsang and the quiet of Gokarna.
Read more →By arrangement
Ashram Life Experience
Live the discipline, the support, the simplicity and the joy of spiritual community life, helping yourself by helping others. “Find your Higher Self by losing your little self in the service of others.”
Read more →Every course is on the Offerings page, including the Yoga Nidra Teacher Training and the Yoga Nidra Foundation Course.
Getting here
Reaching the ashram from Bengaluru, Goa and Mangaluru
- From Bengaluru: overnight sleeper buses run often to Gokarna Cross. From there an auto-rickshaw or our driver brings you to Bankikodla.
- By train: any train on the Konkan line to Gokarna Road, Kumta or Ankola. Gokarna Road is 20 minutes away by auto-rickshaw.
- By air: Dabolim (Goa) is the easiest, about 3 hours to our door by taxi. From Mangaluru or Bengaluru, fly to Goa or come by train or bus.
- Send us your flight or train details and we will have a taxi waiting.
Trains, buses and the map are on the How to Reach page. For the temples and beaches nearby, see Gokarna and Surrounding.
Questions about staying at an ashram in Karnataka
Is there an ashram in Karnataka where I can stay?
Yes. Shankar Prasad Ashram, in Bankikodla near Gokarna, hosts guests, part-time volunteers and full volunteers. Write to the office before you come so a bed can be kept for you.
Can I stay at the ashram for free?
No. Every stay has a nightly rate or a suggested donation. The lowest is ₹300 a night, for full volunteers in Manasa, the heritage building. Guests pay more and give one hour of karma yoga a day.
Where in Karnataka is the ashram?
On the coast, in Uttara Kannada district: Bankikodla village, near Anand Ashram High School, 5 km from the temple town of Gokarna.
How do I get there from Bengaluru?
Take an overnight sleeper bus to Gokarna Cross, or a train on the Konkan line to Gokarna Road. From either, an auto-rickshaw or our driver brings you to Bankikodla.
Which tradition does the ashram follow?
Satyananda Yoga, from the Bihar School of Yoga. The resident teacher is Swami Yogaratna Saraswati.
Do I need yoga experience?
No. You need a genuine interest in spiritual life and a receptive attitude. Every guest takes part in the life of the house.
Can I come from outside India?
Yes. Bring your passport and visa. Indian law requires the ashram to report every foreign guest on Form C within 24 hours of arrival.
How do I book?
Send the booking form, or WhatsApp +91 80953 29129. Nothing is charged online. The office confirms by email or WhatsApp.