Near Goa
An ashram near Goa, three hours south
Shankar Prasad Ashram is a Satyananda Yoga ashram and organic farm in Bankikodla village, 5 km from Gokarna in Karnataka. From Dabolim airport in Goa it is about 3 hours to our door by taxi, so it is an easy step from Goa into ashram life.
Getting here from Goa
Three ways from Goa to the ashram
- Taxi: from Dabolim airport about 3 hours to the door, around ₹4,000. From Manohar airport (Mopa) about 5 hours. Send us your flight details and a trusted village driver will meet you.
- Train: bus or taxi to Madgaon Junction, then the Matsyagandha Express 12619 or the 56641 Passenger to Gokarna Road, about 1½ hours. An auto from the station is ₹150 to ₹250.
- Bus: airport to Madgaon, then the 2 pm direct bus to Gokarna, and an auto to Bankikodla (₹80 to ₹100 from the bus stand).
- Ask the driver for Bankikodla, near Anandashram High School. Say “Hari Om”: the drivers know us.
Train times, buses from Mumbai, Kochi and Bengaluru and the map are on How to Reach.
What is different here
Goa’s beaches, then a quieter coast
- A working ashram, not a resort: chanting at dawn, asana, karma yoga, satsang at night and silence until after breakfast.
- Satyananda Yoga from the Bihar School of Yoga, taught by Swami Yogaratna Saraswati, a sannyasin for over 40 years.
- A century-old heritage home on 2½ acres of coconut grove and rice paddy, farmed 100% organic.
- Gokarna’s temples and beaches are 15 minutes away. Sunrise meditation by the ocean on Sundays, sunset on Fridays, during retreats.
Staying
Rooms and suggested donations
- Dormitory bed in the heritage building: suggested donation from ₹300 a night for full-time volunteers, ₹1,000 for guests.
- Manasa private room: ₹500 to ₹1,200 a night.
- Ganesh Prasad, attached bathroom: ₹1,000 to ₹1,800 a night.
- Green House and Kutir, the newest rooms: ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 a night.
- Three vegetarian meals a day, chanting and yoga sessions are part of every stay.
- Coming from abroad, or an NRI or OCI? Ask the ashram for the international rate.
Every room, with photos, is on Accommodation. Guests give one hour of karma yoga a day; volunteers give more and pay less, see Options for Staying.
Courses and retreats
Come for a retreat
Retreats include the room and meals. 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.
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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.
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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 →Questions from people coming from Goa
How far is the ashram from Goa?
About 3 hours by taxi from Dabolim airport, and about 5 hours from Manohar airport at Mopa. By train, Madgaon to Gokarna Road takes about 1½ hours.
How much is a taxi from Goa airport?
Around ₹4,000 from Dabolim airport to the ashram with a trusted village driver. Book in advance and send your flight details.
Is there an ashram in Goa itself?
This ashram is in Karnataka, on the coast south of Goa, near Gokarna. Dabolim airport in Goa is the easiest way to reach it.
Can I come for a few days?
Yes. Guests stay with one hour of karma yoga a day. Write to the office first so a bed can be kept for you.
Do foreigners need anything special?
Bring your passport and visa. Indian law requires the ashram to report every foreign guest on Form C within 24 hours of arrival.
Is it quiet like a retreat or busy like Goa?
Quiet. The day starts with a 5:30 am bell, and silence is kept from evening chanting until after breakfast. Gokarna town is 15 minutes away when you want it.