Shree Bindu Sewa Sansthan Ashram - Vrindavan

Gud place

Beautiful place and beautiful people. This haven of tranquility sits amidst the bustling, noisy and intriguing village of Vrindavan. The kids at the school are a joy to meet, the family are wonderful people and bonus....... monkeys!!!!!!!!!!

My experience at the Ashram was amazing :-) Honnestly I have no idea where I was going. I found this place on internet and did not know what to expect but with few chats with Ramona I feel re-assured. Then the big day arrived and it was amazing. It is a small place but full of Love. I discovered Yoga, ayurvedic massages and the calm (which was hard to handle for me and my busy life, the first days). The staff is full of wonderful people, very caring and helpful. The plus: the food - veg and ayurvedic - but so delicious. I suggest: to go with someone or ensure some other guests are staying if you don't like to be alone (or if you don't feel confortable to go around by yourself) ;-) Ccl: anyway I will go back :-)

I had a wonderful week at the ashram celebrating Holi. I felt like an immediate part of the family. It was my first experience in India and after finishing a two month stay in the country, I'm convinced it was the best introduction possible. Fun, relaxing and an excellent learning experience.

A smaill, quiet and pacefull place in the middle of the crowdy and noisy city, this ashram has became my home and the Goswami family, my family in India… I went for the very first time to a Yoga and Ayurveda retrait and I enjoyed so much in whole aspects but the big surprise that I got was the atmosphere filled with love, starting from the Goswami family to the staff, the kids, … Once I opened myself to the whole experience of the ashram life, I noticed that my heart opened more and more and got filled of love from everyone, from everything... Celebrating the magic night of Diwaly was great, and in Holi time and had lots of fun! Every excuse for celebrating is welcome there, and I love that! I just can say that I have been already 3 times there and looking forward to the next one! I would also say that staying in the ashram is a great start to get in touch directly with Indian culture (out of religion) whether you go to India as a visitor, tourist, if you want to enjoy a Yoga and ayurveda experience or just need having free time to be with yourself. You will be in a safe, confortable and quiet place, living with loving friendly and trusty Indian family, enjoying with lots of smiling kids, and meanwhile getting used to the Indian bustle, traffic and way of living of this country of contrasts. You will really appreciate to come back to the quietness of the ashram after a day out, enjoy a great vegetarian tasty food, share your day with the family if you feel like talking, and just relax…believe me!

Being part of a family Your first visit or any visit to India can be a little daunting and a bit of a culture shock, however if you choose to stay at the Shree Bindu Ashram you needn't worry about that, because you immediately gain a family and some amazing friends for life. From the moment I arrived I was treated as one of the family and felt so welcomed and cared for, and of course like every visitor fell madly in love with all of them especially their gorgeous ever smiling daughter Apra. I had an amazing time visiting lots of places with Purnandu and seeing the real India whilst driving through the crazy Indian traffic and learning that the car horn is the most important feature on a car in India. I also got involved in sponsoring some of the children at the school which brings me such amazing joy knowing that this family are helping and guiding them through their education and that i can play a small part in that too. Go enjoy and become part of an amazing and inspiring family xx

*****A truly memorable experience***** I chose the Ashram after extensive research on the internet for the final week of my stay in India. Everything I read on-line from the pages of the website seemed to reach out to me, so I went along with my instincts and booked a yoga/ayurvedic break. Feeling quite exhausted from trekking in the Himalaya, I arrived in Vrindavan wondering what I might expect. From the moment I stepped through the gate from the busy streets outside and walked up the path through the garden, I felt a peace descend on me. There is the most amazing calmness about the place, which gathers you up and pulls you into its daily rhythm with meditation, yoga and ayurvedic massage. Each day was a wonderful experience starting with early morning meditation in the cave with a focus in the evening on chakras and a dance party. Then up to the rooftop for yoga, some days with the fog swirling around which was quite surreal. An ayurvedic massage each day using the oils especially prepared for my condition/body type following consultation with the doctor on arrival. I was well and truly scrubbed and pampered and I especially enjoyed the hot oil poured on my forehead. Our meals were all cooked using ayurvedic recipes and fresh ingredients. The food was beautifully prepared, well presented and extremely tasty. It was a wonderful experience, sitting round the table eating with the family and was one of the many highlights for the week. There was plenty of time to rest, relax and do whatever the fancy takes you. I sat in the garden and read, I rested a lot and caught up on my sleep after my travels, chatted with the other guests, visited the kindergarten charity school and helped serve dinner to the children at lunchtime. Some days, I ventured outside the Ashram and went shopping at the local bazaar, visited some of the many temples in Vrindavan with a guide from the Ashram and went to see one of the ceremonies on the banks of the Yamuna river. My stay at the Ashram was a truly memorable experience and one that I will never forget. I thank you all - the family, friends, staff and of course, the children from the bottom of my heart for all the love care and attention so freely given. *****Update July 2014***** When I mentioned to Ramona that I was planning a further trip to India and would like to visit the northern states, she put together a bespoke itinerary and suggested that a guide from the Ashram accompany me. I was very happy to travel in this way as it gave me comfort and also to my family and friends back home knowing that I would be well taken care of. It was also good to know that part of the cost of the trip also supported the Ashram's charity work at the school. Purnendu was good company, most respectful and a pleasure to travel with. I would not hesitate to recommend travelling in this way, especially to ladies thinking of travelling on your own as there are no worries with unwanted attention by travelling with a male guide and about getting lost or where to eat and how much to tip etc. Once again, I must thank you all for such a truly memorable experience and I now look forward to the next opportunity to stay and support this family run Ashram and charity school.

First time to India can be scary, especially if you are a woman traveling on your own. But when you arrive in the ashram and are welcomed, you feel immediately that you are part of a family. Everyone is really nice and loving. I stayed at the ashram for 1 week in 2013. Since then I have stayed in contact and feel that they are never far away. When I can I will visit again. The food in the ashram was amazing. Not to speak about the daily ayurvedic massages ; heaven !!! I've incorporated most of the advises being given when I left in my life and feel much healthier. The ashram and Goswami family have taken a place in my heart.