Sri kasi Gayathri Ashram (varanasi) - Varanasi

Food- 1 star Accommodation- 2 star Location- 2 star Maintenance-1star Management attitude - 1 star Special Pooja- 1 star( Laksha vathulu nomu) We recently stayed at Kasi Gayathri Ashram during the month of Karteeka masam. Overall we were disappointed on many fronts. During the booking and before our travel the agency that handled the booking painted a very rosy picture about the facilities and the experience at the ashram. Our experience proved it to be well below average. First, we were asked to pay several months in advance for our November stay. We were also asked to “donate” substantial amount to the ashram in addition to the rent. Second, when we came in, all but one of the rooms were upstairs and the elderly members had to climb stairs everyday. The room downstairs had no ventilation (even in the bathroom!). The bed sheets were not fresh and looked used- we stayed for ten days and no change of bed sheets. Third, only one small geyser for all units in this building and we had to get buckets of hot water into our bathrooms to shower. Morning all the pilgrims would need to get ready using this same geyser. Fourth, the bathroom in one of our bedrooms was not usable as water would flood into the bedrooms. Fifth, half of us ended up using the common bathroom for taking bath. It was cleaned once in the ten days we were there while the attached bathrooms were not cleaned at all. Food was fine, fine being if you are not particular about taste and quantity and lunch/ dinner is a process you want to get through on your pilgrimage. It was South Indian type but not specific to Telugu/ Andhra. It was more a mixed cuisine. We have had much better experience at other charities organised satrams both with the quality of the food as well as the way they served the food. Our biggest disappointment was we planned a big vratham, Laksha vathulu Nomu. They have no local priests but arranged priests from other states. Neither the visiting priests nor the full administration knew the process in detail. The priests tried their best considering that they were also not fully enabled to conduct the Pooja. They went through the main stuff without any details, skipping lot of rituals and trimming the process at liberty. Also, as the priests were on a vacation with their families, they would show up late making the elderly members wait to perform the next ritual. This was supposed to be an elaborate 30+ hour puja( with breaks). The materials were not supplied in a timely manner for the puja and we had to call the administration many times to get some of the dravyams only to be shouted at. Later on we learnt that there are a lot of priest firms in Kasi that focus on providing such special pujas in the traditional, Telugu way and are way more experienced ( having performed many such pujas) . I have heard good reviews and satisfaction- please find out from people who have got it done before committing. They also conducted this puja on the fourth floor of the new building they leased. It was tough for the elderly members to climb so many stairs as there is no lift right now.( they plan to put one in the future). Location is also not convenient at all especially if you want easy access to the temple and bathing ghats. Not near walking distance to Vishwanath temple or Kedar ghat - the area where most of the Telugu people stay. There are a couple of regular auto vaalas that serve the yatris who stay in this ashram. But it cost us several thousands of rupees to get around to the temples and ghats. A 10min walk to the main road gives access to lot of tiffins and food places and autos to go anywhere. Temple is a distance of two- three kms and Dashaswamedh ghat at two kms. Overall, I would not recommend this place. Definitely not worth the money and we had a very unpleasant experience overall. The ashram atmosphere was also not conducive to peaceful pilgrimage experience.

Hospitality is very good and also food . Need to improve on hot water availability though hot water provisioning is done. I recommend this ashram to stay whenever visited to Kashi. Very good guidance given to us and Sastry garu suggested to plan our trip very good.

We have been to this place just this week. They have made our experience really memorable. They arrange transport as per our needs and have people who help us all through. They took really good care of our grandparents. The food is just like how it is at home. The hospitality alone deserves a five star rating.

We were here for 2 Dayz(March 2021) , I appreciate their hospitality and concern they posses for their guests . The location is easy to reach in , also is nearby many tourists site . we went to Vishwanath Temple and Dashashamew ghat being pedestrian . As far as Management is concerned swami ji is very supportive and a perfect mentor . Mess facilities are extremely good . MAHADEV ?

Very good hospitality, good food, staff very friendly and cooperative,good and neat rooms. Stay was homely.

t is very good to stay in this ashram with a sense of service, the rate is also low, the food is also given with cleanliness.

We stayed in SKG Ashramam Kasi from 27-4-2022 to 3-5-2022 and their services are superb & excellent their staff & services are very co-operative & doing free Annadanam to all bhakthas I pray to lord to give good health & strength to them

Our family stayed at SKG ashram for 10 days. They were very helpful and courteous. They helped us in all the programs we wanted to, like pujas, transportation and also gave references to the people at Gaya and prayagraj to complete our tour. Annadanam at ashram was special, simple with hygiene. We felt very happy and satisfied over all.