Where is it and how to get there:

The Ashram is 30 kms from Pune railway station on the Pune- Solapur road.

If you are based in Bombay, you can drive down or take a taxi or the 11301 Udyan express Mumbai to Uruli. After getting off the train at Uruli, cross over by the overhead bridge and come to the exit. Rickshaws are available to take you to the ashram, right up to office. They cost Rs. 50- 100. Take the rickshaw person’s number so you can call him on your way back to Uruli station on the return.

If you are based anywhere else, get to Pune airport/ railway station/ bus station and take a taxi to the ashram.

This is what a usual day at the ashram looks like:

What is provided/ accessible:

• Blanket, pillow, bedsheet on the bed
• Doctor consultation 2 to 3 times during your 1 week stay (chargeable)
• **All treatments (some are included and some are chargeable)
• Daily yoga sessions
• Devotional singing sessions
• Meditation Sessions
• Lectures on various health topics (in Hindi)
• All food, kadhas, juices (chargeable). The food is extremely simple and served in prescribed quantities only.
• Fruits are sold just outside the ashram so they can be purchased as per the doctor’s dietary instructions.
• Walking track surrounded by trees
• Pebble Pool for natural walking foot reflexology/ massage in the Treatment centre
• Library
• Badminton
• Table tennis

On booking you need to pay an amount of Rs.2000 (or more depending on the category of room you book) and on admission you need to pay Rs.7000 (could be more for a higher room category: I stayed in a twin sharing Kutir for a stay of 7 days which usually covers the room rent and the food and some of the treatments.

• Treatments need to be followed as per the doctor’s instructions.
• Room Rent includes Hydro therapy & Mud therapy charges.
• Room Rent excludes Food, Physiotherapy, Neurotherapy, Acupuncture, Special Hydrotherapy Treatment and Massage charges.
• Massage is Rs. 175 each time.
• The oil for massage is also recommended by the doctor; it differs person to person usually sesame or coconut oil. The masseur lady provides good quality cold pressed oil so you don’t to carry your own.
• Laundry service is available at Rs. 50 per day. A helper lady comes daily. One can wash their own clothes as well.
  
  

For treatments:

• Medical file, recent blood reports and existing medications
• 2 old bed sheets to use during oil massage
• 1 old towel to use during treatments
• A couple of old t-shirts and shorts/ pants OR a kaftan/ gown to wear on the way back from treatments. You can wear these on the way to the treatments too.
  
  

For the room and things you may need during your stay:

• If you prefer a soft pillow please carry your own. They provide cotton pillows which are hard or could be a bit lumpy. Again in higher category room, pillows are soft.
• 200 ml mug for juices/ kada
• Peeler/ knife
• Plate for eating fruit
• Dishwashing liquid / soap and sponge for washing cup, peeler, knife in the room
• 1 or 2 bedsheets: to line the blanket or use as it is, for covering yourself. Also for the bed if you prefer a soft sheet to sleep please carry your own.
• 1 or 2 towels for bath
• Detergent powder and soap for washing clothes.
• Loofah to scrub yourself after oil massages.
• Books to read
• A hat for the sun or umbrella
• A cloth to place on the pillow as your hair will get oil on it during massages.
• A tote bag to carry stuff around for treatments : bedsheet, change of clothes, towel, mug etc. They provide one too on admission
• A smaller sling bag for carrying room key, phone etc. during the rest of the day.
• 1 pair of walking shoes
• 1 pair of room slippers
• 1 pair of easy to wear and remove pair of sandals/ floaters or outdoor slippers.
• Water bottle if you like carrying water with you. There are water dispensers near the dining area and the treatment centres.
• A yoga mat if you would like your own. The ones at the ashram & your room are kept pretty clean
• Mosquito repellent
  
  

The usual:

• Toiletries
• Phone / laptop charger
• Socks, underwear
• 2 track pants for yoga
• Day clothes for duration of the stay
• Sleepwear
• Depending on the weather: Winter wear, Rainwear etc.

If you like to be vegan (which I would urge you to be) just refuse the milk in kadha, buttermilk , matha and honey in the lemon water. The rest is Vegan by default.

SHOPS AT THE ASHRAM:

*** Kasturba Silk Emporium: the in – house store has basic necessities.

Sanskar Sangh: just outside the ashram has grains, oils, health food products to take back home.

The Book Shop: can pick up a few books on Nature Cure and Gandhiji

Gpay is available wherever you need to make payments. Alternatively you can carry cash @Rs. 1000 per day approximately for treatments, food, fruits, doctor consults etc.

There is a service to keep extra cash for safe- keeping with the cashier.

Try to keep minimum work planned during the trip. Use this time to be away from screens and media as much as possible and use this time to rejuvenate, exercise, read and introspect.

The ashram does not have great mobile network and in some rooms there can be limited network. So plan accordingly. In the office area the Wifi can be used.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a paid promotion. I have no vested interest in sharing this information other than to help you get a overall sense about the place. Please cross check any details reg tariffs / treatments etc.

Nisargopchar Ashram Contact Details:

NISARGOPCHAR GRAMSUDHAR TRUST

Uruli Kanchan – 412202
District – Pune, Maharashtra, India

Phone: +91 20-2692-6298, +91-20-2692-6230
(Press extension numbers 314,315 for booking else press 9 to talk to the operator.)
Enquiries: +91-96-0709-5588
Online admission: +91-96-0706-4466