It has been practicing yoga, pranayama, and meditation in Nepal and these practices are most effective if done in a quiet, natural, pure air and scenic location. The experience of those who come here and do these propitiations is also found to be good and effective. The location of the ashram is full of religious, cultural, historical, touristic and spiritual awakening. The ashram is located below the Shivpuri National Park and Conservation Area. It is situated at the foothills of the spiritually significant Manichud Hills. It is also very important from the tourist point of view. Through the Shivpuri conservation area, tourists go for short hiking and trekking from here to the nearby Chisapani.Lord Shiva is considered to be the originator of Yoga. It is found in ancient scriptures that Shivaji imparted the knowledge of yoga to Mother Parvati as his first disciple. Parvati then imparted this knowledge to other sages. Gradually, the knowledge of this Yoga has been passed down from the Guru Shishya tradition for thousands of years. The credit goes to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati for bringing this knowledge here.
The ashram is located in the upper part of Shalinadi which is considered as the holy river. The sacred Shalinadi flows from near the ashram down through a place called Sakhu, which is considered very important from the point of view of art, culture, religion and spirituality.
According to the ancient scriptures, Mother Parvati once came to the banks of the Shali river located in this important Sankhu and did yoga, meditation and penance. This place where Mother Parvati practised yoga, taught others and spent a long time doing penance is considered a very holy place. At this important place Sankhu, a big religious ritual is held every year of Magh Shukla Purnima on the banks of the river Shali. Devoted to Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati, the originator of yoga, devotees celebrate this holy land for a month every year by doing yoga, meditation, fasting, worship, donating etc. Worship and penance are always done at this important place, this place is at a short distance from the ashram.
The three cities of Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur are visible from the place where the ashram is located which is also important from the tourist, religious, cultural, historical and spiritual points of view, full of beautiful natural scenery. All the seekers who come for teacher training here experience a very good spiritual awakening. In no time, the mind is calm, focused and happy from within.
The arrangements in the ashram are as follows, in which one can participate voluntarily. It is not mandatory to serve.
1. Senior Citizen housing:
Joint family is a practice in Nepal. Due to various reasons, the senior citizens are forced to leave their home and family and go to the ashram. One of the reasons for this is the weak economic situation. The ashram provides free food and accommodation for those who have no good financial condition. In addition, old people come to the ashram because they are infirm and destitute, sometimes they prefer to come and stay in the ashram for meeting people of the same age group, exchanging ideas, and for the healthy green environment, organic food, and health care.
This ashram provides housing, food, health care, yoga, meditation, and a spiritual environment to those who have reached the status of senior citizens. Senior citizens who have been involved in various professions and businesses such as professors, doctors, engineers, lawyers, former administrators, civil service, police, Nepal Army and other retired people are taking service here. Along with the practice of yoga, services can be provided to the senior citizens who are there. Ashram will provide equal treatment and service to all types of citizens without discrimination. One can listen to their experience and gain merit from it and gain more happiness.
2. Organic Farming:
Farmers use modern chemical fertilizers and pesticides in crops to increase productivity. The grains produced by this method are harmful and cause complex and long-lasting diseases. Organic farming is a reliable way for a healthy life. Organic products are beneficial for health. It does not harm health. Organic food is like nectar for those who practice yoga.
Maitrisewa Ashram is farming using organic technology. It means they don’t use synthetic substances such as pesticides, fertilizer and insecticide. Food, vegetables and fruits are produced from there and the organic products are first fed to the people in the ashram and only the surplus is sold elsewhere. Arrangements have been made for those who want to engage in service work along with the training of Yoga. Physical and mental health can be achieved through this.
3. Cow Rearing:
Eastern art, literature and health sciences have given great importance to the cow. Cow’s milk is nutritious for children, young and old. Not only cow’s milk, but also cow dung and cow’s urine are beneficial. Because of all these qualities, cows are worshiped as mothers. Since there are many benefits from cow’s milk, the number of people consuming cow’s milk has increased these days. Pure cow’s milk and variety made from it are also important in terms of health and spirituality for those who practice yoga.
About 20-25 cows are reared in the ashram. Cows are fed pure organic grass and grazed in the nearby forest and reared with various natural grasses, herbs. Cows reared in this way produce milk rich in medicinal properties. The milk produced in this way is used in the Ashram as curd, ghee, honey, cheese etc. There is no need to buy dairy products from outside as there is plenty of milk produced in the ashram, in some cases the excess product is given to the villagers.
The cow has religious and cultural significance. Serving a cow is considered a very auspicious act. Eastern Science has discussed a lot about its importance. Here, those who wish directly can do the service in various ways. So, it has been practicing of Karma Yoga in Nepal.
You can participate in all these activities while taking teacher training. Purely organic food gives more enthusiasm, wakefulness, and motivation to take teacher training while getting up with senior citizens awakens a sense of belonging and a sense of service. Similarly, those who wish can do cow service and agricultural work under Karma Yoga. Every day in the morning and the evening, you can enjoy the natural environment while hiking, and you can see all three cities of Kathmandu and the valley. One can experience the pleasure of being different as one can see the villagers and their lifestyle up close.
