Satkhol Himalayan Ashram

General information

SATKHOL HIMALAYAN ASHRAM
SATKHOL
PYURA (U.A.) 263 138
INDIA
Phone (ashram office): +91-5942-286332, +91-5942-286140

The ashram is situated in Satkhol, in the Nainital District of the State of Uttaranchal, at an elevation of approximately 5700 ft (1900 M). The total distance from Delhi to the ashram is about 330 Km. The weather during the winter months, October to March, is cold to very cold, with snow likely from the latter half of December to the end of January. Heavy woollen clothes are essential. While bedding is available at the ashram, abhyasis are advised to carry their own sleeping bags with them.

During the months of April to September, the weather remains changeable, and it can be quite cold too, the minimum temperature coming down to as low as 8 C even in mid April. Days can be warm with maximum temperatures rising to 25 C. Adequate clothing should be carried to meet such conditions. Good shoes are of course necessary. Since frequent rains are possible, a rain coat may also be carried.

DUE TO RESTRICTED WATER AVAILABILITY, WASHING OF CLOTHES WITHIN THE ASHRAM IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

The ashram is situated in a place of pristine beauty, in the splendour of the Himalayan ranges. It is the duty of every abhyasi to preserve the clean atmosphere and the beauty of the environment. To prevent pollution, every abhyasi MUST carry away all plastic waste materials such as empty water bottles, plastic bags etc., which are non bio-degradable, for disposal in the plains.

There are no charges for staying at the ashram. Expenses are defrayed from voluntary donations only. FOREIGN ABHYASIS ARE REQUESTED TO SEND THEIR DONATIONS TO THE MISSION'S OFFICE IN CHENNAI. DONATIONS FROM FOREIGN ABHYASIS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED AT SATKHOL, OR ANY OTHER PLACE IN INDIA.

Admission

To visit Satkhol ashram all abhyasis may kindly fill in the Satkhol application form which is available on the Mission's website: http://srcm.info/satkhol/satkhol_home.htm.

Online forms will be available as per the following schedule:

October 10th for Spring Batches — January, February, March;

January 10th for Summer Batches — April, May, June;

June 10th for Winter Batches — September, October, November, December.

The ashram is closed for the monsoon months of July and August.

Applications will be processed on a first come first served basis.

Accommodation is limited to a maximum of 65 persons inclusive of children.

Admission to the Satkhol ashram will be strictly with a written permission and a valid Mission's ID card only.

It is regretted that abhyasis arriving without written permission will be denied admission.

Visiting policy

1. Visits are permitted as per official batches only.Abhyasis are requested to arrive no earlier than Tuesday when the batch starts, and leave no later than Sunday afternoon.
2. Abhyasis must have written permission, and bring the letter with them when arriving at Satkhol.
3. ID card is COMPULSORY, and MUST be shown at the ashram office along with the letter of permission.
4. It is regretted that extension of stay beyond the permitted period is not possible.
5. Abhyasis are requested to ensure that their return travel arrangements from Satkhol to their respective destinations is confirmed beforehand.
6. Abhyasis are reminded that washing of clothes is strictly forbidden. Please ensure that you have enough clothes with you to last the entire trip.
7. Bedding and warm quilts will be provided at the ashram.
8. There is a small canteen in the ashram which provides a variety of dry snacks, sweets, biscuits, and beverages like coffee, tea,tomato soup,etc. They also have a stock of emergency winter wear such as gloves, winter hats, socks, thermal wear, etc.as well as some personal care items such as tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, lotion, etc.
9. Please preserve the pristine and natural surrounding of our sacred Himalayan Ashram and carry back ALL plastic and non bio-degradable wastes to the plains for disposal. This is a requirement to protect the environment.

How to get there

New Delhi Ashram Address (for abhyasis breaking journey in New Delhi):
Yogashram Delhi
Plot 2 Sector 4
Institutional Area
R K Puram
New Delhi 110 912
Phone: (11) 26197793

1. TRAIN FROM DELHI:
Take the Delhi-Ranikhet Express - Train No. 5013
Old Delhi Dep: 22.40 Hrs
Haldwani: Arr. 05.45 Hrs
Kathgodam: Arr. 06.15 Hrs
To go back to Old Delhi, the train No. 5014 departs from Kathgodam at 20.45 Hrs and arrives in Old Delhi the next morning at 04.45 Hrs.
Kathgodam is approximately 270 Km from Delhi.
Advance reservations are essential, especially during the months of April to October.

It is possible to buy your train ticket on-line: http://www.irctc.co.in/.
Foreign credit cards are accepted.

Information on local buses and taxis from Kathgodam to Satkhol is futher down

2. BY ROAD FROM DELHI:
Follow the National Highway NH 24 from Delhi to Moradabad and on to Rampur. From Rampur, turn left to take the National Highway NH 87 for Bilaspur, and drive on to Rudrapur, where a night halt is possible. Continue on to Haldwani and Kathgodam. The total road distance is around 270 Km up to Kathgodam.

3. TAXI FROM DELHI:
Company name: SWARN TOUR & TAXI
Address: 1/802, OLD DTC BUS STAND, SHAHDARA, DELHI - 110032
Owner: Mr. Harminder Singh
Mobile Nos.: 09891585364 / 09350821727 / 09350904849
E-mail: swarntourandtaxi@yahoo.com
Rates are:

1. Indica A/c Cab Rate: Rs. 5,000 for drop. Plus Rs.500 to 600 UP Tax Round trip. This need not be paid if you take a private car. Tolls are additional. If you keep the car for the entire time, it will be Rs. 1300 per day plus UP Tax (for taxi only) and tolls.
2. Innova A/c Cab Rate: Rs.7500 for drop. Plus Rs.500 to 600 UP Tax Round trip. This need not be paid if you take a private car. Tolls are additional. If you keep the car for the entire time, it will be Rs. 1900 per day plus UP Tax (for taxi only) and tolls. You will be charged for 7 days.
3. Tavera A/c Cab Rate: - Rs.7000 for drop. Plus Rs.500 to 600 UP Tax Round trip. This need not be paid if you take a private car. Tolls are additional. If you keep the car for the entire time, it will be Rs. 1700 per day plus UP Tax (for taxi only) and tolls. You will be charged for 7 days.

PLEASE CALL WELL IN ADVANCE AND BOOK YOUR CAR BEFORE YOU GET TO DELHI.

4. BUS FROM DELHI:

Buses start from the Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Anand Vihar. Buses ply to Nainital, Haldwani as per the following schedule:

You can make reservation on the same day in the morning.

For Satkhol, please take the bus up to HALDWANI ONLY, and change into the buses as detailed below.

FROM HALDWANI TO SATKHOL

LOCAL BUSES from Haldwani to Satkhol are available as per schedule below. There are two bus terminals in Haldwani - the KMOU terminal, and the Roadways Bus Station, situated side by side.

From HALDWANI to DOBATIA (Satkhol ashram is 600 Metres from this place)
Haldwani KMOU terminal
Dep: 08.00 Hrs - Dobatia Arr: 12.30 Hrs
Dep. 10.00 Hrs - Dobatia Arr. 14.30 Hrs
Haldwani Roadways Terminal:
Dep: 13.00 Hrs - Dobatia Arr: 17.30 Hrs

FROM DOBATIA TO HALDWANI
DOBATIA First bus departs at 08.00 Hrs. Second bus departs at 09.00 Hrs, and the third and final bus departs at 14.00 Hrs.

LOCAL TAXIS from Kathgodam to Satkhol: Taxis are available at the Kathgodam Railway station to go to Satkhol. Contact Name, Phone Number and Taxi details are given below:

5 seaters Rs.750/_ One way

ALL 10 SEATERS RS.950/-ONE WAY

To go back to Haldwani/Kathgodam from Satkhol, taxis will have to be summoned from Nainital and the fare to Haldwani may therefore be higher.

ROAD MAP