My Experience at Govardhan Eco Village: Living Lab of Spirituality, Sustainability & Social Impact

I read about Govardhan Eco Village (GEV) which is part of ISKCON (also called ISKCON Wada or ISKCON GEV) in Jay Shetty’s book Think like a Monk in December 2020. At the beginning of the book, Jay had mentioned his journey of being a monk at GEV with his mentor Gauranga Dasji. I was intrigued about the place and mentioned it in our group and one of my friends Abhishek did a 5-day program post seeing the update. We met post his visit to GEV and mentioned good things about the place.

I decided to visit GEV on 1st January 2021 with my kids and their friends and was amazed to see the place. It is a 100-acre premise with 3 main temples and 17 other temples, Yamuna Ghat, Govardhan Mountain, Vrindavan Forest among many other things. We were the day visitors and took the tour of Vrindavan forest, attended aarti at Griraj Maharaj, Yamunaji and Maan Mandir followed by delicious dinner at the canteen. My kids and their friends also loved the whole experience (spiritual, day out on 1st day of 2021). On this day we experienced GEV as a Visitor which gave us the calling to come back here again soon.

Abhishek was exploring an idea and I suggested that we should meet the monks here (which he had interacted with during his course). He spoke to a few people and set an appointment with Gauranga Dasji for next Sunday. We visited the place — first did the Darshan at the temple and met Gaur Charan Dasji. He has fixed the meeting with Gauranga Dasji. Gauranga Dasji was on another site there is Accelerator, Incubator coming and a Skill development centre and will take some time.

We started a conversation with Gaur Charan Dasji, and he started sharing his POV on our queries/questions about everything from Bhagwad Gita, GEV, Life, Philosophy, His story into monkhood etc. While talking to him I felt the purity of Ganga. I connected with him at the level of the soul. He is such a pure being and I had never had a chance before to speak with such a pure being for 2–3 hours. It was a very very fulfilling conversation which I always remember the experience. Then Gauranga Dasji came, and we had a very brief conversation about the subject and gave his email id to connect further.

We came 7–8 times within a period of 10 weeks and met Chaitanya Charan Dasji as well a couple of times. I call him the SUN of knowledge and wisdom. Every conversation with him is a step further towards more enlightenment. The way he explains the situation/questions really connects with him because it is simplified, scientific and application-based. I do all his courses now: Journaling, Bhagwadam, Gita on Cricket Pitch, growing through Grief and looking forward to Gita Wisdom amid Covid times course. I also remembered a Kirtan evening with Madhav Prabhuji — it was an experience. I danced for more than 45 minutes with super high energy.

We then decided to come here to stay for 1 day with family and during this visit, Gauranga Dasji for a longer time understood where we are on our journey and was happy with our voluntary efforts to help the GEV team in some areas.

During these visits and one month stay, I realized GEV is a living lab of Spirituality, Sustainability and Social Inclusion. I experienced it more when I stayed here for a month:

Spirituality: There is a complete process that starts from Brahm Mahurat at 4:30 am with Mangla Aarti, followed by Aarti at scenic Madan Mohan temple at 5:15 am where you see the Sunrise. Devotees and visitors also do their Chanting / Jappa before or after this Aarti. At 6:30 am we attended Havana almost every day and got introduced to Lord Narsingh Devji. You can feel the spiritual energy flowing till 8 am. Here GOD & Spirituality is at the centre of everything that has been done. The food is prepared and offered to LORD which becomes a prasadam. Every day there is Bhagwadam or Bhagwad Gita class as well at the main temple between 8:15 to 9:30 am. The people, staff and monk are all full of goodness and very supportive and helpful to you.

Sustainability: There is a very high emphasis on sustainability practices. GEV is accredited with UN certification (ECOSOC) as well and take part in various UN initiatives like tide turner etc.

Social Impact: They work on Hunger Free Phalghar, support during Covid to people and local administration. Have a women empowerment division that makes products to be sold in GEV etc.

Once you live here you are one with nature and you have to accept that you were in nature’s lap with living beings and be in love with them. There is a beautiful trek (small — 40 minutes — one way and big one — hours one way) where you can enjoy the sunrise and also do a night trek/stay at the top of the mountain.

Ayurveda, Yoga Health: My wife was struggling with pains for a couple of years. With Ayurveda diagnosis, the doctor was able to connect the problem in 20 minutes and with the 18-day treatment, my wife recovered from the pains. They have authentic Ayurveda doctors, and my wife really recommends Dr Rajshri.

Every day there is a Yoga session for the guests, and they offer various Yoga online and offline (in GEV) courses. Anmol and Aartiji head the Govardhan Yoga are complete masters in the domain. I did a Yoga Nidra course, morning Yoga session and small trek with Anmol (really loved his story from MMA to Yoga).

I was drinking tea and coffee and for one month stay because of my wife’s treatment, I didn’t feel the urge of drinking it even one day. It really helps to calm the senses. We slept almost every day from 9 pm-9:30 and woke up between 4 to 5 am. We had one of the best sleep during these times.

For me, the best thing about the place is the Gold mine of wisdom which is available here in form of people, content (courses, books etc.) and live classes. Their objective is to provide you with the life manual through the teachings of Bhagwad Gita and other Holy scriptures which provide you with life tools in every aspect of life.

Highly recommend the place for experience, start understanding the wisdom and if you want to make a social impact.

Few Tips for visitors:

1. Jio phone connection works here and no other telecom operator

2. Best time to visit November to February

3. Rainy season 10th June to September is beautiful if you love rains

4. For the rest of the period: it is hot from 11 am to 3 pm: morning and evenings are very pleasant.

5. Bring your Umbrella

6. Not many shops nearby — make you have the essentials covered for your stay.

7. Must visit the Gift Shop and Srinathji Café (to enjoy the snacks and other food items — all made in-house especially the chocolate made from Carab).

Must TO DO Things:

1. Mangla Aarti (Morning 4:30am: 5:10am)

2. Havana (Morning 6:30 am — 7:30am)

3. Giriraj Aarti & Bhajan (Evening 5:30pm)

4. Yamuna Aarti (Evening 6:20pm)

5. Trek: with Guide — best with Anmol (he goes twice a week at least)

6. Bhagwadam lecture 8:15am to 9:30am