Dunagiri temple and mountain is very beautiful. It becomes more beautiful when we alone visit and walk sometimes. Temple is on the top, need to go by many stairs. There is just Temple of Divine mother and excellent mountain views.
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Dunagiri Retreat is just that - a retreat for tired bodies and souls who seek peace and tranquility from their usual hectic stressful sides.
It's pretty at first glance there is definitely tremendous energy that envelopes you. This is the place where we were first introduced to the Mahavtar Babaji known to have passed on Kriya Yoga to his disciples. One needs tremendous enthusiasm and a never say die spirit for that hard climb up to the cave where he is supposed to have first appeared. Once there you are glad - the cave is peaceful, cool and one automatically gets into a meditation mode no matter how ordinary a mortal you feel you are. We enjoyed the walk up to the shrine behind the retreat, visiting the famous Dunagiri temple and would have loved a forest walk if we had more time
Piyush and Katy are genial hosts they can converse on anything that interests you. A lot of retreats are held here. There was Sufi whirling by a group from Singapore while we were there.
Accommodation was disappointing.. The rooms need a total face lift. Half the things don't work. With just one major domo Manoj running all over the place cleanliness is a big issue. Our room got a cursory sweeping and the bathroom was not cleaned during our entire stay of two nights. Disappointing if you look for basic human comforts. Food can be far far better and adequate enough to fill growling stomachs constantly hungry in the mountain air, hygiene definitely needs to be paid attention to in the kitchen. Flies feasting on the salad is not a pretty sight.
Remember the reason you go to Dunagiri Retreat for then no physical discomfort should matter
The Dunagiri Retreat, run by Piyush Kumar, is a small place up and away in the Kumaon Himalayas. A wonderful place, to have got away from the city, and spent time during the monsoons. What a sight with the clouds and mist coming in and the views of the mountains and valley when it clears.
This place is not for everyone though. No TV, no newspaper, and mobile works occasionally or at certain places only. the food is vegetarian and strictly no booze.
Wonderful treks through the forest. You may be lucky to spot a leopard here.
Any weather is a good time to be here.
An amazing place at home with nature the hosts Piyush and Katie are brilliant and helpful the accommodation is excellent .
The tours organised all included in the holiday takes one through wooded walks ,temples and hills with spectacular views of the Himalayas
The food is the best part cooked under the supervision of Panditji is out of this world
I for one definitely intend to go back and stay longer
The Dunagiri Retreat is the most fantastic, enchanting, and wonderful place. The combination of an incredible landscape with beautiful forested mountains and views of snow capped peaks, the amazing facilities and rooms offered, and the most helpful and friendly staff make this the perfect retreat. We travelled all around the world last year and visited New Zealand, Cuba, Canada, drove across the US, and traveled in India, but when we got to Dunagiri we said, “this is the place we have to come back to”. We have now returned and our stay the second time lived up to and surpassed our crazed fantasies of this place. Piyush was a wonderful host and ensured that we had everything we needed. All of the staff have been outstanding and we can not thank them enough. And Panditji, the cook, is a god among men, creating heavenly food and ensuring that our stay was magnificent.
We had a one month retreat at Dunagiri with about seventeen participants. It was one of the most peaceful experiences of my life.
Please don't expect the luxuries of a five star resort. It's a simple place designed for those seeking a genuine, comfortable, friendly and down to earth atmosphere for a retreat.
Here is a note I wrote for Piyush (the owner) while I was there...
Dear Piyush,
I am grateful to you for creating this space. It is a magical, healing and liberating place. The whole environment is perfect for Sadhana and deepening. Thank you for being such a powerful channel of blessings for so many others through your patient and diligent efforts to make such a place a reality.
Thank you and lots of love,
Nithya Shanti
