About us

Vanprastha Resort- Vanaprastha literally means “giving up worldly life”.

Vanaprastha is a composite word with the roots ‘vana’ meaning “forest, distant land”, and ‘prastha’ meaning “going to, abiding in, journey to”. The composite word literally means “retiring to forest”.

“. It is also a concept in Hindu traditions, representing the third of four ashramas (stages) of human life; the other three being Brahmacharya (bachelor student – 1st stage), Grihastha (married householder – 2nd stage) and Sannyasa (renunciation ascetic – 4th stage).

Vanaprastha is a part of the Vedic Ashram System, which starts when a person hands over household responsibilities to the next generation, takes an advisory role, and gradually withdraws from the world. This stage typically follows Grihastha (householder), but a man or a woman may choose to skip householder stage, and enter Vanaprastha directly after Brahmacharya (student) stage, as a prelude to Sannyasa (ascetic) and spiritual pursuits.

Vanaprastha stage is considered as a transition phase from a householder’s life with greater emphasis on Artha and Kama (wealth, security, pleasure and sexual pursuits) to one with greater emphasis on Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Experience the Blissful & Blessed stay at Vanprastha Resorts , Dunagiri Mountains, Uttarakhand, which is situated at the lotus feet of Mahavtar Babaji’s Cave and is placed right in the foothills of the Himalayas. Just 1.5 kilometres away from the place where Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya in the year 1861 & is known as birth place of “Kriya Yoga” in an introverted gentle village called Ratkhal. This nest of utter, gentle calm is where life takes a restful pause to meditate on things far more profound than the worldly.

Upon reaching your destination, as your vehicle gently rolls down the hillside, the resort in hiding till then, comes into view. You notice its terraced topography as it meanders 100 feet, right down to the Babaji’s Cave, while all around, the mighty Dunagiri  Himalayan mountains play watchful guardian. This 3025 sq mtr luxury resort in Dunagiri Hills with its eco-friendly habitat, is designed to not intrude on its premises.

The resort has a Vedic Block  for guests having 4  Luxury cottages named after 4 Vedas- Rig Veda , Yajur Veda, Sama Veda & Atharva Veda  and “Ashtanga Yoga” block with 8 Deluxe Suites – Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana & Samadhi .

The whole resort including living rooms, meditation hall, dining hall. All are made of pine wood to give the feeling of living in the woods.

“Vanprastha Resorts” is an Eco- Yoga Resort & consumption of alcoholic drinks (Liquor), Tobacco & Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the property. Furthermore, Food served at the resort is strictly vegetarian.

The tariff per night includes all meals for the Guests.

This cave is one of the most spiritual caves in the Himalayan region. It is the origin of the Kriya Yoga where Yoga Guru Sri Lahiri Mahasay received Kriya Yoga Teachings directly from Sri Sri Mahavataar Babaji. Everyday many pilgrims and Kriya Yogis that follow different gurus visit the cave.

To understand the historical significance of the cave, it is suggested that devotees read Chapter 34 “Materialising a Palace in the Himalayas” from the Autobiography of a Yogi, and ” A Blessing from Mahavataar Babaji” from Only Love by Sri Sri Daya Mata.

Cave area is the place where Babaji initiated Lahiri Mahasaya in 1861 and is the birth of Kriya Yoga in this Dwapara Yuga.

Holy Cave of  Mahavatar Babaji  is situated just 1.5 km away from the resort. Guide ,trek route and other assistance is provided by the resort.

This cave is believed to have been one of the shelters of the Pandavas, the sons of the Pandu during the 1-year ‘Agyatvas’ after their 14-year exile as mentioned in the Mahabharata. The name Pandukholi is also derived from the legend, ‘Pandu’ meaning the sons of Pandu that is Pandav and ‘kholi’ meaning shelter.

Pandukholi is about 3 Km away from the resort.

Dunagiri Temple is a famous temple of the Hindus, situated at a distance of 6 km from the resort. This temple is situated on the top of Drona Mountain. Maa Dunagiri temple is also known as ‘Dronagiri’. On this mountain, Dronagiri was named after Dronacharya, a Guru (Teacher) of Pandav, on austerity. The name of this temple comes in Uttarakhand, the oldest and the Siddha Shaktipeeth temples. This temple of Mother Dunagiri is the second Vaishno Shaktipeeth in the Kumaon of Uttarakhand after Vaishno Devi.

Dunagiri Temple is situated on the top of the mountain. This temple is situated at an altitude of 8,000 feet above sea level. The road leads to the temple by approximately 365 stairs. The height of the stairs is short and long. The stairs are covered, and thousands of bells are hanging all the way, which are almost identical. The maintenance work of the Dunagiri Temple is done by ‘Aadi Shakti Maa Dunagiri Mandir Trust’. Daily bhandara are organised by the Trust in the Dunagiri Temple. The full range of Himalaya Mountains can be seen from the Dunagiri Temple.

Kausani  is a hill station and village situated in Bageshwar district in the state of Uttarakhand, Indiais 90 minutes away from the resort. . It is famous for its scenic splendour and its spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of Himalayanpeaks like Trisul, Nanda Devi and Panchachuli. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the ‘Switzerland of India’,due to similarity in landscapes.