A volunteer-based organization focused on reforestation and food security in arid areas. Established in India, Haiti and Kenya. This location is in a tropical dry evergreen forest and is entirely run on solar energy. Hosts a vegan festival annually. Serves three vegan meals per day (2 at the weekend), blending influences from different regions. Organic whenever possible and fresh from local farms. There is no charge - food is offered as a gift. Down the street at 0.2 miles is its tea shop which serves organic tea and vegan laddus (no charge). Also offers free guided tours of the off-grid community, forest, and vegan farm animal sanctuary every day and throughout the day. Every Friday, from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm, hosts the Eco-Film Club, which includes a tour of the community and forest, a screening of an environmental documentary, and a vegan meal. Open Mon-Fri 8:00am-9:30am, 12:00pm-1:30pm, Mon-Wed 5:30pm-7:00pm, Fri 7:00pm-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-10:00am, Sat 5:30pm-8:00pm, Sun 5:30pm-7:00pm. Serves meals at these times.
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 16 Aug 2024 by Aviram
Update business info -
Added by BadassJB on 09 Nov 2011
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200 Reviews
First Review by vegantommasina
amanvegan1
Points +20
The best vegan food and the best community - Edit
Yummy food, all wholefoods and non-processed. Highly recommend to check out Sadhana Forest and be a part of their community
Read morePros: All vegan, All yummy , Served as a gift
Guest
JitenGrover
Points +18
Such an amazing space! Couldn’t ask for more - Edit
I stayed briefly - just 4 days. And every day, every Seva for fresh and new. The way of life was so novel. Enjoyed it all. Zero complaints!
Read moreWhat I find more interesting is the permanent residents. They actually have chosen this completely different life. They r like in a different dimension. Hats off to their choice.
Pros: Great food, Close to Auroville, Wonderful warm people
Cons: Summer is extremely hot
Guest
JeganrajJeyaprakasam
Points +16
Healing Food - Edit
Sumptuous food with amazing variety served in a natural setting. I don't know whether I miss the forest or the food.
Read morePros: Tasty, Healthy, Variety
Guest
CalmingBodhisattva
Points +23
Experience of a lifetime - Edit
Came to Sadhana Forest on a tour of the reforested 70 acres. I got to brush the rescued cows in the cow sanctuary or "Gaushala". Then we were shown a eco-film in the main hut. Afterwards, we had a delicious meal served by the volunteers.
Read moreSuch an amazing experience in nature! I recommend everyone to come here and have the experience of a lifetime. 💚
Pros: great food, animal rescue, communal living
Cons: I didn't want to leave
AmanParikh
Absolutely 😊
Read moreGuest
veganaman
Points +16
Yummy vegan food and an amazing vibe - Edit
The food was great, non-processed and definitely a vegan paradise for anyone visiting. I also recommend volunteering here to learn more about water conservation and veganism💗
Read moreThank you Sadhana Forest
Pros: All vegan, yummy , offered as a gift
AmanParikh
Happy to have found a paradise
Read moreGuest
lukeauroville
Points +16
Food cooked with so much love! - Edit
I really enjoyed the vibe in Sadhana Forest where everyone was kind and welcoming, and the food tasted great. The food is shared as a gift which was a really unique experience. I loved visiting their animal sanctuary too!
Read morePros: Food cooked with love, Shared as a gift, Very welcoming
AmanParikh
It was all so good
Read moreGuest
PotatoShonin
Points +30
Highly recommended for everyone - Edit
Great food, amazing community, if you just want to spend the day or stay for longer Sadhana forest is experience that will enrich your life for the better! For vegans it's a place to connect with like-minded people and for nonvegans it's a way to explore what it can be like. Not just a food place, but food is definitely also a 5 star rating!
Read morePros: Everything is vegan, Friendly and open atmosphere
Guest
RichaSadhana
Points +16
Amazing - Edit
Sadhana Forest offers you an wholesome experience with all the community members and the vegan meals are so healthy and nutritious🙂
Read morePros: Safe space, Food
Guest
Vanagrahana
Points +16
Vegan Wholefood without frying - Edit
I really liked that the food is not so oily and spicy. It was still really delicious and not very processed. They used only Whole Foods.
Read moreGuest
NileshKadam
Points +78
Whole-food plant-based goodness! - Edit
Where do I begin:
Read more- Free whole-food plant-based, oil-free, chilli-free vegan food, cooked with love by volunteering vegan chefs from around the world, using all locally sourced ingredients. Drop in during breakfast (8:45am), lunch (12:30pm) or dinner (6pm) and enjoy these meals for free (as a gift from the community). Of course, you are welcome to stay and volunteer with this amazing community that practices sustainable living
- Come rain or shine, do not miss the free vegan potluck on the first Saturdays of every month at 6pm. Your plate will be brimming with vegan cuisines from around the world- Trust me!
- Lookout for their Friday evening free tours of 70-acre reforestation site, with visit to gaushala/ sanctuary for rescued cows, followed by some lip-smacking vegan dinner served with a delicious vegan dessert. And the best part - It is free!
- And lastly, watch out for the free vegan cooking workshops offered by our volunteering vegan chefs from around the world!
Pros: Whole-food plant-based, Oil-free, chilli-free, Vegan desserts
Guest
AmanParikh
Points +970
Making a vegan world a reality - Edit
Sadhana Forest is such a magical place! Ethical vegans living in a community, all whole foods non processed yumminess 💚😋
Read moreDefinitely a must visit if you want to embrace yourself into a vegan world and experience nature
Pros: Everything, Vegan food, Healthy living
Guest
Pranash
Points +16
Embracing Nature and Sustainability at Sadhana Forest: A Personal Recommendation - Edit
Sadhana Forest is a captivating location, characterized by its commitment to conservation and service. The community there is driven by a clear and passionate vision to preserve the environment and serve others. This ethos resonates deeply with me, and whenever I find the time, I make it a point to visit. The old adage, "Nature is the bedrock of our human existence," perfectly encapsulates the philosophy that Sadhana Forest embodies.
Read moreVisiting Sadhana Forest is not just a journey into a more sustainable way of living but a transformative experience that educates and inspires. The community doesn't just preach about environmental preservation and a vegan lifestyle; they truly live by these principles, making it a genuine, practice-what-you-preach setting.
I highly recommend that others visit Sadhana Forest, and bring their children along. It's an excellent opportunity for young minds to see firsthand the importance of living in harmony with nature and the impact of sustainable living practices. Experiencing this place can help instill lifelong values of environmental stewardship and personal responsibility in the next generation.
Pros: Educational Experience, Role Models, Inspiring Individuals, Healthy Vegan Food
Cons: NA
Guest
ParvezAhmed
Points +16
Sadhana Forest - Edit
As per me a place to visit atleast one time in your life. Where you can meet yourself, you can meet with nature, can meet with people who are seva oriented and can gain knowledge from the sadhana Forest which helps you to change your lifestyle towards sustainability and seva. You can have a healthy diet for you and for the future generations where you can set an example. I have visited twice till now and I had a great time always there and coming to food it is the best food you can ever have.
Read morePros: Highly recommend for food , You can get to know about what is ethical for the
Guest
AashishBafna
Points +29
Sadhana Forest is truly inspiring - Edit
I had attended the Vegan Forest Festival this year, the atmosphere during the 3 days fest was amazing. Never felt so peaceful, happy and in complete harmony with nature. Witnessed sustainable living in practice. There is something very special about this place that leaves a lasting impression on you. I am going to not miss the opportunity to be part of this festival and community.
Read morePros: Peaceful atmosphere, Healthy and tasty food, Friendly staff
Cons: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing
Guest
lukem96
Points +16
Free vegan food cooked with love and kindness! - Edit
Eating whole-food vegan food in an off-grid vegan eco-community shared free of charge, prepared by volunteers is a very beautiful experience.
Read morePros: whole food, Free, Made and served with love!
Guest
Jenitshah
Points +18
Sustainable living - Edit
Good vegan food, no chillies and less oil. Cooked with amazing hygiene standards and served with lots and lots if love and compassion
Read morePros: Friendly people, Sustainable architecture
Guest
AkhilaShree
Points +16
Had an Amazing Time here - Edit
Unexpectedly ended up here during my solo trip to Auroville. Stayed in Sadhana Forest for 4 days as a volunteer. Had a really amazing experience. Living in the huts, morning forest seva, had vegan meals, cooking preparation, goushala seva are beautiful memories. Living in harmony with nature, animals and a great community. I learned a lot of values, about veganism, sustainable living and connected with the most amazing souls. Everyone should experience this atleast once in their lifetime. Will definitely keep coming back to this place.
Read morePros: Vegan food, Community talks, Good values
Guest
Sayli
Points +18
Super delicious vegan meals - Edit
We got whole food plant based meals , super delicious!
Read morePros: All vegan, Breakfast Millets, Friday dinner
Guest
bharath93
Points +16
Vegan food - Edit
Here we find a delicious vegan food and we can have a great environment and positive people around you
Read moreGuest
Pallak
Points +11
Vegan food at Sadhana forest! - Edit
Sadhana forest serves only vegan unprocessed food! The best part about it is their hygiene practices while preparing the food!
Read morePros: Hygiene practices
Guest
mikemikemikemike
Points +84
One of a kind! - Edit
Anyone who is in the Auroville/Pondicherry should definitely visit Sadhana Forest! It's a truly unique place. Whether you show up for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can join in for a whole foods-based vegan meal made with fresh, local, and organic ingredients, at no charge. In addition to being vegan, the meals are eco-friendly in a number of other ways:
Read more- They are cooked on fuel-efficient rocket stoves using wood from nearby trees that have died of natural causes
- Equipment like blenders and the water purifier run on solar power
- Food peels, scraps, and leftover are fed to the cows in the vegan Gaushala, the dogs, or composted
- Dishes are washed using only natural and biodegradable materials
Come on a Friday night and, in addition to the meal, you'll be treated to a complete tour of Sadhana Forest and an documentary.
If you are really happy with your meal, you can also stay and volunteer and learn all about planting trees and other aspects of compassionate, eco-friendly living.
Pros: All vegan, all healthy, Community atmosphere, Totally free
Guest
seurango
Points +6
숲에서 자연의 일부로 살아가는 경험 - Edit
사다나 포레스트에서 10일은 보통의 경험이라기 보다 삶의 예술에 대해 배웠던 것 같다. 처음 도착해서 본 Nature is not a place to visit, It’s home. 이라는 글이 눈에 들어왔다. 자연의 일부로 살아가는 곳, 이곳에서는 인간은 자연의 일부분이고 자연과 연결되어 있다는 사실을 다시 느끼게 했고, 지금 이 순간에 온전하게 집중할 수 있는 멋진 시간이었다.
Read more숲속에서 전 세계의 다양한 사람들과 공동체 생활을 하면서 긍정적인 동기부여를 많이 얻었다. 같이 땀흘리며 봉사하고 토론하며 다양한 문화에 대해 많이 배울 수 있었다. Selfless Service 세바를 하면서 매일 변화하고 있는 나 자신에 대해 알아차릴 수 있었고 인간 뿐만 아니라 살아있는 모든 존재는 감정이 있고 하나하나 소중하다는 것을 더 깊이 느낄 수 있었다.
이곳에서는 최대한 자연을 덜 해치는 방법으로 삶 속에서 직접 행동으로 실천한다. 물을 내리지 않는 건조 화장실, 물을 절약하며 샤워하고 손씻고 재로 설거지하는 놀라운 대안적인 방법들. 치약 비누 샴푸도 생태학적으로 자연분해되는 것들로 사용한다. 자연의 일부인 인간으로 살아가려고 노력하는 밝은 에너지의 사람들이 여기 모여있다.
10일 동안 비건생활을 직접 경험해보면서 비건이란 어떤 의미인지 동물에서 어떤 것도 얻지 않는 모습들 속에서 새로운 관점을 얻게 되었고 많은 관심이 생겼다. 여기서 잔뜩 먹은 과일과 야채 건강한 식단이 그리울거 같다ㅠㅠ
또한 요가 명상 댄스 사운드배스 등 다양한 워크샵을 공동체 구성원들 누구나 만들어 갈 수 있고, 재능을 공유할 공간도 언제든지 열려 있다.
선풍기도 전등도 없는 오두막에서 자고, 하늘과 별이 보이는 화장실을 사용하면서 처음에는 낯설고 불편했던 감정들이 점차 적응이 되었다. 많은 것들을 받아들일 수 있는 힘이 커졌다.
사나다 포레스트에서는 매 순간을 새로운 눈으로 바라볼 수 있는 명상의 시간이고, 이곳에 오는 것만으로도 스스로에게 많은 사람들에게 긍정적인 변화를 줄 수 있을 것 같다.
Guest
Anoopkp
Points +20
Sadhana forest - Edit
ഹേയ് sadhana forest അത്ഭുതകരമായ വന സമൂഹത്തിൻ്റെ വിപുലീകരണമാണ്, ഞാൻ ആരോവില്ലിൽ യാത്ര ചെയ്യുമ്പോൾ വെള്ളിയാഴ്ച ടൂർ പ്രോഗ്രാം കാണാൻ അവസരം ലഭിച്ചു. സുസ്ഥിരമായ ജീവിതശൈലിയും പിന്തുണാ അന്തരീക്ഷവും നിങ്ങൾ കണ്ടെത്തുന്ന ഈ കമ്മ്യൂണിറ്റിയിൽ ഞാൻ ശരിക്കും മതിപ്പുളവാക്കി. ചുരുങ്ങിയ കാലത്തേക്കോ ദീർഘകാലത്തേക്കോ volunteering ചെയ്യാൻ ഓരോ വ്യക്തിയെയും sadhana forest സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്യുന്നു, ഇത് പരിസ്ഥിതി പിന്തുണയുടെ പ്രാധാന്യം സമൂഹത്തിൽ പ്രചരിപ്പിക്കാൻ സഹായിക്കും. മനുഷ്യൻ്റെ ആരോഗ്യത്തിന് ഉത്തമമായ veganisum സാധന സമൂഹം കർശനമായി പിന്തുടരുന്നു
Read moreFor volunteering ചുവടെയുള്ള ഇമെയിലിൽ ബന്ധപ്പെടുക.
india@sadhanaforest.org
Guest
AnamikaJoshi
Points +17
Best Vegan place to volunteer - Edit
Sadhana Forest is not just an experience, it's a way of life. I relished some very delicious cuisine from all over the world each day I spent here. The diet consists of whole grains, fresh fruits, salads and hygiene is taken very seriously. This is probably the healthiest place food wise.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-03-13
Guest
Kunjisha
Points +15
Simple and delicious, unprocessed vegan food - Edit
While I came to Sadhana Forest to volunteer in reforestation, I learned and experienced so much more. You can expect to learn information across a wide variety of topics, including zero-waste, composting, water conservation, and vegan cooking. One of the core values of Sadhana Forest is vegan cooking and treating animals with compassion. You can expect to receive three delicious and fresh vegan meals a day made with local and unprocessed ingredients. With the volunteering I had the opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge, such as different methods of planting new trees or how to make coconut milk from scratch. I loved being part of the Sadhana Forest community and spending quality time with the people here. Everyone is ready to listen and lend a helping hand. If you’re looking for a well-rounded experience that includes volunteering, skill-building, good food and community look no further and visit Sadhana Forest!
Read moreGuest
daniel2024
Points +10
Amazing vegan community - Edit
The food at Sadhana is simple, fresh, sustainably sourced, and delicious! We all cook throughout the day to prepare a vegan cuisine for our community. I feel great after eating everyday and just feel healthier overall.
Read moreOne of the things I like most about Sadhana is that it’s not only the forest that is growing, it’s also the people. You learn so much here, and you can really bring your full self to the community. No one judges you and everyone is so welcoming. The work itself is so meaningful - helping to regrow the natural forest here, cooking for the community, cleaning, preparing water irrigation devices. In that way, you also learn a lot about conservation, sustainability and plant-based diets. These are all things you can bring back and integrate into your life at home. If you’re already thinking about coming here, think no further - do it!!
Pros: Sense of community, Delicious and simple food, Meaningful work
Cons: Safety practices could be improved
Guest
MaheshwarKhetan
Points +22
Really good way of eating that I haven’t experienced anywhere else. - Edit
I love their whole foods plant based nourishing meals. And the vegan desserts are my personal favourite. I had thought I would go back to a nice flat tummy when I go back from here because of all the physical work but with all the over-eating I have been indulging in, I am in a dilemma.
Read moreIt is the perfect vacation and volunteering project for me. I get to put my believes in action again and reconnect to parts of myself I hadn’t accessed in a long time. The community is really a safe space and really takes all the social anxiety off you. Also constantly living in the forest helps regulate the nervous system well with all the forest bathing that happens. Doing hands on physical work also helped me learn and start taking care of my body again. And considering the resource footprint minimisation while staying here is an added advantage. And you do all this while helping sustain an evergreen dry forest which has been grown in a dry arid land supporting the local biodiversity and recharging ground water table. I wouldn’t ask for more from a place.
Guest
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