Manda Ashram
Also known as Bhole Baba Gau Seva Ashram, Haidakhandi Go-Seva Ashram, Manda Ashram Vapi
Babaji inaugurated the Manda temple in the Navratri of autumn 1983. The temple has the murtis of Ganeshji, Kali Mata, Batuk Bhairav and Hanumanji, and stands among mango and chikoo orchards in Umbergaon taluka of Valsad district. Every full moon a yagna is held and devotees share a bhandara; Maha Shivratri is the festival of the year here. The trust also runs the Samaj's go-seva shelter, where old and stray cows are housed and cared for. The ashram is about 23 km from Vapi by road and about 10 km from Sanjan railway station, so it is an easy halt on the Mumbai to Ahmedabad road.
- The temple Babaji inaugurated in the Navratri of autumn 1983
- Maha Shivratri, when Babaji's padukas come from Haidakhan for three days
- A yagna and bhandara on every full moon
- A go-seva shelter for old and stray cows
- Mango and chikoo orchards around the temple
How to reach Manda Ashram
- Sanjan Railway StationNearest railway station10 km
- Vapi Bus StationNearest bus stand23 km
- Surat AirportNearest airport145 km
Travel facts come from the records of the properties listed near Manda Ashram, OpenStreetMap and public travel sources - on hill roads allow more time than the distance suggests. Local taxis and autos run from the station and bus stand.
Location
Coordinates 20.25005, 72.83019
Map data: OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances on this page are straight-line, so a hilly or riverside road can be longer.
About Manda Ashram
The temple Babaji inaugurated
Babaji inaugurated the Manda temple in the Navratri of autumn 1983. The murtis here are Ganeshji, Kali Mata, Batuk Bhairav and Hanumanji, and the mango and chikoo orchards around the temple belong to the ashram. Rituals follow Babaji's wishes: every full moon brings a yagna and a bhandara in which many devotees take part.
Maha Shivratri at Manda
Maha Shivratri is the main festival of this ashram. Babaji's padukas are brought from Haidakhan for the occasion, the celebration runs for three days, and an all-night Shiv puja with abhishek is held on Shivratri night.
The cow shelter
The Manda trust is a go-seva ashram: old and stray cows are given shelter and care here. It is registered as Shri Bhagwan Shri 1008 Shri Haidakhandi Go-Seva Ashram, and the fields and orchards around it help keep the shelter running.
Staying at the ashram
Guest rooms follow the same rules as the other Samaj ashrams: a ceiling fan, geyser and Western-style toilet, two satvik meals a day and the aartis included. Towels and soap are not provided. Guests are expected at the morning and evening aarti - men in a dhoti-kurta or kurta-pyjama, women in a saree or salwar suit - check-in is at 10 am and check-out at 11 am, and alcohol, tobacco and intoxicants are not allowed on the premises.
What is around Manda Ashram
8 placesNearest first, with straight-line distances - a hilly or riverside road can be longer. Rows marked "from our listings" are distances reported by the properties listed here.
Timings & best time
Rituals follow Babaji's wishes: morning aarti, karma yoga through the day and the evening aarti with bhajan and satsang, with a yagna and bhandara on every full moon. Confirm the day's programme at the ashram.
October to March is the pleasant season on this coast; Maha Shivratri, in February or March, is the big festival and the full-moon days bring the bhandara. April to June is hot and humid and the monsoon months are wet.
- Vapi is about 23 km by road and Sanjan railway station about 10 km, with taxis and rickshaws running via Khatalwad to the ashram.
- Rooms are by reservation through the ashram office, with the same rules as the other Samaj ashrams - carry your own towel and soap.
- Plan a Shivratri visit early: the three-day festival draws devotees from across Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- The ashram sits between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, so it fits as a halt on that road trip.
Stays near Manda Ashram
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Timings, distances and facilities come from the properties listed here, OpenStreetMap and public sources - no invented data. Something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.