Several people had recommended going to Sadhana Forest. There are organised trips on Fridays. I’d missed the last one and would not be around for the next one. I messaged them. They said they do tours every day and I could just turn up!
When I woke up, this was in my bathroom:
I had a lie-in because I’d been up watching the Oscars! I’d seen Anora, which won most Oscars. I enjoyed the film and was surprised this independent film had caught the attention of Hollywood. I was happy it won best picture. The other film I’d seen was Conclave. I liked that too. It’s a masterclass in understatement, with many good performances.
I got to Sadhana Forest after lunch. I asked someone who greeted me if there was any lunch still left. He checked and said there was rice and dal. The salad was finished. I was grateful because I’d missed the guest house’s breakfast. He returned a bit later to say he’d found some salad! It was a refreshing cucumber salad with a coriander/mint dressing.
After lunch, someone gave me a walking tour, providing a brief history. The project was started about 20 years ago. At the time the land was barren, having been overused. The soil was depleted. Gradually the land was reforested. The area is now a thriving forest. Many animals live there. I was amazed at the diversity of wildlife. And all this came from nothing.
I asked the founder if he was proud of what he’d achieved. He said he didn’t think it was his achievement. “I had a vision and people from all over the world come and stayed in the forest”. They collectively created a community. Some came for a day, others for a year. A few people told me that they came for a few days and stayed for weeks or months.
The people live together and sustainably in the forest. Electricity is provided by their small solar farm. There’s a central location for using electric devices. To minimise water use, they have compost toilets and wash dishes in a series of steps. Their solution for washing hands is ingenious. They have a bottle of washing liquid. Water is poured into a cup with a small hole at the bottom. The water seeps out of the hole and that’s the tap!
The founder still lives in the forest with his family. Although he once lived in Israel, he considers India his home and feels homesick when he goes away. He has started projects in other countries too. Several times, he said, the forest has almost run out of money. Somehow, more money appears.
After the tour, I went to the tea cafe. It’s open for tea and a luddoo (sweet ball) for 90 minutes. It was a masala coconut tea. It tasted good. I met someone from Mumbai, who’d come a few times. He was 63 years old. He said in future he’ll stay nearer the Auroville campus. He was too old to be living in the basic dorm huts!
After tea, it was dinner time! We walked back to the main hut. About sixty people were gathered there. The food is basic, vegan, organic and healthy. They feed anyone who comes. The portions are generous.
The thalis were handed out to everyone. When everyone had their tray and drink, there was a minute’s silence. We then all started eating together. Sambar came out and I had a second helping of the veg (okra) and rice. The rice was nutty because of the added grains, legumes, and nuts.
You weren’t asked to pay for any of the food, but people left donations.