“Athithi devo bhava” is the defining philosophy at Shreyas. This literally means, “a Guest is to be served as God.” At Shreyas, we imbibe this philosophy broadly, believing that “all are essentially divine” and our relationships with each other and especially our guests should reflect this.

Our guests are lovingly served with unparalleled personalized attention by a staff that practices yoga and endeavours to embody this philosophy.

The staff is encouraged to serve guests as part of their spiritual discipline and not just as a job or career; serving is different from being servile because the focus is on connecting with the divinity inherent in each guest.

Inspired by the first sound of creation, OM, the resort in Gokarana on Om Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the ‘voice of the inner self’.

SwaSwara is cast in the colours of the earth and the ocean and is in harmony with the land and its culture. Its form and spirit celebrates simplicity and purity, in keeping with our ethos of health and well being.

SwaSwara goes beyond being a spa in the traditional sense. Neither is it an ashram. SwaSwara is a sanctuary for your Prakruti or the innermost nature of an individual – that special blend of qualities and features that grant it uniqueness!

Its goal is to offer a life plan for the ‘reconstruction’ of mind and body to bring about balance and harmony within. Starting at 5 nights and going up to 21 nights, we offer programmes to transform yourself.

At the healing fount of silence
We live unaware of the nurturing inner voices of our being, drowned out as they are by the din of daily life. Only when everything else quiets down and we are at peace with ourselves in our surroundings can we hear it.

That’s why we made sure that the shouts and clamors of the world die down to whispers at SwaSwara so that you may be uplifted by clouds of enfolding tranquility.

SwaSwara is poetry in stone, painted with colours that symbolise the grounding energy of the earth, offset by the healing purity of white. The dwelling units at SwaSwara are villas that invite you to revel in the open and green spaces that have been created within the confines of your walls.

These afford privacy, yet open up to the skies and exposes nature in its full bounty to the senses. A yoga deck on the second level offers spectacular views of the countryside and ocean while also serving as a perfect nook for Yoga practices.

Earthy and simple as its design is, SwaSwara is not spartan or lacking in comforts. Its architecture pays homage to the terrain and its character while infusing your personal spaces with an abundance of nature that plays its own unseen hand in healing.

An ode to the earth
SwaSwara is of the earth in all respects. It is poetry in stone, an artistic expression in laterite, painted with colours that symbolise the grounding energy of the earth and offset by the healing purity of white.

Its architecture pays homage to the land, infusing your personal spaces with an abundance of nature that stimulates even as it heals.

An aura of healing
SwaSwara has a great profusion of healing plants and medicinal herbs that grow on the property in different spots including the courtyards of the guest villas.

We believe that their presence creates an aura of healing for all who enter here. These plants are also used by our therapists in their various formulations and preparations aimed at your wellness.

Hand woven for you
We try to introduce local elements into your stay wherever we can, to remind you of the customs in vogue at our locations. The towels that we place in our rooms at SwaSwara – Kara Thorthu – are an old tradition and made by local women weavers to this day.

They are known for their capacity to absorb moisture easily and to dry quickly as well. They are ideal for the climate of this region and have been used by the locals for a long time.

You Are What You Eat
The adage that ‘you are what you eat’ is a given truth at SwaSwara. Good food- planned and appropriate – is an intrinsic part of wellness. They are chosen made with care to hasten the process of wellness in you.

You are welcome to visit our interactive kitchen gallery to understand and partake of this intensive and complex culinary process dedicated to wellbeing. Much thought goes into the ingredients for the SwaSwara kitchen.

We prefer to make food that is grown in harmony with nature, ripened naturally on healthy soil and cooked with an air of mindfulness. Our fresh produce – from the organic vegetable farm at SwaSwara and the neighbourhood – consists of seasonal tropical fruits,vegetables and freshly caught seafood.

These are complemented with juices and herbal teas. Dairy and eggs are limited in their use as is the use of oils in our preparations. For those on the Swa Wellbeing, wine is offered. Our menu does not feature meats, hard liquor, refined sugar or refined flour.

AYURVEDA

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of healing, is unique in that it addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our well being in an integrated and related way. Our therapies are designed around this holistic understanding of life and serve to heal your body, relax your mind and rekindle your soul.

Ayurveda dates back more than 2000 years originating in the Vedas, the ancient Hindu texts that contain practical information related to almost all aspects of life and is that branch of the Vedas which delves into the essence of right living and healing.

Literally meaning the ‘knowledge or Science (‘veda’) of life’ (‘ayur), Ayurveda is an amalgamation of different knowledge systems that combine to offer a right and healthy way of life that is disease free.

YOGA AND MEDITATION

At SwaSwara we offer classical Yoga and Meditation sessions mediated by qualified practitioners. The Yoga offered at SwaSwara is Hatha Yoga and it is a form that focuses on physical suppleness and flexibility.

It maintains that the basis for spiritual well-being lies in strengthening the body, which in turn benefits the mind. While food, Yoga and art take care of the body and mind. We have included Meditation to address the inner self and complete the unity.

The guided Meditation practices at SwaSwara instill serenity and peace in you, which in turn makes it easy for the body and mind to converge in a spirit of harmony and total wellbeing.

ART YOGA

Art is also a path to healing and self discovery. At SwaSwara you can take voyages of the imagination and the inner self through various art practices that enable you to find and lose yourself at the same time.

The art studio at SwaSwara invites you to experiment with a wide range of creative activities that include tribal Warli painting, water colours on handmade paper, origami and clay work on a traditional potter’s wheel. So roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and let your right brain lead you where it will.

DIET

The dining experience at SwaSwara is highlighted as a true culinary treat of what is gourmet healthy. Everyday our guests can savour a truly unique flavourful creation that is also healthy.

The SwaSwara kitchen gets most of its produce from the organic farm within the property and from local markets. They use almost no oil, no refined sugar, no dairy and no refined flour.

Our diets are tailor made to each individual programme at SwaSwara. Those on the Swa Wellbeing is served a healthy diet of vegetarian and seafood. We do offer wine to the guests on the Swa Wellbeing program.

Those on the 7 and 14 nights Ayurveda programmes would follow the satvic diet where the doctor would prescribe a personalised diet for each individual based on their Doshas.

NATURE

Tranquil holidays can be restorative even when coupled to some stimulating activities that exercise both body and mind.

You can choose to start your day with a bout of yoga or go birdwatching on a Prakruthi walk around our 30-acre property that is green and welcoming. It will uplift your senses, expanding them to take in the beauty of the natural surroundings that will also add to your sense of wellbeing.

Swimming Pool

Our large oxidised swimming pool is always holding out a welcome to you to jump in and swim. Depending on the programme you are on, the doctor will advise on the use of the swimming pool.

Meditation Deck on the Cliff

Meditation hill with a coconut thatch roof and wide, terraced, mud packed steps on which participants sit for guided sunrise meditation. This space commands a 180 degrees view of the Om beach and the ocean below.

Yoga Shala

A dedicated center for Asana classes (1600sq.ft). This space is very well ventilated with glass windows on all four sides and a tiled floor. It can be fan cooled.

Library with Wifi Connectivity

A circular, well lit space that is open all day and has an eclectic collection of books. The library can be air-conditioned if you wish, and is the only wi-fi enabled area in SwaSwara

Yoga and Meditation Hut

An iconic circular, thatch roofed Meditation Hut (765sq.ft) for Meditation and Chanting sessions. The space can be air-conditioned.

Art Studio

SwaSwara’s art studio is a space for creative and mindful expression. Under the guidance of the resident artist, guests can explore and express their creative thoughts through painting, clay modeling or sculpting. The space is adorned with works of art expressed by our guests over the years.

Nature Trails and Bird Watching

What better way to start your day than with a sighting of Hornbills or the White bellied Sea Eagle that nests in our property! With a protected patch of forest and the rainwater lakes, SwaSwara plays host to a wide variety of migratory and resident birds, with occasional visits from endangered species too.

Experience all this and more on our guided bird watching walks offered every Wednesday morning. You could also hike across Om Beach, up the cliffs through the scrub jungle and acacia plantation to Half-moon beach and trek back uphill along a mud road to the resort.

Boat Ride

You can contact our front desk for Boat Rides to Mirjan Fort, Long Beach and Tadadi Harbour. A very interesting cruise to the historic Mirjan Fort, takes you through the sea up the Aganashini river.

A tuk tuk ride will get you from the boat jetty to the fort. Return by boat to OM Beach. Cruise by the pristine long beach where you can explore a relatively un touristy beach and fishermans village and a typical Konkan style temple.

Cruise to the busy fishing harbour to experience the local flavor of a bustling fish market. Return by Tuk Tuk.

Visit The Temple Town

Meander around and find yourself back in time at Gokarna’s 2 streets amid the sacred cows; visit its famous Shiva temple; or tour the inland temples and forts.

Interactive Cooking

Learn to cook healthy South Indian Cuisine with our chefs in the Kitchen. Everyday, our chefs offer interactive classes for healthy cooking. The guests are encouraged to go into the kitchen and cook with our chefs to learn how to cook healthy and improve our food habits.

They give you recipes to try at home and healthy alternatives you can find in your city. With the skill to cook with almost no oil, no refined sugar or flour , our guests have been able to successfully change their own and their family members’ lifestyle at home.

Gokarna, South of Goa
Ayurveda and Yoga on Om Beach

A serene abode for your body, mind and soul, just 3.5 hours away from Goa airport. Located on the fabled Om beach on the west coast of India in Karnataka and set amidst 26 acres of green lawns and gardens surrounded by pristine beaches , Swaswara is truly an abode of peace far removed from the distractions of urban centers.

Situated a little away from the village of Gokarna, nestling amidst rolling hills and lined by serene coconut palms are 24 villas inspired by the traditional homesteads and crafts of the Uttara Karnataka region of the state.

SwaSwara is not just an earthly destination. It is the gateway to a more profound place that abides within you. Get there and you will meet both.

Nestled to the south of Gokarna, along the picturesque coastline where the cliffs of the Western Ghats plunge into the Arabian Ocean, lies an unexplored expanse of beach and jungle. Here, where the ocean gently folds into an estuary lies a glimmer of paradise.

Welcome to India’s only true Luxury Villa, Kahani Paradise.

Perched atop the hills and affording 360º views of the contrasts of sea- and forest-scapes, Kahani Paradise offers a world of quiet indulgence amidst nature.

The Villa

Kahani Paradise is a private villa for families and large groups. With 6 suites, a Drawing Room, a Swimming Pool, Spa and Dining Room that overlooks a teeming garden, Kahani Paradise is unlike any other villa in India. Privacy is paramount, and without a neighbour for miles, the villa is yours and yours only.

An attentive and warm staff takes care of your every need. Our in-house chef sources produce from our own garden and the local organic market, and fresh seafood is brought in daily from the bay.

Suites

There are six suites at our property. Each suite has been designed to provide spectacular views of the ocean. Antique handcrafted doors and wooden high ceilings complement the tastefully designed interiors, fitted with authentically Indian furniture and customized textile tapestries and rugs.

Estate & Activities

Kahani Paradise sits on a 20-acre estate of garden, forest and farm. A tropical garden gives way to an orchard of coconut, betelnut and banana trees. Our sprawling garden beckons a nature walk every day, and offers stunning views of the ocean and tropical flowers around every corner.

Feel free to explore further afield on our Royal Enfield Bikes or the open-top Mahindra Jeep to set off to the surrounding beaches, towns and temples. Paradise beach is a 6 minute walk from the house where you can lounge around or take the boat out for a joy ride to the other secret beaches nearby.

Why not try your hand at Badminton, Croquet or Table-Tennis? There are plenty of board games too. The yoga and open-air massage rooms are reflective, quieter spots at our estate that keep with the enchanting pull of a true wellness holiday.

 

Evolve Back’s Spirit of the land philosophy finds its most intimate expression at Kabini, where you are drawn into the vibrant social tapestry of the local Kadu Kuruba tribe.

While you discover a vernacular dimension to luxury that’s truly liberating, the resort gives you a wildlife experience like no other. Inspired in design by the Hadis or tribal villages, this picturesque resort of sweeping panoramic vistas, is bordered on two sides by the Kabini River.

THE HISTORY
Nagarhole was ruled by the Lingayat kings of Kodagu and their feudatories until the British colonial administration established hegemony in the 1850s, soon after the defeat of Tipu Sultan of Mysore. The presence of derelict irrigation tanks suggests that there were agricultural enclaves within the forested landscape.

While the Lingayat kings maintained nominal control, the forests were considered common property and swidden agriculture (slash and burn technique) and collection of forest produce by the tribes residing within the forested landscape was widespread.

The colonial administration established the Forest Department in 1860 with a mandate to restrict forest burning, control swidden agriculture, prevent agricultural encroachments, carry out sustainable harvest of timber and to raise teak plantations. From the 1890s, the forests were gradually demarcated and notified as government owned reserved forests.

After Indian independence, the Govt. of India laid great emphasis on the production of food and the harvesting of timber, which led to the importation and settlement of tribal and non- tribal groups into the hadlus or swampy clearings, to provide cheap labour for forestry operations and for the cultivation of rice.

In 1955, a 285 sq km area was gazetted as the Nagarhole Game Sanctuary. The same was extended in 1974 with some reserved forests from the Mysore district being added to bring the total area to the present 644 sq km. This was also accorded the status of a National Park in 1974.

HUTS OVERVIEW
We couldn’t make Kabini more beautiful, so we thought we’d simply make it more exquisite. We began with the understanding that the most luxurious things in the world are peace, tranquility and harmony, and that whatever we do should only enhance these pillars of our philosophy.

The result is a resort architecture that has a tribal Kadu kuruba leitmotif, where each of the guest huts bespeaks a happy marriage of traditional craft and modern luxury.

From the outside, the dwellings subtly incorporate the colours and textures of the landscape in every detail; while within, the sumptuous interiors reflect a warm vernacular sensitivity. From the ethnic furniture to the tribal patterned furnishings, to the little touches like the ‘bottle gourd’ lamp shades, the sum of the parts is a harmonious whole.

POOL RESERVE
There is luxury and then there is the Pool Reserve. This charming hut has large living and dining spaces, a lavish bedroom, an indulgent bathroom, a personal ozonized and temperature controlled swimming pool.

POOL HUT
Perhaps the most opulent ode to privacy, our Pool Huts come with a large living and dining area, a spacious bedroom, a unique bathroom with a courtyard, and…yes…your own personal swimming arena (non-heated).

JACUZZI HUT
Our Jacuzzi Huts offer you sumptuously appointed living spaces and deliciously comfortable bedrooms, but chances are you’ll mostly be holding court in your very own personal outdoor Jacuzzi (non-heated).

DINING OVERVIEW
The two restaurants at Kabini are dedicated to the gourmet in you. They offer cuisines that are as varied as they are imaginative and memorable. Together, they are certain to fulfill every culinary aspiration and satisfy the most demanding palate.

HONEY COMB
Our fine dining restaurant, Honey Comb, named after the honey gathering Jenu (Honey) Kuruba tribe, lays out a platter of the cream of international and regional cuisine. Served in a location so bewitching, you’ll possibly be an hour early for dinner, just to sit back and watch the sun setting over the Kabini river. In this situation, a case of Nature providing the appetizer for Man’s culinary creations.

THE KURUBA GRILL
A speciality restaurant, the Kuruba Grill is dedicated to Kebabs and Grills and serves up platters of their best specimens in a serene setting overlooking the River Kabini.

BY THE KABINI
Give in to the serenity of the Kabini at night as it softly plays its melodies around you. Let it define your mood for the evening as you enjoy each other’s presence in a warm and intimate dining experience by the waters of this soulful river.

CANDLE LIGHT CRUISE
A one of a kind boat-dining experience designed to literally set your love and longings afloat. Relish each other’s company under the gentle, warm, glow of candle lights while silently floating on the waters of the Kabini. Savor exquisite food and wine from a choice menu prepared onboard just for the two of you.

FACILITIES OVERVIEW
Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabini comes with all the facilities you’d expect in a world class luxury resort … and then some more. A scenic Reading Lounge, a traditional Ayurveda Village and the timeless Infinity Pool are designed to relax and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul. The other facilities include a board room and a well stocked bar.

INFINITY POOL
For a relaxed course on understanding timelessness, spend a few hours in our exclusive Infinity Pool for adults located at the lake’s edge, the perfect oasis of calm. Whether you’re paying obeisance in the pool or soaking in the atmosphere at the enchanting Pool Lounge, the azure waters and the russet skies of a Kabini sunset spectacle often combine to transport you to a world where time has no meaning.

READING LOUNGE
When you step out, we’ll help you forget the world you’ve come from, with a scenic Reading Lounge where you can put up your feet, and lose yourself in any of our coffee table books on wildlife, whilst being serenaded by birdsong and the mysterious sounds of the forest you’re reading about.

The only interruption in this blissful exercise that you’ll welcome is the steaming cups of cappuccino brewed from Sidapur, the signature house brand.

AYURVEDA
Experience rebirth at the Vaidyasala, where India’s ancient healing secrets are put to work in ironing out the kinks in your system. Whether it be a simple rejuvenation massage or therapeutic treatments, our Doctors and Therapists will ensure you return in better shape.

FAMILY POOL
Take the plunge into our Family Pool that beckons you with its clear azure waters. The pool is ideal to laze around in with your family, as it also has special child-safe zones so you can take a lap or two without worrying about your toddler.

EXPERIENCES OVERVIEW
At Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabini, we help you get closer to the spirit of the land by offering a platter full of activities that let you choose your activity level and the degree of separation from the wild.

So, whether you’d prefer being a spectator or a participant is left to you. All the activities here have been designed around the uniqueness of the location and the local culture, and afford you the chance to exercise both your mind and body.

BOAT SAFARI
On the Boat Safari, you will be taken upstream from the resort on the Kabini River to where the river itself separates the Nagarhole National Park from the Bandipur National Park.

Today, on the banks of the Kabini, one can witness the largest congregation of Asiatic elephants, peacefully feeding and getting on with their lives. In addition to diverse wildlife sighted on the extensive river banks, the boat safari offers an opportunity to observe the Marsh Crocodile, Smooth-coated Otter and myriad water birds

VEHICLE SAFARI
The Nagarhole ecosystem supports the highest density of herbivores anywhere in Asia with around 108 animals per sq km. In addition to large herbivores such as the Chital, Sambar, Gaur, Asian Elephant and more, Nagarhole also boasts a large number of predators including the Tiger, Leopard and Wild dog.

A highlight of the Park is the largest congregation of Asian Elephants in the world, which occur during the summer months. The visitor can also look forward to bird watching, what with over 300 species of birds recorded in the region

NATURE WALK
A guided Nature Walk is one of the best ways to explore the treasures of nature. A Naturalist would unravel the beauty of birds, insects, trees and wild flowers. The walk would take you along the banks of the Kabini river and then through the scrub and fields along the village roads

NIGHT TRAILS
As night descends upon the Kabini landscape a whole world of nocturnal life emerges. Those of you not lured by after-dinner television can explore nature around the resort at night, armed only with flashlights and a spirit of adventure.

Our naturalists will skillfully escort you around the areas just outside the resort and by the Kabini’s waterline where you will encounter the fascinating nocturnal world of beetles, spiders, owls, moths, lizards and even plants as you go about this unusual night expedition

CORACLE RIDE
Guests will be taken on a traditional round shaped boat called a coracle. The design of the boat is unique to the rivers of southern India and surprisingly to the rivers of Ireland! The coracle will drift slowly down the Kabini, hugging the shoreline. The purpose of this activity is to allow the visitor to experience the river by bringing him in direct contact with it.

EVENING ACTIVITIES
Every alternate evening, a troupe of Kuruba tribal dancers performs their traditional dance around a campfire, to the accompaniment of two wooden drums and one wind instrument.

This dance is traditionally performed during festivals & times of strife and is an invitation to their gods to join them and bless the occasion. A Documentary on wildlife is screened every other evening in the Check-in Lounge to open to our guests the mysteries of nature.

FAUNA
The Nagarhole ecosystem supports the highest density of herbivores anywhere in Asia. Studies carried out in Nagarhole show that the estimated mean number of large herbivores in Nagarhole is 108 animals per sq km.

Large herbivores are defined as ungulates and primates weighing more than 5kg and in Nagarhole these comprise of – Muntjak, Chital, Sambar, Four-horned antelope, Gaur, Wild pig, Asian Elephant, Common Langur and the Bonnet Macaque.

This translates into a biomass of 14746 kgs per sq km. This is comparable to the Masai Mara in Africa, which has a biomass of 19200 kgs. Of these herbivores, the Chital, Sambar, Gaur, Wild pig, Muntjak and Common Langur are preyed upon by the Tiger, Leopard and Wild Dog.

These herbivores are classified as principle prey species and occur at a estimated mean density of 91 animals per sq km. The prey species can be further divided on the basis of body weight into small (Langur, young

Chital and young pig ), medium (yearling and adult Chital, adult pig, yearling and young Sambar and young Gaur), and large (adult Sambar and adult Gaur) and studies show that Tigers preferentially selected large prey, Leopard medium and small prey and the Wild dog medium prey.

Because the availability of prey in the appropriate size class is not a limiting resource in Nagarhole, selective predation has facilitated large carnivore co-existence in the park.

The principal reasons for large carnivore coexistence in Nagarhole as opposed to the African savanna are ecological factors such as adequate availability of appropriate sized prey, dense cover and tree density which is absent in the African savanna and the fact that behavioral factors such as habitat specificity, choice of hunting sites or inter-specific dominance play a relatively minor role in Nagarhole.

FLORA
The vegetation in Nagarhole reflects the distribution of rainfall over the park. The eastern parts of the park receive less rainfall with a gradual increase to the middle and western parts of the park.

The two broad forest types that dominate the park are the moist-deciduous, where the annual rainfall exceeds 1000mm and dry-deciduous where the rainfall is lower. Substantial areas were clear felled and monocultures of teak were raised. Where these plantations failed, secondary forests have taken over.

There are also various microhabitat types such as hadlus, which are shallow clayey valley bottoms that contain swamp savannas and short grass clearings or veiwlines created to facilitate game viewing for the tourists.

A dam was built across the Kabini, creating a huge lake with Giant Bamboo dominating the river banks. During the dry season, water is let out for irrigation and the lake dries out leaving only the main river visible.

The resulting open plain supports an abundance of fresh grass more reminiscent of African savanna than tropical India. This unique microhabitat has proved to be a boon for the park, providing fresh grass when the rest of the park is drying out.

NAGARHOLE NATIONAL PARK
Nagarhole National Park of Karnataka serves as home to some of the most endangered wildlife species. The term Nagarhole is a combination of two Kannada terms, ‘Nagara’ meaning ‘Cobra’ and ‘Hole’ meaning ‘River’. This National Park has been named after the river ‘Nagarhole’ which snakes through its rich tropical forests.

Set up in 1955 in Coorg, in an area of 285 sq km, the park was accorded the status of a National Park and extended in 1974, with some reserved forests from the Mysore district being added, to bring the total area to the present 644 sq km. In 2000, the park was brought under ‘Project Tiger’.

The Kabini dam submerged large tracts of forest creating a huge lake, parts of which are within the national park. During the dry season, the lake dries out, leaving only the main river visible.

The resulting open plain creates an abundance of fresh grass, more reminiscent of African savanna than tropical India. This unique microhabitat has proved to be a boon for the park, providing fresh grass when the rest of the park is drying out.

KABINI RIVER
The river Kabini originates in the Wayanad district of Kerala, flows eastward to join the river Cauvery, which empties into the Bay of Bengal. This is the largest river in the Nagarhole National Park and was dammed in 1974 for an irrigation project.

This becomes the life-giving source for the park during the summer months, attracting the largest concentration of Asiatic Elephants and other herbivores. The river separates Bandipur and Nagarhole National Parks.