Pandu Ashram : |
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Traditionally, an ashram is a religious hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo.
Pandukholi is about 5 km from our Dunagiri Retreat, and about 3 km ahead of Kukuchhina via a very pleasant even if somewhat strenuous trek. Pandukholi is believed to have been one of the shelters of the Pandavs, the sons of Pandu during the 1-year 'Agyatavas' - literally meaning 'anonymous stay' - 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. The temple here has statues of Shiva and those of the five Pandavas. For the past several decades it was famous as the ashram of Saint Baba Balwant Giri. It is particularly known for naturally growing multi-colored flowers and rare medicinal herbs. |
