The Dining Hall
The Dining Hall is one of the five integral spaces of our Ashram, alongside Śrī Hari Mandir, the Library, the Bookshop, and the serene Pathways and Gardens. It reflects the prosperity, purity, and spiritual depth of our sacred environment. In earlier days, Ashram life flowed with simplicity and love. Everyone joyfully offered their seva according to their inclination; some cooked, some served, some cleaned, all as offerings to the Divine. The sannyasis often prepared the food with their own hands, while village women lovingly made fresh rotis. The kitchen was modest yet vibrant with devotion, serving the community during gatherings and bhandāras. Over time, the Dining Hall has evolved into the tranquil and spacious facility it is today, a space for nourishment, harmony, and spiritual reflection. Swamiji often teaches that the act of eating itself is a sacred yajña. In this understanding, dining transcends physical sustenance and becomes an essential part of sādhanā, a mindful and reverential offering to the Divine. Before 2017, Swamiji would sometimes join us for dinner, blessing us with his divine presence. He would also lovingly invite everyone to his cottage and personally serve simple yet sacred food. The food was the same for everyone, humble, wholesome, and filled with grace, a true symbol of oneness and equality. The Dining Hall is also a space of silence, where quietude enhances the sattvic experience of food. Observing silence during meals allows seekers to connect more deeply with the divine presence and recognize the sacredness of nourishment. Meals are served at disciplined intervals: breakfast from 7:30 to 9:00 am, lunch from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm, and dinner from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, aligned with natural rhythms to support a balanced and harmonious lifestyle. At Sri Badrika Ashram, food is regarded as an offering of seva. Sattvic meals, simple, wholesome, and lovingly prepared, are first offered to the Divine before being served to seekers. In this way, dining becomes more than nourishment; it is a spiritual practice rooted in gratitude, awareness, and love, a sacred celebration of unity and devotion. If anyone wishes to sponsor a meal as an offering, you are most welcome to do so. Kindly click below to share your intention and participate in this loving seva.