Table of Contents
Office
Prasenjit Sasmal
Phone: (+91) 8348986030 (Whatsapp)
Email: prasenjitsasmal31@gmail.com
Language: Bengali, little English, little Hindi
Course Coordinator Worldwide
Jonathan Charpentier
Phone: +1 (612) 670-2264 (Whatsapp)
Email: sunyoga@jonathancharpentier.com
Language: English, French, little German
Course Coordinator India
Prashant
Phone: +91 99185 07195 (+Whatsapp)
Language: Hindi and English
International Coordinator
Axel Johansson
Phone: (+46738157961 Whatsapp only) (India 7409063393)
Email: axelaxelj@gmail.com
Language: English, Swedish, little German
Ashram driver
Swapan Tamang
Phone: (+91) 6294135646 (WhatsApp)
Language: Bengali, Hindi, little English, little Nepali
If you wish to book a cab (taxi) from/to Ashram, you will need to request some days before. The price is 5000 Rupee for a single way from Kolkata. Below is the picture of Swapan (Whatsapp +91 6294135646), the driver of the Ashram. Sometimes it can be another driver.
Universal Peace Centre President
Smita Chatterjee
Email: chatterjee.smita@gmail.com
Language: English, Hindi, and Bengali
Address Ashram
(Lachhipur, Paschim Medinipur, Harinagar, West Bengal 721232, India):
The Universal Peace Centre is located in Lachhipur village, Paschim Medinipur district, Harinagar, in West Bengal, India 721232, 140 km West of Kolkata. Please get in touch with the Ashram office before coming to secure and ensure your place. Thank you!
Nearest airport is in Kolkata. Our driver can take you from/to the airport and the trip is about 3-4 hours long.
Nearest train station is at Kharagpur. It is about 2h drive away.
It is also possible to take bus from Kolkata to Radhanagar, which is only 6kms from the ashram.
Practical information Ashram (UPC)
The Ashram gives different courses for those interested in learning Sunyoga but is only open to residents who have passed the first levels of Sunyoga and want to delve deeper into the subject.
Most of the year, especially during the winter, we have people in the Ashram who can give Acupressure treatment, which is free. Acupressure has the potential to cure any disease, and if you like to get benefits to, contact the Ashram to see if we can help.
In close connection to the Ashram, there is a Ghosal. That is the place we take care of our cows.
The Ashram has morning and evening Aarti daily, and interested visitors are welcome to join. The morning Aarati starts around 04:15 am-5:15 am, depending on the time of the year, and the evening Aarti is from 5 pm-5:30 pm.
We are careful to have a good atmosphere in the Ashram. Therefore we require everyone that wants to stay in the Ashram to have completed the introductory or basic course in Sunyoga (levels II and III). Then you are eligible to stay for two weeks. After the two weeks, a reevaluation is taken to determine if you can prolong your stay. If you have followed the Ashram rules and done the group meditations, Pujas and Seva, the Ashram authority will grant you more time in the Ashram. If you have completed the advanced course in Sunyoga (level IV), you can stay in the Ashram for longer time.
Internet
There is a WiFi connection available to all staying in the Ashram. The use of WiFi is free of cost.
Sim Card
If you want to buy a new sim card, it would cost approximately 300/- INR (which equals US$4 or 3.75€), including talk time. You can buy it from a nearby village/city of Radhanagar (5 km from the Ashram). The easiest way to get a sim card is to buy it on arrival at the airport.
Daily Shopping
You can go to the local market not too far away to shop for basic things like shampoo, fruits, etc.
Money Exchange
Money exchange is possible only at the exchange offices or some banks in Kolkata city. It would help if you made your exchanges before you came to the Ashram.
Ashram Expenses
Daily food expenses for ten people are approximately 1000/- INR (which equals US$17.07 or 12.52€). Electricity, water, car, and Ashram maintenance cost around 25,000/- INR (which equals US$426.95 or 313.12€) per month. The Ashram also employs five maintenance workers.
Donation
The Ashram is your property. It is only running due to the incoming donations from the support of various people. A little love, a little help, or a simple contribution is wholeheartedly welcomed.
When is the best time to come?
- Winter: mid-November – mid-February. Dry, cool/cold nights, pleasantly warm days. It is Ashram’s busiest time and best for beginners.
- Spring: mid-February – early June. Hot during the day, with lovely warm evenings. This time is best for advanced Sunyoga practitioners.
- Monsoon: early June – early October (can last longer). It rains often, but sunshine is also present during this season. Climate is warm and humid. This is a quieter time to visit the Ashram. Bring a raincoat, umbrella and waterproof shoes or small rubber boots.
- Post-Monsoon: early October – early November. A little bit of rain, but the climate is still warm.
