Hare Krishna Resort, located amidst the beautiful Doon Valley in Dehradun, India, is emerging as a distinctive and peaceful retreat place or holiday option away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. The inauguration of the new initiative was graced by Gopal Krishna Goswami, who provided inspiration and leadership for the project. Aniruddha Kirtan Das is the Coordinator of the resort’s operations, and Shreya Mishra serves as the Hospitality Manager.

The Doon Valley, located in Dehradun, India, is a picturesque region nestled between the Shivalik range and the Himalayas, renowned for its lush greenery and pleasant climate.

Various inspirations led to the inception of Hare Krishna Resort. Aniruddha Kirtan Das revealed, “Before ISKCON took over this property, an individual operated a resort here with 18 rooms and modern amenities. Initially, when ISKCON contemplated acquiring the property for a temple, there was uncertainty among devotees about whether to retain the existing building or embark on fresh construction. Witnessing the scenic beauty, surrounded by two national forests, Gopal Krishna Goswami advised devotees to keep it as a resort, envisioning it as a retreat center for devotees residing in Delhi and other bustling cities around the globe.” He continued, “The strategic location, just a five-hour car drive from Delhi and only one hour from Haridwar and Rishikesh, led Maharaj to suggest that this serene abode in the foothills of the Himalayas could serve as an ideal destination for devotees seeking spiritual and physical rejuvenation, away from the pollution and chaos of the city.”

Hare Krishna Resort aims to be a haven where devotees can find respite. In addition to providing a tranquil escape, the resort also has facilities for hosting destination weddings, extending the privilege to devotees seeking to celebrate their special occasions in a refined, Vedic, and economically sensible manner. This is particularly significant as places like Vrindavan are becoming increasingly crowded and expensive.  

Aniruddha Kirtan Das said, “Leela Purshottam Das played a pivotal role under the guidance of Gopal Krishna Swami and took charge of acquiring the property in Dehradun. He appointed Param Karuna Madhav Das to take the leadership role in managing the Dehradun project, who is currently serving to make this place a spiritual haven for the devotees.”

The response from visitors to Hare Krishna Resort has been overwhelmingly positive. The resort attracts a diverse audience, including both devotees and non-devotees. Visitors have expressed appreciation for the resort’s idyllic location, highlighting the peaceful environment surrounded by nature where spirituality seamlessly intertwines. Aniruddha added, “Even non-devotees have shown a deep appreciation for the Vedic culture promoted at the resort, relishing the sattvic (pure and wholesome) prasadam. We have seen that it is a great tool for preaching to the non-devotees and serving the existing devotees. We are also using this Hare Krishna Resort to cultivate people who could be our future donors in constructing the temple. We invite them to stay and try to introduce them to an ISKCON lifestyle filled with Kirtan, dancing, and prasadam.”

Hare Krishna Resort is still making efforts to market its services to the people in general and is gradually receiving visitors. The plans for Hare Krishna Resort are ambitious and holistic, reflecting a commitment to providing a range of spiritual and cultural services. Aniruddha Kirtan Das said, “Hare Krishna Resort aims to become a retreat center for Indian and international groups. We are planning to start packages for preachers where they don’t have to bother about the management but give their association to the people they are cultivating. We also plan to introduce the Himalayan Char Dham Yatra through guided tours and partnerships with hotels en route to offer prasadam to the devotees.”

He continued, “In addition to this, we were inspired by the “Be A Monk Challenge” program at Bhaktivedanta Manor, so we want to start residential programs here. We are also working on providing guided tours to Haridwar and Rishikesh, especially to Rishikesh, where Srila Prabhupada stayed to recuperate.”

To learn more, visit their website, follow them on Facebook, and watch their introductory video of the resort here. For further inquiries, you may WhatsApp them at +91 82668 10 108.