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Who
are each of us really? The time (or for that matter the space) to answer this
question is rarely available to us in a lifetime.
Yet the sages tell
us that nothing can be more transformational to our lives than this self-discovery.
For as we reveal ourselves to ourselves, something unexpected happens. Almost
as happenstance, without our even noticing it, the cosmos reveals itself to us.
SwaSwara is a place for such discoveries. A place of new sunlight, of yoga
and meditation, of days lived in simple beauty and natural harmony.
Here,
a holiday is not an escape but an introduction. To the song and celebration within
each of us. |
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Swa'
is the Sanskrit prefix for the self. And 'Swara' refers to sound. We live unaware
of the inner sound of our being, drowned out as it is by the din of daily life.
Only when everything else quiets down and we are at peace, can we hear it.
That's why we've made sure that the shouts of the modern world die down to
whispers at SwaSwara.
Imagine a breeze-laden clifftop overlooking the
legendary Om beach, not far from the ancient temple town of Gokarna.
(See map) Imagine too, 30 undulating acres of land, dotted with coconut
groves and paddy fields.Yet, playing host to a mere 27 secluded villas, tucked
away between lawns and flowering shrubs.
There is little at SwaSwara,
apart from the rhythm of rolling waves and the meditative hum of birdsong, to
disturb your inner explorations. | |
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Om
Beach is aptly named. This Sanskrit letter , echoed faithfully in the sweep of
the rocks and sand below you, is referred to in the ancient Hindu texts at the
original sound of creation.
Other visitors to the beach need to take
a winding trail around the bluffs, but from SwaSwara, you can use our own private
path opening into a peaceful section of waterfront.
Here, you can stretch
a moment into a day, working on your tan, enjoying a dip (the curve of the Om
makes a perfect swimming cove!) and watching the sun lower behind the hills. If
you strain your ears, you can sometimes hear the faint temple bells of Gokarna,
wafting in on the breeze.
A 20 minute boat ride from Om will also fetch
you up at a number of other beaches. Some bear romantic names (Half-moon Beach,
Paradise Beach), most are isolated and at some, you won't see a single soul at
all. | |
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As
we've said, there are just 27 villa style accommodations at SwaSwara. Each Villa,
(and for that matter, the rest of the resort as well) is inspired by the traditional
family estates that dot the Konkan coast, and if we've added aircon and modern
fittings, they do little to disturb the authenticity of your experiences here.
Natural materials are used throughout, most of them sourced locally from the artisans
of the area. The
centerpiece of SwaSwara is the blue meditation dome, at the head of the swimming
pool.Its circular form and blue tiles form a mandala ( or cosmic sphere ) of harmony,
echoing the temple architecture of nearby Gokarna. | |
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At
Swaswara, you can expect personalized attention from Yoga experts belonging to
several major schools.
If you're new to Yoga, you can just sample a bit
of it all, practising as the mood takes you.
For more serious Yoga lovers,
as also for people with specific ailments, SwaSwara offers a whole range of options.
If you like, we'll create a therapy program just for you, complete with Yoga postures
and Pranayama (breath excercises), meditations, diet and Ayurvedic massage. |
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The
food at SwaSwara is in keeping with the natural spirit that inspires everything
else here. The accent is on the fruits of the land and the sea. And the focus
is on freshness, pure and simple.
We avoid meats, concentrating on the
fresh catch of local shellfish and seafish.
Fresh produce from the farms
surrounding SwaSwara provides the accompaniment. Hard liquor is avoided. Instead,
we serve up a selection of fine wines, both imported and local (we highly recommend
you try a few of the latter, specially the reds).
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