Volunteer with Sadhana Forest
Sadhana Forest is a great place for doing Seva (Selfless Service). If you feel deeply motivated to wake up early and commit to doing Seva for at least 35 hours per week, please join us!
Sadhana Forest is 100% Vegan and Substance-Free!
Our experience of hosting over 20,000 volunteers since 2003 clearly shows that those who contributed and enjoyed the most, are the ones who chose to see the glass half full and came here for the opportunity to grow personally and spiritually.
Please take the time to read the information below very carefully before deciding if Sadhana Forest is the right place for you at this time. If you’re inviting others to join you, please ensure they read this information as well! It is important for everyone to have a clear understanding of the expectations at Sadhana Forest. This helps create a meaningful and enriching experience for those who decide to come here, and those who live here.
After reading carefully the complete text below, if you still have any questions, please write to us, and we will be happy to answer them.
Sadhana Forest Auroville
Sadhana Forest – A Seva Experience
What is Seva?
Seva is a Sanskrit word that means selfless service. It’s the act of offering your time, energy, or skills without expecting anything in return. The idea is to serve others, or the greater good, with love and humility. Seva is often seen as a powerful way to grow spiritually, reduce ego, and be connected. It’s considered a form of karma yoga: the yoga of action.
Seva at Sadhana Forest
The main reason for coming to Sadhana Forest as a residential volunteer is wanting to do Seva for at least 35 hours a week. Our Seva primarily consists of reforestation, water conservation, Gaushala (Animal Sanctuary), and the upkeep of the community. Our expectation is that volunteers will be strongly self-motivated to do Seva, will come on time, and will focus on doing the Seva to the absolute best of their ability! If you are motivated to wake up at 5:30 AM and do lots of Seva, we would be very happy to welcome you to stay here as a residential volunteer.
Those who are not ready to meet these expectations can choose to stay at a nearby guest house and join our Sevas whenever they wish to. Those who commit to the Seva expectations but are unable to meet them will be asked to leave so that they can find a more suitable place for them at that time.
Types of Seva
Reforestation Seva – Preparing mounds for tree planting, planting trees, watering and mulching young saplings, and tending to our tree nursery.
Water Conservation Seva – Building and repairing bunds, swales, trenches, and gabions to restore the land’s natural water retention.
Gaushala Seva – Feeding, cleaning, and caring for the rescued cows in our sanctuary. (Gaushala)
Children’s Land Seva – Helping maintain and facilitate activities in our natural space for children. (Children’s Land)
Tea Hut Seva – Preparing and serving tea and laddus, maintaining cleanliness, and creating a welcoming space for everyone to gather. (Tea Hut)
Community Seva – Cooking meals, cleaning after meals, composting food waste, managing the tool shed, cleaning solar panels, repairing tools, inspecting huts for bee and termite damage, maintaining dry compost toilets, sorting, recycling and repurposing waste.
We welcome everyone who wishes to make a real contribution through Seva, no prior experience in forestry or water conservation is required. There is always plenty of Seva to do, and we always have space for those who are ready to serve!
Take a look at our Instagram to see what a day in Sadhana Forest Auroville might look like.
Families
We love having families at Sadhana Forest! Families whose parents enjoy doing Seva with their children fit here the best. Doing Seva as a family: In the case of families with two parents and one child, we ask that the two parents do their best to cover the minimum 35-hour Seva commitment of one volunteer. In the case of single-parent families or families with as many children (or more) as parents, the Seva requirements will be determined by the Project Director.
Schedule
On Monday through Friday, our community schedule is as follows:
05:30 AM: Wake-up
6:00 AM – 8:30 AM: First Seva (volunteering)
8:45 AM – 9:45 AM: Breakfast
9:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Second Seva (volunteering)
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM: Lunch
6:00 PM: Dinner
In addition to this, you will have 3 or 4 weekly ‘Third Seva’ shifts in the afternoon and over the weekend.
Between lunch and dinner, our participants often organize workshops free of charge where they share their skills or knowledge with the community. Singing, dancing, playing all sorts of musical instruments, non-competitive games, improv theater, yoga, meditation, acrobatics, etc., are regularly offered as workshops.
In addition, we have the following regular activities that take place every week after dinner:
Monday Core Value Talk – A discussion about one of Sadhana Forest’s values (Seva, Veganism, Natural Learning, Living Substance-Free, Gift Economy, Collaboration, Non-Violence, Zero-Waste, Sustainability, and Community Living)
Tuesday Sharing Circle – A safe space to share what is going on in your life and practice deep listening to know your fellow community members.
Wednesday Open Stage – A time to deeply appreciate the non-talent and talent of others in the community and to share yours. You can sing, dance, play a game, share a story – no talent required!
Thursday Night Out – A chance to coordinate your visit to nearby places in Auroville and Pondicherry with other volunteers. No organized dinner is prepared on Thursdays.
Friday Eco Film Club – A walking tour of Sadhana Forest, followed by a documentary and a late dinner around 8 PM.
Sunday Meeting – A meeting for all volunteers to organize for the week.
On Saturdays and Sundays, we follow a different schedule where Sevas are assigned in advance. We do not prepare an organized lunch for the community. When no meals are offered, you may choose to cook in our kitchen using community ingredients or go out to local restaurants.
Reforestation and Water Conservation
Our main project is the reforestation of 70 acres of severely eroded land. We are working to recreate the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest indigenous to our area. This forest type is found only in Southern India and Sri Lanka and provides a rare biological richness due to its very high species abundance (over 1000 species of trees, shrubbery, and liana). The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest is now close to total extinction, with only 0.01% of the original forest surviving. We are working to keep this rich and beautiful forest on earth. The primary way in which we do this is by using natural, low-tech landscaping methods to sequester water in the aquifer below and then planting and caring for young trees until they tap into the aquifer and begin to sustain themselves.
Compassion In Action
Reforestation and water conservation are two ways we practice our compassion for nature. In the past years, we have added new ways.
Children’s Land opened in 2010. It is a space for local children from underprivileged backgrounds to come explore and use freely as their own.
The Gaushala (Animal Sanctuary), opened in 2016, is a retirement center for injured and/or abandoned animals.
In 2018, we established the UniverCity of Compassion, a recurring residential program that offers a free, supportive learning environment for participants to explore and develop ideas for compassionate action. It is open for people of all ages and walks of life.
In 2019, we opened our Tea Hut, where we offer vegan chai and sweets to our guests, neighbors, and friends, in the spirit of Gift Economy.
Community
In Sadhana Forest, we want everyone to feel welcome and supported. Our dynamic community is composed of people of all ages and backgrounds from all over India and around the world. We have found that living and sharing in a communal atmosphere brings us into harmony with nature and with ourselves; as one of our community members commented when she left, “May there be many forests to grow people.”
Children are an integral part of community life at Sadhana Forest and bring their joy and creativity into the space. We wish to create an environment where children are free to be as they are without competition, coercion, or conditioning (rewards and punishments). They are our teachers who remind us to be playful, to look at things with a fresh perspective, and to nurture our inner child. Please treat them with great respect, just as you would like to be treated. If you have any challenges with a child, please inform their parents and do not act on your own.
Communication
Sadhana Forest is a place that practices direct and compassionate communication. If you have any feedback, positive or constructive, we encourage you to share it directly with the person involved, and to do so privately, without others present. This helps us cultivate a space free from gossip, toxic dynamics or bullying, where everyone feels supported and safe.
Diet
At Sadhana Forest, we eat a 100% vegan diet, which means no animal products from living or deceased animals, and we only consume whole, unprocessed foods. We eat fruits, vegetables, whole-grain brown and red rice, millet, herbs, spices, beans, and dal, sourcing as much as possible from local and regional organic farms.
We do not eat honey, dairy products (including paneer, ghee, butter, milk, curd, etc.), eggs, meat, and fish. Please keep in mind that the only outside foods allowed in the community are plain, unprocessed nuts, seeds, and fruits.
Management
Sadhana Forest is managed by our Project Director, Olga Montoya, who has been appointed by and reports to our Founder and International Director, Aviram Rozin. The Project Director oversees all aspects of the project, including health, safety, and security.
A management structure made up of Long-Term Volunteers supports the Project Director. Different community activities, such as the forest, goshala, kitchen, and hygiene, are each coordinated by a long-term volunteer who works closely with the management team.
While you are a short-term volunteer, you will be contributing to the daily activities of Sadhana Forest, doing Seva in different areas under the guidance and supervision of our long-term volunteers.
Minimum Stay
We ask that each of our participants commit to a minimum amount of time with us. This is meant to ensure the smooth functioning of the community and the best experience for all involved.
- For Indian citizens or residents, the minimum stay is 6 nights.
- For foreign residents, the minimum stay is 10 nights.
- From 1 December 2025 – 28 February 2026, for foreign residents, the minimum stay is 20 nights.
- From the 1 March 2026, for foreign residents, the minimum stay is 14 nights.
- For those aged 45 or above, the minimum stay is 4 nights.
- From 1 December 2025 – 28 February 2026, both Indian and foreign citizens or residents (aged above 45 years), the minimum stay is 6 nights.
- For families with one or more children, the minimum stay is 4 nights.
- From 1 December 2025 – 28 February 2026, for families with one or more children, the minimum stay is 6 nights.
Many choose to stay for a few months or more. We are very interested in long term participants/fellows staying with us for a period of twelve months or longer. Please email us at fellowships@sadhanaforest.org for details about committing to a longer stay.
Daily Food Contribution
Sadhana Forest is a not-for-profit organization. We do not sell any products or services and run solely on donations. We are happy to provide dormitory space to all volunteers free of any cost so that they can participate in our Seva and way of life, but we cannot afford to provide free food to our many short-term guests. Everyone staying at Sadhana Forest contributes Rs. 600 per day to cover the cost of our 100% vegan, mostly organic meals, filtered water, and basic hygiene supplies. For children aged 3 – 10, the food contribution is Rs. 300 per day. There is no food contribution necessary for children under the age of 3.
Holders of Below Poverty Line (BPL) Ration Cards may be eligible for a reduction in the food contribution. Since the name and color of the card vary by state, please email us a copy of your Ration Card at least 72 hours before you arrive so that we can verify whether you are eligible for a reduction.
If you stay with us for longer than one month, demonstrate a very strong commitment to Seva, offer to help whenever it is needed, and are unable to make the full food contribution, you can then have a conversation with the Project Director and talk about your further plans to stay with us. Based on your degree of financial need, your commitment to Seva, your attitude, and the intended duration of your stay, the management of Sadhana Forest will then decide whether or not we will be able and willing to reduce the amount of food contribution in the future, and if so, when and to what extent.
Accommodations
Sadhana Forest offers very basic accommodation in huts in the forest, with shared bathrooms. While most of our participants will stay in a mixed-gender dormitory, we have some private huts available for families with children, couples, and those over 45. The number of private huts is limited. If you are eligible for a hut but none is available when you arrive, then we will set up your accommodation in the dormitory and move you to a private hut as soon as one becomes available.
Facilities
Guests will have access to UV-filtered water, excellent quality Wi-Fi, 6 hours each day of solar power to charge electrical items weather and sunlight permitting, a small library, a free store for finding clothing/other items you need and for leaving behind what you don’t, and a large natural pond for swimming.
There are lockboxes available for use in the common spaces to store your valuables that you need to access regularly, like your wallet, laptop, camera, etc. Please make sure to bring your lock if you would like to use one of the boxes. We also have a locked safe to store items that do not need to be accessed regularly. Only our management has access to this safe.
Substance-Free Living
Sadhana Forest is a place for Seva, personal, and spiritual growth!
During the entire volunteering period with Sadhana Forest, it is strictly forbidden for volunteers to smoke cigarettes (including both local “bidis” and electronic cigarettes), use drugs, or drink alcohol, inside or outside of Sadhana Forest! Volunteers who do not respect this policy will have to leave Sadhana Forest immediately for at least 12 months!
This includes time spent in Auroville, Pondicherry, Koot Road, and anywhere else you visit during your stay at Sadhana Forest. This policy helps us always to remain fully aware of our behavior and maintain our personal health, safety, and security. It is also our way of supporting those who would like to live a life free of these substances.
Please only come to Sadhana Forest if you are 100% sure that you are able and willing to completely respect this policy!
Remote Work Policy
It is important for us that volunteers have a wholesome experience of life in our community. Volunteers have to complete all their online and offline work commitments before they arrive at Sadhana Forest, or delay them until after their date of departure from Sadhana Forest. We expect volunteers to change their mindset and priorities from their previous commitments to doing Seva exclusively and wholeheartedly. It is not a matter of doing enough Seva hours.
Requirements for Check-In
Upon arrival, all participants are required to provide:
- Aadhaar Card for Indian citizens or Passport with valid visa to India for foreigners.
- Enough cash to make the Food Contribution for your minimum stay.
- Bedding Deposit of INR 1000 in cash, which will be refunded when you leave.
We will not accept anyone without the requirements mentioned above.
Please be prepared to make the full food contribution for your minimum stay and bedding deposit in cash at the time of your arrival. We are not able to accept any form of digital payment, including debit/credit cards, UPI like GPay, PhonePe, PayTM, or bank transfers.
Upon check-in, you will be provided with bed sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. We ask that you take good care of these and please wash them before you leave.
What to Pack
Sadhana Forest provides all guests with biodegradable hand soap, body soap, laundry soap, and toothpowder. Please do not use personal toiletries that you bring with you, as they may cause harm to the soil, water, and/or plants.
Recommended:
- Towel
- Reusable water bottle made from metal or high-grade plastic
- Small combination lock to keep valuables safe
- Appropriate clothing (see below)
- Head lamp/torch – USB rechargeable or with rechargeable batteries (There is no lighting at night outside of the common areas!)
Other items to consider:
- Reusable feminine hygiene products (such as washable pads or menstrual cups)
- Non-leather work gloves
- Power bank
- Herbal mosquito repellent (cream or spray)
- Portable fan – USB rechargeable or with rechargeable batteries
Climate and Clothing
Sadhana Forest is located in south India and is quite warm throughout most of the year. It is important that we respect the local culture of rural Tamil Nadu, so we recommend loose-fitting clothing that covers shoulders, chest, and knees. If you are coming in the winter, it is recommended to carry a light jacket and/or full-sleeve clothes for the evenings, nights, and early mornings.
Arrival Time
We welcome new guests every day from 6 AM to 5 PM. There is no need to make a reservation as we always have space for more volunteers to stay with us. If possible, it is still helpful for us to know of your arrival or change in plans by email, even if it is a few days in advance.
If you intend to arrive at Sadhana Forest, any time between 5 PM and 6 AM, please contact the Project Director at least 72 hours in advance of your arrival either on WhatsApp at +91 85250 38274 or by phone call at +91 81222 74924.
On weekdays, participants arriving before noon may choose to either join a seva team immediately or rest and admire our beautiful living space until lunch. We serve lunch at 12:45 PM and can give a full tour and orientation, including registration, between 2 PM and 5 PM.
Directions
Sadhana Forest can be found on Google Maps at https://g.page/sadhanaforest
Please open this map to see some different options for reaching Sadhana Forest: https://bit.ly/41XtYs0
From Chennai International Airport (MAA)
If you plan on coming directly from Chennai International Airport to Sadhana Forest, it may be most convenient for you to take a taxi. Taxi reservations may be made with Arumugam Taxi, a reliable and helpful local taxi driver. Contact him via email at n.arumugam_taxi@yahoo.in, WhatsApp him at +91 76393 46605, or call him at +91 94420 29054. We do not recommend that you try to find your own taxi at the airport – the driver is unlikely to know the way here, and it could take a long time for them to find us. In this case, phone us on the way, and we will try to direct you here. In both cases, please confirm taxi charges beforehand.
You can also reach us from the airport by bus, but this requires making a transfer and is not recommended at night. You can exit the airport on foot, cross the street, and take a local bus (or auto-rickshaw/taxi) to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus, 15 km away. From Kilambakkam, ask for a bus to Pondicherry.
Take the bus to Pondicherry via the Tindivanam bypass. You can get off at Morattandi Toll Gate, which is 9km before Pondicherry and the closest stop to Sadhana Forest. Do not take the bus that goes through the Beach Road / ECR (East Coast Road)!
From Chennai Central Railway Station (MAS)
From the Railway Station, take a local bus to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus. From Kilambakkam, take the bus to Pondicherry via the Tindivanam bypass. From CMBT take the bus to Pondicherry that goes via the Tindivanam bypass. You can get off at Morattandi Toll Gate, which is 9km before Pondicherry, and the closest stop to Sadhana Forest. Do not take the bus that goes through the Beach Road / ECR (East Coast Road)!
From Pondicherry
The cheapest way to reach Sadhana Forest from Pondicherry is to get a bus from Pondicherry bus stand to Tindivanam or to Sedarapet, and get off at the Morattandi Toll Gate.
You can also take an auto-rickshaw from Pondicherry to Sadhana Forest via JIPMER / Tindivanam Road for about Rs. 400. Many auto-rickshaw drivers do not know the way to Sadhana Forest and may charge you extra if they get lost. Alternatively, you can book a taxi from Arumugam Taxi via WhatsApp at +91 76393 46605 or call at +91 94420 29054.
From Morattandi Toll Gate
During daylight hours, we may be able to arrange for somebody to pick you up from Morattandi Toll Gate on a motorcycle. Please contact the Project Director on WhatsApp at +91 85250 38274 or by phone call at +91 81222 74924 well in advance of your arrival to coordinate the pickup.
If a pickup is not possible, then you can take an auto-rickshaw from the Toll Gate, which is only 2.5km away from Sadhana Forest.
Gift Economy
As a non-profit non-business organization practicing Gift Economy, Sadhana Forest does not charge for accommodation, participation, training, workshops, events, or consulting – we happily share whatever we have and whatever we know with anyone who can benefit from it.
Funding for our work comes exclusively from donations. If you would like to support Sadhana Forest through a monetary donation, please visit https://sadhanaforest.org/donate.
If you would like to support us through donations of materials, tools, or office equipment, please send an email to aviram@sadhanaforest.org. If you would like to support us electronically, you can like, review, or share us on social media. And if you would also like to support us in person, please come join us!
Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to read this text. We’ve provided a lot of information to help you make an informed decision about whether Sadhana Forest is a place you would like to go to. Sadhana Forest is our home! If you feel aligned with our way of life and values then being here can be a deeply beautiful and meaningful experience. However, if you come with different intentions or expectations, it can create an uncomfortable experience for both you and our community. That’s why we strongly encourage you to reflect deeply before committing to coming to Sadhana Forest. It is very important to feel clear and confident that Sadhana Forest is the right place for you at this time.
If you’re uncertain, you’re welcome to visit for a morning, spend the day with us, participate in Sevas, join our meals, and connect with the community. By 4 PM, if you feel inspired to stay, we can complete the check-in process and commit to at least the minimum stay.
If you’re still unsure, please stay in a nearby guesthouse and join us for Seva whenever it feels right for you.
We look forward to welcoming you in whatever way feels best for you at this time!
Contact
You may email us at india@sadhanaforest.org, or you can contact us on WhatsApp at +91 85250 38274.
Sadhana Forest Kenya ??
Get Involved
Sadhana Forest Kenya welcomes volunteers who are passionate about environmental restoration and community development. Join us in our mission to restore indigenous forests and support local communities in East Africa.
For more information about volunteering at Sadhana Forest Kenya, please contact us at kenya@sadhanaforest.org