The ecstasy of nature can leave you tongue tied, dumb struck…. The awesomeness of God beautifies itself in nature.. It actually feels true that God must be having a lot more time when he created the earth. The hustling and bustling cities and towns cannot fill you with this feeling. The first time when I visited this Sattal Christian Ashram it brought me closer to these overwhelming thoughts. The nature is so pure, untouched, ethical and so welcoming. Now, I visit the Ashram much more frequently, it slowly is becoming a second home for me. Sattal Christian Ashram established by Revered Stanley Jones (1884-1973), the evangelist and missionary. He was a good friend of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
The word Sat Tal means “Seven Rivers” in Hindi and is a town in Nainital District of Uttarakhand, India. It is 22 km away from Nainital and is located at an altitude of 4000 ft from sea level. Here in Sattal this Christian Ashram is situated in the lap of the nature, on a former tea estate surrounded by an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes. This Ashram has its own grandeur, and majestic appeal. The typical English architecture of the old cottages gives our thoughts a back slide into the Colonial era.

The railways are the best way to commute, helping you to remain kinda fresh by the time you reach there. There is a daily overnight train from Delhi till Kathgodam Junction (The Delhi Kathgodam Ranikhet Express no. 5013; leaves Old Delhi station at 22:45 and arrives at Kathgodam 6:15 am; the return train is no. 5014, leaves Kathgodam at 20:45, arrives in Delhi at 4:45).

Trains from Delhi and any other destinations should arrive at either Kathgodam or Haldwani. From where you are supposed to take a taxi, which will first pass through Bhimtal, the town nearest to the ashram, continue to Mehragaon (5 km further), 3 kms farther there will be a fork in the road turn left for Sattal Estate. Sattal Ashram is 1.5 km past the estate, on a gravel road. This drive should take between 1-2 hours. If you are already in the Nainital area, inquire about local buses to Bhimtal, and then they will take you there.

 

I have tried the train and the roads as well to reach the Ashram. The train as mentioned is an overnight journey, and is a safe mode as compared to the road journey. But you can catch the excitement when take a taxi till the Ashram. Though the journey via roads is more exciting but dangerous (almost no barriers on the road side). The roads go in circle around a mountain and you can feel the pressure in your ears as you reach the higher altitude. The pine and oak trees get agitated when wind tries to make way through them, giving that hissing sound. But the Mother Nature is drop-dead gorgeous. Really. The bus cannot go down to the main estate, so take you knapsacks on you back and march along the red soiled make a-way- kind of road. Your legs and feet might beg for mercy, but this march is worth its each step it takes. Better still go slow, that way you can buy more time to hog on the charismatic view.

This is the Mecca for adventure and sports people, and Rome for religious people. The best landscape for mountain biking, rock climbing, night trekking, nature trail, backpacking, angling, kayaking, rafting, rappelling, river crossing, bird watching, swimming, boating and night camping in the deep jungle.
Suicide Rock is one the most popular climbs here, and the Burma bridges attract thrill seekers interested in making a daring river crossing. Even if you are not prepared for this high level drama of adventure, the untouched landscape will give you a bite of mild rush of adrenaline. The estate is all surrounded by forest and you go anywhere – uphill or downhill, adventure will find you. One of my trips was during rainy season and mind you those blood-sucking leeches are so smart that they penetrate through your leather shoes. Bad!! In this adventuresome place there are no cell phone signals, which leave you with nothing but just to rely on your senses, because who can trust friends nowadays… ☺ but if you are the lucky one who have trustworthy friends, then also, please rely on your senses…. do not depend because the experience you take back home are always with you and are your own.

The sober lot of people should never get disappointed. The solace and peace that is offered to you by this Ashram is doubled with the nature’s explicit beauty. The silence can be heard. The quietness is sometimes deafening. The cricket sings choruses and sometime sings in parts, all to their glory. The early mornings are perfect to meditate. Somehow we just get lost in the beauty, which is so gracious and splendid. The twilight when shows up on mountains and on tree tops, feels like the perfect way to celebrate God’s creation. The Chapel is also there, totally in sync with Indian traditions. It does not have pews arranged or a grand alter. The ashram provides you with the mats, to sit on the floor.

Not to forget food is simple but good. But they expect you to wash your dishes on your own, which we never mind as this how you enjoy the adventurous or your spiritual journey.

Address: Sattal Christian Ashram
P.O. Mehragaon
Distt:Nanital – 263132
Uttarnchal – India
Phone: 05942-247058 / 247355 / 247029

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