Ananda Kalyani

Ananda Kalyani is a living, participatory project rooted in the neohumanistic values of Ananda Marga — a global spiritual and social service organisation — situated in Ourondo, near Covilhã, in the heart of Portugal's Serra da Estrela mountains. Founded in 2010, the project began with the purchase of the first hectares of what is now approximately 36 hectares of forested hillside and valley. Over fifteen years, this once-abandoned landscape has been transformed into a vibrant, habitable community space. The project operates on the conviction that ecological, social, economic, and inner crises are deeply interconnected and must be addressed together. Spiritual growth, ethical economy, and regenerative living are woven into the rhythm of daily life — through meditation, collective work, learning, and service. This is not a retreat from responsibility but an embrace of it. The land hosts retreat facilities, workshops, and the annual Ananda Festival of Bliss; a berry orchard, vegetable gardens, a tree and seed nursery, and agroforestry demonstration plots; a community kitchen serving residents, staff, volunteers, and guests; and a small beach on the River Caia. The wider ecosystem includes Pequena Ilha Verde, a forest school for children based on neohumanistic values, and the Ananda Café, a vegetarian restaurant in the nearby city. Ananda Kalyani is guided by spiritual leadership, takes decisions oriented toward long-term impact, and operates through participation grounded in shared values and commitment. It openly invites those ready to live differently — to participate rather than observe, to contribute rather than consume, and to grow through service. The community also produces devotional music, including the kiirtan EP '1st Bouquet', recorded on-site as an expression of collective spiritual practice.