Panchgani Writers’ Retreat

From the time I walked out of the airport in Mumbai until my flight back to the U.S. a week later, I was cared for like the favorite member of the family at the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat, an enriching creative experience unlike any other. Three meals a day of the best Indian food I’ve ever tasted. Staying up all night with new friends, listening to music and writing in our journals. Yoga and Tibetan bowl meditation every morning. Breathtaking mountains and endless fields of strawberries. Without exception, I was inspired each day by the kinship and community that we in attendance created in such a relatively short period of time. I was moved by the work we shared in class. Most importantly, I was touched by the kindness and attention to detail provided by Shabnam Samuel Thakar, the lead organizer.

– ALLISON McCARTHY

The writers’ retreat was my first ever outing with people I didn’t know without my family. It was one of the most wonderful experiences I’ve ever had. I was picked up from home, taken to the retreat, pampered from the first minute to the end. Every detail was addressed and we were very well looked after. The food was like Diwali celebrations coming early for us as each meal was prepared with so much love and we were fed with even more love. The yoga, creative writing, meditations, free time, food and sightseeing all infused with energy and love! Not being with family was actually therapeutic in many ways as I had to connect beyond my comfort zone, being the homebody I am. And I don’t regret a single minute. I’ve made new wonderful friends, connected with teachers and elders at Sanjeevan Vidyalaya. It will always be a home for me now. I’m in gratitude to Shabnam for looking into the smallest details and taking such good care of us!!! I’m waiting for the next retreat…I miss it already!!!

–  POONAM DHANDHANIA

The Panchgani Writers’ Retreat was a wonderful experience…the campus and the facilities provided just the right atmosphere for writing.

The Yoga in the morning, the light but very tasty “home-cooked” meals, the ever smiling staff and of course, the workshop inputs by Shabnam and Sweta–all contributed to create an ambience which triggered a lot of reflection, creativity and practicing of the craft of writing. Also valuable were the inputs, feedback and encouragement from the two of you and other participants.

Would love to be back next year!

– PRASHANT SANKARAN

From the moment, I arrived at Bombay airport where I was met personally by Shabnam to the moment I left the writers’ retreat, Shabnam and her team made me feel so welcome with her special personal care and attention to detail, my every need was taken care of. It was a delightful week with many highlights. I began my week in Panchgani as a stranger and left as a friend.

The hills of Panchgani are the perfect setting to get inspired to write and to find some peace. During the writing workshops from Shabnam and Sweta  they both taught me so much about how to get the best out of my writing, and how to nourish my creativity mentally, spiritually and physically.

Each morning started with a cup of tea in bed, a true delight for a busy working mum like me, followed by sunrise meditation and yoga. The menu full of delicious carefully selected dishes never failed to delight, it even became a running joke about what we were going to eat, the anticipation of what was on the menu not only the next day but the next meal.

Throughout my stay I felt so welcomed and the hospitality was second to none. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking for a peaceful place to write.

– VANESSA REES