Ashram Munivara

Nestled in the village of Junjungan, approximately 7 kilometres north of Ubud town centre, Ashram Munivara is a place of genuine spiritual practice rooted in the Hindu traditions of Lord Shiva. Established on 10 July 2006, the ashram forms part of a wider network of Jnana Buda Siwa Ashrams across Indonesia and operates as a non-profit community, managed by its own students and dedicated to serving both locals and visitors from around the world.

Unlike studios focused solely on physical postures, Ashram Munivara teaches a full spectrum of yogic practice, encompassing Bhakti (devotion), Jnana (knowledge), Karma, and Raja Yoga alongside the physical asanas. The ashram's approach is grounded in Tantra, Yantra, and Mantra — understood here as practical tools for God realisation and cultivating positive energy. Weekly yoga asana classes are held every Monday and Thursday, offering a consistent entry point for newcomers and regular students alike.

The spiritual calendar at the ashram runs deep. Puja ceremonies are observed on full moon and new moon nights, as well as on Kliwon days — a sacred day in the Balinese calendar that recurs every five days. These ceremonies begin around 7:30pm and are open to visitors, who are welcome to join with appropriate dress (sarong, kebaya or a white top covering the shoulders, with a sash at the waist). Each July, the ashram hosts its annual Jnana Buda Siwa Anniversary celebrations, a month-long programme of puja, sacred dance, chanting, and worship, with main events falling between the 9th and 17th of July.

Accommodation is available on site through the Student House, welcoming both bhaktas (dedicated students) and non-bhakta guests. The ashram's broader purpose, as its founders describe it, is to help aspirants cultivate a harmonious and peaceful life within themselves, in nature, and within the wider community. For those seeking a place of authentic spiritual practice in Bali — rather than a commercial wellness retreat — Ashram Munivara offers a rare and grounded alternative in one of the world's most spiritually rich settings.