About The Event
Chatkara from Banaras - A Culinary Retreat - Banaras ki Galiyon ka Swaad
17,18, 19 July 2026 Swar-Sadhana Tapovan - Residential Retreat
Samanur Village, Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu
Step into the soulful lanes of Banaras - without leaving the lap of nature. Chatkara from Banaras is a 3 day immersive culinary retreat(residential) dedicated to the art of authentic, satvik Banarasi chaat, led by Prachi Bhruguwar, a passionate home cook and proud daughter of Banaras who carries the citys flavours and food memories in every recipe she teaches.
Over three days, youll learn to recreate the iconic tastes of Banarass bustling galis; tangy, spicy, comforting chaats made the satvik way (no onion, no garlic, pure ghee-based cooking), just as theyre prepared in the temple towns most beloved food stalls. Expect hands-on sessions, stories of Banaras woven into every dish, and the kind of soulful cooking that turns a recipe into a cultural experience.
About the Venue: Swar Sadhana Tapovan
This retreat is hosted at Swar Sadhana Tapovan, a serene Gurukul campus set amid mango orchards and coconut groves in Samanur village, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu - under the aegis of Sharangadev School of Music and Culture, founded by the eminent violinist, Dr. Sangeeta Shankar.
True to ancient gurukul tradition, this 6.5 acre sanctuary regularly hosts immersive educational retreats spanning every subject connected to Indian music, culture, art, and well-being, from Hindustani and Carnatic vocal and instrumental music to classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi, alongside art, painting, yoga, meditation and culinary retreats such as this one. The campus is built around a magnificent 60 foot open air mandapam that serves as a classroom in harmony with nature, and a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a Shivalinga of "Blue Sapphire" (the only one known in the world) that lends a meditative, spiritual energy to the grounds.
Participants stay in comfortable, well-appointed tents with modern bathroom facilities, waking up to birdsong, practicing yoga under open skies, and enjoying pristine air far from city noise, the kind of tranquil, grounded setting where learning, cooking, and reflection naturally come together.
Education is FREE (as per the Gurukul tradition), you only pay for your accommodation and meals.
Limited Seats: Only 30 People
