In second week of September 2024 we took a short break and visited Hungary. We mean myself and my better-half.
Why Hungary ? Hmmm.... Well, we just try and explore some new places of our interest. We zeroed in on Budapezt. Specially Krishna Valley in Hungary.
We actually wanted to visit this place together with our son and daughter in law. My son & DIL live in Gurgaon, India. Plan was that they visit us in Netherlands and we travel together to Hungary.
For some petty reason DIL did not get the VISA and plan failed. I had any way taken a week off to spend time with them, so why not use it and thus stuck to the plan. Plan was to spend three days in Krishna valley first and then two days in Budapezt after.
Budapezt is 1,45 hrs flight from Amsterdam. We landed in Budapest on 8th Sept 2024 at 1700 hrs.
What is Krishna Valley?
Krishna Valley Indian Cultural Centre and Eco Farm in Hungary is one of the largest and oldest ecovillages in Europe. It is a member of the Global Ecovillage Network of Europe, and its research institute has an observer status in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Krishna Valley’s representatives cooperate and share their experiences with a wide range of international organizations, including universities and higher educational institutions.
The 300-hectare farm was established in 1993 with the purpose of educating people about the values of ancient Vaishnava culture, self-sufficiency, organic farming, cow protection, vegetarianism, as well as natural, God-cantered lifestyle. The centre of the community consisting of 150 monks and families is the Radha-Syamsundara temple, which has been built in the local architectural style, but inside it is richly decorated with Indian motifs, pillars, colourful dioramas and paintings.
The building itself fits nicely into the landscape and it is surrounded by agricultural lands, a Cow Protection Centre with seventy cows and oxen, a botanic garden, family houses, a school, a guesthouse, a vegetarian restaurant and other guest facilities.
Frankly I have copied the above paragraph directly from their web portal.
How to reach Krishna valley :
The location : Krisna-völgy IKKB, Somogyvámos, Krisna-völgy 1, 8699 Hongarije
Krishna valley is about two hrs from Budapezt airport by car. There is a public transport but not convenient. Even if you take the public transport to the place it drops you 2 km away from the place. you will have to walk 2 km. It takes much longer than car. I really do not suggest to take public transport.
You can book a taxi from Krishna valley itself in advance. The krishna valley can organise a taxi from which ever place you decide. Taxi from Krishna valley is reliable and not expensive.
We had booked a Krishna valley taxi in advance.
How to book the guest house and taxi:
Just visit Krishna valley website and choose the guest house and make the booking. Guest house incharge will get in touch with you for further assistance. You can ask for the taxi with the incharge. https://krisnavolgy.hu/english/
Guest house incharge is very helpful.
There are different guest houses available. One is with in the complex others are outside the complex house.
Elephant guest house is inside and Kamala guest house is outside the temple complex. With in guest house there are different category rooms available. Make your choice and book it.
What to expect in Krishna Valley:
If you are looking for a ancient Indian spiritual experience, tranquility, then this is the right place. Do not expect hustle bustle of the city life.
About 135 people reside in side the area. There is a "Gurukul" style school, cow shed, farm and a temple of "Sri RadheShyama" . Many other devotees who are living outside the complex are also associated with the Krishna valley.
There is also a restaurant which provides vegetarian " Saatvic" food. If you are staying in Elephant guesthouse then break fast is included in the room charges. The restaurant opens at specific time. You also need to book the dinner in advance. Check the opening time.
Immerse yourself in spiritual activities of the place. Morning aarti, Keertan, Bhagavata katha, every day.
Walk around the farm, cow shed, do meditation. Enjoy saatvic food. Just forget your other regular routine for at least few days of your stay here.
On special occasions there would be festivities also.
We stayed there for full three days. It was wonderful, blissful experience.
Enjoy the pictures now :
In the past years the number of visiting guests has increased to 25 thousand annually. As Krishna Valley is not an open-air museum, the guests can get a glimpse into the daily life of the village residents. Visitors can take a tour around the organic garden, the cowshed, the souvenir shop and there is a restaurant as well. One can take a short walk from the reception to the main building through the botanic garden – Indian style pavilions, ponds, huge elephant statues and special species of plants come into view on the way.
They have made the village resemble the holy Dham Vrindavan in India. So that who can not visit Vrindavan can reenact the same experience of visiting Vrindavan.
