130, awata is a remote farmstay by the Lake Vaitarna in the middle of trible belt of North west Maharashtra. It's a way of life which is sync with the local landscape and culture, built & operated with the local community.
Why does Awata offer a digital detox retreat?
Digital detox is a counter force to the pace at which technology is overpowering us. We believe growth is the basic nature but it also has to be at a sustainable pace. Finding a balance is the art in this case. It's simply the need of the time. In layman terms, we work as a recharge station for the new EV humans.
How many people go on this retreat every year? Can you give figures from 2020 onwards, since that is when you started the retreat? Pre-2020 numbers are welcome too.
We have a cap, we do not take more than 8/10 guests a week.
What are the reasons people give for choosing a digital detox retreat?
The city dwellers have realised that their screen time has gone beyond their requirement of work & connectivity. The limitless options with social media & the mindless scrolling along with several OTT platform leaves one with extremely less time for the fundamental aspects of life like sports, travel without photography, human relations or simply being and doing anything. After a long exposure of screen time there comes a moment where one does seek a break.
What would you say are the benefits of a digital detox retreat?
It is as simple as going back in time when mobiles didn't exit. Spending real quality time in person with friends & family. Thinking, introspecting on yourself, brainstorming on ideas, getting new insights. Simply being in the presence, seeing & listing to things around you. Connecting on various dimensions. Digital detox gives space to experience life through real senses or sensations.
What happens during Awata’s digital detox retreat?
Nothing, do nothing. The moment you keep your mobile away, you yourself realise the amount of time you have at hand. You then are ready to explore. You take a walk by the lake, observe various aspects and elements of nature around you, pick up a book, try some form of art, play some sport or simply create cherishable moments with your loved ones.
What activities? What does the day look like?
If you are a early riser you can see the orange sun rise reflecting on the lake, enjoy the freshly prepared breakfast, spend some time reading or farming with us or learn soap making or pottery. Post farm fresh lunch you can cherish the afternoon nap and then be ready for evening walk to the nearby tribal hamlet, understand their way of life and observe calm fishermen on their tubes by the lake, play with your pets. Evenings are beautiful seeing the bird life returning home and then the stary stary night as the sky is crystal clear. If it's full moon then you see it reflecting on the lake and the landscape filled with thousand shades of grey. The day goes by with no white noise or that of any traffic or crowd. Simply listening to innumerable symphonies of nature.
Where does the retreat take place? What is special about that area and why is it suitable for a digital detox retreat?
The remote location of the farm by the lake is where the retreat takes place. The cottages are spacious with an attic, made of stone, wood, glass & earthen tiles with a bamboo forest around it. The closest hamlet of 10 houses is a km away, a town 40kms away and a city is 70kms from us.
How long is the digital detox retreat for?
Ideally we recommend for 7-10 days. But with the current work culture & personal responsibilities it has become difficult to give that much time, especially post lock down. Minimum of 3 days is what we insist on in order to get a glimpse of this part of the world. Our entire team is from the local community thus making them genuine innocent in their approach. It's a way of life which we share with our guests
What sort of behaviours have you noticed people exhibit when they are on a digital detox retreat?
What have guests said to you about the digital detox experience after it ended?
Within a night you realise the influence of silence, what it means and how it calms you down. Second day you wish to explore and understand more, initially about the region, it's landscape and it's culture. Slowly you dive deep within to introspect. Evaluate your life choice and explore the possibilities of living a more sustainable life in equilibrium with your core interest and the laws of nature in general. A sense of calmness and depth dawns on you. Something that has come out of insight & self realisation. For we do not believe in any form of teaching, training or preaching.
