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Karangasem,
On the Wallace Line
Vegetarian
Food at Ashram Gandhi
 The
climate of Ashram Gandhi Candidasa, Karangasem
is consistent with cool sea breezes, swaying
coconut leaves shone by moonlight and the
steady thundering of waves. Mahatma Gandhi
who was highly appreciated in India—also
across the world—as peace figure and
who taught ahimsa (non-violence) is exemplified
through the ashram (a place of religious
retreat or community life).
Proven, the reflection of ahimsa teaching
is noticeable in ashram life. This is discernible
from the humble lifestyle with the emphasis
on meditation and food diets available there.
What is eaten will not come into contact
with ahimsa as they consume vegetarian food.
Ashram Gandhi has nine rooms . Every room
can accommodate 1-3 persons. This ashram
is tranquilly located 15 km from the tourist
object of Candidasa, or some 72 km east
of Denpasar.
When Bali Travel News made a visit to the
Ashram Gandhi, we were delighted to meet
Ni Luh Wayan Sitep, a cook of vegetarian
food there. For over 25 years, she has been
a cook. “Here, I am assisted by two
other cook helpers,” she says while
adding that it is not difficult to make
vegetarian food.
It is said that main ingredients of vegetarian
food there are fried and stewed tempe with
spices, soup, tofu and assorted Balinese
salad. All ingredients are freshly obtained
from around the ashram and some others are
grown on the rice field belonging to the
ashram at Subagan Village.
As an experienced cook, Sitep who was born
in 1967 tries to do her best to make every
single guest eating satisfied. They in fact
like best the distinctive piquant vegetables
of Bali like fern tips, merunggai and green
bean sprouts vegetables. “However,
we remain to serve menus that are adjusted
to the appetite of guests. Indian guests,
for instance, like best coconut cake, potato
and green salad dressing with tomato and
garlic, sweet soybean and celery leaf. Dutch
guests prefer to eat local assorted salads
and corn croquettes,” she says. “We
are strictly prohibited to use chilli, pork,
chicken and beef.”
For the cooking utensils, she utilizes traditional
ones like coconut shells. As a result, we
frequently found their plates and bowls
are made of coconut shell. “If we happen
to host important guests we will use ordinary
plates,” she said while adding that
for the needs of cooking she makes use of
firewood obtained from dry plants in the
vicinity of the ashram. “At times,
we also use a gas stove only for emergencies.”
Would you like to savour vegetarian food?
Why not pay a visit to the Ashram Gandhi
Candidasa. (BTN/033)
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