Actress Bhumi Pednekar recently embarked on a spiritual journey, visiting the Art of Living Ashram in Bengaluru for a new episode of her culinary exploration series, ‘Bhooki Bhumi’. Amidst the ashram’s serene environment, Pednekar experienced the simplicity of sattvic eating and mindful consumption.
A Sattvic Feast at the Ashram
The episode opens with Pednekar greeting viewers from the ashram, introducing the day’s menu which included spinach paneer, rasam, and a borek. She began her meal with pumpkin soup, quinoa salad, and pasta, concluding with a sweet note of pumpkin halwa.
On the second day, Pednekar explored the grounds and fed cows, remarking on the energetic start to the morning. Breakfast featured vermicelli upma and rava idli served with coconut chutney and sambar. She also indulged in homemade strawberry jam on freshly baked ragi bread, croissants from the ashram bakery, a plate of sprouts, and fresh guava.
A Glimpse into the Ashram’s Sustainable Kitchen
Pednekar then toured the ashram’s expansive kitchen, which prepares meals for 25,000 people daily. She highlighted the ashram’s commitment to sustainability, explaining, “All the waste at the ashram is composted, and the biogas generated from it is used for cooking. So, there is complete circularity.”
Lunch was served in multiple courses, starting with kachori and cold pasta salad, followed by North Indian delicacies including paneer and roti. The final serving comprised papad, kothimbir, tamarind rice, rasam rice, and white gourd cooked in coconut sauce with yogurt.
In her accompanying post, Pednekar shared her profound experience: “But what touched me the most was the love. Because sometimes food is not just about taste; it’s about service, community, and the people behind every meal. I left with a full heart, a fuller stomach, and a deeper appreciation for what it truly means to make a person’s life better. Thank you @artoflivingashram for the many lessons that day.”
Bhumi Pednekar’s visit underscores the idea that food can be more than just a culinary experience, integrating nutrition, community, sustainability, and conscious living.
