Winter Gathering 2024 concluded beautifully. It was yet another beautiful gathering without any agenda with some of the really wonderful souls. It always amazes us how space invites the right kind of people and energy without our efforts. People who would nourish this space and who would be nourished by this space , end up coming here without any deliberate filter or efforts.

This year was our 10th winter gathering and supposedly last in this format. We had the youngest member (Divya Ratan) at just 2 months old while the oldest (agewise only) was 70+. We had lots of funs, healthy food, silent walks, night camp fires, walks into forest, dip into rivers, singing, dancing and what not ! For few days, one absolutely forgets the world outside. Words often don’t justify the experience and hence we are simply sharing some photographs and videos instead.

A beautiful expression by Divyansh on Winter Gathering –

— रहगुज़र —

तुम उसे मिलना
जिसे कुछ ना मिला,
उसका होना
जिसका कोई ना हुआ,

तुम एक डगर बन जाना
जिस पर वो चल सके,
फिर एक नगर बन जाना
जिस में वो बस सके,
एक सफर बन जाना
जिसे तय वो कर सके..

पर आसरा ना बनना
ना साथी बनना;
ना हमसफ़र
ना रहनुमा

बस रहगुज़र..

अंत में गुज़र जाना
ऐसे जैसे कभी गुज़रे ही ना हो,

क्योंकि फिर… ..

फिर तुम्हें उन से मिलना है
जिन्हें कुछ ना मिला,
उन का होना है
जिनका कोई ना हुआ..

• भानु

Here’s another beautiful video made by Anmol –

Below is the page that was up for Winter Gathering –

We define Madman’s farm as a ” Pause Space ” and winter gathering is our annual informal no agenda get together where we invite people – known- unknown to experience the farm life. Please register yourself below and read FAQs at the end for some common queries you may have. Whatsapp us on 62 62 66 65 64 in case you have something to say.

Winter Gathering FAQs

What is the agenda of these Winter Gatherings ?

No Agenda.

Why do you do these gatherings ?

Just to share the abundance universe has bestowed upon us.

Who comes ? How many come ?

Friends, known , unknown – people of all age, walks join ! Usually we keep the group less than 30, ideally 20-25

What happens ?

We live, sleep, enjoy, talk , eat – repeat !

What happens ?

We simply live, sleep, eat – repeat !

What about stay and food ?

We have shared living spaces, very basic – camping style ! Food is also very simple – beggar style ! Mostly we are under the sky, not a roof and simple organic food – body loves it , mind may throw tantrums 😉 . Accommodation will be shared with mostly floor beds. Compost toilet or open defecation with proper cover using leaves or soil is encouraged. Mostly organic local vegetarian meal will be served. (Dal, Rice, Curry, Chapatis). Milk and Milk products will depend on availability of milking cows at the farm.

What’s the cost ?

We prefer not to deal in money. We embrace gift culture and believe in sharing abundance. There is no participation cost. One may chose to pay as one likes. One may pay it forward. One may not pay at all. – all options are equally loved and accepted.

What are compost toilets ? What if I am not comfortable in open defecation ?

Traditional septic tank toilets are not very sustainable or nature friendly. We encourage using compost toilets where human waste is converted to manure and harvested or simply defecate in open like birds – covering it up to avoid any contamination or smell. Most of the human waste is decomposed within a week. We definitely encourage participants to try it, we also have couple of common Indian and western toilet too.

What happens after registration ?

You are requested to book your trav. You will get a confirmation mail from us within a week of registration and further details couple of days before gathering.