Spiritual community to open gardens to the public

This Saturday and Sunday (April 18th and 19th) will be the first of two consecutive weekends when the Crystal Hermitage in Ananda Village, California, opens its gates to the public

Situated on 840 acres of meadows and forests in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, the spiritual community houses 250 people, as well as its beautiful gardens.

Each year, it hosts spring open days where visitors can enjoy a free tour of the grounds at the home of the villages founder Swami Kriyananda.

Horticulturalists are invited to take in the terraced space with panoramic views of the Yuba River valley.

Thousands of spring flowering bulbs, summer perennials and annuals are on display, with hanging baskets, autumn foliage colour and camellias also on show at other times of the year.

Crystal Hermitages upper garden wraps around a small chapel, while the lower level complements the pool and terrace, where guests can enjoy music, lectures and readings during the summer.

People from around the world come to stay in Ananda Villages cabins, guest houses or deluxe Harmony House with the aim of finding their spiritual self.