Pandavas Paradise is owned and run by Giridhari and Charana. Giridhari started the Pandavas Paradise project back in 1998 when his spiritual teacher Hridayananda dasa Goswami asked him to “do something” in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region. By the time he married Charana in 2008, Pandavas Paradise was already up and running as a yoga retreat centre, offering about 8-10 yoga retreats per year. With Charana’s help, Pandavas Paradise continued to grow and we are now open every weekend, receiving guests from all over Brazil and the world.
Giridhari Das (Gustavo Dauster) has a background in business and economics. Born as the son of a Brazilian diplomat, he has travelled widely and was raised between Brazil and Europe. He has been practicing and teaching bhakti yoga since 1996. A natural teacher, he is known in Brazil for his informative and inspiring lectures and workshops on spiritual subjects from the bhakti tradition. His specialty lies in teaching how ancient spiritual wisdom is relevant today and can be applied in everyday life in the modern world. He has published several books, most recently “The 3T Path.” You can find his personal website here: www.3tpath.com.
Charana Renu Dasi (Rhiannon Dauster), originally from Wales, holds a PhD in astrophysics but left her scientific career behind in order to focus more on sharing her passion for yoga and healthy living. She has practiced bhakti yoga since 1999 and traveled widely during that time, serving, studying, and teaching at various ashrams and temples throughout the world. She is known for her cooking and singing, and is always enthusiastic to share her knowledge of yoga, spirituality, health and nutrition with others. Charana also practices and teaches asanas, based primarily on ashtanga yoga and you can find her on instragram as @charanayoga.
Giridhari and Charana live at Pandavas Paradise together with their 2 young sons, Bryn and Macsen. Their full-time presence at Pandavas Paradise helps to create a warm, friendly atmosphere.
Our specially selected staff are a highlight of Pandavas Paradise. Not only are they yoga teachers, spa therapists, cooks, gardeners, and room cleaners, but most are also practicing bhakti yogis who share our vision and goals. We select the best staff so that we can maintain a very comfortable, peaceful, and happy atmosphere for everyone.