About the Festival
Welcome to the Ananda Festival of Bliss, a unique gathering nestled in the scenic landscapes of Ananda Kalyani, Ourondo, Covilhã. Our festival is a celebration of art, nature, and conscious living, offering a transformative experience free from alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The Ananda Festival of Bliss is organized by Ananda Kalyani, a sustainable community-based project which is dedicated to promoting alternative lifestyles focused on environmental consciousness, nature, and meditation. We welcome individuals from all walks of life—activists, artists, dreamers, families, yogis, and ecology enthusiasts—to immerse themselves in a vibrant and inspiring community.
Our History
The Ananda Festival of Bliss has its origins in the international RAWA (Renaissance of Artists and Writers Association) movement. In Portugal, RAWA has been organizing different artistic programs since 2013 until, in 2016, it decided to organize its first festival called RAWA Festival, (or edition 0 of the Ananda Festival of Bliss) at our Master Unit Ananda Kalyani with a format and structure very similar to what it has today.
As RAWA is part of an even larger movement, Ananda Marga (Path of Bliss), a global organization whose mission is self-realization and service to the universe, it was decided to change the name as it is known today: Ananda Festival of Bliss. The change was not just a name change, it reaffirmed the participation and presence of the different projects and departments of Ananda Marga that have always been present at each edition of the festival.
The Festival's Values
As we are a sentient festival, psychoactive substances of any kind (including alcohol) are not allowed on the premises. You can smoke (cigarettes) only in the place designated for that purpose. “Let’s fly with our own wings!”
During the Ananda Festival of Bliss, pets are not allowed on site except for guide dogs. Intense sun, dehydration, noise, and crowded enviroments can increase stress levels and health problems for our beloved pets.
Glass bottles and cans are not allowed. They increase the risk of fire and are harmful to nature if left behind. Chairs (except folding chairs), tables, and picnic equipment can only be brought into the campsite. Please help us minimize the impact on nature by not bringing too much camping equipment and leaving it behind.
It is not allowed to make bonfires in the camping area or in any other space in the enclosure.
About Ananda Kalyani
Ananda Kalyani is an integral development project near Portugal’s Serra da Estrela Natural Reserve, dedicated to holistic living, spirituality, and environmental regeneration. Covering about 36 hectares of forests, rivers, and organic farmland, it promotes conscious living through yoga, meditation, permaculture, and alternative education.
As a hub for learning and transformation, Ananda Kalyani collaborates with various organizations to support ecological awareness, community living, and personal growth. Visitors can join retreats, volunteer, and engage in collective spiritual practices, embracing a lifestyle in harmony with nature.