South West holiday spot becomes ‘place of worship’

A Southern Forests idyll on the banks of the Frankland River has been converted from tourism chalets into an enclave for a global spiritual group whose leader preaches “liberation from the bindings, concepts and habits of life”.

Mohanji Foundation, led by a man known as Mohanji, purchased Riverside Retreat near Walpole in late 2021 for $2.38 million, according to CoreLogic data.

Details of the property’s future have been scant since it was closed to tourists in early 2022, but an item up for debate at Thursday’s Shire of Manjimup council meeting reveals its new owners want to erect buildings to be used for spiritual purposes.

Under plans submitted to the Shire, Mohanji Foundation will convert an existing building into a temple capable of housing 41 people.

Previous dealings with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions reveal plans for two temples: a proposed enclosed ‘Baba’ temple and the existing unenclosed ‘Ganesh’ temple.

Meanwhile, Main Roads Western Australia has taken issue with unauthorised signs erected on the roadside at the property.

The 23-hectare property features six chalets, a large caretaker cottage, recreational facilities and dams.

The property is still listed on Tourism WA’s website as a place holidaymakers can stay to enjoy birdwatching, canoeing and walks.

According to the foundation’s website, visitors to the rebadged Mohanji Centre of Benevolence can experience “liberation”, which Mohanji describes as the “path of pathlessness”.

A self-described humanitarian, Mohanji appears to be based in Ganeshpuri, India.

His namesake foundation has amassed property in Australia, Canada, India, Scotland, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa and the US.

The leader has gone to some lengths to distance his organisation from being described as a cult or sect, arguing the foundation gives its followers “permanent freedom”.

The Southern Forests region once played host to a chapter of the infamous Rajneeshee cult at what is now RAC’s Karri Valley Resort near Pemberton.

Doomsday cult the Truth Fellowship also once operated at the western end of the Southern Forests in Nannup.