An oasis of peace created in Panevėžys district: where time stands still and stones speak

In the remote village of Pūkių, in the Paįstri municipality, there is a homestead that locals and visitors alike are already calling a special place of energy. Here, among centuries-old stone circles, a special dome and peaceful nature, Dainius Karinauskas and his friend Rita have united their lives and creativity. It is a place where the past, the power of nature and the human desire to share communion meet.

From Zarasai Lakes to Paįstris Pond

Dainius' path to the village of Pūkių was not accidental, and he calls it a gift from fate. Originally from Panevėžys district (he lived in Uliūnai and graduated from Ramygala school), he spent two decades in Zarasai region. There, in a farmhouse by the lake, he built up a tourism business, organised camps for families and gained experience in working with people and nature.

But five years ago, an important turning point in Dainius' life took place, connecting him even more strongly with Rita. Although they were already acquaintances, it was their time skating together on the frozen ice of the Paįstris pond that finally brought them closer together.

This time became a symbolic new beginning – Dainius moved to Rita's farmhouse, where they both felt the impulse to create together. Having seen the far reaches of Asia and visited many countries, the two travellers realised that they had accumulated enough experience and inner peace to create something meaningful not only for themselves, but also for others here in the village of Pūkių.

As they sat by the window and looked out over the grounds, they began to dream of a place where community and the beauty of nature would merge into one.

The person – the inner conductor of man

It all started with simple walks in forests and fields. At first, the couple collected small stones – the kind that are easy to pick up or fit in a car. "We collected a yard full of pebbles," smiled Dainius. Later on, bigger stones started to arrive, and when the whole yard was filled with this natural beauty, the idea came up: why not show them to others? And so the idea of creating an energy spiral of stones was born.

„We were creating something special, interesting and unique. We wanted to show people the natural beauty of stone, because it is something that nature itself has created,– says the creator.

For Dain and Rita, stone is not just a cold outdoor object. For them, stone is a powerful conductor that brings to the surface what lies within a person, from pure peace to hidden anger or selfishness. The thousands of stones in the homestead are untouched by the hand of man – they are natural, retaining the patterns created by nature and their unique stories.

Directions of the world and a dream-dictated centre

The heart of the plant – a circle of stones, designed as a unique energy spiral, which „twists“ in one direction and „twists“ out the other, creating a special sense of flow. The space is made up of three main parts, each of which has a deep symbolic meaning: the first level is marked by four circles, representing the directions of the world: east, for the creative side of man, south, for abundance, west, for maturity, and north, for deep reflection.

In the second circle, there are three key stones, among which the "Heart" from the fields of Ramygala has a special place. "This stone is one of the loveliest for me. In the fields, I saw a little mound sticking out of the ground and we started digging deeper and deeper. Turns out there was peat and water at the bottom and the stone was moving. The most beautiful patterns are formed exactly where the peat bogs are – the acidic medium creates their structure“, – the man shares the joy of advice.

This giant weighs about eight tonnes and is more than two metres tall, according to Dainius. Next to it is the "Proto" stone, brought from Radviliškis, which symbolises our thoughts, attitudes and the programmes that govern us.

Last but not least, in the centre of the circle, is the most impressive three-metre-high stone from Jotainiai, which has a mystical story behind it - Rita saw it in a dream, and described the colours and the intertwining patterns so accurately that Dainius immediately recognised it in the fields he had seen earlier.

This main stone of the farmhouse, shining in the sun with strands of mica and resembling a sumptuously woven Persian carpet after the rain, symbolises the Creator and the beginning of everything, inviting everyone to just sit near, touch and feel its unique energy.

Commonwealth and the magic of the reed dome

After clearing the neglected scrubland, pruning the pine forest and digging a pond, the owners realised they needed a space for gathering. Dainius, a former judo athlete and now a representative of the Lithuanian Judo Masters, called on old friends to help.

Thus, the impressive reed roof dome was built on the farmhouse. It was inspired by a friend, Liudvikas, with whom Dainius had climbed the Himalayas together. Although his friend put the beams together quickly (it was like Lego bricks), the round building required professionalism and patience. For two years now, the dome has been a place for education and sound therapy. Tibetan gongs, recorders, flutes, poetry evenings and tea ceremonies have become a monthly tradition.

Living in a state of mindlessness

For him, this homestead is not just a project – it is a way of life. Every morning starts with a ritual: breathing practices, light exercise in the dome, tea and a swim in the pond.

„It gives me a thoughtless state. When there is chaos, work and worries around us, we don't get to experience life. But here, with my mind calmed and my body prepared, I start each day with a clean slate, with new feelings," says Dainius.

Vision for the future – a park for all

Although the homestead already has several thousand stones collected from farmers' fields or old piles within a 50-kilometre radius, the work does not stop. Dainius and Rita stress: this park is not commercial. It is a place for people to come, walk and feel the peace.

Future plans include camps for children and families, art therapy and clay workshops. The Pūkių Village Homestead remains open to anyone looking for answers within themselves, or simply to admire what nature has created over millennia, and what the hands and hearts of man have brought together in one place.