Varanasi, perhaps the most famous Hindu holy city, is situated on the banks of the river Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh Uttar.

It is said to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, dating back thousands of years. The regions of the city near the banks of the holy river Ganga are extremely crowded with Hindu temples, narrow winding lanes and road-side shops and the ghats, series of steps leading down into the river.

Accommodation in Varanasi:  The Rashmi Guest House

rashmiguesthouse@sify.com

Dine on the roof terrace, watching the sun set over the Ganges. The branches of the huge tree at the top of the ghat touch your bedroom window, home to all sorts of creatures.

At dusk, go with Jyti Lal in his little boat, up or down the river, and as darkness falls, set your candle in its little cradle in the water, and follow its gentle journey towards the sea.

If you are travelling from Delhi, the Club's friends at Sadana Tours (see T&C Club menu) can book your travel arrangements to Varanasi, either on the night Ganga Express which is great, or by plane.  They can also make your travel arrangements for Sarnath and Bodhgaya, but for maximum flexibility we suggest you make these through the Rashmi Guest House.

The manager and the proprietor of the Rashmi Guest House on Manmadir Ghat will give you a warm welcome and arrange for boat trips morning and evening along the river which flows right below your window.  They can also arrange for local expeditions and put you in touch with the Club’s friends and contacts in Sarnath and Bodhgaya.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL AT SARNATH

The Universal Education – Alice Project, (www.progettoalice.org/) was devised by Valentino Giacomin and Luigina de Biasi and was first implemented in public schools in Treviso, Italy from 1982-1990 and then in India in 1994.

The Sarnath school (and later the one at Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar) were initially financed solely by the personal funds of the founders, now supplemented by private donations. The schools charge no fees. 20% of the students make a contribution of US$ 0.75 per month, while the poorer children are provided with uniforms and medicines by the school itself. Currently 30 poor students are given accommodation at the two schools.

The curriculum includes the Indian national curriculum for elementary, middle, higher and university diploma.100% pass rate was achieved by those sitting the tenth and eleventh grade state examination since the school started, with only a 10% drop-out rate. 80% of the students continued in full time education.

Through various techniques of yoga, of meditation, art and play therapy and various workshops the children learn how to cultivate peace of mind and therefore happiness for self and others. Platitudes? You should see them at work! Go there.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL AT BOHDGAYA

 

The Maitreya school in Bodhgaya has around 400 daytime students from kindergarten to Class 12. In the evening, informal classes are also offered for around 100 children as well as some adults who cannot attend in the daytime.  Most of the students come from poor families in surrounding villages.

Most families rely on subsistence agriculture or menial labour and have many problems including poverty, landlessness and conflict over land tenure, inadequate health care, high infant mortality, inter-caste violence, crime and illiteracy.

 

The school provides free education from kindergarten to senior secondary level for children regardless of religion, caste, gender or social status and promotes kindness and compassion among the children and the motivation to bring peace, happiness and well-being to their communities.