Location: there is a small but internationally well-known town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh that is called Dharamshala. It is 70 km north of Pathankot and 15kms away from Kangra itself. Apart of a stunning quantity of treks and a majestic view of great Dhauladhar range of mountains, Dharamshala is a district head quarter and also happens to be the Secretariat of Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama. Dharamshala and its surroundings offer Tibetan culture, mountain, heritage: it means a different experience of India! It is a hilly area, with scattered house on the slopes. Local villages are purely dependent on agriculture, while tourism is a new source of income for the area. Our workcamp will take place around McLeod Ganj, Dharamkot and Baghsu villages.
Work: the months between September and November host two prominent Indian festivals: Dussehra and Diwali celebrations. The dates are decided on yearly basis as per Hindu calendar. If you want to feed your interest for Indian history, folklore and culture this workcamp is meant for you! Besides local festivals, you will have the opportunity to learn of Hindu as well as Tibetan culture and visit monasteries.
Diwali: Diwali is also known as festival of Lights; it is a national event celebrated throughout the country with lot of zeal for 5 days. The main celebration day is falling on 19th October, 2017. It is on this day that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after killing the Demon king Ravana in Lanka, after 14 years of exile. The victorious battle of lord Rama is celebrated on Dussehra festival (30th September 2017). On the returning day, people of Ayodhya had illuminated their homes and pathways to welcome their Lord. It is common beliefs that buying new things at this day would bring home the Goddess Lakshmi: people buy gifts, clothes, sweets, decorative things; in the evening, Lakshmi puja is held at home by lighting lamps. After puja they distribute prasad and share gifts. They pray to God for the happy and prosperous life. And in the last they enjoy burning fire crackers and playing games. Some believe that Lakshmi wanders the Earth looking for homes where she will be welcomed. People open their doors and windows and light lamps to invite Lakshmi in. today Diwali mark the first day of the new financial year in India.
Accommodation: we will provide our volunteers with food, prepared and served by a cook in the local guesthouse we will be host in. Living conditions are simple and you will share the accommodation with other volunteers. Sleeping bag is required, especially, if you are looking for or interested in trekking.
Leisure time: during your free time you can enjoy the visit of McLeod Ganj heritage sites, the seat of spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama and historical Hindu temples. Opportunities will be there for short and long treks in the mountains after the camp. During weekend visit to Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab can also be arranged.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Gaggal/Dharamshala (15 kms)
Nearest railway station: Pathankot (60 kms). Participation Fee: Euro 150.