Jahnavi Mala Project

In the heart of the Himalayas, on the bank of the holy Ganga River is a little town called Uttarkashi, the northern town of Lord Siva. For years, Yogis, Sadhus, and seekers of Truth have visited this sacred place to practice meditation, study the scriptures and experience its unique spiritual vibration. Hidden among the Himalayan peaks are a number of old villages populated by the Garhwali people.

The beauty, simplicity and serenity of these villages and their people is timeless and pure. The scriptures call this area ‘Deva Boomi’ (The Land of the Gods). However, the challenges that these people face in their daily lives is enormous. Young children walk two hours to school every morning and two hours back in the evening, having to traverse an altitude of over 900ft.The women face the daily hardships of housework, tending the livestock and working the fields.

The mala project was created as an initiative to improve the quality of life of the Garhwali people. The women have been given an opportunity to make the malas. Each mala has been hand crafted by the women for which they earn an income. The remaining proceeds go to improved education and educational infrastructure for the children. Education is an inalienable right of every child.