Light Legacy & Shaktidhaam Foundation Blog

This is Julie Devi with her son Abhi. Julie’s husband is a Dom in the local cremation business in poverty-stricken Harischandra Ghat. Doms are the caretakers of the cremation grounds and the main keepers of the fire that lights the pyres.

Doms and their families belong to the lowest ranks of the “Dalits,” which itself is the lowest caste of the Hindu caste system. In other words, they belong to the lowest of the lowest caste, the poorest of the poor.

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Julie Cannot Go Out of Her Home

Similar to many women in Kashi, Julie has very restricted movement from her home. Her husband will not let her go out in public, ever. If she attempts, she is physically punished.

Abhi is of school age, and visits the ashram several times every week. Abhi is always at our bhandaras and takes full advantage of a hot nutritious meal, the quality of which simply cannot be matched at home with the meager wages his father earns as a Dom.

Abhi brings a plate from home to the bhandaras so he can take food to his mother who is forbidden to attend the bhandaras herself. Many women are in similar situations in Harishchandra Ghat. Their husbands or fathers forbid them going out in public.

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Bhandaras at Shaktidhaam

‍The quality of the food we serve at our bhandaras is exceptional. All ingredients (rice, dal, vegetables, paneer, flour) are of excellent quality. The food we serve is dense and packed with nutrition and substance. We use fresh new vegetable oil and high quality flour for the puri bread. We spice everything well so that the food is delicious and nutritious. And we serve very generous portions.

‍Everyone who eats with us at bhandaras is well fed with good quality nutritious food.

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Food Prepared at Home

In comparison, the average household that makes similar items use inferior, low quality ingredients. The preparation of the rice and dal is like watery soup or broth. They use local public water, which is mostly unfit for drinking. They cook the puri bread in cheap, low quality vegetable oil that is reused countless times (rendering it rancid or worse).

This is typical of the food situation for families living in Harishchandra Ghat. Because of you, we are offering them good nutritious meals at our holiday bhandaras.

There are many, many families in situations similar to Julie's in Harishchandra Ghat.

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We Can Make a Difference

Now, with your help, we can make a difference for everyone living in this Ghat. We can change their lives, one child, one meal at a time.

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Unleashing the Power of Radical Generosity

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Tuesday, November 28 is Giving Tuesday.

On Giving Tuesday (or anytime between now and then), please support families living in Harishchandra Ghat who struggle to feed their children at all, much less healthy, nourishing meals. Because of generous people like you, we can make a difference in their lives.

“Feed one person, just one person. And if you can afford to feed more than one, please do so. Start to realize there is somebody that you know on a soul level who needs to be fed.”~ Sai Maa

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Monthly Donation

By making your donation a monthly gift to Shaktidhaam Foundation’s Just One hunger program, we can provide crucial support for families who live with constant food insecurity.

Living in the Ghat: Julie is Forced to Stay Home