Shantidevi Ashram Foundation

The Shantidevi Ashram Foundation is located in a very specific part of Gaya. We are right in front of the Root Institute and just behind the Nigma Monastery. If you are familiar with this part of Bihar, you know it’s a place where a lot of people come for peace and quiet. We’ve been set up here for a bit now, trying to run the foundation the best we can. It’s not always simple, as things in Gaya can get quite crowded during the tourist seasons. Our building is simple. We don't have big signs or anything like that. People usually find us by word of mouth or by just walking past the monastery. Being located behind such a well-known spot means we get a lot of foot traffic, but we try to keep things grounded. The foundation is run by folks who live around here and care about the local area. We don't have a lot of corporate rules. We just show up and do what needs doing. Some days we are helping out with local issues, and other days we are just maintaining the space. It’s a lot of manual work and staying organized. It feels good to be in a place with so much history. We aren't trying to change the world overnight. We are just a small foundation in 824231 trying to stay useful to those who stop by or live nearby. Most of our days are spent talking to visitors.