Mangan is a small and sleepy village with 20 households and is situated close to Rajgarh town in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. The area is scenic with a all year round beautiful climate. The village is 125 km north-west of Chandigarh city and 58 kms from Solan district headquarter. The entire area is hilly where the rural economy is based on agriculture and horticulture. This is a fruit growing area and is famous for producing Asia's best peaches. Being high altitude (2000 meters above MSL) in the area, the weather is always pleasant and the landscape is beautiful. It hosts a 250 year old Hindu temple.
Work:
Months of October and November host two prominent Indian festivals of national importance. The dates are decided on yearly basis as per Hindu calendar. These camps are specially organized for those who are interested in Indian history and culture. This period is also supposed to be auspicious for marriages. Besides local festivals, volunteers will have an opportunity to attend, local weddings, visit lone Tibetan Bon Monastry and interact with villagers and educate them on health and environmental issues and concerns like global warming, climate changes, etc.
Diwali - Festival of Lights is a national festival celebrated throughout the country with lot of zeal. This festival, falling on 11th November in 2015, is celebrated with a great fervor just like Christmas and goes on for 5 days. Diwali is followed by other local events like Budi Diwali, Bhaiya Dooj etc. In North India, as it is believed that it was on Diwali that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after killing the Demon king Ravana in Lanka.
Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening with lots of firecrackers. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival. A short version of the epic Ramayana in the form of Raamlila is also performed for 9 days before this festival in Northern India.
Renuka Lake is another tourist attraction and off late Renuka ji festival in this part is also getting international attention.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will live in guest house/ home stay with simple conditions and share accommodation with other volunteers. All meals will be cooked and served in guest house. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals. Self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary for volunteers looking or interested in trekking.
Leisure time:
Self organized city tours and excursions. A variety of treks are available in close proximity. Shimla offers an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. A visit to nearby Chail Palace boasting world's highest cricket stadium can also be rewarding.
Terminals:
International Terminal:
New Delhi (360 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (125 kms)
Mangan is a small and sleepy village with 20 households and is situated close to Rajgarh town in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh. The area is scenic with a all year round beautiful climate. The village is 125 km north-west of Chandigarh city and 58 kms from Solan district headquarter. The entire area is hilly where the rural economy is based on agriculture and horticulture. This is a fruit growing area and is famous for producing Asia's best peaches. Being high altitude (2000 meters above MSL) in the area, the weather is always pleasant and the landscape is beautiful. It hosts a 250 year old Hindu temple.
Work:
Months of October and November host two prominent Indian festivals of national importance. The dates are decided on yearly basis as per Hindu calendar. These camps are specially organized for those who are interested in Indian history and culture. This period is also supposed to be auspicious for marriages. Besides local festivals, volunteers will have an opportunity to attend, local weddings, visit lone Tibetan Bon Monastry and interact with villagers and educate them on health and environmental issues and concerns like global warming, climate changes, etc.
Diwali - Festival of Lights is a national festival celebrated throughout the country with lot of zeal. This festival, falling on 11th November in 2015, is celebrated with a great fervor just like Christmas and goes on for 5 days. Diwali is followed by other local events like Budi Diwali, Bhaiya Dooj etc. In North India, as it is believed that it was on Diwali that Lord Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya after killing the Demon king Ravana in Lanka.
Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening with lots of firecrackers. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival. A short version of the epic Ramayana in the form of Raamlila is also performed for 9 days before this festival in Northern India.
Renuka Lake is another tourist attraction and off late Renuka ji festival in this part is also getting international attention.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will live in guest house/ home stay with simple conditions and share accommodation with other volunteers. All meals will be cooked and served in guest house. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals. Self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary for volunteers looking or interested in trekking.
Leisure time:
Self organized city tours and excursions. A variety of treks are available in close proximity. Shimla offers an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. A visit to nearby Chail Palace boasting world's highest cricket stadium can also be rewarding.
Terminals:
International Terminal:
New Delhi (360 Kms); Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (125 kms)
« I would recommend participating in a workcamp, especially with VAP, who ensured that I found a project to suit me and provided essential training for me in preparation for my trip. Being part of a workcamp really is a life-changing experience, oh, and it looks great on your CV! »
