Life Inside the Kanyapeeth

The Kanyapeeth is one of the few places in India that caters for both the educational and spiritual training of young girls. It is situated on the banks of the Ganga.

The girls sleep in dormitories, and the accommodation is basic.

Their day begins at 4 am.

Girls as young as five come to the school, and they remain until they are adults. Lessons start at 10 am and continue to 4 pm each day.

Lessons in the Vedas, and other ancient texts, take place twice daily. Other subjects include Sanskrit, Hindi, mathematics, English. geography, sociology, history and economics.

The children have 2 hours of play after school. There are facilities to teach cooking and household work, music, arts and crafts, knitting and embroidery. Occasionally some of the students in a group may visit other  associated ashrams during festival or summer time.

As the children grow, their dress changes from the uniform to white saris. When they complete their education at the school they may choose to continue their education elsewhere at a higher level, or take up a profession in the world, or return to domestic life. Occasionally they may remain at the school/ashram for life.