On this page, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about DEVI and Dharamshala, including information for volunteers and long-term visitors. If you are interested in volunteering, please read all of the information presented on this page and then follow the link below to complete our volunteer enquiry form.
DEVI is a charitable project of Dharmalaya and the Earthville Network, founded in 1997 by a group of volunteers with guidance from leaders and luminaries in the community. Since 2001, DEVI has been run entirely by our refugee staff, with continuing support from Earthville and the global community.
All of the above! DEVI serves the entire Dharamshala community (including residents, refugees and international visitors) regardless of ethnicity, nationality, religion, beliefs, age, sex, economic status, or other arbitrary factors.
DEVI is a nonsectarian charitable institute devoted to the common good of the community of the Dharamshala area and its visitors. The word 'devi' is a Sanskrit term meaning 'goddess' and it is also used in modern Hindi as a title showing respect for women. DEVI is comprised of people with diverse beliefs ranging from the ardently secular to the deeply spiritual. DEVI is not affiliated with any particular religious group, teacher or tradition, but periodically hosts classes and other events related to many spiritual traditions, all of which are open to anyone who respects the beliefs of others, regardless of religious or secular beliefs. DEVI also periodically hosts interfaith dialogue to foster mutual understanding and appreciation among people of different traditions while celebrating the diversity of cultures on our planet Earth. These dharma and interfaith activities are conducted with the blessings of H.H. the Dalai Lama and other members of the local community (Indian and Tibetan), and are intended not to proselytize but to educate and to foster mutual understanding and respect among all participants.
You can help by donating time, money, computers, books or other resources. Click here for details.
Sure! See our 'Preparing for travel to Dharamshala' page.
Depending on your preferences, accommodation in the Dharamshala area (including McLeodGanj, Bhagsu, Dharamkot and Jogibara) is available at prices ranging between INR 2000 (US$50) and INR 20,000 (US$450) per month. Food is available inexpensively: some people who cook for themselves manage to spend as little as INR 2000 (US$50) per month for food, while others eat often in the more expensive restaurants and pay as much as INR500 (US$10) per day or more for food. In any case, rest assured that you can probably find something in your budget fairly easily (with the possible exception of the times during H.H. the Dalai Lama's public teachings, when prices tend to rise and advance booking is a must). All told, your total budget for life in Dharamshala could be anywhere from INR 4500 (US$100) to INR 45,000 (US$1000) per month, depending on your location and lifestyle choices.
That depends on your interests and priorities. In terms of weather, spring and autumn are the most pleasant times (the monsoon rains take over from June through August, and McLeodGanj virtually shuts down for the winter during January and February). But with good weather comes the crowds, so if you're looking for more peace and quiet, winter and the monsoon season might suit you better. If your primary reason for coming to Dharamshala is to volunteer as an English teacher, pretty much any time with the possible exception of winter should be fine (since many of your potential students leave town during the coldest months, especially January and February). And, last but certainly not least, the times when His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives his annual new year's teachings (generally for ten days, starting around two weeks after the beginning of the Tibetan New Year, which usually falls sometime between late January and early March, and infrequently at other times of the year) are both very interesting and very crowded, requiring advance booking of accommodations. (See dalailama.com for His Holiness's teaching schedule.)
The most common languages in the area are Hindi, Tibetan, English, and Kangri/Pahari (local indigenous dialects). Almost everyone you're likely to meet here speaks at least a little English. For a deeper cultural experience, though, it's worth considering studying at least the basics of Hindi and/or Tibetan. There are good books and resources available online, and DEVI can help you organize classes when you arrive. People who don't speak any of these languages well can still get along in Dharamshala, since the people here are used to language diversity and they are usually patient and understanding (and good with hand gestures and other body language, which is fun).
Sure! See our 'Recommended Books and Films' page.
See our Dharamshala page and our local links page.
This depends on the particular volunteer position. All of DEVI's positions require a commitment of at least six months. There are a few volunteer opportunities with other agencies in Dharamshala where it is possible to volunteer for as little as one day, such as environmental work for the Tibetan Welfare Office and teaching English at the Yong Ling School. Most other volunteer positions in the Dharamshala area require at least a six-month minimum commitment, and many require as much as a year or more. If the main purpose of your visit to Dharamshala is for volunteering or you really want to make a difference, plan to stay at least six months if not a year or longer.
No problem! Even if you plan to stay less than six months, we'll be happy to help you find a position teaching English and/or serving as an informal English conversation partner. For short-term positions (less than six months) there's no need to apply in advance (in fact they're not set up to be able to do that): one simply shows up and begins. When you arrive in McLeodGanj (upper Dharamshala), you can go to KhanaNirvana Community Café (on Temple Road, above Western Travels) and ask for the manager. Introduce yourself and say you'd like to volunteer as an English teacher or conversation partner, and we'll help you get started and find your way around.
No, there are no tuitions or fees in any of DEVI's programmes or the outside positions in which we place volunteers. Many volunteers choose to give a donation to support DEVI and other organisations with whom they may work, but no monetary contribution is required or expected from volunteers. Please be aware, however, that you will need to be prepared to pay for your own expenses, including accommodation and food. See the next question below.
You will need to pay for your own food, accommodation and other personal expenses. Please understand that Dharamshala is a community with thousands of refugees and not much money so, unfortunately, it is usually impossible for local organizations to provide free room and board for even the most dedicated volunteers. There are occasional exceptions for very long-term volunteers at a few of the largest educational institutions in the area, but those positions are reserved for highly skilled people who make a serious commitment for at least a year or more to provide a much-needed service and, even then, it is subject to scarce availability of rooms. In short, you're on your own. Fortunately, food and accommodation in Dharamshala are quite affordable, so if you can afford to get to Dharamshala, you can probably afford to live here. See the answer on living expenses (below).
If you'd like to enquire about volunteer opportunities, after reading all of the information presented above please complete our volunteer enquiry form here.