couchsurfing hostel
Our Experience at Ganges Nirvana - A Free Hostel in Varanasi
Saturday, March 04, 2017Atishay Jain
Ganges Nirvana - Where Quest meets Life
As the name itself says "where Quest meets life" & yes this was real. This time we (Me & New Fangledgirl) have experienced our Varanasi Trip, This time we wanted to make our travel cheaper & creative. So, we got to know about a free hostel in Varanasi.
How did we found "Ganges Nirvana"?
Answer is - Few months back we got to know about "Workaway" & "Couchsurfing" - Which are 2 differet platforms where you can connect with local people of any country/city etc & then you can offer your place for stay & in return you work for them or exchange knowledge or ideas. This is a great way for both Guests & Hosts who are into core travelling.
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| First Few Volunteers of Ganges Nirvana (Feb 2017) |
Man behing the concept - Shashwat Shandilya (Shasha), Travel Addict, Hotelier & Social Enterpreneur from Varanasi, India. He left his 5star hotel job from Oberoi, New Delhi & front office supervisor job from Radisson Hotel Varanasi. Later he initiated this free hostel concept in Varanasi. He started accepting first guest in the month of Feb 2017.
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| Shashwat Shandilya (Founder -Ganges Nirvana) |
Check this out how he mentioned himself on FB -
Official FB Page - https://www.facebook.com/gangesnirvana/Recently I started to turn my house in the “Shree Ram Nagar Colony, Varanasi” into a FREE HOSTEL. The idea behind is to create a space for a community of free spirits: Everybody is most welcome to join and contribute according to his/her talents! It should become a home for people that are willing to enjoy living together and help each other.
Few Pics - while Working Hard to build the Hostel (Feb 2017) - Starting Month When we all have been trying to make it a home for travellers.
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| Awesome Artists @ Ganges Nirvana |
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| Creative art on a simple Table |
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| Team - Nirvana (Feb 2017) |
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| Lovely Art |
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| Most Artistic Volunteer at Ganges Nirvana |
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| Most hard working Volunteer at Ganges Nirvana trying to make a bed from the scrap woods |
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| This is art - Mandala |
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| Turning old scrap furniture in to something artistic |
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| What a lovely chair which was made from old furniture |
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| Guys painting |
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| Wall Art |
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| Lovely Mandala Art |
This is how Shashwat takes us all to the local markets, evening prayers (aarti), & morning boating on the Ganga ghats. He is really nice guy and never demands for money of commission. He is really trustful and doing very hard to complete his dream. I wish him all the best for his hostel and wish that he gets it done as he want. He is also looking for funds from friends and family, if anyone can help please reach out to him on the FB page mentioned above. Thanks.
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| Shashwat guiding us about the local culture and city |
Few pics of our outing all together in the morning (Feb 2017)
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| Team Nirvana |
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| Team Nirvana enjoying boating on River Ganges |
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| Team Nirvana at Mosque |
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| That Music & Morning |
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| Team Nirvana at Shashwat's old house |
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