A Typical Day at Sangam

The street, the birds and our guard dogs are awake long before you get up in the morning at Sangam. As you open your eyes to the singing of the birds, the call to prayer, the honking of cars and the barking of our dogs, another day at Sangam welcomes you.

At 8:15 am we assemble for reflections in a quiet corner of the Sangam grounds to wake up our spirits. Afterwards, the WAGGGS flag is hoisted at the campsite next to the Mula River.  Make sure you have finished the World Song before the bell calls you for another delicious breakfast at Sangam! There is home made mango jam and peanut butter waiting for you – and of course Aruna, our House Manager, to make sure you don’t go hungry.

At 9:30 am the morning programme starts and you might take a tour of the local neighbourhood, take part in a training session on-site, go sari-shopping in Laxmi Road and have coffee afterwards in MG Road, or visit one of Pune’s attractions such as the Handmade Paper Factory, the Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar Caves or Koregaon Park. Or maybe Sangam staff will take you to one of the social organisations to familiarise you with the great work they are doing for the ones who need it most in Pune.  Whatever you will do, it will definitely make you hungry!

By 1 pm the local staff at Sangam will have prepared a delicious Indian meal for you. Feel free to abandon your knife and fork, and take a piece of chapatti to guide all the different treats into your mouth. Will paneer, bajiha or one of the different lentil daals be your favourite dish? 

After lunch people may choose to take a nap, go shopping in Yadhei (our souvenir shop), go for a swim in the pool or choose an idyllic spot to write post cards back home to share all the experiences you are living here. 

Starting at 3:30 Minakshi, our advisor and mentor for all things Indian, might have called locals to come and show you how to tie a sari, how to do rangoli or have your hands covered with a beautiful henna tattoo called mehendi. Or maybe you will take part in a session specially organised for the theme of the event you are attending.  Read about some of our upcoming events. 


In the mood for a Hindi Bollywood movie? After your evening meal (normally continental such as pasta, chicken or casserole) catch a rickshaw (three wheeled, open taxi) outside. Are you brave enough for another bargain with the driver? And smart enough to not get cheated when paying the fee for your ride? 

We’ll see when you are actually here! After a few days here with us you will become a real expert about India and Sangam: You will know that ringing of the bell always announces food or another tea break, that Indians can sleep in quiet as well as busy streets and neighbourhoods and that the tak-tak’ outside of your window at night is just the night watchman wandering by hitting his stick on the ground.