The name of this complex means ‘New Journey’ in Sanskrit, a fitting title for a community for people with intellectual disabilities, working children, street children, orphans or others who cast aside by society’, in the words of Laurie Baker, the architect. There they will be trained to craft handmade paper, cards, lamps, diaries, calendars, murals, screen printing, terracotta, batik, candles, natural soaps and shampoos. Nav Yatra is a beautiful and unique facility that consists of seven buildings which create harmony between nature, people and architecture.

As such, the unifying feature of the structures is the extent to which they work with the environment. It was built along ecological lines, gracefully blending into the hillside terraces, integrating rainwater collection, alternative energy and organic planting of fruits, vegetables and medicinal herbs. Speaking through its very design the message of beauty, joy, life, hope that wished to bring to those that society here has cast aside.

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