Vrindavan is often spoken about as one of the holiest cities in India, with countless places of worship and lakhs of pilgrims. However, a walk down any lane will tell you why it’s also known as ‘the city of widows’ – elderly women dressed in white and often begging make up a large part of this holy land.

India is home to nearly 55 million widows, most of whom live in terrible conditions. Many of these widows are often abandoned in Vrindavan by their families and left to fend for themselves. Their lives are filled with pain and suffering as they not only lack the support of their families but also access to even the most basic necessities. Hunger is rampant and their struggle for survival only increases every day. Now with the winter approaching, these widows will be left with nothing in the bitter cold.

Most of the widows in Vrindavan live in ashrams across the city and beg outside temples to earn a living. Some of them don’t even have a roof over their head. In these living conditions, they have no means to brave the cold winter.