Location
Rishi
Valley is located in a remote and drought
prone region in the interior of rural Andhra Pradesh, in Chittoor District at
the edge of the Karnataka Plateau, about 135 km northeast of Bangalore. Rishi Valley stands around 800 meters
above sea level, and thus it experiences a salubrious climate, with
temperatures rarely rising above 38 °C (100.4 °F) or falling below
10 °C (50 °F). The
water drawn from deep bore wells is fresh and potable; and, in the absence of
any industries, the atmosphere is remarkably clean and clear. Shepherds with
their flocks of sheep and goats have traversed this area since Neolithic times,
and still claim their ancient right of access to the hills; and the farmers of
the valley have grown rain-fed crops like bajra,
ragi and, more recently, peanuts.
Their small hamlets — clusters of thatched, round mud huts with pens for
animals — are dotted all over the valleys of the region. The largest settlement
in the valley, Thettu village, probably dates back several hundred years. The school's location in a
serene and beautiful valley creates a natural, pollution-free environment for
children to grow up in.
The Campus:
Rishi Valley School, Rural Education
Centre, Rural Health Centre, the Krishnamurti Study Centre at Rishi Valley, a
small hospital with a resident doctor, a dairy with about 60 hybrid cows, a
farm, an organic vegetable garden, a herb garden and fruit orchards are part of
this well shaded campus. A wilderness area, consisting of 150 acres of
once-barren hillside now covered with scrub and a thin layer of trees, borders
the built-in area of campus. The valley was officially declared a Bird Preserve
in July 1991, and was cited by the International Council For Bird Preservation.
Accommodation: Facilities for the staff, students and visitors are simple but well
maintained. All guests will be accommodated on the Rishi Valley Rural Education
Centre campus or on the Rishi Valley main school campus.
Note:
As Rishi Valley is a drought prone region; guests are kindly advised to be
conscious of water and electricity usage.
Meals
and Refreshments: Drinking water is readily available and accessible for all
guests. Guests are encouraged to bring
reusable water bottles. All meals will
be served at the dining hall on the Rural Education Centre’s campus. Meals served will be vegetarian and
incorporate the best of local and international favorites.
