Inside the record-breaking homeless shelter that's changing women’s lives every day

Apna Ghar Ashram Bharatpur, Maa Madhuri Brij Varis Sewa Sadan Apna Ghar Sanstha is changing the lives of women every day.

Officially the world’s largest homeless shelter (female), the organization in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India, provides a home for 3,295 residents who may otherwise have nowhere to go.

The humanitarian group provides shelter and rehabilitation to people from a range of backgrounds, including those who are injured, elderly, homeless, or living with mental illness.

The institution was established on 29 June 2000 by husband-and-wife social workers, Dr B. M. Bhardwaj, and Dr Madhuri Bhardwaj who share a passion for serving those in need. It was originally created on a small scale to help street children and those facing abandonment.

The main headquarters is in the village of Bajhera in the District Bharatpur of Rajasthan, and serves as a rescue and rehabilitation centre, providing shelter for those who need it. Many of the residents are rescued and brought to the centre, where they receive medical treatment, psychological support, food, clothing and shelter. The shelters also care for animals, including cows, dogs, donkeys, and peacocks.

Over the years, the organization has continued to expand, and now there are 69 Apna Ghar Ashrams running in 12 states of India as well as one in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The shelter’s workers and nurses provide round-the-clock care to patients, working tirelessly to support those in need.

Residents are often referred to as “Prabhuji”, meaning manifestation of God. This philosophy lies at the core of the institution’s identity and carries a message that each individual should be treated with dignity.

A member of the shelter's care team explained: “We shall continue to provide shelter, care, dignity and empowerment to the homeless through our dedication, empathy and hard work”.

One of GWR’s Senior Adjudicators, Rishi Nath, visited the site in May. He said: “I am glad that there exist organizations such as Apna Ghar who have taken on the task of alleviating suffering in a society which is growing in apathy.”

For the thousands of individuals who call Apna Ghar home, the organization and its workers represent far more than four walls and a roof. With its commitment to care and rehabilitation, Apna Ghar provides people with the chance to begin a new chapter in their lives. 

As the service looks to the future and plans to expand internationally, its record-breaking achievement stands as a reminder of what can be accomplished when the needs and well-being of others are placed at the forefront.