Bandhavi is a project initiated by Visthar to respond to issues of gender discrimination and social exclusion, especially of girl children of Devadasis. It was launched on December 10th – Human Rights Day – in 2005 at Bangalore. In 2008, a second unit was started and the entire project was moved to Koppal in North Karnataka.
Bandhavi ensures that the children have access to residential care, balanced and nutritional food, health care, gender and social awareness and life skills. The project follows a rights-based and multi-stakeholder approach and works in collaboration with partner NGOs, CBOs and government departments. It is currently located in Chikkabidnal village of Koppal District of North Karnataka. Bandhavi has been supported by Kindernot Hilfe (KNH) almost from its inception.