दानम् · The act of giving

A circle that begins with giving and ends with impact.

Danam Circle is a community of friends and neighbours who show up to put a meal in someone's hands, shoes on someone's feet, or an afternoon of company where it's needed most.

No big organisation and no minimum. Give what you can, serve where you can, and see how much comes back around.

Join the WhatsApp community Follow @danam.circle

Give what you can. Serve where you can. Keep the circle moving.

9events so far

1000+meals served

1,100+lives impacted

4ways we give

What we believe

Giving is something ordinary people can do, together.

Danam is the Sanskrit word for giving. The circle is what giving brings back: joy, connection, gratitude and purpose. We started Danam Circle because social service shouldn't belong only to large charities or the occasional donation. It should be a regular, human part of life.

Give ₹100. Give a meal. Give a pair of shoes. Give an hour of your weekend. Give your skills. Or simply show up.

Simple

Give what you have, in whatever form it comes.

Regular

A habit built into your weekends, not a one-off.

Inclusive

Anyone willing to help belongs in the circle.

Meaningful

See exactly who your giving reaches.

What we do

Four ways we give

Annadanam

Food distribution. Hot meals and food boxes handed out at railway stations, temples and street corners to whoever is hungry.

Donation drives

Clothes, books, footwear, groceries and everyday essentials, delivered in person to ashrams, gurukuls and old age homes.

Outreach & volunteering

Time, presence and skills matter as much as money. Sit with someone, serve a meal yourself, bring what you're good at.

Gaushala & animal welfare

Feeding cows, and supporting rescued animals with food, supplies and a few hours of company.

Latest events

Where we've been lately

See every event

18 Oct Gaushala & animal welfare

Charlies Animal Rescue

A day of care for rescued animals

View event → 3 Oct Annadanam

Sai Baba Temple

300–350 meals served

View event → 20 Sep Donation drive

Sri Sai Old Age Home

44 lives impacted

View event →

See more events

Founding members

Three friends, one idea

Danam Circle started between friends and it stays that way. If you have a question, want to volunteer, or want to bring the circle to your area, reach out to any of us.

The three of us, and everyone who shows up with us.

Danam Circle began with Dhruv’s belief that giving should be a part of everyday life, rather than something we reserve for special occasions. What started as a simple idea soon brought Jhinal and Manan together, each bringing their own perspective, energy, and commitment to shaping what Danam Circle is today.

Jhinal brings thought and creativity to the planning of our initiatives, while capturing and sharing the stories behind them, allowing each experience to reach beyond the day itself. Manan focuses on the people who make it all possible, nurturing our volunteer community and ensuring that everyone who joins feels welcomed and connected.

Together, we continue to build Danam Circle with the hope of making giving a more natural part of our lives. For us, it is about creating opportunities to come together, contribute in ways both big and small, and discover how a little time, effort, and kindness can go a long way.

Questions

Before you reach out

How can I volunteer?

Join our WhatsApp community - that's where every event is announced and where people say who's needed. Follow @danam.circle on Instagram to see what the circle has been up to. There's no sign-up form and no interview. You just show up.

I'd like to contribute money or items. Who do I reach out to?

Message Dhruv Parekh. He'll tell you what the next event actually needs and how to hand it over - whether that's a contribution towards a meal, or groceries, footwear, books, soaps or supplies for a home.

Who should I contact for collaborations or event recommendations?

Reach out to Manan Shah - she looks after the volunteer community and our partnerships. Suggest a cause, a place you know that needs help, an organisation you'd like us to work with, or a way your business or college can pitch in.

Where does the circle work?

Around Bengaluru for now - railway stations, temple courtyards, street corners, gurukuls, gaushalas and old age homes. If you're in another city and want to start something similar, tell us. That's how a circle grows.

Do I have to commit to every event?

No. There's no membership, no minimum and no rota to keep. Come to one event or ten - whichever suits the season you're in. Nothing is owed after the first visit.

What should I bring to an event?

Nothing but yourself. Every event message says exactly what's needed - sometimes it's your hands serving food or scrubbing kennel floors, sometimes a box of groceries. If something needs carrying, we say so before the day.

Can I bring my family, friends or colleagues?

Yes - the more the better. Children have come along to the shelter and the gurukul, and groups of friends and colleagues join the drives. Just give us a heads-up in the WhatsApp group so we can plan for the numbers.

How do I know where my contribution went?

Every event is posted on the Events page with photographs and what was actually handed over - meals served, cows fed, footwear and books given. You can see the faces behind each one.

Join the circle