The Veda Center of Trivandrum ( India)

The Sree Seetharam Anjeneya Kendra (SSAK) Vedic Center in the southern Indian city of Trivandrum is a recherché “Pathshala” (Sanskrit for “school”) where Vedas are taught systematically under the pedagogic principles of the age-old “gurukul” system of education. The Veda “Kendra” (Sanskrit for “center”) was established in 1982 by the Sree Ramasarma Charitable Trust, and is lodged in an archetype building which resonates with Vedic chants and “sutras”. The main purpose of the Center is to preserve and propagate the value of Vedas to the present and coming generation. The minimum period of study for the comprehensive completion of Rig Veda and Atharva Veda is eight years, and there are periodic exams to gauge the progress of the pupils. The language of instruction is Sanskrit and the students' converse in both Hindi and Sanskrit. English and Math are taught optionally and the students are given lessons in yoga to enhance concentration and attain equanimity of mind. Everyday classes start at 5 o'clock in the morning and students go through a rigorous and punctilious training in Vedas imbibing the moral philosophy and etiquette embedded in the holy scriptures. The Pathshala has a strict code of conduct for food and dress. Only “satvic” food as prescribed in scriptures is served and modern entertainment is forbidden. The students are given a religious tonsure and sport a “kudumbhi” (holy pony-tail) and are adorned in yellow dhoti. Apart from studies, students are given time for sports and recreation, and the bed time is 9.30 pm. Tuition, food, clothing and medical care are given free of charge by the Pathshala. Apart from teaching the Vedas, the Pathshala engages in numerous activities to spread the message of the Vedas in the modern world.


Vedic School Rishikul - Brahmacharya Ashram Churu, Rajasthan.(India)

The Vedic school is based upon the original Hindu Gurukul system of learning, wherein young brahmacharis (students) stay with the Guru (teacher) and learn the scriptures. Presently, around 100 brahmacharis stay in the Brahmacharya Ashram. They are taught parts of the Vedas, Sanskrit, Hindi, English and modern secular subjects. Presently, a nominal monthly fee of Rs.300 is charged for boarding, lodging, education, clothes and medicine.

Navi Mandal Veda Vidya Mandir Ujjain. (India)

Set in the ‘gurukul’ mould, the school puts its students through a rigorous schedule.students are taught the Vedas.They stay in the hostel where food is strictly vegetarian and are permitted to go home for a 15-day summer vacation and five days for Diwali. The syllabi consists of Yajurveda and Sanskrit along with a spattering of modern education-English, history, geography and the sciences. Yajurveda is compulsory as it is the complete scripture for pujas, yajnas and all arts and mantras meant to appease the Hindu gods. If a student is extraordinarily bright, he is given an additional Veda to study. After six years, a student is given a certificate equivalent to higher secondary education. Then he
can take admission in a college for a BA in Sanskrit. Admission is open to boys between 8 and 12. There is no school fee, but they have to pay a security deposit of Rs 10,000, which is returned on completion of the course. The school runs on government grants and donations. There are at least four such schools in Ujjain which are attached to the Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan. Our degrees are recognised by the Union government,’’ said Sharma. The first lesson is the Gayatri mantra. “We judge students from the recitation of this mantra. His dedication and his voice are tested. We consider the Rigveda for very selective and extremely intelligent students. It is the toughest of the Vedas.’’