Vedic Vidyalaya (School) at Shri Gurumandir Sansthan

Admission

Usually, 10 students are admitted every year.  The age of the new students at the time of admission ranges from 9 to 12 years.  The admissions process consists of an interview with the Guru (Teacher) and with the Trustees of the Sansthan.  Only those students whose thread ceremony has already been performed are admitted into the Vidyalaya.  As of November 2005, twenty students are undergoing formal vedic education at the Vidyalaya.

Curriculum & Daily Schedule

The students are taught the Yajurveda Sanhita for 3 and a half years.  After successful completion, they will be taught the Paurohitya for 2 and a half years.  After six years of education, students will be expected to chant the Yajurveda Samhita and perform Paurohitya tasks such as pujas, yagnas, etc.  A sample daily schedule is as follows:

Teaching

The Sansthan is pleased to announce that Vedmurti Shri Shripad Kalidas Bhopi is the full time teacher for this program.  Vedmurti Bhopi Guruji comes from an illustrious ancestry of head priests serving for generations at the Aundhya-Nagnath Temple.  This is one of the twelve jyotirlingas.  We are indeed fortunate to have a Guru with such impeccable credentials to impart vedic education to our students.

The students have to wear dhoti and uttariya.  Their heads are shaved, save for a tuft of hair tied in a knot at the back.  Students sit on the floor to study.

Cost

There are no fees for this program.  The Sansthan provides lodging and boarding free of cost.  The remuneration of the teacher is paid by the Sansthan.

Examination

Every year, the students have to undergo a recital examination conducted by a Shastri (scholar) who is not affiliated to the Gurumandir.  This is done in the presence of the Gurumandir Trustees.

Holidays

Students have a holiday every Pratipada and Ashtami.  In addition, students have 10 days of holidays for Deepavali and 30 days of vacation in the month of May every year.