Bharatheeyam : ( 08/11/2012. )

In August 1856 when a child was born in a humble cottage in the pretty hamlet of Chempazhanthi near Trivandrum, no one knew it marked the dawn of the most remarkable epoch in the social evolution of Kerala. This child was to blossom forth as the great sage Sree Narayana, the most revolutionary social reformer Kerala has produced.  To have proper appreciation of the magnitude of Sree Narayana’s achievements, it is necessary to understand the background of the social conditions in which he was born and brought up. Kerala, reputed for its natural beauty and richness of life, was alas, the accursed land of caste tyranny at that time; to such an extent that it was really a “lunatic asylum” as Swami Vivekananda branded it. The non-caste Hindus, the “Avarnas” were groaning under the terrible weight of social, economic, religious and political oppression imposed upon them by caste Hindus or “Savarnas”. Not only temples of God but temples of learning were also shut against them b...

Dayananda Ashram Rishikesh is situated on the banks of the Holy Ganga, away from the major tourist attractions. It is a unique centre for the study of Vedanta and Sanskrit; unique in the sense that the classes are conducted in English yet the adherence and reverence to the ancient tradition of teaching (Sampradaya) is total. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva as Gangadharesvara facing the Ganga. The main lecture hall also faces the Ganga. There is a library with more than 5000 titles on various subjects, i.e. Vedanta, Sanskrit Grammar, Indian and western philosphies, Religion and Yoga. There is also a Yoga studio where regular Iyengar Yoga camps are conducted.  The ashram was established during the 1960s by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who is an internationally recognised teacher of Vedanta and foremost scholar of Sanskrit. Swamiji and his disciples conduct regular residential courses at the ashram with the focus on Bhagavad Gita and the ten principal Upanishads as...

SWAMI VISHNUDEVANANDA Founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, Swami Vishnudevananda, was a world authority on Hatha and Raja Yoga. Swamiji was also known as the "Flying Swami" for the different peace missions he accomplished around the world. BEFORE DISCOVERING YOGA : Swami VishnudevanandaSwamiji was born in Kerala, South India, in 1927. As a young child one of his main character traits was a strong will and determination. His mother, now known as Mataji who later took Sannyas (vows of renunciation) from Swami Sivananda, said that whenever her son wanted something, nothing or no one could stop him. An interesting anecdote tells how as a 5 year old youngster he had the strong desire to go to school and learn. When told that it was not possible since the nearest school was located more than 5 miles away, the child took upon himself to pack and go early the next morning for the long 5 mile walk through the jungle. He walked back that evening and would ...

Bhagavatham Village Trust is a registered charitable institution having its own office functioning in Cochin city near Ernakulam South Railway Station. The trust is headed by Swami Udith Chaithanya. Bhagavatham Village is situated at Munipara, Chalakudy, near Kalady, the birth place of Jagathguru Adi Sankara. This place is in a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city on the banks of chalakudy river. According to ancient scriptures the name Chalakudy is derived from chala (shala) kudy (hut). It is said that there used to be yagnas conducted in this place in ancient times. Bhagavatham Village is easily accessible by railway, road, and air. The Kochi International Airport is just a few kilometers away. Concept  and  Vision : Bhagavatham Village is envisaged by Swamiji for practising the "Pancha Yajna" for the benefit of society and setting up an example for the whole world. Swami Udit Chaithanyaji, the Acharya of Bhagavatham Village, aft...

Chinmaya Mission® was established in India in 1953 by devotees of the world-renowned Vedanta teacher, His Holiness Swami Chinmayananda.  Guided by his vision, devotees all around the world formed the nucleus of a spiritual renaissance movement that now encompasses a wide range of spiritual, educational, and charitable activities, ennobling the lives of thousands in India and across its borders. Presently, headed by His Holiness Swami Tejomayananda, the Mission is administered by Central Chinmaya Mission Trust (CCMT) in Mumbai, India. Under his guidance, the Mission has continued mushrooming across the globe and stands today with over 300 centres worldwide. What does Chinmaya Mission teach? Chinmaya Mission follows the Vedic teacher-student tradition (guru-shishya parampara) and makes available the ageless wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, the knowledge of universal oneness, providing the tools to realize the wisdom in one’s life. Vedanta, the essential core of Hinduism, is the univer...

Dayananda Ashram Rishikesh is situated on the banks of the Holy Ganga, away from the major tourist attractions. It is a unique centre for the study of Vedanta and Sanskrit; unique in the sense that the classes are conducted in English yet the adherence and reverence to the ancient tradition of teaching (Sampradaya) is total. There is a temple dedicated to Lord Siva as Gangadharesvara facing the Ganga. The main lecture hall also faces the Ganga. There is a library with more than 5000 titles on various subjects, i.e. Vedanta, Sanskrit Grammar, Indian and western philosphies, Religion and Yoga. There is also a Yoga studio where regular Iyengar Yoga camps are conducted.  The ashram was established during the 1960s by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who is an internationally recognised teacher of Vedanta and foremost scholar of Sanskrit. Swamiji and his disciples conduct regular residential courses at the ashram with the focus on Bhagavad Gita and the ten principal Upanishads a...

SALAGRAMAM ASHRAM : Kundamonkadavu,   Thirumala,   Trivandrum - 695006  Kerala, India  Phone: +91 471 2367299 SALAGRAMAM Ashram, envisaged and founded by Swami Sandeepananda Giri, is  devoted to the understanding and spread of pure Knowledge.The School of Bhagavad Gita is the nucleus of the Ashram. Salagramam, the sacred stone, is believed to be the manifestation of Vishnu, the One who pervades all - and it is believed that Vishnu or Hari shines forth from the salagramam - "Harihi vyaapi salagraame prakaashate"    Inspired by the divine salagramam, Swami Sandeepananda Giri envisions Salagramam, the Temple of Knowledge to illumine the world with the crystalline light of Knowledge - clear and pure. Salagramam Ashram is a microcosm of the universe around us. The universe is made up of the five elements of space, air, fire, water and earth and every particle is a reflection thereof. Salagramam ashram represents thi...