On 2 nd October 2006, Swamiji inaugurated the Nithyananda Gurukul at the ashram in Bangalore. 26 children were admitted into the Gurukul and initiated by Swamiji himself. The day coincided with Vijayadasami, the day of worship of Saraswathi, Goddess of learning.
Nithyananda gurukul is a loving space for learning and growing.
Life at gurukul is as challenging as is joyful. The children here grow to be integrated individuals, well learned, balanced, and capable of facing the toughest challenges in life. Fearless approach to life and learning is the basis of teaching here.
The Gurukul routine is broadly the following:
6:30 am - Nithya Dhyan meditation followed by Guru Pooja (an offering of gratitude to the Master)
9:30 am to 1:30 pm - classes
1:30 pm to 2:30 pm - lunch
2:30 to 4:30 - classes
Tea break
5.30 pm to 6.30 pm - karate lessons.
The students then play their favorite indoor and outdoor games such as football, basket ball, carrom board, chess, cricket etc
6:30 pm - reading in the Nithyananda Library
7pm to 7:40pm - arati (an offering of lit camphor at the Temple of Sri Anandeshwar)
8 pm to 9 pm - Watch Television (Stories from Hindu mythology and cartoons).
Meditation in front of Sri Anandeshwar (Lord Dakshinamurthy), under the sacred Banyan tree.
Enjoying a meal together
Sanskrit class in progress
Art and craft class in progress
Watching television before dinner
At the Nithyananda Library
Learning basic computer knowledge
Karate lessons
A game of football
Enjoying the cool water in the kid's pool.
Gurukul reminiscence:
Usually, before I came to the gurukul, I had exam fear. Now I don't have these fears anymore because we are studying together with so much fun, and whenever I have any doubts, I can go to my teacher to clarify them at any time.
I used to have exam fear whenever I had a test. I used to forget everything because of panic. But now, I feel at home here, in between exam time, the teachers give us milk to drink, and speak softly, then I feel relaxed during my exams. My marks have greatly improved.
I was living abroad before coming here. It was lonely there as each one had their own things to do. But here, things are so different. At the Gurukul, everybody looks after us. Once, I went to bed without taking dinner, then one of our caretakers - Amma - came to my room with the food. I was so touched. I like it here!
In my house, my parents use to scold me whenever I would not wake up in the morning to go to school. I would feel forced to do things. But here, I can wake up blissfully with the song 'Svabhava Chinmayananda' that they play on waking up. Then we start the day together, and we have great fun!
In my former school, I was not feeling well one day. My teacher didn't take care of me, and made me sit in a corner of the class room. I felt very sad. I used to fear school because I thought that nobody would take care of me if I had a problem. But here, I feel secure. We receive healing as well if we are unwell,and everybody takes care of us.
Before I used to go to school by bus with a lunch bag and a heavy school bag. Because of the crowded bus, I used to be squeezed and would feel tired before reaching school itself!! Here, I don't have all these problems. I feel comfortable and fresh the whole day!
In my former school, if half of the class had understood the topic, the teacher would go to the next chapter.Then, he would not bother to know if each and everybody had understood.
In our gurukul also, I had that fear in the beginning, and didn't ask any clarifications whenever I had doubts. But once, our principal explained 8 times one mathematic theory to me, and said, 'Never fear to ask for explanation when you don't understand!' I stopped fearing, and I'm able to understand everything without a problem!
