About
Anaadi Dharma Gurukulam is a holistic residential learning space for boys and girls of ages 9 & above, offering Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) & NIOS Open Schooling education with a vision for children to become futuristic leaders rooted in the Parampara of Bharat. Anaadi Dharma Gurukulam ensures development of the Panchakoshas: Annamaya (Physical), Pranamaya (Vital), Manomaya (Emotional), Vijnanamaya (Cognitive) & Anandamaya (Spiritual & Aesthetic) dimensions of vidyarthi.
Contact: 9790676160 | mail@anaadi.org
Location: Foothills of Iyvar Malai, Palani Taluk, Tamil Nadu, India
Upcoming Programs
Gurukulavaasam: 3 Day residential program for kids and parents 29-31 Dec. Know More
Open House : Jan 28, Feb 11, Feb 25, March 10, March 24 2024 | 9.00 am - 12.00 pm
Admissions
Admissions Open for 2024-2025
Eligibility
Admissions open for both boys and girls. Admission age groups: Ages 9-13. Children older than this age range seeking admission will have to spend 3 years at Gurukulam before entering Grade X (end of 4th year they can take up NIOS Grade X exam.
Fees
True to the Bharatiya Gurukula tradition, we do not collect any fees. The Gurukulam is supported by voluntary contributions from parents and well-wishers.
Vidyarthi performing Gurupuja
Yoga Nrtya Performance at the Western Ghats Lit Fest 2023
Vidyarthis receive Anaadi IKS Books
Vidyarthi performing Gurupuja
Academics
IKS Subjects
Children learn from the traditional source texts in the following IKS Subjects:
Sanskrit, Bharatiya Ganita, Ayurveda, Nakshatra Vidya,
Yoga, Darshana Shastras, Itihasa & Niti
Open Schooling
Children will be enrolled under National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for grades 8, 10 & 12. The choice of subjects will be recommended by the Acharyas based on the strengths of the children and their interests.
Evaluation
Dharma Gurukulam focuses on all-round Panchakoshiya development and a subjective assessment report on the child's growth on the 5 dimensions is presented. Periodical worksheets, term exams in written & oral form and relevant Samskrita Sabha parikshas will be undertaken.
Academic Highlights
~ Established by highly qualified academicians with teaching and research experience in both modern Science and Technology and Indian Knowledge Systems
~ Courses taught by teachers who are qualified, passionate and have shraddha
~ A uniquely designed curriculum based on Indian Sciences that inherently develops multiple intelligences in children
~ Through stories, shlokas, seva, dhyana and yoga, children shall be rooted in Indian values with a great sense of pride in the Bharatiya ethos
~ With special focus on Sanskrit, English, Tamil and Hindi, children from a very young age stand to gain multilingual proficiency and world-class communication skills
~ Weekly schedule to cope up with National/State curriculum and enablement to take up NIOS exams
~ Kaṇṭapāṭha (recitation and commitment to memory) is integrated within every class of every subject where children learn relevant Sanskrit verses and sutras for the varied topics spanning maths, sciences and linguistic concepts
~ A dedicated Pārāyaṇa or chanting session everyday shall enable children to learn the entire Bhagavad Gita, various works of Adi Sankaracharya, Vyakarana related texts such as Amarakosha, Dhatu Kosha, Ashtadyayi, etc.
~ World-renowned scholars and teachers shall offer guest lectures and immersive hands-on sessions to children
A diverse range of enriching activities including farming, electronics, Gau-seva, alternative energy production, design and engineering, earthen construction, bamboo weaving, star-gazing, mountain hiking, Indian carnatic music, programming and many more to bring about a wholesome and multifaceted individual.
Faculty Members
Higher Education Options after Gurukulam Schooling
Continuing further Shastric studies at the Gurukulam while pursuing higher education degrees online: UG Sanskrit degrees from Central Sanskrit University, B.Sc in Vedic Sciences from MAEER, IIT Madras BS in Data Science (based on child's capabilities), BBA/BCA/BCOM at Amrita University
Indian Knowledge Systems based UG degrees in mainstream universities: BAMS, BYNS (SVYASA, JSS), BSMS(Siddha),
BA/BSc Yoga/Yoga Therapy: SVYASA, MDNIY
Shastri degree: SSVV Varanasi, SLBSRSV Delhi, Central Sanskrit University, Madras Sanskrit College, KKSU
Mainstream higher education: BTech/BA/BSc in Engineering, Arts and Sciences in institutions that accept NIOS.
Undergoing teacher training and practical skill training at Gurukulam and taking up admin and teaching tasks at Gurukulam.
Educational Philosophy
Swami Vivekananda said "Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man". However, we see that many young people who go through or come out of the educational process feel imperfect, unfulfilled and less confident. The "rasa" in education seems to be lacking. Children of today long for a vibrant, rigorous and fulfilling environment where they are able to realise their full potential and be of service to the society. With a standardized approach to education, the student finds it difficult to discover their "Swadharma" i.e what they are meant to do in life and their larger role in the society.
In order to create students who are curious about the universe, rooted in the self, societally conscious, self-reliant, deeply interested in acquiring knowledge and ecologically sensitive, creating a joyous and holistic educational environment becomes important.
Dharma School, which is a Gurukulam and a residential home school, is designed with the holistic physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual development of students in mind. Focusing on Indian sciences, the Gurukulam aims at reviving Indian knowledge: para and apara vidya (scientific and spirtual) and creating a thirst for local knowledge and traditions. Students of Dharma school will be rooted in Indian sciences and values and can interact seamlessly on global platforms.
Vidura neeti says:
एको धर्मः परं श्रेयः क्षमैका शान्तिरुत्तमा। विद्यैका परमा तृप्तिरहिंसैका सुखावहा॥
eko dharmaḥ paraṃ śreyaḥ kṣamaikā śāntiruttamā। vidyaikā paramā tṛptirahiṃsaikā sukhāvahā॥
Dharma is the single highest good, forbearance is the supreme contributor to peace Knowledge gives supreme fulfillment and non-violence produces great happiness
Dharma Gurukulam is a place of knowledge, values and fulfillment.
Gurukulam Talks by Gurus
More on our Indian Knowledge System Curriculum
Saṃskṛtam
In India there has been a long running tradition of well-established teaching and learning processes for Sanskrit that are time tested.
We shall adhere to the books of Saṃskṛta-svādhyāya series of Central Sanskrit University as well as books and resources of Saṃskṛta Bhāratī (Sarala-parīkṣa, Patrācāraḥ and Gītāsopānaṃ) and Devabhāṣā publications.
The approach is to begin from learning the script and pronunciations carefully, followed by a gradational introduction of various components of the language so that children begin from conversationally using Sanskrit and go on to acquiring appreciation for literature, grammar, rhetoric and poetry.
Ganita
The design of Gaṇita shall provide exposure to rich and comprehensive content of Indian mathematical texts with Bhāskarācārya’s Līlāvatī as the primary text along with select sections from Nārāyaṇa Paṇdita’s Gaṇitakaumudī, Śulbasūtras of the Vedic Era and the 19th century work titled “Vedic Maths” of Jagadguru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji.
This learning pathway drawn from our scientific tradition, shall begin with fundamental arithmetic mastery to perform high speed calculations. Then we shall build problem solving skills in Prakı̄rṇaka-vyavahāra [weights, measures, proportions], Miśra-vyavahāra [proportions, profit-loss, mixtures and ratios], Śreḍhı̄-vyavahāra [Sequences and series], Kṣetra-vyavahāra[planar geometry], Khāta-vyavahāra[Excavations], Citi-vyavahāra[Stacks], Chāyā-vyavahāra[Shadows] & Bhadragaṇita [Magic squares]. Higher order learning is covered in Bījagaṇita[algebra], Śarajīvānayanaṃ [trignometry] & Aṅkapāśa [Combinatorics].
Nakshatra Vidya
India has an incredibly rich tradition in observational astronomy, which is completely absent from contemporary education. Indian astronomers have contributed to many pathbreaking discoveries and nuanced calendrical calculations. With select content from Āryabhaṭa’s Āryabhat̤īya and Nilakaṇṭha Somayājī’s Tantrasaṇgraha coupled with modern books and research articles of Prof. K. Ramasubramanian et al and Prof. S. Balancandra Rao, children shall learn the awe-inspiring patterns of celestial bodies. From understanding the paths of Sūrya, Candra, and other Grahas, children shall go on to learn to study the mathematical aspects in Pañcāṅga - calculating tithi, nakṣatra and duration of day and night accurately. This subject of study shall blend ancient knowledge systems with exposure to simulating these concepts by using modern applications such as Stellarium, SkyMap, PhET, etc.
Paristhiti Vijñāna
Bhūmādevi has been revered and worshipped in Indian traditions since time immemorial. This inclination also led to development of various indegenous sustainble practices that were well evolved over time from which the contemporary education simple cuts one off. At this juncture where many Earth systems have degenerated through human action, it is of foremost importance to dedicate a subject that delves into presenting problems of the present and possible hybrid solutions from the past and present.
This course will help children analyse and understand various sustainable solutions in earthern building, textiles and dying, energy production, water management, waste management, agricultural best practices, Gau-centric economy, and approaches to consumption. Offered in partnership with CREST(Center for Research in Ecology and Sustainable Technologies), this course shall blend both theory and practice to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers
Ayurveda-Siddha
Indian systems of medicine form a significant vertical in the rich scientific heritage of India. Those who wish to pursue these sciences in mainstream courses can start only in their higher education phases. Whereas, it is important and significantly empowering to study this field of science from a young age for a well-informed sense of wellness.
Children shall begin from learning the world-view of Indian medical systems, starting from Pañca-mahā-bhūtās, Triguṇas, Tridoṣā and their nature. Importantly, children shall becoming aware of one’s own constitution, learn what is ease and disease, lifestyle lessons, understand spices and balanced cooking and an overview of herbs. In advanced classes, children shall gain exposure to Srotas [channels in the body], Functions of Agni in the body, the Pañca-dhātus and their functions, disorders that may arise and methods of detection, Mano-vaha-srotas [channel of the mind] and principles and approaches in diagnosis.
Ithihasa & Niti
This subject is designed to inspire a great sense of pride in the Bhāratīya Parampara drawing lessons in administration, governance, management and mismanagement, from a plethora of resources in Ithihāsas, Purāṇas, and texts that delve into Nīti and Purushārtas.
Children shall rejoice in value-rich stories from Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata, as well as understand the great lineages and leaders leading upto the Indian freedom movement. In parallel, children shall be exposed to thematic studies of rivers and cities of Ancient India, significant temples and architecture of India, water management systems in Ancient India, history of textiles, shipping, metallurgy, trade and commerce. The outcome of this course is to help children blossom into a vibrant identity of a Bhārati with access to facts and philosophy of this sacred land.
Vedic Stream
Children choosing the Vedic stream will be trained on Krishna Yajur Vedam and will be supported by knowledge of Sanskrit, Maths, English and Indian Knowledge Systems to be become well qualified to choose future higher education, career and research in the Shastras.
Daily Schedule and Ambience
~ 6:00 AM Guru Puja & Arti
~ 6:30 AM Gau Pooja & Arti
~ 6:45 AM Yoga Abhyasa
~ 7:45 AM Saucha and Breakfast
~ 8:30 AM Learning Session #1 & #2
~ 11:00 AM Lunch
~ 12:00 PM Chanting Session
~ 1:00 PM Reading / rest / break
~ 2:30 PM Hands-On / Lab / Activity
~ 3:30 PM Refreshment break
~ 4:00 PM Learning Session #3
~ 5:30 PM Play Time
~ 6:30 PM Guru Puja and Bhajans
~ 7:30 PM Dinner
~ 8:00 PM Swadhyaya
~ 9:00 PM Retiring for the day
The ashram premises of Anaadi Foundation is located at the foothills of Ivyar Malai, near Palani, Tamilnadu, India. This consecrated space offers a serene and ideal space for children to grow vibrant in both body and mind and blossom into a phenomenal presence for the wellfare of all. At the south-west corner, a Sannidhi presided by Yoga-Vidya Ganapathy bestows all with His elevating presence. Dhyanaalayam at Anaadi has the Divine Sannidhi of Agastya Maharishi, Mahavatar Bababji and Sri Adi Sankaracarya. Children shall benefit from Dhyana and Jnana practices at Dhyanaalyam. The Gau-shala is home to great satvic beings that children shall tend to and be tended to. The educational complex shall have two indoor classroom, two gender specific stay areas and an open court for learning all under the sky! Trees and grasslands, the hilltops and the girivala-pada are all learning centers for children. The simple and austere structures of the Ashram inspire humility, while awakening knowledge tenets handed down through millenia in Bharatiya Guru-Sishya Parampara!