Bangalore,India: The Art of Living’s heritage school (Sri Sri Gurukul) held its first convocation where 34 students received the oriental honor of ‘Shivagama Vidya Nidhi’.
Sri Sri Dayananda Saraswathi Swamiji, founder Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Rishikesh was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion Shri Dayananda Saraswati said, “This is the first time in the Vedic history that such recognition has been given. All of them should go to smaller temples and teach the people the right tone of chanting mantras and the methods of performing temple rituals. ”
Saraswathiji, along with His Holiness Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder, Art of Living, felicitated the students with the degree. “We need more such institutions which impart such ancient knowledge,” said Gurudev.
Also present on the occasion were Shrimathi Bhanumathi Narsimhan, Chairperson, Veda Agama Samskrutha Maha Pathashala (VASMP), Shri N. Narsimhan, Advisor, VASMP, Dr.G.C.Tripati senior professor, Indira Gandhi National Center of Arts and Padma Shri D.R. Karthikeyan, IPS, Former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation.
Earlier during the day, Honorable Minister V.S Acharya, State Internal affairs, visited the school premises and addressed the students.
On June 2, a seminar was also held on “Shiva”, where eminent scholars from around the country deliberated on ‘Shivagama’.
Started in October 2002, the Sri Sri Gurukul school provides education in Veda and Agama (the study of performing temple rituals) to about 250 students. The Heritage School was established to restore, revive and teach Veda and Agama to students from all sections of the society. The education and accomodation for seven years is provided free of cost. Over seven years of intensive training, students obtain the “Shivagama Vidya Nidhi” oriental title.
