Vidyarthis at the Shrimat Pandurangashram Vaidik Pathshala
Photo Credits - Gourang Kodical

    His Holiness Shrimat Pandurangashram Swamiji started this Paathshala in the Chitrapur Math in the 1890s. A core objective of this 'Ved Paathshala' was to preserve our rich Vedic heritage for posterity. In this Gurukula, Vedic training was imparted to the students who later on, became vaidiks in the Math and other temples.
In 1942, His Holiness Shrimat Anadashram Swamiji made it into a regular paathshala. Ved. Haldipur Ganesh Shastriji who had been trained in Kashi, was its first Principal. At present this post is held by Ved. Baddukuli Bhaskar Bhat.
The Paathshala follows the "Rigveda Ashvalaayana Grihyasootra" to teach Shodashasamskara prayoga to the young vidarthis, 11 years and above. It presently conducts 3 courses of instruction viz. Archaks, Purohit and Shastri along with teaching of the Sanskrit language. While the duration of the Archaks course is 2 years, It takes about three to five years for them to be well trained in various vidhis. In rotation, they are also included in Swamiji's retinue.
In the last 58 years of its existence the Paathshala has trained about 500 vaidiks.
The Paathshala is a residential one. Accommodation, boarding and tuition are entirely free. The study materials such as books, notebooks and even clothes are also not charged for. H. H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji's love for the Sanskrit language and his deep knowledge of the Shastras is well-known. After Swamiji has taken up the Mathadhipatya of Shri Chitrapur Math, the Paathshala has got a fillip. New premises for the Paathshaala are being planned as part of the Math renovation programme - "Vision beyond 2000".

Presently the Paathshala has about 20 vidyarthis. During the recently concluded Chaturmas vrata, these students took up the brunt of the work. We could see them everywhere, right from 5.45 a.m. cheerfully singing the Suprabhatram, preparing for the poojas, singing the mantras during the poojas, helping in serving the food, doing whatever chores were required of them right upto late hours in the night. This in addition to their studies!
We really appreciate these children! Here are a few pictures of these smiling lads.

PARTHA'S RATH Here is a photograph of Partha's Rath driven by Parthasarathy. The images of Arjuna and the Lord (depicted in the form of Ganesh -- being on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi), are moulded by Shri Shantanu Shukla; the Rath & the horses are fabricated by none others than the young Vidyarthis of the Pathashala of our Math in Shirali.
This masterpiece was on display in Shree Chitrapur Math, Shirali from the Ganesh Chaturthi day to the concluding day of Chaturmasya (Seemolanghan). It was seen and appreciated by all the devotees who visited Shirali during that period. This picture was clicked on 2nd September, 2003. 

SHILANYAAS  of the SRIVALI HIGH SCHOOL

   On 8th September 2003, His Holiness Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji laid the Foundation Stone for yet another 'dream project' - that of the construction of premises for the SRIVALI HIGH SCHOOL at Chitrapur. Located behind the existing Post Office and opposite the Anandashraya, the much needed High school will cater to the needs of the many children from Shirali, who presently have to go long distances to continue high school education.
Srivali Trust has already approached the Education Department for opening of the High School (8th, 9th, 10th Std.) in the next academic year. The plan has also been submitted for approval of the Local Panchayat. Once the above requirements are cleared, work will begin soon after the Deepavali festival this year.

    The Proposed project will be taken up in Two Phases:
Phase I will consist of
a)    Foundation for Ground Plus Two Floors
b)    Construction of Ground Floor with four Class Rooms, Head Master's Room, Staff Room, Office, Toilets, and Kitchen Cum Dining Room.
This Phase is likely to be completed by mid- February 2004.

Phase II will be an upper floor to accommodate additional Class rooms, Library, Science Laboratory, and Computer Room. The facilities will start from June 2005

Srivali Trust will manage the school by nominating a separate Management Committee to take care of this noble activity. In addition to free education to all the children, it will also provide free uniforms, midday meals, books etc.

The Cost of the project (construction and furnishing) has been envisaged at about Rs. 55 Lacs. Donations

Members of our community desirous of helping this noble cause may kindly forward their contributions by Cheques or Demand Drafts drawn in favour of SRIVALI TRUST payable at Shirali .
Non Resident members can also forward their contributions in Foreign Currency All donations made to Srivali Trust are exempted under Section 80G of I T.Act

SEEMOLLANGHAN 2003

    The rain played hide and seek with us on the 10th of September 2003. The day was Bhadrapada Poornima, the end of Swamiji's  Chaturmasya Vrata at the Shri Chitrapur Math. People had started streaming into the Math a couple of days prior to the 10th. People from the villages around as well as Mangalore were expected to come in later in the day.

    As usual there was Suprabhatam at 5.45 a.m. with the Vidyarthis reciting the Suprabhatam, and the Bhagvad Geeta. The devotees from Bangalore sang their nityapath sweetly and sonorously, with bhajans in Marathi and Kannada. As per routine during the Chaturmas, Swamiji came in at 9.00 a.m. After performing Jalabhishek at all the Samadhis and the MahaGanapati temple Swamiji sat for a little while, smilingly looking around at the gathering. Some people came in to take Dhoolbhet and some, who were unable to stay on till the evening took Phalamantrakshat. Swamiji then went to the new Goshala, where all the cattle of the Math are now housed. This building has been constructed keeping in mind the space required for the cows and buffaloes as well as conveniences for cleaning the shed.

    Then Swamiji proceeded to the area behind the Math where the old Goshala had been. This is the site earmarked to be the new Dining Hall and Kitchen complex. As Swamiji was to leave Shirali the next day for a retreat and then to Bangalore, the Projects Committee had requested Swamiji to perform the Bhoomipoojan of the site. The Construction work could then proceed so that the complex could be made ready by Rathotsava 2004.

    All of us rushed to the site and strained our necks to see the Bhoomipoojan. A pit had been dug and a couple of stones, square brown ones, typical of Shirali and surroundings waited in readiness. Ved. Ulman bhatmaam, Ved. Haldipur bhatmaam as well as other priests and vidyarthis were also there. Swamiji then performed the bhoomipoojan. After a prayer, Swamiji placed a couple of the stones and put some cement on them. Then to the accompaniment of mantras, Swamiji placed 'navaratnas' on these stones. He then put some more cement and placed more stones on top. Pooja, naivedya and aarti were then performed to complete the Bhoomipoojan.

    Later towards noon, there was Visarjan poojan of  Shri Anantha, the kalashas having been installed and worshipped on the previous day. This was followed by Paadpoojan by the President of the Standing Committee and the President of the Chitrapur Local Sabha. Teerth Vitarana and Phala Mantrakshat followed. Lunch was sumptuous.

    The main program of the day was Seemollanghan at the Venkatapur River. The Local Sabha had organised a couple of Matadors to ferry people from the Math to the riverbank. There were a few private vehicles too. When we left, at around 4.30, the rain clouds gathered and there was a light shower - 'pushpavrushti'! As the rain cleared the Sun smiled  and we left our vehicles to go near the river bank where a colourful pandal had been erected. The road to the riverbank was downhill and a few meters away was a small building which gave us a vantage point to view the entire proceedings. As Swamiji started the Gangapoojan, a brilliant rainbow appeared in the sky enthralling all of us! After the poojan, the riverside reverberated with Swamiji's recitation of the Dakshinammorthi Stotram.

    A beautifully decorated boat was waiting nearby to take Swamiji across the river, completing the Seemollanghan. After this, the trip back to the Math started. Swamiji was seated in an open decorated vehicle. Lots of floats and 'vaagha vesu' led the procession. Devotees were singing bhajans with great gusto. After visiting the Shri Krishnamutt, Shri Shantadurga temple, Shri Dutta Devasthan and Shri Gopalkrishna Devasthan, Swamiji entered the Math. After paying Respects to all the Samadhis, Swamiji retired to freshen up for the DharmaSabha to be held at the Dhyan Mandir.

By now, people had already collected in the Dhyan mandir. The Secretary of the Chitrapur Local Sabha, Shri Koppikar started the proceedings and the Vice-president Dr. Pushpa Krishnamurthi welcomed all the devotees. Swamiji then released a Brochure on Shri Chitrapur Math. The President Shri Bantwalmaam then gave the devotees an idea of the plans for future projects at the Shri Chitrapur Math. After sambhavana to the Vaidiks and thanksgiving to all those who had helped during the Chaturmas festivities Shri Koppikar requested Swamiji to bless all the devotees with an Ashirvachan. This was what the people had all gathered to hear. Swamiji smilingly assured all that the program had been held satisfactorily and that His Anushthaan had proceeded very well. Shri Bantwaalmam announced that the next Chaturmasa Vrata would be at Shri Anantheshwar temple, Vittal. As 2004 has an Adhik Shravan, the Chaturmasa Vrata would go on for 3 months. Shri Anantheshwara temple would be hosting a Chaturmasa Vrata after almost 50 years! Param poojya Shri Anandashram Swamiji had observed Chaturmasa there and that too for three months! 

On this happy note the day ended. Swamiji departed the next day for a retreat and then Bangalore for Navaratri. Most of us left too with heavy hearts but happy memories!

CHALO SHIRALI !

On 11th September 2003, a merry team of six young lads from Talmakiwadi landed in Shirali, all set to offer 'Kaar Seva' at the Math. The team consisted of Nikhil Kulkarni, Parag Nagarkatti, Amit Savkur, Anil Maskeri, Deepak Baindur and Ashwin Gulwady (seen in Photo 1, L to R). Their assignment was to prepare manure pits ( Saarya phondu) at the base of Coconut palms at the Kembre farm. This procedure is repeated every three years to get maximum yield.
    Armed with farming tools, they set to work, by initially removing grass and then digging the soil, around the palms.(Parag, Nikhil, Deepak in photo 2, Anil, Ashwin, Deepak in photo3). Well deserved refreshment after a busy morning was in the form of fresh coconut water (photo4). Back to work after that, and you can see the pit 6 ft wide, and almost 1.5 feet deep (photo 5). Adequate care is taken to see that the roots of the existing palm are not damaged. The pit is then filled with manure, fertiliser, salt, grass, leaves etc, and covered with the dug out soil. 14 such pits were prepared by this team. The caretaker of the Kembre farm, Shri Nagesh Kalbag looks mighty pleased, doesnt he? ( photo 6)
    All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! Recreation after a hard day's work - Volley Ball with the local boys ( photo 7).
In addition to the above routine, the boys also participated in all the religious and spiritual activities at the Math, whenever possible.( Ashwin at Japa, photo 8).
    They all returned to Mumbai on the 17th, with happy memories, a tremendous sense of achievment, and Blessings from Swamiji and Lord Bhavanishankar.... .
    It is our beloved Swamiji's desire that more such enthusiasts participate in Seva at the Math. There is plenty to do, not only in the farms but also in the office, Math premises, library etc.

Those interested may kindly contact 'Kaar Seva Coordinator' Avinash Trasi on telephone no: 022 2380 6157 or Dr. Prakash Mavinkurve :022 2381 3105 or email: mkurve@vsnl.com