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Arsha Vidya Gurukulam
Locality/village : Saylorsburg
State : Pennsylvania
Country : USA
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Hindi & English
Temple Timings : 5:15 am to 8:00 pm
Photography : Not Allowed
Arsha Vidya Gurukulam
Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is an institute for the traditional study of Advaita Vedanta, Sanskrit, Yoga, Ayurveda, astrology, and other classical Indian disciplines. The word Arsha means that which is from the Rishis – the great sages of ancient India. The word Vidya means knowledge. Gurukulam refers to a residential center for learning with the teacher. Thus, Arsha Vidya Gurukulam is a place where one learns the knowledge imparted by the Rishis.
Arsha Vidya Gurukulam are a pair of institutions for Vedic teaching founded by Dayananda Saraswati. The two main centers are located at Saylorsburg, Pennsylvaniaand in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, with the sister institution Arsha Vidya Ashram located in Rishikesh and over 60 other centres in India and abroad. The name literally translates as residential learning for the knowledge of rishis (sages).
Arsha Vidya Gurukulam
Established in 1986 by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the Gurukulam is patterned after the ancient gurukulams of India. The Gurukulam offers Indians and Westerners alike an opportunity to study the profound spiritual knowledge of the Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Brahmasutras, and other classical Vedic texts in English in the USA.
The goal at the time of formation was to emulate academic institutions with the focus on study of Advaita Vedanta, the Vedas, and other ancient Sanskrit texts, in contrast to the practice of yoga and meditation taught by other similar institutions. Since then the institutes have added teaching of hatha yoga, ayurveda, astrology, meditation and other traditional Indian disciplines to the curriculum. Courses range in duration from a single-weekend to three years, and instruction is in English, though advanced students study the original texts in Sanskrit.
Located on 14 acres in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, a serene setting in the Pocono Mountains, the Gurukulam offers short- and long-term programs of study for guest and resident students of all ages. The campus is adorned by a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurti, considered the first teacher of Vedic knowledge. Apart from Vedanta, classes on Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, Vedic astrology, Ayurveda, meditation and Iyengar Yoga are also offered. There are ongoing meditation and Vedanta classes on weekends which anyone can attend without prior registration.
The Gurukulam also publishes many books on various topics in Vedanta, including a Bhagavad Gita Home Study course and a Vedic Heritage Teaching Program for children. The Arsha Vidya bookstore has over 7000 publications on Vedanta, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Yoga, astrology, Ayurveda, philosophy and Indian history. Funding comes in the form of donations from people who value the Gurukulam’s offerings. Additional funds comes from books sales.
Tradition holds that Lord Siva in the form of Dakshinamurti was the first teacher of Vedanta. He imparted self-knowledge to the four rishis seated at his feet, initiating an oral tradition which has been passed down to us through the centuries. Sri Medha Dakshinamurti and Ganesha Temple on the gurukulam grounds, honors this teaching tradition and provides a place of prayer and worship for all seekers.
Temple Hours
• 5:15 am to 8:00 pm Every Day
• Daily Morning Prayers 5:45 AM to 6:45 AM ( Abhisheka to Lord Ganesha & Lord Daksinamurti, Ashtotra Nama Puja & Arati )
• Mid-day Aarathi 12:10 PM to 12:15 PM( It may be earlier if priests go out on duty). Vegetarian Lunch after Arati from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm.
• Daily Evening Prayers 6:00 PM to 6:20 PM (It may start little later between May and Mid-August). Vegetarian Dinner after Arati from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
• Every Fornight on Pradosha Day, Pradosha Puja from 5:15 PM to 6 PM follwed by regular Arati from 6 PM to 6:20 PM. Vegetarian Dinner after Arati from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Temple Services
Archana to Lord Ganesha and Lord Dakshinamurti
Abishekam to Lord Dakshinamurti
Services offered by Priests
• Aksharabyasam
• Ayusha Homam (Birthday)
• Lagnam (Wedding)
• Namakaranam (Naming Ceremony)
• Navagraha Homam
• Shashti Abdhapoorti (60th Birthday)
• Sahasranama Puja
• Satyanarayana Puja
• Shrimantam (Prenatal)
• Shrardham
• Upanayanam
The centers run an outreach program called All India Movement (AIM) for seva (service) and a publication house that produces books on Vedanta, Hinduism, Hindu philosophy and literature, Paninian grammar, Indian history and related subjects. Several students and sanyassis (renunciates) who have studied at the centres, have gone on to spread Dayananda’s teachings elsewhere and some have established ashrams of their own.
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Namaste!!
Are there facilities for overseas visitors to stay at the temple during their visit. What costs are involved ?
RSVP
Thank you