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The Omkareshwar
Ashram
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About eighty kilometers south of
Indore is the ancient pilgrimage center of Lord Shiva
called Omkareshwar.
The site is actually an island in the middle of the
holy Narmada River,which flows on both sides of it.In
the main temple of the island is the venerated Shiva
Lingam of Omkareshwar Mahadev,one of the twelve Jyoti
Lingams that radiate Light and Blessing to the whole
of India.
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Built picturesquely on the side of a hill leading down
to the banks of the river, is the ashram called “Mata
Anandamayi Tapo Bhumi” (Meditation and Austerity Site).
This ashram was established as a quiet meditation retreat
for those who wish to spend time in a beautiful natural
setting, practicing meditation in a charged and uplifting
environment. There are five temples on the premises;
one of Anandamayi Ma, another of Lord Shiva, one of
Sri Narmada Mata, and two small welcoming shrines of
Sri Hanuman and Bhairav Shiva at the two entrances of
the ashram.
Several Brahmacharis and Sannyasis live full time in
this ashram, performing their spiritual disciplines.
People come at various times for spiritual retreats
and to take part in the different functions that the
ashram sponsors. People are welcome to come for short
or extended periods, but we ask that they write or e-mail
us before coming, as the rooms are limited.
Every Mahashivaratri (the yearly celebration honoring
Lord Shiva), the ashram performs the service of distributing
prasadam (blessed food) to all the pilgrims that crowd
the island’s pilgrim trail encircling the island on
that holy day. |
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Mata Anandmayi Tripura
Vidyapeeth
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On the hill above the ashram, Swami Kedarnath
and his colleagues have founded a thriving school
for the local village tribal children.This class
of children, known as Adivasis, is from the poorest
possible family conditions, and has no other possibility
for education and advancement in life.
They are given all services
free of charge, and are invested with school uniforms
and casuals, books and study materials, and a
nutritious daily meal during school hours.
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The children approach the school as tattered urchins,
but respond quickly to the love, concern and training
of the staff and ashramites and soon blossom into intelligent
and capable students, eager to learn and full of enthusiasm
for study.
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The school began in July, 2001 with only the first
three standards, but each year a new grade is
added.
To date (2006), the school offers up to eighth
standard and houses nearly 300 students.Our goalis
to eventually have a campus that provides quality
education up to 12th Standard, with study area,
auditorium, library and sanitary facilities.
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| The buildings and facilities are extended yearly as
the funds permit. As the school is run exclusively by
donations from devotees, with no government aid, we always
manage to only stay one step ahead of enrollment requirements. |
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The school offers a unique style of educatio,
so needed in today’s world. While all the traditional
secular subjects are extensively covered, emphasis
is also placed on Dharma (the Eternal Path of
Righteousness), moral values and character development,
service to society and all religious studies.
The students study the
entire life of Sri Anandamayi Ma and try to follow
her holy example in their lives. .
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Ashram
Brahmachari Teaching Class
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Each day is begun with a trek down into the ashram to
pay homage in Ma’s temple and receive the blest tilak
on the forehead. After returning to the school, the students
perform yogasanas, meditation and have a period of prayer
and chanting before beginning the actual study day |
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Behind all the activities of the school is the
deep conviction that the future of any country
and the world at large is in the hands of the
upcoming generation. If the youth of the country
are properly trained and raised, and the correct
values and selfless spirit of service is instilled
into them from a young age, they will become productive
and inspired leaders and guides of a new society
devoted to truth and reform, rather than ignorant
followers of lower standards and norms.
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| The ashram houses
a hostel for about twenty of the boys from the school.
These boys are chosen from among the students based
on their potential skills and talents, and also
according to their home environment. The boys live
in the ashram as traditional Brahmacharis, following
a spiritual schedule of yoga, study and service,
and attendance at the ashram worship services in
addition to their school studies. |
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There is a beautiful rapport
of love and respect between all the students and
teachers, and the students feel at ease and at
home on the ashram premises and with the residents
of the ashram. In turn, the residents and teachers
from the ashram have dedicated their lives to
helping and training these children to face life
fully prepared with the necessary skill, outlook
and moral courage to successfully accomplish their
goals.
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Vidyapeeth
Teacher with Children
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The school gives a yearly cultural program at the village
bus stand which is attended by the entire populace of
Omkareshwar.
It has become a much looked for
event in which the children, dressed in colorful costumes,
sing and dance, do skits and karate and yoga demonstrations,
and generally charm everyone with their talent and energy.
The students have also done very well in the yearly
State Board Examinations.
We invite all who hear of this important work to become
involved and join us in this selfless service which is
being rendered under the Patronage of Sri Anandamayi Ma.
All are welcome to visit and anyone with special skills
or aptitude in any subject is invited to share their knowledge
with our students by presenting a special class in the
school. Any material aid is welcome and donations of funds
are always desperately needed to keep ahead in the construction
of new classrooms for the growing enrollment. |
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Become a part
of this great work! All donations are tax-deductible
under Section 180GC
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Send donations made
out to:
Mata Anandamayi
Tripura Vidypeeth
To:
Mata Anandamayi Peeth
18 AB Road (next to Medical College)
Indore, M.P. 452001
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