The Sri Dattagiri Maharaj Vedic Pathashala located in an ashram in the Bardipur village of Telangana has an ambiance just like any other ashram - quiet and peaceful.
As I walk in, a priest welcomes me and pleasantries are exchanged, as well as visiting cards and e-mail ids. The pathashala or school which is situated in a remote village off the Mumbai Highway in Medak district might at first appear to be like any other ashram.
"We established this ashram around 55 years ago and we teach the children the vedas and the mantras and offer a course that trains them in becoming a priest themselves, if they like," says Sri M. Sideshwara Swamiji, one of the chief priests at the ashram.
But the uniqueness of the ashram lies in the fact that religion and caste are not taken into consideration for admission. In Hinduism, the post of a priest has always been conventionally held by a Brahmin and this ashram emphasises on changing that mentality.
The best example of this is Naveen Naik, a shy student at the school.
Naveen, who just turned 14 in April, is a tribal boy from Narsapur in the Marpalli mandal of Ranga Reddy district, who is working his way into a field which is largely dominated by the caste system. "I studied till eight standard and I wanted to become a pujari (priest) but no one would take me until I found this ashram. I have been here for almost one year and I have another three years before I complete this course," says Naveen. Full story...
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As I walk in, a priest welcomes me and pleasantries are exchanged, as well as visiting cards and e-mail ids. The pathashala or school which is situated in a remote village off the Mumbai Highway in Medak district might at first appear to be like any other ashram.
"We established this ashram around 55 years ago and we teach the children the vedas and the mantras and offer a course that trains them in becoming a priest themselves, if they like," says Sri M. Sideshwara Swamiji, one of the chief priests at the ashram.
But the uniqueness of the ashram lies in the fact that religion and caste are not taken into consideration for admission. In Hinduism, the post of a priest has always been conventionally held by a Brahmin and this ashram emphasises on changing that mentality.
The best example of this is Naveen Naik, a shy student at the school.
Naveen, who just turned 14 in April, is a tribal boy from Narsapur in the Marpalli mandal of Ranga Reddy district, who is working his way into a field which is largely dominated by the caste system. "I studied till eight standard and I wanted to become a pujari (priest) but no one would take me until I found this ashram. I have been here for almost one year and I have another three years before I complete this course," says Naveen. Full story...
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