In IT hub Andhra, this village lives the Vedic approach | India Information
Kurmagram, a ‘Vedic village’ in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district, is a window into the best way our ancestors lived centuries in the past. Its homes are mud huts roofed with thatch or tiles. The 56 residents of the 60-acre village constructed the homes themselves with out utilizing metal and cement. They haven’t any electrical energy, web, tv or cooking gasoline, nor different trendy facilities and devices, together with cellphones. There’s only one landline cellphone for group outreach.
Is it poverty? No, the residents have ditched the trimmings of contemporary life to observe the fundamental precept of Krishna Consciousness: easy residing and excessive pondering. The 14 households and some celibate Krishna devotees who stay in Kurmagram say this minimalist, self-reliant existencegives their lives extra which means and function than affluence.
Radha Krishna Charan Das, who left his IT job for Krishna Consciousness and have become a trainer on the village gurukul, mentioned: “Earlier, individuals had been proud of fewer issues. The yearning for materials wealth has sadly elevated in latest instances, which pains me lots.”
Pastoral Simplicity
Kurmagram lies 6km from Srimukhalingam village that homes the well-known Ninth-century Lord Srimukha Lingeswara temple. A typical day right here begins about 3. 30am and ends at 7. 30pm. The self-reliant way of life calls for the residents weave their very own material and develop their very own greens and grains, together with for the prasadam (meals) served to guests. “Human deeds ought to solely lengthen to the very best self-realisation, slightly than the buildup of fabric wealth. For this, we stay the best way our ancestors lived 300 years in the past,” Nateswara Narottam Das, who heads the village gurukul, instructed TOI. “It could take some extra time to realize full self-sufficiency, however our function is evident: easy residing with excessive pondering, as taught by Lord Sri Krishna within the Bhagavad Gita.”
He mentioned the village’s economic system relies on land and cows. They develop cereals, pulses, greens and a few fruits, and barter these with farmers in close by villages for different cooking necessities.
Taught like The Pandavas
On the village gurukul, youngsters are taught within the Vedic fashion, with the emphasis on morals, moral coaching, and excessive pondering. “Our day begins with waking up at 3. 30am, adopted by Mangala Harathi (aarti) at 4. 30am, japam (meditative repetition of a mantra) for one hour, guru puja, and e book studying. The courses begin at 9am. We aretaught math, science, Sanskrit, Telugu, Hindi, English, the shastras, arts, and the Mahabharata,” mentioned Siddu Srikant, a shishya on the gurukul.
The youngsters generally carry out performs based mostly on the Mahabharata and historical past, which function leisure for the elders. There’s additionally the day by day Harikatha recital (a non secular artwork type consisting of storytelling, poetry, music, and narration).
On the gurukul, they don’t see studying as the buildup of theoretical information however a way to self-realisation. So, there’s loads of bodily exercise too, starting from swimming and taking part in within the fields to kabaddi and ‘seven stones’.
The youngsters have a alternative of three programs – Bhakti Vriksha, Bhakti Shastri, and Bhakti Vaibhav, mentioned Charan Das. “These three programs take about 10 years every. Primarily based on their curiosity in additional programs, they are going to be despatched to the Vedic college in Salem, Tamil Nadu. ” Nevertheless, it’s as much as a scholar to decide on between larger programs or a job, Charan Das mentioned.
Rising curiosity
The residents of Kurmagram should not involved about what occurs exterior their ashram, however they get a gradual stream of reports from guests, whose numbers have been rising because the village’s fame has unfold. Tons of come on weekdays, and hundreds on Sundays. TOI discovered guests from Telangana and different coastal Andhra districts on the ashram.
Narottam Das mentioned they’ve been preaching spirituality and spreading Vedic information within the villages surrounding their ashram. “Hundreds of individuals visiting the ashram and gurukul are taught religious information and Krishna Consciousness. ” The outsiders are allowed to remain on the ashram in the event that they abide by its rules. Visiting households and the celibate devotees are housed individually.
Some overseas devotees have additionally made Kurmagram their house. Born in Argentina and an Italian citizen now, Rupa Ragunath Swami Maharaj began visiting India greater than 40 years in the past in 1978. He was in Kurmagram to ship a non secular discourse when TOI visited.
A Russian nationwide, who has taken the title Nruhari Das, has change into a everlasting resident of the village. “The traditional Vedic information has introduced me to this land. Individuals following the religious path don’t want to fret about something because the requirements arising from their austere way of life are fulfilled by nature itself,” he mentioned.
TAGGED : Is it poverty? No, the residents have ditched the trimmings of contemporary life to observe the fundamental precept of Krishna Consciousness: easy residing and excessive pondering. The 14 households and some celibate Krishna devotees who stay in Kurmagram say this minimalist, self-reliant existencegives their lives extra which means and function than affluence.
Radha Krishna Charan Das, who left his IT job for Krishna Consciousness and have become a trainer on the village gurukul, mentioned: “Earlier, individuals had been proud of fewer issues. The yearning for materials wealth has sadly elevated in latest instances, which pains me lots.”
Pastoral Simplicity
Kurmagram lies 6km from Srimukhalingam village that homes the well-known Ninth-century Lord Srimukha Lingeswara temple. A typical day right here begins about 3. 30am and ends at 7. 30pm. The self-reliant way of life calls for the residents weave their very own material and develop their very own greens and grains, together with for the prasadam (meals) served to guests. “Human deeds ought to solely lengthen to the very best self-realisation, slightly than the buildup of fabric wealth. For this, we stay the best way our ancestors lived 300 years in the past,” Nateswara Narottam Das, who heads the village gurukul, instructed TOI. “It could take some extra time to realize full self-sufficiency, however our function is evident: easy residing with excessive pondering, as taught by Lord Sri Krishna within the Bhagavad Gita.”
He mentioned the village’s economic system relies on land and cows. They develop cereals, pulses, greens and a few fruits, and barter these with farmers in close by villages for different cooking necessities.
Taught like The Pandavas
On the village gurukul, youngsters are taught within the Vedic fashion, with the emphasis on morals, moral coaching, and excessive pondering. “Our day begins with waking up at 3. 30am, adopted by Mangala Harathi (aarti) at 4. 30am, japam (meditative repetition of a mantra) for one hour, guru puja, and e book studying. The courses begin at 9am. We aretaught math, science, Sanskrit, Telugu, Hindi, English, the shastras, arts, and the Mahabharata,” mentioned Siddu Srikant, a shishya on the gurukul.
The youngsters generally carry out performs based mostly on the Mahabharata and historical past, which function leisure for the elders. There’s additionally the day by day Harikatha recital (a non secular artwork type consisting of storytelling, poetry, music, and narration).
On the gurukul, they don’t see studying as the buildup of theoretical information however a way to self-realisation. So, there’s loads of bodily exercise too, starting from swimming and taking part in within the fields to kabaddi and ‘seven stones’.
The youngsters have a alternative of three programs – Bhakti Vriksha, Bhakti Shastri, and Bhakti Vaibhav, mentioned Charan Das. “These three programs take about 10 years every. Primarily based on their curiosity in additional programs, they are going to be despatched to the Vedic college in Salem, Tamil Nadu. ” Nevertheless, it’s as much as a scholar to decide on between larger programs or a job, Charan Das mentioned.
Rising curiosity
The residents of Kurmagram should not involved about what occurs exterior their ashram, however they get a gradual stream of reports from guests, whose numbers have been rising because the village’s fame has unfold. Tons of come on weekdays, and hundreds on Sundays. TOI discovered guests from Telangana and different coastal Andhra districts on the ashram.
Narottam Das mentioned they’ve been preaching spirituality and spreading Vedic information within the villages surrounding their ashram. “Hundreds of individuals visiting the ashram and gurukul are taught religious information and Krishna Consciousness. ” The outsiders are allowed to remain on the ashram in the event that they abide by its rules. Visiting households and the celibate devotees are housed individually.
Some overseas devotees have additionally made Kurmagram their house. Born in Argentina and an Italian citizen now, Rupa Ragunath Swami Maharaj began visiting India greater than 40 years in the past in 1978. He was in Kurmagram to ship a non secular discourse when TOI visited.
A Russian nationwide, who has taken the title Nruhari Das, has change into a everlasting resident of the village. “The traditional Vedic information has introduced me to this land. Individuals following the religious path don’t want to fret about something because the requirements arising from their austere way of life are fulfilled by nature itself,” he mentioned.