Prahalada Gurukula is the brainchild of Sri Vishwaprasanna Theerta Swamiji, the junior pontiff of Pejawar Math, one of the eight Udupi Mathas. It is situated right behind the Pejawar Matha. Started in 1998 with an intention to impart value-based education to young children, the gurukula focuses on the rich cultural heritage of India as embodied in ancient scriptures like the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The gurukula provides students an opportunity to learn Sanskrit early in life.
Along with religious and spiritual education, the gurukula follows the Karnataka State Education Department syllabi and the medium of instruction is Kannada. Right now, classes are only up to the 6th standard but efforts are on to extend up to the 10th standard. In all, there are about 100 students, including a few day scholars.
Boarding and lodging is free of cost. Besides no fee is collected from the students enrolled here. Admission, however, is limited to only 20 students per year owing to financial constraints, according to the Swamiji. The day starts early at gurukula with students waking up as early as 5 am for prathasthotra, sandyavandane, prayers and ganji oota (a breakfast of rice gruel).
Classes begin at 9 am and conclude at 5 pm. Between 5 and 6 pm the students are taken out on a study tour. On Saturdays and Sundays, Bannanje Narayana trains the students in Yakshagana. There are six full time students, one headmaster, one warden and six retired teachers who work on part time basis.
Most of them render service for free.
The school boasts of a unique blend of the modern and traditional, where students are taught religious texts as well as computer education. Besides spiritual and academic training, students also receive training in personality development. They are taught yoga, classical music, and swimming. Once a year, the students get an opportunity to exhibit their talent at Sri Krishna Math’s Rajangana Hall. After completing their studies, students have the option of choosing a professional line, or purohitya or carrying on their higher studies in Vedas.
By combining the best of the modern and the tradition, the gurukula is setting a fine example for other educational institutions to follow.