Singing and dancing to religious songs takes place every morning and evening

Ashram Life

Built picturesquely on a hillside leading down to the banks of the Narmada River, is the ashram (a community formed for spiritual upliftment) named Mata Anandamayi Tapo Bhumi. The 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.

 

Within the ashram lies a hostel which accommodates 35 boys from the school; some are orphans, other live at the ashram due to conditions at home. The boys live a full, happy and healthy life within the ashram following a spiritual schedule of yoga, study, social service and attendance of worship services at the ashram.

 

Each day begins at 05:00 with joyous singing and prayers during which the Swamis and boys take a short walk down to the river to pray at the sacred Narmada River.

 

After returning they perform yoga, meditation and have a period of prayers and chanting before school begins promptly at 07:30. The children then break for lunch at 11:00; this usually consists of roti (unleavened flatbread), subgee (a curried dish to accompany, usually being lentils, potatoes or chickpeas) and rice with dal (a preparation of dried beans). Classes then continue until 14:00 when school ends.

 

After school, a game of cricket is guaranteed to erupt on the playground; students, teachers and Swamis all play whilst langur monkeys gather to watch. Once the match is decided, the volleyball net goes up until poor light stops play.

 

The evening agenda starts at 19:00 with prayers, singing and dancing. This goes on until 20:00 when a religious fable is read, followed by one or two more songs and then a period of meditation. The day concludes with a healthy dinner similar to lunch.

 

The daily routine never changes – you can generally set your watch by the gongs announcing dinner or prayer sessions. Day-to-day life at the ashram can be tiring but is also hugely uplifting and extremely comforting at the same time.

 

Ashram life is wonderfully simple – superficial stresses of western society do not exist; overcomplicated western lives are bought back to simple needs and satisfied by simple pleasures.

Volleyball match as the sun sets

Omkareshwar Teaching Project

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