What is Bala Vihar?

In Bala Vihar, the rich cultural heritage of India, including moral values, are taught to children and youth at different levels, using the medium of stories, drama, arts, crafts and discussion. Children are also taught popular Bhajans and Shlokas. 

In promoting and teaching the universal philosophy of Oneness (Advaita Vedanta), children are made to understand that although Hinduism may appear to have many Gods, the Truth (God) is the one ultimate Reality, and thus it is one God appearing as many forms.

Chinmaya Bala Vihar Curriculum includes various devotional, philosophical & ethical texts and topics, focusing in the early years on developing love for God, in the elementary years on learning & practicing value based living, and in the teenage years on understanding spirituality and fundamental Vedantic principles. The syllabus covers topics and texts from Hinduism's Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas. It is child-friendly and taught on age-appropriate levels.

Purpose

• Instill in our children and youth a reverence for ancient culture and to inspire them to live up to it with correct understanding.

• Create self-confidence so that they are able to serve others.

• Generate personal discipline, dynamic leadership, and true affection in all their contacts.

• Develop a healthy resistance against temptations in the environment in which they grow.

Curriculum

Dhruva: Kindergarten

Text Book:Alphabet Safari
Simple values like aspiration, brotherhood, cleanliness, etc. are taught through animal stories and coloring. Through simple hands-on activities and demonstrations, children learn that just because something is not seen does mean it is not there! Hence, the need to fix our mind.
Shlokas:Daily Prayers, Chinmaya Mission Pledge,Sankatanasana Ganesastotram
Sevaks: Veena Kumar

Prahalada: Grades 1 and 2

Text Book: SHRI HANUMAN THE SUPERMAN
“Have a backbone like a ruler and rule the world.”This metaphor describes the foundation of this class as students learn from the Lord’s great devotee, Hanumanji. The values of courage, strength, fearlnessness, alertness, and eloquence are highlighted as those that make our backbone strong. Through these qualities, children are shown how they can develop a majestic personality and how, through discipline, they can earn merits in the world. Students study Hanuman Chalisa and its beautiful meaning, and they, in turn, will teach their parents
Shlokas: Invocation, Daily Prayers, Hanuman Chalisa

Sevak: Neeharika Muniraju, Raji Arora

Nachiketa: Grades 3 and 4

Text Book: BALA BHAGAVATAM

Thousands of years ago, King Parikshit heard Shrimad Bhagavatam from Shukadev. Bhagavatam MahaPurana is considered to be among the purest of our scriptures since it invokes devotion to Lord Vishnu, through His incarnations. Bala Bhagavatam guides young minds through the stories of Lord Vishnu. They learn to own up to their actions and to ask for what they need and not what they always want. Even at this young age, the content from this class teaches the children what is meant by Dharma and how we can all live responsibly and meet our potential.
Shlokas: Guru Stotram, Madhurashtakam

Sevak: Dhanya Limaye, Vaibhav Shastry

Aruni: Grades 5 and 6

Text Book: PO BOX MR GOD

This text, along with the other text taught- Key to Success two texts have been developed from Ramacaritamanasa composed by Sri Tulasidasa, God, who is Omnipresent” where do I find Him in the world, what are His addresses? As the topic is taught, children understand that each one of us is His address and we can find Him within us, if We learn how to live out life full of love and kindness to all. Emphasis is on the mind and how a disciplined mind achieves happiness and peace.
Shlokas: Rama Stotram, Guru Paduka Stotram, Shree Ganga Stotram

Sevak:‍ ‍Bulbul Pandit

Shri Rama: Grades 7 and 8

Text Book: YATO DHARMA TATO YAYAH
The main theme, as the title Yato Dharmah Tato Jayah suggests is to teach children that where there is Dharma, there is victory and to gain victory in life, one must follow Dharma. The text dives deep into teaching what is Dharma, how to live by Dharma, along with the story of Mahabharata and a comparative analysis of the main characters and their Dharma in the epic. The goal of life and how we are the architect of our own future is explained through the Law of Karma. Two unique activities-charting and keeping a vigilance of our speech, and setting Dharma Thermostat of different values-are done throughout the year to facilitate the learning of introspection .
Shlokas: Guru Paduka Stotram,Vaidika Aarti

Sevak: Meera Mahenthiran

Chinmaya: Grades 9-12

Text Book: Gita For Me

Bhagavad Gita discussion at the level of high school children. The essence of Bhagavad Gita is provided through interactive discussion of the teachings and how they can be applied to achieve both a successful and a peaceful life. A number of classroom activities are conducted to help the children reflect on their choices in everyday situations they face today in high school, and challenges they anticipate in college life away from their families.

High school students are encouraged to volunteer in community and social service activities with the goal of preparing today’s youth to be responsible and successful adults of tomorrow.
Shlokas: Taittriya Upanishad,Bhagvad Gita Dhyana Shlokas

Sevak: Shri Dhiren Khatri, Ashwin Prabhu