Bala Vihar
Q. What is Bala Vihar?
Bala Vihar is a spiritual platform where children from Kindergarten through High School come together to learn, experience and exhibit/practice the values and the teachings of Vedanta and the Hindu culture.
Q. What is the purpose of conducting Bala Vihar classes?
The main aim of conducting Bala Vihar classes is to help children bloom, grow and inculcate strong physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual values.
This is done…
By instilling in our children and youth a reverence for ancient culture and by inspiring them to live up to it with correct understanding.
By creating self-confidence in our children to serve and act cheerfully.
By generating in them self-discipline, dynamic leadership and true affection in all their contacts with others.
By providing an atmosphere that promotes the growth of noble ideals in order to attract healthy emotions and nurtures physical discipline.
Q. Who conducts the Bala Vihar classes?
Bala Vihar classes are conducted by volunteers (Sevaks and Sevikas), who, despite their busy personal and professional lives, take time off to undergo training and share their knowledge with children of different age groups. They also strive to inspire children to practice the mission’s expectation of ‘being good and doing good’.
Q. What do children learn in Bala Vihar?
Bala Vihar is an interactive, fun-loving, value-based system of education where children learn the beauty and the essence of the ancient Hindu Scriptures like the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Bhagavatham and the Puranas through stories, shlokas, bhajans, games and activities.
They also learn to carefully de-code the message of love, compassion and nobility hidden in some of the most profound stories of Bala Ramayana and Krishna Leela and to apply them in their day-to-day lives.
They are also taught the importance and the significance of some of the popular Hindu festivals like Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Shivaratri etc.
Q. What is the structure of a regular Bala Vihar class like?
Though Bala Vihar classes are a great place to make like-minded friends and have unlimited fun, self -discipline and respect to one and all forms the core principle of every Bala Vihar class.
Children begin the class by chanting the Shanti Mantra, reciting parts of the daily prayers, singing Bhajans, chanting Vedic shlokas,yoga, playing value-building games and making themselves comfortable for story time. They also take small breaks in-between to share their little tidbits, crack a joke or sometimes act silly and just be kids. Classes are typically 90mins with breaks.
Q. Why should one send their child to Bala Vihar Classes?
Character-building begins in childhood, but given our fast-paced life, the absence of the ancient Gurukula system and the decline of the joint-family system, children of Indian heritage are rarely exposed to the beauty and greatness of our Hindu culture.
Bala Vihar offers a modern-day alternative in which loving Sevaks and Sevikas teach children what they ought of know about the Hindu culture in a fun way with the love of a parent, the doting of a grandparent and the discipline of a teacher.
Q. Are there any additional Classes offered?
Yes, children can learn to chant different stotrams in Stuti Vandana Class and we also offer Bhagvad Gita Chanting Classes. You can find more information HERE
Q. are there any festival celebrations and cultural events?
Some select festivals are celebrated at Chinmaya Gangotri.: Navratri/ Garba, Diwali, Shivratri, Holi, Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti and Gurudev Jayanti. Some are celebrated with pujas and prasad lunches and open to family and friends and others are on a smaller scale. During each of these celebrations the children will learn the significance of the special day and may do activities around it in class. Parents are encouraged to volunteer & invite friends & families. Community Picnics on Mothers’ Day and Fathers’ Day provide an opportunity for the families to come together and celebrate.