What’s new in the Prarthana Varga?
The past year has witnessed the Prarthana Varga undergo a ‘manthan’, a churning, a change in the curriculum, ignited by our beloved Mathadhipati’s Vision to engage our children in the discovery of our roots, our heritage in more appealing ways!
Here is Shilpa Mudur, member of the Prarthana Varga Core Committee responding to some questions on the new Prarthana Varga curriculum… (April 2025)
How did the new Prarthana Varga curriculum evolve?
The new Prarthana Varga curriculum evolved based on Pujya Swamiji’s Vision to have uniform Prarthana Varga content across all centres, incorporating the use of audio-visual elements to engage children better and also increase participation and attendance.
The Prarthana Varga curriculum aims to:
Strengthen children’s bond with our Chitrapur Math, Guru, and Guruparampara.
Foster a sense of identity as Chitrapur Saraswats and build community ties.
Instil pride and awareness of our cultural heritage.
This was implemented in Bharat from August 2024, soon after Gurupurnima.
What are some key features of this curriculum?
Some key features of the new curriculum are:
Video-Based Learning: Lessons begin with videos introducing topics like festivals, rituals, values, our Math and holy Guruparampara through stories.
Anulekhana (Scope for Reflection): Students independently write key takeaways from the video lesson in their notebooks. This record is not critiqued by the teacher as it aims to gradually promote self-reflection and self-appraisal in children.
Keyword Reinforcement: Important session keywords are displayed for better retention and future revision.
Quizzes and Role-Play: Fun quizzes and role-play activities to enhance understanding and engagement.
Vimarsha (Thinking Activity): Teachers encourage critical thinking through thought-provoking discussions.
Cultural Activities: Include stotra recitations, bhajan singing, and hands-on festival-related activities.
Exercise and Well-Being: Sessions integrate physical exercises, breathing techniques, and discussions on health and nutrition.
Konkani and Sanskrit: Videos are primarily in Konkani, with Sanskrit words integrated to enhance language familiarity.
Parental Involvement: Parents receive emails about each session and are encouraged to participate in home activities with their children.
How has the response from children and parents been?
The new curriculum has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Children eagerly await video sessions and hands-on activities, while parents appreciate the structured and engaging approach. Overall, the revised curriculum has enhanced the learning experience in Prarthana Varga, making it more effective and appealing. Its successful implementation can be attributed to the efforts of an enthusiastic team of teachers well supported by Yuvas.
Any challenges faced and how have those been overcome?
Initial challenges included training teachers in digital tools and engaging young children alongside older ones. Tech-savvy Yuvadhara members provided support, ensuring smooth technology integration. An enthusiastic Yuva team developed a Learning Management System for content access and reporting. To keep young children engaged, teachers use hands-on activities like colouring and clay modelling. For them, the focus is on memorizing shlokas, stotras, and bhajans while passively absorbing values through videos.
REPORT FROM OVERSEAS
A peek into our Prarthana Varga centres across the world - Australia-New Zealand, Chicago, New Jersey, Cupertino, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Archana Hattangadi, Prarthana Varga Reporting Team member, shares highlights from reports sent to the Chitrapur Prarthana Office from our centres overseas…
The 6 NRI Prarthana Varga-s, led by 14 teachers with over 40 enrolled children, conduct sessions with enthusiasm. Key events from June 2024 to January 2025 included:
H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji III’s birthday commemoration across centres, featuring Manasa Pooja demonstrations, Samuhik Sadhana via online media, and Guru Pujan performed by PV parents and teachers.
Guru Purnima celebrations with online performances of shlok pathan and bhajans.
Seemollanghan satsang with shloka pathan, aarti, and naivedya.
H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji’s 60th birthday commemoration marked by Guru Pujan, bhajan singing, virtual card-making, and video contributions for the Shashtyabdapurti celebration at Karla
Parents are an integral part of the NRI Prarthana Varga. As most of the teachers are parents, they ensure that Prarthana Varga is conducted regularly and also ensure optimal attendance of children.
Various methods/media are used for making the sessions interesting:
· Videos from the Shri Chitrapur Math website (like Swami-s of Chitrapur, Kaavya Katha series, Kallolah)
· Little Ravikiran ‘Vichaar Koryaan’
· The book -Utsava
Prarthana Varga plays a vital role in connecting children to their Saraswat roots—Math, culture, festivals and language. Key initiatives include:
Teaching various shlokas and stotras, including Bhagavad Gita recitations and Shiva Manasa Pooja.
Swami-s of Chitrapur videos to introduce children to our Math and Guruparampara.
Vimarsha sessions on shlokas and stories to encourage critical thinking and expression.
Amchigele language activities through games like Antakshari.
Introduction to Math rituals like Sadhana Panchakam, Jalabhishek, and Devi Pujan.
Storytelling from Puranas to instil the right values.
Bhajan singing during classes and festivals.
Festival celebrations with traditional naivedya.
Reading the Math calendar and learning Sanskrit through Kallolah series and Girvanapratistha.
Introduction to Guru Pujan and discussions on Hindu current affairs like the Mahakumbh at Prayagraj.
Bringing together Bhanap families settled abroad.
With 24 centres across India and abroad, around 194 children, and 59 teachers, Prarthana Varga continues to be a boon for Aamchi families!
We humbly offer all Prarthana activities at the Lotus Feet of HH Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji whose foresight, constant guidance and Anugraha forever inspire the extremely grateful and fast-growing Prarthana Varga family!
Virtual birthday card done for H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji’s Shashtyabdipurti Utsava-
H.H. Shrimat Parijnanashram Swamiji III
Shankarashram Swamiji’s Shashtyabdipurti Utsava