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Filling in the gap for priests and purohitas

From the Bhakti List Archives

Bharadwaj, Jaganath • November 13, 1997 


A very eloquent case has been made for filling the posts of priests and
purohitas.  Not only is there a shortage of priests over here, but also
in India itself.  This is because of the lure of material education.  

To fill this gap Sri Ahobila Mutt has had a school in Madurantakam since
the 40s that trains people in both Vedic and secular training.  People
from any tradition, Vadagalai, Tengalai, Smartha or Madhwa are accepted
in the school.  They are trained in Vedas and all other subjects.  The
education is FREE and they are given a stipend of Rs 50,000/- upon
graduation.  They are not required to change their faith e.g. from
Smartha to Vaishnava etc, but can continue to follow their "dharma" and
perform priestly activities in their communities.

The expense of maintaining this school is met completely from VOLUNTARY
DONATIONS.  This of course is not an answer to the immediate
requirements of priests here.  However we can do our bit to ensure that
our children etc do not face this problem.  Anyone wishing to contribute
to the maintenance of this school may send a donation to:

Sri Ahobila Muth, Inc
1908 Preswood Drive
Hixson, TN 37343.

adiyen
jaganath.