Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Rajkot Sansthan, commonly known as Rajkot Gurukul or Swaminarayan Gurukul, is a Hindu religious and educational organization with headquarters in Rajkot, Gujarat.[1] The organization is within the Laxmi Narayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday.[2]
The goal of the organization is to spread the Sadvidya (true education) that was championed by Bhagwan Swaminarayan.[3] The organization also aims to teach Indiancultural heritage through branches around the world. Its major branches in India include Rajkot, Junagadh, Surat, Poicha (Nilkanthdham), Hyderabad, Taravada, Bangalore, Gulbarga, Ahmedabad, Bidar, Jadcherla, Mysore, Nagpur, NTPC Lara, Navi Mumbai, Secunderabad, Raipur, Solapur, Suryapet, Vidyanagar, Vijayawada.[4][5] Its international branches include Dallas, Paramus (New Jersey) and Atlanta, all in the United States.[6]
The organization was established in 1947 in Rajkot by Shastriji Maharaj[1][7] with support from Pujya Purani Swami, Shree Premprakashdasji Swami, Pujya Mugat Swami, Shree Nitrannamuktadasji Swami, and Tribhuvan Gaurishankar Vyas. The organization started teaching on June 16, 1948, with seven students in a rented house in Rajkot. The foundation stone of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul at Rajkot was laid on November 5, 1948.
In 1974, Shastriji Maharaj gave the administrative duties of the organization to its current leader, Guruvarya Shri Devkrushnadasji Swami.[8]
The word Gurukul is combination of two Sanskrit words: "Guru", meaning teacher or master, and "Kula" meaning 'abode'.[11][12]
Swaminarayan Gurukul provides three types of education: Vidya (Modern Science), Sadvidya (Traditional Education), and Brahmvidya (Spiritual Education).[13]
Vidya – modern education
Modern education (including science and technology) includes the aspects of knowledge, curiosity, creativity, leadership, and dynamism (adapting to the changes on the move).[13]
Sadvidya – traditional education
Traditional education includes the values and ethics found in Indian culture and history. These values include: