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The main gate of the Gurukul, with saffron flags and a tree-lined avenue

About the Gurukul

More than a century of Vedic education in Haridwar, rooted in the vision of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati.

Our history

Founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhanand

Gurukul Kangri was founded in 1902 by Swami Shraddhanand to revive the ancient gurukul tradition of learning, inspired by the teachings of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati.

The Vidyalaya is the school wing of Gurukul Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar. Students live and learn on campus under the care of their teachers, as students did in the ashrams of old.

The school does not receive any state grant or aid. It runs on the traditional ashram system, and students from most states of India study here.

Portraits of Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and Swami Shraddhanand with the Gurukul emblem

Our vision

Learned, strong and self-reliant citizens

We aim to give students a sound education in ancient Vedic Sanskrit and the modern sciences, in a pure and peaceful environment, so that they grow into learned, principled, strong, patriotic and self-reliant citizens.

  • Knowledge
  • Character
  • Discipline
  • Service
  • Patriotism

Our alumni

Graduates who make the Gurukul proud

Since its founding, Gurukul Kangri graduates have served with distinction in India and abroad. Today, after Class 12, our students go on to study:

In yoga especially, Gurukul students are spreading the practice across India and around the world.

  • Engineering
  • MBBS
  • BAMS
  • B.Pharm
  • Yoga Science
  • Hotel Management
  • BA (Hons)
Principal Dr. Vijendra Shastri at work in his office

Principal's message

Gurukul education is a workshop for shaping a child

A progressing nation makes many plans. Machines do our work, computers and mobile phones reach every home, roads grow wider and buildings taller, and we start to believe we have developed. But where is the person for whom all this is done? What is our plan for him?

If the person who enjoys these comforts is not honest, not cultured and not moved by the suffering of others, what use are all our inventions and our growth?

The most important feature of Gurukul education is the attention it gives to each student's daily routine, in order to build character. From waking at Brahma-muhurta to sleeping at night, every moment is planned: study, meals, sport and prayer. A child disciplined in this way from an early age builds a character strong enough to carry him through life.

Gurukul education aims to make students healthy, strong and radiant in body, and determined, virtuous and wise in mind and spirit. Along with their intellect, their moral standards stay high, and our graduates go on to build a good society and a strong nation.

The future of your children is safe in your hands, and the decision is yours.

Dr. Vijendra Shastri

Principal · M.A. (Sanskrit), B.Ed., Ph.D.

Student life

How the Gurukul cares for its students

  • Children join from Class 6 and grow up under the care of devoted teachers, away from the distractions of city life.

  • The Gurukul provides all food and lodging. Meals are sattvik and vegetarian: one education, one meal, one seat and equal treatment for all.

  • Students study English, History, Geography, Mathematics, Science, Hindi, Sanskrit, Dharma Shiksha, Biology, Computers and Commerce, and Yoga is a core subject.

  • Two-storey Brahmacharya Ashrams with modern facilities, clean and spacious classrooms and a dining hall, and open playgrounds.

  • Each class has a dean who oversees its routine, and the ashram is run under the head of the ashram.

  • Parents may visit once every two months. Children go home only in special circumstances.

  • Regular Saraswati Yatra study tours, and practice in Sanskrit and English speech.

Daily routine

A day at the Gurukul

The day begins before dawn. Here is the timetable every brahmachari follows.

  1. Wake up at Brahma-muhurta

  2. Exercise & yoga

  3. Self-study

  4. Sandhya & Havan

  5. Breakfast

  6. School: first session

  7. Lunch & rest

  8. School: second session

  9. Games & sports

  10. Evening Sandhya & Havan

  11. Homework & study

  12. Dinner

  13. Lights out