Ashram
Template:Short description Template:About
An ashram<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Template:Langx, Template:IAST) is a spiritual hermitage or a monastery in Hinduism.<ref name="Swahananda1990">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Dreuille1999">Template:Cite book</ref>
Etymology
The Sanskrit noun Template:IAST is a thematic nominal derivative from the root Template:IAST 'toil' (< PIE *ḱremh2, Template:Confer śramaṇa) with the prefix Template:IAST 'towards.'<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> An ashram is a place where one strives towards a goal in a disciplined manner. Such a goal could be ascetic, spiritual, yogic or any other.<ref name="Johnston2000p94">Template:Cite book</ref>
Overview
An ashram would traditionally, but not necessarily in contemporary times, be located far from human habitation, in forests or mountainous regions, amidst refreshing natural surroundings conducive to spiritual instruction and meditation. The residents of an ashram regularly performed spiritual and physical exercises, such as the various forms of yoga. Other sacrifices and penances, such as yajnas, were also performed.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Many ashrams also served as gurukulas, residential schools for children under the guru-shishya tradition.
Sometimes, the goal of a pilgrimage to the ashram was not tranquility, but instruction in some art, especially warfare. In the Ramayana, the princes of ancient Ayodhya, Rama, and Lakshmana, go to Vishvamitra's ashram to protect his yajnas from being defiled by emissary-demons of Ravana. After they prove their mettle, the princes receive martial instruction from the sage, especially in the use of divine weapons. In the Mahabharata, Krishna, in his youth, goes to the ashram of Sandipani to gain knowledge of both intellectual and spiritual matters.Template:Citation needed
Schools in Maharashtra
Boarding schools, especially in the tribal areas of Maharashtra and elsewhere in India, are called ashram shala or ashram schools. One such school is the Lok Biradari Prakalp Ashram Shala.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the West
A number of ashrams have been established outside India. Typically, these ashrams are connected to Indian lineages,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> focus on imparting Yoga-related teachings, often in residential retreats, and are headed by spiritual teachers (Indians or Western).
Gallery
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Sabarmati Ashram, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed -
Sevagram Ashram -
Ashram with folk architectural elements with wood and bamboo roof -
Arshram in Sabarmati -
Sabarmati Ashram with folk architectural elements; stone floors and wood and lime-plaster walls -
Wooden rafters in ashram -
Small ashram hut in Sabramati -
Ashram at Sabramati with verandha -
Acharjya Binoba Bhabe's kutira at Sabaramati Ashram -
Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, the headquarters of Divine Life Society, founded by Sivananda Saraswati in 1936 -
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