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Program Duration

200 Hours | 6 Months

Fee Structure

INR 11,800 | USD 180

Program Overview

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Introduction

The principles of life and living demonstrated in Sanatana Dharma underpins a grand vision towards complete human unfoldment. It empowers one with purpose in life and presents us with the big picture revealing the true nature of this world and everything around us. In culmination, we realize our own true nature as well. All of us have knowingly or unknowingly started our journey towards the perfection of our human existence. The eternal principles laid down by the great sages of India can guide us individually, irrespective of our place, gender or culture and accentuate this process.


About this course

Hinduism is the oldest and still-practiced religion in the world. It paved the foundation for many great philosophies and spiritual traditions. This course provides an opportunity to take a look comprehensively into the wisdom of the great ancient sages, by familiarizing you with traditions, literatures, cultures and philosophies. Here we introduce these various aspects of Hinduism, and enable you with a better understanding of this culture.


By the end of the course you will

By completing the course, the student will get a birds-eye view of Hinduism, one of the major religions of the world. She / he will be aware of the main texts, traditions, and philosophical schools of Hinduism. She / he will be able to use the ancient spiritual and philosophical wisdom in personal and social realms.

swami amrita swaroopanda puri 2020

Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri

Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri is the Vice-Chairman of the Mata Amritanandamayi Math and President of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University). He is the head disciple of renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader Amma, Satguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. He has been living in Amritapuri Ashram since its inception in the late 1970s. He holds a Master’s in Philosophy and is a renowned author.

Sankara Swami

Swami Sankaraamritananda Puri

Swami Sankaraamritananda Puri is a senior disciple of Sadguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. He joined Mata Amritanandamayi Math in 1991. He is an ayurvedic physician by profession with MD in Kayachikitsa. He currently servers as Professor in the Department of Kayachikitsa, and is the Dean of Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri. Swami Sankaraamritananda Puri takes active participation in various activities initiated by Mata Amritanandamayi Math and has been given charge of Madurai Brahmasthanam. He has traveled to Germany, Switzerland and Spain to promote Ayurveda and Indian philosophy. He has conducted many workshops and seminars in various important Ayurvedic topics. He is a teacher, physician and scholar in Indian philosophy. His interpretation of Lalithasahasranama is being aired in television. This series has completed approximately 900 episodes. Besides Ayurveda, his main areas of interest are Bhagavadgita, Lalitasahasranama and Soundaryalahari.

Swami Amritageetananda Puri

Swami Amritageetananda Puri

Pujya Swami Amritageetananda Puri is one of the Senior Sannyasi disciples of Sadguru Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Dev. He joined Amma’s Ashram in the year 1986. Swamiji has learnt the Indian Scriptures – Vedanta Shastra before joining Amma’s Ashram, and has taught Vedanta classes for the Ashram inmates till 2004. He has been serving as the head of Amma’s Ashram at Bangalore for the past 17 years, and continues to lead till date.

kapil kapoor

Dr Kapil Kapoor

He is an Indian scholar of linguistics and literature. He serves on the executive council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, the High Level Committee IKS, and the PM’s 75th year Amrut Mahostav Committee, all within the Ministry of Education of India. He also serves as the National Archives’ Indian Historical Records Committee’s editing committee chairperson. He formerly served as the Chairman and Chancellor at IIAS and MHRD. He held the position of Professor of several linguistic subjects like English and Sanskrit at JNU and was a visiting professor at Irish Academy of Cultural Heritages. He received nominations from several universities and committees like Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), Shimla Governing Body and Monitoring and Planning Committee of the Central University of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath. His works include encyclopaedias, of which he was editor in chief of the 11-volume Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, which was recently published in January 2012, and the chief editor of the Sahitya Akademi-sponsored Encyclopaedia of Two Indian Poetics, a UNESCO project, which is currently being published. An Anthology of Indo-Irish Writings is just one of the many books he has written. He authored Abhinavagupta Manuscripts and Files, UNESCO Intangible Heritage Project and several other books. Few of the earlier works by him include Literary Theory, Indian Conceptual Framework, Language, Literature and Linguistics. The Indian Perspective and South Asian Love Poetry.

subhash kak

Dr Subash Kak

Dr Subhash Kak is Regents Professor Emeritus at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater and a Distinguished Academic Scholar at Chapman University in California. He is the author of twenty books that include Mind and Self, The Wishing Tree, The Astronomical Code of the Rgveda, and Matter and Mind. He has written extensively on the social impacts of AI and he was member of a committee set up by SRI International to determine if computers in the future will become conscious. He is a member of Indian Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) since 2018.

swamy atmananda puri

Swami Atmananda Puri

After completing his Engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics in 1990, he joined the ashram in 1993, and has been with Amma for almost 30 years now. He started conducting spiritual retreats twenty years ago, in Europe, in the year 2000 and 2001. From 2011 he started visiting Australia and New Zealand. Later from 2018 he has been traveling to Singapore and Mauritius too. The main focus of these programs are spiritual talks and meditation retreats. Today he has over two decades of experience guiding students in meditation and in leading spiritual retreats.

manoj gundana 1

Dr Manoj Gundanna

He is an Archaeologist by profession, and a researcher on temple architecture. He earned his MA and PhD degrees in Ancient History and Archaeology from Manasa Gangotri, University of Mysore. He is also a resource person for Archaeological Survey of India. Dr. Manoj’s research work focuses on the study of ancient Dravidian temple architecture based on traditional agamas and vastugranthas besides the study of sculptures and iconography based on ancient Sanskrit texts. He has presented more than 75 research papers both in English and Kannada at various seminars and symposia. He has delivered lectures on Archeology, Music and Puranic literature in various institutions, religious organizations and to students of the Universities of Guelph, Mt Allison, and Concordia besides various universities and colleges of Karnataka. One of his books, Devalaya Vastu Vijnana (Kannada), is a reference book on Dravidian temple architecture for post- graduate students of History and Archaeology. Dr. Manoj’s interests include Kannada and Sanskrit literature, Inscription and Manuscripts. A multi linguist, Manoj has deep interest in Carnatic classical music. Planet Prayers, a trilingual commentary on navagrahakrithis of Muthuswami Dikshitar and Siddhi Vinayakam Sada Bhajeham, an exposition in English on Muthuswami Dikshitar krithis on Mahaganapathy are among his well-acclaimed books.

sachinmayamrita chaitanya

Br. Sachinmayamrita Chaitanya

He is a brahmachari at the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, where he has been living since 2000. He is from the United States. He is a long-time student of Vedanta and Sanskrit. He is also fond of Western Philosophy and literature. He has been graced to have travelled extensively with Amma over the years. He has delivered lectures on Vedanta at various meditation retreats and other ashram programs held both in Amritapuri and abroad.

Brahmachari Atmaniratamrita Chaitanya

Brahmachari Atmaniratamrita Chaitanya

Brahmachari Atmaniratamrita Chaitanya started volunteering for Amma in Bengaluru, in 1991. After his graduation he actively involved himself in Amma’s activities across Karnataka. He joined Ashram in 2003. He travels extensively throughout Karnataka, giving various talks and discourses on Sanatana Dharma and spearheads many humanitarian projects in the villages there. His discourses primarily focus on Sri Shankaracharya’s works.

Br. Atmaprakasha Chaitanya

Br. Atmaprakasha Chaitanya

Brahmachari Atmaniratamrita Chaitanya started volunteering for Amma in Bengaluru, in 1991. After his graduation he actively involved himself in Amma’s activities across Karnataka. He joined Ashram in 2003. He travels extensively throughout Karnataka, giving various talks and discourses on Sanatana Dharma and spearheads many humanitarian projects in the villages there. His discourses primarily focus on Sri Shankaracharya’s works.

Brahmachari Mokshamrita Chaitanya

Brahmachari Mokshamrita Chaitanya

Brahmachari Mokshamrita Chaitanya is the disciple of Amma Sadgur Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. He is a graduate in Computer Science Engineering, and has extensive experience in the software field in India, USA and Canada. After joining Amma’s ashram, he worked for some time at Amrita University, and served as a faculty in the department of Computer Science and Cultural Education. He has authored many research papers in the areas of Wireless technology, Cybersecurity, Telematics and E-Learning. He currently serves as one of the national coordinators of AYUDH India. has authored several books on Mahabharata.

Sri Aravindan Neelakandan

Sri Aravindan Neelakandan

Sri Aravindan Neelakandan is a researcher and author, with deep focus on Indian Culture & History, Science and Philosophy of Science. His is the co-author of the best-selling work, ‘Breaking India – Western Interventions in Dravidian and Dalit Faultlines’. He has also authored other books in Tamil that explore culture, history, sc

anuradha essence hinduism

Anuradha Goyal 

Anuradha Goyal is the founder of IndiTales, a leading bi-lingual travel media portal where she documents her global travels in words, audio, and video formats with a focus on ancient India. She is also the author of Lotus in The Stone – Sacred Geography In Eternal India (2020), Unusual Temples of India (2020), Cave Temples – From Pre-Historic to Modern Times (2021), Bharat Ke Anokhe Mandir (2020), and The Mouse Charmers – Digital Pioneers of India (2014), translator of Ayodhya Mahatmya (2021) from Skanda Purana and, co-editor of Navaratri – When Devi Comes Home (2021), co-author of India Innovates Series for CII. She curated India’s first Yatra conference aiming to revive the age-old traditions of pilgrimage in India. She studies the intersection of her three prime interests – Business Innovation, travel, and Indic Knowledge, by writing about them in books, blogs, and columns.

Prof. K S Radhakrishnan Ph.D

Prof. K S Radhakrishnan, Ph.D

K S Radhakrishnan is a noted writer, orator, academician and thinker. He has served as Kerala PSC chairman, Vice Chancellor of Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University and Reader at Ernakulam Maharajas College. He has more than 30 years of teaching experience at postgraduate level. His specialization is in Advaita Philosophy and the Philosophy of Science. He has authored several books on Mahabharata.

Dr. Mugdha Gadgil

Dr. Mugdha Gadgil

Dr. Mugdha Gadgil is Associate Professor, Department of Sanskrit & Prakrit, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. After completing her M.A (specialization in Sanskrit) with a gold medal, she qualified for NET in 1998 and went on to complete her PhD in 2008. She has also secured a diploma in German language as well. She has been teaching undergraduate and post-graduate students for 25 years and has worked in many prestigious institutes. She has authored 6 books, 33 research papers / book chapters, and has presented 35 times in National / International conferences.

Dr. R. Sathyanarayanan

Dr. R. Sathyanarayanan

Dr. R. Sathyanarayanan is Associate Professor, Ecole Francaise D’Extreme Orient (EFEO), Pondicherry. After getting the title Śiromani (Sāhitya) in Sanskrit literature from The Madras Sanskrit College in 1989, Sathyanarayanan completed his M.A. and M.Phil from the University of Madras in 1991 and 1992, respectively. He received gold medals and first rank in his Śiromani and also in M.A. He joined the Ecole Francaise D’Extreme Orient (French school of Asian studies), Pondicherry in October 1991. He obtained his doctoral degree on Ānandaraṅgacampū – A study and Translation from Pondicherry University in 2003. He currently works on the project – Critical edition and translation of ‘Siddhāntadīpikā of Rāmanātha – An Eleventh Century Śaiva Manual’. He has extensive experience working on ancient manuscripts, the various types, its cataloguing and preservation. He has several publications to his name, including Śaiva Rites of Expiation (Prāyaścittasamuccaya), Dhyānaratnāvalī and Pañcāvaraṇastava, of which he is the co-editor of the latter two. He is also engaged in preparing the critical edition of Ratnatrayaparīkṣā of Śrīkaṇṭhasūri along with the commentary Ulleknī of Aghoraśiva. He submitted many articles in national and international conferences and also has many publications to his credit.

Syllabus

Unit 1 : Introduction

Definition, synonyms and etymology, Basic history , Hindu worldview, Universality of Hinduism

Unit 2 : Fundamentals

Creation and creator, Karma and Janma, Purusharthas, Samsara and Moksha, Guru Parampara, concept of avatara

Unit 3 : Literature

Vedas, Upavedas, itihasa and Purana, Tantric literatures, Sutras, Bhakti and other regional spiritual literatures

Unit 4 : Philosophy

Upanishads, Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Yoga philosophy, Vedanta philosophies, Other philosophies

Unit 5 : Practical aspects

Celebrating the diversity – (Glimpse of diverse sects, sampradayas and rituals, festivals, holy places etc), Concept of Yajna and its practical aspects, Ecology, sustainability and Hinduism, Social and cultural implications, Hinduism in present and future

Program Duration

200 Hours | 6 Months

Faculty

Introduction to Hinduism
Brahmachari Achyutāmṛta Chaitanya, PhD.

Associate Professor, Amrita Darshanam

Introduction to Hinduism
Sivanandan D. S.

Asst. Professor, Amrita Darshanam

Introduction to Hinduism
Rupesh Kalesan

Asst. Professor, Amrita Darshanam

Introduction to Hinduism
Sooraj Rajendran

Faculty Associate, Amrita Darshanam

Introduction to Hinduism
Harikrishnan Venugopal

Faculty Associate, Philosophy Arts and Culture, Spiritual Studies, Amritapuri

Introduction to Hinduism
Sooraj Subrahmanyan

Faculty Associate, Amrita School of Spiritual and Cultural Studies

The Amrita
Accreditations & Rankings

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC),Government of India accredited our University with the topmost ‘A++’ grade. The Schools under the aegis of Amrita University have over 108 programmes in disciplines as diverse as Biotechnology, Engineering, Management, Medicine, Dentistry, Ayurveda, Pharmacy, Nanotechnology, Communication, Arts & Science and Education, providing our students with an outstanding training in our several campuses across multiple states. Needless to add, this multi-disciplinary character of our University facilitates a laudable synergy within our midst greatly enabling us all to derive maximum benefit from the expertise of each other. The Amrita AHEAD programs are WES accredited in the United States and Canada.
Amrita ranked 5th Best University in India- NIRF, Govt. of India

university in india
No 1 Private University in India
wes
WES accredited
amrita nirf ranking 2021 01
Govt of india, 2021, 5th best university in India
international faculty
No 1 International Faculty in India
amrita-naac-grade-2021-01.jpg
NAAC A++ Grade

Frequently Asked Questions

Academics

For Whom?
  1. Anyone who wants to explore Hinduism or gain a comprehensive knowledge of Sanatana Dharma.
  2. Teachers and students of Indian culture and civilization.
  3. Any Sanatana Dharma enthusiast who wants to imbibe this culture.
What are the benefits of enrolling into this course ?
  1. Familiarize yourself with Hinduism – its culture, philosophy and life perspectives.
  2. Begin your approach to the various schools of thought in Hinduism.
If we are unable to attend the live class can we get access to the sessions later ?

All course materials, including video, reading materials and recording of live sessions will be available until successful completion of course or stipulated time limits, whichever comes first.

Will the course materials be provided?

Yes

Will the sessions be uploaded on any platform after the session?

a) Recordings will be provided.

Does admission to the course mean perpetual access to the course contents?

No. Course contents will be available in the enrolled term

Do I get a certificate upon successful completion of the course?

Yes. A formal certificate from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham will be awarded upon successful completion.

Admissions

How do I apply?

It is a simple and easy process. You need to fill out our application form to apply.

How do I contact you?

You can contact us via Email, Call or WhatsApp. You can also chat with us through the chat window present on our website.

What is the medium of Instruction?

English

Is there an application fee?

No, there is no admission fee when you apply. It is free.

I’m an International Student, can I also apply?

Yes, International Students are welcome. Students with Foreign Education can also apply. Certificate is offered upon successful completion of the course.

Do you offer the same course later this year or in the next academic year?

Yes, the course will be offered again in April 2022 and September 2022

What is the Refund Policy of Amrita AHEAD Online Degree Program?

We follow UGC Regulations for a Refund :

  • 15 days or more prior to admissions closing date – 100% refund*
  • Within 15 days prior to the admission closing date – 90% refund
  • Within 15 days after the admission closing date – 80% refund
  • 15 days after the admission closing date – 50% Refund
  • 30 days after the admission closing date – No Refund

* A processing fee of 2000 will be deducted

Contact Us

+91 70251 51521

info.adonline@am.amrita.edu

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