Our Activities
01. School (Sri Matri Aurobindo Vidyalaya)
The Sri Matri Aurobindo Vidyalaya school – at the heart of Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir – cultivates a creative, inclusive environment where students excel academically, while flourishing intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually: a testament to the transformative power of holistic learning.
Our education ethos lies in peer-to-student guidance and teaching where the children learn from their elders, fostering empathy, leadership, and community. Directed by Veda and our teaching staff, many of whom have deep roots in the Ashram, our students – alongside their academic work – are imbued with the spiritual principles and values of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother. From 12 students in a mud hut, we have grown into a thriving institution with 120 students in a three-story building, teaching and training them to grow into lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and – above all – men and women of compassion.
02. Dairy Farm
Guruji’s early life in the mountains and pastures at Gulmi was spent among cows – even sleeping under them when it rained – the love for which he brought with him to the ashram in Kathmandu. At the base of the forest that stretches up and over the Chandragiri hills, the ashram provides a sanctuary for over 40 cows, each one treated with the utmost care and affection.
Our cows yield around 300 litres of milk a day, from which we create a diversity of products: anything from milk to ghee, cream, butter, yogurt, paneer, and buttermilk. More than merely wholesome, healthy dairy products for the ashramis, they also embody the principles of rural simplicity and purity that we hold dear.
A key part of our ashram family community is the art of cow-care. So, the cowshed – which is wholly maintained by the students – is a living classroom, where hands-on experience with our cows instils a sense of responsibility, compassion, and a significant connection with nature.
Sustainability is a new catchword in the West, but the Himalayan farmers – from whose ranks Guruji came – always farmed sustainably, within the cycles of nature. The grass that feeds our cows is cultivated at the ashram, and the compost produced is used as natural fertilizer for the farm.
We sell surplus milk and other products in Kathmandu, helping to make us self sufficient. Every rupee ever generated goes towards maintaining the ashram and the school for the children, and for their education often beyond the ashram.
03. Incense Department
The incense department – producing handmade, herbal incense – is our oldest department, and a cornerstone of our community. Guruji made incense at the Sri Aurobindo ashram in Pondicherry, a skill he brought back with him to Nepal. Made from aromatic plant-based materials – resins, barks, seeds, roots, and flowers – the incense is wholly natural. Often, walking round the ashram, you will come across a soothing spiritual waft of incense, reminding you of the ashram’s svarupa, or essential spiritual form.
Our collection of incense aromas and fragrances includes:
- Sandalwood, known for its calming and grounding effects.
- Jatamansi, which promotes relaxation and mental clarity.
- Pine, offering a refreshing and revitalizing scent.
- Austha Suganda, famous for its rich and earthy aroma.
- Himalayan Cedar, a deep, woody fragrance that enhances spiritual mood and quality.
- And Citronella, with a fresh, citrusy scent that also acts as a natural insect repellent.
These varieties ensure that there is an incense type for every preference and purpose, enhancing both spiritual and everyday experiences.
04. Natural Health Care Product
Using natural, healthy, organic ingredients, we make bars of shampoo and soap at the ashram at Kathmandu. Each bar is enriched with essential oils and natural extracts. And with sustainability in mind, our packaging is minimal and biodegradable.
3 Types of Shampoo Bars:
- Nettle and Clay: Soothes the scalp and adds volume to your hair.
- Neem and Lemongrass: Notable for its antibacterial properties, it helps keep your scalp healthy and refreshed.
- Mint and Charcoal: For deep cleansing and removing impurities.
Body Soap:
Experience the luxury of our handcrafted body soaps, designed to cleanse and moisturize your skin naturally.
3 Types of Body Soap Bars:
- Palmarosa: Intense hydration with a delicate, floral scent.
- Sweet Basil: With a refreshing tang of basil that soothes and revitalizes the skin.
- Spirulina: Packed with nutrients, this butter nourishes and rejuvenates your skin.
Creams :
Stay fresh naturally with our effective and eco-friendly deodorant cream, designed to keep you feeling confident all day long.
- Face
- Body
- Deodorant
05. Pashmina Department
At the ashram – alongside teaching and farming as a way of life – we’re dedicated to the craft of handmade textile products, which can involve a multiplicity of processes: sourcing, blending, spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing. Each step is done by hand.
Aiming for the highest quality, while preserving and using traditional techniques, each product is carefully fashioned by our skilled artisans.
These are:
- 100% Pashmina shawls: made from the fine cashmere wool of Himalayan goats, these shawls are famous for their inimitable softness, warmth, and lightness.
- 70% Pashmina with 30% silk shawls: preserve the softness of pure pashmina with the sheen and durability of silk.
- Yak shawls: a unique blend of warmth and durability.
- Cotton towels: valued for their softness, absorbency, and durability.
Handmade textile production at Sri Aurobindo
Yoga Mandir is a vital part of the community’s economic and social configuration.
The revenue generated by these products supports a variety of educational and
social projects. There is no ‘profit’, per se, everything goes back into the
ashram and the school. The textile activities also provide employment, preserve
traditional skills, and promote a sustainable, holistic lifestyle.
Significance and Impact
The handmade textile production at Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir is not merely a craft but a vital part of the community’s economic and social fabric. The revenue from these products supports various educational and social projects, including schools and orphanages. This activity also provides valuable employment, preserves traditional skills, and promotes a sustainable, holistic lifestyle.
06. The Bakery Department
BAKERY
Aligned with our commitment to purity and health, the Bakery at Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir produces wholesome, nutritive baked goods. And given our devotion to nature and vegetarian principles, they are 100% eggless.
We offer a diverse range of baked products, including:
- Multi-Grain Bread: made from multiple grains, this is a hearty, wholesome choice.
- Whole Wheat Bread: 100% wholewheat, for those who prefer a more natural diet.
- Millet Bread: gluten-free and rich in fibre and essential nutrients.
- Diabetes Bread: specially made with a low glycaemic index, for people with diabetes.
- Cakes and Muffins: a selection of tasty eggless cakes and muffins.
Serving the Community
The Bakery Department plays a crucial role in the daily life of the ashram. We regularly bake bread and chapatis for the children, ensuring they have nourishing meals, particularly for dinner and sometimes as snacks. Our bread is often enjoyed as part of the evening meal, providing sustenance after a day of learning and play.
By focusing on natural ingredients and traditional baking methods, the Bakery Department not only fulfills the dietary needs of our community but also contributes to the overall well-being of those we serve. Our commitment to quality and purity in every loaf and cake reflects the spiritual values that guide our work at Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir.
07. Nursery (Plant and Trees)
Cultivating Nature, Nurturing Minds
The Nursery at Sri Aurobindo Yoga Mandir is a vibrant space dedicated to the cultivation of flowers, herbs, and trees, contributing to the ashram’s lush and serene environment. With a strong focus on sustainability and education, our Nursery plays a vital role in both the spiritual and practical life of the community.
Our Focus Areas
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Flowers: We are currently concentrating on the growth of a diverse range of flowers, which not only beautify the ashram but also enhance the spiritual ambiance of the space. These flowers are used in daily offerings and ceremonies, bringing color and fragrance to our sacred rituals.
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Herbs: Our nursery is home to various medicinal and culinary herbs. These herbs are used in the ashram’s kitchen and healthcare practices, promoting natural healing and wellness.
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Trees: We are committed to planting and nurturing a variety of trees that provide shade, fruit, and ecological balance. These trees contribute to the sustainability of the ashram, offering resources and beauty to our environment.
Teaching and Learning
Education is at the heart of our Nursery’s mission. We actively involve the children of the ashram in planting and gardening activities, teaching them the principles of horticulture, responsibility, and the importance of caring for the earth. Through hands-on experience, they learn how to plant seeds, tend to growing plants, and understand the cycles of nature.
Vegetable Garden Support
In addition to flowers, herbs, and trees, our Nursery also supports the ashram’s vegetable garden. The knowledge and skills developed in the Nursery are applied to grow a variety of vegetables that are used in our kitchen, ensuring that our community has access to fresh, organic produce.
Space for Growth
With ample space for gardening, the Nursery is an ever-expanding project that invites both experienced gardeners and eager learners to participate. Volunteers who join this department will find a rewarding experience in cultivating life and contributing to the ashram’s self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship.