Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust ®

Established in 1973, Sri Adichunchanagiri Shikshana Trust® (SAST) is bonded with commitment to excellence, under the stewardship of His Divine Soul Padmabhushana Sri Sri Sri Dr. Balagangadharanath Maha Swamiji. Mahaswamiji believed imparting three components of education – intellectual, spiritual & physical needs of students. With this vision, the trust has started 500+ educational units across the country, benefiting more than 1,00,000 students every year mainly in the field of Medical, Nursing, Engineering, Management, General Education, Education, Pharmacy, Ayurvedic, etc.

The trust is managed by a board of trustees and the chairman of the trust is the present Chief Pontiff Sri Sri Sri Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Maha Swamiji.

Initially the Trust was formed with the aim and objectives as follows:

• To advance the cause of Education and diffusion of Knowledge without distinction of caste & creeds. 
• To Start and run Nursery and primary schools. 
• To further advance the cause of education by establishing a rural college for the benefit of the students of the surrounding areas. 
• To provide free boarding and lodging for the needy students in the hostel. 
• To establish, maintain and manage hostels, libraries, reading room, gymnasium and playgrounds for the benefit of the students studying in the above Institutions. 
• To give loans, scholarships and other monetary benefits to the needy students studying in the higher classes. 
• To provide medical and health facilities to the people of the area by starting hospitals and dispensaries. 

Once upon a time… Adichunchanagiri is 66 Kms from Mandya. From Nagamangala it is 21 Kms. It is noted for Bhairava worship on a hill. It was formerly a Natha panthi centre and is now a seat of the Swamy of Vokkaliga community. The place has a peacock sanctuary too.

Sri Adichunchanagiri Kshetra is situated on a rocky hill at an altitude of about 3,300 ft., above sea level, 110 kms west of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka, India.

This ancient “DHARAMAPEETA” has successfully preserved and propagated the Indian heritage through ages. Besides, the Math is striving for the welfare and betterment of the common people, particularly those of rural areas. Several educational and technical institutions have been started in different places of the State including a Sanskrit college at Sri Kshetra. The service activities have increased many folds ever since the present Swamiji became the head of the Math in 1974. At present there are twelve branches of the Mutt. Seven Maths receive patronage and more than 220 Institutions are managed by the Math through a Board of Trustees under the Presidentship of Sri Swamiji. About 6,000 needy students are given free boarding and lodging and about 30,000 students are provided with general and technical education.

“DHASOHA”, free feeding, is given to all the pilgrims who visit the Kshetra daily. On account of this service, the Kshetra has derived the name of “ANNADANI Math” and is referred to as such in this region. Very recently a magnificent building has been constructed known as “ANNADANI BHAIRAVA BHAVAN”, which has got 3 floors to serve as Dining hall, Prayer Hall and conference hall.

The social service activities of this Dharmapeeta also include providing medical camps for the needy and less fortunate Brothern of the region. Periodical free medical camps are conducted in several rural places. A 1050 bed Hospital has been constructed at Balagangadharanatha Nagar which is situated in the interior rural area. This Hospital is equipped with the latest equipment’s brought from Germany and USA Since the majority of the population that is being catered to by this hospital is backward and needy, Sri Swamiji has seen to it that the diagnosis, treatment, medicine are all given free of cost. Even diet is being given free. Efforts are made to render the best of service to the needy rural people. Institutions have also been started to help the aged and to provide succor to the helpless women. The two such centers are situated in Bangalore and Mysore. There are more than one hundred rural women folk who have been provided with gainful employment.

Providing light and life to the Blind is yet another social service, that Jagadguru Sri Sri Sri Balagangadharanatha Swamiji has taken to his heart. For this purpose, he has opened a Residential school for the Blind and disabled at Archakarahalli, Ramanagar Taluk, Bangalore district. There are more than 150 Blind students who are given free boarding and education. These Blind children are also being taught arts, crafts, music so that they can earn their bread without being a burden to the society.

The Math is publishing a monthly magazine in Kannada under the life “ADICHUNCHANAGIRI” to spread the knowledge in the field of Spiritualism, Culture, Literature, and Agriculture etc…

Adhichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana at present is having twelve branches all over the State of Karnataka, in addition to the two Foundations aboard, i.e., one at Flint Michigan USA and another in Berlin, Germany.

Adichunchanagiri Math is patronising and supporting many other independent Ashram’s in Karnataka.

This Math belongs to all. So also, its Institutions. The beneficiaries belong to all sections of society and region. The many ongoing projects need wholehearted support. The selfless dedication of Sri Swamiji and his associates is worthy of appreciation and respect by one and all.