Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, has expanded its Purohit Training Program to include new courses teaching foreign students important Hindu religious rituals and sagas. The program now covers not only yajnas (sacrificial rituals) and havans but also detailed processes related to marriage, sacred thread ceremony (Janeu), Mundan (first head shave), and sixteen traditional samskaras.
This initiative aims to prepare trained purohits who can perform religious ceremonies for people of Indian origin living abroad. Countries like Mauritius, Guyana, Suriname, and Fiji, with significant Indian diaspora populations, will benefit as their communities can engage in traditional Sanatan spiritual practices with local trained priests.
Prof. Sharadendu Tripathi, coordinator of the program at BHU’s Centre for Indian Studies, explained that until now the training focused on various major yajnas such as Chandi Mahayagna and Vishnu Mahayagna, along with worship procedures and rituals. The expanded curriculum includes teaching the method and significance of Satyanarayan Katha, Teej vrat, and satyavan-savithri vrat sagas.
By teaching the full process of important cultural ceremonies including marriage, Janeu, and Mundan, BHU aims to create cultural ambassadors who will keep Indian traditions alive for future generations globally. Trained students from BHU will thus serve as cultural envoys carrying the rich Sanatan heritage from Kashi (Varanasi) across the seas.
