Pancha Nitya Karmas is a sanskrit term that means, "The five continual duties of every Hindu." When these religious obligations are complied with adequately they draw us closer to God and to the realization of our own nature.


  1. Upasana - worship in the altar at home or in the temple. It refers to the religious education that the children receive at home, through the example of the adults, who teach them to carry out their rituals duly at the home altar on a daily basis.

  2. Utsava- holy days. Participation in the different festivals of Hinduism, as well as the participation in the holy days, is impressed upon the children, both at home and in the temple. Utsava also includes fasting on Ekadasi, as well as attending the temple during festivities.

  3. Dharma- living a virtuous life. It is impressed upon the children to live a life of high moral and ethical values; to comply with ones duty and to maintain good behavior; to respect their elders and the sannyasis; to follow a life of respect for religious values, especially to maintain the principle of ahimsa, or to not damage or hurt any living being in thought, word or action; teaching the children and youth about Hinduism, its holy scriptures and the exemplary lives of its great saints and masters. These are instruments for the development, evolution and maturity of future generations.

  4. Tirthayatra- pilgrimage. The children are exposed to the value of making pilgrimages to holy places and temples, with the objective of receiving benedictions and inspiration from holy persons through darshan. It is important that the children acquire religious and spiritual values while making such voyages, where the central focus is not the satisfaction of the senses but God, the guru and the religion.

  5. Samskara- rites and ceremonies of passage. The children are taught to observe the different sacraments of Hinduism, which sanctify and emphasize the diverse transitions in one's life. It is important to impress upon the children, from a young age, the meanings of the sacraments and affection towards their tradition, culture and religion.