Home About Events Contact Pilgrimage
Supersoul Academy
Yoga Teacher Training Kirtan School Mrdanga School
Online Courses
Deconstructing the Nectar of Instruction

Master the Beat of Kirtan

 January 10, 2027 — January 22, 2027

Experience Mrdanga School—a comprehensive devotional training in rhythm, tradition, and accompaniment.

Set in the serene environment of Govardhan Eco Village, this training is designed to teach you how to support kirtan with proper technique and dynamic rhythm. Through guided group sessions and personalized instruction, you’ll learn foundational hand exercises (hasta sadhanas) along with more advanced rhythms (taals) that can be directly applied to mantra melodies.

Each day is anchored by powerful morning and evening kirtans, offering real-time experience of how the mrdanga interacts with harmonium and kartals. Open to all levels, this training provides practical tools and take-home resources so you can continue developing your practice long after the course ends.

Enroll Now

Master the
Beat of Kirtan

 January 10, 2027
—
January 22, 2027

Experience Mrdanga School—a comprehensive  devotional training in rhythm, tradition,
and accompaniment.

Set in the serene environment of Govardhan Eco Village, this training is designed to teach you how to support kirtan with proper technique and dynamic rhythm. Through guided group sessions and personalized instruction, you’ll learn foundational hand exercises (hasta sadhanas) along with more advanced rhythms (taals) that can be directly applied to mantra melodies.

Each day is anchored by powerful morning and evening kirtans, offering real-time experience of how the mrdanga interacts with harmonium and kartals. Open to all levels, this training provides practical tools and take-home resources so you can continue developing your practice long after the course ends.

Enroll Now
Close-up of a mrdanga drum being played during Mrdanga School training at Govardhan Eco Village in India.

The Daily Rhythm of Mrdanga School

𖥸 Immersive daily satsang and soul-stirring kirtan with Raghunath

𖥸 Daily asana to develop the strength, stability, and mobility needed for consistent, responsive drumming

𖥸 Group & Individual Sessions for personalized feedback, skill refinement, and integration at your level

𖥸 Technique & Rhythm Labs to build clean execution with consistency

𖥸 Special guest sessions with His Holiness Radhanath Swami, offering rare insight into the heart of Bhakti

Close-up of a mrdanga drum being played during Mrdanga School training at Govardhan Eco Village in India.
Students playing harmoniums in a circle during Kirtan School in India, practicing mantra and devotional music.

The Daily Rhythm of
Mrdanga School

𖥸 Immersive daily satsang and soul-stirring kirtan with Raghunath

𖥸 Daily asana to develop the strength, stability, and mobility needed for consistent, responsive drumming

𖥸 Group & Individual Sessions for personalized feedback, skill refinement, and integration at your level

𖥸 Technique & Rhythm Labs to build clean execution with consistency consistency

𖥸 Special guest sessions with His Holiness Radhanath Swami, offering rare insight into the heart of Bhakti

What You'll Learn

Foundational Skills

Proper hand technique, posture, and tone to build control and steady playing.

Hasta Sadhanas

Targeted exercises to develop hand strength, dexterity, precision, and playing speed.

Melodies & Taals

Rhythmic cycles that create structure, timing, and consistency within kirtan.

Transitional Beats

Bridges that connect tempos and sections for smooth, continuous instrumental flow.

Join the Annual Flower Festival

Following the graduation of Mrdanga School and a traditional fire ceremony, you’ll have the opportunity to travel to Mumbai for the Annual Flower Festival at the ISKCON Chowpatty temple.

While participation is optional, this is truly a rare and unforgettable experience!

Expect an atmosphere filled with ecstatic kirtan, deep philosophical talks from senior teachers in the bhakti lineage, and a joyful celebration that concludes with a traditional vegetarian prasadam feast.

*Please note: participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations in Mumbai.

Annual Flower Festival at ISKCON Chowpatty Temple in Mumbai featuring deities adorned with vibrant floral decorations as devotees joyfully offer and shower flower petals as a traditional bhakti celebration.

Join the Annual Flower Festival

Following the graduation of Mrdanga School and a traditional fire ceremony, you’ll have the opportunity to travel to Mumbai for the Annual Flower Festival at the ISKCON Chowpatty temple.

While participation is optional, this is truly a rare and unforgettable experience!

Expect an atmosphere filled with ecstatic kirtan, deep philosophical talks from senior teachers in the bhakti lineage, and a joyful celebration that concludes with a traditional vegetarian prasadam feast.

*Please note: participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodations in Mumbai.

The Role of Mrdanga in the Gaudiya Vaishnava Tradition

Kirtan—the collective chanting of sacred mantras—is the heart of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition. In the 16th century, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu ignited a spiritual revolution in Bengal by popularizing sankirtan—the congregational chanting of the holy names of Krishna, accompanied by drum and hand cymbals (kartals).

Rather than limiting spiritual life to a select few, Lord Chaitanya made it accessible to all. Through vibrant public chanting, movement, and music, he revealed how rhythm and sound can elevate the mind and awaken deeper awareness in this age of Kali Yuga.

Since the very start of the sankirtan movement, the mrdanga has carried the energy of kirtan through public spaces. The resonant beat creates momentum—drawing people in and holding them together. As the chant builds and expands, the beat provides structure for large gatherings by setting the pace, guiding transitions, and supporting the different moods that kirtan evokes.

Start Your Journey

Meet the Facilitators

Portrait of Raghunath, founder of Kirtan School, standing outdoors in a white shirt with greenery in the background.

Raghunath

Founder of Supersoul Academy

Raghunath has been transforming people's life since he was a teenager when he got into yoga and clean healthy living from a young age. Considered a teacher's teacher, Raghunath is a gifted speaker, story teller, educator of self-transformation & spirituality. He leads yoga trainings, sold-out pilgrimages to India, and has been living the life of a yogi for 40 years. He has studied and teaches asana, pranayama, sacred literature, kirtan, and sacred ritual. He is the co-founder of Wisdom of the Sages, a bhakti yoga podcast which has been ranked #1 by Apple podcast in spirituality.

Raghunath

Founder of Supersoul Academy

Raghunath has been transforming people's life since he was a teenager when he got into yoga and clean healthy living from a young age. Considered a teacher's teacher, Raghunath is a gifted speaker, story teller, educator of self-transformation & spirituality. He leads yoga trainings, sold-out pilgrimages to India, and has been living the life of a yogi for 40 years. He has studied and teaches asana, pranayama, sacred literature, kirtan, and sacred ritual. He is the co-founder of Wisdom of the Sages, a bhakti yoga podcast which has been ranked #1 by Apple podcast in spirituality.

Portrait of Raghunath, founder of Kirtan School, standing outdoors in a white shirt with greenery in the background.
Portrait of Hladini Shakti smiling outdoors, wearing glasses and traditional attire, surrounded by lush greenery.

Hladini Shakti

Instructor

Hladini’s relationship with sacred sound began early — she first touched the harmonium at just two years old. Raised in a culture of devotion and mantra, she grew up immersed in kirtan, rhythm, and sacred sound meditation. Over the years, she refined her mastery of both harmonium, kartals and mrdanga, developing a deep sensitivity to rhythm, melody, and the subtle energy that connects us to the divine through sound. Hladini has shared her soulful music with audiences around the world, offering kirtan not as performance, but as prayer — an invitation into presence, joy, and spiritual connection.

Hladini Shakti

Instructor

Hladini’s relationship with sacred sound began early — she first touched the harmonium at just two years old. Raised in a culture of devotion and mantra, she grew up immersed in kirtan, rhythm, and sacred sound meditation. Over the years, she refined her mastery of both harmonium, kartals and mrdanga, developing a deep sensitivity to rhythm, melody, and the subtle energy that connects us to the divine through sound. Hladini has shared her soulful music with audiences around the world, offering kirtan not as performance, but as prayer — an invitation into presence, joy, and spiritual connection.

Portrait of Hladini Shakti smiling outdoors, wearing glasses and traditional attire, surrounded by lush greenery.
Mahavan Cottage accommodations at Govardhan Eco Village in India, featuring earthen architecture, balconies, and lush greenery surrounding the yoga teacher training retreat center.
Spacious twin room accommodations at Govardhan Eco Village in India, featuring earthen brick walls, handcrafted wood beds, and modern comforts for yoga teacher training participants.
Spacious yoga shala at Govardhan Eco Village in India featuring polished wooden floors, raised teaching platform, natural light from panoramic windows, and serene views of lush greenery—ideal for yoga teacher training and Bhakti Yoga practice.
Wooden eco cottages nestled in lush greenery at Govardhan Eco Village in India, offering peaceful forest accommodations for bhakti yoga retreats and yoga teacher training programs.
Warm wooden cottage interior at Govardhan Eco Village featuring twin canopy beds, natural wood architecture, and simple, comfortable accommodations for yoga teacher training and bhakti yoga retreats in India.
Govardhan Eco Village courtyard accommodations in India featuring eco-friendly brick architecture, garden pathways, and serene surroundings for bhakti yoga teacher training retreats.
Comfortable twin-bed accommodation at Govardhan Eco Village in India featuring brick architecture, canopy beds, and peaceful retreat setting for bhakti yoga teacher training students.
Govardhan Eco Village guest accommodations surrounded by lush gardens and walking paths, featuring sustainable earthen architecture in a peaceful bhakti yoga retreat setting in India.
Gokul Cottages twin room at Govardhan Eco Village featuring simple beds, natural brick walls, wooden furnishings, and peaceful eco-retreat accommodations in India.

ACCOMMODATIONS AT GOVARDHAN ECO VILLAGE

Govardhan Eco Village is an internationally recognized award-winning spiritual community rooted in bhakti yoga, sustainability, and conscious living.

Rooms are clean, comfortable, and intentionally simple, allowing students to step out of excess and into presence.

𖥸 Designed with earthen architecture, natural materials, and handcrafted details

𖥸 Each space reflects a quiet elegance — uncluttered, peaceful, and grounding

𖥸 Comfortable beds, private or shared options (depending on selection), and modern bathrooms

𖥸  Daily vegetarian and vegan meals, freshly prepared and deeply nourishing

𖥸 On-site amenities include laundry services, a swimming pool, an Ayurveda clinic, and village shops

ACCOMMODATIONS AT GOVARDHAN ECO VILLAGE

Govardhan Eco Village is an internationally recognized award-winning spiritual community rooted in bhakti yoga, sustainability, and conscious living.

Rooms are clean, comfortable, and intentionally simple, allowing students to step out of excess and into presence.

𖥸 Designed with earthen architecture, natural materials, and handcrafted details

𖥸 Each space reflects a quiet elegance — uncluttered, peaceful, and grounding

𖥸 Comfortable beds, private or shared options (depending on selection), and modern bathrooms

𖥸  Daily vegetarian and vegan meals, freshly prepared and deeply nourishing

𖥸 On-site amenities include laundry services, a swimming pool, an Ayurveda clinic, and village shops

Student Reflections

I had a wonderful experience at Mrdanga School. It was everything I hoped for and so much more. We had an amazing group (and instructor) that encouraged and helped each other as we drummed 4 hours a day!! The morning and evening sessions with Raghu were inspirational and uplifting. The yoga practices kept us strong and limber. And the food at GEV is delicious and so so bountiful! I hope I can join again for harmonium school next year. Thank you to everyone who ran the events and organized the retreat, it was so smooth and easy. Oh and if you come stay for the flower festival!!! It is truly a magical existential experience

Satnam

Student Reflections

I came into Mrdanga School with no musical background, but Lala made everything incredibly accessible by breaking down the rhythms in a way that just clicked. By the end of the course, I was playing along in kirtans and even got to join a live public kirtan, which felt amazing. The group was so supportive, and Lala did an incredible job balancing different skill levels so everyone felt appropriately challenged, yet empowered to achieve and succeed. 

Beyond the training, the experience at Govardhan Eco Village was unforgettable—daily kirtans, incredible plant-based meals, peaceful surroundings, and beautifully cared-for animals. The morning asana classes with different teachers added so much depth to the experience. I first came for Yoga Teacher Training in 2023, and every course since has exceeded my expectations. I’m already excited to come back again—I can’t recommend this enough.

Katie B. 

Student Reflections

I was able to play mridanga with my kirtan group when I came back home after the training. The teachers are awesome, also made friends, and had a lot of fun with the kirtans and satsangs. Highly recommend the training!

Alekson F.

Mrdanga School graduation ceremony at Govardhan Eco Village in India featuring students and teachers in traditional attire playing mrdanga drums, wearing marigold garlands, and celebrating with kirtan in a peaceful outdoor setting.

Step Into the Rhythm of Kirtan

Train in the sacred art of mrdanga, build real skill,
and experience the power of kirtan.

Reserve Your Spot

Step Into the Rhythm of Kirtan

Train in the sacred art of mrdanga, build real skill,
and experience the power of kirtan.

Reserve Your Spot