Learn Vedic Astrology, Sanskrit Chanting and Karma, Online
Skanda Vel Vidyalaya is the online school of Poojas.in, founded by Dr. Mekhala V Jois. It teaches Vedic astrology, Sanskrit chanting such as the Guru Gita and Khadgamala Stotra, mantra sadhana and Karma Rahasya in nine recorded, self-paced courses. Prices start at Rs 1,000.
By Dr. Mekhala V Jois · Last updated: 3 November 2026
Where ancient wisdom meets modern seekersWhat Is Skanda Vel Vidyalaya?
Skanda Vel Vidyalaya is a digital school for the traditional sciences of astrology, chanting and karma. Many students arrive with a practical question: why do the same problems keep returning, and what can I do about them? The courses answer in the language of the tradition, step by step, and with the source texts in view.
Skanda
Lord Murugan, the son of Shiva and Parvati, known as Skanda, Subramanya and Kartikeya, and the lord of wisdom the school is named for.
Vel
His spear of knowledge, which cuts through ignorance. It is the symbol in the logo, held above an open book.
Vidyalaya
A place of learning. The school pairs study with devotion, so the pace is steady and the practice is rooted in the Guru Parampara.
Why learn with Skanda Vel Vidyalaya
The courses are built around authenticity and accessibility. Astrology follows the classical Parashari system. Chants are taught with traditional pronunciation and an English transliteration. Meaning always comes with method, and no course promises a result.
Skanda Vel Vidyalaya Courses at a Glance
Nine courses in four areas. Open a course to see its syllabus and questions answered, or enrol directly. To compare all nine in one table, see the online courses page.
Vedic astrology courses 2 courses
AstrologyAstrology Decoded Level 1
Build a classical Jyotisha foundation in recorded modules, from the chart basics to nakshatras, padas and planetary aspects.
AstrologyAstrology Decoded Level 2
Shadbala, yoga karakas, badhaka, major yogas and Vimshottari Dasha, taught in six modules.
Sanskrit chanting courses 3 courses
ChantingDevi Khadgamala Stotra
Chant the Devi Khadgamala Stotra correctly across 20 recorded classes, with meaning and downloadable lyric sheets.
ChantingShri Guru Gita
Learn the Sri Guru Gita from the Skanda Purana in 23 lessons, about four hours, verse by verse.
ChantingGuru Paduka Panchakam
A five-stanza invocation of the Guru, short enough to learn in a few sittings and chant every day.
Mantra sadhana courses 2 courses
Mantra sadhanaRuna Mukti Mantra Sadhana
A mantra sadhana for debt stress with the Runa Hartru Ganesha and Kubera mantras, in five modules.
Mantra sadhanaDhana Yoga Activation Mantra Sadhana
A 48-day Ganesha and Kubera mantra sadhana for wealth building, in six modules.
Karma Rahasya courses 2 courses
KarmaKarma Rahasya Level 1
How karma works, in five modules: can it be changed, where suffering comes from and how to break a cycle.
KarmaKarma Rahasya Level 2 Daana
Module 1 of Level 2 on Daana, the science of charity, with nine planet-specific daanas explained.
Where Should I Start?
Pick the goal closest to yours. The courses inside each path are designed to follow one another.
I want to learn astrology
Begin with Astrology Decoded Level 1, then take Level 2 for advanced prediction.
I want to learn to chant
Start with the Guru Paduka Panchakam, then the Guru Gita or the Khadgamala Stotra.
I want to understand karma
Take Karma Rahasya Level 1, then Level 2 on Daana.
I want a mantra practice for money
Runa Mukti is for debt stress. Dhana Yoga Activation is for wealth building.
How Skanda Vel Vidyalaya Teaches
Six things hold every course together.
Learn at your own pace
Most courses are self-paced and pre-recorded, available any hour of the day. Pause, rewind and revisit lessons as often as you need. Occasional live classes are held for select courses.
Tradition with understanding
Astrology is taught from the classical texts and chants from the traditional method. You learn what the verses say as well as how they sound.
Learning that meets real problems
Relationships, career, health and money worries are real. The courses show how astrologers, mantra practitioners and the karma tradition approach them, with remedies explained and no result guaranteed.
Growth beyond the syllabus
Chart analysis builds self-awareness. Chanting builds focus and a daily discipline. Karma study builds a habit of reflection and generosity.
Certificate of completion
On finishing a course, students receive a certificate that records the learning and supports sharing it with others.
Instruction by practitioners
Courses are designed and taught by experienced practitioners, led by Dr. Mekhala V Jois (MA, PhD in Vedanga Jyotisha), with other dedicated scholars.
Four Areas of Learning at Skanda Vel Vidyalaya
Each area has its own path. Here is what you work on in each.
Vedic astrology
Read birth charts, understand planetary influences and guide yourself and others. A four-level path is planned, with Levels 1 and 2 open now.
Mantra and shloka chanting
Sacred sound, taught with authentic pronunciation, rhythm and the science behind each verse.
Spiritual programs
Philosophy, practice and devotion from timeless traditions, brought into modern life.
Karma Rahasya
How accumulated karma shapes present experience, with guided assignments to apply the ideas. Learn to spot weak areas, work on them and build punya, positive karma.
What Skanda Vel Vidyalaya Students Say
Words from students in Kenya, Assam, Kerala and Australia. More are on the testimonials page.
“As a teacher, Mekhala Ji has a remarkable ability to explain even complex astrological concepts in a clear and structured manner, making them easy to grasp and apply. She is patient, supportive, and always ensures that I fully understand each topic before moving forward.”
“I regularly send my practice through voice notes on WhatsApp and she listens very carefully and corrects my mistakes with patience and clarity. Her teaching style is supportive and she ensures proper pronunciation and understanding of the Stotram.”
“Chechi’s way of teaching is very clear and structured, which made it easy for me to learn the stotram with proper pronunciation and flow. She took the time to listen to my recitation and gently corrected my mistakes through detailed voice messages on WhatsApp.”
“The self-paced audio and video formats, along with relatable examples, makes even complex concepts easier to grasp. It is thoughtfully structured, giving me the flexibility to learn at my own speed and revisit concepts whenever needed.”
Know the Teachers of Skanda Vel Vidyalaya
Two teachers, two disciplines: classical astrology and chanting from Dr. Mekhala V Jois, and the study of karma from Raman Swathi Prasad.
Dr. Mekhala V Jois
Astrologer, spiritual mentor and founder of Poojas.in and Skanda Vel Vidyalaya
Read the full profile
Dr. Mekhala V Jois teaches astrology, mantras and Vedic chanting. She was initiated into Vedanga Jyotisha through the Guru Parampara and received foundational training under her guru, Shri Tirumala Srinivasan of Varanasi. She went on to study under faculty from Banaras Hindu University and Uttarakhand State Open University, and holds a Master’s degree and a PhD in Vedanga Jyotisha from Yoga Samskruthi Religious University, Florida.
Her doctoral research examined astrological insights and planetary indications for financial Runa Badha, which is the root of her work on karmic and financial patterns and of the Runa Mukti course. She belongs to the Jois lineage of Mysore, traditionally associated with panchanga reading and Jyotisha.
She considers Rishi Agasthya her guiding force. Her study spans the Bhagavad Gita, the Upanishads, the Narada Bhakti Sutras, the Skanda Purana, the Srimad Bhagavatam and the Ramayana, and the classical astrology texts Brihat Jataka, Saravali, Brihat Samhita and Jataka Parijata. She has learned chants from the Rig, Yajur and Atharva Vedas, along with Sri Sookta, Rudra Prashna, Chamakam, Purusha Sookta, Durga Saptashati and Aditya Hridayam.
She has made pilgrimages to Kashi, Vaishno Devi, Chardham, Arunachalam, Guruvayur, Kollur, Kamakhya and Kailash Mansarovar. Together with Raman Swathi Prasad she supports charitable work including annadaana, temple renovation, medical aid and education.
Raman Swathi Prasad
Digital Coach, Karma Rahasya
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Raman Swathi Prasad has served for over two decades as a philanthropist, funding his work from his own income. His projects include supporting families, sponsoring education and surgeries, sponsoring idols and daily pooja at temples, and rescuing and caring for animals.
Through that service he noticed a pattern: acts of kindness seemed to ripple back into his own life. That led him into a deeper study of karma, supported by more than 200 Nadi astrology sessions. The principles he drew from it became Karma Rahasya, a study of how good deeds accumulate karmic merit and influence destiny.
As an instructor he aims to simplify those principles, helping students understand the effect of different actions and avoid patterns that lead to suffering. The proceeds of the course go back into charitable work.
Skanda Vel Vidyalaya: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Skanda Vel Vidyalaya?
Skanda Vel Vidyalaya is the online school of Poojas.in. It offers self-paced courses in Vedic astrology, Sanskrit stotra chanting, mantra sadhana and the science of karma, led by Dr. Mekhala V Jois.
What does the name Skanda Vel Vidyalaya mean?
Skanda is Lord Murugan, vel is his spear of knowledge, and vidyalaya means a place of learning. The name reflects a school that treats learning as both knowledge and devotion.
Who teaches at Skanda Vel Vidyalaya?
Dr. Mekhala V Jois teaches the astrology and chanting courses. She holds an MA and PhD in Vedanga Jyotisha. The Karma Rahasya courses are led by Raman Swathi Prasad, with a curriculum designed together with Dr. Mekhala.
Which course should I take first?
Choose by goal. Begin with Astrology Decoded Level 1 for astrology, the Guru Paduka Panchakam for chanting, Karma Rahasya Level 1 for karma, or a mantra sadhana course for wealth or debt.
Can I learn Vedic astrology online with no prior knowledge?
Yes. Astrology Decoded Level 1 is designed for complete beginners and taught in recorded, self-paced modules. Level 2 is for students who have completed foundational learning.
Are the courses live or recorded?
Most courses are pre-recorded and self-paced, so you can learn at any hour and replay lessons. The school has said it also holds occasional live classes for select courses.
Do I need to know Sanskrit for the chanting courses?
No. The chanting courses teach pronunciation from the beginning and provide English transliteration of the verses.
How much do the courses cost?
Prices run from Rs 1,000 for the Guru Paduka Panchakam to Rs 28,000 for Astrology Decoded Level 2. All are one-time payments in Indian rupees.
Can I join from outside India?
Yes. The courses are online, so you can study from anywhere. Students from Kenya and Australia, as well as across India, have learned with Dr. Mekhala. Prices are listed in Indian rupees.
Begin Your Journey at Skanda Vel Vidyalaya
Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced practitioner, each course meets you where you are. Compare all nine, then enrol online.