Santhigiri Ashram-Lotus of peace blooms with spiritualty
September 2, 2010
With a blooming spirituality the 21 petal Lotus Temple in Santhigiri Ashramam in Thiruvanathapuram is going to be dedicated to the entire world on 12th Sept 2010, the 84th birthday of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru. The Parnasala is considered as the respect of the devotees of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, founder of the Ashramam. The Significance of Parnasala flows from Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru’s Life and Realization for the world. The lotus structure which consists of 21 petals – 12 unfurling in the top layer and 9 towards the base. Each petal on the top extends to 41 feet height while the bottom petals are 31 feet long, exhibiting an exceptional architectural skill not seen in contemporary buildings. Even TajMahal, the tomb built in Agra by Shah Jahan in memory of her beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal could not be compared with the beauty and pride of the Parnasala which is too carved out of White Marbles and Black Granites.
The Original Parnasala was built up by Guru in 1960’s with a thatched hut, reflecting the inherent simplicity and austerity. Guru stayed in this simple structure, consisting of a thatched roof supported by four poles, and interacted with the visitors coming to see Him. It was here that Guru attained spiritual completion in 1973. Thousands were initiated to the spiritual path at its doorstep. Later, the thatched hut was converted into a one-room tenement with a tiled roof. After the Guru’s merger with the Adi Sankalpam (the Plane of Primordial Consciousness) on 6th May, 1999, at the age of 72. His body was placed inside a marble casket and kept in the sanctum sanctorum of the Parnasala, which has now been raised as a magnificent building, in keeping with its Divine significance.
The structure, standing 91 feet tall and 84 feet wide, is the largest of its kind in the world. The monument, in the shape of a lotus in full bloom, has been constructed using the best quality ‘Makrana’ Marble in the world. The Guru’s body is laid to rest in the sanctum of the Parnasala which is shaped like a lotus bud carved out of wood. The entire interior of 27 feet height and 21 feet diameter is encased with brass. In front of the sanctum (Sarakoodam) is a carved wooden mandapam (platform) called the Balalayam. The Balalayam is guarded by two majestic tuskers carved in rosewood. The 21 petal shaped Lotus Temple is to be dedicated to the world on the 84th birthday of Karunakara Guru and that is on the 12th of September. The day is other wise known as the “the Day of Light”.
Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru was born on 1927 in Chandiroor, Alleppey district, Kerala. His teachings followed the theme of a global spiritual and cultural renaissance in harmony with material progress. He focused on the aspect of the soul that carries karmic merits and impurities that result in success or failure in life. Through relentless efforts, great sacrifices, strong conviction and endless perseverance, Guru completed the mission of establishing the Yuga Dharma for this Age (Kali Yuga Dharma). Hundreds of thousands of devotees from different parts of the world, irrespective of class, caste, creed, colour or culture, have accepted the path of Karma and Dharma revealed by the Guru.
The Santhigiri Ashram is a movement embracing all human actions, spiritual, material and cultural, setting up the standards for everything in the light of universal love and grace of God. Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, the Founder Acharya has taken into consideration the human prospects in all its relevance and potentiality for shaping the future of the world strictly in accordance with the grace and Will of God for which strict adherence to Yuga Dharma is one among the important pre-requisites. The main activities of the Ashramam includes Annadhanam which is one of Sri Karunakara Guru’s objectives was to feed the poor and to this effect the ashram offers an Annadhanam or gift of food, at their various centers, to people from the lower economic strata. Athurasevanam or care of the ailing is another activity that is a supporting function to the Guru’s vision. The ashram performs this function through a chain of Ayurvedic research centers, hospitals, onsite and offsite health care programs and camps and social research. Another activity is the Athmabodhanam or spiritual awakening. The awakening is at two levels – rational and transcendental; the former focuses on elimination of ignorance while the latter focuses on knowledge of reality. Another is Economic development which as a part of the vision of a revitalized life, the ashram focuses and with an emphasis on trade skills and support for women and cottage industry programs.
A holistic healthcare doctrine propounded by Guru (Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantham) has resulted in the revival of the traditional Indians systems of medicine — Ayurveda and Siddha. The Healthcare Division runs a chain of treatment centers and hospitals across India and overseas, besides medical colleges, a research centre for Ayurveda and Siddha and a modern Ayurveda and Siddha medicine manufacturing plant.
The main Ashram at Pothencode is spread over 100 acres, comprising a ‘Prarthanalayam’ (Prayer Hall), Parnasala (Guru’s Abode), Sahakarana Mandiram (Shrine of Togetherness), kitchen, dining hall, work centers and accommodation facilities for more than 1500 inmates.
Today, as predicted by Guru, His guidance continues to emanate through His foremost disciple, Shishyapoojitha Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, to anyone who seeks it. The guidance of Guru acts as a corrective force, removing the inherent ‘karmic’ and other infirmities in an individual ‘jeeva’ (soul, life-force), aiding its journey to the ultimate destination – the Supreme.Guru had assured the ‘parampara’ that a spiritually enlightened soul will always guide it as the ‘Gurusthaneeya’ (Guru Apparent).Guru is manifesting his will and guidance through the Shishyapoojitha. The Prayer Hall is the most sacred place at Santhigiri Ashram where devotees can pray and chant the ‘Akhanda Namam’ round the clock. The timings of worship (aradhana) correspond to eight ‘yamasandhi’ (turns of day). These are: 3 a.m., 6 a.m. (varies according to sunrise), 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. (varies according to sunset), 9 p.m., and midnight. There are two additional prayers at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The Shrine of Togetherness or the Sahakarana Mandiram, shaped like a white lotus bud, is a sacred building representing the Guru’s Grace, which would eventually hold together a conflict and division-ridden world. The Sahakarana Mandiram is a shrine of Dharmic Glory where the reciprocity and cooperation of Guru-Disciple relationship is established, manifested and perpetuated. Here there is no place for the differences based on caste and religion. The ‘Sahakarana Mandiram’ was dedicated to Guru on March 1st, 1999. Guru stayed here and completed the ‘Sankalpams’ (astral, spiritual intercessions) for the future till he merged in the Supreme on May 6th, 1999.
For Guru, the whole world is one nation and the entire humankind one sect. Those who visit this Ashramam can go with a pure mind when they leave the Ashramam. There is no difference on the basis of caste, creed, race and sex in the Santhigiri Ashramam. Even the devotees are coming from different parts of the country with chanting the hymns of Guru.
It is very beautiful to see and was dedicated by our president on August 13th.
on September 3rd, 2010http://rarurv.blogspot.com/2010/08/santhigiri-parnasala-dedication.html
sath guruve saranam guru saranam charanam
I am fine here in china, I am praying for the future to every one and
me also,
on December 15th, 2010Thanks
sath guruve saranam