THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: ‘God’s own country’ Kerala, known the world over for its natural beauty and spiritual heritage, is all set to add another marvel to its rich repertoire - a sublime, full bloomed lotus in white marble, symbolising universal peace, spirituality and fraternity.
Located 21 km from Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram, the structural marvel is situated at Santhigiri Ashram, a well known spiritual centre in Kerala which has played host to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as well as the then Leader of the Opposition, LK Advani, in recent years.
Under construction for nearly ten years, the lotus structure is the ‘Parnasala’, or the final resting place, of the Ashram’s founder Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru. He left His physical body on May 6, 1999, and the construction of the lotus shaped ‘Parnasala’ began soon after.
The imposing structure, rising to a height of 91 ft., is nearing completion. It is scheduled to be dedicated to the world on September 12, 2010, the 84th birthday of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru.
He had a universal message - God is the same for everyone, everywhere, and is not particular about being worshipped. If you do worship, do it correctly. Do not get lost in dogmas and rituals from the past, which hold no relevance in the new era - the Kali Yuga. Live as per the ‘dharma’ (ethics) of the new age.
Started in a humble way in the 1960s, the Ashram is open to all, irrespective of caste, class, region, religion or gender. Devotees from as far away as Mexico have reached the Guru’s Divine feet. The Ashram is at the forefront of a threefold mission of activities set by the Guru - ‘Annadanam’ (free food to all), ‘Athurasevanam’ (treatment of the ailing) and ‘Athmabodhanam’ (self-realisation).
Guru lived with utmost simplicity and austerity in the ‘Parnasala’, which was then only a one-room tenement with a tiled roof. It was here that the Guru attained spiritual completion in 1973 after protracted struggles on the physical and subtle planes. After the Guru’s merger in the ‘Adisankalpam’ (The Plane of Primordial Consciousness) in 1999, His body was laid to rest in the ‘Parnasala’. As a mark of their deepest love and devotion to Guru, His followers have reconstructed the ‘Parnasala’ as a blooming white lotus, symbolising the Guru’s message of universal spirituality, peace and fraternity.
Constructed in pristine white marble brought from Rajasthan and special black granite mined in Karnataka, the Parnasala consists of 21 marble overlaid petals - 12 facing upwards and 9 downwards. Almost 100,000 sq. ft. of marble from Makrana Rajasthan, was cut into even sized tiles at the Ashram before being cemented on to the RCC petals. The entire edifice, with a radius of 84 ft., is supported on 21 carved pillars.
The ‘Baalalayam’ or the elevated platform meant for conducting ceremonies has wood carvings.
According to Sreekumaran Nair, the structural consultant for the project, the construction of each lotus petal took almost six months. The marble tiles took three years to fix.
However, what makes the building unique is that the design was not given by an architect.
The designing and construction were carried out under the direction of Sishyapoojitha Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, the Guru’s foremost disciple and spiritual successor.