A symbol of pure spirituality,without the rigidities of religion,

A Lotus of Love Transcendent

A symbol of pure spirituality, without the rigidities of religion, encompassing the universality of mankind rooted in compassion and tolerance, is slowly blooming in the form of a huge lotus, one of the biggest of its kind built in marble. It is the marvelous Parnasala of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru, which is dedicated to humanity on 12^th September, 2010. It is described as ‘The Day of The Emergence of the New Light’ by Santhigiri Ashram, founded by the Guru, whose physical body is interred in the inner sanctum of the Parnasala, making it a sacred place for prayer and devotion.

The Parnasala is the eternal icon of Guru’s life of silent sacrifice and godly love for opening the eyes of humanity for their spiritual and social uplift. Guru’s boundless grace and peace is experienced here by truth seekers and devotees. Some of them experience transcendental visions. For millions of devotees, Santhigiri Ashram has become an abode of spiritual guidance and refuge.

Parnasala Concept has Transcendental Origin

The Parnasala has been built under the guidance of Revered Sishyapoojita Amrita Jnana Tapaswini, the present spiritual head of the Ashram. Santhigiri follows a tradition of revelations, of supernatural interactions, a grace experienced from the Light of Guru. The concept of Parnasala originated from this transcendental vision, conveyed through the Sishyapoojita to the devotees. The Parnasala is therefore the divine conception and its fulfillment in the physical signifies a Divine Will. A team of experts, according to the guidance emanating from the Divine Light of Guru through Sishyapoojita has been tirelessly working for the completion of this magnificent structure.

The foundation stone for the monument was laid by the Revered Sishyapoojita in the year 2001 and since then hundreds of self-motivated devotes and workers have ceaselessly worked for it. The selfless surrender and contributions of the devotees by way of voluntary work, money, material and prayers cannot find any parallel in the recent times.

Unique Building Features

The Parnasala has been built with a height of 91 feet and a diameter of 81 feet. The inner circle has a width of 64 feet. There is a parikrama, the passage for the movement of devotees. The lotus shaped structure has 12 upward petals with a length of 41 feet and 9 downward petals with a length of 31 feet.

There is a lotus shaped ‘Sarakootam’, an inner cubicle made of wood with a height of 27 feet and 21 feet diameter, whose innards is riveted with brass plates. The 11 steps inside the sarakootam signify Guru’s spiritual status. On the small square platform above the steps will be installed the golden form of Guru. A lamp lit by Guru many years ago, when He built the Ashram here, still burns inside, whose flame will be kept burning forever. A wooden parasol with a diameter of 36 feet shades over the Sarakootam. Next to that is the inner circle with a ‘balalayam’ – a portico with ten steps and nine pillars. The elephant models and other wooden carvings on the Sarakootam and the pillars will add aesthetics to the hallowed structure. The memorabilia of Guru – the sacred articles used by the Guru will be kept in the 12 chambers built above.

The four doors and entrance to the Parnasala are built based on the new Magnetic Reversal Technique, which allows opening and closing of the doors and windows without human handling. For lighting, the ultra modern Light Emitting Diode (LED) system is used. This system, which is available only in foreign countries, does not require any inner fixtures and emits light from external points to illuminate the magnificent structure. There are special elevators for maintenance and soon a foolproof security system will be in place.

Landscaping and Lotus Pool

On completion, the Parnasala will have a lotus pond and the entry to the Parnasala will be over this, with beautiful lotus flowers floating in the serene pool.

The Parnasala complex will be landscaped with beautiful gardens, pathways and lawns with growths of shrubs, bushes, creepers and trees of different variety and will be maintained as a zone of peace for spiritual contemplation and prayers.

White Marble from Makhrana

Truck loads of white marble were transported through the heartland of India from Makhrana in Rajasthan in a pious way receiving welcomes and prayers of the devotees, en-route. According to the supplier in Makhrana, the marble used for the construction of Parnasala was mined from a depth of 250 to 300 feet; therefore, it will have more luster and smoothness, than the marble used for the Taj Mahal and other monuments built by the Moguls.

Parnasala Development Master Plan

To develop the Parnasala complex into a well planned spiritual township, Santhigiri Ashram has begun zoning an area of 25 acres around the Parnasala. There will be a Spiritual Zone, Healthcare Zone, Agricultural Zone, Educational Zone, Trade and Industries zone etc.

Spiritual Zone

The Spiritual Zone is the heart of the Ashram, consisting of the Parnasala where Guru’s sacred body is laid to rest, Guru’s Hut, Prayer Hall, Sahakarana Mandiram, the hut of Sishyapoojita and quarters for Sanyasis and Sanyasinis.

The spiritual zone will be open to all people for prayers without any discrimination of caste, religious, class, color and gender differences. It will be maintained as an area of peace for people to come and experience peace and spiritual joy and to relieve their sufferings and worries through self purification. It will be a sacred spot for truth seekers for calm contemplation. The spiritually charged Ashram atmosphere will be fortified and protected from all types of pollution, use of mobile phone and vehicular traffic. The aim is to develop Parnasala into a ‘must visit’ place in Kerala and an important landmark in the spiritual map of the world.

Healthcare Zone

Like the soul of man, his body too should experience wellness. The Healthcare Zone of Santhigiri Ashram will have facilities for all types of treatment and body care, based on Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantam, the new dharma of healthcare concept of Guru, which focuses on integrated method of treatment and medicines. Ayurveda and Siddha occupy an important role in this. The Healthcare Zone will also be developed as an environmental friendly area with herbal gardens and groves.

Agricultural Zone

Agricultural Zone of the Ashram aims to develop agriculture through natural bio-farming methods. It would be developed to meet the increasing in-house requirement as well as for sales of quality agricultural products through reasonable price counters. Diary farming, tropical botanical gardens, bio-waste, and rainwater harvesting are some of the other activities taking place in the Agricultural Zone.

Educational Zone

Educational Zone of the Ashram consists of a Siddha Medical College, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, Institute for Para Medical Sciences, Coaching Centers, Professional Training Centre and a baby crèche.