Celebrating The First International Day of Yoga
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
MADURAI ASHRAM, SOUTH INDIA<br />
<strong>The</strong> growth <strong>of</strong> an Ashram is<br />
exciting for both staff and regular<br />
visitors to watch unfold<br />
Developments<br />
at<br />
Madurai Ashram<br />
TAMIL NADU, SOUTH INDIA<br />
Since the opening <strong>of</strong> the Sivananda <strong>Yoga</strong> Vedanta Meenakshi Ashram, 20km North <strong>of</strong> Madurai City in Tamil Nadu,<br />
South India, only three permanent buildings have been built. <strong>The</strong>se were built last year and are Shanti Nivas (the<br />
first building <strong>of</strong> 2 staff rooms and a kitchen), Ganga Kutir accommodating the reception, <strong>of</strong>fice, boutique, six special<br />
guest rooms and two long dormitories, and thirdly Yamuna Kutir, a permanent ladies dormitory. Ganga Kutir is<br />
topped by a temporary dormitory made with coconut leaf walls and ro<strong>of</strong>. Satsangs and yoga classes were held for<br />
years under the coconut leaf ro<strong>of</strong> above Yamuna Kutir. Idyllic surroundings for our <strong>Yoga</strong> practice, except for a minor<br />
road which is busy at the wrong time <strong>of</strong> day! However, since January this year, the Ashram inmates have been<br />
meditating and practicing away from the road in a specially designed space in the middle <strong>of</strong> the Ashram.<br />
Swami Vishnudevananda Satsang Hall<br />
<strong>The</strong> Swami Vishnudevananda Satsang Hall was so named by<br />
Swami Durgananda on 17th January 2015 following a beautiful<br />
puja to purify and give the hall an auspicious start. With the<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> Swami Kailasananda, Swami Sivadasananda, Swami<br />
Rajeswariananda from Neyyar Dam, Swami Keshavananda from<br />
Europe, Swami Shivabhaktan anda and Prahlada from Canada,<br />
plus our own Swami Satchidananda, director Anoop and all the<br />
staff, guests, students, Trustees and all the India branch directors<br />
it was an energetic puja and inauguration satsang. Swami<br />
Durgananda honoured all present, particularly our Trustees –<br />
Dr. V. Narayanasamy, Ananthakrishnan and Lalitamma, for<br />
keeping a watchful eye on the project. Special thanks went<br />
to the brains behind the satsang hall project, the temple shelter,<br />
landscaping and agricultural works, Ravi Kumar, Anjaiah, Thulasi<br />
and Pramila <strong>of</strong> the Dual Group along with all their associates.<br />
We must not forget Bharatiraja, the site engineer who was<br />
on site day in and day out attending to all the details.<br />
Though modern in design, the satsang hall fits into the<br />
traditional rustic surroundings <strong>of</strong> the Ashram due to its simplicity.<br />
With open sides, natural light and fresh air can be fully appreciated<br />
as also can the excellent views. <strong>The</strong> northern side gives a view<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Ashram’s pond area, the adjacent forests, distant hills and<br />
a full expanse <strong>of</strong> sky. Students comment that the energy <strong>of</strong> the<br />
54 YOGALife |Autumn/Winter 2015