Celebrating The First International Day of Yoga
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
Yoga_Life_Winter_2015_WEB
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MADURAI ASHRAM, SOUTH INDIA<br />
Above: <strong>The</strong> Ashram Temple<br />
landscape as viewed in the inverted panorama <strong>of</strong> sirsasana can<br />
be briefly <strong>of</strong>f-balancing in the initial seconds <strong>of</strong> the posture!<br />
<strong>The</strong> hall was given a formal public inaugural ceremony on the<br />
18th January with the attendance <strong>of</strong> many VIPs invited from the<br />
village and Madurai City by Trustee, Dr. V. Narayanasamy. After<br />
the speeches a grand feast was provided with the help <strong>of</strong><br />
outside caterers. That same evening the hall began hosting its<br />
first course, the ATTC, beginning with the initiation <strong>of</strong> 79 students.<br />
<strong>The</strong> large stage is currently graced by a kindly donated five<br />
foot wooden Nataraja statue flanked by pictures <strong>of</strong> Master and<br />
Swamiji. In the future the plan is to have 2 – 3 foot traditional<br />
stone statues <strong>of</strong> Master and Swamiji as well as <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong><br />
deities including Devi Meenakshi as appropriate to the Ashrams<br />
name. At the main entrance both inside and out are pairs <strong>of</strong><br />
paintings <strong>of</strong> Swamiji and Master. Reghu, who has done much<br />
artistic work at the Neyyar Dam Ashram, has also made an<br />
excellent job in painting the famous Kurukshetra scene from the<br />
Bhagavad Gita on one side <strong>of</strong> the new satsang hall. We look<br />
forward to viewing further paintings planned for the other walls.<br />
Finally there are two pedestals at the main entrance awaiting<br />
brass statues <strong>of</strong> Master and Swamiji.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ashram Temple<br />
<strong>The</strong> Ashram temple was also developed this year. Since the<br />
installation <strong>of</strong> the Sri Mahakali Temple in March 2012 donations<br />
were gratefully received for further traditional shrines. On the<br />
29th January 2015, priests from Kerala installed Ganapathi to<br />
the left <strong>of</strong> the main shrine, Linganaga to the right, Navagraha<br />
and Kalabhairava in front, and finally Sri Mahakalis vehicle, the<br />
lion, directly in front <strong>of</strong> her door. With Swami Gayatriananda,<br />
Swami Rajeswariananda, Swami Satchidananda, Swami<br />
Keshavananda, Swami Sivabhaktananda, Prahlada and other<br />
senior staff present for the function, as well as many special<br />
guests, it was fortunate that there were many pots <strong>of</strong> water<br />
to carry, enabling all to have the blessing <strong>of</strong> participating.<br />
Special guests included Swami Govindananda, Swami<br />
Swaroopananda (DLS Madurai), Dr. V. Narayanasamy and his<br />
wife, Mamallan and family, Ravi Kumar and Pramila, Swami<br />
Padmananda, Vijayamma and family from Trivandrum, various<br />
local VIPs and last but not least Tagor the special architect<br />
responsible for both these temples and the new one at Netala<br />
Ashram. After the kumbhabhishekam, everyone enjoyed the<br />
prasad and feast full <strong>of</strong> joy on this wonderful occasion.<br />
Landscaping and Agricultural Projects<br />
Landscaping and agricultural<br />
projects are a major area<br />
<strong>of</strong> work for the ashram. In a<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the country where it<br />
rarely rains except in excess<br />
during the monsoon, creating<br />
a green paradise is a challenge.<br />
However, there is a good<br />
supply <strong>of</strong> under ground water<br />
here and an incredible length <strong>of</strong> pipe for a drip irrigation system<br />
covering the whole Ashram has been generously donated along<br />
with many trees and plants. Now s<strong>of</strong>tly lit winding stone path -<br />
ways, pass through pergolas with granite benches, alongside<br />
pretty flower gardens, lotus ponds, fountains and water falls<br />
to reach the satsang hall; all perfect to relax and prepare the<br />
mind for meditation. Many new sattvic trees have joined<br />
the existing rows <strong>of</strong> mango trees; Swamis Durgananda,<br />
Sivadasananda and Kailasananda helped to plant some <strong>of</strong> these.<br />
Most recently a big effort was made to cultivate two acres <strong>of</strong><br />
vegetables, fruits, herbs, greens and coconut trees. <strong>The</strong>re is<br />
regular gardening karma yoga to keep out the weeds; but what<br />
a joy to pick your own chikkus, mangoes and bananas and<br />
to have garden fresh tomatoes, spinach, coriander etc.<br />
New Accommodation<br />
New accommodation is the next exciting area <strong>of</strong> work. Plans<br />
have been drawn up to construct a permanent first floor<br />
accomm odation <strong>of</strong> 32 dormitory beds, 3 double rooms and<br />
7 single rooms on Ganga Kutir. It is planned for there to be<br />
a balcony all around the accommodation, to allow the guests<br />
plenty <strong>of</strong> fresh air and a wonderful view, either <strong>of</strong> the Ashram<br />
on one side or the distant Palani hills around Kodaikanal on<br />
the other.<br />
So plenty is happening at Madurai Ashram. If you<br />
haven’t visited yet, do come for some first hand exper -<br />
ience. Or if it’s a long time since your last visit, then<br />
it’s time to re-acquaint yourself, enjoy the develop -<br />
ments and get involved. We look forward to your visit.<br />
www.sivananda.org/madurai<br />
madurai@sivananda.org<br />
YOGALife |Autumn/Winter 2015<br />
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