Celebrating The First International Day of Yoga

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