Parnasala, the fully bloomed white lotus - Emerges as a Kerala tourism destination
Parnasala, a fully bloomed white lotus, an architectural marvel emerges as major center of spiritual and tourist attraction. In the years to come, domestic and international tourists will flock at Santhigiri Ashram to view the magnificent Parnasala. Parnasala is listed in Kerala Tourism website, as one of the tourist destinations to visit in Kerala.
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| NavaJyothiSree Karunakara Guru's Parnasala at Thiruvananthapuram (Photo Copyright: Resmi Jaimon) |
Parnasala is the final resting place of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, the founder of the Santhigiri Ashram. Years ago, 'Parnasala' was a thatched hut supported by four poles, where Guru lived and interacted with visitors. The thatched hut was later converted into a one-room tenement with a tiled roof and after twelve years of construction; Parnasala has taken its present form.
The current structure of Parnasala (in marble), received in visions stands at a height of 91 feet, radius of 84 feet, 64 feet inner diameter and 21 petals. The structure contains twelve upward facing petals of 41 feet length and nine downward facing petals, 31 feet each. Lotus bud shaped 27-feet (made of high teak wood) sanctum sanctorum will contain an image of Guru in pure gold. The first floor of the Parnasala contains 12 rooms and will maintain articles used by Guru. Guru left His physical body and merged in Adisankalpam - the Primordial Consciousness, the source of Creation on May 6, 1999. It was revealed from the Supreme Light that His body should be laid to rest in the Parnasala itself.
President Pratibha Patil dedicated Parnasala, that symbolizes 'universal peace and fraternity' at Santhigiri Ashram, at Thiruvananthapuram on August 13, 2010. She spent her precious moments at NavaJyothiSree Karunakara Guru's Santhigiri Ashram, offering prayers at Aradhanalayam (prayer hall), floral tributes at Parnasala, visiting Sahakarana Mandiram (Shrine of togetherness) and meeting the Guru apparent and spiritual head of the ashram, Sishyapoojitha Amritha Jnana Thapaswini. Later, the President also addressed a large gathering at the Ashram's auditorium.
“Creating a society of tolerant and caring individuals begins with the family. Children when taught good values from the very beginning understand the importance of human dignity. They are disciplined and conscious of their rights and duties, read to work hard and strive for excellence. Maintaining a congenial environment at home is conducive for building strong family bonds, which provide emotional sustenance. In a broader sense, the whole world is one family—Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. As love and understanding develops in families, it will promote more harmonious societies, where we show concern and compassion for each other as fellow human beings”, the President said.
A grand celebration will be held on September 12, 2010, that coincides with Guru's birthday.
Santhigiri Expo 2010, Education Fest, an international conference on global warming, climate change, sustainable development and secular spirituality and several cultural programmes will be held during the month long celebrations that started on August 13, 2010. More information at http://indian-chronicle.blogspot.com or http://www.santhigiriashram.com
PS: If travel magazines, lifestyle magazines, newspapers and others are interested to cover features / news about Parnasala or Santhigiri Ashram, email me at resmi.writer@gmail.com.
If you would like to be a part of the grand celebrations on September 12, 2010 and have further details, feel free to email me with your queries.
The current structure of Parnasala (in marble), received in visions stands at a height of 91 feet, radius of 84 feet, 64 feet inner diameter and 21 petals. The structure contains twelve upward facing petals of 41 feet length and nine downward facing petals, 31 feet each. Lotus bud shaped 27-feet (made of high teak wood) sanctum sanctorum will contain an image of Guru in pure gold. The first floor of the Parnasala contains 12 rooms and will maintain articles used by Guru. Guru left His physical body and merged in Adisankalpam - the Primordial Consciousness, the source of Creation on May 6, 1999. It was revealed from the Supreme Light that His body should be laid to rest in the Parnasala itself.
President Pratibha Patil dedicated Parnasala, that symbolizes 'universal peace and fraternity' at Santhigiri Ashram, at Thiruvananthapuram on August 13, 2010. She spent her precious moments at NavaJyothiSree Karunakara Guru's Santhigiri Ashram, offering prayers at Aradhanalayam (prayer hall), floral tributes at Parnasala, visiting Sahakarana Mandiram (Shrine of togetherness) and meeting the Guru apparent and spiritual head of the ashram, Sishyapoojitha Amritha Jnana Thapaswini. Later, the President also addressed a large gathering at the Ashram's auditorium.
“Creating a society of tolerant and caring individuals begins with the family. Children when taught good values from the very beginning understand the importance of human dignity. They are disciplined and conscious of their rights and duties, read to work hard and strive for excellence. Maintaining a congenial environment at home is conducive for building strong family bonds, which provide emotional sustenance. In a broader sense, the whole world is one family—Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. As love and understanding develops in families, it will promote more harmonious societies, where we show concern and compassion for each other as fellow human beings”, the President said.
A grand celebration will be held on September 12, 2010, that coincides with Guru's birthday.
Santhigiri Expo 2010, Education Fest, an international conference on global warming, climate change, sustainable development and secular spirituality and several cultural programmes will be held during the month long celebrations that started on August 13, 2010. More information at http://indian-chronicle.blogspot.com or http://www.santhigiriashram.com
PS: If travel magazines, lifestyle magazines, newspapers and others are interested to cover features / news about Parnasala or Santhigiri Ashram, email me at resmi.writer@gmail.com.
If you would like to be a part of the grand celebrations on September 12, 2010 and have further details, feel free to email me with your queries.
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