Santhigiri

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Santhigiri Ashram is a spiritual center and pilgrimage site, located in Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/28/stories/2008042860970300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502031408/http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/28/stories/2008042860970300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 May 2008|title=Advani hails contributions of spiritual leaders |date=28 April 2008|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-14}} It was founded by Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/24/stories/2004112402900300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050117091524/http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/24/stories/2004112402900300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2005|title=Prime Minister to inaugurate ashram's research centre|date=24 November 2004|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-14}} and is recognized and developed as a Social and Scientific Research Organization by the Government of India.{{cite web|url=https://www.dsir.gov.in/direct/07sirodir.pdf|date=November 2007|publisher=Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt of India|access-date=2023-06-12|title=Wayback Machine has not archived that URL.|archive-date=18 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518034741/http://dsir.gov.in/direct/07sirodir.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Situated within the ashram compound is the Parnasala monument, in the shape of a lotus blossom in white Makrana marble. It was constructed by the followers of Karunakara Guru over a period of 10 years{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}. It was inaugurated by the President of India Pratibha Devi Patil on 13 August, 2010 and was opened for prayers and worship on 12 September, 2010 {{citation needed|date=March 2020}}.

This ashram is located at the geographic coordinates of {{coord|8|37|55.6|N|76|53|52.8|E}}[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Santhigiri¶ms=8_37_55.6_N_76_53_52.8_E_] at an altitude of about 107.06 m above sea level.

Santhigiri Ashram works towards fulfilling Navajyothi Sri Karunakara Guru's vision of "revitalized life involving spiritual, social, economic and cultural elements".{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/03/11/stories/2002031100440200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031009111513/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/03/11/stories/2002031100440200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2003|title=Between religion and spirituality|last=Tankha|first=Upendra|date=11 March 2002|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-14}}

Activities

=Offering free food=

One of Guru's objectives was to feed the poor and to this end the ashram offers an Annadanam, or gift of food, at their various centers, to all the visitors as well as inmates. On the aspects of Guru's wish all human beings in one society truly followed.{{cite web|url=http://www.india9.com/i9show/Santhigiri-Ashram-30592.htm|title=Santhigiri Ashram|date=14 July 2005|publisher=India9.com|access-date=2009-07-15}}

=Healthcare=

Athurasevanam or care of the ailing is a supporting function to the Guru's vision. The ashram performs this function through a chain of Ayurveda and Siddha research centers,{{cite news|url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GG02Df01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060211180151/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GG02Df01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=11 February 2006|title=Herbs and hysteria|last=Devraj|first=Ranjit|date=2 July 2005|publisher=Asia Times|access-date=2009-07-15}} hospitals,{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/03/stories/2008110360650300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524072500/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/03/stories/2008110360650300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 May 2009|title=Bulgarian princess visits ashram|date=3 November 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-15}} onsite and offsite health care programs and camps{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/05/stories/2006040502970200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212060024/http://www.hindu.com/2006/04/05/stories/2006040502970200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 February 2008|title=Santhigiri Ashram to organise free medical camp |date=5 April 2006|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-15}} and social research.

=Athmabodhanam=

Part of the Guru's vision for the ashram is Athmabodhanam or spiritual awakening.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/14/stories/2004121416890300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226042604/http://www.hindu.com/2004/12/14/stories/2004121416890300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 December 2004|title=International conference on health in Kottayam|date=14 December 2004|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-15}} The awakening is at two levels - rational and transcendental; the former focuses on elimination of ignorance while the latter focuses on knowledge of reality.{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/16guru.htm|title=Blind man's buff - Interview with Rajeev Anchal|work=Rediff.com|access-date=2009-07-15}}

=Economic development=

As part of the vision of a revitalized life, the ashram focuses on economic development, with an emphasis on trade skills and support for women{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050758890300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512002343/http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050758890300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 May 2008|title=Study materials, uniforms distributed |date=7 May 2009|work=The Hindu|access-date=2009-07-15}} and cottage industry programs.{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020324/ncr1.htm|title= Santhigiri Ashram for an all-round health|date=23 March 2002|work=The Tribune|access-date=2009-07-15}}

References

External links

[https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Santhigiri¶ms=8_37_55.6_N_76_53_52.8_E_ GeoHack - Santhigiri Ashram]

{{official website|http://www.santhigiriashram.org/}}

Category:Ashrams

Category:2010 establishments in Kerala

Category:Educational institutions established in 2010