The INR300 million ($6.4 million) prayer hall christened ‘Parnasala’, meaning ‘hermitage’, is believed to be the costliest prayer hall in Kerala.
The 91 feet structure, with a radius of 84 feet, has 12 petals facing up and nine down. It took about six months to build each petal. Finishing and polishing of each petal required minute attention of architects and skilled workers. The imposing prayer hall, under construction for the last ten years, will be inaugurated by Indian President Prathiba Patil on 13 August 2010, and would be dedicated to the world on 12 September 2010.
The concrete formation is covered with white makrana marble chips, and is anchored to the core by steel bars. Makrana marble is said to be the stone used in the construction of the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. At the heart of the structure, a 27 feet high lotus bud-shaped sanctum named ‘Sarakoodam’ is featured. This enclosure is carved out of teak and contains a marble cask carrying the mortal remains of Karunakara Guru, who established the Santhigiri Ashram in 1964. The entire interior of 27 feet height and 21 feet diametre is encased with brass.
In front of the sanctum a carved wooden platform called the ‘Balalayam’, which is guarded by two majestic tuskers carved in rosewood, is featured. The entire floor of the Sarakoodam is paved with ‘Krishnashila’, black granite brought from Kanataka, India. Atop the cask, 11 steps would lead to a pedestal, where a life-size golden sculpture of the revered spiritual teacher, would be installed.
There are 12 rooms on the upper floor of the Parnasala designed to store the belongings of the teacher. There is a foyer, called ‘Baalalayam’, adorned with intricate artwork and carvings. LCD lamps installed strategically will illuminate the insides of the Parnasala. The architectural uniqueness of the Parnasala lies in the fact that it has been constructed as per the Vaasthu Shastra – a traditional Hindu system of design based on directional alignments – and architectural patterns received by Sishyapoojitha Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, disciple and spiritual successor of Karunakara Guru.
The Santhigiri Ashram is the final resting place of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, who passed away on 6 May 1999. Started in the 1960s, the ashram is open to all, irrespective of caste, class, region, religion or gender. The monument has been built as an epitome of world peace and religious harmony.
