Santhigiri Ashram & Parnasala is located at Pothencode, about 23 km from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. The Ashram was founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, way back in 1960’s. The Ashram is recognized as a Social and Scientific Research Organization by the Government of India.
Lotus shaped Parnasala - Lotus of Peace
The main attraction of Santhigiri Ashram is the Parnasala - a huge lotus shaped structure in the form of a full bloomed lotus. The lotus shaped Parnasala symbolizes universal peace, spirituality and fraternity. The Parnasala is 91 foot structure is made with 1, 00, 000 square feet of white marble. The Marble used here is mined from Makrana in Rajasthan. These marbles are the same used for building The Taj Mahal centuries ago. The superstructure has a radius of about 84 ft and an inner diameter of about 64 ft. There are 21 petals in the lotus - 12 facing upwards and 9 downwards. Parnasala was inaugurated on 13th August 2010 and was open for prayers and worship on 12th September 2010. About 25 acres of land around Shantigiri Parnasala is declared Spiritual Zone, where vehicle traffic and plastic are completely avoided. All the constructions here are made of eco-friendly materials. Electric cars are used here for trafficking. Plenty of trees and large lawns make the spiritual zone more attractive.
The Ashram
Shantigiri Ashram at Pothencode is spread over 100 acres, comprising a ‘Prarthanalayam’ (Prayer Hall), Parnasala (Guru’s Abode), Sahakarana Mandiram (Shrine of Togetherness), kitchen, dining hall, work centers and accommodation facilities for more than 1500 inmates. The rain harvesting system here for collecting and recycle rain water gets appreciation from United Nations and several other Government bodies.
Plenty of rare medicinal herbal plants are cultivated and maintained here. The Ayurveda medicine manufacturing unit here is among the popular brands in India. The one and only Siddha Medical College in Kerala is functioned here under the control of Santhigiri Ashram. It is the first Siddha Medical College outside Tamil Nadu and the first English Medium Siddha Medical College in India.
Prayers and Offerings
Devotees can pray and chant the ‘Akhanda Namam’ (continuous chanting of mantras) round the clock at Ashram. The timings of worship (aradhana) correspond to eight ‘Yamasandhi’ (turns of day).
Pournami - The full moon day or Pournami is a very important day of prayers at the Ashram. It is an apt time to pray for the betterment of oneself, one’s family and the ancestral lineage. Devotees maintain seven days’ ‘vratam’ for ‘Pournami’, observing ‘Pancha Shuddhi’ (cleanliness of mind, body, clothes, surroundings, and words).
Nava Oli Jyothirdinam - There are about a dozen of celebrations held annually in the Ashram. Among these three are important. Janmadina Poojith Samarpanam (Gurus’s Birth Day) - which is usually held at August - September. Nava Oli Jyothirdinam which (Gurus’ Samadhi Day) is held at May. Poorna Kumbha Mela which commemorates the day of Guru’s spiritual attainment is celebrated on September.
Errors in one’s ancestral lineage and worship practices have been saved by the performance of ‘Gurupooja’.
How to reach Santhigiri Ashram in Trivandrum
By Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, around 25 km away, is the nearest airport to reach Santhigiri.
By Road
The National Highway bypass which connect NH-47 and MC road is passing through vicinity of Ashram. Buses are available from Thiruvananthapuram City. State owned transport buses starting from Thampanoor and East Fort have services through Pothencode.
By Rail
Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway station is the nearest railway station, which is about 20 km away from Pothencode.
Lotus shaped Parnasala - Lotus of Peace
The main attraction of Santhigiri Ashram is the Parnasala - a huge lotus shaped structure in the form of a full bloomed lotus. The lotus shaped Parnasala symbolizes universal peace, spirituality and fraternity. The Parnasala is 91 foot structure is made with 1, 00, 000 square feet of white marble. The Marble used here is mined from Makrana in Rajasthan. These marbles are the same used for building The Taj Mahal centuries ago. The superstructure has a radius of about 84 ft and an inner diameter of about 64 ft. There are 21 petals in the lotus - 12 facing upwards and 9 downwards. Parnasala was inaugurated on 13th August 2010 and was open for prayers and worship on 12th September 2010. About 25 acres of land around Shantigiri Parnasala is declared Spiritual Zone, where vehicle traffic and plastic are completely avoided. All the constructions here are made of eco-friendly materials. Electric cars are used here for trafficking. Plenty of trees and large lawns make the spiritual zone more attractive.
The Ashram
Shantigiri Ashram at Pothencode is spread over 100 acres, comprising a ‘Prarthanalayam’ (Prayer Hall), Parnasala (Guru’s Abode), Sahakarana Mandiram (Shrine of Togetherness), kitchen, dining hall, work centers and accommodation facilities for more than 1500 inmates. The rain harvesting system here for collecting and recycle rain water gets appreciation from United Nations and several other Government bodies.
Plenty of rare medicinal herbal plants are cultivated and maintained here. The Ayurveda medicine manufacturing unit here is among the popular brands in India. The one and only Siddha Medical College in Kerala is functioned here under the control of Santhigiri Ashram. It is the first Siddha Medical College outside Tamil Nadu and the first English Medium Siddha Medical College in India.
Prayers and Offerings
Devotees can pray and chant the ‘Akhanda Namam’ (continuous chanting of mantras) round the clock at Ashram. The timings of worship (aradhana) correspond to eight ‘Yamasandhi’ (turns of day).
Pournami - The full moon day or Pournami is a very important day of prayers at the Ashram. It is an apt time to pray for the betterment of oneself, one’s family and the ancestral lineage. Devotees maintain seven days’ ‘vratam’ for ‘Pournami’, observing ‘Pancha Shuddhi’ (cleanliness of mind, body, clothes, surroundings, and words).
Nava Oli Jyothirdinam - There are about a dozen of celebrations held annually in the Ashram. Among these three are important. Janmadina Poojith Samarpanam (Gurus’s Birth Day) - which is usually held at August - September. Nava Oli Jyothirdinam which (Gurus’ Samadhi Day) is held at May. Poorna Kumbha Mela which commemorates the day of Guru’s spiritual attainment is celebrated on September.
Errors in one’s ancestral lineage and worship practices have been saved by the performance of ‘Gurupooja’.
How to reach Santhigiri Ashram in Trivandrum
By Air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, around 25 km away, is the nearest airport to reach Santhigiri.
By Road
The National Highway bypass which connect NH-47 and MC road is passing through vicinity of Ashram. Buses are available from Thiruvananthapuram City. State owned transport buses starting from Thampanoor and East Fort have services through Pothencode.
By Rail
Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway station is the nearest railway station, which is about 20 km away from Pothencode.
sakala vidha sannidhaanangalum kadannu vanna deiva niyogathinte anubhava siddhantam yuga dharmathinte punyaatirekamaayi nilckumnna brahmanischayam
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