Vishalakshi Mantap - An architectural marvel!
The Amphitheatre as seen from VM
Initially, I had dreaded about getting bored staying in the Ashram by myself for two days. No course or any such activity was scheduled for that time, and at a place so far away from the city, I was quite worried about what I would do during the entire day. Things surely have a way of sorting out by themselves! Minutes after I entered the room alloted to me, I heard a taxi approaching. Somehow I knew that someone else was coming to this room, and yes, there was a knock. Initally both of us were confused as we weren't sure if we were supposed to share rooms. But then when we saw that the exact same room was alloted to us, and that there were multiple beds, we just accepted it. This guy was from Amritsar, and what was amazing was that he too came just to visit the Ashram for exactly those two days, and it was his first time at the ashram too! I have always been amazed by how quickly a bond of friendship can develop when people are thrown together in the same situation. Especially when there is something unknown to be faced. Both of us hit off quite well, and started to explore the campus.
The Panchkarma Centre (Ayrvedic centre)
The Ashram turned out to be a complete world in itself. The region is very hilly in nature. It is a marvel how the architecture has woven around the undulations of nature, rather than bulldoze the land according to requirement. There is an organic farm, and they provide free (or the costs are included in the lodging fee) meals 3 times a day to everyone in a huge canteen. There is a vedic school where the children learn about our ancient scriptures, and they are taught about other things in a modern board affiliated school. There are playgrounds, meditation centers, a privately run cafeteria, bookstore and a general store. There is also an aurvedic treatment centre, where the doctor practices 'naripariksha'.
There is a ATM and a travel services office, that can take care of all travel needs, including railway and flight reservations. There is also a branch of the software firm Sumeru, whose profits go towards the 5H program supported by AOL. The food, though purely vegetarian and 'sattvic' always tasted so good! The organic fruit juices available at the canteen is the purest and tastiest I've ever had.
VM at night - a sight to behold!
And there is the Vishalakshi Mantap, or VM as called by the ashramites. It is an architectural jewel, situated atop a hill. Shaped like a lotus, it has five levels of petals. The first two comprise the main meditation hall. The other levels are seperate halls, which can be used for several events at the same time. At night when the mantap is lit, it is simply out of this world! The sphere at the top etherially keeps changing colors. One has to see it to believe!
Assembling for the evening Satsang
We woke up at 5.30am, and went for the daily kriya at 6. Breakfast was served at 7.15am. On both days we went to the Panchkarma centre in the morning. There was a guided meditation at noon, and lunch was served aferwards. We took a hearly afternoon nap after that :) Evening began with another meditation session at 4pm. Before dinner we explored parts of the ashram, and browsed through the bookstore and the general store. Dinner was at 7.30 followed by satsang till 9pm. The evening satsang in VM was attended by all the people staying at the ashram, and was a wonderful exprience. I recognised some of the sigers there as the ones whose albums I saw at the bookstore! It was a melodious epiphany, complete with all sorts of musical instuments and drums. After such a climactic end to the day, we slept early at 10.
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