An Appeal from Pujya Srimad Chidandapuri Swamiji, Kolathur Adwaithashramam21/03/2012 00:44:24 http://www.advaithashramam.org/ Dhanyatman,
Advaithashramam, Kolathur was established in the year 1992, when Sri. Mangalasseri Narayana Swami donated 56 cents of land with Sri Vallorakkavu Kshetram to Swami Chidananda Puri, the patron of Sri Vallorakkavu Kshethra Samithi. This Samithi is registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860 with registration No. 552/92 in Kozhikode district. From its very inception, Ashramam has been working hard to spread the tenets of Sanathana Dharma in general and Vedanta in particular. Monthly Vedanta classes, annual retreat camps, Upanishad vichara sathrams, camps for university level students, long term Vedanta courses etc. are held at Ashramam regularly. Almost all the days 2-3 classes and lectures are being given at different places. Ashramam has published more than 35 books, hundreds of C.Ds and D.V.Ds containing classes and lectures on our philosophy, culture and many other contemporary topics. Through all these activities, Ashramam is slowly being recognized as a centre of Vedanta studies and socio-cultural importance.
The main objective of Advaithashramam is to disseminate the eternal knowledge of Advaitha Philosophy. At the same time we are also giving importance to social uplift and national integration. In the year 2003, Sri Sankara Charitable Trust was formed to undertake the seva activities of Ashramam.
In June 2005, we started Sri Sankara Balasadanam, a home for under privileged boys of our society. It was inaugurated by Parama Poojya Swami Dayananda Saraswathiji Maharaj. At present we have 45 boys staying there and studying in the neighborhood schools. Apart from schooling they are also getting exposure in Yoga, Value based classes, Martial arts, Music, Sports etc. To provide better facilities and more conducive living environment to the children, and also as per the stipulations of the amended rules regarding orphanages, now we have to construct the first floor of the Balasadanam building. The concrete work is just over and we must finish the remaining works within two months, before the onset of monsoon.
In June 2011 we started a school, Sri Sankara Vidya Mandir affiliated with Bharatheeya Vidya Nikethan to make available basic education to children, giving importance to our cultural values. In fact we were forced to start the school taking in to account the state of erosion and distortion in the cultural environment in our local society. We started the school even without a school building. At present 130 students are attending L.K.G, U.K.G and 1st std. It will be very difficult to function in the coming years without proper school building as the numbers of classes are increasing. So it is high time we started the work for school building. In the first phase we are planning to construct the ground floor of the building followed by 1st and 2nd floors in the years to come.
When the Ashramam was started in 1992, there was no need for a big dining hall and kitchen. We didn’t have the land too. But now the old set up has become very much inadequate even for daily purposes. During camps and classes too much time is being lost due to the lack of facilities in the kitchen and dining hall area. So at the earliest we have to construct a spacious Annakshethra consisting of kitchen, store room and dining hall. Now we have more than 3.30 acres of land in Kolathur village.
A home for devotees, namely, Sri Sankara Bhaktha Nivas is constructed along with the Ashramam in the newly purchased land. Construction of one building with six flats has been completed so far. At Palakkad district, one devotee of the Ashramam has donated a land of one acre and the construction work of an Ashramam building is in progress there. By next year we will be in a position to inaugurate that. Also, one and a half acres of land has been donated by another devotee near Pandikkad at Malappuram district. An Ashramam along with a centre of service to old people can be started there in near future.
Sri Vallorakkavu Kshethram which is the centre of the entire activities of Advaithashramam has to be rebuilt at the earliest according to our vastu sastra before 2014 uttharayanam. Before the commencement of renovation work of the temple we must complete the work of Annakshethra, because the present dining hall has to be demolished first for the temple renovation.
The entire work, that has to be completed within a short span of time, requires a huge sum of money. To finish the Balasadanam building, a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs , to build ground floor of School, around Rs. 40 lakhs, for constructing Annakshethra a sum of Rs. 30 lakhs and for renovating temple a sum of Rs. 20 lakhs, thus a sum of rupees 1 crore in total has to be raised within a short period of time. Ashramam is coming out with this appeal to all family members and well wishers for their whole hearted support for this noble cause. We hope the well wishers of the Ashramam and Sanathana dharma will come forward with their part of contribution to fulfill this noble task. Kindly think how you can take part in this project. We look forward to hear from you. Our idea is to find a thousand people who can donate a sum of rupees ten thousand payable in four or five equal installments within a time span of one year. Then the project will surely become a success with the participation of common people. Please think of this plan and feel free to share your ideas. Convey this message to all near and dear who have common feelings as you.
With all love and best wishes
Swami Chidananda Puri,
Advaithashramam,
Kolathur, Kozhikode – 673315
Kerala, India
Phone +919846925999; +914952455050
Sw.chidanandapuri@gmail.com