Know Santhigiri- a spiritual and charitable institution with great thoughts

Santhigiri

Santhigiri Ashram is located in Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala.^[1] The ashram was founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru^[2] and is recognized as a Social and Scientific Research Organization by the Government of India.^[3][edit]

Vision of Santhigiri Ashram

Santhigiri Ashram works towards fulfilling Navajyothi Sri Karunakara Guru's vision of a revitalized life involving spiritual, social, economic and cultural elements.^[4]

Navajyothi Sree Karunakara Guru (born 1927, died 1999) was from Chandiroor, Alleppey district, Kerala. His teachings followed the theme of a global spiritual and cultural renaissance in harmony with material progress. He focused on the aspect of the soul that carries karmic merits and impurities that result in success or failure in life.^{[citation needed]}

With the above vision and process, the ashram functions as a training center; people can either stay at or visit the ashram and attend services and assimilate in the teachings of the Guru by doing karma - correct actions.

[edit]Locations

In addition to the main centre in Pothencode, the ashram also has branches in Idukki, Ernakulam, Chandiroor, Kanyakumari, Kottayam,Madurai, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta and Sulthan Bathery. Branch locations are also being built in Bangalore and Delhi.

[edit]Activities

[edit]Annadhanam

One of Sri Karunakara Guru's objectives was to feed the poor and to this effect the ashram offers an Annadhanam or gift of food, at their various centers, to people from the lower economic strata.^[2][5]

[edit]Athurasevanam

Athurasevanam or care of the ailing is a supporting function to the Guru's vision. The ashram performs this function through a chain ofAyurvedic research centers,^[2][6] hospitals,^[7] onsite and offisite health care programs and camps^[8] and social research.^[3]

[edit]Athmabodhanam

Part of the Guru's vision for the ashram is Athmabodhanam or spiritual awakening.^[9] The awakening is at two levels - rational and transcendental; the former focuses on elimination of ignorance while the latter focuses on knowledge of reality.^[10]

[edit]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^[11] and cottage industry programs.^[12]