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Santhigiri Ashram is located in Pothencode, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala. The ashram was founded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru and is recognized as a Social and Scientific Research Organization by the Government of India.
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The followers of Karunakara Guru have built a beautiful monument called Parnasala in the shape of a blooming lotus in white Makrana marble in the Ashram compound. This unique structure took 10 years for completion. It was inaugurated by the President of India Pratibha Devi Patil on 13 August 2010 and was opened for prayers and worship on 12 September 2010. Apart from its spiritual sanctity, The Lotus Parnasala of the Ashram has become a landmark of Trivandrum and is attracting lots of tourists.
Vision
Santhigiri Ashram works towards fulfilling Navajyothi Sri Karunakara Guru's vision of a revitalized life involving spiritual, social, economic and cultural elements. His vision emphasided on secular spirituality
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.
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.
Locations
In addition to the main centre in Pothencode, the ashram also have branches in Idukki, Ernakulam, Chandiroor, Haripad, Kollam, Kanyakumari, Kottayam, Madurai, Thrissur, Palakkad, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode, Kannur and Sulthan Bathery. Branches are also being built in Bangalore and New Delhi.
Annadanam
One of Guru's objectives was to feed the poor and to this effect the ashram offers an Annadanam or gift of food, at their various centers, to all the visitors as well as inmates.
Athurasevanam
Athurasevanam or care of the ailing is a supporting function to the Guru's vision. The ashram performs this function through a chain of Ayurveda and Siddha research centers, hospitals, onsite and offisite health care programs and camps and social research.
Athmabodhanam
Part of the Guru's vision for the ashram is Athmabodhanam or spiritual awakening. The awakening is at two levels - rational and transcendental; the former focuses on elimination of ignorance while the latter focuses on knowledge of reality.
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 and cottage industry programs.