The Ashram

'Tamarai' means lotus. The lotus is a flower that symbolises knowledge and prosperity and is closely associated with the Goddesses of Learning and Prosperity, Saraswati and Mahalakshmi. 'Pakkam' is place and so Tamaraipakkam means a place of lotuses. In the past there were number of ponds here filled with lotus flowers.

Sarveshwara Nagar in Tamaraipakkam is an ashram situated in Vengal village in the Tiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu, about 40 km away from Chennai city. The eight acres land of the ashram was donated by two noble devotees from Chennai to Pujya Gurudev in June 1984.

This ashram was set up as a Pitamaha Sadan - a place where people over the age of 60 can come and stay permanently. The purpose is to provide a quiet serene environment conducive for reflection and meditation.

It was also here that Sandeepany (Tamil) took firm roots and two batches of students underwent training under the guidance of Swami Shreedharananda.

The ashram has a number of cottages providing comfortable accommodation to its senior residents. The Geeta satsang hall on the ground floor of Sarveshwara Dhyana Nilayam (the temple) is a well-ventilated circular prayer hall neatly furnished. The hall is suitable for meditation and satsang.

The ashram also has

• Rooms for Mission Acharyas
• A goshala (cowshed)
• Paddy fields
• Beautifully forested areas where people can walk in solitude
• A scintillating aquarium
• An auditorium

Sarveshwara Dhyana Nilayam

Sarveshwara Dhyana Nilayam has a massive Shiva Lingam, which stands 90 ft from ground level. The Sivalinga shaped dome is 65 ft high. Inside the temple are a Sphatika Lingam and a granite Lingam.

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Medical Centre

A free Anant's Medical centre, to cater to the needs of inmates of the Ashram as well as for the villagers around, was declared open by Pujya Gurudev on the installation day. It is a tribute offered by the undiminished enthusiasm and interest of the dedicated team of doctors, as well as Chinmaya Yuva Kendra members, who travel 40km from Chennai every Sunday morning to offer their services to the sick and the suffering. There is a proposal for an Intensive Care Unit to attend to emergencies, with two beds and plans to develop the centre into a well-equipped hospital in due course of time.

Harihar School

The educational needs of the children of the locality, deserve the highest priority in any scheme of reconstruction. Pujya Gurudev, foresaw this need and on 22nd February 1990 inaugurated a free Harihar school. The school is based on the ancient Gurukula system wherein not only the education but also the other developmental needs such as food, clothing, medication, etc of the village children are taken care of. The dedicated teachers living with the children guide them and strive to develop the personalities of the children, giving them value-based education.

It is here that Sandeepany (Tamil) took firm roots and two batches of students underwent training under the guidance of Swami Shreedharananda.

Thus a sleepy, little-known village has been slowly transformed into a vigorously active and spiritually inspired place!

Contact:

Sarveshwara Nagar
Sarveshwara Dhyana Nilayam
Vengal, Tamaraipakkam 601 103
Tamil Nadu, India
Ph: +91-44-276 26745