Chapter 09: The Temples
Since Ananda is based entirely on spiritual principles, it is quite natural that we find temples, chapels and shrines a bit everywhere. No matter where you go, you can be sure you will find nearby a place to worship and meditate, should you want to do so. Like everything else, simplicity and beauty are the predominating features to them, with an emphasis on beauty!
Even though there are a lot of little shrines and temples throughout the land, those who, for me, stand out are three: The Hansa Temple, the Lahiri Shrine and the Crystal Hermitage Chapel. Of the latter I will talk about in the “Crystal Hermitage” chapter. Right now I will focus mostly on the first two.
Of the Hansa Temple, unfortunately, I cannot say much, as I didn’t get to see a lot of it; I was in there only during the Sunday service, because it is closed most of the rest of the time. It is, however, quite a beautiful building, inspiring even from the outside.
Hansa Temple.
In Lahiri Shrine I have been a lot more: for a class, for an initiation and, more often, to meditate. Something that is normal in all the temples, chapels and shrines here is that they all have good “meditation vibrations”, to a greater or lesser extent. Lahiri Shrine is one of the best places to meditate, at least as far as I could feel. The statue of Lahiri Mahasaya inside seems almost alive, and sometimes one could swear it is actually the body of the Master sitting there in meditation! The interior is small, with space for a few people to sit to meditate or for a small class. The most important thing, however, as I mentioned before, is its aura of peace, which pervades all the little shrine and makes it ideal for people to go there and meditate.
Lahiri Shrine from the outside.
A life-size statue of Lahiri Mahasaya, inside Lahiri Shrine.
Next to Lahiri Shrine we can find the amphitheatre, where many events of Ananda Village are held (for example, the classes of Spiritual Renewal week were all held there, because it can hold a lot of people) and the Lotus Lake, where one can sit to meditate if the Lahiri Shrine is not available. Curiously, meditating at the lake’s shore is almost as good as meditating in the shrine. Different? Yes. Worse? Not really. I wonder why…
The Amphitheatre.
The Lotus Lake
Other than those three, there are many other little places reserved for spiritual practices, but I haven’t been to them. One can, nonetheless, find inspiration wherever one goes, in the form of little (or big!) statues of saints or Hindu deities all over the place, and also of beautiful fountains and pictures. Inspiration and meditation vibrations are something that’s never lacking in Ananda Village.
Previous: Chapter 08: The Schools
Next: Chapter 10: Crystal Hermitage
