meditation centre, sitamarhi
DESCRIPTION
its the thesis report(incomplete) for the meditation centre in Sitamarhi.TRANSCRIPT
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Location
1.3 Approach
1.4 Land use
1.5 Sections
1.6 Climate
MEDITATION CENTRE, SITAMARHI
SITE ANALYSIS
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Sitamarhi, a word manipulated from ―Sitamahi‖,
Mahi means a hermitage, Sitamarhi means a
hermitage of Sita, and Sita word is derived from
―sit‖, the lowest part of a plough made up of
iron, which stroke the earthen pot and Sita
came out of it. The mythology of this place
dates back to
FIGURE 1. "BIRTH OF MAA SITA" -AN ARTIST'S
IMPRESSION [source: - www.hjs.org]
treta yug, 7,00,000 years back. This place is
not only the birth place of Maa Sita, but it is also
the spiritual centre for many sages and saints.
Pundrik rishi had his hermit in Pundrik Aranya,
Punaura of nowadays. Maharshi Bodhayan,
Bhringi rishi and many other names are
associated to the district.
This is the birth place of Maa Sita, but it was
famous for its annual flood situation. It was
declared as most undeveloped district in
country by the India Today in the year 2003.
Earlier during floods, this district had made its
identity as an island of north Bihar, completely
drowned in water and disconnected from all
sides. The situation is now under control by the
present government of Bihar, by the
construction of various roads, bridges and
embankments. Now, this district is easily
accessible by rail and road, without any
obstruction.
FIGURE 2. FLOODED SITAMARHI [source- www.madhav.tk]
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
1.2 LOCATION
Sitamarhi district, a part of north Bihar, is
situated on the Indo-Nepal Border at
85.500latitude and 26.330 longitudes. It is
surrounded by Madhubani and Darbhanga
districts of Bihar and part of Nepal in the east,
Muzaffarpur in the south, East Champaran in
the west and Nepal in the north. Earlier it was a
sub-division of Muzaffarpur district and got the
status of a separate district on 11th December,
1972 with 3 sub-divisions, viz., Sitamarhi Sadar,
Pupri and Sheohar.
FIGURE 3. INDIA, [source – wikimedia]
FIGURE 4. BIHAR [source- wikimedia] FIGURE 5 SITAMARHI [source- wikimedia]
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
1.3 APPROACH
The site is located in Runni Saidpur, Sitamarhi,
at a distance of 16 km from the district head-
quarters and 30 km from Muzaffarpur.
Runni Saidpur railway station is 3 km away
from the site and the National Highway is 100m
away from the proposed site.
Tribhuvan Airport, Janakpur, Nepal is the
nearest airport, 54 km away from Sitamarhi.
FIGURE 7 BRIDGE CONNECTING THE SITE TO NH.[source-madhav bhardwaj]
1.
4
L
FIGURE 6 RUNNI SAIDPUR MAP [source- Sitamarhi.bih.nic.in]
FIGURE 8 SATELLITE IMAGE OF SITE [source- wikimapia, google]
FIGURE 9 OFFERING TO THE SUN GOD IN CHHATH. [source - madhav bhardwaj]
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
AND USE
The site is located on the bank of river
Baghmati. It is surrounded by a green belt on
the west and agricultural land on the east. The
breeze on the site is worth enjoying and gives
an eternal pleasure to instigate meditation.
Total area of site is 5.7 hectares
Permissible ground coverage =33% of total
area
Permissible height = 10 meters
Setback – 3 m from all sides
FIGURE 10 LAND USE MAP
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
1.5 SECTIONS
FIGURE 13 SECTION "AA"
FIGURE 14 SECTION "BB "
FIGURE 11 SECTION "AA"
FIGURE 12 SECTION "BB "
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
1.6 CLIMATE
Sitamarhi has a monsoon type of climate.
TEMPERATURE Throughout the month of February daytime
temperatures will generally reach highs of around
26°C that's about 79°F. At night the average
minimum temperature drops down to around 12°C,
that's 54°F.
In recent times the highest recorded temperature in
February has been 39°C that's 102°F, with the
lowest recorded temperature 0°C, about 41°F.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
The average daily relative humidity for February is
around 65%.
PRECIPITATION
The average monthly amount of precipitation has
been recorded at around 16 mm, that's 1 inches.
Throughout the month you can expect to see rain or
drizzle falling on 3 days of the month.
WIND
The average daily wind speed in February has been
around 4 kph, that‘s the equivalent to about 2 mph,
or 2 knots. In recent years the maximum sustained
wind speed has reached 78 kph, that‘s the
equivalent of around 48 mph, or 42 knots.
FOG
On average the month of February is affected by
foggy conditions on 5 days.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
CASE STUDIES
1. OSHO COMMUNE PUNE
1.1 About OSHO
1.2 Site location
1.3 Zonal plan
1.4 Osho commune information
1.5 Surroundings
1.6 Design context
1.7 Design details
2. AUROBINDO ASHRAM , NEW DELHI
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Location
2.3 Site Plan
2.4 Site context
2.5 Planning
2.6 Materials
2.7 Design context
2.8 Conclusions
3. MATRI MANDIR, AUROVILLE
3.1 introduction
3.2 layout
3.3 circulation and planning
3.4 conclusions
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
OSHO PUNE
FIGURE 15ACHARYA RAJNEESH
BHAGWAN SHRI
RAJNEESH(1931-1990) was
born Rajneesh Chandra Mohan in kuchwara
atown in central india. Various sources state
that ―bhagwan ― means either ―the blassed one‖
or ―god‖and that shree means master .at the
end of his life,he changed his name to OSHO.
March 21, 1953: Osho becomes enlightened at
the age 21,while majoring in the philosophy at
D.N. jain college at Jabalpur.
1953-1956: Education
1956: Osho receives his MA from the university
of sagar with first class honors in philosophy.
BELIEFS AND
PRACTICES:
Osho developed new forms of active
meditation. The best known as dynamic
meditation which often starts with strenuous
physical activity followed by silence and
celebration.
FIGURE 16OSHO CENTRE
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
These were expected to lead the individual to
overcome repression, lower there personal
inhibitions , develop a state of emptiness and
attain enlightenment .the person would then
have no pa no future no attachment, no mind
,no ego, no self.
Prior to 1985, the disciples wore red robes ,and
a necklace of 108 beads which had an attached
picture of Rajneesh. Osho assigned a new
name to each of the disciples. Men were given
the title swami and women were called Ma.
Most members lived a frugal ,simple lifestyle.
He taught a form of Monism, that god was in
everything and everyone. There is no division
between god and no god. People, even at their
worse, are divine. His contention was that
national ,religious ,gender and racial divisions
are destructive.
FIGURE 17OSHO ASHRAM SITES
ABOUT OSHO ASHRAMS:
in addition to more than 50 centres operating in
india.nepal and Canada four large residential
complexes known as dhams have been
established I india and Nepal, where osho
dhara samadhi groups are regularly been
conducted by osho acharya trivir and acharyas
trained by them.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
THEIR SITES IN INDIA:
OSHO COMMUNE PUNE: osho commune
international is a 32 acre campus located in the
exclusive and exotically green koregoan park,
Pune. It is the current headquarter of osho
internationally.
OSHODHARA NANAK DHAM, DELHI:
oshodhara nanak dhaam is located at 50th km
stone from delhi on GT road used as the
meditation camp center.
OSHODHARA GANGOTRI DHAM,
SAURAHA: situated at the bank of Rapti, a
tributary of Narayani River, on the outskirts of
Royal National Chitwan Park, an international
tourist center, in the Chitwan distt. Of Nepal,
from Kathmandu it is only 160 km away by
road.
OSHODHARA SIDDHARTHA DHAM,
CHAMPA: Oshodhara Siddhartha dham is
located at champa in bilaspur distt. ,
Chhhatisgarh at the bank of Hansdeo River.
OSHODHARA ANAND DHAM, MADHOPUR:
Oshodhara anand dham, Shah Kandi Road,
Madhopur, distt. Gurudaspur, Punjab. It is
planned to be the extension of osho commune
Pune.
SCOPE:
The scope of the design lies in the site planning
and systematic zonal layout of various activities
dreamt by by Osho which includes meditation
Centre, residential locks, guest rooms, yoga
center, gardens, shopping center dealing with
Osho related projects , restaurants, library
museum and recreational areas
INFORMATION:
Osho Commune International, a 32-acre
campus located in the exclusive and exotically
green Koregaon Park, nestled in the beautiful,
green city of Pune, is the base from whence
Bhagwaan Rajneesh(who in his later years
called himself ‗Osho‘), propagated his
philosophical teachings upon his return to India.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
REASON FOR SELECTION OF
SITE:
The city of Pune was a perfect choice for the
Ashram owing to its perfect climate which lasts
almost throughout the year , its greenery and
the tolerant attitude of its inhabitants added to
which its proximity to Bombay was very
convenient for the large number of foreign
members of the commune.
ORIENTATION:
The osho ashram is oriented on a north south
axis.
Total site area: 32 acre
Area of the site of pyramid complex: 5.5 acre
(excluding Nala Park)
Total built-up area of pyramidal complex: 1.5
acre (6640 sq. m)
An L-shaped building has small rooms where
people can come and stay.
Adjoining the pyramid is a rectangle block with
60 rooms guest house that has been
FIGURE 18 LOCATION , SURROUNDINGS
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
constructed.
The wall of the residence is in semi-gloss black
ceramic tiles with borders and corners in black
granite. The windows have black aluminum
framing around blue tinted glass, these
architectural forms stand out against the rough
black cuddupah paving and the greenery
around.
The four-storey high guest house are be simple,
but elegant and with touch of luxury. It has most
facilities of a modern hotel-but without room
service, telephone or television.
FIGURE 19APPROACH
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
DESIGN FORM
The design is the cluster of four building. The
large square blocks are the solid pyramids with
provision of large meditation halls and other
FIGURE 20 PLAN , OSHO MEDITATION COMMUNE , PUNE
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
smaller halls below them, a L shaped building
has small rooms where people come and stay.
The pyramids are oriented on the east.
The dirty nallah in site has been converted into
a lively water body with landscaping all around,
providing a beautiful setting to the commune,
where people can come and stay.
A large tree near the entrance shades the
central open public space...
CONCEPT OF PYRAMID
In the word pyramid, pyra means fire, the
universal life energy and preserves it in its
bosom. Experiments and testimonial affirm
changes in the mental, physical and emotional
states of individuals after exposure to pyramid
vibrations.
It is now believd that one of the major functions
of pyramids has to harness the cosmic
energies, which kept the pyramid interior fresh
and energized.
In india , the pyramid shapes were combined
with domes in temple architecture. The main
idol was placed under a pyramidal rooftop to
generate energy in the devotees.
CONCEPT OF COLOUR
there are three basic colours used in the
complex :-
-black
-blue
-white
Black contains within it, all colours, harness
cosmic energies and is stable.
Area of usage- facade
Blue signifies the first colour one perceives after
enlightment-the halo of fire
Are of usage – all windows.
White defines piousness and purity of form.
Area of usage – all interiors.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
MEDITATION
HALL(PYRAMID)
Area of the meditation block: 1400 sq. m
Area of central hall: 950 sq. m
The pyramid is nine storeys high from the
outside and six-storeys high from inside and
fully air conditioned
It is supported on just four pillars, and is
floored with dark green Udaipur marble, it
has no carpets or curtains and has indirect
indoor lighting apart from natural light
coming in through the wide windows.
Giving aesthetic touch to the pyramid are
enormous quantities of water .The pyramid,
in fact is surrounded by a water body and
access to it is over a small bridge from
inside one of the commune complex.
The solid pyramids are large meditation
halls with smaller halls below them. The
windows clear glass with blue film, subdue
and enrich the quality of natural light inside
the spacious meditation halls. The spatial
experience created is one of tranquility,
however with a dynamic undertone like a
repetitive surge of charging energy.
FIGURE 21THE PYRAMID.
FIGURE 22THE PYRAMID
COMMUNE ACTIVITIES AND
FUNCTIONALANALYSIS
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
"Just discover your hidden splender.
life can be simply a song of joy."-Osho
An atmosphere of encouragement. it offers one a
holiday to break free from external stresses
ofnourish the soul. The lush green spiritual offers a
multitude of possibilities for inner discoveries and
exploration
"There is no greater magicthan meditation to
transfer the Negative into the positive, to transform
darkness into light- This is the miracle of
meditation"- Osho
Alll the work is done on a volunt its activitiesary
basis, as an Integral part of meditation by the
people who come to transform their quality of life.
According to one's own capacity and willingness,
one can render one's service towards the commune
and participate In activities. In Osho's own words,
'Work doesn't have to be a duty but a Joyful
expression of your newly discovered life.'
ACTIVITIES
1.Meditation types(8 types)
Osho Dynamic Meditation
Osho Kundalini Meditation
Osho Natraj Meditation
Osho Nadahrahma Meditation
Osho No-Dimensions
Osho Vipassana Meditation
Osho White Robe Brotherhood
Osho Club Meditation
2.Healing arts of east and west
3.Western therapy approaches
4.Esoteric sciences
5.Lectures discourses
6.Library reading room
7.Vocational activities
Mental arts
Creative arts
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
Zen sports
Computers and Multimeda
Gardening of the lawn
SPACES
1. Visitor centre
2. Welcome centre
3. Gautama the Buddha hail
4. Book Shop-publications.CD-ROMs etc.
5. Video room
6. Library/reading room
7. Restraunt
8. Samadhi area
9. Artists Studio-music,painting&sculpture
10. Souvenir shop - sale of creative talents of
Inmates
11. Club - sundry , sports facilities and therapies
12. Centralised kitchen
13. Multiverisity plaza
14. Osho Teeth - Nala Park
15. Administrative block
16. Maintenance
Electrical
Air conditioning
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
SRI AUROBINDO, A
SCHOLAR….
Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on August
15, 1872. At the age of seven he was sent by
his father to England to receive an English
education.
He did intensive inner work, which led to a
number of spiritual experiences.
….And a yogi…. Sri Aurobindo arrived in
Pondicherry on April 4, 1910. After four years of
silent yoga, he started in 1914
----jointly with the mother---- a philosophy
monthly magazine called ―The Arya‖ in which
his work was published.
THE MOTHER –A CONSCIOUS LABORATORY FOR A NEW SPECIES
The Mother was born in Paris on February 21,
1878. While still a child she spontaneously
followed on inner disciple which was
accompanied by numerous psychic and
spiritual experiences.
She first meet Sri Aurobindo in 1914, and at
once recognized in him the figure of the great
guide of whom she had repeated visions.
After a stay in japan she came back to
Pondicherry in 1920, and never left again.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
In 9126, Sri Aurobindo withdrew in his room
and stopped meeting people, then she received
the material and spiritual charge of the
disciples, giving great attention to the physical
and spiritual development of each Ashramite.
From 1965 onwards she often spoke of
Auroville.
On November 17, 1973, she left her body.
A DREAM
In 1954, the mother wrote the foolowing text.
It was originally meant for the ashram, where
she found a practical ground to implement this
vision.
In 1965, The Mother decided to launch the
project of Auroville, which is amazing manifest
this ‖Dream‖.
A dream:‖there should be somewhere upon a
earth a place that no motion could claim as its
sole property ; a place where all humans beings
of good will, sincere in their aspiration, could
live freely as citizens of world , obeying one
single authority, that of supreme truth , a place
of peace, concord, harmony ; where all fighting
instincts of man would be used exclusively to
conquer the causes of his sufferings and
misery; to surmount his weakness and
ignorance, to triumph over his limitations and
incapacities; a place where the needs of the
spirit and the care for progress would get
procedure over the satisfaction of desires and
passions, the seeking for pleasures and
materials enjoyment.
LAYOUT
There are two main entrances for the Ashram.
Main entrances from the Sri Aurobindo Marg
and the other one is located facing Sarvodaya
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
Enclaves, which acts as a safer entrance for the
schools. The vast site of Sri Aurobindo Ashram
is about 29.92 acres in area. It has been
developed slowly and steadily and is still under
construction. There is a vast difference between
the older blocks and new ones, which includes
The Mother International School, Mirambika
and the tapsya block. The newer blocks are
based upon symbolic architecture of the
symbols of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and
also on the concepts of Energy and other
phisophies.
MIRAMBIKA AND TAPASYA
The Tapasya, which is the ashram residential
block and mirambika, which is a research as
well as a training Centre, have been taken as a
detail intervention area , to be studied from the
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi.
DESIGN
The rooms or enclosures are laid out around
hexagonal courtyards. (fig) The building would
ultimately enclose around one large courtyard
around which there would be twelve such small
duo decagonal blocks.
The planning grid is a space –filling grid
composed of squares and equilateral triangles.
The courtyards are surrounded by overlooking
corridors, around which the square grids are
divided into two rooms and the triangles are
divided into two sets of toilets and dressing
areas. Except on ground floor, each room gets
a balcony on the outer faces.
CONCLUSIONS
None—conventional energy techniques have
been used, for both economical and spiritually
reasons. The new buildings have been
designed, keeping in mind the composite
climate of Delhi.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
DESIGN FEATURES FOR
COMPOSITE CLIMATE:
Rough white slate finish on the exteriors for
high emissivity and poor absoptivity.
Deep recessed windows
Properly designed windows and ventilators and
interconnected courtyards aid in cross
ventilation.
Dense vegetation modifies ambient conditions.
Window designs encourage only use of daylight
in the rooms.
Buildings are integrated with solar water
heating(plate 5.7)
Load baring structure reduces embodied
energy by reduced consumption of concrete
and steel.
The symbols of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo
are the basis for the design and planning of the
building.But this has also esulted into many
negative spaces, because of a triangle and
square grid.
Triangles are mostly used for toilets and for
staircase space.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
MATRI MANDIR.
LOCATION
The project of Auroville was started in 1964 with
the objective of making a city dedicated to an
implementation of the ideal of human city. It
was formally inaugurated on Feb 28 1968. It is
located in Tami Nadu, 10 kilometers from north
of Pondichery. The 1968 galaxy concept of
town. was visualized by French architect Roger
Anger and his team for population of about
50,000 people in an area approximately 2.5 km
in diameter.
INTRODUCTION
The mother; ―Silence…..Purity….A ray of light
of new hope… no images, no images, no altar,
no organized meditation flowers, no incense,
and ….no religion ….. Matri Mandir to be the
divine‘s answer to man‘s aspiration for human
perfection‖.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
DESIGN CONCEPTS
AND PHILOSOPHY
The meditation centre is the genesis to a
spiritual journey, a place to develop union with
the divine as envisioned by shri Aurobindo and
the mother. Consequently it forms a vital
component of the design project Matri Mandir.
Auroville is an epitome of Aurobindian
principles and one of the key examples to take
cue form
AUROVILLES CONCEPT
The township of Auroville, 12km from
Pondicherry spirals out from the centre much
like a spiral galaxy with a network of major
roads forming its ‗arms‘ and contained within
these arms are different sectors .The whole
concept is symbolic of dynamism of movement
around a pivot, depicting the natural order. Thw
point controlling the movement of this pivot is
the soul of Auroville .
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND MATERIALS
The entire structure uses reinforced cement
concrete. At the same time , the harsh
starkness of concrete is hidden through various
cladding to evoke a certain illusionary ambience
a dream like space. The industrial finish of the
geodesic structure is covered up by parabolic
stainless steel discs, clad with gold foil fussed
between glass plates giving the whole structure
an expression of purity, beauty and grandeur,
The meditation chamber is claded with white
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
Italian marble, to mark the tranquility and
serenity of the space. Opening on the geodesic
shell are covered with rose-orange fused glass,
to create an intended ambience in the main
alta. Inside the meditation chamber the space
marking the columns 8.65m. in length are
constructed out of s
ingle joint galvanized steel pipes.
The emphasis is given to the surfaces in terms
of colours and textures, becoming the dominant
architectural features controlling and directing
the light quality and overall ambience inside
and outside the building. The reinforced
concrete framework, infilled with ferrocement
panels, is covered with red sandstone
transported from Agra, to form the petals
around the structure. The sandstone is
intermixed with patches of grass, in an
expression of dissonance; a depiction of the
rising Earth rending open to a craters space for
the supernatural floating appearance of the
structure.
BUILDING MATERIALS
EXTERIORS
The gold discs cladding
Disc frams: stainless steel sheet
Disc material- stainless steel sheet
Gold leafe: 28 gm of gold per 1000
leaves
Leaf size: 85mmm X 85mm
Total number of discs: 1415
Small convex discs: 954
Large concave discs: 461
Av. diameter (large discs)- 2.3 meter
Av. diameter (small discs): 1.5 meter
Interior glass inner skin
Glass cladding has been provided on
the inner line of the sphere of
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
Matrimandir. Big peach coloured panels,
800 in number oare required to cover
the entire inner surface area of about
3,000 sq. Mts.
After fusing colour onto 8m thick float – glas, it is
laminated to a second sheet of clear glass for
safety reasons. Each glass panel triangular in
shape is roughly measuring 3Mts. At the base
and 2.4 Mts. In height.
THE SACRED
GEOMETRY
There are ancient monuments that continue to
fascinate us; and there are buildings in where
one breathes in, what we call, a certain
―spirit‖.Why is this so? Sri Aurobindo mentions
this presence of the invincible in his book ―The
Foundations of Indian Cultre‖.
STRUCTURE SYSTEM
The final built form of the structure can be
described as a flattened sphere consisting of a huge
chamber suspende in a massive concrete mesh
globe mounted on four pairs of concrete pillars. At
the exact centre of the chamber a crystal globe
mounted has been placed as a focal point of
attention.The profile of the structure , though
geometrically controlled, is not mathematically
definable. For the purpose of understanding, the
shape can be approximated as a surface of
revoluton of an ellipse 36m x2m.Four pairs of 38m
high sickle-- shaped piers, which are theucturallyru
principle load-bearing components of the structure
support the space frame.
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
METALS END PILLAR
EXTENSION
The decision regarding the pillar extention is yet to
be finalised. But whatever adaption is made, it is
evident that these extensions would be part of the
overall design since they constitute the natural
continuation of the central structure.The pillars
,although structurally self-sufficient indicate the
start of the final curve defining the rhythm and
movement of the whole.
THE HELIOSTAT
To realize the Mother's concept of a strong half of
light always striking the centre .The engineer
supervising the construction work,deveped a
prototype non-tracking mechanism called a
haliostat which will be used to direct sun's rays on
to a crystal globe.
THE INNER CHAMBER
The spacious inner chamber, located in the upper
hemisphere , is envisioned as being completly
white, with white marble walls and white carpeting
with a pure white crystal globe in the centre ,
suffused by a steady ray of sunlight falling on it
from the apex of the sphere. The chamber is a
dodecagonal in plan. The length of one side is about
6m and vertical height about 8.65m. there are 1
freestanding coumns located mid-way between the
walls and the crystal in the centre.Seemingly
ordinary galvanised steel tubes, these 8.65m x 60cm
columns are seamlessly welded.
The cylinders made of 6mm thick sheets will be
finished with a smooth white surface to merge.
CONCEPT OF MATRI MANDIR
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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
Architect's interpretation:
The scheme of Matri Mandir as conceived by
architect. Roger Anger, is symbolic of the 'egg of
Vishnu' (in Sanskrit, the Salagram). The first
proposal put forward was based on the bud
spr
outi
ng
fro
m
the
ear
th.
The
out
sid
e of
the
stru
ctur
e
was
pro
posed to be a shell, half underground and halt'
above, which one entered by first going deep
down underground, and then coming up via a
staircase which branched off into several
27
MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
stairways, all leading up to the meditation
chamber. This chamber was conceived as a
great bare space there was a kind of gallery by
which one came from below.
THE MOTHER'S
INTERPRETATION:
As she drew it, the Mother gave her own
interpretation of the 'egg'."The bottom of an
egg is always narrower than the top, so we can
olace the staircase at the base and the spiral
staircase comes up to the temple with, say,
seven stairway openings....." She positioned the
meditation chamber floor at the widest point of
the shell, and conceived of a passage all around
the chamber much in the same way as a
pradakshina path.
LAYOUT:
Matri Mandir is located near the geographical
center of the city on a sparsely vegetated site
although the surrounding area is well vegetated at a
height of 50m above the sea level. As one
approaches the temple through a circum-
perambulatory path, the sparse foliage offers
glimpses of the superstructure situated over vast
open land like an Acropolis, providing no apparent
idea of scale, adding a variable of mysticism.
CIRCULATION AND
PLANNING:
The intersection points established by the
interlocking of the great pyramid triangles with the
circles defined by the inner chamber and outer shell
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locate other Le points in the geometry.
The exterior surface of the outer skin.
The location of the spiral ramps'
penetration through the buttresses.
The charkas or energy points within the vertical
form. The staircase between the pillars lead to the
first slab that is annular in plan, following which one
arrives in front of a blind wall. The two doors in it
lead to the double spiral staircase, which winds
from level one to level two. From here, a pair of
spiral ramps begin, one ascending to, and the other
descending from the inner chamber. The two ramps
stand out delicately in the space created below the
chamber and give a strong sense of dynamism.
Which can be attributed to their long. Unsupported
length. Each node and each connection along the
ramp(and there are a hundred of them) has its own
type of stress distribution.
THE GALAXY PLAN
The central theme of living in and
working for an actual human unity is
symbolized by the fact that various
zones of the township radiate outwards
from a central point: The Matri Mandir
in the peace area. In this area there is
also a central Banyan tree and the
Amphitheater with its urn, housing the
soils of nations from all over the world.
The Mother wanted each thing to be in
its place and envisaged four Zones in
her dream. Accomodated in a spiraling
movement are four distinct zones-
The residential zone
Industrial zone
Cultural zone and
International zone
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PASSIVE ARCHITECTURE
Architecturally integrated hot water system. For
thermosiphonicflat-plate solar collector systems for
hot water are provided. There is no electrical
backup. The total capacity is 2400 litres/day (about
30 litres/person-day).
The two systems feeding the north side are
optimally tilted at 45 degrees. The two other
systems, feeding on the south side room, are
vertically mounted on the parapet wall facing
South.
The terrace sections were designed keeping in mind
the solar hot water constraints. All systems are
masonary integrated and mounted on walls or RCC
slabs. All tanks are neatly placed over toilet pipe
shafts within room like structures. This also helps in
providing better aesthetics. The terrace has got a
very efficient drainage detail. The terrace is also
used for washing and drying of clothes.
The solar hot water system has worked extremely
well. There is no back-up electrical use for heating
water. However, the glass break occasinally due to
thermal expansion. Therefore integrated collectors
should also be made in small packs and also should
have a ledge in front for maintenance purpose.
Both these changes are being incorporated in the
new blocks.
The thermal behaviour of rooms is satisfactory. No
device other than ceiling fans are used.
RAIN WATER
HARVESTING:
Rain water harvesting is also done in the Ashram.
During the rains, the rain water is not wasted, but is
directed towards a well, specially for this purpose.
According to the experts, this really helps to
maintain the water level.
ELECTRICITY
CONSERVATION:
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Electricity is sparingly provided all over with low
voltage corridor lights, two lights, and one fan per
room with three lights in the attached toilets and
dressing areas no. 15-ampere sockets are required.
Electrical conservation is due to the the timetable of
the residents matching daylight patterns.
no power is used for cleaning, hot water, washing of
clothes, toilets or any other function except (cold)
water pumping.
SYMBOLIC
ARCHITECTURE
The Tapasya Block and Mirambika follow a similar
Aurobinxdian architectural vocabulary in planning
and elevation. The graphic symbols of Sri Aurobindo
and The Mother are generators of the plan. The
structural system of load bearing with columns
wherever required is also common to both the
buildings.
There are twelve courtyards in both the buildings,
which represent the twelve aspects of The Mother.
Symbols of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother are found
mostly in railings of the new ashram blocks, in jalli
works and even the ceiling grid in the auditorium of
Mirambika school.
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