MEDITATION CENTRE, SITAMARHI

SITE ANALYSIS
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Location
1.3 Approach
1.4 Land use
1.5 Sections
1.6 Climate
 1

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Sitamarhi, a word manipulated from ―Sitamahi‖, This is the birth place
of Maa Sita, but it was

Mahi means a hermitage, Sitamarhi means a famous for its annual

flood situation. It was

hermitage of Sita, and Sita word is derived from declared as most

undeveloped district in

―sit‖, the lowest part of a plough made up of country by the India

Today in the year 2003.

iron, which stroke the earthen pot and Sita Earlier during floods,
this district had made its

came out of it. The mythology of this place identity as an island of

north Bihar, completely

dates back to 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 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,

FIGURE 2. FLOODED
SITAMARHI [source-
Bhringi rishi and many other names are www.madhav.tk]

associated to the district.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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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,

FIGURE 3. INDIA, [source –
wikimedia]
Pupri and Sheohar.

FIGURE 4. BIHAR [source-

wikimedia]
FIGURE 5 SITAMARHI [source- wikimedia]

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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FIGURE 8 TO
FIGURE 9 OFFERING
SATELLITE

THE SUNIMAGE OF SITE [source-

GOD IN
wikimapia,
CHHATH. [source
google]
- madhav
bhardwaj]

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 6 RUNNI SAIDPUR MAP

[source-
Sitamarhi.bih.nic.in]

FIGURE 7 BRIDGE CONNECTING THE SITE TO

NH.[source-madhav bhardwaj]
1.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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AND USE

FIGURE 10 LAND USE MAP

The site is located on the bank of river

Baghmati. It is surrounded by a green belt on

Total area of site is 5.7
hectares
the west and agricultural land on the east. The
Permissible ground coverage
=33% of total
breeze on the site is worth enjoying and gives area
an eternal pleasure to instigate meditation. Permissible height = 10
meters

Setback – 3 m from all sides

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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1.5 SECTIONS

13 SECTION "AA"
FIGURE 11

FIGURE 12
14 SECTION "BB "

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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FOG
1.6 CLIMATE
On average the month of
February is affected by
Sitamarhi has a monsoon type of climate.
foggy conditions on 5
days.

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.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
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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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March 21, 1953: Osho becomes

enlightened at

OSHO PUNE
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

FIGURE 15ACHARYA RAJNEESH physical activity followed by

silence and

BHAGWAN SHRI celebration.

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.

FIGURE 16OSHO CENTRE

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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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

FIGURE 17OSHO ASHRAM SITES
worse, are divine. His contention was that
ABOUT OSHO ASHRAMS:
national ,religious ,gender and racial divisions

are destructive.
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.
MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
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THEIR SITES IN INDIA: Madhopur, distt. Gurudaspur,

Punjab. It is

planned to be the extension

of osho commune
OSHO COMMUNE PUNE: osho commune
Pune.
international is a 32 acre campus located in the

exclusive and exotically green koregoan park,

SCOPE:
Pune. It is the current headquarter of osho
The scope of the design lies
in the site planning
internationally.
and systematic zonal layout
of various activities

OSHODHARA NANAK DHAM, DELHI: dreamt by by Osho which

includes meditation

oshodhara nanak dhaam is located at 50th km Centre, residential locks,

guest rooms, yoga

stone from delhi on GT road used as the center, gardens, shopping

center dealing with

meditation camp center. Osho related projects ,

restaurants, library

museum and recreational

areas
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

INFORMATION:
tourist center, in the Chitwan distt. Of Nepal,
Osho Commune International,
a 32-acre
from Kathmandu it is only 160 km away by
campus located in the
exclusive and exotically
road.
green Koregaon Park, nestled
in the beautiful,
OSHODHARA SIDDHARTHA DHAM,
green city of Pune, is the
base from whence
CHAMPA: Oshodhara Siddhartha dham is
Bhagwaan Rajneesh(who in his
later years
located at champa in bilaspur distt. ,
called himself ‗Osho‘),
propagated his
Chhhatisgarh at the bank of Hansdeo River.
philosophical teachings upon
his return to India.

OSHODHARA ANAND DHAM, MADHOPUR:

Oshodhara anand dham, Shah Kandi Road,

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REASON FOR SELECTION OF The osho ashram is

oriented on a north south

axis.
SITE:
Total site area: 32 acre

The city of Pune was a perfect choice for the

Area of the site of
pyramid complex: 5.5 acre
Ashram owing to its perfect climate which lasts
(excluding Nala Park)
almost throughout the year , its greenery and

the tolerant attitude of its inhabitants added to Total built-up area of

pyramidal complex: 1.5

which its proximity to Bombay was very acre (6640 sq. m)

convenient for the large number of foreign

An L-shaped building has
small rooms where
members of the commune.
people can come and stay.

ORIENTATION: Adjoining the pyramid is a

rectangle block with

60 rooms guest house that

has been

FIGURE 18 LOCATION , SURROUNDINGS

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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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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

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

FIGURE 20 PLAN , OSHO MEDITATION COMMUNE , PUNE

 13

smaller halls below them, a L shaped building idol was placed under a
pyramidal rooftop to

has small rooms where people come and stay. generate energy in the
devotees.

The pyramids are oriented on the east. CONCEPT OF COLOUR

The dirty nallah in site has been converted into there are three basic
colours used in the

a lively water body with landscaping all around, complex :-

providing a beautiful setting to the commune,

-black
where people can come and stay.
-blue
A large tree near the entrance shades the

central open public space... -white

CONCEPT OF PYRAMID Black contains within it,

all colours, harness

cosmic energies and is

stable.
In the word pyramid, pyra means fire, the

universal life energy and preserves it in its Area of usage- facade

bosom. Experiments and testimonial affirm Blue signifies the first

colour one perceives after
changes in the mental, physical and emotional enlightment-the halo of
fire
states of individuals after exposure to pyramid
Are of usage – all
windows.
vibrations.

It is now believd that one of the major functions

of pyramids has to harness the cosmic White defines piousness

and purity of form.

energies, which kept the pyramid interior fresh

Area of usage – all
interiors.
and energized.

In india , the pyramid shapes were combined

with domes in temple architecture. The main

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
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MEDITATION
windows clear
glass with blue film, subdue

and enrich the

quality of natural light inside

HALL(PYRAMID) the spacious

meditation halls. The spatial

experience
created is one of tranquility,

Area of the meditation block: 1400 sq. m however with a

dynamic undertone like a

repetitive surge
of charging energy.
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 FIGURE 21THE PYRAMID.

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

FIGURE 22THE PYRAMID
inside one of the commune complex.
COMMUNE ACTIVITIES AND
 The solid pyramids are large meditation

halls with smaller halls below them. The FUNCTIONALANALYSIS

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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"Just discover your hidden splender. 1.Meditation types(8

types)

life can be simply a song of joy."-Osho  Osho Dynamic

Meditation

An atmosphere of encouragement. it offers one a  Osho

Kundalini Meditation

holiday to break free from external stresses

 Osho Natraj
Meditation
ofnourish the soul. The lush green spiritual offers a

multitude of possibilities for inner discoveries and  Osho

Nadahrahma Meditation

exploration
 Osho No-
Dimensions

"There is no greater magicthan meditation to

 Osho
Vipassana Meditation
transfer the Negative into the positive, to transform
 Osho White
Robe Brotherhood
darkness into light- This is the miracle of

meditation"- Osho  Osho Club

Meditation

Alll the work is done on a volunt its activitiesary 2.Healing arts of

east and west

basis, as an Integral part of meditation by the

3.Western therapy
approaches
people who come to transform their quality of life.
4.Esoteric sciences
According to one's own capacity and willingness,

one can render one's service towards the commune 5.Lectures

discourses

and participate In activities. In Osho's own words,

6.Library reading
room

'Work doesn't have to be a duty but a Joyful

7.Vocational
activities
expression of your newly discovered life.'
  Mental arts
ACTIVITIES
 Creative
arts

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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 Zen sports 13. Multiverisity

plaza

 Computers and Multimeda 14. Osho Teeth - Nala

Park

 Gardening of the lawn 15. Administrative

block

SPACES 16. Maintenance

1. Visitor centre  Electrical

2. Welcome centre  Air conditioning

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

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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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

SRI AUROBINDO, A
----jointly with the mother----
a philosophy

monthly magazine called ―The

Arya‖ in which
SCHOLAR….
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
Sri Aurobindo was born in Calcutta on August
guide of whom she had repeated
visions.
15, 1872. At the age of seven he was sent by

his father to England to receive an English After a stay in japan she came
back to

education. Pondicherry in 1920, and never

left again.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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In 9126, Sri Aurobindo withdrew in his room of peace, concord, harmony

; where all fighting

and stopped meeting people, then she received instincts of man would be
used exclusively to

the material and spiritual charge of the conquer the causes of his
sufferings and

disciples, giving great attention to the physical misery; to surmount his

weakness and

and spiritual development of each Ashramite. ignorance, to triumph over

his limitations and

incapacities; a place
where the needs of the
From 1965 onwards she often spoke of
spirit and the care for
progress would get
Auroville.
procedure over the
satisfaction of desires and
On November 17, 1973, she left her body. passions, the seeking for
pleasures and

materials enjoyment.
A DREAM
LAYOUT
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

There are two main
entrances for the Ashram.
of good will, sincere in their aspiration, could
Main entrances from the
Sri Aurobindo Marg
live freely as citizens of world , obeying one
 and the other one is
located facing Sarvodaya
single authority, that of supreme truth , a place
MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
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Enclaves, which acts as a safer entrance for the detail intervention area ,
to be studied from the

schools. The vast site of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Sri Aurobindo Ashram,
Delhi.

is about 29.92 acres in area. It has been

developed slowly and steadily and is still under

DESIGN
construction. There is a vast difference between

the older blocks and new ones, which includes The rooms or enclosures are
laid out around

The Mother International School, Mirambika hexagonal courtyards. (fig)

The building would

and the tapsya block. The newer blocks are ultimately enclose around
one large courtyard

based upon symbolic architecture of the around which there would be

twelve such small

symbols of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and duo decagonal blocks.

also on the concepts of Energy and other The planning grid is a

space –filling grid
phisophies. 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
MIRAMBIKA AND TAPASYA
None—conventional energy
techniques have
The Tapasya, which is the ashram residential
been used, for both
economical and spiritually
block and mirambika, which is a research as
reasons. The new buildings
have been
well as a training Centre, have been taken as a
designed, keeping in mind
the composite

climate of Delhi.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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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

DESIGN FEATURES FOR negative spaces, because of a

triangle and

square grid.
COMPOSITE CLIMATE:
Triangles are mostly used for
toilets and for

staircase space.
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.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
 21

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,
MATRI MANDIR. no organized meditation
flowers, no incense,

and ….no religion …..

Matri Mandir to be the

divine‘s answer to man‘s

aspiration for human

perfection‖.

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

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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AUROVILLES CONCEPT
DESIGN CONCEPTS
The township of Auroville,
12km from

AND PHILOSOPHY
Pondicherry spirals out
from the centre much

like a spiral galaxy with a

network of major

roads forming its ‗arms‘

and contained within
The meditation centre is the genesis to a
these arms are different
sectors .The whole
spiritual journey, a place to develop union with
concept is symbolic of
dynamism of movement
the divine as envisioned by shri Aurobindo and
around a pivot, depicting
the natural order. Thw
the mother. Consequently it forms a vital
point controlling the
movement of this pivot is
component of the design project Matri Mandir.
the soul of Auroville .
Auroville is an epitome of Aurobindian

principles and one of the key examples to take BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

cue form
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

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

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Italian marble, to mark the tranquility and expression of dissonance; a

depiction of the

serenity of the space. Opening on the geodesic rising Earth rending open
to a craters space for

shell are covered with rose-orange fused glass, the supernatural floating
appearance of the

to create an intended ambience in the main structure.

alta. Inside the meditation chamber the space

marking the columns 8.65m. in length are

BUILDING MATERIALS
constructed out of s
EXTERIORS

 The gold discs

cladding

Disc frams: stainless steel

sheet

 Disc material-
stainless steel sheet

ingle joint galvanized steel pipes.  Gold leafe: 28 gm of

gold per 1000

leaves
The emphasis is given to the surfaces in terms
 Leaf size: 85mmm X
85mm
of colours and textures, becoming the dominant

architectural features controlling and directing  Total number of

discs: 1415

the light quality and overall ambience inside  Small convex discs:
954

and outside the building. The reinforced  Large concave discs:

461

concrete framework, infilled with ferrocement  Av. diameter (large

discs)- 2.3 meter

panels, is covered with red sandstone  Av. diameter (small

discs): 1.5 meter

transported from Agra, to form the petals  Interior glass inner

skin
around the structure. The sandstone is  Glass cladding has
been provided on

intermixed with patches of grass, in an the inner line of

the sphere of
MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
 24

Matrimandir. Big peach coloured panels, There are ancient

monuments that continue to

800 in number oare required to cover fascinate us; and

there are buildings in where

the entire inner surface area of about one breathes in,

what we call, a certain

3,000 sq. Mts. ―spirit‖.Why is

this so? Sri Aurobindo mentions

 After fusing colour onto 8m thick float – glas, it is this presence of

the invincible in his book ―The

laminated to a second sheet of clear glass for Foundations of

Indian Cultre‖.

safety reasons. Each glass panel triangular in

STRUCTURE SYSTEM
shape is roughly measuring 3Mts. At the base

and 2.4 Mts. In height.

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

THE SACRED high sickle--

shaped piers, which are theucturallyru

principle load-
bearing components of the structure

GEOMETRY support the space

frame.

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

 25

METALS END PILLAR

supervising the
construction work,deveped a

prototype non-tracking
mechanism called a

EXTENSION haliostat which will

be used to direct sun's rays on

to a crystal globe.

The decision regarding the pillar extention is yet to

THE INNER CHAMBER
be finalised. But whatever adaption is made, it is

evident that these extensions would be part of the

The spacious inner
chamber, located in the upper
overall design since they constitute the natural
hemisphere , is
envisioned as being completly
continuation of the central structure.The pillars
white, with white
marble walls and white carpeting
,although structurally self-sufficient indicate the
with a pure white
crystal globe in the centre ,
start of the final curve defining the rhythm and
suffused by a steady
ray of sunlight falling on it
movement of the whole.
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 HELIOSTAT The cylinders made of

6mm thick sheets will be

finished with a smooth

white surface to merge.

To realize the Mother's concept of a strong half of

CONCEPT OF MATRI
MANDIR
light always striking the centre .The engineer

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

 26

proposal put forward was

based on the bud

spr

outi

ng

fro

the

ear

th.

The

out

sid

e of

the

stru

ctur

was

pro
 Architect's interpretation: posed to be a shell, half
underground and halt'

above, which one entered

by first going deep
The scheme of Matri Mandir as conceived by
down underground, and
then coming up via a
architect. Roger Anger, is symbolic of the 'egg of
staircase which branched
off into several
Vishnu' (in Sanskrit, the Salagram). The first

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

 27

stairways, all leading up to the meditation center of the city on a

sparsely vegetated site

chamber. This chamber was conceived as a although the surrounding

area is well vegetated at a

great bare space there was a kind of gallery by height of 50m above the
sea level. As one

which one came from below. approaches the temple

through a circum-

perambulatory path, the

sparse foliage offers

glimpses of the
superstructure situated over vast

THE MOTHER'S open land like an

Acropolis, providing no apparent

idea of scale, adding a

variable of mysticism.

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

CIRCULATION AND
the chamber much in the same way as a

pradakshina path. PLANNING:

LAYOUT: The intersection points

established by the

interlocking of the
great pyramid triangles with the

Matri Mandir is located near the geographical circles defined by the

inner chamber and outer shell

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

 28

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 central
theme of living in and
The charkas or energy points within the vertical
working for an
actual human unity is
form. The staircase between the pillars lead to the
symbolized by
the fact that various
first slab that is annular in plan, following which one
zones of the
township radiate outwards
arrives in front of a blind wall. The two doors in it
from a central
point: The Matri Mandir
lead to the double spiral staircase, which winds
in the peace
area. In this area there is
from level one to level two. From here, a pair of
also a central
Banyan tree and the
spiral ramps begin, one ascending to, and the other
Amphitheater
with its urn, housing the
descending from the inner chamber. The two ramps
soils of nations
from all over the world.
stand out delicately in the space created below the
The Mother
wanted each thing to be in
chamber and give a strong sense of dynamism.
its place and
envisaged four Zones in
Which can be attributed to their long. Unsupported
her dream.
Accomodated in a spiraling
length. Each node and each connection along the
movement are
four distinct zones-
ramp(and there are a hundred of them) has its own
 The residential
zone
type of stress distribution.

 Industrial zone

 Cultural zone
and
THE GALAXY PLAN
 International
zone

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI

 29

PASSIVE ARCHITECTURE thermal expansion.

Therefore integrated collectors

should also be made

in small packs and also should
Architecturally integrated hot water system. For
have a ledge in front
for maintenance purpose.
thermosiphonicflat-plate solar collector systems for
Both these changes
are being incorporated in the
hot water are provided. There is no electrical
new blocks.
backup. The total capacity is 2400 litres/day (about
The thermal behaviour
of rooms is satisfactory. No
30 litres/person-day).
device other than
ceiling fans are used.
The two systems feeding the north side are

optimally tilted at 45 degrees. The two other RAIN WATER

systems, feeding on the south side room, are

vertically mounted on the parapet wall facing HARVESTING:

South.
Rain water harvesting
is also done in the Ashram.
The terrace sections were designed keeping in mind
During the rains, the
rain water is not wasted, but is
the solar hot water constraints. All systems are
directed towards a
well, specially for this purpose.
masonary integrated and mounted on walls or RCC
According to the
experts, this really helps to
slabs. All tanks are neatly placed over toilet pipe
maintain the water
level.
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.

ELECTRICITY
The solar hot water system has worked extremely

CONSERVATION:
well. There is no back-up electrical use for heating

water. However, the glass break occasinally due to

MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI
 30

Electricity is sparingly provided all over with low Symbols of Sri

Aurobindo and The Mother are found

voltage corridor lights, two lights, and one fan per mostly in railings of
the new ashram blocks, in jalli

room with three lights in the attached toilets and works and even the
ceiling grid in the auditorium of

dressing areas no. 15-ampere sockets are required. Mirambika school.

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.

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MEDITATION CENTRE , SITAMARHI