The lotus-shaped marble ‘parnasala' at the Santhigiri Ashram at Pothencode, near here, will be dedicated on August 13. President Pratibha Patil is scheduled to dedicate the building, a pressnote issued by the ashram said.
The President will also inaugurate a month-long celebration in connection with the event. Constructed in the shape of a full-bloomed lotus in pure white marble, the structure, where the body of Karunakara Guru is interned, will be opened for regular worship on September 12, the Guru's 84th birthday.
The ashram is making elaborate arrangements for the dedication ceremony. A cultural programme featuring the spiritual and cultural heritage of India will be one of the highlights of the event. The President is scheduled to hold discussions with Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, head of the ashram.
The ‘parnasala,' conceived as a symbol of universal peace, fraternity and spirituality beyond religion, will be open to all people for worship, irrespective of differences.
The celebrations will feature an ‘International conference on global warming, climate change, sustainable development and secular spiritualism' from September 9-11, a ‘National congress of spiritual leaders' from September 10-11, the Santhigiri Expo-2010 from September 6-15 and an ‘Education festival' and an ‘Arts festival' for students in the first week of September.
The events, being organised in collaboration with UNESCO and The Energy and Resources Institute, are aimed at showcasing the values of spiritualism beyond religion, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, social harmony, universal peace and youth development, the pressnote said.
