Reviving an ancient garden tradition last explored 2,000 years ago

 

Gurudev unveiled the first-ever Murugan Mandala Vatika, an ancient garden tradition at the Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru.

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Sept 11, 2021
Bengaluru, India

Gurudev unveiled the first-ever Murugan Mandala Vatika, an ancient garden tradition at the Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru. The last exploration of this garden system was done by a saint named Bhogar Siddar from Tamil Nadu, nearly 2,000 years ago.

Launch of a new architectural landscape, the Murugan Mandala Vaatika, @BangaloreAshram.
This marvelous science of Sacred Geometry is being revived after 2000 years and is conducive for experiencing the underlying nature of existence. pic.twitter.com/tyHkTg8AZc

— Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (@SriSri) September 11, 2021

The Mandala Vatika as the name suggests is a unique garden with specific plants for different geometric patterns or Mandalas such as the Siddhi Vinayaka Mandala Vatika which has 21 plants including Dhruva grass, Dhatura, Beal, Mango leaf etc. Vara Maha Lakshmi Mandala Vatika has eight flowers like Jasmine and Chrysanthemum. Murugan Mandala Vatika has 6 and so on. These plants, when planted in a set sequence within the Vatika, create an environment of harmony and enhance one’s experience of peace and well being.

As he unveiled the Vatika, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “God is alive. Where is he? Where is the life force? It is in the trees, plants, animals and humans. Different plants are assigned to particular vibrations and definite energies, they express the unmanifest divinity. Plants are the primordial expression of life.”

The event was attended by Dr. B.N.S. Murthy, Director, ICAR-IIHR, Dr.Rajendra Prasad VC , UAS, Sri Mune Gouda, Sri Sameer Baruah, Mission Director, UNCTAD-EMPRETEC, Mission Assam & Senior Advisor India and Smt. Bhanu Narasimhan, director, women and children’s welfare programs at The Art of Living.

The basis of Mandala Vatika

The Art of Living has researched, using original Sanskrit texts, consulted Vedic scholars and Quantum physicists for several years under Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s guidance to extract the exact science and authentic knowledge of this art of Mandala Vatika.

Based on the science of sound vibration (Naad), geometric pattern (Cymantics) plants and the unique frequencies generated by different plants the Mandala Vatika becomes a medium for one to experience the effect of the combination of the three elements and become aware of different dimensions of consciousness.

According to Dr Prabhakar Rao, curator and trainer of the Mandala Vatika program, “Though the name is derived from ancient Vedic scriptures, the principle behind it is universal, and resonates with all ancient cultures from Asia, South America, Middle eastern Arabesque, Christianity and Judaism.”

Bringing the Vatika everywhere

Though called Vatika, this art can be learnt and practised on paper, made physically in a small balcony or terrace space or enlarged to fit into a large space. It can be created by garden enthusiasts, homemakers, and students too.

The physical Murugan Mandala Vatika in The Art of Living premises is a captivating structure with a beautiful pattern of six stars (representing Shanmukha) with lotus petals made in granite and space in between for each plant. One can sit at the periphery of the Vatika and experience calmness. The whole pattern resembles a beautiful rangoli made of stone. The effort of the team is to take this almost forgotten knowledge to the masses and make such Mandala Vatikas in open spaces, parks, temples, communities and homes.

The pandemic has taught us how meditation and being with nature improves one’s mental well being and boosts immunity and resilience to face difficult situations. This science has come at an opportune time that can be used to understand our relationship with ourselves, the environment and the world around us.

Open for all, this Vatika is an added attraction while visiting the Art of Living International Center in Bengaluru, India.

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