A VISIT TO KANHA SHANTI VANAM. SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI.....

Peace has been redefined. At least for me. I went on a visit to Kanha Shanti Vanam, just for a night. It was sheer happenstance. The ambience gets to you, even as the sun beats down harshly. I mean  there are arbors and someone has thought of growing creeper vegetables along with flowering plants in these spaces. And the evening breeze is so soothing as the fragrance of jasmine fills the air. That we were being driven by a friendly Phanindra in a golf cart added to this charmed visit. This Heartfulness institution is all about meditation, centering yourself and finding that calmness between living in the now and being able to receive it with the grace that is needed. There is a morning and evening meditation for those who visit this place and we went to the largest meditation centre in the world, capable of seating one lakh persons at a go. At 5.30 pm sharp the meditation starts to end with a 'That's it' from whoever is leading the meditation. On that day it was Harpreet. 

For me meditation has never been about sitting quietly. It has been in the action. And so immediate restlessness set in. I heard every distant sound, birds chirping, pigeon wings fluttering, a bee buzzing or was it a fly? Construction is a continuous process in this place, which is only 6-years-old and so the buzz of the load bearing crane, the sounds of welding guns and distant trucks, all sounds of reassurance that I was alive and kicking to be in this awesome place. But just imagine listening to the meditative silence of one lakh persons? It was soothing even as I wondered how someone could sit cross-legged for 30 minutes and not fidget.

There is a lot of reflection in this place. And a lot to reflect about. And this probably reflects a lot about my nature. But I would like to confess at the very outset that I had not heard of this Heartfulness Centre though it is SO BIG. A visionary statement... 

Each time on my way to Karimnagar on the Rajeev Rahadhari, I had seen a huge gate with Sri Ram Chandra Mission written in gold letters in italics. Surprisingly I did not follow up on it. But heard that Jayanthi, a friend and relative used to visit the ashram every three months. While I did ask her casually as to why she did not visit with me, at least for a meal, she said that she arrived at Secunderabad station and would drive to the ashram and after the five day stay, returned back to the station in time for the return journey. 

Now this oasis of 350 acres amidst a desert of 1400 acres is on the Banglore Highway. Disbelievingly I drove to the place and turned right at Chegoor. There is one small lonesome board saying there is a Kanha Shanti Vanam further on. We travelled some more on a snaking single, black tarred road. 

The first impression is of huge tracts of land lying barren and dry. But apparently when it is not in the middle of summer, this place looks green and there are some good farmers. 

A small lane took us to the portals of the Kanha Shanti Vanam. Drove through avenues and seasons notwithstanding, there is a bounty of flowers, coconut trees, rife with fruit, ready for the plucking. 

A quick check-in and we were ushered in for lunch with an introduction to Harpreet Kaushalam, a much travelled gentleman. Having worked abroad for several years and filling his passport with visa stamps, he showed his grace and generosity by listening. 

We went around the awesome place, met some very nice people, including a couple from Switzerland, both now polarity healing experts. And met two young exceptional men who, it would seem performed magic, but in essence, they have been trained to focus, concentrate and listen. They can do awesome things even while blindfolded. 

Harpreet was always there with us, talking to us, listening to us. It is an art, to be able to listen. 

The next day morning was as hectic as the previous day and a bunch of friends from Ahmedabad arrived for a feel of the place. Luckily for all of us Daaji, the head of this Institue, a spiritual leader and the fourth in the line of this mission, was free to meet us. Born Kamlesh D Patel, he is only known as Daaji, which in Gujarati means uncle. “I did not want to be known as a guru, and so I picked up this name,” he says in his gentle manner.

What should have been a ten-minute meeting turned out to be an hour and half long meeting, where Daaji gently mesmerised us with his understated grace and wisdom. There is a meditative calmness around him, which probably gets transmitted to all. The feeling you get in his presence is that all is accepted and that is such a generous concept, given the age and time.

But then this place transports you, with its sense of inclusiveness, friendly aura and a sense of growth. Young ambitious men have started their business from here, while some are training to compete in archery at the national level.

Apparently 600 families live here in apartments. There are 11 lakes and while five lakes are natural, six of them are artificial. 

If you think the impossible has been achieved with the lakes and greenery, the attempt at a one-acre rain forest is breath taking and literally so. I was struggling for breath and the humidity is palpable. I was just thinking that any further trip to a rain forest is out for me. 

With 180 tall trees forming a canopy, rare trees grow under this shade of which there are only 35 trees on this planet. 

“There were only a few neem trees on this land and we have kept them as they are. All else has been grown after the first brick was laid some six years ago,” says Harpreet.

That in itself is an achievement, for when you go around the place you realise that every grass blade and every bush has been laid with a particular plan. While the formations mean something, there are also mini herbal and medicinal gardens and huge hydroponic gardens, growing some of the most colourful and luscious capsicums. My favourite still being the green ones. 

A proper school is being built, with hostel facilities. And a badminton academy is also being built under our own Pullela Gopichand’s advice.

Each year 50,000 people get together at least four times, in what is called a Bhandara and depending on their fiscal ability, they can stay either in a dormitory or in a four-star facility. And all look good and comfortable and then they can all share a meal together.

This is also a place for destination weddings and a little noise is allowed but the food would be strict vegetarian and no liquid diet allowed. In fact Harpreet’s daughter is getting married here very soon. 

Soon Ayurvedic treatments are also to start. 

I was thinking to myself, if I could feel so good in just an overnight stay and under the summer skies, a couple of days spent here when the weather is more conducive would make me feel rejuvenated and yet meditative.

Definitely worth a visit. 

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