Purpose of the Centre

The thought of establishing Ma's International Centre was first conceived in the year during the promoter's stay and sadhana for three months in Ma's Almora Ashram.

During the stay he visited Krisha Prem's Ashram which comprises over four acres of land some 20 Kms away from Ma's Ashram in the Himalayan region. The promoter was already familiar with Swami Vivekananda's Mayawati Ashram in the Himalayas.

It was visualised to be an improved version of Mayawati Ashram, established and organised in that region as a befitting monument to Ma, a veritable Goddess who walked on this earth. In that Ashram, Ma's devotees, Scholars and seekers from India and abroad could congregate, study, meditate on the meaning and message of Vedanta.

Provision could be made for self-contained cottages for meditation with basic amenities of electricity, running hot and cold water, medical facilities and library.

An ambitious programme involving mobilisation of more than 10 crores of rupees was envisaged. Ma's blessings were invoked.

She was pleased with the conception. It is hoped to materialise the conception by the establishing or helping to establish the project by donations in accordance with the constitution, terms and conditions of our Trust.

As a first step towards this goal, a Trust was formed on 8th April, 1993 by the promoter to project this idea abroad. Land was acquired on 4th July, 1993 next to Ma's Samadhi Mandir in Kankhal measuring approximately 396 Sq. Yds., and placed at the disposal of the Trust for construction of a building largely for Ma's devotees from abroad who, after taking all the trouble to come to Her Ashram at Kankhal, had no proper facilities for accommodation or meals.

Ma had repeatedly expressed Her concern in this regard.

Consistent with Her 'kheyal' a spacious building (appropriately named as Ma's International Centre) with 12 bedrooms has been constructed and completed. On the 30th of September, 1995, the foundation stone laying ceremony of Ma's International Centre was performed by H.H. Swami Chidananda Jee Maharaj, President, Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, who also inaugurated the completed building on 25th of May, 1997.

Apart from the founder of the Trust who contributed land and placed Rs. 10.0 lakhs as 'interest free' loan, the main contributions towards the construction of Ma's International Centre have been received, by and large from abroad.

Efforts are being made to raise a Corpus of over US$ 60,000 to yield continuing income for expenses on good and efficient administration, security, electricity and water supply, renovation and repairs etc., and good catering service for the free supply of meals to the guests throughout the year. With regard to the Home Ministry's permission for receiving donations from abroad, it should not be difficult to have adequate contributions towards achieving our goal. According to the Constitution of the Deed of Trust, Ma's International Centre is a sister organisation of Shree Ma Anandmayee Sangha, but independent of the Sangha for administrative, operational and financial purposes. Most of the Trustees are member of the Sangha.

The traditions of the Sangha and Shree Shree Ma's Ashram will continue to be maintained and our activities conducted in harmony and goodwill with Sangha.

The original members constituting the Governing Body of the Trust are:-

Shri DharmaVira, ICS, New Delhi - President.
Shri K.B. Lal, ICS, New Delhi
Shri Govind Narain, ICS, New Delhi
Smt Devika Dhamija, New Delhi
Shri Ram Panjwani, Birla Road, Hardwar
Shri O.R Sapra, Advocate, New Delhi
Shri Ram Alexander, USA
Shri Sumant Dhamija, Executive Director, New Delhi
Shri J.N. Dhamija,prev New Delhi, Vice President and Promoter of Trust)

Since then Maharaja Manabendra Shah of Tehri Garhwal, M.P. has also been co-opted as one of the Trustees. In accordance with the Constitution of the trust, the Trust is to have two members of the ascetic order of the Sangha on its Board of Trustees as Ex-official members. They have been duly nominated.

Ma's International Centre in Kankhal is to be run with the spirit and sanctity befitting Ma's Ashram. The right of accommodation in Ma's Centre is reserved. Discretion regarding allotment of accommodation and formation of rules and regulations and other procedures vests in the Governing Body of the Trust.

As far as possible depending upon availability, accommodation will be provided for a maximum period of 10 days at a time not only to the ardent devotees of Ma but all those who wish to seek inspiration from Ma and practise 'Sadhana' within the sacred precincts of Ma's Samadhi Mandir. The period of accommodation may be extended under special circumstances.

For additional information please write or call.

Shree Shree Ma Anandamayee International Centre
Daksh Mandir Road, P.O. Kankhal
Distt. Hardwar (U.A) INDIA, Pin 249408
Phone/Fax: 00 91 1334 246345

To book for the International Center, the best is to contact the manager at the Centre, Dr Ghosh (mobile 09358 073539, address details above)
or Mrs Dhamija, address:
LCG 0105 Laburnam
Sushant Lok, Gurgaon, Haryana
Ph : 00 91 9810 931221

Anyhow, those who come directly to the Centre are usually accomodated, with the agreement of Swami Vijayananda, who lives in the ashram next door. There are also other places to stay around.