Hyderabad Ashram – An Abode of Bliss :

The Sundara Chaitanya Ashram at Hyderabad is built in the country side far from the din of the city. It is situated 40 km away from city on Medak highway near Dundigal village. It is a picturesque construction both beautiful and sacred, cradled in the lap of Mother Nature. Overlooking green fields and clustered around by mango and guava orchards, the ashram provides an excellent atmosphere for serene contemplation.

The Ashram is a huge complex spreading over an area of 10 acres. It has in it - Bhagawan Murali Krishna Mandir, Dhyana Mandir, Shruti Mandir, Sarada Mandir, Guru Mandir, Annapurna kshetram, Sant kuteers, Vyasa kuteer, Tree House, Karyalayam, Nada chaitanyam studio, Books and cassettes sales counter, Chaitanya Hospital, Andhra Bank, buildings providing accommodation for devotees namely Mathura, Vamsi, Dwaraka, Yamuna and Kaivalyam, Sudarsanam, dormitories. All the buildings are set among beautiful landscaped gardens. Three gigantic archways exquisitely designed and erected over wide roads lead us into a spiritual world of divine excellence.

On entering the Ashram, the world will pass into oblivion leaving us to ourselves in an absorbed reverie. The grandeur and massiveness of the buildings; the serene atmosphere of the premises; the joy and felicity that the temple bestows; the charm, grace and glory of the presiding deity – Lord Murali Krishna are all lovely beyond words. The hospitality of the inmates who are always busy, active and yet serene and meditative reflects the magnanimity of the glorious head of the institution Parama Pujya Swamiji under whose guidance the ashram runs in a smooth, organized and systematic manner. A multitude of consistent and steadfast Satsangees and devotees who feel themselves greatly indebted to their Guru throng the ashram on Thursdays, Sundays and on festival days, to have the darshan of Pujya Gurudev, hear him speak, seek his blessings and partake of the divine Prasad served in the Annapurna Kshetra.

During the Birthday celebrations of Param Pujya Gurudev in December, devotees from across the state and abroad come in thousands to take part in the Annual Jatiya Sadas that may stretch to any length of time from one week to ten days. The sessions help us look at life from a wholly new angle and we understand very soon that wealth, name, fame and all other earthly possessions are insignificant in comparison to the eternal happiness that we are in search of and this, we realize is our true self. “You traverse the world in search of happiness which is within the reach of every man – his own essential nature – Himself”, says Pujya Swamiji.

The temple, which is 82 feet high, is a magnificent two-storied edifice and has a radius of 36 feet. On the first floor is the Krishna mandir and on the ground floor is the Dhyana mandir. The elaborately carved dome of the temple is 36 feet high. Huge wooden doors with ornate sculptures depicting Sri Krishna and Arjuna in Kurukshetra remind us of the artistic splendor of the bygone ages. The entire structure rises majestically from the middle of a circular pond decorated with fountains and beautiful statuettes depicting the life of Lord Sri Krishna. All this ornamentation with a high aesthetic value was solely planned and designed by Pujya Swamiji and built within an unbelievably short span of ten months. Truly, therefore, the ashram mirrors the spiritual brilliance, beauty and grandeur of Pujya Swami Sundara Chaitanyanandaji Maharaj.