ParnaKUTI
An Atmosphere of Serenity and Peace
Parna Kuti has been the seat of CM Mauritius from 1983. Spread over 1.75 Acres of land and originally housing an old colonial bungalow, the Ashram at Beau Bassin was inaugurated on 26 January 1983 in the presence of Swami Balaramananda of Ramakrishna Mission, Mauritius. Subsequently, more facilities were added including a semi-covered dining area, an accommodation and office block named Chinmaya Vibhooti in 1988, kitchen and store and the cottage of Pujya Swami Pranavanandaji, the spiritual head of CM Mauritius and Reunion.
Named by Pujya Swami Chinmayanandaji after the cottage of leaves built by Sri Ram in the forests, Parna Kuti retains its closeness to the natural environment. The Ashram is filled with ample greenery, many fruit trees, a variety of birds, a vegetable garden, a water basin and a beautiful stream which runs through it.
The colonial house was eventually demolished and replaced with Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple and Vijnananilayam in 2002.
SRI MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE and VIGNANA NILAYAM
Consecrated on 8th September 2002 in the presence of Swami Krishnarupananda (Ramakrishna Mission, Mauritius) and Swami Purushottamananda (Chinmaya Mission, India), Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple and Vijnananilayam forms the centre of Parna Kuti. With shrines dedicated to Sri Mahalingeshwara and Sri Mahaganapathy, the temple acts as the locus for most activities of the ashram including all our weekly classes, spiritual camps and celebrations of important festivals throughout the year.
Vijnananilayam or the Abode of Learning denotes the most important activity of CM Mauritius which is the imparting of spiritual Vedantic knowledge to one and all.