History of Santhigiri Ashram

The longing for a life of service to God and the society sprouted in Thirumeni’s mind in his early childhood. He got the encouragement and training for such a life from his parents. The decision to become a teacher and priest was consequent to that aspiration. It is a fact that a teacher’s life style and views can be perceived in Thrumeni’s life as a priest and bishop which need not be elaborated here.


Santhigiri was established at Aluva because of Thrumeni’s preferences for that place. Since 1956 he was a student at U.C. College Aluva and since 1961 he worked as a teacher at the settlement High School, Aluva and Ashram English High School, Perumbavoor, strengthening his attachment to that locality. The experience at Ashram school developed in him an awareness of Ashram life which eventually culminated in the inception of Santhigiri Ashram.


Thrumeni could travel widely in connection with WCC which enabled him to study the style of functioning of the global church. The Taize community in France influenced him very much in the formation of Santhigiri Ashram. He was very much inspired by this community in which everybody was addressed as ‘brother’ and all lived together as brothers.


A trust was registered in April 1992 in which along with Thirumeni, Shri Oommen Johnson (Niranam), Shri George Kovoor (Aluva) and Shri John Mathew (Ranny) became trustees. Ten acres of land at Edathala was purchased for the Trust at a cost of Rs.11 lakhs which came from the sale of Thirumeni’s paternal property and the contributions of his relatives and friends. The dedication ceremony was conducted on 29th August 1993 (Thirumeni’s birthday) in the presence of Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, who inaugurated the social service programme of the Ashram. The control of the Santhigiri Trust was taken over by the Episcopal Synod from February 1994. The Mar Thoma Metropolitan became the president of the Trust and the Trustees were to be nominated by the Synod. Thus the Trust was reconstituted with eleven members. In 1996 the Trust was brought under the general administration of the Mar Thoma Church through an amendment of the Trust deed.




The first buildings constructed for Santhigiri was named ‘Anugraha’. After the leaving of the ground, agricultural farms, gardens, lawns, a fishpond and a hillock called ‘Dhyanagiri’ were provided with proper roads. A guesthouse called ‘Ashram” with Ten bedrooms was built to accommodate those who come for meditation and prayer, according to the specification given by Thirumeni. The front door opens to the ‘community life’ and the back door opens to the place of ‘personal contemplation’. The conference hall called ‘Archana’ has 200 seats. A counseling centre, Allopathy Clinic, Dental Clinic, and the office constitute the ‘Ashraya’ complex. ‘Abhaya’ is the hostel for the youth and children who come for camps and conferences. ‘Adarsa’ is the residence for visitors from abroad and it was contributed by Dr. Thomas Abraham and family in New Jersey. ‘Akshaya’ is the messhall. ‘Anupama’ is the Director’s Quarters, where the former directors Rev. George Mathew and Rev. K.G. Joseph resided. The present occupant is Rev. K.P.Sabu. The staff Quarters is called ‘Abilash’. ‘Dhyananilayam’ is situated at the centre of the building complex. This beautiful structure reflects the originality of the Indian architecture and provides a congenial atmosphere for spiritual experiences and worship. Beneath it we can find the place of meditation. The replicas of all the significant spots in the life of Jesus Christ can be found there. In fact nobody can come out of this building without imbibing the presence of God. All other buildings face the Dhyananilayam. Thrumeni seems to have visualized in this architectural structure the concept of going out to work after lifting one’s face to God and submitting before Him. The names given to the buildings signify the purpose for which each of them has been created. ‘The Garden of Prayer’ reminds us of the unforgettable Gathsemene.


This institution has grown to the present stage passing through several crises and obstacles right from the beginning to the present. It is an indisputable fact that the strength to go ahead inspite of crises has been gained through the work for Santhigiri. It is to be remembered with gratitude that these experiences helped Thrumeni to realize the dream of Santhigiri, which remains the supreme example of the abundance of God’s grace, self-confidence, faith, untiring labour and co-operation of service minded people. Nobody will have an iota of doubt about the objectives to provide peace and tranquility to people drifting on the shores of unrest and suffering.