B. RATHINASABAPATHY, Ecologist at Forests by Heartfulness, describes the building of the Asana Mandala Garden, which blends Vedic wisdom, sacred geometry, and ecological harmony. This living Mandala offers seekers a serene space for meditation, transformation, and alignment with nature’s rhythm.
The Asana Mandala Garden is a Tree Temple that embodies the profound spiritual synergy of sacred geometry and nature, integrating the square and the circle—symbols deeply rooted in the traditions of all cultures, ancient and modern. In Sanskrit philosophy, the square (chaturbhuja) represents stability, structure, and the earthly realm, while the circle (mandala) signifies wholeness, cosmic unity, and the infinite cycle of life. Their harmonious integration channels spiritual energy, aligning the five elements or pancha bhutas (earth, fire, water, air, and ether) within the temple, creating an environment conducive to meditation and inner transformation.
A sanctuary within Nature
At Kanha Shanti Vanam, the serene headquarters of Heartfulness near Hyderabad, nature thrives in abundance. Residents and visitors alike delight in exploring its verdant landscapes. While the formal Yatra Garden and the tropical rainforests are well-loved, there are hidden gems that offer quiet reflection. One such sacred space is the Tree Temple, a unique mandala-inspired grove just beyond the nursery.
At the heart of the Tree Temple lies a lotus pond, embraced by a geometric arrangement of Indian Bullet Wood trees. Four entrances, marked by pairs of standing stones, invite seekers into this tranquil sanctuary. A circumambulatory path allows you to walk in quiet contemplation, immersed in the rhythm of nature’s symmetries.
The role of geometry in temple design
Great temples arise from profound simplicity. Much like a mighty tree grows from a tiny seed, the architectural marvels of the ancient country of Bharat (India) can be traced back to a single, potent point, a bindu. (The Sanskrit “bindu” means a point, dot, or seed.) The Tree Temple was envisioned in this spirit. Unlike traditional temples that take years to be carved in stone, this living temple was brought to life as a 10-month project at the dawn of 2024.
The timeless principles of Euclidean geometry guide the transition from simple forms to intricate structures. To create our Tree Temple, we followed a classical approach: beginning with an asana mandala grid of 10 x 10 squares, we carefully selected key elements that echo the sacred proportions of ancient temples. The transformation unfolded step by step, a progression that mirrors the methods of the sthapatis, the master temple builders of old.
A living tribute to tradition
While the sthapatis took their creations to extraordinary complexity, we chose a simpler more organic path. Our Tree Temple stands as a humble yet profound homage to sacred geometry, inviting nature to breathe life into its form. Here, the unseen energies of the devatas or nature spirits find space to reside, blessing this sacred grove with their sublime intelligence and boundless grace. This temple in trees is not just a structure, it is an experience—a space where earth and sky meet in harmony, where silence speaks, and where the spirit finds solace in the eternal embrace of nature.
The inception of the garden
In December 2023, a particular area that was once a barren wasteland at Kanha Shanti Vanam evolved into a thriving wetland. First, we dug a pond at the end of the nursery area, then Dr. V. Ramakantha introduced Paul Glassop from the USA, renowned for his Tree Temple designs, who visited the pond area. Captivated by its beauty, Paul shared his insights with Dr. Ramakantha.
“The Language of Geometry, a language that is loved by Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim. This geometry is a fundamental language that can help unify everyone and everything. It can reunite individuals to their own hearts, so it surely has to do with Heartfulness… What does a tree want? Water, air, soil, sunshine, and the love of humans. And if we want to give the tree a little more, we let it be part of a temple, which we call a Forest Heart. The heart has four chambers, so in our Forest Heart we also have four chambers one each in the East, North, West, and South. For a spiritual devotee to gain liberation, they must have a heart. For a forest to achieve its full purpose it must have a Forest Heart.”
Designed with profound intention,
the Asana Mandala Garden is a sanctuary of spiritual
and ecological harmony, inviting seekers
to immerse themselves in the sacred geometry of life,
fostering an inner journey toward balance,
tranquility, and connection with the universe.
And so the concept of the Asana Mandala Garden emerged. Architect Deepika Pothuraju was entrusted with demarcating the site, and her survey team was deployed for site assessment. Upon receiving clearance from the administration, the groundwork commenced, laying the foundation for a spiritually enriched landscape.
The design and spiritual alignment
Mandala gardens are sacred spaces designed to facilitate meditation and spiritual alignment. The Asana Mandala Garden embodies this essence, structured around a central pond that draws inspiration from natural water bodies. Encircling this serene core, sacred plants such as Bullet Wood (Mimusops elengi), Sandalwood (Santalum album), and Malabar Jasmine (Jasminum malabaricum) enhance the ambiance. These species symbolize purity, devotion, and divine fragrance, fostering a deeper connection with nature and the cosmos.
The sacred arrangement aligns with yogic principles, where the square represents the stability of an Asana (posture) and the circle symbolizes the continuous flow of Prana (life force energy). This unique garden serves as a space for deep contemplation, bridging the physical, spiritual, and cosmic dimensions.
A living mandala of spiritual awakening
Guided by Dr. Ramakantha, with conceptual inputs from Paul and architect Deepika, and support from the Forests by Heartfulness team, the Asana Mandala Garden integrates ancient wisdom with modern ecological consciousness. It stands as a testament to the coexistence of spirituality and sustainability, offering seekers a living, breathing mandala.
Designed with profound intention, the Asana Mandala Garden is a sanctuary of spiritual and ecological harmony, inviting seekers to immerse themselves in the sacred geometry of life, fostering an inner journey toward balance, tranquility, and connection with the universe. As this garden flourishes, it stands as a beacon of the timeless synergy between nature and the Divine, inspiring all who walk its sacred path.
