Creating Cosmic Connections
through Sacred Geometry
Case Study
Gurucharan Tirth
A Jain meditation space in Ahilyanagar is designed to harness divine energies using principles of sacred geometry and geobiology. The design of sacred spaces is one of the most challenging undertakings in the world of Architecture. To transform a blank site into a portal that invokes divine auras and in turn evokes the feeling of devotion, requires deeply intuitive processes on the designer’s part.
This has been aptly demonstrated in the design of a sacred space located in a small village in India-
Chichondi in the district of Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra India.
Gurucharan Tirth, a sanctuary for meditation was the vision of Upadhyaya Praveen Rishiji
Maharaaj Saheb. The project has been conceptualized and designed by Ar. Mayank Barjatya, the principal architect & building biologist for the project, along with the support of Ar. Juan Schlosser specialising in bio-architecture, and Ar. Kiran Nair, an expert in building detailing.
With their collaborative expertise in the realm of energetics, they meticulously blended the possibilities of Science and Spirituality coupled with an intelligent merging of Technology and Nature in the design of the project.
The centre’s main design principles harness the latent cosmic potential of the site through derivations of sacred geometry and principles of bio-architecture along with bioenergetics (an area that probes into the energy interactions between living and non-living entities and the underlying energy fields of the earth).
Geo-biology as a guiding factor for Site selection:
The site of the meditation pavilion was identified specifically by Ar.Mayank with the help of geobiological processes of sacred spaces to fix on a specific energized spot or ‘power’ spot. Geobiology helps in analysing the geological characteristics of the site and Earth’s natural energies to recognise the inherent power of specific locations and optimise the energy dynamics of a space. A mapping of currents that flowed in this sacred spot showcased a dendritic or a branching pattern. Ar. Mayank Barjatya, through the mapping exercise, found that the latent energies in these places, some very distant, could be summoned by using appropriate “sympathetic” metals and minerals.
Nestled on the site, the meditation space was envisioned as an enclosure around the holy footprint or paduka of Acharya Anandrishiji Maharaj, a revered Jain monk. The positioning of the crystal footprint on the ‘power’ spot helps tune its spiritual harmonics with Earth’s telluric energies. “Telluric energies” refers to the natural electromagnetic energies that are present in the Earth’s environment. These energies are believed to emanate from the Earth’s core and interact with the planet’s magnetic field. Beneficial tuning of telluric energies can create positive resonance within a space.
Fractals to Form
Celestial fractals emerge from the holy footprint synonymous with the divine lotus and grow organically to take the form of a stupa, establishing the centre of the meditation space. The thread of the lotus continues as the central theme as it blooms to craft a surreal interior and exterior experience. Emulating the essence of the lotus plant, that is, despite emerging from muddy swamps, its leaves remain untarnished and the flower blooms to create beauty amidst the muck, similarly, the form of the building intends to become a capsule of purity. One that cleanses the souls of those who choose to meditate within its womb, helping them attain spiritual enlightenment.
Sacred Geometry and Di-electric approaches: a meeting of spirituality and science. The progression of the petals have been determined by sacred geometry wherein each number symbolises a deeper meaning connected with the ideologies of Jainism and Jain Vastu science.
The outermost layer of petals incorporate sculptures of the 24 Tirthankaras or spiritual teachers of Jainism. The next layer of 16 petals features the 48 Bhaktamar stotras or sacred chants in Jainism, divided into 3 categories- the cosmic, the global and the telluric. This is followed by the layer with the Ashtamangal on the Eight Petals, considered as the most auspicious geometrical sacred symbols in Jainism.
The innermost layer with the 4 petals represents 4 philosophies of Jainism that connect with the purification of the soul and a journey to liberation, achieved by embarking on the pathway of the four jewels namely, Samyak Darsana (faith, acceptance of the truth of soul), Samyak Gyana (undoubting knowledge of the tattvas), Samyak Charitra (Correct Conduct) and Samyak Tap (Correct Asceticism). The 4 petals aligning with the four cardinal directions, draw in energies, translating them to the innermost sanctum- the central bud that cocoons the holy footprint.
As one moves to the core, the true essence lies in the central stupa or dome, which acts as a dielectric spherical resonator. This means that its behaviour is similar to natural phenomena like that of a flower that undergoes an organic energetic process. In this manner, the central stupa resonates with and magnifies the harnessed vibrations, thereby creating a profound energetic experience within the sanctuary. Ar. Mayank Barjatya, founder and principal architect says, “The Gurucharan tirth building will be the world’s first Dielectric tirth designed without steel’. Dielectric buildings have the ability to store cosmic and physical energy that helps bring relief from mental stress and chronic illness.”
Adding to these leveraged vibrations, to further funnel in the potent energies of the sun, the pinnacle of the lotus bud comprises clear glass skylights resembling dew-drops that capture the rays of the sun through the lenses
Project Details
Project Team:
Ar. Mayank Barjatya, Vastu World;
Ar. Juan Schlosser, Bio Arc; Ar. Kiran Nair
Site area:
22 acres
Built up area:
4500 Sq.meters
Year of construction initiation:
May 2023
Estimated year of completion:
Dec 2025
The structural framing members- columns and beams have been designed employing contemporary iconographic abstractions of sacred geometry to channel in further connections with the cosmos. The materials employed in the building are intuitive and ensure minimum interference with the earth’s energy fields. Basalt Stone, rebars and mesh, and plant based natural bio-epoxy resins form the basic material palette of the tirth.
Gurucharan tirth is planned so as to become electrically centripetal, which means it is made hypersensitive towards absorbing positive energies. This will leave visitors energised with a lingering feeling of peace and overall well-being after spending some time in the tranquil premises. Good design takes cognizance of climate, context, materiality, form, function and structure. But healing designs are ones that also factor in the deeper impacts of energies and their interaction with body and space.
Gurucharan tirth demonstrates through its uplifting concept the ability to manifest a sacred space that has healing abilities. It radiates its aura to create a portal that helps devotees transcend the physical plane and elevate their souls to become one with the infinite cosmos.