The K J Somaiya Centre for Buddhist Studies announced Jetavan, a non-sectarian centre for holistic development at Sakarwadi, Kopargaon. According to Buddhist tradition, Jetavan at Savatthi was one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries or ‘vihars’ in India. It was the second ‘vihar’ donated to Gautam Buddha after Veluvan in Rajgir. It was here that the Buddha delivered most of his teachings and discourses. It is said that after the Migaramatupasada, a second ‘vihar’ close to Savatthi came into being, the Buddha would live alternately in both, spending the day in one and the night in the other.
Somaiya’s Jetavan is designed by Sameep Padora and Associates, an architectural firm from Mumbai. With the mandate of not harming a single tree, the site was split into six buildings, each situated in gaps between the heavy forestry. Two courtyards emerged as links between them.
The complex was built by artisans from Hunnarshala Foundation from Bhuj in collaboration with local construction teams. It is constructed using natural and waste materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint to the barest minimum possible. The construction materials represent several innovations such as the use of quarry dust and fly ash (which is waste from the factory) to build the walls.
Sixteen tonnes of old, used wood from the ship-breaking yard at Alang, Gujarat, was used for the roof under-structure over which mud-rolls have been placed. Old, used Mangalore tiles were then placed on top. The mud-rolls will ensure comfort in terms of temperature in the interiors. The roof is inverted so that light comes in at an angle from the top and those inside the building can only see treetops and the sky outside.
Jetavan hopes to combine spirituality with physical wellness as well as…
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