Planning for the Future

Contents

– AERIAL SITE PLAN

– SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

– RENOVATIONS AND AUROVILLE HOUSE

– PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

– MEDITATION HALL

– RECEPTION AND EXHIBITION

– RETREAT ACCOMMODATIONS

– LIBRARY

Aerial Site Plan

Renovations and Auroville House

Mother’s Blessing August 2, 1968

Over the years, the small garage housed the Ashram Cottage Incense imported along with handmade paper which was repacked and sold throughout the US under the Matagiri name. A book room and a painting studio on the second floor were added.

The woodworking shop was converted to our Meditation Sanctuary which houses the sacred relics of Sri Aurobindo. In 2017 the Sanctuary underwent renovations (new wallboard, lighting and carpet). Following Eric’s passing, repairs were made to the Matagiri cabin foundation with better insulation, an upgrade to the kitchen and new carpeting. Then two new buildings were built. “Auroville House” is a straw-bale super insulated building providing a yoga/performance space, guest rooms and living facilities. Yoga, pilates mat classes and dozens of concerts, classes and workshops have taken place along with three weekly study circles via Zoom.

Mahabalipuram Lion in Winter

Eric, Alexander, Champaklal, Kamalaben

Mira Nakashima Talk

Matagiri House Cabin

Matagiri’s Future Plans

The Matagiri trustees wish to continue to create community and long term income for the center by providing retreat accommodations, a reception and exhibition hall, increase the size of the library and create a sacred space for meditation worthy of Sri Aurobindo.

We are in the process of getting approvals from the Town of Woodstock for the plans and hope you will actively participate in raising funds and referring friends with the capacity to donate to our nonprofit organization.

August 15th Darshan on the Lookout

Auroville House Yoga Hall

Two Flutes at All USA Meeting

Yoga Class on the Lookout

Meditation Hall

The current meditation room was originally a woodworking studio which we converted to house the sacred relics of Sri Aurobindo.

Mira Nakashima, whose father, George, helped build Golconde Guest House at the Ashram, created a plan for a new Sanctuary based on Sri Aurobindo’s Symbol which architect, David Ekroth, elaborated upon. The new design will be built where the current bookstore/gallery sits. That building has flooded and is in serious disrepair and will be replaced by the new Sanctuary.

The new Sanctuary will feature an accessible entrance with a passage leading into a hexagonal meditation space inspired by Sri Aurobindo’s symbol. A pyramidal skylight inspired by Auroville’s Matrimandir will illuminate the space. It will be the heart of our Center.

Bulding Cross Section

View of Building

Reception and Exhibition Building

Sam Spanier’s Art Collection was donated to Matagiri by Eric Hughes. Professional dealers consider his art to have significant value which can be cultivated. There are other outstanding devotee artists and photographers who could be exhibited at Matagiri. We have a major inventory of books and other items from the Pondicherry Boutique in Woodstock donated by trustees Julian and Wendy Lines for sale.

Sam Spanier Mountains

Sam’s Painting – Lotus

West Elevation

South Elevation

Retreat Accommodations

We currently have rooms in both Matagiri House and Auroville House for guests but find that privacy is important to those on retreat. We want to provide two apartments for individuals or couples and one for a family, so guests can experience being in Nature while having access to the Sanctuary for meditation and the Library studying the works of Sri Aurobindo and Mother.

Library

Our Library has all the works of Sri Aurobindo, Mother and many of the disciples. We wish to safeguard precious correspondence with American disciples and Mother along with signed photos and other archival materials for posterity. Our most precious item is a letter from Sri Aurobindo to a disciple