ತಪೋವನ್ ~ Tapovan, Dharwad

T a p o v a n. The name Tapovan is a combination of two wordsl; Tapas and Vana. Tapas meaning meditation and Vana means forest or woods. Hence the meaning of Tapovan can be "garden for meditation."

Dharwad, a beautiful and peaceful little town (once upon a time) is indeed fortunate to be home to Tapovan of Mahatapasvi Shri Kumarswamiji a was a yogi, a philosopher, a humanist, a writer and a social reformer.

Swamiji was born in 1909 to a pious couple Lakshmanappa and and Chinnamma at Hunashikatti village, Belgaum district. The baby boy named as Gurudeva becomes an orphan at a tender age. Gurudeva was adopted by Neelamma of Hunashikatti. Young Gurudeva has spiritual interest even as a child. Gurudeva practices Shiva Yoga for many years at Navilteerth on the banks of river Malaprabha near Saundatti. Gurudeva has attained significant spiritual development by the time he is 18 years of age. Gurudeva graduated in 1932 and ordained in 1933. He established Navakalyanamath at Saptapur, Dharwad and engaged in social service. In 1965 Gurudeva freed himself from social activity and took up Vidvat Sanyas. Gurudeva, now Sri Kumaraswamiji established a spiritual hermitage and named it as Tapovan.

Silver Jubilee of Tapovan was celebrated in December 1990. The event was inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama. A Science and Yoga Conference was held on that occasion which was attended by scholars, thinkers and delegates from different parts of the world. Sri Kumaraswamiji attained samadhi on Oct 22nd 1995.

Samadhi Mandir of Sri Kumaraswamiji.

This building was inaugurated in March 2012. The event which was a part of birth centenary celebration of Kumaraswamiji was attended by the former President of India Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam.

Inside the temple; in the center is the Samadhi.

|| He Prabho Prasida Aum ||

|| ಹೇ ಪ್ರಭೋ ಪ್ರಸೀದ ಓಂ  ||

Swamiji's Dhyana Mandira ~ meditation room.

This is where Swamiji used to meet his disciples seeking advice on worldly matters.

|| He Prabho Praseed Aum ||

Mahatapasvi Kumaraswamiji (1909 to 1995)

A long time disciple of Swamiji and care-taker of Tapovan.

This marble statue of Kumaraswami had been donated by Fakirappa Guddi of Gadag and unveiled by Dr. Kalam during the birth centenary celebrations.

|| Namah Shivaya ||

ದಿವ್ಯ ದೇವಾಲಯ ~ The Divine Temple.

Brahmavihara, a hall for prayer and meditation.

.

Inside of Brahmavihara

|| He Prabho Praseed Aum ||

The chair graced by His Holiness Sri Kumaraswamiji

Swamiji had disciples across the world. One of my maternal uncles would say that Swamiji had more European disciples than Indian disciples. Swamiji had delivered lectures and attended conferences all over the world. To know more more visit a post on Flickr dedicated to Mahatapasvi Kumarswamiji.

.........