by Bhagin Richard Kellenberger
Mid-July 2017 I traveled to India once again for a week to supervise the projects of the Universal Center and the Nature School up in the mountains (see also the report on the website www.nature-school-india.com) and to discuss the further construction activities with the architect and the builder.
Since March the work is progressing very well. The following buildings have already been built: the baths for the pilgrims, the Guard House, the Welcome House and the Welcome Shop.
Due to the monsoon with 2-6 daily heavy rainstorms, the external work was stopped until mid/end of August.
However, interior reconstruction work is now in full swing. At the moment, intensive work is being done in the passage from the Sun Temple to the Circuit of Gods.
The extension of the Sound Temple was also started.
The exterior wall of the Universal Center for Peace, which consists of natural stone, is 98% completed.
The building and design of the Kailash Towers have been clarified. The Kailash Towers ‒ Kailash as king of the mountains ‒ correspond to the highest mountains and the seat of the gods. The exterior wall of the tower will be surrounded by these mountains. On three levels houses for the different gods will be seen. This is a symbol of a very ancient city and at the same time it is also an invitation to all aspects of God and Goddess.
In order to find the suitable white stones for the outer walls in the upper part of the tower and the Parikrama – the Circuit of Gods ‒ a trip to Rajasthan was necessary. These stones were now ordered and the designing will be started immediately upon receipt of the delivery.
The encircling of the entire terrain with a wall has already advanced to three-thirds, which provides now the Center of Peace with a protective cover. At the same time, the wall also serves as security during the construction phase in order to counteract construction tourism.
All in all it was a very intensive and wet and hot (felt 42-45 °C) working week, but it was worth it. Both the Center of Peace and the Nature School have made very good progress, and the entire team has done a great job for which huge gratitude has to be expressed.