A sincere prayer will never go unheard,
Nature does it that way,
There is water when you are thirsty,
Before you are thirsty there will be water in front of you,
Before it issummer trees are full of leaves,
So that you can get shade,
Before it is winter trees shed leaves,
So that whatever sun isthere you can get;
Before the calf is born, there is milk in the cow,
Know that you will always be provided.
- GURUDEV
THE LEGEND
The village of Kalady, meaning "Feet", was earlier known as "Sasalam". There is a touching story explaining how Kalady got the new name.The story goes some what like this. One day, Aryadevi, the widowed mother of little Shankaracharya fainted while walking the 3 km stretch for her daily bath in the Poorna River.Feeling helpless, Shankaracharya asked his favourite deity Lord Krishna for assistance.The Lord blessed him saying, "The River will flow where your little feet marks. "Young Shankaracharya marked his little feet on the ground and the Kerala's mighty Periyar River took its new course from where his feet were marked. From that timeonwards,the place came to be known as "Kalady".The term "Kalady" signifies the love of an innocent child for his beloved mother and the blessings of Lord Krishna.Thus Kalady in Kerala is famous as the holy place where Adi Sankara got his divine knowledge and powers. His Ashrams, Temple, Smrithi Mandapam and all are here.
The Art of Living Kaladi Ashram Complex is located at seven km from here, in the banks of deviated route of PERIYAR, also known as POORNA, aesthetically constructed in an area of about 80 Ares (2 Acres). All constructions are environment friendly.
The main building,the meditation center circular in shape, ceremonially inaugurated by the divine hands of Poojya Gurudev Sri Sri Ravisankar on 7th January 2013,has a total area of 633 sq.m.(6810 sqft.)with a hall of 302 sq.m.( 3250 sqft.)in the ground floor and a balcony hall of 168sq.m.( 1750 sqft.)in the first floor.Besides,there is a kitchen and dining hall unit and a toilet block. There is enough parking space for vehicles of devotees. A gaushala(House for Cows) also is being developed.
The whole land is beautifully landscaped with flowering plants,palmtrees, shrubs, grass beds etc. The coconut and other trees alreadyexistedin the plot are protected withbase beds as such.Thewalkwaysand courtyardsare paved withmulticolourconcreteinterlockingblocks.
On entering the gate itself, we feel a divine atmosphere. Various Art of Living programs have already been started. Weekly meditation sessions are regular. There are a number of visitors daily. The activities in the Ashram Complex is controlled by a governing body of 7 (seven) members. The development of an Art of Living Village,first of its kind in the world, with about 140 housing plots, all owned by Art of Living followers, and connected facilities, adjacent to the complex. A multistorie done bedroom apartment project, with 36 identical units, as a rest place for regularly visiting devotees, facing the Ashram Complex, under the auspices of devotees, also is on the anvil. It is note worthy to mention that Naval Base retiree association impressed by the Art of Living and also impressed by the Art of Living Village concept of dwellings in meditative and spiritual atmosphere is constructing retiree homes with 48 flats in a very effective systematic way to associate and mingle with this divine atmosphere.
The other places of attractionin the nearby area are Sri Sankara Sanskrit University, Engineering College, Arts and Science College, Malayattoor Church,Elephant training centre a touristspot of Kerala Forestry Department, Multi speciality hospital and Research Centre under construction etc.