KOTTAYAM: The Kurisumala ashram at Vagamon, established by the Benedictine monk Francis Acharya in 1955, stands in striking contrast to the latest spiritual activities and encroachments happening in Idukki district. Francis Acharya, a Cistercian monk belonging to the Benedictine congregation, was born in Belgium. Christian spirituality blends with the Indian tradition in the ashram where the word ‘Om’ is inscribed on the prayer room. It also has a Bhagavad Gita along with the Bible.
The ashram is covered in the mist of Sahya mountains and the visitors who come in search of peace and serenity can enjoy the gentle breeze blowing across the place. The ashram was established on the model of the ‘Sachidananda ashram’ run by the Benedictine priests at Kulithalai near Trichinapally where the symbols and wordings of Hindu style of prayers are used. Francis Acharya had spent a considerable time at the ashram on the banks of Kaveri where 88 acres of land was gifted for the ashram by K.V. Thomas Pottenkulam. Father Francis was asked to start the monastery by Zacharias Mar Athanasios, the then bishop of Tiruvalla.
“The scenic beauty and the peace of the ashram will rejuvenate the visitors,” recalls V. Jayakumar who has been a frequent visitor there for the last ten years. Silence pervades the ashram with boards reminding the visitors to ‘please maintain silence.’ The Benedictine priests, attired in saffron, who run the ashram speak very little and are immersed in meditation and prayers. The people ascend the hills to the ashram on Good Friday. It rears cows for milk and the food given to the inmates is pure vegetarian with vegetables grown on the premises.
