Labyrinth at Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis, the Interfaith Dialogue Centre in Tiruvannamalai recently constructed a labyrinth in the back of their compound, to which all are welcome. In the upcoming Arunachala Grace Newsletter there will be a narrative on the nature of labyrinths as a walking meditation. So if you are not a subscriber of the free Newsletter, check out the Newsletter facility at the left column of this page.

Labyrinth at Quo Vadis

Labyrinths have been around for over four thousand years and have been integral parts of many cultures and religious traditions around the world. The Hopi called the labyrinth the symbol for "Mother Earth" and equated it with the Kiva (“Sacred Lodge”). Like Stonehenge and the pyramids, labyrinths are magical geometric forms that define sacred space. A labyrinth pattern, usually circular, has been associated with pilgrimages, rituals and self-discovery and represents the life journey.

The difference between a labyrinth and a maze is that a labyrinth has only one path leading to the centre and back out again and in which there are no dead ends.

To find out more about Quo Vadis Interfaith Dialogue Centre, visit their website at this link here.

Quo Vadis News

I have made many posts on Arunachala Grace about Quo Vadis the interfaith dialogue centre situated at Tiruvannamalai, and close to Ramana Ashram. To read some of the posts use the search facility at the top left of this page.

This week I checked in with Quo Vadis and spent time with its pastor JP and those around him. While there I had lunch and investigated the Labyrinth in the back garden and also got up-to-date with news at Quo Vadis. Their website is at this link here.

Below are some current photographs of Quo Vadis and information about the Centre’s current weekly schedule for visitors.

Lane outside Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis Interfaith Dialogue Centre

Arunachala from Quo Vadis' roof

Tree trunk carving from Quo Vadis
building site

Paintings, sculptures, artwork and
photographs displayed throughout the Centre

The meditation and meeting hut

Innovative plant hanging planted
in old bamboo piece

The Quo Vadis garden looking
very luxuriant

The Labyrinth located at
Quo Vadis

The week in Quo Vadis:

Monday: Cultural dialogue in the garden:
(song, dance, making instruments etc)

Tuesday: Women's interfaith book club in the Library:
(book read out live in English language)

Wednesday: Reading and reflection on roof top:
(spiritual books, meditation)

Thursday: Interfaith dialogue in the Roots Cafe, Quo Vadis
(reading from sacred scriptures, visit from key personnel)

Friday: 'Search the roots' in the Roots Cafe:
(recipes, herbal medicine and health tips, making kolams etc)

Saturday: Walking meditation and dialogue:
(6 a.m. walking the inner path or up to Skanda Ashram)

Sunday: Christian meditation in the Red Hut at 6.30 p.m.

Film: Film Evening every first Saturday of the month at 6.30 p.m.

Quo Vadis Inauguration

iThis week on the 15th September, the evening of Ganesha Chaturthi, the inauguration of Quo Vadis, the new Interfaith Dialogue Center in Tiruvannamalai, was celebrated.

While waiting for guests and visitors for the evening function, a few last minute touch-ups in the library and reading room.

While last minute touchups are going on, in preparation for the 'cutting of the ribbons' upstairs, some traditional music is being played by members of Quo Vadis Harmony Group.

A guest from the U.K. is one of the first to experience the Internet facility.



In the below photograph, part of the collection of local paintings waiting to be placed around the Quo Vadis facility.

As always, in Indian functions there is the traditional and symbolic jyoti lamp, rangoli and flowers.




Dignitaries, included the Bishop of Arcot, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan R.J.

A close-up of the jyoti lamp and display.

The meditation hut.

Below is Ole Madson from Denmark who has just finished a 6 month tenure representing Danmission as administrator at Tiruvannamalai during the setting up of Quo Vadis. He has done an amazing job. Thanks Ole and we will totally miss you.

And finally on the roof of Quo Vadis, a couple of lads setting up a small screen for the showing of a short presentation movie on Quo Vadis.

Officially Quo Vadis is now open to visitors. It is anticipated that over the next few weeks; all facilities comprising: 2 restaurants, internet room, library and meditation hall will be in full operation. Soon information will be available about regular weekly and monthly Quo Vadis programmes.

Quo Vadis Website

To keep in touch with Quo Vadis Interfaith Dialogue Center, Tiruvannamalai, check out the Center's website, listing information about its facilities, activities and future plans.

Quo Vadis Compound

Finally building work at Quo Vadis Compound is complete and now all that remains is to populate the library with books and fit out the kitchen ready for the opening of the Center's two restaurants. In the below photograph is Ole Madsen from Denmark, who has been working with Quo Vadis as representative of Dan Mission. On the right of the photograph is the co-ordinator of Quo Vadis and Lutheran pastor of this area, Rev. Joshua Peter.

To find out more about the purpose of Quo Vadis you can check at this link.

In the next photograph is Penita, the wife of Rev. Joshua Peter, and the person who will be in charge of the Center's kitchen and restaurants.

Now that the building work is complete, most have been engaged in a big clean up and also in landscaping the compound.

One of the restaurants will be on the roof of the Center and has a sublime view of Arunachala.

The original site of the Center had trees that had to be felled before construction work could be started. Wherever possible the trees were saved with the idea of later turning them into sculptures. The logs in the below photograph are soon to be turned into two matching sculptures by a local Tamil artist named Ravi who, it is hoped, will be working with apprentices from a local Catholic Center.

Another view of the two giant logs.

Once finished they will be put on either side of the gateway into the Compound and thus provide a striking and memorable entry into Quo Vadis.

The two sculptures will be completed within a month and when ready I will post photographs of them.

Quo Vadis Harmony

Quo Vadis,has arranged a cultural programme to take place between 6 and 8 p.m., June 21st, 2007 at the venue of the Danish Mission School (near Periyar Statue, Tiruvannamalai).

The forthcoming event, will comprise a music, cultural, and performing arts function put on by the 42 members of 'Quo Vadis Forum'. This event to be known as 'Quo Vadis Harmony' will be the engagement of 'music and arts to promote cultural dialogue'. It is proposed that Quo Vadis Harmony will have similar cultural programmes at least twice a year.

The upcoming programme will include an 'arangettram' (debut public musical recital) of 12 violinists trained by Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan, and will be a combination of both Indian and Western musical traditions. After the recital, certificates will be given to the 12 musicians by Richard Bhaskaran, Secretary of Arcot Lutheran Church. The 'Quo Vadis Harmony' programme will also include dance dramas and skits.

The guests at the function are to be Rev. David (from Chennai) who will be also covering the event on behalf of the Tamil TV station, Thamizham, Rt. Rev. Dr. Gideon Devanesan and his son Mr. Prasanna David, a computer engineer and missionary in Nepal.

All are welcome to 'Quo Vadis Harmony' an inaugural cultural event of music and arts to promote cultural dialogue.