What we're building

The land is a plot of just over 400 square metres near the Aadhi Annamalai Temple, on the western side of Arunachala, registered to the Shiva Skanda Vel Charitable Trust in 2025.

The plan is to build a small retreat house at the back of the plot — a few rooms, a kitchen, a small reception, a shrine. Modest in scale, with room to extend later if the project asks for it. We expect the build to cost in the region of £30,000.

We want to build in keeping with the place — using traditional Indian methods rather than modern concrete construction. Compressed mud bricks, lime renders, natural materials, local craftsmen. The buildings of this region were made this way for many centuries before cement, and they belong here in a way that a concrete building would not. The architects we have engaged work in this tradition.

Before any building work, we sought the blessing of the Aadhi Annamalai Temple. The first water from the borehole was offered at the feet of Lord Ganesha there. The land is prepared, the borehole is in, the power supply is connected.

Alongside the building project, the trust runs small acts of seva in the area — annadanam, educational support for children from poor families, care for animals. The annadanam is offered in partnership with the Mohanji Foundation, whose home for elders stands beside our land. The seva keeps the project grounded in the place.

The building itself will follow as funds allow.