The kutia of Swami Chinmayananda in Gangotri was is described by him in his own words: “Chinmaya in a room 9ft x 5ft x 4ft side to middle. Some 5ft with one single door 2ft wide and 4ft height. Cowdung plastered: roof all woodL walls ganges stones! Life marvellous. Make Fire - tea - bhiksha - make hot water. Bathe. Meditate. Sweep - wash hands - meditate.”
We have attempted to recreate the Kutia of Swami Chinmayananda in Gangotri and also placed inside are some items that are replicas of what he would have used. There are also notes that he made while listening to Swami Tapovanam. You can enter the Kutia and experience a glimpse of how it would have been to stay and study in such a Kutia.
Another version also says that Swami Chinmayananda walked from Rishikesh passing through many forests and after many days, finally reached Uttarkashi to study under Swami Tapovanam. Giving the reference of Swami Sivananda he asked Swami Tapovanam whether it would be possible to study Vedanta under him. Swami Tapovanam replied- What is the proof that Swami Sivananda sent you? Go and get a letter from him. Though disturbed, Swami Chinmayananda walked down to Rishikesh for the letter. Swami Sivananda smiled and said – You have passed in your first test.
The First text that he studied under Swami Tapovanam was Panchadashi, written by Swami Vidyaranya, the 11th Shankaracharya of Sringeri math. Its a preliminary text of Vedanta that explains all the concepts and terminologies used in the science of Vedanta and Upanishads. It has 15 chapters.
Both Swami Tapovanam and Swami Chinmayananda were from Kerala and both were well versed with English. Yet, Swami Tapovanam chose to teach in Hindi and Sanskrit. As the Guru spoke in Hindi, Chinmaya was meticulously translating and noting everything in English because he wanted all of his notes in the language most familiar to him.
He used a stone as a pillow to ensure that he woke up early and be ready with a cup of tea for Swami Tapovnam by 4am. He had bare minimum essentials in the Kutia which was shared by other students. Textbooks, lantern, a Kamandal were some of the items he used.
When you exit the Kutia, next to it are 10 steps of discovering Self-Knowledge
Design Notes
Kutia of Swami Chinmayananda & Swami Tapovanam
The visitor sees the kutiya that Swami Chinmayananda lived in, whilst he was studying under Tapovan Maharaj. We have attempted to recreate the Kutia of Swami Chinmayananda in Gangotri. Placed inside are some items that are replicas of what he would have used. There are also notes that he made while listening to Swami Tapovanam. You can enter the Kutia and experience a glimpse of how it would have been to stay and study in such a Kutia. A human scale cut-out of Swami Chinmayananda sits at the entrance of the kutia.