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KANCHI Ghatikasthana Library
KANCHI
Ghatikasthana Library
Centre for Learning Research and Information
on Bharatiya Culture
Among the centres of ancient Bharatiya culture, Kancheepuram, the celebrated city (`Nagareshu Kanchi'), stands unique as a centre of historical, cultural, literary and educational importance. Epigraphs point to Ghatikas (educational institutions) as having flourished with thousands of students, in Kanchi. Besides, Kanchi is associated with great religious preceptors like Sankaracharya and Ramanujacharya.
To protect our ancient culture in its pristine glory, to make Kanchi thrive as in the past and in memory of the Sarvajna Sankara, His Holiness Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has initiated an educational complex, like the old Ghatikas, in a campus of about 100 acres, at Enathur, a village adjacent to Kancheepuram city and about 75 KM from Madras. In this centre, institutions for the study of the following will be established:
The four Vedas, Ayurveda, Dhanurveda, Gandharvaveda, Arthashastra, Vedangas, Veda Bhashya and Shastras. Besides, centres for study of Temple architecture, for training Temple Priests, for research studies in comparative religions and different systems of philosophy find place in the project. A college of Arts and Sciences is already functioning in the campus since 1991. A large library is going to be set up in the near future and a cultural museum will be established later.
Library: The proposed library will house rare works, in as many as ten Indian languages and other languages, having a bearing on Vedic literature, Shastras and diverse subjects such as Religions, Astronomy, Astrology, Philosophy, Architecture, Fine arts, etc. There will be an audio-visual section disseminating knowledge regarding Temples, Temple architecture, Iconography and Epigraphy. Palm leaf and paper manuscripts of rare, old works will be collected and housed in a separate wing of the library.
Devotees of Sri Adi Sankara, citizens and business concerns interested in the preservation of our hoary culture, are requested to contribute liberally towards this noble cause and obtain the grace of Sri Adi Sankara and blessings of the Acharyas.
Those who possess rare, old books (in good condition) and manuscripts, if willing, may send the volumes to Sri Sankaracharya Math, 1, Salai Street, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu 631502.
Indian Overseas Bank has undertaken to serve for this noble cause, by accepting donations for the Library fund of the Ghatikasthana. Donations to the fund can be sent by cheque, D.D. or M.T. in favor of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Charitable Trust (Library) Account S.B. A/C 3100 to Indian Overseas Bank, Ennaikara Street, Kancheepuram 631501, Tamil Nadu, India.
