Representatives of Shanti Mandir appeared before the Town of Montgomery planning board last Monday, September 28 to propose a buildout for the organization’s ashram. Shanti Mandir submitted plans for meditation spaces, cottages, utilities, and other amenities that would meet the ashram’s needs.

Established in 1987 by Mahamandaleshwar Swami Nityananda, Shanti Mandir is a spiritual organization dedicated to Hindu Vedism. In 2000, the group established an ashram, or secluded dwelling, on 51 Muktananda Marg in Walden, located within the town’s R15 zoning district. Shanti Mandir hosts various programs and events at the ashram, from Sunday satsang and Hatha yoga to retreats and music concerts.

“Shanti Mandir is a religious organization of the Hindu Vedic tradition; it’s part of a lineage that dates back 13 centuries. Its core religious practices include meditation; Kirtan, which is the chanting of a divine name; scriptural studies; and Hindu holiday celebrations,” said Larry Wolinsky, a longtime council of Shanti Mandir.

“Everything at the ashram is undertaken on a strict schedule, and that includes a weekly Sunday service called satsang. That is when everyone gathers, and most of the locals will come for that particular day. In addition to those activities, Shanti Mandir has programs, retreats, study courses, Hatha yoga, and other things like classical Indian music.”

“We’re proud to say after 26 years, we’ve had no issues or complaints with any neighbors, nor any problems with the town. I believe at this point in time, the ashram is well known to the town,” he continued. “This is a quiet use with an ethic of stillness, so it’s serious spiritual practices that are conducted on this property.

In 2004, Shanti Mandir received a site plan and special permit approval for the ashram’s first phase of development. Since then, the organization has revised its master plan for the property’s full buildout, designed to meet the ashram’s needs for the next 25 years. The plan includes a community building for worship services, 31 cottages for both guests and staff, a pole barn for property maintenance, a common building for people staying on the site, and a meditation pavilion. The property would also utilize a septic system, a backup well, and a parking lot.

“The main purpose of this project is to construct all these improvements you see on the east side of the rail trail. The main one is a community space, where worship services will take place; it’s a mediation hall with an outdoor pavilion and a commercial kitchen. There’s also going to be 15 one-bedroom guest cottages, eight two-bedroom guest cottages, seven one-bedroom staff cottages, and one two-bedroom staff cottage,” said Matt Towne, the project’s engineer. “There’s a pole barn for maintenance on the site for a lawn mower, snow removal, and similar items for maintaining the property. There’s a common building, which will be used by everyone staying on the site. It’ll have more complete facilities than in the individual cottages, so maybe a full kitchen if people wanted to gather. And then a meditation pavilion at the top of the null.”

One of the property’s entry points is a crossing through the Walden-Wallkill Rail Trail. As part of the buildout, Shanti Mandir will need to widen the crossing and connected roads by 20 feet. Both Wolinsky and Towne assured that the organization will minimize vehicular crossings and use golf carts to transport people to and fro the ashram.

“To access the property east of the rail trail, the existing crossing is going to need to be improved. The crossing and connected roads are all going to be 20 feet wide in accordance with New York State fire code,” Towne said. “We’re also considering some type of grass paving or pervious pavement. It’s not going to be a giant asphalt parking lot; it’s not the aesthetic we’re looking for and it’s pretty bad for stormwater.”

“With respect to the rail trail, we want to absolutely minimize vehicular crossings, not only for safety reasons but for our own stillness and quiet ethic. That way, folks can still go out there and walk to and from the community,” Wolinksy said. “Visitors can park in the main parking area, which can accommodate the parking needs of the entire development. There’ll be a golf cart service most likely, though folks can still just walk up there. And when the programs are over, they’ll come back and get their cars.”

Wolinksy noted that the project site overlaps with North Walden, a historical area that Shanti Mandir was not initially aware of. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation reviewed the site and confirmed that the project would not have any adverse impact. Wolinsky added that the developers will notify the planning board if they find any archival discoveries during the excavation process.

The planning board review the project plans before the buildout can move further. In the meantime, Shanti Mandir will be working with state departments on widening the rail trail crossing, receiving approval for stormwater management, and obtaining a SPDES permit.