Kuppam Campus Layout & Visitor Information

Agastya International Foundation

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This iBook is a visual guide to many things you will encounter on Agastya's 172-acre campus. Given the size of the campus, this tour provides you with the opportunity to select areas most important to you, giving a sense of all that is available. If you are unable to visit Agastya's campus, this simple virtual tour will allow you to become familiar with a few of the special programs and features Agastya has to offer.

You may go to the Table of Contents by tapping the icon on the top left corner of the tablet or you may go from page to page by swiping the screen to the left or right.

Following your tour, there is a 23-minute film, called the Spirit of Agastya, located in the video application on this iPad. We hope your tour will put you in the spirit of Agastya!

As you enter Agastya's campus, you will see, on your right, our sign, welcoming all visitors. Constructed of metal in the shape of the campus and stone from the area, we feel this blends with the natural surroundings, while also depicting the playful nature of children.

Section 1

Entrance

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To your left of the sign you see a sculpture of Lord Ganesha. Also playful, this abstracted depiction is constructed of local stone and of metal.

Ganesha Sculpture

Ganesha created from a monolithic rock, based on a de-sign by Jeena Ragha-van.

Further to your left and a little up the hill, is a small temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Puja is conducted on a regular basis and is open to visitors. Shoes should be removed before entering.

Ganesha Temple

Section 2

Oberoi Center

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After passing through our watchman's gate, you will see the main center, on your right. Our Oberoi Center is where Agastya's teachers and staff gather for prayer each morning. This space is used for workshops, meetings, and training sessions.

A bust of Shril Ramanujan, India's revered mathematics genius greets visitors to the Oberoi Center. Living in India with no access to the larger mathematical community, which was centered in Europe at the time, Ramanujan developed his own mathematical research in isolation. During his short lifetime, Ramanujan independently compiled nearly 3900 results (mostly identities and equations).

Bust of Shri. Ramanujan

This statue stands prominently to in-spire visitors and the students who come to this part of the campus.

Optical Illusion - Cricketer

First to catch your attention here is a constructed Cricketer, illustrating perception, visual perspective, and optical illusion. An optical illusion (also called a visual illusion) is characterized by visually perceived images that differ from objective reality. The information gathered by the eye is processed in the brain to give an impression that does not tally with a physical measurement of the stimulus source.

Move slowly from left to the right to piece together the visually fragmented batsman.

Above: Competition winners.

Right: Children pre-pare their experiment for the IRIS competi-tion.

The Oberoi Center is where Agastya displays many of the organization's successes, including winning models and experiments built by our students who have won the Intel IRIS award over the years. These students from rural India, with the guidance of Agastya's instructors, compete with students from elite schools across India, with impressive results.

Intel IRIS

There are several gazebos on campus. These outdoor, open-air classrooms are the perfect place for classes on hot days, for instruction, or for quiet meditation in the early mornings.

Gazebo

Classical Indian dance is taught to young students at one of the gazebos.

From the Oberoi Center, a cluster of four labs can be found on your right. Currently, these serve as chemistry, physics, and ecology labs, with a fourth for auxiliary purposes. Students who visit the Agastya campus are instructed by our talented teachers, and thoroughly entertained in the process.

Section 3

Science Labs

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Under the careful supervision of Agastya instructors, this lab provides children with an exciting hands-on experience, allowing them to perform experiments in chemistry. Lessons feel more like a magic show!

Chemistry Lab

Instruction in prici-ples of chemistry, first explained on the board before the prac-tical demonstration.

One of the many strengths of Agastya is the low-cost models used to demonstrate principle of physics to students by instructors in our physics lab. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms of other sciences, while opening new avenues of research in areas such as mathematics and philosophy.

Physics Lab

Low-cost models il-lustrate physics con-cepts to eager stu-dents.

The entire Agastya campus serves as an ecology lab, where India's scientists conduct experiments and research. Agastya's instructors take time to explain ecological methods and impacts to students in the classroom, then venturing out into the campus to find real-life examples of their lessons.

Ecology Lab

The importance of ecology is explained before students go outdoors for a hands-on experience.

Following the path beyond the Oberoi Center, with the lab buildings on your right, you enter our Science Park, where there are outdoor models of scientific principles that double as playground equipment. Children are able to learn while playing.

There is also a volleyball court.

Section 4

Science Park

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At the heart of the campus is an idol of Agastya Muni, for whom the Agastya International Foundation is named. A revered Vedic sage, Agastya authored many mantras of the Rigveda, the ancient sacred Hindu text.

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Agastya Idol: Siddhavana

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Agastya’s great contributions were to medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and creativity. Puja is also conducted here on a regular basis and is open to visitors. Shoes should be removed before entering.

The Agastya idol is surrounded by a garden, Siddhavana, of plants significant to the contributions of Agastya.

Across from the Agastya idol is a small, actual airplane, which our teachers can use to instruct their students on principles of flight and mechanics. This is a source of excitement and serves as a prominent landmark on the campus.

Section 6

Hansa Plane

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Taking the right turn in front of the Agastya idol, is the entrance to Parijatha.

Section 7

Parijatha

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Across from the kitchen mural are quarters for permanent staff. On-site staff are required to manage the innumerable activities involved in operating such a large campus and to care for visitors properly. This residence is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has a striking view of the landscape.

Permanent Staff Housing

View of housing for in-house staff.

A highlight of this part of campus is the whimsical mural constructed of kitchen utensils. This introduces our visitors to the main kitchen and small dining room on campus. This mural is a very successful effort in design and implementation by the Agastya instructors and staff.

Kitchen Mural

Partial view of the unique and intriguing kitchen mural.

Introduced to visitors by the mural is our main campus kitchen and small dining room. Given the number of visitors to Agastya, this kitchen performs near miraculous feats, preparing large quantities of delicious vegetarian meals in a hygienic environment. The talented, well-trained kitchen staff cater to all visitors and Agastya employees from this kitchen.

Main Kitchen

Farm fresh vegeta-bles are used for cooking the delicious meals at Agastya.

Visitors to the campus are served together in this small dining room, allowing for interesting conversation between scientists, artists, professors, and others from all over the world. Agastya serves sumptuous vegetarian meals, self-service style, three times a day, seven days a week. Meal times are posted, but tend to be: Breakfast - between 8:30 & 9 a.m.; lunch between 1 & 2 p.m.; and dinner between 8:30 & 9 p.m.

After eating, guests dispose of waste in designated bins, rinsing plates and cutlery, and leave them for washing.

Small Group Dining

Visitors relish a sump-tuous meal in Agastya's small din-ing room.

Four guest rooms are available, which accommodate two visitors each. Above, there are dormitory-style rooms, which can accommodate six each. Each room has a private bathroom with shower.

Dormitory Residence for Guests & Staff

Guests enjoy the verandha outside the Parijatha guest rooms.

Beyond the guest rooms there is a staff dining room and, beyond that, storage for models. Made at the VisionWorks, Agastya's models are loaded into mobile labs and transported to Government schools, other centers, and to others interested in the Agastya method. These models are used to augment science lessons for students.

Storage for Models

Models are loaded into a mobile van from storage.

Following the path in front of the staff quarters, you will first reach our campus nursery. Here plants are nurtured, seedlings grown, and research conducted. Plants are given to local villagers and to children who express an interest in botany.

Section 8

Nursery

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Across from the Nursery, the new Chemistry Lab is currently under construction. This will be able to accommodate many more students and more permanent equipment to facilitate teaching and learning to serious chemistry students.

Section 9

New Chemistry Building

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Beyond the new Chemistry Lab is the cowshed, which houses several rare Indian breeds of cattle. These diminutive breeds from southern India are disappearing.

Section 10

Cowshed

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Taking the low path from the Nursery, behind the staff quarters, the fork to the right, leads to the Balavana. This garden of medicinal plants, herbs, and aromatics is constructed to promote healing and support a meditative state. Also found in the Balavana, are a few small lotus ponds.

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Balavana / Pond

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A garden planted with 47 varieties of plants, yielding flowers of different colors to give the VIBGYOR (rainbow) effect. A stroll through these vibrantly colored flowers provides a feast for the eye and tranquility for the spirit.

Section 12

Gayathri Vana

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The Agastya workshop (VisionWorks) is where invention and innovation flourish, flowing to prototypes and into construction and mass production - all under one roof! Models are designed and built for use by Agastya instructors and the teachers in government schools, who have been trained to teach the lessons associated with Lab-in-a-Box models.

Section 13

Workshop (VisionWorks)

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Across from VisionWorks is one of the campus water tanks. Very important in this arid region of India, water is precious, and the playful painting on the tank provides a fun distraction.

Section 14

Water Tank

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Agastya’s strength is its unusual teaching methods that capture the imagination of children. These methods are developed, put into practice, and taught to instructors in CCT, which houses the Young Instructor Leader program, math lab, robotics lab, computer lab, and teacher training.

Section 15

Center for Creative Teaching (CCT)

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On your right as you enter CCT is a bust dedicated to the memory of founder trustee, Kuppuswamy Vijay Ragahavan, Founder of Agastya, who passed away June 13, 2010. His humanity, decency, and sense of honor are missed greatly by his family, friends, and his many admirers. His memory lives on in the accomplishment of each child whose life is touched by Agastya.

Bust of Mr. K.V. Raghavan (Founder)

Bronze bust of Mr. K.V. Raghavan, found at the entrance of CCT.

A true innovation and source of much of the success at Agastya is our Young Instructor Leader Program. This is where children with strong leaderships skills and subject aptitude are selected and trained to instruct their peers. They are often taken to explain exhibits at Agastya's Science Fairs and gain confidence and valuable knowledge to use throughout their lives.

Young Instructor Leader (YIL) Training

Young Instructor Leader teaches her students.

In the Math Lab, Agastya's instructors use creative methods and models to teach principles of mathematics to children who visit our campus, bringing to life a subject that can be difficult to understand when instructed by the traditional chalk-and-talk methodology.

Math Lab

Student uses a model to solve a mathemati-cal problem.

Children are natural inventors and in Agastya's robotics lab imaginations flourish! Using kits that include small motors they can build solutions to the world's problems, or at least have fun trying!

Robotics

Student uses a motor to create mobile ro-bot.

Coming from India's rural villages many of these children have not seen a computer, much less had the opportunity to use one. Agastya's Computer Lab introduces children to computers, providing them with basic instruction in menus, keyboard and mouse use. This begins to address India's digital divide.

Computer Lab

View of the computer lab at CCT.

Always striving for improvement, Agastya's instructors demystify the secrets of our physical world for children. Constantly striving to improve, our instructors regularly attend training sessions intent on improving their knowledge of the subjects they teach and their teaching methods.

Teacher Training

Agastya instructor trains teachers from other schools, sharp-ening their skills.

In the grassy area beyond CCT there are five banyan stumps. These are the remains of trees that were cut down and abandoned for highway construction. As an example of Agastya's commitment to ecological research and responsibility, these stumps were brought to campus and planted. Amazingly, new life has stirred in several of them.

Section 16

Tree Stumps

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Night skies have fascinated human beings from the beginning of time. Agastya's Gurugruha looks like Jupiter rising from a hill on campus. Once inside, visitors see models of the planets in our solar system, as they orbit the sun. This building also has a planetarium theater in its domed top.

Section 17

Astronomy (Gurugruha)

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Our hands-on science museum for children is a place for them to play and, incidentally, learn about science. Each of its three stories has many durable, large-scale models constructed to withstand the energetic use of young visitors, while exposing them to principles of flight, optics, weather phenomena, sound and much, much more.

Section 18

Discovery Center

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In the Discovery complex, you will see a mosaic depiction of Agastya Muni and the areas of arts and sciences he influenced.

Mural of Agastya

Mural of Agastya found on the outer wall of art lab.

The campus Art Lab is where students who visit Agastya learn how to observe the world around them and properly use the tools of art-making. These skills transfer well to observing nature and recording scientific findings.

Art Lab

Children experience art the Agastya way!

In addition to models of the human body, the biology lab is also filled with specimens and illustrations of the flora and fauna of India and the Agastya campus.

Bio Lab

Instructor excites her students in a biology lesson.

Behind the Discovery Center is a terraced park with science models that double as play equipment. Children learn about motion, gravity, solar heat and much more, while playing together.

Science Park

Partial view of the sci-ence park demon-strating principles of physics.

The campus Admin Office is located in the one-story building in the Discovery complex. From here, Agastya's programs are coordinated and monitored to provide visitors with the best experience possible.

Section 19

Admin Office

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Leaving by the driveway in front of the Discovery complex, the windmill stands collecting and storing energy. Together with the solar panels used all over campus, Agastya makes efforts to use renewable energy sources.

Section 20

Wind & Solar Power

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This residential block is for larger groups and can host up to 80 guests at a time. Aesthetically designed with practical features, this facility is a favorite among visitors.

Section 21

Mallika

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This large residential hall, with dorm-style living, is convenient for large groups. Rooms have grand windows and balconies from which Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are visible, while standing in Andhra Pradesh.

Residential - Large Groups

Teacher addresses a group of 50 students as they start a day of fun and learning!

Mallika has observation decks that allow visitors to watch breathtaking sunrises from the front, or the sunsets from the rear.

Valley View Point

The campus offers incredible photo-opportunities for visi-tors.

Mallika has facility to serve meals to the large groups of visitors staying there. The dining hall looks out over the valley and reservoir below.

Dining for Large Groups

Students enjoy their breakfast, hygieni-cally prepared and served by our friendly kitchen staff.

A hill on the edge of campus is the site of three giant figures of a man, woman, and child. Each maps Ayurvedic treatments for the particular parts of the body, using the plants contained there. This outdoor classroom takes full advantage of the size of the Agastya Campus.

Section 22

Mulikavana

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With five different varieties of fig trees this garden has been constructed especially for pregnant women, who may rest on mud mounds that are provided to receive positive energy for themselves and their unborn children.

Section 23

Pancha Valkala

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Another of Agastya's water tanks is located at this high point near the edge of campus, adjacent to Pancha Valkala. This tank is the main storage and supplies water to most parts of the campus.

Section 24

Water Tank

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This auditorium and amphitheater, once construction is complete, will provide a location for performances for and by the children. Dance, music, and theater, as well as large meetings and conferences will be accommodated in this beautiful new space.

Section 25

Performing Arts Center

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The Arts Center is where students who visit Agastya will learn how to observe the world around them and properly use the tools of art-making. These skills transfer well to observing nature and recording scientific findings.

Section 26

Arts Center

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Atop the highest point on the Agastya campus is our new flagship Technology building, which houses the Media Arts Lab, Digital and Analog Libraries, and labs for robotics and computer training. From the terrace of this beautiful structure you are able to see much of the Agastya campus and beyond. You will have a beautiful view of the Mulikavana from here.

Section 27

Technology Building

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Children are natural inventors and in Agastya's robotics lab imaginations flourish! Using kits that include small motors they can build solutions to the world's problems, or at least have fun trying! The robotics lab will be moving from CCT to our new IT building.

New Robotics Lab

Examples of creative robotics by children visiting Agastya.

Agastya's Media Arts program supports the communication needs for the entire organization, making videos, updating our website and Facebook pages, recording events and more. The lab supports teachers, training them to use technology to make teaching aids. Young instructor leaders are also taught to use digital cameras, video cameras, computers, sound recorders and more. Agastya does not limit itself to the development of children, but also seeks to influence the communities in which the children grow. Media can and will be used to achieve Agastya's goals in this area.

Media Arts Lab

Children are in-structed in the use of media.

In today's world, where so much information is available through the world wide web and on digital media, Agastya makes use of these resources to compliment the hands-on, low-cost methods used by our teachers. The digital library makes it possible to share large volumes, packed with information, in small, easily portable media.

Digital Library

An example of the digital instructional media available in the library.

Reading and gathering knowledge is important. Our analog library houses books in many of the local languages. While digital media are readily available to those with the ability to tap into that resource, books continue to be important in villages where even electrical power is inconsistent.

Analog Library

Books are available for lessons and re-search at all levels in the Agastya library.

Coming from India's rural villages many of these children have not seen a computer, much less had the opportunity to use one. Agastya's Computer Lab introduces children to computers, providing them with basic instruction in menus, keyboard and mouse use. This begins to address India's digital divide. The computer lab will be moving from CCT to our new IT building.

New Computer Lab

Basic computer skills are gained in the com-puter lab.

Specific flowers and trees have been planted to attract many varieties butterflies to this area of Agastya's campus. Many of species of butterflies and other bird, animal, and insect specimens have been attracted here, some of them previously thought to be extinct in this part of the country.

Section 28

Butterfly Park

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In addition to the rigors of academic learning, Agastya believes in educating the whole child. Playgrounds on campus are used for organized team sports that strengthen the body and teach children to work together for a common goal.

Section 29

Playground

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INFO

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Location of the Agastya campus, how to get there, the climate and best seasons to visit, dining and rules to be observed while on the Agastya Campus are provided for your convenience.

2,200 feet above sea level, at the intersection of three south Indian states, the more than 170-acre campus of the Agastya Creativity Lab can be found in Gudivanka (near Kuppam), Chitoor District, Andhra Pradesh.

GPS coordinates:12°45’33”N, 78°19’38”E

Section 1

Location

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Upon reaching Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh; take the HP Highway and keep left at the "Y" fork to reach Agastya's Campus. The approximate driving time is 3 hours.

There are plenty of options to reach Kuppam by train from Bangalore or Chennai. It is a two hour journey by train from Bangalore and four hours from Chennai. Popular trains are Lalbagh Express, Brindavan Express, and Chennai Express.

Section 2

Getting There

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The Bangalore Airport is closest to Agastya International Foundation's campus near Gudivanka, near Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh. There are two routes to reach the campus from Bangalore. It is shortest to take the Old Madras Road via Kolar Gold Field (KGF) and fork off from the "Five Lights Circle." From there, adequate signage leads to the Agastya Campus. The last stretch of the journey is through rough terrain. A vehicle with good ground clearance is advised. The approximate driving time is 2 1/2 hours.

Alternately, a route is available through Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. From Krishnagiri, take the Chennai highway and the deviation about five kilometers from Krishnagiri.

Agastya serves sumptuous vegetarian meals – self-service style, three times a day. Meal times are posted. Approximate times are: breakfast - 8 to 9 a.m.; lunch - 12 to 1 p.m.; dinner - 7 & 8 p.m. After eating, guests dispose of their waste in designated bins, rinsing plates and cutlery, leaving them for washing.

Section 3

Dining at Agastya

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No alcohol or smoking.

No meat / non-vegetarian is permitted.

Many of Agastya's visitors come to experience the sounds of nature and the tranquility that can be found away from bustling cities. It is important that all guests help to maintain the peaceful surroundings and do not disturb fellow visitors.

Section 4

Conduct at Agastya

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The coolest and best months to visit the campus are between October and March. During these months, early mornings and late evenings can be quite cool, becoming very hot in the afternoon. In summer, temperatures can reach over 40 degree Celsius. Visitors should be aware that there is no air-conditioning and power cuts are to be expected.

Section 5

Climate & Seasons

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Walking shoes, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen for sensitive skin, light clothes and warm shawl, jacket, or wind breaker, flashlight, binoculars, camera, convertors for Indian plug points, soap and shampoo, since Wi-Fi is spotty – your own internet dongle is recommended. 

Section 6

Things to Bring

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Laundry services are not available. Dormitory-style living facilities provide towels and bed linen, but this is not a hotel, so please bring your required toiletries. No newspaper or television is available.

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Credits

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This iBook was produced by Site2Sight Productions,in association with the

MediaArts Lab at Agastya and funded by the

MurthyNAYAK Foundation.Version 1.0 (11.Feb.2013)

© 2013 Agastya International Foundation

www.agastya.org

www.site2sight.us

www.murthynayak.org