Gyan Sarovar

Gyan Sarovar (Lake of Knowledge)

In 1991, to provide a training facility for the institution's outreach into all areas of society, Brahma Kumaris started building the campus for “The Academy for a Better World” over an area of 28 acres of land near it’s headquarters, Madhuban . Within a few years a relatively barren patch of land was transformed into a modern village complex in a quiet rural setting. In addition to the spiritual environment, the academic atmosphere of this campus equals that of many institutions of higher learning.

The Academy offers residential programmes and courses on the development and practical implementation of human, moral and spiritual values and principles.

The campus includes :

• Universal Harmony Hall, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,600 people with simultaneous translation equipment for 16 languages.
• An International Spiritual Art Gallery, housing sculptures, morals, audio-visual and laser displays, and other artwork from around the world.
• An International Centre for Higher Learning comprising 13 seminar and training rooms.
• Spiritual Application & Research Centre (SpARC).
• Accommodation for up to 1,500 people.

• Kitchen and dining facilities capable of serving 1,200 people at a time.
• The recycled water of 3 man-made lakes which irrigate the 15,000 trees planted to provide fruits and vegetables and maintain the rural retreat atmosphere.
• Solar water heater for cooking; the telephone exchange, computer and emergency lighting systems are powered by solar and wind energy.
• There is also a unique waste treatment plant capable of treating 200,000 liters of washing, kitchen and bathroom waste water a day, of which nearly 80% is available for re-use.

In 1996, the Academy was presented to Habitat II, the second UN Conference on Human Settlements held in Istanbul, Turkey. It was recognized as part of the Best Practice Initiative for Human Settlements.