Why the trust exists

The Shiva Skanda Vel Charitable Trust exists for two things held together: the spiritual life, and practical service to all life — offered to the public of all faiths, without distinction of caste, creed, gender, religion, race or colour.

What follows is drawn from the objects of the trust, as set out in its registered deed.

Service to all life

To offer service to all life: providing food, care, shelter, hospitality and refreshment to those in need, and relieving poverty and hardship — regardless of race or creed, and including the sanctity of all living beings. In practice, this means annadanam for those who are hungry, support for poor families and schoolchildren, and the care of cows and other animals in the area.

Universal human principles

To promote, for the benefit of the public of all faiths, the eternal human principles of truthfulness, righteousness, unconditional love and peace — and to advance spirituality, spiritual education and spiritual harmony by living and sharing these principles.

A place to deepen the spiritual life

To provide the opportunity for people of all faiths to deepen their relationship with God through worship, contemplation, meditation and service; and to maintain a community living together by these values, in practice and in service to life.

Much of what makes this possible is the place itself. To be in the presence of Arunachala is enough. The mountain does most of the work; the retreat house lets people stay close.

Pilgrimage and retreat

To support the spiritual lives of the community of Skanda Vale in Wales, the Somaskanda temple in Switzerland and similar communities, by providing a place at the foot of Arunachala where hospitality and facilities for pilgrimage and retreat are offered.

Working alongside others

To support and assist other charitable organisations, trusts and individuals whose work furthers these purposes — as the trust does in its service work today, with the Ammucare Charitable Trust and others.