Golden Domes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden Domes |
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Golden dome and tower
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| Alternative names | The Maharishi Patanjali and Bagambhrini Golden Domes of Pure Knowledge |
| General information | |
| Type | Domes |
| Town or city | Fairfield, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 41°01′17″N 91°57′56″W / 41.021389°N 91.965644°W |
| Construction started | 1979 |
| Completed | 1981 |
| Cost | US$700,000 |
| Owner | Maharishi University of Management |
| Height | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Diameter | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | H.O. Clark |
The Golden Domes, also known as the Maharishi Golden Domes, are two special buildings. They are located on the campus of Maharishi International University (MIU) in Fairfield, Iowa. These unique domes were built between 1980 and 1981.
MIU says the Golden Domes were the first buildings made just for group meditation. People also use them to practice the TM-Sidhi program. Over the years, the domes have been updated. In 2001 and 2005, new landscaping, fences, and entrances were added.
What Do the Golden Domes Look Like?
Each Golden Dome is very large. They cover about 20,000 to 25,000 square feet (1,900–2,300 m2). They are also about 150 to 200 feet (46–61 m) wide. The domes stand about 35 feet (11 m) tall. They are a very noticeable part of the MIU campus.
The roofs of the domes are covered with a special spray foam. Many travel guides mention the domes. They are seen as important places for tourists to visit in Fairfield. Journalists have described the domes in many ways. Some say they look like "flying saucers" or "giant mushrooms." Others have called them "extraterrestrial-looking."
History of the Golden Domes
In the summer of 1979, a big event called the "World Peace Assembly" took place. During this event, the Maharishi invited people who practiced TM and TM-Sidhi to come to Fairfield for group meditation. He decided to build two domes for this purpose.
The university president, Bevan Morris, was in charge of building the domes. MIU states these domes were the first buildings made specifically for group practice of the Maharishi's TM-Sidhi program. They could hold up to 3,000 people. Building started in the fall of 1979. The first dome was opened in December by the Maharishi himself.
Ravi Shankar and two other Indian pandits sang ancient Vedic hymns at the opening. The second dome was finished in 1981. It was built where the campus baseball field used to be. Each dome was meant for a specific gender. This was to help people focus during meditation. In 1983, the Maharishi named the domes. He called them "The Maharishi Patanjali dome and the Bagambhrini Golden Dome of Pure Knowledge."
Each dome has a special sculpture on top called a kalasha. These sculptures are about 7.5 feet (2.9 m) tall and 5 feet (1.5 m) wide. A university professor made them from acrylic resin in 1997. In 1999, the areas around the domes were smoothed out. Special fences were also added around each dome.
Later, some parts of the buildings were changed. In 2001, the western entrances of one dome were replaced with east-facing ones. This was done to follow the ideas of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda (MSV) architecture. The new eastern entrance has a large room for coats and shoes. It is also used for practicing Yoga positions, or asanas. The eastern end of one dome was made square. This also matched the MSV architectural style.
In 2005, the entrance to the second dome was moved. New bathrooms were added, replacing a temporary trailer. In 2008, the roof of the Maharishi Patanjali dome was repaired and repainted.
More Information
- "Golden Dome: To Fly High" is a DVD from 1980. It is a documentary about how the first dome was built.
