Work update

End of March '01

• From the 1,400 golden disks needed to cover the entire structure, presently 1,100 discs are ready. Of these, 685 are already mounted, reaching down to the equator of the structure.

• All around the equator, stainless steel catwalks are to be fixed (well hidden behind the disks) for future cleaning and maintenance purposes. The catwalks are being fabricated on site and will be fixed during April, after which the mounting of the discs below the equator can proceed.

• Modeling work is ongoing to finalise the special gilded features that will highlight each of the four main entrances to Matrimandir.

• Several new test-panels of salmon-pink glass have been placed in the inner skin of the sphere for final evaluation. We will also do some test triangles (each 3 mtr wide x 2.4 mtr high) using imported extra-clear glass to see if a superior colouring is obtained.

• The marble work inside the structure, on the 1st and 2nd levels and the central staircase, progresses steadily.

• Red stone cladding has begun on the 10th and 11th petals, starting from their bottom lines, which are near the circular pool directly underneath the structure.

• Dozens of new air-roots are growing rapidly down from the branches of the Banyan Tree in the MM Gardens. They are enclosed in plastic tubes filled with compost, and are watered regularly to help them grow well. These new air-roots will help to support the many branches of the tree, some of which are very old and beginning to lose their strength.

• The Matrimandir Nursery celebrates this season of flowers with orchids, plumeria, hibiscus and others in magnificent bloom.