What materials were used for the chapel?

Saraburi stone, about four times harder than French cathedral stone; Thai limestone mortar with no cement; Ayutthaya roof tiles; stained glass made in Bangkok from glass produced in France since the Middle Ages; and a geometric terracotta floor.

Construction · การก่อสร้าง

How was the chapel on the lake island built?

Q: Why was a chapel built at Natural Healthy Village?

Founders who practise meditation wanted a quiet place for participants and visitors to follow a spiritual path, and a landmark of humility, contemplation, and harmony for future generations. The Gothic stone design follows a chapel in Planès, in the French Pyrenees.

Q: Who can use the chapel?

Everyone. The chapel is dedicated to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi and has no religious restriction.

การก่อสร้างโบสถ์บนเกาะกลางทะเลสาบ — โครงการเนเชอรัล เฮลท์ตี้ วิลเลจ

A Gothic stone chapel on an island in the project lake, designed by the founder and raised in three years by a French compagnon and five Thai stonemasons — built to last, and open to everyone.

Why build a chapel here?

The idea came from founders who practise meditation. They wanted to offer participants and visitors a place to follow a spiritual path.

The Gothic design and the use of stone follow a chapel in Planès, in the French Pyrenees, chosen for its simplicity and quiet. It is a transmission from the Middle Ages — and, equally, a landmark for future generations: a place to experience humility, contemplation, and harmony.

Night view of the chapel roof structure before tiling — Roof structure, night view — before the Ayutthaya tiles were laid

How was it built?

The design is by the project founder. Construction was led by a French stonemason, a Compagnon du Tour de France, who trained five Thai workers in stone cutting and carving.

They reached the level of stonemason builder in three months. The same level usually takes several years for apprentices in France. With that small team of five, the chapel was finished in three years.

Two Thai stonemasons and the French master raising a rib stone — Thai compagnons with the French master, raising a rib stone

Stonemason setting stones on an absidiole rib — Absidiole vault — setting stone on the rib

What materials were used?

Local materials were used wherever possible. The stone comes from a quarry in Saraburi. It is about four times harder than the stone used for cathedrals in France, so it should last longer. The limestone is from Thailand. Roof tiles are from Ayutthaya.

The stained glass was made in Bangkok. The glass itself comes from France, from the last workshop that has produced stained-glass material since the Middle Ages. One window shows the master builder’s key.

Stained glass of the master builder key under construction — Stained glass — the master builder’s key, under construction

Stained glass in an absidiole of the chapel — Stained glass in an absidiole

Ancient forged door key and four-leaf clover lock — Clover key — forged door key and four-leaf clover lock

Forged steel chandelier shaped like the chapel — Forged-steel chandelier, in the form of the chapel

Laying geometric terracotta floor tiles in the chapel — Terracotta floor — a square and six semicircles, two in positive and four in negative

Stone set without cement

Every stone support was carried on a wooden structure while the ribs and vaults went up. The stones are assembled without cement — limestone mortar only — so the masonry can breathe and move.

Each stone was cut to fit. When the courses were lined up, no adjustment was needed. Heads are carved on the keystones of the arcades, including Hanuman. The vaults are stone ribs, then red brick, then limestone plaster.

Wooden centering supporting stone ribs of the vault — Wood structure supporting the ribs of the vault

Stone ribs and central keystone before brick infill — Keystone — ribs in place, before the vault is filled with red brick

Brick vault and stone rib before limestone plaster — Brick vault with stone rib, before limestone plaster

Carved head of Hanuman on a chapel keystone — Hanuman — carved head on a keystone

Who can use the chapel?

The chapel is dedicated to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, incarnation of the Adi Shakti. Everyone may use it. There is no religious restriction.

What makes this unique to NHVK

The only chapel in Thailand built with this traditional stonemason craft and these materials
The only chapel in the world dedicated to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
Set on an island in the project lake — part of the landscape, as if it had stood there for a long time

Plots with a direct view or access to the chapel island are described in land pricing and available plots.

Frequently asked questions

Why was a chapel built at Natural Healthy Village?

Founders who practise meditation wanted a quiet place for a spiritual path, and a landmark of humility, contemplation, and harmony. The Gothic stone design follows a chapel in Planès, in the French Pyrenees.

How long did it take to build?

Three years, with a team of five. A French Compagnon du Tour de France trained five Thai workers to stonemason-builder level in three months — work that usually takes several years in France.

Was cement used in the stonework?

No. Stones are set in limestone mortar only, so the masonry can breathe and move. Wooden centering carried the stone while the ribs and vaults were built. Every stone was cut to fit, with no adjustment when the courses were lined up.

Who can use the chapel?

Everyone. It is dedicated to Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi and has no religious restriction. Visits can be arranged with the team: 081 860 4501 (EN/FR) or 095 365 2500 (TH).

See the plots that look onto the chapel island.

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