Baranagar Math - appeal for funds

Here is a request from Swami Vamananandaji, President, Ramakrishna Math, Baranagar, Kolkata (a branch of the Ramakrishna Order).

Baranagar Math plays a crucial role in the formation of the Ramakrishna Order. This is where the Order had started, with 14 of the 16 direct disciples practicing severe
austerities and intense study & contemplation. The Baranagar Math, which was a dilapidated building at that time, was the focal point of the order between 1886 to 1892 (For a vivid description of the life & times of that time, one may refer to the recently published book ‘The early History of the Ramakrishna Movement’ authored by Swami Prabhananda). All that now remains of the dilapidated house where these disciples of Sri Ramakrishna lived are two pillars. In the inexorable march of time the property changed hands, the old monastery building crumbled to dust and the whole place became a slum.

But the legacy of Baranagar Math cannot be forgotten. Ramakrishna Math, Belur has taken it as its endeavour to restore this monument for posterity. With this end in view, the authorities of Ramakrishna Math started in May 2001 a branch center in a small building in the area. Daily worship, spiritual discources, non-formal school, coaching classes for slum children, charitable homoeo dispensary, general library, health care & regular financial aid to the distressed are being conduced now at this new center.

(Please refer to the website www.rkmbaranagar.org for details of activities).

The Ramakrishna Math has drafted a plan to restore the original spiritual ambience of the first monastery at Baranagar Math and thereby conduct various services for the poor. The total cost of such an endeavour is estimated at Rs 2.50 crores (Approximately USD 550,000), which includes rehabilitation of displaced owners/tenants at the premises, purchase the premises, construction of a memorial,
construction of Monks Quarters.

We appeal to all good-hearted people to contribute for this noble cause. Donors may install memorial plaque to perpetuate the memory of the nearer and dearer ones.
Cheques/Drafts may be drawn in favour of ‘Ramakrishna Math, Baranagar’. Donations are exempt under Indian Income Tax Act. Those who want to send donations thro’ wire transfer from foreign countries may also do so (Details of the beneficiary account will be provided by Swami Vamananandaji). Swamiji can also be contacted at info@rkmbaranagar.org

Swamiji's statue unveiled at Ranchi, Jarkhand

Ramakrishna Mission TB Sanatorium, Ranchi

:: secretary@rkmtbs.org
:: http://www.rkmtbs.org

:: 91 651 2290149

Mahalaya, the 3rd October, 2005 was indeed a joyful occasion when, in the afternoon, Srimat Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission unveiled the Statue of Swamiji. A brief but interesting account is given below.

Arise! Awake! - Swamiji's standing exhortation to the humanity to realise its divinity reverberated in the entire vast Sanatorium campus on the holy Mahalaya, the 3rd October, 2005. After the Opening Ceremony, all the assembled devotees felt that the clarion call of Swamiji will be ever heard through the strategically placed statue in the Office Chowk area popularly known as golchakkar.

· hic et u·bi·que.....

The opening Ceremony of the Statue by Srimat Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj had all the devotional elements with offering of arghya, pushpanjali and deeparadhana. Amidst vedic chanting and pradakshina of the image, by pressing the switch, the screen that covered the statue was brought down by remote process to the furoius sound of heavy crackers followed by great applause. No wonder that was the only topic hic et u·bi·que(here and everywhere)!

· hectic

The land preparation for the statue installation was not a simple task. The lamp post in the centre had to be removed with the interconnecting wires between the other poles taken underground; thus, to make the statue visible sans the criss-cross of electric wires. The concrete pylon was first erected over which the six-feet statue was mounted. Two fountains were constructed by the side of the statue. The entire circle was bordered with a pleasant looking grill. Pavement with pink tiles was neatly laid to facilitate circumambulation of the statue in future.

· holistic

The first person who mooted the idea of installing Swamiji's statue and donated immediately was Sri Diptiman Roychoudhury of Ranchi. The other person who unhesitatingly volunteered in giving financial assistance was Smt Purnima Ray of U.S.A. She routed her donation through ASTI, U.S.A. The installed statue would undoubtedly inspire a holistic approach to the varied seva activities of the Sanatorium.

· hypnotic

The long road from Sanatorium more leading into the Sanatorium campus practically terminates at the statue spot. The statue was made in fiberglass material by Sri Shibnath Barai of Dumdum, Kolkata. The majestic six-feet statue is well mounted on black tiled pylon of five feet height with fountains by the two sides and surrounded by a Trishul model grill over the circle. Two powerful white electric illumination from the side road drenches the statue in the night. The light under the Fountains weave a magic of indradhanush/ramdhanush (rainbow) colours over the falling waters that give a hypnotic effect on the visitors and passers by.

Durga Pooja at Mysore Math

Durga Pooja at Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mysore

• The worship of the Divine Mother was performed here on Saptamai, Ashtami, Navami and Vijaya Dashami, with Chandi Path by monks and devotees, Bhajans, etc.
• Cooked Prasad was distributed on all the days to assembled devotees.
• May the Divine Mother bless us all and lead us in the right path, is our prayer to Her!
  

Holy Mother at Jayarambati

Holy Mother at Jayarambati