The Spiritual Significance
The spiritual waves of the worldwide Ramakrishna Movement were first set in motion by Sri Ramakrishna from the holy land at Dakshineshwar. The Kali Temple and its precincts were Sri Ramakrishna's "Leelakshetra". It was here that he inspired Swami Vivekananda to dedicate his life to the service of humanity. Therefore, Dakshineshwar holds a special spiritual significance for the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
It had been the earnest wish of the countless devotees, admirers of Sri Ramakrishna, the Holy Mother, and Swami Vivekananda to have a branch of the Ramakrishna Math near the Dakshineshwar temple complex.
The Beginning - 2010
Since 2010, Ramakrishna Math had its presence at Dakshineshwar after receiving a gift of a small house property from Sri Chandi Das Banerjee, a disciple of Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj, the VII President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. The property remained under Headquarters and occasionally monks stayed there for doing Sadhana.
Acquiring the Land - 2018–2022
The much-awaited moment came in 2018 when a piece of land measuring around 33 Katha was procured adjoining the eastern boundary wall and next to the Second Gate (vehicular exit gate) of Dakshineshwar Kali Temple.
📋 Key Land Acquisitions
- 2018 - 33 Katha land adjoining Kali Temple's eastern boundary wall
- 3 April 2022 - 2 Cottah house property acquired from Sri Debashis Ganguly and others
- Later - Plot at 6, T. N. Mukherjee Road acquired with help from Belur Math HQ
The campus is dedicated to Sri Sri Maa, and the renovated structure is named 'Mayer Naba Nahabat'. It is primarily used for conducting residential and non-residential retreat programmes.
Inauguration - 18 February 2023
🪔 Maha Shivaratri, 18 February 2023
After the completion of renovation work, the centre was formally inaugurated by Revered Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj, General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
Also present were:
- Swami Divyanandaji Maharaj - Vice President, Adhyaksha, RKM Cossipore
- Swami Bodhasaranandaji Maharaj - Assistant General Secretary
Around 40 monks of nearby centres and 100 devotees participated in the programme.
🪔Inauguration Moments
Glimpses from the inauguration of the shrine and prayer hall.
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Foundation Stone - 13 September 2023
The foundation stone of the Sri Ramakrishna Temple at Dakshineshwar was laid by Srimat Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj, President of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.
Full Branch Centre - 1 October 2023
From 1 October 2023, Ramakrishna Math, Dakshineshwar started functioning as a full-fledged branch centre of the Ramakrishna Math, Headquarters, Belur Math.
🏗️ Temple Construction - Current Status
The much-awaited wish of countless devotees has been fulfilled - the Ramakrishna Movement now has a permanent, living presence at the very site where it was born.