Ramakrishna Math
Ulsoor, Bangalore
Vivekananda Ashrama To Ramakrishna Math
"..... It is close on two years since a handful of men here, who had come under the spell of Swami Vivekananda's teachings and who had imbibed from him the truth that a religion is being and becoming, began to look about for a quiet retreat, away from the haunts of men, where they could repair for an hour or two every day, and spend that time in prayer, meditation and such other devotional practices. We soon fixed upon a tiny cottage field, about two furlongs removed from Ulsoor, for our purpose. This modest structure, we had taken on lease, and here we began to meet evening after evening, spending an hour or two every day in singing sankirtans, reading from various sacred books, uniting in common prayer etc ....."
This is how Vivekananda Ashrama started. The premises were occupied on 13th April 1906. On 5th May 1906, Swami Vimalananda, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda installed and consecrated the pictures of Sri Ramakrishna, The Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda. For couple of years, the ashrama authorities kept renewing the yearly lease.
The building needed some renovation. This was attended to with benevolence of Sri T.P. Aroonachalen Pillai and Swami Atmanandaji, a disciple of Swami Vivekananda inaugurated the renovated building on 17th November 1907. Coincidentally, at Chennai, Swami Ramakrishnanandaji, a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, dedicated the Students' Home on the same day.
On 25th December 1907 in a meeting held in the Ashrama premises in the presence of three disciples of Swami Vivekananda viz. Swami
Atmananda, Swami Somananda and Mr. G. G. Narasimhacharyar, two resolutions were passed.
To register the lease land deed (for a longer period) at an early date.
The following members to be the trustees of the Ashrama:
- Dr. P. Venkatarangam
- Dr. Mr. Arumuga Mudaliar
- Mr. B. G. Venkataswami Naidu
- Mr. V. L. Thangavelu Moodr
- Mr. V. L. Ekambara Mudaliar
In pursuance of the above mentioned resolution a lease for 25 years was registered on July 29th 1908. This lease was to come in effect from 1st April 1909.
Even before the expiry of this lease, the piece of land where the ashrama building existed was bought from the owner in the name of Swami Shivananda, President, Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math on 25th March 1926. Dr. P Venkata Rangam, a trustee of Vivekananda Ashrama, was responsible for this acquisition. Thus Vivekananda Ashrama formally became a part of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. Since then it existed as a sub-center of Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bull Temple Road, Bangalore.
As Bangalore was growing, it was being felt that, Vivekananda Ashrama will be able to render effective service to society if it were elevated as a full-fledged branch of Belur Math. This necessity was fulfilled and since 1st January 1999 Vivekananda Ashrama has been working as a full-fledged branch of Ramakrishna Math, Belur Math. Further it was felt that, the name of the Ashrama should be changed to Ramakrishna Math to correctly reflect its roots. This has also been possible and from 16th December 2003, the name of Vivekananda Ashrama has been changed to Ramakrishna Math.
Vivekananda Ashrama has been blessed by the visits of many spiritual luminaries. Prominent among them are Swami Brahmananda, Swami Shivananda, Swami Abhedananda and Swami Ramakrishnananda.
In 1986, it was felt that, the old building housing the shrine and prayer hall is insufficient and incapable of accommodating ever-increasing number of devotees. Hence on 4th July 1986, the shrine and prayer hall were shifter to the first floor of another building and the old building was demolished. On Sunday, April 12th of 1987, foundation stone was laid for the temple and on 8th June 1990, the newly built temple dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna was inaugurated.
