Alambazar Math
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 Logo | |
| Formation | 1892 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Belur |
| Coordinates | 22°38′50″N 88°21′53″E / 22.647352°N 88.364682°E |
| Website | alambazarmath.azurewebsites.net |
Alambazar Math is the second monastery of the Ramakrishna Order established in February 1892, which remained the order's headquarters till February 1898, when it was finally moved to Belur village on the bank of Ganga.[1]
The Alambazar Math finally got merged with the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur on 7th November 2022,on the holy Janmatithi(birth anniversary) of Srimat Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The deed was signed by Swami Suviranandaji Maharaj, the general secretary of Ramakrishna Math.
It was earlier managed by Ramakrishna Satyanand Ashram and merging it with the Ramakrishna mission was a much awaited event.
History
After the demise of
Building layout
The house was fairly large, quadrangular, two storey building comprising two sections, outer and inner.
Members
When the Math premises were shifted, at that time most of the brother disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, including Swami Vivekananda, were wandering monks in various parts of India.
Important visitors
Durga Charan Nag, better known as Nag Mahasay, an important householder disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, visited the Math. Girish Chandra Ghosh, the famous playwright and father of modern theater in India, used to visit the monastery as a devotee. In 1896, Dr. Turnbull, who had heard Swami Vivekananda in Chicago and was an ardent fan, visited Alambazar Math. Gopaler Ma and Gauri Ma, two foremost women devotees of Sri Ramakrishna, were also occasional visitors.
Important events
Swami Vivekananda went to America in 1893 and participated in the parliament of religions when the monastery was located in Alambazar. He also came back to stay in Alambazar monastery. He wrote several letters to his brother disciples in Alambazar Math, several of which were addressed to Swami Ramakrishnananda, between 1894 and 1896. He advised them on management affairs, Governing Body and also the organization structure and activities of the proposed monastery.[3]
The inmates of Alambazar Math, most notably
After his return from the West, Swami Vivekananda, stayed for sometime in the Alambazar Math and here he framed the rules and guidelines for a future Ramakrishna Order.
An earthquake on 12 June 1897 caused much damage to the building, and the monastery had to be shifted to Nilambar Mukherjee's garden house in Belur.
It is in this Math that Swamiji first taught systematic meditation to the disciples.
In this Math, Swamiji first gave the vow of Sannyasa to his disciples.
Celebrations in the Math
It is in this Math that the first birthday celebration of Sarada Devi was organized on 16 December 1897. Swami Prakashananda conducted the worship and the homa (fire) ceremony.[S.P: p. 92]
In October 1897 Durga Puja was celebrated in at this Math. It was conducted with a photo of Mother instead of the Durga image. On the Kali Puja night, the inmates performed "Guru Puja". Premananda performed the puja and homa.[S.P: p. 160]
Adbhutananda (Latu) and one Shivaratri night conducted the worship of Shiva throughout the four quarters of the night [Ghatanabali]
Present state
The building remained in a dilapidated state, was neglected for about seventy years and was forcefully occupied through illegal encroachments. Swami Satyananda, a disciple of Swami Abhedananda, first started the initiative to reclaim the historic building. A portion was finally purchased in 1968. The tenants opposed the establishment of the monastery, and they threatened the monks. Slowly all the rooms were occupied by the newly established Sri Ramakrishna Satyananda Ashrama and most of the tenants agreed to leave after being paid hefty compensation. In 2007 the remaining portion of the old monastery building was purchased, but it was still not completely encroachment free. As part of the celebration of 150 years of Swami Vivekananda, the Government of India has officially recognized the Alambazar Math as a national heritage structure and has initiated a project to restore the building and set up a Vivekananda Centre for Spiritual Culture. Prime Minister of India
References
- ^ a b c d e f "AlambazarMath". alambazarmath.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
- ^ ISBN 81-7823-226-X
- ^ Letters of Swami Vivekananda Archived 2013-12-17 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- "Alambazar Math". Alambazar Math. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- The Early History of Ramakrishna Movement, by Swami Prabhananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, ISBN 81-7823-226-X