Spiritual Retreat by Swami Thyagananda Maharaj - Jan'17

15th Jan'17:

On this fine Sunday morning, myself along with Swadharmaprana Mathaji, 2 Brahmacharinis & Vani aunty visited Sri Ramakrishna Math at Mylapore for Spiritual Retreat by Most Revered Thyagananda Maharaj.

Sri RamaKrishna Math - Mylapore (Temple 17)
Address: 
Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, 
31, Ramakrishna Math Road, 
Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004

Sri RamaKrishna Math - Mylapore

When we got in to the Sanctum, got blessings from Holy Trios (Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sharada Maa & Swamiji Vivekananda), then walked to RamaKrishnananda Hall to hear the speech by most revered Thyagananda Maharaj who came from Boston

Speech by Thyagananda Maharaj

An important point to be implemented in life from Maharaj's Speech:

If you have strong faith on Sri Sri Thakur or any of your favorite God, then shouldn't have any anxiety / worry about the worldly things like family, marriage, job etc., etc., Must have a strong belief that the Almighty will take of our entire needs. 

Followed by the speech, another Maharaj taught meditation for about 20 minutes. Then, Gautamananda Maharaj gave speech. 

Swami Gautamananda Maharaj

An important point mentioned by Gautamananda Mahraj:

From the teachings of Sri Sri Thakur, the primary goal of life should be the Realization of GOD, life is so shorter, then happiness is also so short which may end any time, so be focused on the primary goal than worldly pleasures.

The wonderful session ended with Bhajans. They have also served us with delicious lunch. Swami Ramakrishnananda showered his unconditional blessings, had another most enchanting experience relevant to Swami Ramakrishnananda at Ichapur (West Bengal). Let me describe the same in another post.

Blessed Sunday !!!

Euphoric Visit to Dakshineswar Kali temple - Dec'16

27th Dec'16:

Dakshineswar Kali temple (Temple 16)
Address: 
Dakshineswar Kali temple, Dakshineswar, Kolkata, 
West Bengal - 700 076

From the books of Lord Ramakrishna, I have read much about the spiritual sadhanas he did at Dakshineswar Kali temple, from then on it was long term desire to visit this temple and finally it got fulfilled on this day

Daksineswar Kali temple 

Early morning around 7 am, the driver Madhan Adhikari came and picked up me & my parents, he drove directly to Dakshineswar Kali temple.He also acted as tourist guide giving information about various places.

First we got to visit Panchavati where Sri Sri Thakur meditated for years..

Panchavati

Next, Madhan showed us 'Rani Rashmoni' memorial, Rani Rashmoni - who built Dakshineswar Kali temple.

Rani Rashmoni Memorial

Next we got to see 'Nahabat' where Holy mother Sri Sarada Devi stayed for years and did service to Thakur. It was a small room & it was a real wonder how she got to manage all activities in such a small room.We also got a chance to view Thakur's room where he did spiritual sadhanas and met his devotees.

Temple View

Mobiles, cameras, hand bags are not allowed inside the temple, and Photography is strictly prohibited.

First we visited the presiding deity of the temple - Bavatharini, had wonderful dharshan. Had awesome divine feel, couldn't be expressed in words. Then, got blessings from 12 Shiv lingas available in different sanctum.

Then got blessings from Radha Kantha temple.
Most Blessed day of my life at the Kali temple worshiped by my Guru Sri Sri Thakur..

Visit to Other Important Shrines at Belur Mutt - Dec'16

29th Dec'16:

Swami Brahmananda temple (Temple 13)
Address: 
Swami Brahmananda temple, 
Belur Mutt, Belur,
Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202

On this day, myself along with parents visited other important Shrines at Belur Mutt, an important shrine is Swami Brahmananda temple. 

Swami Brahmananda temple

Swami Brahmananda was one among the 16 direct disciples of  Shri RamaKrishna. Next to Swami Vivekananda, he was the first president of Ramakrishna Math & Mission. The shrine was built on the place where his body was cremated on 1924.

We offered our prayers to Swami Brahmananda & received his blessings.

Old Shrine (Temple 14) 
Address: 
Old Shrine, 
Belur Mutt, Belur,
Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202
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Next we visited Old Shrine situated at first floor

Old Shrine 

It was the original shrine where the direct disciples of Shri Ramakrishna sang devotional songs & meditated till the new shrine was consecrated. 

Sri Sri Thakur at Old Shrine

Offered prayers to Sri Sri Thakur at Old Shrine & meditated for few minutes.

Samadhi Pith (Temple 15)
Address: 
Samadhi Pith, Belur Mutt, Belur,Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202

Next we visited Samadhi Pith where the remains of seven of the 16 direct disciples of Shri RamaKrishna were cremated here.

Samadhi Pith

Offered our prayers here too & then visited the museum at Belur Mutt. It has got the wonderful collection of priceless articles, assets, photographs etc., of Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sharada Maa & Swamiji.

Most Blessed day with the blessings of Holy Trios at Belur Mutt !!

Swami Vivekananda temple at Belur Math - Dec'16

29th Dec'16:

Swami Vivekananda temple (Temple 12)
Address: 
Swami Vivekananda temple, 
Belur Mutt, Belur,
Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202

On this day, we have visited Swami Vivekananda temple at Belur Math. Swami Vivekananda was one of the direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna. 

Swami Vivekananda temple

The temple was built on the place where  his mortal remains were cremated during the year 1902. Besides the temple stands the bilva tree under which Swamiji used to sit, and as per his wish, his body was cremated at this place. 

We did meditation here and had a great spiritual feel.

Swamiji's Mango Tree:

Swamiji's Mango Tree 

Next we got to see Swamiji's mango tree which is situated nearer to Swamiji's room. He used to do meditation under this tree and meet his devotees.

Swamiji's Room:

Swami Vivekananda's room 

We also got a chance to visit Swamiji's room, the room where Swamiji lived and attained Maha samadhi in 1902. 

A Click from Swamiji's room

We really had a pleasant spiritual feel after visiting this monastic institution. 

Belur Math - Heart touching Monastic Institution

26th Dec'16:

Shri RamaKrishna temple at Belur Mutt (Temple 10)
Address: 
Sri Ramakrishna temple, 
Belur Mutt, Belur,
Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202

Belur Math

On this fine evening, myself along with my parents reached Belur, Sankara Maharaj from Chennai arranged accommodation for us at Sri Vivekananda Kudir owned by Ranjit Bhattacharya, we refreshed up and visited Belur Math around 5 pm. 

Belur Mutt - Front view

Met Tapas Maharaj, he helped us for booking cab for visiting other centers at Kolkata. Then we attended Arathi around 5.15 pm. Sri Sri Thakur showered us with unlimited Blessings, it was a red carpet welcome.. Felt awesome..

Other shrines are closed after Aarathi, hence couldnt visit those on the same day.

29th Dec'16:
Holy Mother temple at Belur Mutt (Temple 11)
Address: 
Holy Mother temple, Belur Mutt, Belur,
Howrah, West Bengal - 711 202

On this day, we have visited Belur Math again, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi was the spiritual consort of Shri RamaKrishna. 

Holy Mother Temple at Belur Mutt

There was a separate sanctum inside Belur Mutt for Holy Mother, situated on the Ganges river, we prayed to her to seek her blessings. 

Holy Mother Temple 

Those who are touched by Shri Rama Krishna, Holy Mother (Sri Sarada Devi) & Swami Vivekananda must visit Belur Math. 

Holy Mother's Birthday Celebration - 20th Dec'16

18th Dec'16:

Swadharma Pranaji Mathaji asked me & my mom to visit Saradha Mutt to participate in Volunteering activities for Holy Mother's Birthday. 

On this day, we participated in Brasso work along with Seethamma aunty, had lunch at Mutt.

19th Dec'16:

Volunteering activities continued for the subsequent day. We reached the Mutt around 1.30pm. I have participated in Peeling the pees of 10kgs, and then separating coriander leaves, finally with making thoranam (Hanging Decorations).

Peeling the Peas

           

Separating Coriander leaves

My mother participated in Garland making & many other aunties who used to come regularly participated in other activities.

Making of Hanging Decorations

Mathajis decorated Holy Mother's stature with flowers & garlands. We have also attended 6pm Arathi & reached home around 8.30pm.

20th Dec'16:

Holy mother's Birthday was celebrated in a grand manner. Halls were decorated. Mangala Arathi started at 5.30 AM followed by Bhajans, Homem etc.,

Holy Mother

Myself with mom reached the Math around 6.30 am, Vani aunty was participating in selling portraits of Holy Mother, Gurudevar, Swamiji & Sister Nivedita. Regular volunteers participated in various activities.

We participated in scraping of Carrot & Cucumber. Brahmacharinis served us with Breakfast.

Shrine of Holy Mother

Had wonderful dharshan, offered prayers & Jebas!!
Prayed to Holy Mother to shower her blessings for a blessed spiritual life !!

At the evening, visited Sri Ramakrishna Mutt and got blessings from Guru Maharaj

At Ramakrishna Mutt

Blessed Day!

Another Blessed evening at Sri RamaKrishna Mutt, T.Nagar

Shri RamaKrishna Mutt - T.Nagar (Temple - 9)
10th Dec'16:
Address: 
Sri Ramakrishna Mutt, 
Maharajapuram Santhanam Salai Road,
Pathasarathy Puram, Thyagaraya Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - 600 017

On this fine evening, received a call from Yathindrapranaji Mathaji around 5.15 pm to visit  Sri Rama Krishna Mutt, T.Nagar and meet Sankara Maharaj to enquire details about Belur Math.

Sankara Maharaj asked me to fill out the forms to get permission for accommodation at Belur Math, Maharaj blessed with prasadham (Rock Candy) and also gifted the book "Thus Spake Vivekannada".

Thus Spake Vivekananda

Then attended Arathi at Ramakrishna Mutt. It was an Ekadasi day. Many school children also participated in Arathi, really it was a divine feel.

Sri RamaKrishna Mutt, T.Nagar

Then visited the Library at Ramakrishna Mutt, met Yadunadha Maharaj, who shared various spiritual experiences of him.

Then bought 3 books from the Library 
1. Women of India - By Swami Vivekananda

2. Seeing GOD EVERYWHERE - By Swami Shraddhananda

3. நிவேதிதை நூற்றைம்பது

Had a Blissful evening at Sri Ramakrishna Mutt !!