History of Ramakrishna Math(Balaram Mandir)
History of Balaram Mandir
"Balaram Bhavan", popularly known as "Balaram Mandir" was built in the 1770s. It is a 250-year- old double storey building situated at No. 7 Girish Avenue in the Baghbazar area of North Kolkata. Although the building is named after Balaram Basu, it actually belonged to his elder cousin, the famous lawyer Hariballabh Basu, who had purchased it from a theatre personality Girish Chandra Bandopadhyaya in 1874-75. Balaram Basu came from a staunch Vaishnava family in Cuttack. After his eldest daughter moved to Kolkata upon her marriage, it was Hariballabh who asked Balaram to take up residence in this building in 1881.
"Balaram Bhavan", popularly known as "Balaram Mandir" was built in the 1770s. It is a 250-year- old double storey building situated at No. 7 Girish Avenue in the Baghbazar area of North Kolkata. Although the building is named after Balaram Basu, it actually belonged to his elder cousin, the famous lawyer Hariballabh Basu, who had purchased it from a theatre personality Girish Chandra Bandopadhyaya in 1874-75. Balaram Basu came from a staunch Vaishnava family in Cuttack. After his eldest daughter moved to Kolkata upon her marriage, it was Hariballabh who asked Balaram to take up residence in this building in 1881.
Balaram Mandir - Second Citadel of Sri Ramakrishna
Popular belief holds the view that a site turns holy and becomes a place of pilgrimage where a Divine Incarnation sets His foot. Sri Ramakrishna had visited and stayed at Balaram Mandir on more than a hundred occasions. The Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi, too had lived here several times. The house was frequently visited by all the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna; some of whom stayed here for long periods steeped in spiritual sadhana. It is no wonder that Balaram Mandir is a place of pilgrimage bearing the sacred memories of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, other direct disciples, and many enlightened householder devotees.Vivekananda, other direct disciples, and many enlightened householder devotees.
Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play at Balaram Mandir
Balaram Basu had his first darshan of Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar in January 1881. On seeing him, Sri Ramakrishna remarked he had seen Balaram (in Samadhi) in a group of minstrels accompanying Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This affirmation of Balaram's past life as a devotee of Lord Vishnu created a deep bond between them from their very first meeting. Sri Ramakrishna began visiting Balaram's home from 1881; it is said he visited the place more than a hundred times in his lifetime.
Countless must have been the divine events played out at Balaram's home. The place has not only been sanctified by the dust of the blessed feet of Sri Ramakrishna but also of Sri Ma Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples, besides countless monastic, and lay disciples of the Holy Trio.
Sri Ramakrishna used to stay in the room on the first floor that is to the right as one climbs up the stairs. This room is now the main shrine at Balaram Mandir. The adjoining room was a large meeting hall, the baithak-khana, where Sri Ramakrishna used to meet the devotees. Here he showered his divine grace on them. Here they saw him on many occasions in the blissful state of Samadhi (communion with God). The room is now the prayer-hall.
The home-deity, Lord Jagannath, was and continues to be housed, in the northeast corner room on the first floor. As devotees of Lord Jagannath, the Basu family organised 'RathaYatra' festivals every year with much fanfare. It is said Sri Ramakrishna participated in these festivals from 1881 to 1885 when he would pull the Ratha, sing kirtans and dance with God- absorbed fervour.Yatra' festivals every year with much fanfare. It is said Sri Ramakrishna participated in these festivals from 1881 to 1885 when he would pull the Ratha, sing kirtans and dance with God- absorbed fervour.
Many of Sri Ramakrishna's devotees lived in Baghbazar, especially in the Bosepara area, namely, Girish Chandra Ghosh, ChunilalBasu, Kalinath and his brother Dinanth Basu, Golap Ma, Yogin Ma, and a host of others. Young Narendra Nath (later Swami Vivekananda) lived a little way off in the Simla Street area. Sri Ramakrishna's visits to Balaram Mandir in Kolkata gave devotees access to him rather than having to go all the way to Dakshineswar. Numerous were the occasions that devotees had with him, sessions where divine wisdom was imparted interspersed with devotional singing; sometimes by Narendra Nath whose mellifluous voice and soulful renderings brought delight to everyone. Sri Ramakrishna was the harbinger of joy, filling hearts with hope and good cheer. Being with him was unique, his very presence could raise a devotee's human consciousness to divine levels. Many had deep spiritual experiences in his company.
Passing Away of Sri Ramakrishna and After During the last few years of his life, whenever Sri Ramakrishna chose to spend a night or two at Kolkata, he would only stay at Balaram's house and nowhere else. On such occasions, he used to sleep in the room in the southwest corner on the first floor. During his last illness, the Master spent seven memorable days here bringing profound joy and spiritual light to a large number of devotees.
Sri Ramakrishna passed away on 16th August 1886. A portion of his holy ashes were taken and kept at Ramchandra Dutta's Garden House in Kankurgachi. Unknown to others, a major part of the ashes, including the Atmaram portion,was brought to Balaram Mandir by Niranjan and Shashi (later Swamis Niranjanananda and Ramakrishnananda) and kept in the shrine housing the home deity of Sri Jagannath. For the next two months, daily Puja was performed at Balaram Mandir, before the box containing the ashes was moved to the Baranagore Math and installed in the shrine.housing the home deity of Sri Jagannath. For the next two months, daily Puja was performed at Balaram Mandir, before the box containing the ashes was moved to the Baranagore Math and installed in the shrine.
Sri Ma Sarada Devi and Balaram Mandir Once when Krishnabhavini Devi, Balaram Basu's wife, had fallen ill, Sri Ramakrishna had asked Sri Ma Sarada to visit Balaram Mandir to see her. After Sri Ramakrishna passed away, Balaram Babu brought grieving Ma Sarada to his home on 21st August 1886 and made her stay there. On 30th August, the Holy Mother left on a pilgrimage to Vrindavan accompanied by Golap- Ma, Lakshmi Devi, Master Mahashay's wife, Swami Yogananda, Swami Abhedananda and Swami Adbhutananda. At Vrindavan, they put up at Kalababu's Kunj, a family property of Balaram Basu. Sri Sri Ma returned from the pilgrimage on 31st August 1887 and stayed at Balaram Mandir for a while before proceeding to Kamarpukur, Sri Ramakrishna's ancestral home.
Between 1886 and 1909, when Swami
Saradananda had "Mayer Bari" built especially for her, the Holy Mother stayed at Balaram Mandir on several occasions. She stayed in a room in the inner quarter located in the northwest corner on the first floor. The room known as "Mayer Ghar" is now a shrine dedicated to her.
All monastic disciples and lay devotees of Sri Ramakrishna regarded the Holy Mother as a living goddess, the Divine Mother Herself, and worshipped her as such. Some of the events that took place at Balaram Mandir will convey Holy Mother's true divine nature. One such is given below.
Once, while meditating on the roof, Holy Mother fell into deep Samadhi. She later told Yogin Ma of her experience, "I saw I was in a far-off place. All were treating me there with utmost love. I became very beautiful. The Master was there, and with great tenderness they made me sit by his side.
can't describe the bliss that I enjoyed. When I regained consciousness a little, I saw the body lying here. Then the thought came to me, 'How can I enter into this ugly body?' I had not the least desire to resume it. At long last, I managed to get into it; and then consciousness returned to it.lying here. Then the thought came to me, 'How can I enter into this ugly body?' I had not the least desire to resume it. At long last, I managed to get into it; and then consciousness returned to it.
Balaram Babu passed away at his home on 13th April 1890. The Holy Mother was then present at Balaram Mandir. Krishnabhavini Devi, Balaram's wife, had a vision where she saw Sri Ramakrishna descend on the roof of the house in a shining chariot (rath) and take his favourite son, Balaram, away. After his demise, Balaram's only son, Ramakrishna Bose, took it upon himself to selflessly serve the Holy Mother and other monastic disciples.
Balaram Basu had his first darshan of Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar in January 1881. On seeing him, Sri Ramakrishna remarked he had seen Balaram (in Samadhi) in a group of minstrels accompanying Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This affirmation of Balaram's past life as a devotee of Lord Vishnu created a deep bond between them from their very first meeting. Sri Ramakrishna began visiting Balaram's home from 1881; it is said he visited the place more than a hundred times in his lifetime.
Countless must have been the divine events played out at Balaram's home. The place has not only been sanctified by the dust of the blessed feet of Sri Ramakrishna but also of Sri Ma Sarada, Swami Vivekananda and his brother disciples, besides countless monastic, and lay disciples of the Holy Trio.
Sri Ramakrishna used to stay in the room on the first floor that is to the right as one climbs up the stairs. This room is now the main shrine at Balaram Mandir. The adjoining room was a large meeting hall, the baithak-khana, where Sri Ramakrishna used to meet the devotees. Here he showered his divine grace on them. Here they saw him on many occasions in the blissful state of Samadhi (communion with God). The room is now the prayer-hall.
The home-deity, Lord Jagannath, was and continues to be housed, in the northeast corner room on the first floor. As devotees of Lord Jagannath, the Basu family organised 'RathaYatra' festivals every year with much fanfare. It is said Sri Ramakrishna participated in these festivals from 1881 to 1885 when he would pull the Ratha, sing kirtans and dance with God- absorbed fervour.Yatra' festivals every year with much fanfare. It is said Sri Ramakrishna participated in these festivals from 1881 to 1885 when he would pull the Ratha, sing kirtans and dance with God- absorbed fervour.
Many of Sri Ramakrishna's devotees lived in Baghbazar, especially in the Bosepara area, namely, Girish Chandra Ghosh, ChunilalBasu, Kalinath and his brother Dinanth Basu, Golap Ma, Yogin Ma, and a host of others. Young Narendra Nath (later Swami Vivekananda) lived a little way off in the Simla Street area. Sri Ramakrishna's visits to Balaram Mandir in Kolkata gave devotees access to him rather than having to go all the way to Dakshineswar. Numerous were the occasions that devotees had with him, sessions where divine wisdom was imparted interspersed with devotional singing; sometimes by Narendra Nath whose mellifluous voice and soulful renderings brought delight to everyone. Sri Ramakrishna was the harbinger of joy, filling hearts with hope and good cheer. Being with him was unique, his very presence could raise a devotee's human consciousness to divine levels. Many had deep spiritual experiences in his company.
Passing Away of Sri Ramakrishna and After During the last few years of his life, whenever Sri Ramakrishna chose to spend a night or two at Kolkata, he would only stay at Balaram's house and nowhere else. On such occasions, he used to sleep in the room in the southwest corner on the first floor. During his last illness, the Master spent seven memorable days here bringing profound joy and spiritual light to a large number of devotees.
Sri Ramakrishna passed away on 16th August 1886. A portion of his holy ashes were taken and kept at Ramchandra Dutta's Garden House in Kankurgachi. Unknown to others, a major part of the ashes, including the Atmaram portion,was brought to Balaram Mandir by Niranjan and Shashi (later Swamis Niranjanananda and Ramakrishnananda) and kept in the shrine housing the home deity of Sri Jagannath. For the next two months, daily Puja was performed at Balaram Mandir, before the box containing the ashes was moved to the Baranagore Math and installed in the shrine.housing the home deity of Sri Jagannath. For the next two months, daily Puja was performed at Balaram Mandir, before the box containing the ashes was moved to the Baranagore Math and installed in the shrine.
Sri Ma Sarada Devi and Balaram Mandir Once when Krishnabhavini Devi, Balaram Basu's wife, had fallen ill, Sri Ramakrishna had asked Sri Ma Sarada to visit Balaram Mandir to see her. After Sri Ramakrishna passed away, Balaram Babu brought grieving Ma Sarada to his home on 21st August 1886 and made her stay there. On 30th August, the Holy Mother left on a pilgrimage to Vrindavan accompanied by Golap- Ma, Lakshmi Devi, Master Mahashay's wife, Swami Yogananda, Swami Abhedananda and Swami Adbhutananda. At Vrindavan, they put up at Kalababu's Kunj, a family property of Balaram Basu. Sri Sri Ma returned from the pilgrimage on 31st August 1887 and stayed at Balaram Mandir for a while before proceeding to Kamarpukur, Sri Ramakrishna's ancestral home.
Between 1886 and 1909, when Swami
Saradananda had "Mayer Bari" built especially for her, the Holy Mother stayed at Balaram Mandir on several occasions. She stayed in a room in the inner quarter located in the northwest corner on the first floor. The room known as "Mayer Ghar" is now a shrine dedicated to her.
All monastic disciples and lay devotees of Sri Ramakrishna regarded the Holy Mother as a living goddess, the Divine Mother Herself, and worshipped her as such. Some of the events that took place at Balaram Mandir will convey Holy Mother's true divine nature. One such is given below.
Once, while meditating on the roof, Holy Mother fell into deep Samadhi. She later told Yogin Ma of her experience, "I saw I was in a far-off place. All were treating me there with utmost love. I became very beautiful. The Master was there, and with great tenderness they made me sit by his side.
can't describe the bliss that I enjoyed. When I regained consciousness a little, I saw the body lying here. Then the thought came to me, 'How can I enter into this ugly body?' I had not the least desire to resume it. At long last, I managed to get into it; and then consciousness returned to it.lying here. Then the thought came to me, 'How can I enter into this ugly body?' I had not the least desire to resume it. At long last, I managed to get into it; and then consciousness returned to it.
Balaram Babu passed away at his home on 13th April 1890. The Holy Mother was then present at Balaram Mandir. Krishnabhavini Devi, Balaram's wife, had a vision where she saw Sri Ramakrishna descend on the roof of the house in a shining chariot (rath) and take his favourite son, Balaram, away. After his demise, Balaram's only son, Ramakrishna Bose, took it upon himself to selflessly serve the Holy Mother and other monastic disciples.
Establishment of the Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda Society
After his victorious return from the West, Swami Vivekananda convened a meeting of monastic and lay devotees in the meeting hall on the first floor of Balaram Bhavan on 1stof May 1897. At the meeting the 'Ramakrishna Mission Association' was formed. Every Sunday, meetings were held, and matters discussed; Swami Akhandananda's first relief mission in Mahula village in Murshidabad district was also formalised here. The association, in time, transformed into the Ramakrishna Mission, now famed the world over. The 125th year of this momentous occasion falls on 1st May 2022.
Under the leadership of Swami Saradananda, the first meeting of 'Vivekananda Society' was also held in Balaram Bhawan. This society has been providing yeoman service in disseminating and putting into action the ideas of the Ramakrishna Movement to this day.
Sister Nivedita and Women's Education
At Balaram Mandir, Sister Nivedita received from her Guru, Swami Vivekananda, the idea of starting a school for girls. Subsequently, she convened a meeting there of leading personalities of the area to discuss women's education and the prospect of starting a school for young girls of the neighbourhood. Swami Vivekananda was present at the meeting. The school was formally inaugurated by Holy Mother herself on 13th November 1898 in the presence of Swamis Vivekananda, Brahmananda, and Saradananda. The formation of the school laid the foundation of the future formation of 'Sri Sarada Math', a monastic organisation exclusively for women on the lines of Ramakrishna Math.
During her lifetime, Sister Nivedita visited Balaram Mandir several times. Her school was in the vicinity, and she lived very close by at 16 Bosepara Lane which has now become the 'Sister Nivedita Heritage Museum and Knowledge Centre'.
Direct Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Balaram Mandir was regarded as a very special place by all monastic and lay devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. It was frequently visited by them. Among the direct disciples, Latu Maharaj (Swami Adbutananda) and Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda) spent a long time here. The room in the southeast corner on the ground floor as one enters the building was their place of residence. It is a hallowed room where two illumined souls had lived. In addition, two direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Premananda and Swami Brahmananda, breathed their last in the premises on 30th July 1918 and 10th April 1922 respectively. Swami Brahmananda passed away in the meeting room on the first floor. In a vision before his death, he narrated how Sri Krishna in the form of a five-year-old child was dancing around him and taking him away.
The lady disciples of the Master, Gauri Ma, Yogen Ma, Golap Ma, Gopaler Ma, Lakshmi Didi among others all used to visit and periodically stay at Balaram Bhawan.
From the Balaram Mandir Trust to the Ramakrishna Math (Balaram Mandir) Pursuant to the last wishes of Ramakrishna Basu, the worthy son of Balaram Basu, a Public and Charitable Trust was formed in respect of Balaram Mandir on 31st March 1922 primarily for the preservation of the sacred memories of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda at Balaram Mandir. A part of Balaram Mandir was given to the Ramakrishna Order for conducting its activities. In April1974, the first Manager of the Balaram Mandir Trust was appointed. In 1979, portraits of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda were enshrined on a marble platform in the room where Sri Ramakrishna used to spend his nights during his stay at Balaram Mandir. Daily worship of Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Ma and Swamiji commenced from the same year. On 11th December 2000, the whole building came under the charge of the Balaram Mandir Trust. At long last, the merger of Balaram Mandir Trust with Ramakrishna Math took effect on 6th May 2002. At present, Balaram Mandir is a branch centre of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur and is renamed as the 'Ramakrishna Math - Balaram Mandir'.
After his victorious return from the West, Swami Vivekananda convened a meeting of monastic and lay devotees in the meeting hall on the first floor of Balaram Bhavan on 1stof May 1897. At the meeting the 'Ramakrishna Mission Association' was formed. Every Sunday, meetings were held, and matters discussed; Swami Akhandananda's first relief mission in Mahula village in Murshidabad district was also formalised here. The association, in time, transformed into the Ramakrishna Mission, now famed the world over. The 125th year of this momentous occasion falls on 1st May 2022.
Under the leadership of Swami Saradananda, the first meeting of 'Vivekananda Society' was also held in Balaram Bhawan. This society has been providing yeoman service in disseminating and putting into action the ideas of the Ramakrishna Movement to this day.
Sister Nivedita and Women's Education
At Balaram Mandir, Sister Nivedita received from her Guru, Swami Vivekananda, the idea of starting a school for girls. Subsequently, she convened a meeting there of leading personalities of the area to discuss women's education and the prospect of starting a school for young girls of the neighbourhood. Swami Vivekananda was present at the meeting. The school was formally inaugurated by Holy Mother herself on 13th November 1898 in the presence of Swamis Vivekananda, Brahmananda, and Saradananda. The formation of the school laid the foundation of the future formation of 'Sri Sarada Math', a monastic organisation exclusively for women on the lines of Ramakrishna Math.
During her lifetime, Sister Nivedita visited Balaram Mandir several times. Her school was in the vicinity, and she lived very close by at 16 Bosepara Lane which has now become the 'Sister Nivedita Heritage Museum and Knowledge Centre'.
Direct Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Balaram Mandir was regarded as a very special place by all monastic and lay devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. It was frequently visited by them. Among the direct disciples, Latu Maharaj (Swami Adbutananda) and Hari Maharaj (Swami Turiyananda) spent a long time here. The room in the southeast corner on the ground floor as one enters the building was their place of residence. It is a hallowed room where two illumined souls had lived. In addition, two direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Premananda and Swami Brahmananda, breathed their last in the premises on 30th July 1918 and 10th April 1922 respectively. Swami Brahmananda passed away in the meeting room on the first floor. In a vision before his death, he narrated how Sri Krishna in the form of a five-year-old child was dancing around him and taking him away.
The lady disciples of the Master, Gauri Ma, Yogen Ma, Golap Ma, Gopaler Ma, Lakshmi Didi among others all used to visit and periodically stay at Balaram Bhawan.
From the Balaram Mandir Trust to the Ramakrishna Math (Balaram Mandir) Pursuant to the last wishes of Ramakrishna Basu, the worthy son of Balaram Basu, a Public and Charitable Trust was formed in respect of Balaram Mandir on 31st March 1922 primarily for the preservation of the sacred memories of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda at Balaram Mandir. A part of Balaram Mandir was given to the Ramakrishna Order for conducting its activities. In April1974, the first Manager of the Balaram Mandir Trust was appointed. In 1979, portraits of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda were enshrined on a marble platform in the room where Sri Ramakrishna used to spend his nights during his stay at Balaram Mandir. Daily worship of Sri Sri Thakur, Sri Sri Ma and Swamiji commenced from the same year. On 11th December 2000, the whole building came under the charge of the Balaram Mandir Trust. At long last, the merger of Balaram Mandir Trust with Ramakrishna Math took effect on 6th May 2002. At present, Balaram Mandir is a branch centre of the Ramakrishna Math, Belur and is renamed as the 'Ramakrishna Math - Balaram Mandir'.