sambya
28 January 2010, 03:29 AM
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa , the great prophet of 19th century is regarded by many as an incarnation of god . When he attained mahasamadhi (biological death) his body was cremated and the ash relics put in an copper urn and worshipped by his disciples as their guru , mentor and by some as an avatar of the supreme .
Later after the triump of Swami Vivekananda in the west he gathered around him a group of western and astern admirers and followers including harvard and oxford preoffesors , french opera singers , scientists like Nicola Telsa , theologians , maharajas etc . They , along with swami himself wanted the message of Sri rRmakrishna to be spread far and wide , for the purpose of which they puchased a plot of land on the banks of tranquil Ganges and constructed a monastery of mutt with a central temple dedicated to Ramakrishna . The sacred relics where enshrined within the main altar .
One of the fundamental teachings of Ramakrishna had been the unity of religons . To him the differences in religions are all external . but at the end it reaches the same traget . He was the first to propagate this theory of universality of all religions . Hence his temple was constructed in such a manner as to pay respect to all religious architectural traditions .
The ground plan was laid in shape of a cross . The dome had muslim ridges along its surface , the window tops had buddhist features and the main hall resembled a buddhist chaitya(place of worship) with its many pillars .
Swami Vivekananda didnt want a enclosed sanctum sanctorum as was the tradition of India . As Ramakrishna was approachable by everyone he wanted a open Garbhagriha(sanctum) with doors all its side .
To introduce the christian and buddhistic practice of congretional prayer he devised a long corridor for devotees . This way the present temple was completed and finallY consecrated in 1930's .
Today the temple is surrounded by the monastic living quarters with spacious gardens , schools , dispensaries and stands on the banks of Ganga .
Later after the triump of Swami Vivekananda in the west he gathered around him a group of western and astern admirers and followers including harvard and oxford preoffesors , french opera singers , scientists like Nicola Telsa , theologians , maharajas etc . They , along with swami himself wanted the message of Sri rRmakrishna to be spread far and wide , for the purpose of which they puchased a plot of land on the banks of tranquil Ganges and constructed a monastery of mutt with a central temple dedicated to Ramakrishna . The sacred relics where enshrined within the main altar .
One of the fundamental teachings of Ramakrishna had been the unity of religons . To him the differences in religions are all external . but at the end it reaches the same traget . He was the first to propagate this theory of universality of all religions . Hence his temple was constructed in such a manner as to pay respect to all religious architectural traditions .
The ground plan was laid in shape of a cross . The dome had muslim ridges along its surface , the window tops had buddhist features and the main hall resembled a buddhist chaitya(place of worship) with its many pillars .
Swami Vivekananda didnt want a enclosed sanctum sanctorum as was the tradition of India . As Ramakrishna was approachable by everyone he wanted a open Garbhagriha(sanctum) with doors all its side .
To introduce the christian and buddhistic practice of congretional prayer he devised a long corridor for devotees . This way the present temple was completed and finallY consecrated in 1930's .
Today the temple is surrounded by the monastic living quarters with spacious gardens , schools , dispensaries and stands on the banks of Ganga .