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One such great spiritual teacher is Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He treated all religions on an equal footing and respected their teachings. Many great Souls were attracted to him who renounced the world, dedicating their lives for the emancipation of humanity. One such great personality was Swami Vivekananda. He founded the Ramakrishna Math and Mission and trained hundreds of young men who dedicated themselves for the upliftment of society, nation and the humanity through social, moral and spiritual activities fighting against the superstitions and blind beliefs. These young educated persons spread themselves to different parts of India spreading the message of Guru Maharaj and Swamiji. They established Ashrams and Maths and continued the legacy and work of Swamiji. Later on Ramakrishna Ashrams and Vedanta Centers were established.
| Vivekananda Vichara Vedike |
| | THE SPROUTING
One such centre by name Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ashrama was founded at Tumkur, Karnataka State, India.This was the fruit of relentless efforts of Revered Sri Swami Purushottamanandaji Maharaj, a senior most monk of Ramakrishna Mission.Under his inspiration and guidance, a ‘Vivekananda Vichara Vedike'(Thought Forum) was established in Tumkur on 12th January 1991. Many educated young men dedicated themselves to the service of this centre,
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renouncing the material world. They conducted satsangs (Prayer-Discourses) in different parts of the City and the District. The present Swamiji and the Head of the Ashrama was one among them.
Sri Shankara Ramaiah, an Engineering graduate inspired by the twin ideals of ‘Service and Sacrifice' became a Brahmachari in this Thought Forum. His incessant and dedicated work resulted in establishing the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ashrama on 22 nd November 1992.
Sri Shankara Ramaiah renounced the world and embraced Sanyas in the Himalayas on 24 th April 1993 with the monastic name Revered Sri Swami Veereshananda Saraswathi. Since then he is serving as the President of the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Ashrama, Tumkur. The Ashram was formally inaugurated by most Revered Swami Purushottamanandaji Maharaj.
| Land granted to Ashrama by the Govt. |
| | THE GROWTH AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE
The Ashrama started its dedicated service to Society and humanity in a humble but effective manner.It was housed in rented buildings till November 1993.It aimed at the moral and spiritual rejuvenation of the people touching every strata of society through its diversified and meaningful programs. The Government of Karnataka recognized the self-less dedicated work of the Ashrama and granted 2 acres of land to the Ashrama at a place, now very well known as |
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Ramakrishna Nagar.The people of Tumkur and other parts of Karnataka came forward to donate money liberally for the construction of the Ashrama Building.
The construction of the Ashrama was completed in 1993 at a cost of Rs. 8,000,000. The present imposing structurehas a living area of about 10,000 sq. feet. It has Monks' quarters, a Shrine, a Library, a Meditation Hall, a Book Stall and other infrastructure facilities. The New Ashrama building was inaugurated and sanctified on November 17 th , 1999 by most Revered Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, a Trustee of Ramakrishna Mission and the President of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.
| | THE PRESENT SETUP
Rev. Sri Swami Veereshananda Saraswathi is the present President of the Ashrama who is leading all the activities of the Ashrama.He is assisted by another monk Rev. Sri Swami Sharadathmanandaji.A Brahmachari and three students who are studying in Degree classes are maintained by the Ashrama and helping in the pursuit of their education.Apart from this,the Ashrama is providing scholarships to 12 students from High School level to Post-Graduate level. |
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