Welcome To
Sri Vivekananda Ashrama
Sri Vivekananda Ashrama Is Located In The Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. It Is A Monastery Founded By Swami Ambanandaji, A Disciple Of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. The Ashrama Is Managed By Monks And Functions According To The Ramakrishna Tradition.
The Ashrama Is Blessed With The Eternal Presence Of Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, And Swami Vivekananda Invoked By Swami Ambanandaji. It Is Also Sanctified By The Association Of His Disciple, A Saintly Monk Swami Madhuranandaji. Such Profound Divine Vibrations Make This Ashrama A Unique Spiritual Abode.
The Ashrama Is Located In The Foothills Of Vellimalai (Literally, Silver Mountain), A Hillock With A Subramanya Temple At The Top. Surrounded By The Lush Green Gardens And Enveloped By Vast Coconut Groves, The Ashrama Is An Abode Of Peace As Also A Centre Of Multifarious Human Welfare Activities.
1.Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Temple
A Temple Dedicated To Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Is The Hub Of All The Activities Of The Ashrama. Swami Vivekananda Once Expressed His Wish Of How The Image Of Sri Ramakrishna As Well As The Internal Design Of A Ramakrishna Temple Should Be:
“Within The Temple There Would Be A Figure Of Sri Ramakrishna Seated On A Swan. On The Two Sides Of The Door Will Be Represented The Figure Of A Lion And A Lamb Licking Each Other’s Body—Expressing The Idea That Great Power And Gentleness Have Become United In Love. . . . In Its Walls Hundreds Of Lotuses Will Be In Full Bloom.”
The Temple Is A Humble Attempt To Express His Wish. A Flight Of Thirty-Six Steps Takes One To The Temple On The First Floor. The Right Side Of The Steps Is Adorned With The “Lion And Lamb” And Other Stucco Decorations. Inside The Temple There Is A Three And A Quarter Foot Black Granite Image Of Sri Ramakrishna In The Centre Of The Shrine. He Is Seated On A Fully Opened Lotus Atop A Swan With Wings Spread. Including The Swan, The Altar Is Three Feet.
There Are Separate Shrines For Holy Mother And Swamiji. The Photos Of Gods And Goddesses, Saints, As Also The Monastic, Householder, And Women Disciples Of Sri Ramakrishna Adorn The Inner Walls.
Regular Worship Is Conducted By The Monks. The Holy Rudraksha Mala Given To Swami Ambanandaji By Holy Mother Is Installed Within The Altar, Which Contributes To The Unique Divine Presence Pervading The Entire Temple. You Are Welcome To Take Part In The Puja And Arati And Spend Some Time In The Spiritual Ambience Of The Temple.
The Ground Floor Houses An Assembly Hall, Sri Saradeswari Library, And Two Shrine Rooms Dedicated To Swamis Ambanandaji And Madhuranandaji. Besides Their Photos, A Few Articles Used By Them Are Preserved Here. Devotees May Enter The Rooms And Pray Silently.
2.Office And Book Sales
There Is An Office And Book Sale Section At The Entrance Of The Ashrama. Apart From The Publications Of Hindu Dharma Vidya Peetam, A Number Of Religious And Cultural Tamil And Malayalam Books From Other Publishers Are Also Available For Purchase. Religious Articles Such As Rudraksha Malas, Tulasi Malas, Stickers, And Pictures Are Also For Sale.
3.Sri Saradeswari Library
Library Is Located Below The Shrine. There Is A Collection Of About 3,000 Books In Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, And English On Subjects Such As Religion, Philosophy, And Culture.
You Are Most Welcome To Visit The Ashrama And To Spend Some Time In The Spiritually Elevating Atmosphere Here.
