Sri Sarada Math, Bengaluru is one of the branch centres of Sri Sarada Math, Dakshineswar, Kolkata and is housed at Nandidurga Road, Bengaluru.
On 18th January 1975, the Birthday tithi puja of Rev. Swami Saradanandaji Maharaj, the Bengaluru Math had its humble beginning in the outhouse of Smt. Anasuya Subramanium’s house at 18th cross, Malleswaram. Most. Rev. Muktiprana Mataji, the then General Secretary of Sri Sarada Math and Rev. Nirbhayaprana Mataji, the then president of Sri Sarada Math, Madras, graced the occasion. The Math conducted daily puja, weekly lectures on Soundarya Lahari, Bhagavad Gita, Bhajans & Upanishads. Weekly Balamandir classes were conducted for the children of the locality. Public celebrations on the birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda were conducted at 15th cross in a place called Seva Sadan, due to lack of space in the Math centre. The then President of the Order, Most. Rev. Mokshaprana Mataji also visited this centre in 1975 and gave spiritual initiation to several devotees. Many of these devotees continue to visit the Math, rendering their selfless service.
As the activities and the number of devotees increased, the need for a larger and permanent place was felt and thus began the hunt for a piece of land. The government of Karnataka was approached and 4.07 acres of land was gifted to the Math in the Jayamahal area (then known as Muni Reddy Palya).
His Holiness, Most.Rev.Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, the tenth President of the Ramakrishna Order and a direct disciple of the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi, laid the foundation stone on 11th September 1977. About 500 devotees and friends attended the function.
The Math’s consecration ceremony was held in August 1981. Most. Rev. Pravrajika Mokshaprana Mataji, the then President of Sri Sarada Math & Ramakrishna Sarada Mission graced the occasion.
To accommodate the growing number of devotees, the shrine was renovated in 2014. On May 2nd 2014, Akshaya Tritiya, the renovated temple was inaugurated by Most. Rev. Bhaktiprana Mataji, President of Sri Sarada Math and Ramakrishna Sarada Mission. The interior structure of the temple has been completed and the exterior structure will be completed as and when funds permit.
In connection with the consecration ceremony of the renovated temple, a three-day function took place from May 2nd to May 4th 2014. Thousands of devotees, friends and monastic sisters participated in this holy occasion and enjoyed the spiritual atmosphere. Many senior matajis from various centres far and wide graced the occasion.
-
- Parikrama
-
- Arati
-
- Homa
-
- Utsarga
A public meeting was held in the evening on May 3rd 2014 where Rev. Bhaktiprana Mataji gave her brief and touching benedictory address.
Benedictory address by Rev. Bhaktiprana Mataji in Bengali :
English translation of the benedictory address :
“By the grace of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, the eagerly awaited consecration ceremony of the new temple took place yesterday on the holy occasion of Akshya Trithiya amidst great joy and celebration. Assembled sannyasinis’, devotees’ and well-wishers’ long standing desire has thus been fulfilled. Today, we have assembled at the premises of the newly constructed temple of the Bengaluru Math. Sri Ramakrishna has established himself here along with his Shakti, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and his direct disciples. The prayer, japa, meditation, bhajans and kirtans of the devotees have awakened the presence of Sri Ramakrishna in the shrine. Keeping this in mind, let us at all time be engaged in smarana, manana and recollection of God. It is my sincere prayer that Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother may ever reside here as Kalpataru, the wish fulfilling tree; May they guide the devotees along a truthful, auspicious and virtuous path; May they give them wisdom and fill them with bliss. Jai Ma.”
The program ended with Rev. Ajayapranaji’s and Rev. Amalapranaji’s inspiring lectures on the necessity of this sacred occasion. After arati, there was a beautiful Bharatanatyam program.
On 4th May 2014, Sri Sankara Jayanti, most Rev. President Mataji gave spiritual initiation for 27 seekers. In the afternoon, a seminar was held on the concept of universal religion as per Swami Vivekananda. Six speakers shared their views on this topic and the program ended with a Kathak dance drama.
On 5th May 2014, a few devotees and monastic sisters visited holy places like Sringeri and Mysore for two days.