Universal Temple of Bhagawan Shri Ramakrishna Dev

In March 1966, Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaj took over the charge of the Shri Ramakrishna Ashrama from Swami Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj, who was appointed as one of the Asst. Secretaries of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The small existing temple was found to be insufficient for a large number of devotees who attended the prayer and other temple functions. Moreover, it required a lot of repair work. So it was decided to erect a magnificent new temple to enshrine the holy relics of Shri Ramakrishna in a befitting manner. The devotees of Gujarat came forward to complete this long overdue task to erect a monument of reverence to the Great Master in Saurashtra, the land of temples.

On 24 August 1966 Sri Kaka Saheb Kalelkar visited the Ashrama. On 26 October 1966 Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj opened the newly built ‘Childrens Section’ of the existing library building.

Due to benevolence of the generous public nearly Rupees seven lacs were collected for the construction of the new temple when Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj, the 10th President of Ramakrishna Math and Mission finally laid the foundation stone for the new temple on 16 August 1971 in the presence of a large number of devotees and eminent people.

Shri Madhukarbhai Thakore of Architect Corner, Ahmedabad, Dr.Mahendra R.Mehta of Vakil-Mehta-Parikh-Sheth, Ahmedabad, Shri Vipinbhai Bavishi of M/s V Engineers, Rajkot, and M/s K.L.Engineers, Rajkot were entrusted with the design, planning and construction work of this monument of Universal love and faith.

The temple is on the lines of the Shri Ramakrishna Temple at Belur Math, which was originally conceived by Swami Vivekananda. The temple is a modern structure in the sense that the basic skeleton is of reinforced concrete without compromising with the aesthetics of the traditional stonework.

In plan, the traditional Hindu temple represents Lord Vishnu reclining on his Shesha Naga, the circular Garbha Mandir in rear, and a square Gopuram in front. It was Swami Vivekananda who implanted the Naat Mandir in between for congregational worship. This and many other ideas of the great Swami Vivekananda, have been duly incorporated in this temple as well.

(Shri Madhukar Thakor became a part of us, more than a decade ago. In the beginning, he prepared a few sketches for a temple much smaller in size to the present one. Later on when the Belur Math Temple came up for consideration, plans for the present temple was finalized by him. He supervised the work through all the stages of construction – R.C.C., brick work, the details of arches, vaults, domes, wood-work, marble and mural work, the concrete ornamentation, to the final landscaping, lighting and finishing touches. The structural designs were prepared by Dr. Mahendrabhai Mehta of M/s. Vakil – Mehta – Sheth, Ahmedabad. The oil paintings were made by the artist Shri Sanat Thakar of Rajkot.)

The magnificent new temple of Sri Ramakrishna, built at a cost of about Rupees 25 lacs was dedicated by Swami Vireswarananadaji Maharaj, on 6 April 1979.The installation ceremony of Shri Ramakrishna in the new temple was held at 7 a.m. followed by special puja and havanam.

A big procession with floats covering important places of Rajkot city was taken out with more than 150 monks and more than three thousand devotees, students etc. with Vedic Chanting, kirtan and bhajans. At 9 p.m. special Kali Puja in image was performed in the new temple.

On 7 April 1979, a Commemorative Souvenir of more that 425 pages was released by the Chief Guest, Shri Babubhai Patel, the Chief Minister of Gujarat at a public meeting. Swami Vireswaranandaji Maharaj gave his benedictory speech on the occasion. Revered Maharaj also released a postal stamp and a first-day cover commemorating the new temple inauguration ceremony. Swami Gambhiranandaji, Swami Ranganathanandaji and Swami Atmanandaji addressed the gathering. Shri Arvindbhai Maniar, Mayor, Rajkot gave the welcome speech. On 8 April, there were speeches by Swami Ranganathanandaji, Swami Atmasthanandaji, Swami Bhyasyanandaji, Swami Budhanandaji, and Shri B. J. Diwan, Chief Justice, Gujarat High Court. On 9 April, there were speeches by Swami Bhuteshanandaji, Swami Hiranmayanandaji, Swami Vyomrupanandaji, Swami Atmanandaji and Shri Keshubhai Patel, Minister, Govt. of Gujarat. From 8 April to 12 April, there were cultural programmes at night in which Dr. Kumar Gandharva, Manbhatt Shri Dharmiklal Pandya of Baroda, Pawar Brothers of Indore (Dhrupad), Shri Pingalshibhai Gadhavi, Shri Manharlalji Maharaj and other eminent artists gave their performances. There was also arrangement for Narayan Seva in which a lot of people were fed. Nearly two hundred monastic members of the Ramakrishna Order and about six hundred devotees from all over India and abroad apart from the local devotees and public participated in the celebrations.