Located in the heart of Delhi at Panchkuian, Ramakrishna Mission has its headquarters at Belur Math which is located in Howrah District near Kolkata. It has about 158 branches and out of these about 38 branches are in other countries.

The aim of Ramakrishna Mission is purely spiritual and doesn’t seem to have any relationship with politics. The teachings and life of Ramakrishna form the basis of Ramakrishna Mission. This mission is truly inspired by the principle of reciprocity or give and take. It has its centre in many countries like Canada, USA, England, Singapore, Australia, Brazil, Japan, Russia, Sri Lanka and Switzerland. The monks here are engaged in preaching the universal message of Vivekananda and Ramakrishna. These messages are spread to the larger crowd of people through publication of several books on Vivekananda- Ramakrishna, Indology and Vedanta. The mission has a total of about 12 journals and 500 titles in various languages like Hindi, English, Bengali as well as other Indian languages. There are many activities run in the mission that include medical services, educational services, and spiritual, cultural as well as integrated rural development programmes.

Activities of the Mission

The Mission runs its own charitable dispensaries, mobile dispensaries, hospitals and maternity clinics. It also has a separate training center for the nurses. It has established several esteemed educational institutions in the country. It has its own primary and high schools, colleges, university and vocational training centres. Apart from this the mission has also been a part of disaster relief operations in the course of flood, cyclone, famine, earthquake and fire disturbances. In addition to all this there are many centres that are associated with Swami Vivekananda, Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi and run in many states of India. The mission has their own keep separate accounts and funds. They receive grants from the State and Central Governments for their various activities. The other activities run in the mission are financed from the sale of publications, the offerings received, public donations and the fees from the students. The accounts of the mission are audited by the auditors on an annual basis. The administrative work of the mission is done by the monks belonging to the Ramakrishna Math.

The emblem of the Ramakrishna Mission was drawn by Swami Vivekananda and represents their ideology. It indicates that the supreme self is realized through the synthesis of four yogas. The mission played a major role in placing photovoltaic lighting systems in West Bengal. This lighting system was used to supply electricity to those who were entirely dependent on diesel and kerosene.

Tourist Hub at Ramakrishna Mission

The mission is well known for their respect and religious tolerance for all other religions. It observes people of all religions who are respected in both india and abroad.

Construction

The premises of Ramakrishna Mission at Delhi are natural, serene and beautiful. The main shrine here is 20 ft x 20 ft. The sanctum sanctorum here, also called natmandir is 31 ft x 60 ft. The temple was first designed and funds were collected. The foundation stone here was laid by Swami Shankarananda in 1954. He was the 7th President of Ramakrishna Order. The foundation laying day also coincides with the birth centenary of the Holy Mother. Construction of the temple was completed in 1957. This building included a Vivekananda Auditorium, which was also built in 1957. It was recently renovated in 2012.

There is a New Sadhu Nivas in the premises. This is a double-storeyed building, which was constructed in 1988. Recently in 2002, the Sarada Auditoriumwas set up here.

Inspiration

This temple has been inspired by four able visionaries viz Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Direct Disciples. Known for his ideas of religious tolerance and spirituality, Sri Ramkrishna Paramhansa is the guiding light for this spiritual organization. He was born on 18 February 1836 in a village close to Kolkata. He followed enlightenment paths of different religions.

Sri Sarada Devi or Sri Sri Maa was the spiritual consort of Swami Vivekananda. She set an example with her life of sacrifice, forbearance, service and motherly love. 

When born, Swami Vivekananda was known as Narendra Nath Datta. He was born to an affluent family and excelled in all streams of life. A yogic since childhood, he was associated with Brahmo Samaj for some time. However, when he met Sri Ramakrishna in November 1881, he accepted the latter as his master. This changed his life forever.

Some other reknowned followers of the Ramakrishna mission include Swami Brahmananda, Swami Shivananda, Swami Akhananda, and Swami Vijnanananda.

Awards to Ramakrishna Mission

• The mission was chosen for the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh award for encouragement of Non violence and Tolerance 2002.
• 1996, Bhagwan Mahavir Foundation Award
• 1996, Dr. Ambedkar National Award
• 1998, Gandhi Peace Prize
• 2001, Shahid Vir Narayan Singh Award
• 2005, National Communal Harmony Award

Visiting Time

The Ramakrishna Mission is open on all days of a week except Sundays. The visiting time is between 8 am to 12 pm and 5 pm to 7 pm. Entry to the mission is free of cost.

How to Reach

One can conveniently get to Ramakrishna Mission by Delhi’s metro rail services.