Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai is the first branch center of the Ramakrishna Order in Southern India. It was started in the year 1897 by Swami Ramakrishnananda, one of the direct disciples of Ramakrishna. Besides Swami Ramakrishnananda, the Math was visited by Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Brahmananda and Swami Shivananda. The motto of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission is: For one’s own salvation, and for the welfare of the world.
The campus of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, is pervaded with an atmosphere of palpable holiness. A feeling of profound calmness and soothing serenity can be felt, if you sit in the temple, even for a few minutes. With its lush green surroundings, the Math is an ideal place for your practice of contemplation and meditation. The Math stands as a bright symbol of religious harmony—a place where all are welcome, irrespective of caste, race, nationality or religion.
Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, has a long history of more than hundred years of service to society.
All the activities of the Math—whether it be sweeping the courtyard or educating students at a school, nursing patients in a medical facility or serving in the temple or kitchen—are considered different forms of a single act of worship. You can also participate in any of these activities which will help to cleanse the mind and to attain great heights in spiritual life. All the work done here at the Math is ‘For One’s Liberation and for the good of Others.’
Swami Vivekananda wanted the worship of Sri Ramakrishna as the hub of all the activities carried on by any centre of the Ramakrishna Order. He wrote, ‘The easiest way is to take a hut—make it a temple of Guru Maharaj (Sri Ramakrishna)! … Let those that go to relief-work first select a central spot in each district and start such a hut-temple, from which all our little work is to proceed.’ This is followed in Chennai math also, where Sri Ramakrishna is worshipped in the temple following the mantras and procedures systematized by Swami Ramakrishnananda, Founder of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.
The birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Ramakrishnananda and Kalpataru Day (Jan. 1) are celebrated with great fervor on a grand scale. More than 3000 devotees will participate in these celebrations which will go on for one full day from 4.30 AM to 9.00 PM. Other prominent Hindu Festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja are also celebrated with equal fervor.
