The seven acre spread of the campus of Sri Ramakrishna Math looks like a fairyland. While the flower decoration provide the colour during the day, the lit illumination brings the place alive at night.
The occasion – the 175th birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna and the 12th anniversary of the Universal Temple consecration began at Ramakrishna Mutt on Feb.22 and will be on till this weekend.
The event began with a special pooja and chandi homam. About 30 monks from various Mutts in Tamil Nadu presided. The celebration will be held till Feb.26.
A mixed group of people, senior and young are participating in all the five-day events, says Swami Virmurtananda, editor of the Tamil magazine ‘Ramakrishna Vijayam’ who is also a key organizer for this celebration. People were all over the sprawling Mutt campus.
Large carpets were laid near the entrance, on R. K. Mutt Road leading to the temple. A reception team at the gate welcomes devotees and guests. A massive stage has been erected in front of the old temple inside the mutt. This had a seating capacity of about 2500 people, says K. S. Gopalakrishnan, a volunteer organiser.
The backdrop had massive paintings of Sri Ramakrishna when he was young. Another venue is a mini hall inside the premises. This has a seating capacity of about 400 people and this is used for small lectures and talks, says Gopalakrishnan. Food is prepared on a large scale since the stream of devotees grows through the day.
We are serving all three meals and tea for free on these days,” Gopalakrishnan added. Special buses and vans have been hired to transport devotes and monks who have come from outside Chennai. “We also have a special medical camp set up in the premises.
This is mainly to cater to the guests who visit the Mutt during the festive days.” The library at the mutt is offering a 40% discount on all books and other items.
An online streaming of all the events is available at www.chennaimath.org. For more information call 2462 1110.
