What you see on the right is an old photo of the original house in which fourteen young disciples of Sri Ramakrishna (two more joined later) founded a new type of monastic brotherhood at Baranagar in Kolkata in 1886.  It was this small brotherhood that later burgeoned into the world-wide Ramakrishna Math and its offshoot, the Ramakrishna Mission.  All that now remain of the original house are two pillars.

 

In the inexorable march of time the property changed hands, the old monastery building crumbled to dust, and the whole place became a slum.  But the legacy of Baranagar Math can not be forgotten.  The cradle of Ramakrishna Movement, which has been spearheading a spiritual renaissance and monastic revival in India for more than a hundred years, has to be restored as a monument for posterity.

With this end in view, the authorities of Ramakrishna Math, started in May 2001, a branch centre in a small building, in the area.  Daily worship, spiritual discourses, non-formal school and coaching classes for slum children are being conducted now at this new centre.  The main plan is to restore the original spiritual ambience of the first monastery at Baranagar Math and to provide a centre for conducting various service activities for the poor. The estimated cost of the whole project is given below:

Development Programme	Amount Rs.
Restoration (Includes vacating and purchasing the entire premises by rehabilitating the displaced owners / tenants etc. of Old Baranagar Math Premises)	Rs. 1.50 Crores
Construction of a memorial (replica of Old Baranagar Math Building)	Rs. 0.25 Crores
Construction of Monks' Quarters (A shrine and space for other activities)	Rs. 0.75 Crores
TOTAL	Rs. 2.50 Crores

We appeal to all good-hearted people, philanthropic institutions and business houses to contribute liberally for this noble cause. Donors may install memorial plaque to perpetuate the memory of the nearer and dearer ones. All donations are exempt from Income Tax under 80G of Income Tax Act. Donations however small or big will be thankfully received and acknowledged. Cheques/Drafts may be drawn in favour of ‘’Ramakrishna Math, Baranagar’’ and sent to : 

Ramakrishna Math - Baranagar,        

125/1, Pramanick Ghat Road,

Kolkata - 700036,

West Bengal, India

 

Email : info@rkmbaranagar.org

Web   : www.rkmbaranagar.org

 

                               Yours in the Lord,

                           Swami Vamanananda

                                   President