Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama @ Belgaum

Dear Friend,

Namaste!

In order to facilitate the smooth execution of the multifarious- activities of the Ashrama, we have started the construction of an auditorium in the Ashrama premises. We have also planned the construction of gopurams for the existing Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna. The details of these two projects are given below in the appeal brochure.

The estimated cost for the constructions of the Sabhangana & the gopurams are Rs. 2 crores & Rs. 15 lakhs respectively. We appeal to you to contribute towards these 2 projects according to your means & mite. We look forward for your participation in these noble causes.

May Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi & Swami Vivekananda shower their choicest blessings on you all, is our sincere prayer!

Yours in the Service of the Lord,

Swami Raghaveshananda

(Secretary)

TEMPLE CONSECRATION ANNIVERSARY &

5^th ANNUAL CELEBRATIONS

@

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA, BELGAUM

The Universal Temple of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna was ceremoniously consecrated on Jan 23rd 2004, the holy Jayanthi of Srimat Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, by Most Revered Srimat Swami Gitanandaji Maharaj, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission.

Since then every year to commemorate the consecration of the Universal Temple of Bhagawan Sri Ramakrishna we are organizing these annual celebrations. The main aim of these celebrations are to spread the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sharada Devi and Swami Vivekananda among the people, to provide the youths with higher ideals in life and also to promote Indian culture there by promoting harmony.

The Student, Youth & Devotees’ conventions are conducted every year by monks from different branch centres of the Ramakrishna Order who are invited to give talks to students, youths & devotees & inspire them to lead a noble & virtuous life. Several other spiritual leaders from other organizations as well as many notable speakers are also invited to share their ideas.

The cultural programmes are organized to spread the Indian culture & also to motivate upcoming artists. Till now several distinguished artists such as Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Pt. Shiva Kumar Sharma, Smt. Anuradha Paudwal, Dr. L Balasubramaniam, Smt. Kavita Krishnamurthy, Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Pt. Yogesh Samshi, Sri C Ashwath & others have performed for these programmes. We also  encourage young & upcoming artists from different music fields by inviting them to give performances in the Ashrama.

This year a 2-day celebration consisting of Student conventions, devotees’ convention, and cultural programmes was organized in the Ashrama on 31^st January & 1^st February, 2009.  A brief description of these is given below:

Day 1. Sat 31st Jan, 09

In the morning session of the first day the Students convention was organized in 2 sessions in Kannada & Marathi of duration two & a half hours each. 1,800 Students from various schools of Belgaum participated with their teachers  in these 2 sessions. All the participants were served with cooked prasada.

Special book display & sales counter was set up equipped with inspiring books useful for the students’ & youth community.  

Some images of the Day 1 of the celebrations. 

In the evening Sri Jayateertha Mevundi & accompanying artists rendered Bhajans & Abhangs in Hindustani Classical style. 700 people attended this programme. Sri Mevundi is an extremely talented & upcoming artist. He has won many accolades for his performances. He gave a very classical & entertaining performance & kept the audience spell bound with the Bhajans & Abhangs sung in his youthful voice.

To download the songs sung by Sri Jayateertha Mevundi on this occasion click on the songs (mp3) :

01 Jai jai Ramakrishna Hari..  21.47 MB

02 Roopa Pahata.Lochani..  11.02 MB

03 Kandu Dhanyanade.. 7.25 MB

04 Neene Ballidano.. 9.92 MB

05 Visava Vitthala.. 9.49 MB

06 Narayana Te Namo… 10.51 MB

07 Thumak Thumak Pag… 6.28 MB

08 Har Har Har Bhootanath.. 10.65 MB

09 Teertha Vitthala.. 13.88 MB

10 Nee Karuniso Vitthala.. 7.79 MB

  Day 2. Sunday 1st Feb, 09

Devotees convention was organized in the morning form 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Sri Swami Tridiveshanandaji inaugurated the convention. Sri Swami Nityasthanandaji, Sri Murughendra Swamiji, Sri Kumara Virupaksha Swamiji & Dr. H N Muralidhara addressed the devotees. Around 1,000 devotees attended. All the participants were served with cooked prasada.

Some images of the Day 2 of the celebrations.

In the evening Sri Ravindra Sathe, Smt Vibhavari Joshi & accompanying artists rendered the programme ‘Punya Swar’ consisting of popular Stotras, Bhajans & Abhangs in Sanskrit, Hindi & Marathi. 1200 people attended this programme.

To download the songs sung by Sri Ravindra Sathe & Smt Vibhavari Joshi on this occasion click on the songs (mp3) :  

01 Gurustuti   5.95 MB  

02 Madhurashtakam  9.15 MB

03 Jyoti Kalash Chhalake  5.48 MB

04 Runujhunu Runujhunu  5.94 MB

05 Bilvashtakam  11.17 MB

06 Shriramachandra Kripalu  7.49 MB

07 Payoji Maine  4.67 MB

08 Prabhu Tero Naam  6.44 MB

09 Janakinath Sahay Kare  9.49 MB

10 Thumak Chalat   7.97 MB

11 Divyatvachi Jetha Prateeti  6.68 MB

12 Majhi Renuka Mavuli  7.77 MB

13 Jhala Mahar Pandharinath  7.29 MB

14 Indrayani Kaathi  8.54 MB

15 Vitthai Kittai Majhe   5.43 MB

16 Anadi Duniya   6.98 MB

17 Majhe Mahera Pandhari  7.15 MB 

 With best wishes and prayers for the welfare of you all,

Yours in the Lord,

Swami Raghaveshananda

(Secretary)

A Report

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 3rd camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 25th-29th of June, 08. In this 3rd camp more than 60 devotees participated in which around 45 were from Mumbai, Thane & Bangalore & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this third batch special event was chanting from the 12th chapter of ‘Srimad Bhagavat Gita’ before the noon & night prasada & also  there was Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees from Mumbai & Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees were very glad for having got an opportunity to participate in this unique Yajna.

‘Some remarks from the participants’ 

1. " Japa Yajna has given me the proudest moments of my spiritual life, next only to moments of receiving MANTRA DIKSHA. My only request is to call me again & again for all Japa Yajnas in future."- A Devotee

2. "Dhuni meditation was a life time experience, overall it is an enriching experience for all of us & given a chance I will come back again for spiritual upliftment."- Surender Vasandani, Mumbai

3. "I am indeed blessed for being able to participate in the 5 day Yajna. I will make all efforts at home to improve my Japam and other spiritual practices. I would like to attend Japa Yajna again & earnestly request you to consider me for future Yajnas."- K Rama Rao, Mumbai

4. "About ‘Dhuni’ I really liked the silence & now I realize that we can also do sadhana if we wish & Thakur will help us in many ways. Only we should have desire for God.- Dr.(Mrs) Nivedita Bakshi, Mumbai

5. "Japa Yajna is really a new thing for us. Although it is very tightly scheduled but we did not feel it. Rather we enjoyed every moment, especially Bhajans & Kirtans. The time spent here will be an unforgettable experience of my life."- Chitra Ray, Mumbai

6. "Usha Kirtana has made a deep impression on my mind. Its timings & the way of its presentation is very good."- Raghunatha Rao, B’lore

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA, BELGAUM organized Japa Yajna programme for doing one lakh japa & practice sadhana in a suitable atmosphere for the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna.

The 1st camp was organised from 14th-18th of May, 08. In this 1st camp more than 75 devotees participated in which around 50 were from outside Belgaum & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

Some photographs of the event

All the devotees performed one lakh japam within 5 days. They were all excited & highly appreciated the program.

A Report

Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Belgaum organized the 2nd camp of ‘One Lakh Japa Yajna’ from 4th-8th of June, 08. In this 2nd camp more than 65 devotees participated in which around 50 were from Mumbai, Thane, Kolhapur & Bangalore & remaining from Belgaum town. All arrangements for food & accommodation for the outstation devotees were provided.

In this second batch there were two additional events namely Sri Saradanaam Sankirtana performed by a group of devotees from Mumbai & Dhuni (sacred fire) during which there were singing of Bhajans, reading from ‘The Eternal Companion’ which was followed with Japam & dhyana.

All the devotees were very glad for having got an opportunity to participate in this unique Yajna.

‘Some remarks from the participants’ 

1.The best thing about ‘Japa Yajna’ is that it is a group activity. If anyone had asked me to do a Lakh Japam I would definitely have hesitated to attempt it whatever the incentives might be. Being in a group makes it more appealing, besides it is a good way to enthuse the spiritual aspirant to perform japam & once we have tasted the joy & peace we get therein, it will help us to continue on our own - Chaya Sawant, Mumbai.

2.The ‘Japa Yajna’ has immensely helped me to identify many things like- necessity of constant practice regularly, impact of disciplined & regulated life &  the importance of Japam in purifying & control of mind - Sudipto Choudhary, Thane

3.Now I am determined to practice this discipline at home also - Smt Geeta Dhyani, Mumbai

4."Morning to evening" program was nicely planned. I found it as a spiritual symposium/retreat. I am satisfied - Anu Kamat, Thane.

5."Maa" always says about Japa & its benefits, I never took it seriously. But after attending ‘Japa Yajna’ it is a great feeling, it has given me peace & strentgh. It was hectic but I did it. My heart was joyful in listening to bhajans - Smt. M D Verma, Mumbai.

6.First I was very scared to attend the Japa Yagna as i am not at all used to do japa for a long time.I used to do only for a few minutes in the morning as well as in the evening without counting.But when I attended the ‘Japa Yagna’ I was extremely surprised how I finished the japa as instructed to do in a day, nor did  I felt tired. Its all Mother’s grace - Vaijayanti Pal, Mumbai