[philist] Universal temple consecration on Feb 7, 2000 (fwd)

[Guest guest]

Cross posting from philist

 

Sun, 30 Jan 2000 21:41:07 +0100 (MET)

Lakshminarayanan R <lakshmin

 

Dear Philisters,

 

This is an article that appears in Chennai online,

regarding the consecration of the Universal temple.

 

The web version has some pictures of the temple:

 

http://www.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Temples/universaltemple.asp

 

- Lakshminarayanan

 

----

 

The Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa will be

consecrated in Chennai on 7th February, 2000, by Swami

Ranganathananda, President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The

mahakumbabhishekam will be performed by Sri Sambamurthy Sivachariar of

the Kapaleeswarar temple between 0905 hrs and 1000 hrs on that day.

The imposing white temple, which presents a synthesis of various

temple idioms of India and other parts of the world, is a standing

testimony to the universality of Saint Ramakrishna's spiritual message

to the world.

 

Situated inside the Mission premises on Ramakrishna Mutt Road (R K

Mutt road) in Mylapore, the striking edifice of the temple is bound to

draw many a devotee inside its peaceful and attractive interior. G.

Venkatramana Reddy, the architect of the temple, speaking in an

exclusive interview to Chennaionline said the temple was a " symphony

in architecture, a harmonious blend of various temple architecture

styles to symbolise a synthesis in religion. "

 

Why is this temple called the Universal temple?

 

Saint Ramakrishna does not belong to any religion or sect, say his

devotees. He cannot be tied down to any " agama " or " shastra " . His

creed was unity and universality of religion. He believed in attaining

spiritualism as a tool for emancipation of self, not just for one's

own good but for the good of the universe. This message of

universality which is the basic truth in all approaches to God is

enshrined in the Universal temple.

 

What catches the eye is the cathedral-like dome that towers 104 feet

above the ground clad in Dolpur white sandstone. The red sandstone of

Agra can be seen in the lower levels of the temple. The façade of the

temple, which presents a three-tower front, is adorned in the centre

by the swan motif of the Ramakrishna Math. One can see the figure of

Ganapati in the centre, with Krishna and Kartikeya, flanking him. The

two extremes are occupied by Garuda and Hanuman. A grand staircase

leads one to the main prayer hall which can accommodate a thousand

people. Inside the marble-floored hall devotees can congregate in an

atmosphere of purity, cleanliness, peace and meditate. A seven foot

high, life-like marble figure of Saint Ramakrishna Paramahansa housed

in a marble garbhamandira adorns the hall. The sight evokes a feeling

of rapture. On either side one can find framed pictures of Swami

Vivekananda and Mother Sarada Devi in two smaller shrines.

 

The big prayer hall, says Mr. Reddy, is inspired by the concept of

Buddhist Chaityas where devotees are engaged in congregational

meditative worship. The prayer hall with its vaulted roof of 40 feet

from its nave resembles the Buddhist Chaitya halls at Ajanta or the

rock cut chaitya at Karli near Mumbai. A large number of decorational

ventilators make the temple well-lit and ventilated. There are echoes

of Belur Math and the Ratna Kali temple at Dakshineswar, apart from

the influence of architectural characteristics of the churches and

cathedrals of Europe belonging to the Renaissance period.

 

Below the prayer hall is the basement which houses an auditorium which

can seat 600 people. It will be used for conducting bhajans, symposia

and other activities. The auditorium is named after Swami

Ramakrishnananda, the founder of the Chennai Ramakrishna Math. There

are rooms for the brahmacharis and performers of pujas and also those

involved in the maintenance of the temple. The overall length of the

temple is 210 feet and its width at the widest point is 75 feet. The

temple was constructed using local labour by Sankara Stapathi over a

period of 2 years and 4 months says Mr. Reddy, who is an Associate of

the Royal Institute of British Architecture.

 

The Ramakrishna Math has organised a week-long programme from 5th to

12th February to mark the holy occasion of the consecration. The

highnote of the programme will be the discourses by religious leaders

of all faiths practised in India. A " Sadhu Sammelan " has been

scheduled for February 6 and will be covered in these columns. Among

the luminaries who will be participating are: Jeer of the Ethiraja

Jeer Muth at Sriperumbudur, Sundaramurthy Tambiran Swami of Dharmapura

Adheenam and Srimat Andavan Swami of Srirangham. The math has also

organised cultural programmes by leading exponents of Carnatic and

Hindustani music during the week. Top artiste, Carnatic vocalist,

Sudha Raghunathan will sing between 1900 hrs and 2030 hrs on February

6.

 

There will be an inter-religious convention on February 8, which is

being observed as " religious harmony day " . As a fitting finale to the

week long festivities, the math will undertake poor feeding on 13th

February between 9 and 12 hrs. The consecration of the Universal

temple in the holy ambience of Thirumailai is bound to add to the

spiritual fervour of the Chennaivasis.

 

by Ambujam Anantharaman

 

------

Copyright 1997-2000, Chennai Interactive Business Services (P) Ltd.

cibs

Copyright and Disclaimer. Send your suggestions.

 

 

------

 

Visit Philist on the web at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2973

 

--

----------

Email: gomu

Phone: +91 80 6689904

Webpages: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1863

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/2973

----------

[Guest guest]

On 11th of this month, I was in Madras and I visited this temple (finishing

touches were going on). It is beautiful. Through this list, I would humbly

like to congratulate everybody who ever is behind this marvellous creation.

Please do not miss to visit -- if you ever be in the vicinity of Madras.

 

>

> Gokulmuthu N [gomu]

> The Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa will be

> consecrated in Chennai on 7th February, 2000, by Swami

> Ranganathananda, President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission.