History of Our Center

The history of the Math dates back to the ‘Parivrajaka’ days of Swami Vivekananda. Some young students from Mangalore, Shrinivas Pai and his friends met Swami Vivekananda when he visited Madras as a wandering ascetic in the year 1892.

They were deeply influenced by him and when they returned from Madras after their studies, they founded an organization called “Vivekananda Society” in Mangalore to promote and spread the ideologies of Swamiji.

Under this organization, they tried to propagate the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and his spiritual master Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa by organizing many public celebrations and awareness programs.

In relevance to this, they organized a three-day lecture series by Revered Swami Yatishwaranandaji Maharaj in Mangalore on 11th February 1927. People were greatly inspired by Revered Swamiji’s talks. A public meeting was held at Canara School in the year 1932 where Mr Srinivas Pai shared his memories of meeting Swami Vivekananda before and after Swamiji’s visit to America.

Sahukar Venkatesh Pai was one such person who was greatly influenced by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda. In the year 1940, Sahukar Venkatesh Pai and his friends started a ‘Balakashram’, a free hostel for boys from the poor financial background which catered to their need for education, food and shelter. In the later days, Balakashram was administered by Hindu Seva Sangha Trust.

There was an increasing demand from the people to establish a centre of Ramakrishna Mission in Mangalore. To fulfil the aspirations of the people, thanks to the efforts of Rao Bahadur Dr Keshava Pai & other devoted friends, the headquarters in Belur Math sent Swami Vimalanandaji to Mangalore and the Ramakrishna Math was founded in a small rented house in the neighbourhood of Lal Bhag in Mangalore city on 3rd June 1947.

Meanwhile, Sahukar Venkatesh Pai who was running the ‘Balakashram’ with his peer group made a very generous offer of handing over the Balakashram to the Ramakrishna Mission along with a beautiful property of seven acres of land consisting of an elegant mansion and few other buildings.

Hence, on 11th August 1951, the Balakashram along with the property was handed over to the Ramakrishna order. The Ramakrishna Mission took care of the Balakashram and the Ramakrishna Math looked after all the spiritual activities of the centre.

Swami Adidevanandaji Maharaj was appointed as the new head of the Mangalore centre.

Now under the Ramakrishna Mission the Balakashram boys, along with their regular schooling, received personality development training enabling them to lead a life of moral, ethical and spiritual values.

Owing to the medical needs of the local people, the Math started a charitable dispensary on the premises of the ashram. Very soon the dispensary with its finest medical doctors gained popularity among the people of the surrounding area.

Swami Adidevanandaji was proficient in Kannada, English and Sanskrit Languages. He delivered lectures regularly in many educational institutions and public gatherings and was instrumental in promoting the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Ramakrishna Mission.

While Swami Adidevanandaji was in Mangalore he translated various scriptures such as Gita, Upanishads, and Prakarna Granthas from Sanskrit to Kannada which has been his great contribution to Kannada literature.

As years rolled by, the strength of the boys at the Balakashram increased and this created a need for a bigger space. The new Balakashram building was constructed to commemorate the hundredth birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

This centenary memorial had big dormitories and classrooms to cater to the needs of the boys residing there. The building had large open halls to conduct lectures and spiritual retreats for the devotees of the ashram.

Swami Vijnanandaji Maharaj was appointed as the new president of the centre (13-3-1966) He carried on the activities of the Math with unconditional love towards all. He was loved and respected by all the devotees, the students of the Balakashram and the monks of the order for his simplicity and his compassionate nature.

It was during his time that more and more devotees came to the Math and got themselves involved in its activities. He too contributed immensely to spreading the life and teachings of Ramakrishna – Vivekananda by giving inspiring talks at many schools, colleges and also in public gatherings.

Swami Sundanandaji Maharaj was appointed as the new head of the centre (05-08-1981). Even before he became the president, Swamiji had played a major role in the development of the Math, ever since the time, it got shifted to the current premises from its earlier rented location.

He was the motivation behind the construction of Math’s dispensary. His interest in gardening led to the growth of the huge green cover in the Math premises.

Swami Sundanandaji was instrumental in conducting various activities such as spiritual and moral classes for children, summer camps for students, teachers’ workshops etc.

Under his leadership, the "Ramakrishna Balavrinda" was started to impart value education to local children and these classes were held on Sundays in a devotee’s residence at Mannagudda Mangalore.

A group of female devotees inspired by the spiritual ideas of the Holy Trio formed a non-formal group known as Sharada Mahila Vrinda under the guidance of Swami Sundanandaji to carry on spiritual practices such as bhajans, prayer meet, chanting and various other devotional activities at the Math.

Swami Purnakamanandaji Maharaj took charge of the Math (03-03-1998) right after Swami Sundanandaji. Continuing all the spiritual, cultural and developmental activities initiated by his predecessors, Swamiji worked wholeheartedly for the welfare of the ashram.

Under his supervision, a very beautiful bookstall was constructed on the premises containing a wide range of literature on Vedanta philosophy propagated by Swami Vivekananda.

Swami Purnakamanandaji was the inspiration behind the magnificent bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda erected on the exact spot at the ashram which was very dear to Swami Sundanandaji Maharaj where he would sit every evening talking to the devotees.

Revered Swami Gautamanandaji, Adhyaksha Ramakrishna Math Chennai, unveiled a beautiful bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Ashrama premises.

During the tenure of Swami Purnakamanandaji as the president of the Math Revered Swami Tattwabodhanandaji Maharaj laid the foundation stone for Swami Vivekananda Auditorium and library building on 11th December 1999. He addressed the public meeting that followed, which was presided over by Dharmadarshi Sri Harikrishna Punarooru.

Most Revered Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, the then President of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission inaugurated the newly constructed Swami Vivekananda Auditorium and Library building in the presence of Bhadragiri Achyutadas.

To help the poor students of the neighbourhood Swami Vivekananda Coaching Centre was started to impart free tuition to poor students and thus help them fare well on par with the other students. Since then hundreds of poor students from 5th to 9th std. have benefitted from the coaching imparted in the centre.

After nurturing the Math with all his heart and soul Swami Purnakamanandaji handed over his responsibilities to his successor Swami Jitakamanandaji.

Swami Jitakamanandaji Maharaj was appointed as the new head of the centre. Under his able and structured leadership ashram organised various spiritual service activities.

In order to inspire the younger generation ashram organises “Youth Conventions” under the guidance of Swami Jitakamanandaji.

Ashrama released a Tulu book on the life and teachings of Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

The book is translated by Sri Arya Laxminarayan Alva. To reach out to more and more students the Central Govt. has subsidized the booklet. On the 18th of December, the book was released in a solemn function at the hands of Dr N Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University.

Ramakrishna Math, Mangalore, Chirantana Charitable Trust(R), Surathkal & Vibhinna, Mangalore had jointly organized a unique cultural extravaganza, “Panchamada Inchara – Viveka Smriti”.

Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Mangalore was honoured by the district administration with Zilla Rajyotsava Award for its overall service to the poor people, culture and spiritual heritage.

As a part of the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda Ashrama organised 2 days “All Karnataka Youth Convention: Viveka Sphoorti – Yuva Bharati” on 22nd and 23rd December 2012. In this gala event, more than 1600 delegates took part from more than 22 districts of the state. More than 1250 delegates were given accommodation.

Ashram organised 7 days programme "Viveka Samsmriti: A Tribute to Swami Vivekananda" from 11th to 17th January 2013 as a part of the 150th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Swami Vivekananda in coordination with the Dept. of Youth Services & Sports, Govt. of Karnataka, D.K. District Administration, Swami Vivekananda 150th Janmavarsha Abhiyana Samiti, Mangalore and All India Radio, Mangalore. The programmes were a great success daily attended by thousands of people daily.

Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Mangalore was awarded theErya Award - 2013 for its social service activities, publishing of books and for working towards creating spiritual awareness among the masses.

Swami Vivekananda Ratha Yatra in Mangaluru. There were grand functions all over the district welcoming Swami Vivekananda Ratha. People of Mangalore came in thousands to attend the processions and programmes on 05-11-2013 Tuesday.

"Viveka Patha" – Students’ Procession started from Mangalore Municipal Corporation, Main Office Building. Sri J R Lobo, MLA, Mangalore, and Sri Shanadi Ajit Hegde flagged off the event. More than 4,000 students participated in the Procession.

Launching Ceremony of Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan for Swacch Bharath Programme. Mangaladevi Wards was cleaned on 1st Sunday. Around 1000 youth volunteers, the public and devotees cleaned the surrounding area of Mangaladevi Temple, Ramakrishna Math, Srinivas College etc.

Concluding Ceremony of Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan with the divine presence of Revered Swami Gautamanandaji, Vice President Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math.

Nearly 4000 volunteers participated in the programme. Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan taken up by the Ramakrishna Mission is a success story that has turned out to be an inspirational event in the history of Mangaluru.

Govt. of Karnataka awarded "Amrita Mahotsava State Award" during Kannada Rajyotsava.