Editorial
Centenary of Two Temples
Apart from Sri Ramakrishna Temple, three other centres of spirituality stand in Belur Math. Mother’s Temple is one. This little temple, facing the Ganga, is the nerve-centre of world spirituality. Then there are two temples dedicated to Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda.
This month, Belur Math celebrates the Centenary of the foundation of these two temples.
Swami Vivekananda himself chose the spot where he should be cremated when he gave up his body. Three days before his passing away, Swami Vivekananda was walking on the spacious lawn of Belur Math in the afternoon with Swami Premananda. He pointed to a particular spot on the bank of the Ganga, and said to his brother-monk gravely, “When I give up the body, cremate it there!” He passed away on 4 July 1902. On that very spot stands today a temple in his honour.
Though India knew Swami Vivekananda’s work, it was not easy to build Swami Vivekananda Temple for want of funds. It took over two decades for the temple to be inaugurated.
Swami Brahmananda Temple was built by the funds provided by Shyam Ghosh. Shyam Ghosh was Navagopal Ghosh’s son. Navagopal Ghosh and Nistarini Ghosh were marvellous disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.
Swami Sunirmalananda