(From left) Swami Vivekananda; Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Guru of Swami Vivekananda); and the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, the Divine Companion of Sri Ramakrishna

Interview with Swami Jnanendrananda of Jaipur Centre of Sri Ramakrishna Mission by Shri Girish Parikh, Chicago based author and journalist. In Jaipur (meaning City of Victory), a new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna will be rising under the able leadership of Swami Shuddharupanandaji Maharaj, the newly appointed head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; after Rev. Swami Pujyanandaji Maharaj's demise. Swami Jnanendranandaji Maharaj is able assistant of Swami Shuddharupanandaji Maharaj. Rajasthan is like the heart of India. Its very name awakens the memories of great poet saint Mirabai, the heros like Maharana Pratap who defied even the great Mughal king Akbar, and donors like Bhamasha. It is the land of queens and women who did not hesitate to sacrifice even their lives to protect their chastity. Girish interviewed Swami Jnanendranandaji Maharaj by E-mail to know about the vision of the new Temple.

GIRISH: Swamiji, the travels of Swami Vivekananda in Rajasthan are very inspiring. Can you give a few highlights of his sojourn in Rajasthan?

SWAMIJI: Swami Vivekananda traveled extensively the length and breadth of India as a wandering monk. He went from Delhi to Alwar, Jaipur, and reached Mount Abu all by train. Since it is very difficult to cover his entire Rajasthan sojourn briefly, let us stick to his association with the Raja of Khetri Sri Ajit Singh Bahadur. Indeed, that is the most important feature of history and revival of Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma, and the work done by Swamiji.At Mount Abu he met the Raja of Khetri Sri Ajit Singh who was greatly enamored and impressed by his brilliant personality, and took him along to Khetri to do satsang. The Raja after taking Swamiji to Khetri in a few days took mantra-diksha i.e. spiritual initiation and became his ardent devoted disciple. Swamiji had foreseen that a great good would be done to India through this disciple of his. Raja would kneel before Swamiji and do pranams, such was his respect. Swamiji was very impressed by Rajasthan and its people. His journey to America was also made possible by his disciple Sri Ajit Singh, the Raja of Khetri. His costume, and particularly his turban, was a contribution of that land. Swamiji had directed his brother disciple Swami Akhandananda in his letter from London on 13th November,1895: "Take particular care to start a centre in Rajputana. It must be in some central place like Jaipur or Ajmer." The Swamiji's instruction was to apply practical Vedanta of 'Service of jiva as Shiva' to the poor, downtrodden, suffering, deprived and illiterate class of people everywhere. The ocher clothes are very pure and are not for gaining social status, protection of Rajas and Maharajas and also not for our own liberation. And let me reveal that the Raja of Khetri gave the name "Vivekananda" to Swamiji who was previously known as swami Vividishananda.

GIRISH: What was the inspiration behind the project of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India?

SWAMIJI: Sri Ramakrishna told Narendranath Dutta that wherever he would carry him (relic) and establish him; there he would take the service of one and all. Naren (Swami Vivekananda) took the clue and established his guru's relics first in Belur Math, where stands the gorgeous temple of Sri Ramakrishna. Thereafter, came other temples in different states taking the inspiration from Swamiji. But Rajasthan was still without such a temple, it was the demand of the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur to have one here. Moreover, the pressing need was due to the increase in the number of devotees during celebrations and the present shrine hall could accommodate only 100 devotees.

GIRISH: What is the vision of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: It was Swami Vivekananda's vision of the Universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna for which he had given tips to his brother disciple Swami Vijnananandaji, a Civil engineer. The Swami with the help of a British architect made the model temple, which was finally approved by Swamiji. The model of the proposed Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna at Jaipur is a similar one. It was also a long standing dream of Rev. Swami Pujyananadaji Maharaj, the Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, who attained Samadhi at the age of 82 years, on 29th March 2007.

GIRISH: What is the significance of the word "Universal" in the name of the new temple?

SWAMIJI: 'Universal' signifies, that which is meant for all without any consideration such as caste, creed, community, sex, religion, and nationality. A unique temple whose doors will be open for one and all.

GIRISH: Can you briefly describe your plan of building the Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: The Temple hall can accommodate 440 devotees. The basement auditorium can accommodate 630 devotees, and will be used for conducting man-making and character building education for youth as propounded by Swamiji, by holding retreats, seminars, conferences and also used for national integration.

GIRISH: On March 24, 2007, the play VIVEKANANDA was performed by Sri Shekhar Sen in Mumbai for fund raising for the new Temple. Can you describe the play, and the response?

SWAMIJI: The monoact play VIVEKANANDA of Sri Shekhar Sen is a two-hour play in Hindi with background music and interspersed with bhajans sung by him live on the stage, depicting the life of Swami Vivekananda. The response was very good and the play was appreciated by the audience of nearly 700. It was a team of devotees and well wishers who organized this show successfully.

GIRISH: How much is the estimated cost? How do you plan to raise the funds?

SWAMIJI: The estimated cost will be Rs. 5 crores [fifty million Indian Rupees; 1.19 million US dollars at the exchange rate of Rs. 42 per dollar]. This will be raised from general devotees, well-wishers and friends.

GIRISH: I understand the main purpose of the Ramakrishna Order is to achieve Self-realization, and to serve humanity. How will the New Temple help accomplish that purpose?

SWAMIJI: The purpose of the Ramakrishna Order is: "Atmano mokshartham jagaddhitaya cha", striving for one's own liberation while working for the good and welfare of one and all. As Swami Vivekananda says that the potential divinity in man can be manifested in every moment of one's life by selfless work, worship, knowledge or psychic control, by one or all and become free thereby from the bondage of the body and mind complex. This is the whole of religion and this is the goal of human life. Temple is therefore one of the supports through which one can achieve this. And for that matter, majority of the aspirants of spiritual life need it the most.

GIRISH: There are so many temples in India. What will be the unique features of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: In this Temple we shall see that Sri Ramakrishna is the main deity who is the embodiment of all deities male or female anatomically, 'Sarva devadevi swaroopah'. This is unique and the other distinct features are that one does not see or hear the banging of hanging bells, and the devotees bartering with the priests. Also anyone can sit and meditate quietly without ever being disturbed during the open hours of the temple. Among the temples and marble palaces of Rajasthan, Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna will be an unique building. Indeed, it will be an universal place of worship.

GIRISH: Swamiji, What would you like to add?

SWAMIJI: In the present socio-economical environment man is undergoing lots of stress and strain and mental turmoil. There is very little tolerance between communities, and between man and man, hence he needs such places where he can get peace and quietude without ever needing to retire to the forests or caves. Sri Ramakrishna also used to advice the aspirants to retire now and then into solitude and get energized spiritually to be fit and strong enough to go back and live in the society. He used to say that the devotees do not have any caste, hence, brotherhood can be easily achieved by such an attitude if practiced by one and all by becoming His true devotees and make this world a better place to live.

GIRISH: Swamiji, thank you for describing the project of the New Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Ramakrishna Mission in Jaipur is a branch of the Ramakrishna Order, which was founded by Swami Vivekananda and has its headquarters at Belur Math, near Kolkata, India. Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, has been rendering yeoman service in the fields of spiritual, educational, medical, and relief and rehabilitation activities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION How can you extend your helping hand in the building of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India? How can you contribute in cash and/or kind?

For information, please contact: Swami Jnanendrananda

Ramakrishna Mission'C' Scheme, Gautam Marg, Jaipur -- 302001 (Raj)

Email address - sw.jnan@gmail.comTel: 0141 5118804; 0141 2228704

Mobile: 09413966077, 09892799703

URL of the blog:http://SRKjaipurtemple.blogspot.com/

Synopsis of activities of the Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur

The Ramakrishna Mission, headquartered at Belur, near Kolkata, West Bengal is known the world over for its services to humanity in the spirit of 'service to man as service to God'. During natural disasters, it organizes preliminary food and succor to the affected and at other times, serves the poor and downtrodden with medical aid through its chain of hospitals and dispensaries. Its temples are serving the spiritually starved with its team of dedicated sannyasins.
The Mission is currently engaged in mobilizing funds for expanding the activities of its Centre at Jaipur. Apart from its Charitable Dispensary, it has been running allopathic and homoeopathic out patient services and medical camps free-of-cost for the poor and needy about 30 kms. off the city. In order to build a Universal Temple dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna on its Jaipur Mission premises as well as develop its other welfare activities in the area, the Mission is appealing to one all to come forward and lend a helping hand in the project.
A detailed overview of the work being undertaken at the Centre is as follows:
Medical Work: The Centre annually treats 8,000 patients in its allopathy section and 7,000 patients in the homoeopathic section with the help of eminent doctors volunteering free services.
Mobile Medical Dispensary: The Centre runs a mobile allopathic dispensary every Sunday about 30 kms away from Jaipur in the Jumva-Ramgarh, Jaipur district. Primary treatment with medicine is made available to poor villagers almost free of cost by qualified doctors of the city. Nearly 2,400 patients are thus treated annually.
Drought Relief Work: The Centre organised eight cattle camps in Jodhpur, Barmer and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan a few years back. Shelter, dry fodder, green fodder, cattle-feed, water, in large quantities was provided to the animals. Medical assistance was also provided.
Flood Relief Work in Shiv Tehsil, District Barmer: The flood in Undu Panchayat, Shiv Tehsil, District--due to heavy rains in August'06 had rendered 1 lakh people homeless, displaced and totally dispossessed. This region receives annually 6-7 inches rains; due to 30 inches rain in 2-3 days, the downpour had caused a heavy flooding in this region and water upto 20 feet remained stagnant and stationary there. This is due to the gypsum layer underneath not allowing it to percolate underground. With water all around an artificial winter, sort of, was being felt. People, who have taken shelter under the open sky, urgently needed tent material & blankets. The Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur after surveying the affected areas, had started its relief work in the above region in order to provide 3,000 families, tarpaulin for 1 tent and 2 blankets per family. In this devastation, nearly 3,000 human lives have been lost and about a lakh of cattle have perished. This relief had been completd by 26th Sep.06 and spent Rs. 9,92,000/-. Rupees nine lakh ninety two thousand only.
Intellectual Dimension: The Centre runs a public Library and Reading Room, including a special children's' section. There are about 7,730 books on various subjects in Hindi, English and Bengali catering to about 500 members. Around 2,300 of them are issued to readers in a year. There are 30 magazines and 8 periodicals in the Reading Room.
Spiritual Dimension: Daily worship is performed in the Shrine Room, bhajans are sung as well as weekly discourses are delivered on every Sunday evening. Also, pravachans are delivered in and around Jaipur from time to time.
Celebrations of birthdays of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Sri Ramakrishna Dev: Cooked prasad is served to 500-600 devotees on all three occasions. Also, Sri Durga Mahaashtami Puja and Sri Sri Kali Puja are performed and cooked prasad served to all those present.
The need for a Universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna aforementioned has become pressing as the number of devotees, well wishers and friends have increased and the present small shrine hall has become inadequate as it cannot accommodate in excess of 100 devotees. The proposed temple is expected to provide accommodation to 500 visitors/devotees for regular prayers and pravachans, apart from taking the load of devotees for special celebrations.

Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna at Jaipur

Dear Sir/Madam,

The Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur having its head quarters at Belur Math, Howrah--West Bengal, is going to build a Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna along with a multipurpose auditorium in its holy precincts of the Mission premises. The Mission has been engaged in philanthropic and humanitarian activities for the past 18 years in the spirit of Narayana Seva. Founded in 1988, in fulfillment of the desire of the great Swami Vivekananda who wanted a Centre to be established in the capital of Rajasthan. Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, has been rendering yeoman service in the fields of spiritual, educational, medical, and relief and rehabilitation activities.

Donors/well-wishers/devotees/citizens all over are invited to sponsor for the following:

A. A multi-purpose auditorium (Vivekananda Cultural Hall)

The hall with dimensions of 18'x37.5', meant to accommodate 190 people and the other, 55'x40', to accommodate 440. In the appropriate parts of this hall, public meetings and exhibitions will be held as well as man-making and character-building education and personality development and other constructive activities like National Integration for the youth of India & elsewhere will be carried out as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda. This will cost nearly Rs. 2 crores.

B. A Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna

The Temple of 133'x60' to accommodate 440 devotees has become a pressing need as the present hall can accommodate only 100 devotees, and the load of additional devotees for celebrations and with the increasing number of devotees from time to time.
The various parameters of cost are as follows:

Sl. No. Item Estimated Cost (in Lacs)
1 Total cost of marble image of Sri Ramakrishna 3.5
2 Total cost of vedi (pedestal) 1.5
Construction cost parameters
3 Total cost of cement required 70
4 Total cost of iron 70
5 Total cost of bricks, sand & lime required 35
6 Total cost of wood required 35
7 Total cost of marble & tiles required 85
8 Total cost of finishing works (Labour etc.) 165
9 Total cost of electrical & other misc., works 25
10 Total cost of Audio system works (Misc.) 10
Total construction cost of the Temple (A + B) 500

This unique monument shall be a fitting tribute to both, Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji his foremost disciple. Needless to say it will be a most beautiful and attractive one; its doors will be open to members of all castes, creeds, communities and nationalities. Therefore, it is our fervent appeal to your esteemed foundation/firm to donate generously, as a matter of fact, the full amount towards the whole project, doing so, will only enhance your prestige & image not only in the nation but all world over in the Ramakrishna Mission. Donations to Ramakrishna Mission are exempt from Income Tax u/s 80 G of I.T. Act (1967). A/c payee cheques and drafts may kindly be drawn in favour of "Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur" and sent at the address:

Secretary,Ramakrishna Mission,
'C' Scheme, Gautam Marg,
Jaipur--302001 (Raj).

With best wishes & prayers to the Lord for your all round welfare.

Yours in the Lord,
Swami Jnanendrananda

An appeal for funds for Proposed Universal Temple Complex

Respected Sir/ Madam,

The Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur having its head quarters at Belur Math, Howrah--West Bengal, is going to build a Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna along with a multipurpose auditorium in its holy precincts of the Mission premises. The Mission has been engaged in philanthropic and humanitarian activities for the past 18 years in the spirit of Narayana Seva. Founded in 1988, in fulfillment of the desire of the great Swami Vivekananda who wanted a Centre to be established in the capital of Rajasthan. Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, has been rendering yeoman service in the fields of spiritual, educational, medical, and relief and rehabilitation activities. The following is for your kind information and perusal. The Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur has taken up a Project of building a Temple Complex in its premises, which has two parts viz.

1. A Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna for the Spiritual Evolution of one & all irrespective of any considerations like caste, creed, religion or community.
2. A Multi-purpose Auditorium (Vivekananda Cultural Hall) for Man-making & Character Building education for the students of school & college; holding seminars, conferences for the teachers & students regarding value-based education; meditation courses for all; holding exhibitions on the life & teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda for boosting communal & religious harmony.

We fervently appeal to all the honourable well wishers, friends & devotees of the Holy Trinity: Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi & Swami Vivekananda to extend their generous hands in contributing for the Project. May the Holy Trinity bless you all profusely is my prayer. Contribution in cheque/DD in favour of 'Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur' may be send to the below address. Donations in foreign currencies are also accepted.Thanking you.
Yours in the service of the Lord,
Swami Jnanendrananda

Ramakrishna Mission'C' Scheme, Gautam Marg, Jaipur -- 302001 (Raj)
Email address - sw.jnan@gmail.comTel: 0141 5118804; 0141 2228704
Mobile : 09413966077, 09892799703
Mission Activities: http://belurmath.org/centres/jpr.htm