Holy Mother, Swamiji and Direct Disciples at Madras

Publisher’s Note

Madras or Chennai has a long association with the Ramakrishna Movement from its inception. It was the people of Madras who first recognised the genius of Swami Vivekananda. No wonder, when Swamiji returned from his triumphal trip to the West, he was given a hero's welcome at Madras.

Not only Swamiji, the Holy Mother, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Ramakrishnananda and eight other direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna too visited Madras on different occasions and laid firm foundation for the Ramakrishna Movement in South India. The first monastery of the Ramakrishna Math in South was started in Madras by Swami Ramakrishnananda.

The following pages narrate these associations of the Great Ones with Madras. Most of what is given is already published in various books and articles and is known to the close circle of devotees. The purpose of this compilation is to give a more focused and clearer picture of the chain of events that took place for the benefit of larger public. It also gives an idea of how the presence of these spiritual luminaries helped to shape the Ramakrishna Movement in South.

Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti 16 February 2010

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