Meditation and Worship
Three Types of Upasanas
The interiors of the main temple allow devotees to engage in three different forms of “upasana” (sitting near God) – meditation, worship, and bhajan (congregational singing).
At any time of the day there will be at least 3-4 devotees meditating in the sacred precincts of the temple.
Mangal Arati (day-break vespers) at 5.00 am
- Nithya Puja is between 7.30-9.30 am
Bhog between 11.30 am -12.00 noon (food offering)
Arati (evening vespers) at sunset.
The exact timings differ depending on the sunrise and sunset.
Bhajans
Ramanama Sankirtanams on every Ekadashi
Devotees congregate for Bhajans after the evening Arati, and Sankirtanams on Ekadashi before evening Arati, and special occasions such as Shivaratri and Ram Navami.
The Temple
The Traditional Hindu Temples
The beautiful white marble idol of Sri Ramakrishna seated on a full bloomed lotus faces the east, and is flanked by images of Swami Vivekananda and the Holy Mother
The external surfaces are clad in Malad stone with doors to the temple on the east, north and south. The doors and windows have been treated externally with elegant decorative flower motifs and fluted borders in stone
The facade has Rajasthani palace architecture influences, seen as a synthesis between Hindu and Islamic architectural traditions
Message of Universality
The theme of universality is crystallized in Sri Ramakrishna’s dictum, “as many faiths, so many paths”.
Sri Ramakrishna’s own life reflected the journey to this realization – He worshipped and realized God in many forms (each time to the exclusion of all else) – leading to the recognition that the outcome of all paths, however different they may be from each other, is the same Universal One.
The theme of universality is carried through into the interior of the temple building. All along the walls of the main hall are paintings of religious teachers, saints, prophets and incarnations of the world’s major religions.
Paintings on walls of the Temple
The goal of human life is the realization of the Ultimate Reality which alone can give man supreme fulfilment and everlasting peace. This is the essence of all religions.
Sri RamakrishnaThe Ultimate Reality is one; but it is personal as well as impersonal, and is indicated by different names (such as God, Ishvar, etc) in different religions.
Sri RamakrishnaPurity of mind is an essential condition for the attainment of the Ultimate Reality; real purity is freedom from lust and greed. External observances are only of secondary importance.
Sri RamakrishnaThe Ultimate Reality can be realized through various paths taught in world religions. All religions are true in so far as they lead to the same ultimate Goal.
Sri RamakrishnaThrough spiritual practices man can overcome his evil tendencies, and divine grace can redeem even the worst sinner. Therefore one should not brood over the past mistakes, but should develop a positive outlook on life by depending on God.
Sri RamakrishnaGod realization is possible for all. The householders need not renounce the world; but they should pray sincerely, practise discrimination between the Eternal and the temporal and remain unattached. God listens to sincere prayer. Intense longing (vyakulata) is the secret of success in spiritual life.
Sri RamakrishnaGod dwells in all people but the manifestation of this inner Divinity varies from person to person. In saintly people there is greater manifestation of God. Women are special manifestations of Divine Mother of the Universe, and so are to be treated with respect.
Sri RamakrishnaLife is an expression of the spontaneous creativity (Lila) of God. Pleasure and pain, success and failure, etc are to be borne with patience, and one should resign oneself to God’s will under all circumstances.
Sri RamakrishnaEgoism, caused by ignorance, is the root-cause of all suffering.
Sri Ramakrishna