Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) organised a programme on the occasion of the unveiling of the marble statue of Sri Ramakrishna. The statue was unveiled by the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Siddaramaiah on 5 March 2018 at Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Vritta in a prominent locality called Ramakrishna Nagara of Mysuru.
Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Vritta (circle) is modeled in the same royal pattern as found in the monuments that adorn the circles that come within the city’s Core Heritage Zone. It is a typical structure that depicts the culture and beauty of Mysuru city which is acclaimed as the ‘heritage city’ and also as the ‘cleanest city’. Mysuru is well known for its spacious roads and gardens. Bedecked with many royal buildings and monuments it still retains a ‘royal charm’ and attracts thousands of tourists every day.
MUDA has the unprecedented prestige of naming its prominent localities as Ramakrishna Nagara, Sarada Devi Nagara, Vivekananda Nagara and Nivedita Nagara with some circles named as Chandramani Vritta, Gadadhara Vritta and the roads named as Dakshineshwara Marga, Kamarpukura Marga, Ananda Marga, Tyaga Marga, Jnana Marga, Moksha Marga, Vinaya Marga, Satya Marga, Daya Marga, Ahimsa Marga, etc. There are many gardens in the same area and they are named as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa udyanavana, Taaraka udyanavana, etc. In the Ramakrishna Paramahamsa udyanavana which is hardly five minutes by walk from the now unveiled statue, there is a kutiya with provision for devotees to sit and read The Gospel and also to sing bhajans, etc. Our devotees are already regularly meeting in this place to read and discuss the life of Sri Sri Thakur. Now, after the unveiling, all passers by and people of that area are paying their homage and it has brought about a festive and holy atmosphere in that area.
The spacious circle with the 10 feet tall marble statue of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa sitting on a lotus and mounted on a round pedestral inside the dome-shaped monument has been carved by Sri Arun Yogiraj, a renowned sculptor of Mysuru who has sculpted many images of the Kings of Mysuru. He feels that this is his masterpiece and it has given him immense satisfaction.
The whole area was very well decorated with colorful lights and flowers. A huge rose garland was placed on the statue. Many cabinet ministers of Karnataka State, the Mayor of Mysuru, and other important corporation officials were also present. Monastic brothers of Mysuru and Swami Bodhaswarupananda of Ponnampet attended. The dignitaries and monks offered flowers to Sri Ramakrishna after the unveiling of a plaque and the statue and I performed a simple arati to Sri Thakur. A grand stage programme was organised and thousands of people participated in the event. Our Vidyashala boys sang the invocation.
The Chief Minister addressed the gathering and touched upon the spiritual greatness of Sri Ramakrishna, the service of Ramakrishna Mission in spreading value education and health, the accepting of all religions and faiths as valid paths, and the revival of Hinduism. He acknowledged that the Mysuru Ashrama gave shelter to Kuvempu who was imbued with the same principles as enunciated by Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda. He also spoke about the contribution of Swami Vivekananda in spreading the spiritual heritage of India in the west.
Sri G T Deve Gowda, the local MLA from JDS also spoke on the significance of the life and message of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Atmajnananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysuru, highlighted the rising of Sri Ramakrishna beyond caste and religious barriers. A Carnatik classical programme by Dr Kadri Gopalnath, a renowned saxaphone player followed the stage programme. Sumptuous snacks and sweets were distributed to all those who attended the programme.
