The Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa will be consecrated in Chennai on 7th February, 2000, by Swami Ranganathananda, President of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. The mahakumbabhishekam will be performed by Sri Sambamurthy Sivachariar of the Kapaleeswarar temple between 0905 hrs and 1000 hrs on that day. The imposing white temple, which presents a synthesis of various temple idioms of India and other parts of the world, is a standing testimony to the universality of Saint Ramakrishna's spiritual message to the world.

Situated inside the Mission premises on Ramakrishna Mutt Road (R K Mutt road) in Mylapore, the striking edifice of the temple is bound to draw many a devotee inside its peaceful and attractive interior. G. Venkatramana Reddy, the architect of the temple, speaking in an exclusive interview to Chennaionline said the temple was a "symphony in architecture, a harmonious blend of various temple architecture styles to symbolise a synthesis in religion."

Why is this temple called the Universal temple?

Saint Ramakrishna does not belong to any religion or sect, say his devotees. He cannot be tied down to any "agama" or "shastra". His creed was unity and universality of religion. He believed in attaining spiritualism as a tool for emancipation of self, not just for one's own good but for the good of the universe. This message of universality which is the basic truth in all approaches to God is enshrined in the Universal temple.

What catches the eye is the cathedral-like dome that towers 104 feet above the ground clad in Dolpur white sandstone. The red sandstone of Agra can be seen in the lower levels of the temple. The façade of the temple, which presents a three-tower front, is adorned in the centre by the swan motif of the Ramakrishna Math. One can see the figure of Ganapati in the centre, with Krishna and Kartikeya, flanking him. The two extremes are occupied by Garuda and Hanuman. A grand staircase leads one to the main prayer hall which can accommodate a thousand people. Inside the marble-floored hall devotees can congregate in an atmosphere of purity, cleanliness, peace and meditate. A seven foot high, life-like marble figure of Saint Ramakrishna Paramahansa housed in a marble garbhamandira adorns the hall. The sight evokes a feeling of rapture. On either side one can find framed pictures of Swami Vivekananda and Mother Sarada Devi in two smaller shrines.

The big prayer hall, says Mr. Reddy, is inspired by the concept of Buddhist Chaityas where devotees are engaged in congregational meditative worship. The prayer hall with its vaulted roof of 40 feet from its nave resembles the Buddhist Chaitya halls at Ajanta or the rock cut chaitya at Karli near Mumbai. A large number of decorational ventilators make the temple well-lit and ventilated. There are echoes of Belur Math and the Ratna Kali temple at Dakshineswar, apart from the influence of architectural characteristics of the churches and cathedrals of Europe belonging to the Renaissance period.

Below the prayer hall is the basement which houses an auditorium which can seat 600 people. It will be used for conducting bhajans, symposia and other activities. The auditorium is named after Swami Ramakrishnananda, the founder of the Chennai Ramakrishna Math. There are rooms for the brahmacharis and performers of pujas and also those involved in the maintenance of the temple. The overall length of the temple is 210 feet and its width at the widest point is 75 feet. The temple was constructed using local labour by Sankara Stapathi over a period of 2 years and 4 months says Mr. Reddy, who is an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architecture.

The Ramakrishna Math has organised a week-long programme from 5th to 12th February to mark the holy occasion of the consecration. The highnote of the programme will be the discourses by religious leaders of all faiths practised in India. A "Sadhu Sammelan" has been scheduled for February 6 and will be covered in these columns. Among the luminaries who will be participating are: Jeer of the Ethiraja Jeer Muth at Sriperumbudur, Sundaramurthy Tambiran Swami of Dharmapura Adheenam and Srimat Andavan Swami of Srirangham. The math has also organised cultural programmes by leading exponents of Carnatic and Hindustani music during the week. Top artiste, Carnatic vocalist, Sudha Raghunathan will sing between 1900 hrs and 2030 hrs on February 6.

There will be an inter-religious convention on February 8, which is being observed as "religious harmony day". As a fitting finale to the week long festivities, the math will undertake poor feeding on 13th February between 9 and 12 hrs. The consecration of the Universal temple in the holy ambience of Thirumailai is bound to add to the spiritual fervour of the Chennaivasis.

Ambujam Anantharaman

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