Our History
How this endless journey begins
In the middle of eighties of 20th Century a book-fair was held in Guskara College ground where Rakhahari Bandopadhyay opened a book stall with books published by Udbodhoni. This stall attracted many people and a good number of books were sold. Rakhahari babu who was initiated by Swami Bireswarandaji Maharaj and used to visit Belur Math very often. The news of this book stall was appreciated by the monks and inspired Rakhahari babu to establish a center for cultivation of the teachings of Shri Ramakrishnadev.
Rakhahari babu tried to collect some land as donation and was successful in his endeavours. After that, He convened a meeting in the second week of February 1993 with some people mostly teachers and also businessman initiated persons, common men.
Swami Shyamananda Maharaj of Shyamsayer Ashram Bardhaman presided over the meeting and it was decided that they would build a center named Guskara Shri Ramakrishna Vivekananda Cultural Center. This would be established on the plot of land just on the south bank of river Kunnur and donated by Shibdas Gupta of Guskara Nikhileswar Mondal and his family members of Orgram and Harekrishna Maji of Guskara. The total land measured half an acre.
A meeting of the inhabitants of Guskara and surrounding area would be assembled publishing a leaflet in February 23, 1993. Rakhahari babu said that he would approach the president at the time and vice president of Burdwan Bankura Purulia Ramakrishna Vivendananda Bhaba Prachar Parishan Swami Umanandaji Maharaj of Purulia Ashram and Swami Girishnandaji Maharaj of Asansol Ramakrishna Ashram to attend the meeting.
Rakhahari Bandopadhyay
(4/4/1955 - 8/12/2006)
Founder and Secretary
Girishanandaji Maharaj in particular liked and loved Rakhahari babu for his devotion to Ramakrishnadev. Both of them kindly consented to come and attend the meeting. A preparatory committee was formed to do the initial works. Another leaflet was written and circulated among the people of Guskara preceding a meeting that was held on the land already donated on 23rd Feb, 1993.
A large number of people attended the meeting. Swami Umanandaji Maharaj presided over the meeting where he emphasized the need of such a centre in a place like Guskara and announced the establishment of Guskara Ramakrishna Vivekananda Cultural Centre. He made appeals to donate generously for the fulfillment of the mission.
It was in the venue of the meeting that Shrimati Ilachowdhury of Daumdanga village promised before the Maharaj to donate ₹1,00,000. She was a very pious and noble hearted lady of a middle class society. Swami Umanandaji Maharaj announced this news in the meeting. Highly inspired by this news many people promised to donate either in cash or other forms of payment. The first donation in cash came from Benukar Chakraborty. The meeting was a grand success and inspired the organizers very much.
So this endless journey began on Feb 23, 1993. At the initial stage Probhat Mondal made a temporary arrangement to place the images of the divine Trio in his 'Nirala' hall where more than a hundred people could sit. Here the members and devotees used to come to attend meetings and Pathachakras generally conducted by Gourgopal Ghosh - a man of elevation and wisdom.
He was the second president of this centre after the first president Swami Shyamananda Maharaj. The organization soon got affiliated to Burdwan Bankura Purulia Bhava Prochar Parishad and Swami Girishanandaji Maharaj of Asansol Ramakrishna Ashram kindly consented to be the chief adviser of the centre. He told the members to construct a mandir for the divine Trio as early as possible.
He also urged for taking some programmes for propagating the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Dev among people. The official works were also carried on in Nirmala. Nikhil Kumar Gorai allowed a room of his residence by the side of Post office Hattala Road to use as office of the centre. Daily works were carried on in this office.
Rakhahari babu gave the responsibility of expanding and developing the centre on Deba Prasad Ray and also directed to collect members from among the people of all spheres of life excluding those who were directly involved in political organization. The membership subscription was Rs 10 only per month. Many people consented and became members of the organization. The centre got registered in the societies registration act in 1994-95.
The images of Shri Ramakrishna Dev, Ma Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda were carried by the monks from Nirala to newly opened Mandir on the same day followed by the procession of the devotees, many of which you see to this day on every mandir and thakur room.
Swami Gahanandaji Maharaj placed the images on a beautifully decorated throne and worshipped them. It was a red letter day in the history of the organization. The dream of the devotees thus came to reality.
The next day i.e. 12.2.1997 Swami Gahanandaji Maharaj initiated the seventy one devotees program. This was the first initiation programme followed by Swami Smaranandaji Maharaj. Swami Bagishanandaji Maharaj and Swami Suhitanandaji Maharaj till 2021. Swami Gahanandaji Maharaj. Swami Umamnandaji Maharaj. Swami Girishanandaji Maharaj and other monks of different Ashram stayed at Tapan Mondal's residence, a temporary Sadhu Nivas. As the Sadhu Nivas was not yet built whenever the monks came, used to stay at Nirala or at Prasun Mondal's residence.
As the divine Trio found and settled at their own house, the devotees arranged for their Nityaseva and Aratrik which was not possible during their stay in Nirala. Swami Gahanandaji Maharaj expressed his hope that the Mandir would be shifted to 1st floor and the present hall would be a community hall in future. The construction work of Mandir on the 1st floor began in the year 2021.
Probhat Mukherji, an unmarried member of the organization agreed to perform daily puja and Aratrik which he has been doing sincerely.
