RAMAKRISHNA MISSION LIMBDI

( A BRIEF HISTORY)

Swami Vivekanada (then a wandering monk) during his wandering period in 1891, after seeing the ancient Sati Ranak Devi Temple at Wadhawan came to Limbdi, chief town of cotton producing (then) Limbdi state. The priest of a dilapidated Shiva Temple on the outskirt of the town directed him to a nearby place. Not knowing the nature of the place Swamiji went there. The Sadhus living there welcomed him. But when Swamiji came to know that it was the headquarter of a degenerated sect of sex worshippers he tried to leave the place at once but to his horror he found the doors locked from outside. The leader of the sect told Swamiji: “You are a sadhu with a magnetic personality; evidently you have practiced Bhramcharya(continence). We shall break your brahmcharya in

order to perform special sadhana and thereby acquire certain psychic poers.” Swamiji was terrified but kept presence of mind and showed no anxiety. Early next morning when a milk boy came to deliver milk to him, Swamiji entered into friendship with him and asked for his help. Seizing a bit of charcoal lying nearby along with a piece of broken earthen jar he scribbled on it in Hindi “Sadhu Bhay me hai” (The Sadhu is in danger) and requested the boy to convey his message to the Thakore Saheb as soon as possible. In receipt Thankore Saheb immediately sent few of his guards and rescued Swamiji and requested him to stay at the palace itself. Further he ordered to close down the activities of that degenerated sect. While in Limbdi, he held many discussions in Sanskrit with the local pandits. His Holiness the Shakaracharya of the Govardhan Math, Puri, bore witness to this; he was then a pujari in the temple of Ankaleswar Mahadev . He was astonished at the young monk’s learning, and at his breadth of understanding and sympathy.

The life of the Thakore Saheb Yashwantasinghiji of Limbi, written in Gujarati and published in 1896, reveals that it was from the Thakore Saheb that the Swami first got the idea of going to the West in order to preach Vedanta. The Thakore Saheb, a strong uploader of the Sanatana Dharma had become so much attached to Swamiji that at Mahabaleshwar he requested him repeatedly, “Swamiji! Do come with me to Limbdi and remain there for good.” But Swamiji replied, “Not now Maharaja! I have work to do which presses me onwards… But if ever live the life of retirement it shall be with you.”

The ways of the Lord strange indeed! In 1906, the large part of the beautiful palace built by Thakore Saheb Yashwantasinghji in 1881 at the cost of Rs. 5 lacs from a prototype building plan of a typical Town Hall of an American city with a unique clock tower and musical Chimes; was consumed by the fire which continued for 15 days; but strange enough the portion containing Darbar Hall where Swamiji had stayed remained intact.

Years after Seth Sri Chabildasbhai Shah a rich Jain Merchant under strange circumstance become a devotee of Shri Ramakrishna and as if through divine inspiration founded Shri Ramakrisha Prarthana Mandir Limbdi. Later he urged for the historical palace where Swamiji had discussions for hours together which was saved miraculously from 1906 fire, for the use of he same. And by divine will Rajmata Pravinkuvarba got inspiration to donate this palace. As a result Present Thakore Saheb of Limbdi Shri Chatrasaljee has donated this palace in 1968 to this trust. Then onwards for the years together in the same Darbar Hall portraits o Shri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sharda Devi and Swami Vivekananda were worshiped daily. In 1978 when Rajkot Ashrama saw consecration of new temple with live-size marble image of Shri Ramakrishna, the old image of Shri Ramakrishna ther was installed in this hall.

In 1994 along with this palace this entire trust was handed over to Ramakrishna Mission to start Ramakrishna Mission, Limbdi as a sub-center of Ramakrishna Ashram , Rajkot , a branch of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission. This Ramakrishan Mission Limbdi was started in its present location and tower bunglow was converted in “Swami Vivekanada Memorial” depicting Swamiji’s life through photographs & paintings.

On 4 th September 1996 Ramakrishna Mission Arogyamandir was inaugurated by Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj then Vice-president of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission , in the presence of Honorable Sri Sureshbhai Mehta then the Chief Minister of Gujarat . At preent withX-ray unit, dental chair, eye computer and well equipped physiotherapy unit, it is catering to the needs of poor and needy patients of locality.

In 1997 the centenary year of Ramakrishna Mission, Ramakrishna Mission Limbdi was given a status of an independent branch of Ramakrishna Mission, an Swami Adibhavananda becomes its first secretary. This year was celebrated by organizing suitable cultural programs in different schools, public meetings in different places and distributing books, cloths and food grains to the poor and needy.

The year 1997 was marked with severe rain. Primary flood-relief was organized in the affected villages nearby.

In 1999 Children’s library was started at tower bungalow.

On 26 th January 2001 a devasting earthquake was experienced in Gujarat . Primary relief was organized on massive scale. In rehabilitation project 24 new school-buildings with drinking water & sanitation facilities and well equipped playground were constructed and handed over to Gujarat state government. 30 water reservoirs were digged. Work for adding new reservoirs is still continuing which is done from March to June every year.

In this devastating earthquake the upper portion of Tower bungalow was badly damaged and needed renovation. This renovation was completed by 2004 and Tower bungalow was reopened for public use by His Highness Sri Kailashapati Mishra then the Governor of Gujarat in a suitable function presided over by Srimat Swami Atmasthanandaji Maharaja, Vice-President Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission on 4 th of February 2004.