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Sri Ramakrishna Math Chennai

Worship and Celebrations

The Universal Temple is the hub of all activities. All people, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, race, and nationality, are welcome here. They can either participate in the worship, bhajans, arati, etc or engage themselves in silent prayer or meditation.

Sri Ramakrishna is worshipped in the temple following the mantras and procedures systematized by Swami Ramakrishnananda. Daily Puja of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda is performed in the Universal Temple from 7.45 am to 9.00 am. The shrine is open from morning 5.00 am to 11.45 am and evening 3.00 pm to 9.00 pm. Aratrikam or evening prayers will start at 6.30 pm. Immediately after Aratrikam there will be bhajans on all week days and special bhajans for one hour on Sundays.

Ramnama Sankirtanam or chanting the name of Lord Rama is held on all Ekadasi days between 7.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Special Puja is performed on Ramanavami, Shivratri, Janmashtami, Navaratri, Kali Puja, Durga Puja and other auspicious days. Whole night Puja, Homa and Bhajans are performed during Kali Puja and Shivratri.

The Birthdays of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Ramakrishnananda are celebrated in a grand manner every year. The celebrations are marked with special Puja, Homa, Bhajans, Musical programmes and Lectures. Prasad is distributed for thousands of devotees who take part in the birthday celebrations. A special discount of upto 40 % discount on books is available on these occasions.

The birthdays of all other direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna are celebrated every year. The Birthdays of other great Incarnations and world teachers like Gautama Buddha, Jesus Christ, Sri Sankara, Sri Ramanuja and Sri Chaitanya are celebrated every year.

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Bhajans and Chanting

Bhajans

‘All the sins of the body fly away if one chants the name of God and sings his glories’ says Sri Ramakrishna. Every day after the evening Arati, bhajans are sung; on Sundays and all special days, bhajans are sung from 7 to 8 pm.

Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam

The traditional Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam is sung on Ekadasi days, after evening Arati between 7.00 and 8.00 pm.

Devi Mahatmyam Chanting

Devi Mahatmyam (Chandi) recitation is extremely propitious, it is chanted on Ashtami days between 7.30 and 10.30 am in the Universal Temple.

Lectures and Interviews

Spiritual Discourses

Monks deliver spiritual discourses in the evening in the Ramakrishnananda Hall. On Festival days after Arati, special discourses are delivered by the monks.

From Tuesday to Saturday (in Tamil) – 5.30pm to 6.30pm
On Sundays (in English) – 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Discourses In And Around The City

Monks of the Math give regular discourses/take classes in and around the city and also take part in various religious programs/events held in the city.

Personal Guidance

Public can receive personal guidance in matters related to spiritual life from the Adhyaksha Maharaj, the head of this Math as well as other senior swamis through personal interviews.

Spiritual Retreat

“Whatever may be a householder’s profession, it is necessary for him to live in the company of holy men now and then. … First of all, the company of holy men; then shraddha, faith in God. … it is necessary to seek the company of holy men, practise prayer, and listen to the instruction of the guru. These purify the mind.” 
– Sri Ramakrishna

Spiritual retreats are conducted for three days annually during July – August. Such retreats give an opportunity to live in the holy company of monks consecutively for three days, hear them give talks on varied spiritual topics, sing the glory of God, meditate — in short, live a spiritual life in holy company.

Spiritual Retreat cum Japa Yajna

Sri Ramakrishna used to advise devotees to go to a secluded and sacred place and perform such japa to derive lasting benefit. This purifies the mind, strengthens it, and prepares it to face the realities of life.

Japa Yajna is the ‘sacrifice of the silent repetition of the holy name.’ Participating in the Japa Yajna is an opportunity for devotees who have received initiation from the gurus of the Ramakrishna Order, to perform japa (repetition of God’s name) continually for half a day.

Japa Yajna is conducted every second Saturday of the English month. Prior registration is a must.