Berhampur Sub-Centre
The origins of the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama sub-center in Baharampur can be traced back to Swami Akhandananda’s frequent visits to the town. He would travel to Baharampur to collect funds and rice from the local residents to support the expenses of the main Sargachi Ashrama. During these visits, he also actively encouraged the local youth to dedicate themselves to public welfare activities.
To facilitate this work, a house was rented in Baharampur where Ashrama workers resided. Through their dedicated efforts, a small service center gradually emerged in 1923. This early center provided essential services to the community, including a charitable dispensary and a night school, both of which operated until 1927.
The formal establishment of the Baharampur sub-center occurred later, in 1938. Swami Premeshananda, the then-head of the Sargachi Ashrama, officially opened the branch with the primary goal of spreading the ideals and spiritual thought of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda within the town. He propagated these ideals through regular scripture readings and explanations at various locations across Baharampur. A library was also established at this new center to further this educational mission.
A significant milestone for the sub-center came in 1953 when Sri Shashanka Shekhar Sanyal, a prominent lawyer in Baharampur, generously donated a plot of land for the Ashrama to build its own permanent building. Construction began, and by 1955, the sub-center officially relocated to its own dedicated premises.
Since moving to its permanent home, the Baharampur sub-center has expanded its activities. It provides board and lodging for a small number of students (4 to 5) who attend various colleges in the city. The center serves as a spiritual hub where devotees gather every evening to read and discuss Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. Additionally, special sessions for reading and explaining these teachings are held once a week. The sub-center also organizes a grand three-day celebration every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna.
Activities at Berhampur Sub-Centre
- A few college students presently stay at the center free of cost and pursue their higher studies
- It houses one Public Library with a cosy reading room.
- Daily Sandhya Arati is conducted at the Ashrama
- Scriptural readings and discussions on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature
- Weekly discourses on Saturday is conducted at the Ashrama
- A yearly 4-days-long annual celebration to commemorate Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ma Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Akhandananda’s birth anniversary
- There is a religious book and articles sales counter.
