Author: Swami Atmashraddhananda
Publisher: Sri Ramakrishna Math
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 247
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788178235196
Description
This book gives a comprehensive account of Swami Vivekananda’s nine-day stay at the Ice House/Castle Kernan (now called Vivekanandar Illam) – the Tamil word for a house; ‘Vivekananda House’) after his return in 1897, followed by the founding of Chennai Sri Ramakrishna Math there and the hardships and challenges Swami Ramakrishnananda underwent in the initial years. The book describes, with the help of old records, reminiscences and photographs, the history of the building, and its association with many eminent people of contemporary India.
Vivekanandar Illam – located on the picturesque Marina beach road in Chennai – now houses a ‘Permanent Exhibition on Indian Culture and Swami Vivekananda’, maintained by the Ramakrishna Math, and is a source of inspiration to thousands of people who visit it every year. The room where Swamiji stayed in the Illam is used as a meditation hall.
Contents
Publisher’s Note
Prologue
SECTION ONE: MONUMENTS, MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES
1. A Lingering Presence
2. Swami Vivekananda in Tamilnadu
SECTION TWO: SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S STAY AT CASTLE KERNAN
3. Journey towards Madras
4. Arrival at Madras
5. Swamiji’s Nine Days at Castle Kernan
6. Letters of Appreciation from the West
7. Swamiji in the Ice House: Some Reminiscences
SECTION THREE: THE FIRST CENTRE OF THE RAMAKRISHNA MOVEMENT IN SOUTH INDIA
8. Early History of the Castle Kernan
9. Swami Ramakrishnananda’s Days at the Castle Kernan
10. Swami Paramananda at the Castle Kernan
11. Visits of the Direct Disciples and Eminent Persons
12. March of Events
SECTION FOUR: HOME FOR THE WIDOWS AND VIVEKANANDAR ILLAM
13. Home for the Windows and the Hostel for Teacher – Trainees
14. Making of the Vivekanandar Illam
15. Renovation Work and Restoration
SECTION FIVE: VIVEKANANDAR ILLAM – A MONUMENT OF INSPIRATION
16. Setting up of Permanent Exhibition
17. Vivekanandar Illam: an Architectural Study
18. Vivekanandar Illam Today
APPENDIXES
A. Minutes of the Swami Vivekananda
Reception Committee, January 1897
B. Three Welcome Addresses Presented
To Swamiji on His Arrival in Madras
C. The Addresses of Welcome Presented to
Swami Vivekananda at Victoria Hall
D. The Sanskrit Dialogue that Impressed
Swami Vivekananda
E. The Memorial Meeting held at Madras after
The demise of Swami Vivekananda
F. Sister Nivedita’s visit to Madras:
Two Newspaper Reports
G. ‘Biligiri Iyengar – My Maternal Grandfather’
H. Holy Mother’s Letters to Swami Ramakrishnananda
And sent to his Castle Kernan address
I. Castle Kernan: Some Old Newspaper Reports
J. Vivekanandar Illam and Tsunami 2004
K. Vivekanandar Illam – an Overview
L. Continuing the Legacy
References
Acknowledgements